Chapter 514: Uninvited Arrival

"Yun Xiao? He actually volunteered to go onto the Sacred Cloud Platform? That's really rare.""Did that guy take the wrong medicine today?""Heh, it's clear he knows his so-called 'young patriarch' title won't last, so he's making a final display of power to salvage some dignity."

"Yun Qiu was defeated so easily? Yun Xiao usually keeps a low profile; how could his strength be so formidable?""Of course, that's because Yun Qiu had already defeated several challengers, and his profound energy was significantly depleted! Although Yun Xiao's profound energy is slightly higher, he lacks a profound aura. Under normal circumstances, it's impossible for him to defeat Yun Qiu so easily."

The Yun family disciples were not only surprised but also deeply displeased by Yun Qiu's easy defeat at Yun Xiao's hands. In their eyes, Yun Xiao was not truly one of their own but rather the "wild spawn picked up from the Sky Profound Continent," a fact known throughout the Illusory Demon Realm. Previously, Yun Xiao never participated in such duels. However, this time, he voluntarily stepped onto the stage and even defeated Yun Qiu. To them, this was tantamount to one of their own being defeated by an outsider, naturally causing immense dissatisfaction.

"Before, he was still clinging to the title of young patriarch. After today, heh, let's see who can protect him. Being expelled from our family is only a matter of time. How dare he try to steal the limelight at a moment like this... Watch me go and take him down!"Immediately, a Yun family disciple leaped onto the stage, standing before Yun Xiao. With an arrogant expression, he declared, "Come, let's spar!"As his voice faded, he executed a swift movement technique, conjuring numerous afterimages. Dozens of lightning sword gleams wove into a shimmering purple net, directly engulfing Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao's expression grew solemn. He took half a step back, brandished his Lightning Rush Sword, and seven lightning blades whistled forth. The sound of them tearing through the air was piercing, like knives scraping against glass.*Clang, clang, clang, clang...*A chaotic series of sounds, like shattering crystal, erupted. The two fighters clashed amidst the flashing lightning sword shadows, and the vast Sacred Cloud Platform, dozens of meters wide, was instantly enveloped by a shimmering curtain of lightning.

"The Grand Elders are here!"As the two fighters clashed on the stage, a shout rang out. Yun Che glanced sideways and saw dozens of figures slowly approaching from different directions. Each individual emanated an exceptionally powerful aura. They did not deliberately release their profound energy fields, yet their arrival caused the surrounding space to almost entirely solidify.

Each of these individuals was a supreme powerhouse whose might resounded throughout the Illusory Demon Realm."These are the thirty-six core elders of my Yun family's Elder Council," Yun Qinghong informed Yun Che softly. "Currently, among these thirty-six core elders, the strongest is Grand Elder Yun Waitian. He is the head of the Elder Council, and for the past twenty years, he has primarily held the highest authority."

Yun Che nodded slowly. He understood that Yun Waitian's position as head elder wasn't solely due to his superior strength or age. There was another crucial reason: his youngest son, Yun Xinyue, was hailed as the Yun family's hope for resurgence.Yun Che didn't need Yun Qinghong to point him out; he recognized Grand Elder Yun Waitian at a glance because he arrived alongside Yun Xinyue.

The thirty-six elders took their seats in order. Regarding Yun Qinghong, some nodded, others ignored him, and a few offered slightly complex gazes. As members of the Elder Council, they knew precisely what was about to unfold, as today's events were their collective decision.

A relatively low-ranking elder, passing by Yun Qinghong, whispered, "Qinghong, I'm sure you've already guessed the true purpose of today's family competition... The vast majority of elders support Yun Waitian, and even the three Supreme Elders do as well... Though we are reluctant, we are powerless to change anything... Alas."Yun Qinghong offered him a faint smile and simply said, "You needn't worry."The elder shook his head, said no more, and took his seat, his expression complex.

Yun Waitian was already seated in the central position among the elders, with Yun Xinyue to his right. For a junior to sit among the Elder Council members, without any elder finding it improper, clearly demonstrated the high regard and esteem the entire Yun family held for Yun Xinyue.

The two individuals on the Sacred Cloud Platform were still engaged in combat. After a brief stalemate, Yun Xiao gradually began to gain the upper hand. Witnessing Yun Xiao actually fighting a Yun family disciple on the Sacred Cloud Platform, the various elders displayed expressions of surprise and complexity. Yun Waitian cast a glance at Yun Xiao on the stage, then a sidelong look at Yun Qinghong, letting out a faint, disdainful snort. As he looked at his own son, his face instantly filled with arrogance.

Over twenty years ago, Yun Qinghong was the foremost prodigy in Demon Emperor City and the youngest Emperor Lord in the Illusory Demon Realm's history. His brilliance was so dazzling that Yun Waitian, despite being over fifty years his senior, could only look up to him. Unexpectedly, fate took a turn. The man he once had to look up to and envy had become a cripple, and his son was the well-known "wild spawn." Thinking of his current standing in the Yun family and of his own son, the feeling of superiority was immensely gratifying.

"Hahahahaha!"A hearty burst of laughter suddenly erupted. Above, a tall figure materialized out of thin air, and a slightly flamboyant voice boomed, "Mu Yubai of the Mu family, here to attend the Yun family's grand event!"No one in the Yun family found Mu Yubai's presence unusual; everyone was well aware of his purpose and had prepared for it. However, seeing that only Mu Yubai had arrived, the elders secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They all rose to their feet. In a few decades, Mu Yubai would become the head of the Mu family, a status surpassing everyone present, so they naturally stood to greet him. Yun Waitian rose and cupped his hands, saying, "Young Patriarch Mu's presence is most welcome. Please, take the seat of honor."

"No need," Mu Yubai waved his hand dismissively. "I'll just find a place to sit anywhere."With that, he swayed, and his figure instantly appeared beside Yun Qinghong. He then sat down boldly, paying no further heed to the others.

"Senior Mu," Yun Che greeted him.Mu Yubai nodded, then looked at Yun Xiao, who was now clearly dominating the stage. Stroking his chin, he commented, "Tsk, this kid isn't half bad.""Brother, are you here by yourself? I thought Father would come too," Mu Yurou whispered.

Mu Yubai's expression became slightly grave. He lowered his voice, saying, "Father was originally coming, but I stopped him." As he spoke, his gaze suddenly darted towards Yun Waitian's direction, and his voice deepened: "While investigating the attack on Xiao'er and the girl from the Tianxia family, Father and I uncovered some extraordinary clues... It's possible that members of the Illusory Demon Royal Family will attend today's family competition."Yun Qinghong's eyebrow twitched sharply.

"The Illusory Demon Royal Family?" Mu Yurou's eyebrows furrowed instantly. "Brother, what exactly did you discover? Who was trying to harm Xiao'er that day?"Mu Yubai shook his head slightly. "We only found a few clues, but we can't confirm anything, nor do we have any substantial evidence... Let's observe how things unfold. If the situation gets out of hand, humph, then this position of Yun family head isn't worth keeping. Your family would be far more comfortable with us in the Mu family than staying in this wretched place!"

Mu Yurou glanced at Yun Qinghong and sighed silently. Mu Yubai could say it so casually, but she knew Yun Qinghong would never willingly abandon the Yun family. After all, the Yun clan carried the lives, efforts, pride, and honor of his direct lineage as family head. How could he ever be content to leave the Yun family and relinquish the patriarch's position to another Yun bloodline?

Just then, a calm voice drifted from the distance:"Tianxia Wudi, here to pay respects."Though only eight short words, the first still seemed ten *li* away, while the last sounded as if it were right by their ears. The formidable profound energy contained within the voice stirred all thirty-six elders present, and that voice, along with the name announced, caused them all to rise.

At some point, two figures materialized in the air. Yun Che recognized the one on the left as none other than Tianxia Diyi! To his right stood a gentle-faced, amiable middle-aged man whose position was one step ahead of Tianxia Diyi. The name he had just announced, "Tianxia Wudi," was his own.Yun Qinghong's face showed surprise, then he thoughtfully glanced at Yun Che but asked him nothing. Instead, he explained directly, "You already know Tianxia Diyi. The person beside him is Tianxia Wudi. He is about my age, the younger brother of Tianxia Xiongtu, the patriarch of the Spirit Clan. Among his generation, his strength and status are second only to Tianxia Xiongtu."

"Oh!" Yun Che nodded slowly. Two months prior, he had sent a message to Tianxia Diyi, asking him to attend this Yun family competition. He hadn't expected that not only would he come, but he would also bring such a prominent figure!Clearly, Tianxia Diyi had likely guessed Yun Che's intentions. He had never forgotten Yun Che's kindness in saving his sister. His status, identity, and character dictated that he would never be willing to owe anyone a favor. Thus, he not only arrived but also brought Yun Che a significant surprise.However, the names chosen by the members of the Tianxia family are truly more ostentatious than the last!

If only Tianxia Diyi had come, the Elder Council members would have given him a casual welcome. After all, despite being a young patriarch, Tianxia Diyi was still a junior. But Tianxia Wudi's arrival was a different matter. Yun Waitian immediately rose into the air and greeted them warmly, "So it's Elder Wudi and Young Patriarch Tianxia.""Haha," Tianxia Wudi offered a gentle smile. His mild demeanor, utterly devoid of an imposing aura, seemed somewhat mismatched with his grand name, "Tianxia Wudi." He continued, "We've come uninvited; I hope you don't mind.""Elder Wudi, please, don't say that. Your presence is an immense honor for our Yun family. Please, take the seats of honor."

As the two took their seats, Tianxia Diyi and Yun Che's gazes met, and they exchanged slight nods. One used his eyes to offer a greeting, the other to convey gratitude.

The Yun family's competition was clearly destined to be out of the ordinary. No sooner had Tianxia Diyi and Tianxia Wudi taken their seats than another voice resounded from above: "Tsk tsk, it seems your Yun family has quite a few distinguished guests this time. This is far livelier than I anticipated."The voice was arrogant and sharp, making anyone who heard it feel uneasy. As the voice and its accompanying aura spread, the atmosphere instantly grew tense. Yun Che clearly saw both Yun Qinghong and Mu Yubai's expressions subtly shift.

A middle-aged man slowly descended from the sky. Dressed in green, his features were unsettlingly strange, and his complexion carried a faint bluish hue. What most surprised Yun Che were his eyes, which were narrow and triangular. Meeting his gaze, Yun Che felt a chill spread through his entire body. It was not the aura of an ice-elemental profound art, but rather a bone-chilling, sinister coldness that sent shivers down his spine.It was perfectly normal for someone from the Mu family to arrive, and while the Tianxia clan's presence was a slight surprise to the Yun family elders, it wasn't particularly alarming. However, this man's appearance utterly astonished all the Yun family elders. He slowly descended, his hoarse, unpleasant voice declaring, "I've also come uninvited this time. I hope my friends from the Yun family won't take offense."

Yun Waitian rose to greet him. "Brother Helian, what are you saying? Since you're here, you are naturally a distinguished guest... Please, take a seat of honor.""Helian Peng, what are you doing here?" At that moment, an unfriendly voice spoke up, revealed to be Mu Yubai."Heh," Helian Peng's narrow, triangular eyes narrowed, and he let out a faint cold laugh. "Mu Yubai, you can come uninvited, so why can't I? The Yun family was, after all, a hegemon in its day. Of course, I have great interest in observing this grand family competition."The words "in its day" were intentionally stressed. Mu Yubai snorted coldly and said nothing further, but his brow furrowed slightly. In his opinion, this person's appearance was far from ordinary.

"Helian Peng is the third most influential figure among the current generation of the Helian family head," Yun Qinghong explained to Yun Che. "Their true form is the Nine-Headed Demonic Serpent. They possess extremely high innate talent in their physique and are immensely powerful. However, for ten thousand years, they were suppressed by our Yun family, always relegated to second place. But since the great upheaval in my Yun family, they have now become the head of the Twelve Guardian Families."The Helian family... the Nine-Headed Demonic Serpent clan...Yun Che silently observed the man named Helian Peng, committing his appearance to memory.