Yuan’s Ascension

"Head straight to the sect headquarters?" Wu Yuan asked thoughtfully.

"Indeed." Gu Ji replied, "As soon as the headmaster of Southdream Martial Academy deems that you’ve passed the assessment, I will immediately escort you from Southdream City to the sect headquarters. It should take four or five days."

"The sect headquarters isn't just protected by two Land Rankers, but also numerous Savant experts, first-rate Adepts, and 3000 troops of the Cloudstride Army. Forget Luo Beixiong, a single Savant expert. Even if a Land Ranker dares to force their way in alone, they would be tempting fate," Gu Ji stated confidently.

Wu Yuan could only nod in agreement. Gu Ji's words rang true. From their conversation, Wu Yuan gathered that anyone below the level of a Heavenly Ranker who rashly intruded into the headquarters of a great martial sect was putting their life in grave peril.

The sheer presence of the 3000 troops from the Cloudstride Army alone was enough to deter any Land Ranker.

There were four elite armies under the banner of the Cloudstride Sect, namely the Cloudstride Army, the Southdream Army, the Baihu Army, and the Cloudhill Army. The latter three were all composed primarily of martial virtuosos. These soldiers were led by a large number of Adept experts, stationed in three different provincial cities to maintain law and order and ensure territorial stability.

The Cloudstride Army, despite being the smallest army of the four, was the true backbone of the Cloudstride Sect and possessed the power to shake the Jiang Continent. With a force of 6000 soldiers, the Cloudstride Army was composed of heavily armored Adepts wielding superior weapons. Their soldiers attacked with the fury of roaring rivers and defended with the sturdiness of towering mountains!

Each of the three provincial cities was garrisoned with 1000 troops of the Cloudstride Army, the bedrock of a provincial general's power. The remaining 3000 troops were stationed at the sect headquarters, receiving direct orders from the sect leader. In critical times of competition with other sects and nations, it was this army that instilled confidence in the Cloudstride Sect.

Wu Yuan had to admit that Gu Ji's proposal was a sensible one. If he only had the strength of a martial virtuoso, he would have probably accepted this suggestion. However, Wu Yuan was already quite strong, and still rapidly improving.

Most importantly, if we were to proceed directly to the sect headquarters, wouldn't we be letting Xu Shouyi get away scot-free? A glimmer of killing intent flickered in Wu Yuan's heart. He had long made plans to deal with Xu Shouyi before his enrollment into the sect. He had to rid his family and clan of this imminent threat.

“Uncle Ji, let us observe the situation for now,” suggested Wu Yuan, “It won’t be too late to make a decision after the headmaster of the martial academy has verified my abilities.”

“Understood.” Gu Ji reluctantly nodded. He could pressure Wu Yuan, however, he could not defy the hall master's orders. His sole responsibility was to ensure Wu Yuan's safety.

"Uncle Ji, will you accompany me to the Wu Clan?" Wu Yuan asked. Naturally, Gu Ji agreed.

Shortly after, Wu Yuan and Gu Ji, along with Wu Xiong and three additional guards, departed from the martial academy. As for the other guards, they remained within the academy. Firstly, the provincial city was relatively secure. Secondly, having a dozen guards in tow would undoubtedly attract undue attention.

…

The Wu Clan in Southdream Province might not have been among the top-tier families, but with nearly 200 years of history, they had previously produced a first-rate Adept and a county mayor. Consequently, they could be deemed a well-established clan with deep roots. As such, the main family of the Wu Clan had managed to establish branch families in six counties of the Southdream Province.

Today, within the great ancestral mansion of the Wu Clan's main family, a lively scene unfolded as hundreds of clan members congregated in the plaza in front of the ancestral hall.

“Though Wu Yuan may be a special recruit of the sect, he certainly is too arrogant.”

A tall, flower-robed elderly man stood at the front of the crowd, a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes, “We are the main clan. Yet he, a branch member, failed to pay homage to his ancestors immediately after arriving in Southdream City. Despite agreeing to visit today, he has yet to make an appearance past breakfast time!"

“Out of the thirteen clan elders, five personally came today. We have given him more than enough face,” another middle-aged man dressed in red robes said coldly.

"Let us all remain calm." A black-robed elderly man spoke solemnly, "Wu Yuan is young and extraordinarily gifted. It is natural for such geniuses to be arrogant. Our hope is for him to join our main family and revitalize our Wu Clan, not to start a conflict.”

“Grand Elder, what you say holds merit," the elderly man in flowery robes snorted coldly, "However, just as the sect has its laws, the clan has its rules. No matter how gifted Wu Yuan is, he is not above the internal rules of the clan. After all, he is only a special recruit. At most, he will only become a second-rate Adept. Can he truly bring about a momentous transformation to our Wu Clan?"

"Has our clan ever faced a shortage of second-rate Adepts?" the middle-aged man dressed in red robes retorted, "In my opinion, today's welcoming ceremony is excessively extravagant."

The other clan elders echoed their agreement. In theory, Wu Yuan's inclusion in the main clan would strengthen the entire family. But unless Wu Yuan became a first-rate Adept, he was merely a cake to be divided among themselves. Furthermore, the recent rejection letter from the Wu Clan in Li City which politely declined the request for Wu Yuan to join the main clan, had already stirred discontent among these clan elders.

"Silence!" The black-robed elderly man scanned the four people behind him, his expression finally darkening, "When Wu Yuan comes, I do not wish to hear any mention of this."

The clan elders quieted down without any protest. When it came to status and prestige, no one could compare with the grand elder apart from the chieftain. In fact, the clan elders present were his juniors.

"Grand Elder, Wu Yuan has arrived." A hurried voice echoed from the distant entrance, capturing the attention of the crowd gathered in the square.

"He’s finally here."

"I didn't even have the chance to eat breakfast before being forced to come here."

"Just a descendant of a branch family," the Wu Clan members whispered among themselves. It was clear that many were dissatisfied with Wu Yuan, whom they had yet to meet.

"All of you, come with me to welcome him," the grand elder said coldly, taking the lead to walk towards the entrance. Though they were reluctant, the other clan elders dared not object and followed behind.

…

At the entrance of the Wu Mansion.

Wu Yuan and his companions patiently awaited.

"Young Master, we could have arrived on time, why did you choose to linger at the breakfast stall?" asked a guard named Fang Ying, puzzled.

"In accordance with clan etiquette, should a branch member visit the main clan before breakfast as a mark of respect?" Wu Yuan asked, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

"Yes," Fang Ying nodded, he had thought that Wu Yuan was unaware of these intricate protocols.

"If I were late, would you be displeased?" Wu Yuan asked with a light laugh.

Caught off guard, Fang Ying hesitated before admitting, "I suppose I would."

"That's the point," Wu Yuan’s smile widened triumphantly. What he wanted was the dissatisfaction of the Wu Clan's main family. The more dissatisfied they were, the better!

The rest of the guards were somewhat perplexed by Wu Yuan's words. Gu Ji, on the other hand, seemed thoughtful.

"They've arrived," Wu Yuan murmured softly, watching a large crowd emerge from the main gate, but he did not show any intention of approaching them. This left his guards even more bewildered. According to proper etiquette, the host should come forward to welcome them. After which, Wu Yuan should take the initiative to greet them.

While interacting with him in the past few days, Wu Xiong, Fang Ying, and the others felt that Wu Yuan was quite well-versed in decorum. But when it came to the Wu Clan, he seemed to disregard all conventions of courtesy.

"This Wu Yuan!" Standing on the steps, the simmering anger of the Wu Clan elders reignited once they realized that Wu Yuan was not planning to move a single inch. Even the grand elder furrowed his brow slightly. Nonetheless, with utmost poise, he still smiled and took the initiative to walk down the steps.

"This gentleman, you must be our Wu Clan's young talent, Wu Yuan."

"Indeed." Wu Yuan confirmed with a slight nod, "And you are?"

"Wu Yuan," the elderly man in flowery robes couldn't contain his frustration any longer and chided in a deep voice, "You are speaking to the grand elder; shouldn't you pay your respects promptly?"

"The grand elder?" Wu Yuan's expression twisted into a wry smile as he offered a slight bow, "I, Wu Yuan, a descendant of the Wu Clan from Li City, humbly pay my respects to the grand elder." He didn't even fully bend at the waist, let alone kneel.

This time, even Wu Xiong and Fang Ying looked at each other with raised brows. They couldn't help but feel that Wu Yuan's behavior was somewhat uncalled for. After all, the grand elder of the main family was someone even the chieftain of the Li City branch had to bow to. Clan etiquette held great significance in the world of the Middle Land.

But before the flower-robed elderly man and several others could reprimand him, they suddenly felt an icy glare from the grand elder. Startled, they promptly swallowed their words.

"Wu Yuan, the thousands of clan members are elated that you could visit us. You are the first disciple of our Wu Clan to receive a special recruitment invitation from the sect, haha." the grand elder smiled warmly, "The Wu Clan's great ancestral mansion is also the ‘ancestor’ of the Wu Clan’s six branches, it is also where your roots are. Keep this in mind."

"Hmm." Wu Yuan gave a non-committal reply, feeling a little disappointed. This grand elder’s ‘temperament cultivation’ was too powerful. Anyone who could attain such a position in a large clan with such a long history was indeed no simpleton.

"Wu Yuan, let us enter together." the grand elder gestured.

Wu Yuan nodded. Led by the grand elder and several other clan elders, Wu Yuan, accompanied by his guards, embarked on a tour of the Wu Clan's great ancestral mansion, learning about the illustrious history of their ancestors. Eventually, the group arrived at the newly decorated ancestral hall for the final and most important event: ancestor worship.

Considering my body and bloodline, paying homage to the ancestors will do no harm.

Wu Yuan had no psychological barrier or aversion to such an act, completing all the rituals of ancestor worship properly.

At this moment, nearly a thousand members of the Wu Clan crowded the ancestral hall and the plaza outside, packed in the limited space like a tin of sardines. All eyes were fixed on Wu Yuan, the grand elder and other distinguished members of the Wu Clan, standing before the portraits of their ancestors through the ages.

“Wu Yuan!” The grand elder’s expression softened, and his clear voice resonated in the ears of all Wu clansmen, “On this day, we gather at the mansion and honor our ancestors, not only to welcome your arrival but to comfort the spirits of our forebears, in the knowledge that a valiant martial artist of their lineage walks among us!”

“Are you willing to leave your name on the family honor roll in our hall of ancestors?” the grand elder's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

The next moment, all eyes fell on Wu Yuan. How many descendants did a large clan have? Not everyone could leave their names in the hall of ancestors. Only outstanding successors or those who made great contributions to the clan could have their names recorded on the family honor roll.

If Wu Yuan agreed to leave his name, it would mean that his clan membership would be transferred to the main clan from Li City, and he would become a member of the main clan.

Gu Ji, Wu Xiong, and the others stood aside. This was an internal matter of the Wu Clan. As long as Wu Yuan's life was not in danger, they would not interrupt, let alone interfere.

“Our ancestors paved a difficult path and built our legacy through trials and tribulations. Their hardships made the Wu Clan what it is today. I, Wu Yuan, am grateful for our forebears' grace,” Wu Yuan said with a smile, “Hence, before I left Li City, the chieftain had already listed my name on the family honor roll in the Li City branch.”

“It seems improper to have one name listed on two family honor rolls. I'm afraid I am unable to fulfill Grand Elder’s wishes. I hope for Grand Elder’s understanding.”

The entire hall fell into stunned silence. He refused!

The smile on the grand elder's face stiffened. He didn’t expect that Wu Yuan, despite being offered such a highly respected status, would reject him without hesitation.

“Wu Yuan! You're being ungrateful.” The red-robed elderly man standing behind the grand elder finally lost his temper and erupted, “The Wu Clan in Li City is just a branch family, how can it compare to the main clan? The fact that the main clan is willing to embrace you and record your name in the family honor roll is an immense honor bestowed upon you!"

“I've always taken pride in being a member of the Li City Wu Clan,” Wu Yuan calmly retorted, wiping the smile from his face. As he observed the enraged countenances of the Wu clansmen, laughter bubbled within him. He was not afraid of the main clan turning against him, he was just worried that they wouldn’t. If they didn't express hostility, he would be limited in how far he could go in his actions!

"Wu Yuan, is this how Wu Qiming educated you?" Even the grand elder, with his patience and self-control, could not suppress his fury.

"When I was young and ignorant, the chieftain taught me manners." Wu Yuan's voice was calm and composed. "When my father died in the Battle of Hillstride, the chieftain offered me wealth; when I encountered troubles in life, the chieftain showed me the way."

"Without the Wu Clan of Li City, there would not be the Wu Yuan of today!"

"I wonder, what lessons are you intending to teach me today, Grand Elder?" Wu Yuan locked eyes with the grand elder, undaunted. "Disloyalty, unrighteousness, filial impiety?"