Chapter 349: Xi Family Clan Council

Yu Qi heard this, his expression changing slightly, but he did not immediately agree.

He merely said in a deep voice, "Daoist Friend Xi, feel free to speak. As long as it is within my abilities and does not violate the sect's moral principles."

He already had a few guesses in his heart.

If it were him whose lifespan was nearing its end, he also wouldn't let a favor go to waste.

Xi Daoyun did not beat around the bush. He cupped his hands and spoke frankly, "I would like to ask Daoist Friend Yu to accompany me on a personal trip to Heavenly Azure Prefecture, to relocate the Xi Family and settle them in the central region.

"And, for the sake of our past friendship, I hope you can look after them a bit in the future, so that my Xi Family's inheritance is not severed."

Yu Qi frowned slightly, falling deep into thought.

Relocating an entire family from the Northwest Region to the central region of Heavenly South was by no means an easy task.

"Aside from writing off the favor entirely, there are also my thousand years of savings, all of which will be handed over to you, Daoist Friend, to handle. Even if you cannot use them, you can trade them with other Daoist Friends."

He was slightly startled in his heart.

However, the entire net worth of a Nascent Soul cultivator was something that would tempt any other Nascent Soul cultivator.

He thought for a moment before suddenly speaking up, "Daoist Friend Xi, why must it come to this? Although the Xu Family's momentum is massive and difficult to block, why don't you invite me to take action?

"With the two of us working together, could it be that we still cannot eradicate the Xu Family?

"We could also awe the other factions while we are at it.

"Your Xi Family would still be the hegemon of Heavenly Azure Prefecture!"

Although this suggestion was good, Xi Daoyun slowly shook his head.

"My Xi Family has offended quite a few families over this past millennium. Once I die, they will no longer have the power to suppress them. Even if they are deterred for a time, how long can that deterrence last?

"Can Daoist Friend Yu really stand guard over my Heavenly Azure Sect indefinitely?

"Furthermore, if Daoist Friend Yu acts recklessly in our Northwest Region, I am afraid the Spirit Taming Sect would also be dragged into the turmoil of my Heavenly Azure Prefecture."

"What do you mean by this?" Yu Qi looked over with a slightly puzzled gaze.

Xi Daoyun replied, "Daoist Friend Yu, do you truly believe what I mentioned before, that the Ancestor of Profound Moon just happened to pass by and took action to capture the true demon... was really just a coincidence?"

Yu Qi's pupils contracted sharply. "You mean..."

"He headed straight for the Xu Family. If my expectations are not wrong, it must be that the Xu Family members, using some unknown method, managed to invite this Grand Cultivator to make a special trip to deal with Demon Lord Tianluo!"

The composure on Yu Qi's face was finally shattered completely, replaced by shock and a trace of chill.

To invite a Late-Stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator to take action, what kind of influence and price would that require?

The Xu Family could actually accomplish this?

"The Xu Family deliberately sat back and watched your Heavenly Azure Sect and the Greedy Wolf Sect suffer utter defeat?!"

Yu Qi instantly realized the critical point and inhaled a breath of cold air.

If this were truly the case, then the Xu Family's scheming and cunning were simply too terrifying.

"Perhaps. The Xu Family must have used the great war between our two prefectures to achieve some goal of theirs, and clearly, they have already succeeded.

"In addition, a prodigy of the Xu Family has entered the tutelage of the Ancestor of Profound Moon, becoming his personal disciple.

"As a hegemonic sect of the Northwest Region, the Profound Moon Sect might not casually interfere with the struggles between the various prefectures. But if your Spirit Taming Sect intervenes and wantonly slaughters the Xu Family...

"I worry that the consequences might be something your Spirit Taming Sect would not necessarily be able to bear."

Yu Qi fell silent.

The Spirit Taming Sect was indeed prosperous and strong. Their overall strength might even be slightly superior to the Profound Moon Sect, but the reason the Profound Moon Sect could rank among the Five Top Nascent Soul Sects...

...aside from truly being the number one sect in the Northwest Region, was primarily because of the person known as the Ancestor of Profound Moon.

A brief moment later.

A complex look appeared on Yu Qi's face as he solemnly cupped his hands toward Xi Daoyun. "Thank you, Brother Xi, for speaking frankly and awakening me.

"This matter was indeed something I had thought too simply about previously."

He also understood the deeper meaning behind Xi Daoyun's warning.

Xi Daoyun had come seeking asylum. If he and the Spirit Taming Sect both met with mishap, then how could he fulfill his promise to look after the Xi Family?

"Then Daoist Friend Xi, what do you plan to do?"

"The Xu Family wants to seize the foundation of my Heavenly Azure Sect, so naturally, I will not make things easy for them. As long as you are willing to take the members of my Xi Family away, I will have no further worries."

"Are you planning to..."

Yu Qi immediately understood and sighed softly, "Daoist Friend Xi, why must you go to such lengths?"

"Engaging in a desperate, last-ditch struggle to survive is not as good as a hearty battle. If I can heavily injure the transformed flood dragon and kill the Family Head of the Xu Family, then it won't be that easy for the Xu Family to rule Heavenly Azure Prefecture."

Xi Daoyun's eyes flickered. He paused before looking at Yu Qi again, "Regarding my previous request, can Daoist Friend Yu agree to it?"

"Forget it, I shall agree."

After a long while, Yu Qi sighed softly and nodded.

A favor eventually had to be returned; otherwise, it would be detrimental to his future cultivation.

Besides, Xi Daoyun had also offered generous remuneration, and the task at hand carried hardly any risks.

'To think that the Family Head of the Xu Family actually forced such a massive Nascent Soul Noble Family to this extent... I truly am curious about what kind of person you are.'

Yu Qi mused inwardly.

"Daoist Friend Xi, the relocation is a major matter that requires advance preparation. You might as well stay here with me, and once I have made the arrangements, I will accompany you back to Heavenly Azure Prefecture. How does that sound?"

Xi Daoyun clasped his fist and said, "Then I must thank you, Daoist Friend Yu."

"So, is your Xi Family preparing to find a piece of spiritual land to establish your clan, or to reside within my Myriad Beast City? Both have their pros and cons.

"There are already not many places with abundant spiritual qi left in Myriad Beast City. And your Xi Family, even without you, Daoist Friend, still has the heritage of a top-tier Golden Core Aristocratic Family. With your numerous clan members, settling down will not be easy.

"However, within Myriad Beast City, there is a fourth-tier grand array for protection, so external hidden dangers are extremely few. What remains are basically struggles between the major aristocratic families.

"And many of these aristocratic families have close ties with my Spirit Taming Sect."

"As for finding a piece of spiritual land around the Myriad Beast Mountain Range to establish your clan, that will entirely depend on your Xi Family yourselves. If you encounter danger in the future and come to the Spirit Taming Sect to report it, I will take action to help out a bit.

"But if it is too late and leads to disastrous losses, then I will be powerless to help as well."

"I understand. Let me consider this matter for a bit."

The time it takes to drink a cup of tea later.

Xi Daoyun spoke, "I must trouble Daoist Friend Yu to help find a piece of spiritual land. My Xi Family will establish the clan independently. However, I have an unreasonable request. I ask Daoist Friend Yu to leave behind three emergency communication jade talismans that can contact you directly.

"After those three times, it will depend on the Xi Family's own luck.

"Of course, if Daoist Friend Yu is willing to help out a bit more, I would be endlessly grateful."

Yu Qi pondered for a few breaths and nodded, "Alright."

"I leave it in your care." Xi Daoyun cupped his hands once more.

As the second-ranked Grand Elder of the Spirit Taming Sect, with just a single command, there were naturally people within the sect to handle matters for him.

In merely seven or eight days' time.

The subordinates had already selected several pieces of spiritual land that met the conditions and presented them for Yu Qi and Xi Daoyun to choose from.

Yu Qi took Xi Daoyun to a piece of spiritual land named Azure High Mountain.

This place possessed a high-grade two-tier spiritual vein. Naturally, this was not enough for a top-tier Golden Core Aristocratic Family, but the Xi Family had its own heritage, so this was not something the Spirit Taming Sect needed to worry about.

Moreover, nowadays, wanting to find a piece of ownerless land with a high-grade three-tier spiritual vein was extremely difficult.

Azure High Mountain spanned a radius of about twenty-five to thirty kilometers, which was already considered a relatively large territory.

Looking out, one could see a main peak rising steeply from the ground. Although not extremely high, it was still elegant and tall.

The mountain body was covered in verdant forests. Spirit birds occasionally circled above, and clouds and mist wreathed the mountainside.

On the sunny side of the mountain peak, the terrain was slightly gentler, forming several open plateaus.

With a little tidying up, it would be an excellent place to construct family palace halls and carve out grotto-residences.

Not far from the spiritual peak was a small jade-green lake, its waters crystal clear all the way to the bottom.

Occasionally, low-tier aquatic spirit beasts frolicked within, adding a touch of vitality.

The other side of the lake connected to a continuous expanse of primeval forest, where ancient trees reached the sky, vines intertwined, and spirit grass grew abundantly.

The entire region was surrounded by mountains and embraced by water, with lush woods. Although its spiritual qi did not soar to the heavens, it was still fresh and abundant, flowing naturally.

"It is indeed a spiritual land with picturesque scenery, suitable for a family to multiply and thrive."

Xi Daoyun's divine sense swept out, having already probed the inside and outside of this territory several times.

He naturally understood in his heart that a high-grade two-tier spiritual vein truly seemed shabby for the Xi Family, which had once sat upon one of the best spiritual veins in Heavenly Azure Prefecture.

But he was even more aware that at this moment, he was begging for a favor.

This settling place for the Xi Family chosen by the Spirit Taming Sect was already considered quite good.

He had neither the qualifications nor the bargaining chips to be picky or demand more.

"Daoist Friend Yu has gone to great lengths."

Xi Daoyun cupped his hands, his eyes calm and his face devoid of any dissatisfaction. "The mountains and waters here are spiritually beautiful, the layout is elegant, and it is far from disputes. It suits my intentions perfectly.

"With the Xi Family relocating here, we will still need the Spirit Taming Sect and Daoist Friend to help out generously in the future."

"For the sake of Daoist Friend Xi, I will naturally lend a hand."

Half a month later.

Xi Daoyun brought Yu Qi, who was clad in a purple-gold dharma robe, to the Xi Family clan territory.

The Xi Family clan territory was not far from the Heavenly Azure Sect.

Over the past millennium, it had been transformed into a blessed land.

It possessed a low-grade four-tier spiritual vein and several three-tier spiritual veins. Although slightly inferior to the Heavenly Azure Sect, it far exceeded the heritage of other aristocratic families.

Inside Xi Daoyun's grotto-residence.

He was absent from the Xi Family all year round, so his grotto-residence was almost always vacant.

"Daoist Friend Yu, this place is a bit desolate, please forgive me. I have spent nearly all my time in secluded cultivation at the Heavenly Azure Sect."

"It is no bother," Yu Qi smiled faintly.

Subsequently, Xi Daoyun personally sent a transmission to all the Golden Core cultivators of the Xi Family, summoning them to the grotto-residence.

In the Xi Family clan territory.

"The Ancestor has returned?"

The First Elder of the Xi Family suddenly opened his eyes, immediately rose, and rushed toward Xi Daoyun's grotto-residence.

The others did the same.

The Xi Family had a total of fifteen Golden Core cultivators. There were seven residing in the clan, led by the First Elder at the ninth layer of Golden Core, along with another Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.

Within the Heavenly Azure Sect were eight members, with True Lord Green Wood, Xi Muran, holding the highest prestige. He had reached Golden Core Perfection and had also achieved Great Accomplishment with his divine ability.

Aside from him, Sect Master Xi Fengyue had also stepped into the Late-Stage Golden Core.

The rest were early and mid-stage Golden Core cultivators.

At the Heavenly Azure Sect.

True Lord Green Wood received Xi Daoyun's message: "Return to the Xi Family immediately and gather at my grotto-residence!" He revealed a look of astonishment.

Naturally, no one knew of Xi Daoyun's whereabouts.

But for him to specially summon everyone back to the Xi Family to discuss matters was truly surprising.

'What is the Ancestor planning to do?'

He pondered for a brief moment but could not figure it out.

He immediately left his own grotto-residence and hurried toward the Xi Family clan territory.

Sect Master Xi Fengyue and the other Xi Family elders within the Heavenly Azure Sect all did the same.

By the time they arrived, several Golden Core elders from the clan were already waiting in the grotto-residence.

"Ancestor."

True Lord Green Wood, Xi Fengyue, and the others successively cupped their hands and bowed in greeting.

Seeing another person sitting beside Xi Daoyun, they instantly felt astonished, but none of them spoke up to ask.

"Everyone is here." Xi Daoyun swept his gaze over the Xi Family Golden Core cultivators present.

"Then let the clan council begin."

"May we know what matter the Ancestor wishes to discuss?" the Xi Family First Elder cupped his hands and asked.

"Regarding the relocation of our Xi Family to the central region of Heavenly South."

As soon as his voice fell, an uproar erupted!

The group of Golden Core cultivators all revealed expressions of extreme shock, their eyes full of incomprehension.

"Relocate to the central region of Heavenly South?"

"Ancestor, why so suddenly? Our Xi Family's foundation is here!"

"Then what about the Heavenly Azure Sect? Will our thousands of years of management not go down the drain?"

"Ancestor, are you worried that the Xu Family is pressing us too hard? We are willing to live or die alongside the family!"

One Xi Family Golden Core elder after another spoke up.

The Xi Family's foundation in Heavenly Azure Prefecture was incredibly deep, with industries spread everywhere, and there were also many branch bloodlines. Hearing so abruptly that they had to abandon everything and travel far away from home, how could they easily accept it?

Xi Daoyun listened quietly to his clansmen's clamor, his face as placid as an ancient well. Only when the voices gradually subsided did he slowly speak, "If you disagree, then provide your reasons, as well as a solution to the Xi Family's current predicament.

"Making such a racket, what kind of proper conduct is this!"

An elder spoke, "Ancestor, our Xi Family has a profound heritage, as well as quite a few vassals. Furthermore, we control the Heavenly Azure Sect, so why should we fear Cloudstream City?

"Even if it is... highly inconvenient for you at this time, Ancestor, we can still ally with the Mo Family and the Lei Family.

"They are also aristocratic families that have been rooted in Heavenly Azure Prefecture for a millennium. How could they be willing to let a mere foreign family that has been here for less than forty years trample over their heads?

"At worst, we just promise them some benefits."

"Muhua, Muran, one of you is the First Elder of the Xi Family's main branch, and the other is the First Elder of the Heavenly Azure Sect. Tell us, what is our Xi Family's current predicament?"

Xi Muhua paused, looking toward True Lord Green Wood, "It is better for Clan Brother to speak first."

"I agree with the Ancestor's decision," True Lord Green Wood stated. "In Heavenly Azure Prefecture, our Xi Family is already powerless to reverse the situation.

"As for what Elder Fengcang said about allying with the Mo Family and the Lei Family...

"...they have been suppressed by our Xi Family and the Heavenly Azure Sect for a millennium. I fear they are itching for us to collapse.

"Furthermore, from what I know, the Lei Family has already formed an alliance with the Xu Family. Back in the Connate Secret Realm, the Lei Family already followed the Xu Family's lead blindly.

"As for the Mo Family...

"If the Xu Family had never produced a shapeshifting great demon, Mo Wentian might still have had some thoughts.

"But he is someone capable of enduring. The Xu Family's momentum is already unstoppable. If he continues to make an enemy of them, his Mo Family will not have a good time in the future.

"Therefore, he will definitely seek out the Xu Family for peace talks, or even an alliance.

"Under such circumstances, even if our entire Xi Family fought to the death, we would at most inflict some minor wounds on them.

"Not to mention that over the past millennium, there should be quite a few Foundation Establishment and Golden Core families who have suffered oppression from our Xi Family.

"Or even some rogue cultivators.

"Leaving at this time will still allow us to preserve our strength.

"Taking root in the central region might take some time, but if we head over with our Xi Family's current heritage, aside from Nascent Soul sects and noble families, not many Golden Core Aristocratic Families would dare to provoke us.

"If it comes to a time when we are forced to flee, it is hard to say how many clansmen will be left, but our strength will certainly be drastically reduced. Wanting to take root again under those conditions will be fraught with difficulties."

True Lord Green Wood's detailed analysis plunged the crowd into silence.

Yu Qi also could not help but glance at him, sending a voice transmission to Xi Daoyun, "Daoist Friend Xi, is this person the authority figure you have chosen for the future of the Xi Family?"

"Daoist Friend Yu's eyes are like torches. Muran is not far from Divine Ability Perfection and has hope of stepping into the Nascent Soul stage. But today's Heavenly Azure Prefecture is no longer suitable for him.

"If he were to die in the ensuing struggles, my Xi Family would lose all hope of rising again."

"Daoist Friend truly has taken great pains with good intentions."

"Muhua, what are your thoughts?" Xi Daoyun looked at him.

"I..." Xi Muhua paused. "To answer the Ancestor, if what Clan Brother Muran says is true, then I have nothing more to say. I am willing to obey the Ancestor's arrangements."

"What about the rest of you? Are there any further objections?"

"We obey the Ancestor's arrangements!"

The group of Golden Core cultivators cupped their hands and responded.