Chapter 915

"The dangers involved are obvious to Laozu upon hearing them: in September, the late emperor perished, and chaos erupted in the southwest, Fujian, and the eastern coast—not to mention the north," Zhang Liuyuan said gravely. "The entire north is in turmoil, its qi muddled—it is the second most dangerous place, and those sent north are Li Gu; the east is the third most dangerous, and Zhang Ziming was dispatched there..."

Zhang Liuyuan's gaze grew even sharper as he said gravely: "Everyone knows which path is more perilous. As for what he claims—that I set ambushes along the way—Laozu, I, Zhang Liuyuan, act with integrity. No matter what grievances I hold against the second branch, they must end within the compound. As heir of the Celestial Master Sect, I possess the tolerance to uphold this principle."

Zhang Shangde's eyes flickered with approval, and the Celestial Master Sect disciples surrounding them now regarded Zhang Liuyuan with renewed respect.

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow and finally took a serious look at the people encircling them.

Most were unfamiliar faces, aged between twenty and forty—likely hidden forces of the Celestial Master Sect, or reinforcements recalled from afar.

These were the core strength of the Celestial Master Sect; if Zhang Liuyuan gained their support, half his position would be secured.

The other half...

Pan Yun turned her gaze to the two silent Laozu.

She couldn't help but sneer, glancing at Master Xuanmiao and Tao Ji, then lunged forward with lightning speed and slammed her palm into his Upper Dantian.

Everyone's eyes widened; the two Laozu erupted in fury, and Zhang Xuefang struck out instantly: "How dare you!"

Zhang Liuyuan lunged in front of Pan Yun, spreading his arms to shield her, roaring: "How dare you!"

Zhang Liuyuan was the heir—even if his title was hollow—Zhang Xuefang dared not kill him outright. His hand veered, and the qi cluster exploded against the ground with a bang, shattering stones. Pan Yun had already mobilized all her qi the instant she struck, encircling herself and Zhang Liuyuan.

The shattered stones were held back by the qi barrier, yet both were still thrown back by the shockwave, their blood surging—especially Zhang Liuyuan, who spat a mouthful of blood, clearly badly injured.

Pan Yun reached out to steady him, her fingers pressing against his pulse: "Senior brother?"

Zhang Liuyuan shook his head, though inwardly he scolded her recklessness, his face betraying nothing—only gripping her hand tightly.

Zhang Liuyuan's Upper Dantian was shattered by the blow; he writhed on the ground, moaning in agony. Zhang Zhengchang, leaning nearby, finally snapped out of his shock.

He glared at Pan Yun with hatred, his fingers trembling: "You dare harm my grandson before my eyes? I'll kill you! I'll make Mount Sanqing pay for my grandson's death!"

Pan Yun replied coldly: "This palm was for my senior brother and sister. What business is your Zhang family's internal feud to Mount Sanqing? Zhang Liuyuan sent assassins to ambush them, injuring their Upper Dantians. If I don't avenge them, I am unworthy to be their junior sister!"

"You! It was Zhang Li and Tao Ji who interfered in our family affairs and ambushed us!"

"I don't believe it," Pan Yun said. "I know my senior brother and sister. If no one had tried to kill them, they would never have struck first!"

"You!"

Zhang Liuyuan pulled her behind him, raised his hand, and summoned a qi cluster into his palm. He asked the two Laozu seated above: "Laozu, I wish to succeed as head of the Zhang clan."

Zhang Xuefang stared blankly at the qi cluster in his hand: "You—you've healed your Upper Dantian?"

Zhang Liuyuan: "By heaven's grace, thanks to Li Gu and Tao Di's kindness, my Upper Dantian has been repaired. I can now resume cultivation."

He scanned the crowd and asked gravely: "Who still opposes my succession as head of the clan?"

Everyone fell silent, turning to the Laozu.

Zhang Shangde stared at him intently, his gaze lingering on the hand gripping Pan Yun's, then said expressionlessly: "You are the heir of the Celestial Master Sect. It is only right."

Zhang Zhengchang: "Laozu! The True Person's death is suspicious! The succession cannot be settled so hastily!"

He could no longer sit still, struggling to rise from his chair and collapsing to the ground, shouting: "The True Person vanished since August. The main courtyard was controlled by Zhang Liuyuan. Until the late emperor was captured, we repeatedly demanded answers—only then did Zhang Liuyuan claim the True Person was gravely ill and comatose, forbidding us to approach. From learning of his coma to his ascension, less than a month passed—this... if there's no foul play, I refuse to believe it!"

Zhang Liuyuan stared coldly at him: "Uncle Zu suspects me of patricide?"

Zhang Zhengchang glared at him: "That's what you say—not what I say!"

"Forget father-son sentiment—only consider interests," Zhang Liuyuan said. "My Upper Dantian was only repaired by spiritual medicine on September 18th. Father had already died by then. I was powerless, my Upper Dantian shattered—what motive would I have to kill him?"

"Everyone knows Father had only one son. Even though I was unfit as heir after my Upper Dantian shattered, I still held the heir's position. Father loved me dearly—what reason would I have to kill him?"

Indeed—there was no motive.

Everyone knew Zhang Liuyuan had survived safely in the Celestial Master Sect not only due to his own influence, but chiefly because Zhang Maocheng protected him.

Even when Zhang Liuyuan's prestige peaked, Zhang Maocheng never agreed to replace the heir.

Their interests were aligned.

At this point, no one doubted Zhang Maocheng's death.

Zhang Liuyuan maintained the qi cluster in his palm, his gaze fixed intently on the two Laozu.

Zhang Xuefang glanced at Zhang Zhengchang, then looked away, saying nothing.

Zhang Shangde nodded: "I will personally petition the imperial court to grant you the title."

Zhang Zhengchang had schemed his entire life—how could he willingly surrender now?

Holding the drenched, writhing Zhang Liuyuan, his eyes flashed with cold light, and in an instant he appeared before Zhang Liuyuan.

Pan Yun's hand moved; sensing the shift in Zhang Liuyuan's qi, she held back, but the hand he gripped sent a surge of her own qi into him.

Zhang Liuyuan raised his hand to meet Zhang Zhengchang's strike. Feeling the endless flow of qi within him, he immediately activated his new cultivation method, channeling all his qi into his leg. After one palm strike repelled Zhang Zhengchang, before the two Laozu could speak to stop him, he kicked Zhang Zhengchang square in the chest, shattering his qi shield and sending him flying.

The second branch's disciples gasped and rushed forward to catch Zhang Zhengchang.

Zhang Zhengchang's eyes bulged, staring at Zhang Liuyuan in disbelief: "How... how is this possible... your cultivation..."

Before he could finish, his eyes turned gray, his breath faded, then ceased.

"Uncle Zu!"

The second branch's disciples were stunned, staring at Zhang Liuyuan in terror.

Zhang Liuyuan remained expressionless, stating gravely: "Zhang Zhengchang attempted to assassinate the heir—he deserves death! Bring him a proper burial!"

The disciples responded in unison.

"Grandfather..." Zhang Liuyuan stared blankly, clutching his abdomen, drenched in sweat. After a long moment, he raised his head, eyes blazing red, glaring at him.

Zhang Liuyuan returned his gaze coldly, pulled his hand free from Pan Yun's, drew a sword from a disciple's side, and tossed it to him.

The meaning was clear.