Might, Influence, Power of his Status

Might, Influence, Power of his Status . . . 

In the realm of the illustrious and formidable Fang Clan, there existed a legendary figure known far and wide as Fang Mu, the venerable ancestor of their lineage. With a reputation that resonated through the ages, he was a veritable king among immortals, an undisputed expert of unparalleled stature.

Within the precincts of this domain, the Fang Clan reigned supreme, led by none other than an immortal king. Such lofty and exalted figures, akin to immortal kings, were typically reserved for the adoration and awe of ordinary folks. They were not figures one expected to encounter in everyday life.

Yet, at this very moment, the astonishing had transpired. Fang Mu, the immortal king himself, had descended upon the humble abode of the Chen Clan. It was a visit that should have been a source of immense pride and honor for the Chen Clan, or so it would seem. But in reality, did this unexpected arrival instill the anticipated sense of glory?

As the current head of the Chen Clan, Father Chen couldn't help but be overwhelmed by a nervous tension that gripped his heart. Fang Mu, the venerable ancestor of the Fang Clan, had personally graced their doorstep. However, it became evident that this visit wasn't in celebration of a wedding, as one might have assumed. No, it was for the sake of a young man who had found himself at the center of attention.

This young man, none other than the junior apprentice brother of Lin Shuai, was now linked by matrimony to Father Chen's own daughter. Earlier, he had endured humiliation at the hands of another member of the Chen Clan, his new son-in-law. By all accounts, this young man should have been a distinguished VIP guest. Yet, he found himself relegated to the back of the assembly, among the servants, a seating arrangement orchestrated by his daughter and son-in-law, much to the amusement of the onlookers.

The events had taken a grievous turn, with the young man nearly falling victim to unwelcome advances from another guest. Conversations buzzed about how to address this dire situation. Could Father Chen remain untroubled in the face of such circumstances?

Certainly not. Nervousness gnawed at him, mingled with profound regret. He yearned to slap himself in hindsight. At this moment, it had become painfully obvious that Qin Wentian possessed a lineage that traced back to a prestigious and influential aristocratic clan or perhaps was a disciple of an extraordinarily powerful sect. Anyone who dared doubt the discernment of the immortal king Fang Mu would be deemed a fool. Fang Mu, an immortal king, could never err so egregiously as to mistake a mortal for an immortal.

When Father Chen observed the actions of the middle-aged man in the green robe earlier, he had harbored inklings about Qin Wentian's true identity. Yet, regardless of his speculations, he had underestimated the extent of Qin Wentian's origins. The fact that an immortal king had personally graced their event and addressed him as "Young Lord Qin" with utmost respect indicated a status far beyond anything he could have fathomed.

Normally, individuals of such stature would be the objects of his profound admiration and reverence. They stood as paragons of supreme, unattainable grandeur. Yet, when this young man graced the Chen Clan with his presence for the wedding, he was met with nothing short of humiliation and disdain. One could easily surmise the turmoil churning within Father Chen's heart.

Huo Yan, Chen Xue, Chen Ao—Father Chen cursed them vehemently in the recesses of his mind. The junior brother of Lin Shuai hailed from none other than the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect. This revelation sent shivers coursing through Father Chen's heart as he drew a deep, trembling breath.

Ah, it all made sense now. Immortal-king ranked powers? The Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect, a colossus capable of standing toe-to-toe with the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Immortal emperors counted among their ranks, and they were the sovereigns of the Cloud Prefecture.

The fathers of both Wan Jiansheng and Huo Yan paled, their faces etched with dread. An immortal king had personally shown up to pay his respects to the young man, the very same young man they had slighted earlier. They grasped the gravity of the situation all too well. With a single word, this young man could sentence their entire clan to obliteration, expunge them from the annals of the Cloud Prefecture's history.

In this seemingly quaint corner of the world, the status of top-tier clans held no weight when confronted by the looming specter of immortal king-ranked powers. The merest offense could spell doom for entire clans, their legacies crumbling to ash at any given moment. This chilling reality ensured that they exercised extreme caution in their every endeavor. Little did they anticipate that today would usher in a revelation that would shatter their complacency—a disciple from an ascendant power had summoned an immortal king to their very doorstep.

As for Huo Yan and Chen Xue, they stood there in a bewildered trance, their senses marred by doubt. Could it be true? An immortal king in their midst?

Not just them, even Chen Yi, Lin Shuai's enchanting wife, had her luminous gaze suspended in disbelief.

A hush fell over the assembly as they collectively rose to their feet, their eyes fixated on the unfolding spectacle. The immortal king stood before Qin Wentian, who remained seated, displaying no inclination to rise.

"Senior Fang, there's no need for such formality. Please, take a seat," Qin Wentian uttered with a genial laugh. Given his present stature, he had little reason to be overly deferential to an ordinary immortal king. Yet, out of courtesy for the immortal king's personal visit, he adhered to a modicum of decorum. Still, there was no urgency in his posture to stand and receive the guest.

He understood the propriety of the situation, recognizing that there was no necessity for him to do otherwise. The immortal king's presence bore testimony to his awareness of Qin Wentian's true identity. As the purported disciple of the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord, the hegemon of the six prefectures, did Qin Wentian truly need to stand in deference to an ordinary immortal king from the Cloud Prefecture?

Fang Mu, in observing Qin Wentian's casual demeanor, detected no anomaly. With a nonchalant air, he took a seat facing Qin Wentian, an action that sent ripples of astonishment through those present.

Even in the wake of an immortal king's arrival, the enigmatic young man remained seated, unruffled. Who, exactly, was he?

At this juncture, Father Chen could no longer maintain his composure. An immortal king relegated to the rear, mingling with the servants? Such a scenario reeked of impropriety.

"Senior," Father Chen ventured forward, his tone reverent, "please, assume the master's seat."

"Today, I ventured here simply to pay my respects in light of Young Lord Qin's presence. Therefore, I shall take the seat he has chosen," Fang Mu responded with a casual chuckle. As an immortal king, there was no need for him to grovel before Qin Wentian. Yet, his words bore the grace of diplomacy, an eloquent testament to Qin Wentian's fame.

Rumor had it that Qin Wentian was the most favored disciple of the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord, a man who would wage war against the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect on his behalf. No matter the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's efforts, they remained incapable of vanquishing him.

Such a luminary figure was destined for boundless glory, and the Fang Clan, ensconced in the Cloud Prefecture, stood to gain immeasurable benefits from fostering a connection with Qin Wentian. In the days to come, the word would spread, rendering any attempts to affront the Fang Clan a fool's errand, for they were now inextricably linked with Qin Wentian.

This rationale underpinned Fang Mu's willingness to undertake this journey in person. As an immortal king, he didn't lavish such attentions lightly, but in this instance, the stakes were high and the rewards even higher.

Within Father Chen's heart, a tempest raged, emotions churning as he locked his gaze onto Qin Wentian. Regret washed over him, casting a shadow of remorse across his features. He sighed heavily, his words tinged with contrition, "I, Chen, was entirely unaware of Young Lord Qin's esteemed identity. If any member of my Chen Clan has, in their ignorance, caused offense to Young Lord Qin, would you be so gracious as to forgive them? Furthermore, may I extend an earnest invitation to Young Lord Qin to assume the seat of honor?"

Qin Wentian, his demeanor free of arrogance, replied with a straightforward statement of facts. He addressed the situation, unassuming in his approach, "Someone earlier asserted that my status was of lowly regard, which led to my placement at the rear. Since that decision was made, I've chosen to remain seated in quiet observation. After all, my purpose here is to extend my warm congratulations to my senior apprentice brother on his wedding day, not to create discord. Clan Lord Chen, I encourage you to focus on the wedding ceremony without concern for me."

His words resonated through the room, uncomplicated and grounded. Qin Wentian had no intentions of sowing discord; he had come as a guest to celebrate an auspicious occasion.

However, the assembly remained rooted in their positions, hesitating to reoccupy their seats. Father Chen's heart quivered, and he directed a fervent curse at Huo Yan, his voice a low, vehement growl, "Huo Yan, get over here immediately!"

Huo Yan's father didn't appear perturbed by Father Chen's tone, and why should he be? Qin Wentian was a person capable of eliciting a personal visit from an immortal king—a force not to be trifled with. How could the Huo Clan afford to antagonize such a formidable individual? Even Wan Jiansheng's father quivered with trepidation as he ushered his son toward Qin Wentian.

"My inconsiderate son acted discourteously. I, Huo, failed to recognize the exalted Young Lord Qin. May Young Lord Qin find it in his benevolence to pardon us?" Huo Yan's father bowed, his display of humility earning nods from the onlookers. The abrupt transformation in their attitude left the spectators in mild astonishment. Huo Yan's lack of discernment, in stark contrast to his father's astuteness, was apparent in the pained expression etched across his face, a testament to his inner turmoil.

"Why do you hesitate to apologize and seek Young Lord Qin's forgiveness?" Huo Yan's father rebuked him, his voice laced with impatience.

Yet, Huo Yan remained tongue-tied, his visage contorted by the struggle that raged within him.

Qin Wentian, upon witnessing Huo Yan's tortured expression, offered a derisive chuckle. "Before this, my elder sister rightfully observed that not even immortal kings display such arrogance. Dare I accept his apology? Prior to this, it was glaringly evident that he sought to stir discord at my senior apprentice brother's wedding celebration, using his status as a descendant of the Huo Clan as leverage. In that case, I shall indeed pay a visit to the Huo Clan in the future and ascertain the extent of the Huo Clan's greatness."

The words landed like a sledgehammer, leaving both father and son pale as sheets. Particularly Father Huo, who comprehended the dire implications. Given Qin Wentian's standing, what did it mean when he casually mentioned a future "visit" to the Huo Clan?

"The Huo Clan is truly honored to have elicited Young Lord Qin's interest. Do you all comprehend Young Lord Qin's identity?" Immortal King Fang Mu interjected, his laughter resonating warmly.

He continued, painting a vivid portrait of Qin Wentian's prestige, "Young Lord Qin achieved the position of top ranker during the hundred-year recruitment banquet of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. When the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor extended an offer of discipleship, he boldly declined. Subsequently, the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord personally brought him under his wing, founding the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect. It is rumored that Young Lord Qin has been the cherished personal disciple of the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord since the outset."

These revelations elicited a chorus of gasps and whispers, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the unfolding drama.

"Thud!" The sound of Huo Yan's father hitting the ground echoed like a thunderclap, his legs quaking uncontrollably beneath him. The realization had just struck him like a lightning bolt – his son had insulted the disciple of the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord. Waves of dread surged through his mind, and he couldn't fathom the magnitude of the consequences that loomed.

"KNEEL!" Huo Yan's father's roar cut through the air, and with a resounding thud, Huo Yan joined his father on his knees. Gone was the arrogance that had defined him moments earlier. His mind was a chaotic maelstrom, grappling with the enormity of his own audacity. How had he dared to boast about his status and behave with such haughtiness in the presence of a disciple of the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord? He hailed from a first-tier clan in a small corner of the world; in the grand tapestry of the six prefectures governed by the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect, he was as insignificant as a speck of dust.

Wan Jiansheng and his father, too, found themselves prostrated in submission, their faces drained of color.

Father Chen, on the other hand, was utterly dumbfounded. While Lin Shuai had mentioned that Qin Wentian hailed from the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect, he had neglected to disclose that Qin Wentian was the beloved disciple of the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord.

The junior apprentice brother of his son-in-law, a disciple of the Emperor Lord, had attended his daughter's wedding only to be subjected to such humiliation, relegated to the rear with the servants. Father Chen's mind resembled mush as he grappled with the implications of this revelation.

As for the servant girls who had previously regarded Qin Wentian with disdain, they now trembled in fear, avoiding even a sideways glance at him.

"Young Lord Qin, we implore your forgiveness," Father Chen humbly lowered his head, prompting astonishment even from Chen Yi. She cast a glance at Lin Shuai, astounded by the impressive stature of her husband's junior apprentice brother.

"Little Yi, I didn't intend to keep this from you. Junior apprentice brother Qin and I were part of the same sect on a particle world in the past. His achievements today are solely the result of his own talent and hard work. I refrained from leveraging his prestigious status to enhance our own," Lin Shuai communicated privately to Chen Yi. She nodded slowly, emerging from her daze. Stepping forward, she addressed Qin Wentian, "Young Lord Qin, if my father has fallen short in any way, please extend your forgiveness."

"Sister-in-law, what are you saying?" Qin Wentian hastily rose to his feet. He didn't mind the others, but now that Chen Yi had approached, he felt obliged to stand and greet her.

"Senior brother Lin has always treated me like a younger sister. Since you are his wife, you are family to me as well. Sister-in-law, you may address me as Wentian from now on." Qin Wentian's voice was gentle, his words eliciting a profound change in the way everyone regarded Chen Yi. She was now the sister-in-law of the beloved disciple of the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord, a status far from ordinary.

Father Chen's heart raced even faster. The future prosperity of the Chen Clan would undoubtedly rely on Chen Yi and Lin Shuai. He resolved to do everything in his power to compensate for the mistakes of today.