Fruits of labor.

Author : Vasudeva_AY

As the sun ascended majestically in the boundless cerulean expanse, it cast its radiant beams across the Li family's sprawling estate, illuminating the landscape with a golden hue. White clouds drifted leisurely, casting playful shadows that pirouetted over the Xiao Clan's inner circle, while avian melodies filled the crisp air, carried aloft by a cool breeze that whispered secrets through the courtyard.

Amidst the grandeur of the estate, a towering pavilion rose proudly, its red marble walls adorned with roofs of shimmering gold tiles. Like a triumphant roar echoing towards the heavens, it symbolized the unwavering might of the Li family within the Xiao Clan's domain.

Yet, within the hallowed halls of the pavilion's ground floor, where precious stones adorned the walls and opulent carvings of gold and silver adorned the marble, an air of solemnity pervaded the atmosphere. Elders, seated upon intricately crafted wooden chairs, encircled Elder Zhang and Elder Wang, their countenances veiled in a somber pallor.

Within this chamber, where green strands of energy pulsed between the two elders locked in a silent confrontation, the weight of anticipation hung heavy, casting a stark contrast to the vivacious vitality thriving beyond its walls.

Elder Zhang's words cut through the tense atmosphere like a thunderclap, his voice tinged with fiery indignation as he unleashed his fury upon Elder Wang. "Your blind devotion to antiquated traditions chains us to the shadows of the past, Wang! We must embrace change to carve out our destiny."

In retort, Elder Wang's voice boomed with equal fervor, reverberating through the hallowed hall like a tempest. "And you, Zhang, would discard our honored legacy in pursuit of your own selfish ambitions! Your arrogance blinds you to the wisdom of our ancestors."

Chaos engulfed the room as accusations flew like arrows and tempers ignited, engulfing the Li family in a maelstrom of discord. Despite the elders' attempts to quell the rising storm with soothing words and gestures, the inferno of rage between Zhang and Wang knew no bounds.

Elder Zhang's declaration reverberated through the chamber, his words carrying the weight of imminent confrontation. "You leave me no choice, Wang. If you obstruct progress, I will take action myself."

Elder Wang's gaze blazed with fury, his fists clenched in silent defiance. "Then let us settle this, Zhang. Once and for all."

Elder Bi, seated amidst the tumult, exuded an air of calm, though a flicker of unease danced in his eyes. "Elders, let us not resort to violence. There are peaceful solutions to be found," he urged, rising from his chair in a bid to diffuse the escalating tension.

Yet, in the heat of honor and ego, the wisdom of a fellow elder fell upon deaf ears. In the absence of a patriarch to arbitrate and with no one of rank 5 to command authority, the prospect of quelling the conflict between two formidable rank 4 elders seemed daunting, if not impossible.

Over the past two days, Zhen had been a masterful weaver of deceit, spinning intricate webs of rumors that reached every corner of the family. His whispers, like venomous serpents, slithered through the corridors, poisoning the minds of those who listened. The rumors were a calculated strike, meticulously aimed at the very core of the honor held by the two esteemed Yodhas, Elder Zhang and Elder Wang.

With every fabricated tale, the ridge of discord between the two elders deepened, evolving into a chasm that threatened to swallow their once-unbreakable bond. Zhen's words became the fuel for a raging fire, stoking the flames of mistrust and sowing seeds of enmity.

In a crescendo of fury, Elder Zhang surged forward with the force of a tempest, his very being a whirlwind of wrath and determination. His fist, wreathed in dark green tendrils of energy, cut through the air like a scythe, aimed with lethal precision at Elder Wang's chest. The sheer ferocity of his attack seemed to rend the very fabric of reality, tearing apart the serenity of the hall.

With lightning reflexes, Elder Wang met the onslaught head-on, his hands becoming a bastion of defense as they, too, shimmered with the same ominous energy. As their powers collided, the room quaked with the intensity of their clash, the air vibrating with the resonance of their battle.

A deafening cacophony erupted as their forces collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the chamber. Tables and chairs trembled in the wake of their power, mere witnesses to the titanic struggle unfolding before them.

Amidst the chaos, Elder Wang bore the brunt of the blow, his form propelled backward with bone-jarring force. In a thunderous crescendo, the wooden door splintered and shattered under the force of their conflict, the very foundations of the hall trembling beneath their might. Though Elder Wang had successfully blocked the devastating blow, the sheer force of the impact sent him hurtling through the doorway, his body crashing against the unforgiving ground beyond.

As the dust settled and the echoes of their battle faded, a palpable tension hung heavy in the air. The other elders, rising from their seats with a sense of foreboding, looked on in dismay at the spectacle unfolding before them. "Elder Zhang, this is an affront to our very essence," Elder Lian's voice rang out, her words a solemn admonition against the folly of their conflict. But in the grip of their unbridled rage, Elder Zhang's resolve remained unyielding as he strode forth, ready to face the consequences of his actions in a battle that threatened to consume them all.

Amidst the cacophony of loud noises and energy fluctuations reverberating through the environment, the members of the Li family were roused to alertness. They swiftly converged upon the pavilion, drawn by the spectacle unfolding within.

Elder Wang lay sprawled on the floor, surrounded by swirling dust that obscured the view. Meanwhile, Elder Zhang made his approach through the shattered entrance of the pavilion, his presence commanding attention amidst the chaos.

Perched cross-legged on the roof of one of the smaller buildings encircling the pavilion, Zhen observed the unfolding scene with keen interest. His eyes remained fixed on the elders as the rest of the family members hurried towards the pavilion.

Noticing that nearly all the members of the main family had gathered, Zhen swiftly slipped away from his vantage point, making his way towards the Granthalaya.

From the outset, Zhen had meticulously crafted his plan, knowing that his ultimate objective lay within the Granthalaya. His strategy was twofold: first, to neutralize the guarding elders and then to create a distraction substantial enough to afford him the time needed to infiltrate the Granthalaya.

Understanding the formidable powers possessed by the Yodhas, Zhen recognized that a conventional distraction, such as setting fire to the houses, would be swiftly quelled. Instead, he opted for a more calculated approach. By inciting conflict between the two prominent elders of the family and that too, who guarded the Granthalaya, he aimed to create a tumultuous disturbance that would captivate the attention of the entire household.

With the chaos ensuing from the confrontation between Elder Wang and Elder Zhang, Zhen seized the opportunity to slip past the distracted guarding Elders and advance towards the Granthalaya. His plan hinged on the effectiveness of the diversion he had orchestrated, allowing him precious time to excavate the archives and retrieve the vital information he sought.

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