Noob Scheme

The next day, Yu Yan finally panicked when a disturbing news reached him. This time, through the Red Maidens.

"Isn't he afraid of the oath?" Yu Yan asked in shock staring blankly at Hei Ying in front of him.

"I checked that Dao Treasure and its power is slowly fading. It feeds off the faith of the Yu Clan disciples, and lately, the clan has not had much faith in the Patriarch, so the power has reduced to a level even Foundation Establishment can endure," Hei Ying explained.

"Seriously? Then how is it still protecting the clan?"

"The oath of the Elders is just taking advantage of a loophole, the true function is protecting the clan fate so that part will always remain intact even if no one has faith in you"

Yu Yan scratched his head in annoyance as he walked back and forth through the yard. By the corner of the Yard stood a Black Guard together with a Red Maiden.

As Lu Sheng and Hei Ying might sometimes leave him to carry out an order, they decided to assign others to always be with him.

Number 8 was the most talented Maiden among the twelve, so much so that she earned even Hei Ying's admiration.

"So what you are saying is that right now, the First Elder is in the capital operating a store for the Chu Clan and inviting other Yu Clan members to join him?" Yu Yan asked again to make sure he understood things.

"Yes," Hei Ying nodded almost too enthusiastically.

Yu Yan's lips twitched and she decided to sit for a moment. No sooner had his bottom touched the ground than Hei Ying's next words woke him up.

"Isn't this an opportunity to show off your Clan power?" she asked.

Yu Yan's eyes brightened as he thought about the System Shop. Lately, he hadn't been able to acquire any Glory Points. Maybe this was truly his chance.

Before he could consider that train of thought, a Red Maiden entered the courtyard.

"Patriarch, a Chu Clan Elder is here to see you"

Yu Yan glanced at Hei Ying who simply shrugged and then signaled for the Maiden to bring in the Chu Clan Elder.

"Elder Feng pays respects to the Immemorial Patriarch" a loud voice boomed within the courtyard, the energy within threatening to overwhelm Yu Yan. Before it could achieve anything, a gentle wind flowed through the courtyard and the Qi dissipated like it never was.

"The Ninth Elder is helping you" Hei Ying sent Yu Yan a voice transmission.

"Elder Feng, your Cultivation must have improved greatly; yet to see your face, but your voice reached us first," Yu Yan replied, not losing momentum. His voice gentle and warm like spring breeze.

Hei Ying glanced at him and her eyes sparkled. She could sense that this aura had nothing to do with Cultivation or bloodline. A smile appeared on her lips as she watched him. After all, who didn't want their immortal companion to be talented.

"Immemorial Patriarch jests. This Chu Feng is inferior... inferior," he repeated twice, and Yu Yan could tell the man was making fun of him over his title.

A smile blossomed on his face as he thought to himself, "I'll see you again in a thousand years when you become a bag of bones"

Of course, he would never say that out loud.

However, he had no reservations before this Chu Clan Elder. Before Hei Ying, there wasn't much he could do as he didn't know who in the clan he could trust. And now after Hei Ying, he had no reason to be afraid anymore.

But of course, he couldn't just jump out and eliminate the Chu Clan like some bloodthirsty brute; after all, just like the Yu Clan, other small clans also had their own cast connections, some even deeper.

"Eight, please prepare some tea for Elder Feng," Yu Yan ordered and gestured for the Chu Clan Elder to follow him toward the Clan Hall.

Only now did Elder Feng's gaze leave Yu Yan to observe the others present in the room.

His eyes fell first on Eight, who bowed graciously before leaving, and he subtly nodded in approval. His gaze shifted to Hei Ying, and he suddenly got stuck.

"This Yu Clan brat surely knows how to enjoy life. I wonder how he managed to acquire such beautiful slaves" he thought to himself.

Indeed, no one knew the origins of the Red Maidens but the prevalent opinion was that they were all slaves. Their cultivation was not even taken into account as the Yu Clan technically should not be able to provide for so many slaves to cultivate.

They eventually settled in the Clan Hall within the Eternal Courtyard, and Yu Yan addressed the Chu Clan Elder.

"Elder Feng, given the current situation between our clans, you shouldn't have so much time to visit me right?"

Elder Feng's wrinkled face lit up as he grinned making Yu Yan feel like punching him.

"Me and your Clan's First Elder go way back. I was surprised to see him suddenly at my Chu Clan doorstep asking for help to groom his favorite descendant through Body Tampering Realm. Given our relationship, I am here to offer the Yu Clan some help. If you are going through any burdens, feel free to let me know and I'll see what I can do"

"Elder Feng is so gracious. Indeed, we have had some trouble lately. If the Chu Clan can provide us with some earthly treasures, Tier 2 herbs will do. You'll have the Yu Clan's eternal gratitude"

"Of course, of course," Elder Feng rose immediately, producing a large pouch out of nowhere.

A spatial treasure!

Yu Yan's pupils shrunk but he maintained his cool outwardly.

"We can't spare many Tier 2, but some Tier 1 and mortal herbs should get you going for a while," Elder Feng presented graciously.

"Good good. Thank you for returning our clan's stolen treasure from that traitor. You may leave" Yu Yan immediately rose and headed for th exit.

To him, there was nothing more meaningless than the last few breaths he wasted with this old bag of bones.

He understood the scheme the moment the old man opened his mouth.

Basically, he returned some of the stolen treasures, claiming he had been helping the Yu Clan and would probably soon mention the mines.

The old man was hardly even sociable, holding a conversation with him already took out all Yu Yan's brain cells.

Elder Chu Feng was about to protest when he felt a powerful gaze fall upon him. It was a power he had felt many times before but never in a clan that was supposed to be equal to his in power.

Turning around, he saw the Ninth Elder of the Yu Clan standing beautifully, her red dress with a deep neckline that he did not dare look at.

His eyes fixed on hers like a cat watching intently at a rival cat preying on it.

"I'll escort you out, Elder Feng." The Ninth Elder giggled loudly, her voice pleasantly echoing through the walls.

Elder Feng turned to glance at Yu Yan, who was standing at the exit now, and then to Hei Ying, who sat cross-legged on a chair like nothing in the world concerned her.

"Your gratitude is overwhelming" he gritted his teeth at Yu Yan before bowing.

"I'll see you at the Saint Realm Opening in five years"

Yu Yan watched the old man walk past him and towards the exit of the mountain. He had long given Hei Ying control of the Chaos Treasure, which was the Yu Clan's Protective shield. If this Elder dared to try anything, he would have her instantly eliminate him.

The Ninth Elder turned to Yu Yan after the Chu Clan Elder left, her gaze studying him curiously.

"I wish we got to know more of you before. We would not have waited this long to support you" she started but found Yu Yan staring impassively at her.

She wasn't confused as to why he wasn't warm towards her. She and the other Elders knew the dirty business they played with the Patriarch selection, but they had no choice; thus, she felt no guilt.

"You exist; the Yu Clan exists because of the very system you loathe," she stated, then started walking out. When she reached in front of Yu Yan, who was by the entrance, she paused.

"Don't aggravate the Chu Clan too much, they have strong ties with the Ji Clan from the Central Continent, even the Clear Heart Sect is nothing before any power from the Central continent." she paused then glanced back subtly at Hei Ying.

"I don't know where she came from, but be careful of the deals you make. If she is sincere towards you, with her by your side, maybe you can break our curse"

Without another word, the Ninth Elder left, leaving Yu Yan standing there.

"Thinking about forgiving them now?" Hei Ying asked smiling.

"I'm tired" Yu Yan sighed. He walked back into the meeting room, drew a random chair by the table, and sat down.

"Do you know anything about curses?" he asked Hei Ying.

"No, but I know how to break the one on your Clan," Hei Ying replied.

"Really?"

"Oh come on! I come from a higher realm, what do you think? It's just a simple curse limiting your Qi Cultivation from crossing the Soul Forging stage because I think that's when your bloodline is supposed to awaken"

"Bloodline?"

Yu Yan recalled seeing something like that in the system but never realized he had one.

Suddenly the system interrupted them.

[System Notice: Milestone Reached]

[Yu Wei, Honorary Yu Clan Elder has started Cultivation in the Devil-Budda Technique (Dao Tier)]