Things are going as I planned.

Inside the grand hall of the Zhao Ancestral Court, the air was thick with the scent of burning incense.

Unlike the main clan hall, which Father Zhao ruled with an iron fist, this place belonged to someone even he had to bow before.

The one and only Zhao Tian, the great supreme Elder, and Grandfather of Zhao Fan.

A man whose authority surpassed even the patriarch's.

And right now, that man sat on a golden throne-like chair, draped in robes embroidered with celestial patterns.

His aged face bore no signs of weakness, only an indomitable will that had ruled the Zhao Clan for over a century.

Zhao Fan knelt before his grandfather and great-grandfather, as a greeting.

Yes.

Two old men were currently playing chess in the courtyard.

"I congratulate the great ancestor for making the breakthrough," Zhao Fan said feeling the powerful aura of his great grandfather.

Zhao Tian, and Zhao Ancestor looked at Zhao Fan.

"What brings you here, Divine son?" Grandpa Zhao asked while his focus quickly went to the game.

His queen was hanging, his rook was hanging and he was about to be mated by a pawn.

Grandfather was getting cooked by his father.

"It's related to the current patriarch... And, I think he isn't suitable to sit on the throne of the Zhao patriarch," Zhao Fan said.

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere turned cold.

Both stopped focusing on the game and looked at Zhao Fan.

The current patriarch was his own father so, why does he think, that Zhao Huang is unsuitable?

..

Zhao Tian, whose fingers froze mid-air as he was about to move a piece, showed an obvious confused look.

While Zhao Ancestor slowly turned his gaze toward Zhao Fan, his deep, aged eyes flickering with an unreadable light.

The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.

Zhao Tian was the first to speak. His voice, though calm, carried an unmistakable edge.

"Do you understand what you're saying, brat?"

Zhao Fan met his grandfather's gaze without fear.

"I do!"

Zhao Ancestor let out a low chuckle.

"Interesting. Very interesting." He leaned back slightly, stroking his long white beard.

Was it hard to understand? If he couldn't tell what was going on then how could he be a great ancestor?

He figured it out that this matter must be related to Zhao Meng who recently got an inheritance and blessing.

And that brat also happened to be the son of his favorite concubine.

Did the current patriarch tell his son to step down from the position of divine son and give it to Zhao Meng?

That's a possibility.

Or perhaps, The current Patriarch tried to kill his own son?

That's also a possibility but it's quite risky and the ancestor believes that as a patriarch he can't be that dumb.

...

"Tell me, Divine Son, on what basis do you claim that Zhao Huang is unfit?"

Zhao Fan did not hesitate.

"The Zhao Clan does not need a patriarch who lets personal emotions cloud his judgment. Nor one who plays favorites at the cost of the clan's future... The Father tried to kill me and even told me to step down from the Divine Son position.

From the generations, the position of divine son belongs to the strongest youth below raw age yet, he thinks he can overthrow the ancestral law of the Zhao family.

Father overlooked the Zhao Family, and ancestral law, and I think elders and Patriarch are trying to rebel against the rules of ancestors.

Yes, certainly, Zhao Meng received the blessing and inheritance, so, his future is bright but that's not a good enough reason.

Zhao Meng lacks talent, even with inheritance and blessing, he isn't someone who can be called a true genius.

On the other hand, I, Zhao Fan, remained a peerless talent that only the ancient can match.

I have no reason not to hand over the position of Divine son, as long as, Zhao Meng has enough strength to take it from me,"

Saying that, the aura of the golden core erupted from his body.

The aura was very strong compared to the regular golden core realm.

The air seemed to freeze over.

Everything in the surroundings seems to vibrate with joy.

The trees, the teacup, the chessboard and pieces, the sword on grandfather's waist.

"This!? This is supreme Dao golden core..." Ancestor was overjoyed.

No way, Zhao Meng is not even capable of polishing Zhao Fan's shoe.

Zhao Fan has yet to reveal his Dao harmonious physique and Dao harmonious heart, not to mention, the inheritance of black dragon and system.

And Zhao Fan has no plans to reveal too much.

If the Supreme Dao golden core doesn't work to gain the favors of Grandfather and Great grandfather, then, he will reveal his physique or dao heart.

No one aside from you, can trust yourself.

The world is a selfish place.

The world can only see as much as he wants to show, and the world can only feel as much as Zhao Fan wants them to feel.

An innocent is guilty of possessing the treasure.

...

Zhao Tian, and Zhao Ancestor showed a genuine smile for a short time before maintaining their composure.

The supreme Dao golden core?

Good! Good! Good!

The Zhao family has never produced any alchemist or array master so, Grandpa and ancestors have to remain polite and humble when meeting the alchemists and array masters.

Who wants to lower their head to someone weak?

But existence like alchemist and array masters are different.

No matter how powerful you are, you and your family need alchemy pills.

And offending one alchemy master is like offending an entire alchemy organization or guild.

But now.

Their own Divine son can create alchemy pills and make arrays.

Supreme Dao Golden Core? It shows his talent in every field of Dao.

He can master all 3000 paths of Dao.

Such a man. It's only reasonable to have 3000 wives and 3000 concubines.

...

"It seems our Zhao family is blessed," Ancestor Zhao said.

He can see the potential and benefits of Zhao Fan.

And he also respects the potential and inheritance of Zhao Meng.

But the problem here is, Zhao Huang, who wants to put Zhao Meng as a Divine son, which is bound to cause civil war.

And it seems Zhao Huang doesn't know about the supreme Dao golden core.

Come to think of it, Zhao Fan mentioned Zhao Huang wanted to kill him, and that might be the reason why he didn't reveal it to Zhao Huang.

Ancestor Zhao turned a little andry and looked at his son.

"Zhao Tian, you will once again be the patriarch of the Zhao Family from now on, as for Zhao Huang, send him to mines for 5 years to repent,"

The ancestor said coldly.

The only problem in the Zhao family is Zhao Huang.

Thus, it's only reasonable for him to send that useless trash to mines.

With that, Ancestor looked at Zhao Fan.

"Zhao Fan, within 1 month, The secret realm of the Gold and snow Holy Land will open up, I know their sect master, I think it would be better for you to visit there. I heard this realm gives birth to Ice Flame. A strange flame that is cold yet hot,"

...

Meanwhile,

"Zhao Meng, within 1 month, The secret realm of the Gold and snow Holy Land will open up, I know their sect elder, he owes me his life, I think it would be better for you to visit there. I heard this realm has many opportunities,"

Zhao Huang said to Zhao Meng.

Currently, Zhao Huang, Zhao Meng and Concubine Yue were in this room.

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( A/N: Check author thoughts and comment on how you feel. See ya homies )