The Zi family's training ground was ready.
The air buzzed with a deafening roar, a vibrant spectacle.
Most of the major forces from the three kingdoms were present.
This was, of course, partly due to Zi Wenchang's subtle hint in his invitations that someone from the Imperial Zi family would be attending.
The Imperial Zi family, a prominent clan of the Azure Dragon Empire, stood shoulder to shoulder with the Shen family of the Wind and Cloud Merchant Guild. Which of the three kingdoms' powers wouldn't want to latch onto such a mighty tree?
Thus, under Zi Wenchang's suggestion, the Zi family's Patriarch succession ceremony was exceptionally grand.
The eight prominent clans of the three kingdoms gathered, the four major forces convened, and people from all walks of life converged, creating a truly lively scene.
Meanwhile, in the Zi family's reception hall, the patriarchs of the eight prominent clans were in discussion.
Zi Wenchang, clad in an opulent black brocade robe, sat at the head of the table.
However, his smug, gloating demeanor lacked any trace of a leader's aura, appearing rather ignoble.
"Second Master Zi has finally achieved his wish. Congratulations!" Bai Tao, the patriarch of the Bai family, said indifferently.
Yet, the subtle sarcasm in his words betrayed his displeasure.
Bai Tao was on excellent terms with Zi Guochang and had always disliked Zi Wenchang, who was bent on replacing Zi Guochang as the family head.
"Thank you, thank you! Patriarch Bai's presence at the Zi family brings much honor," Zi Wenchang replied with a smile, his words exceedingly courteous, as if he hadn't heard the sarcasm.
"You are too kind! Compared to Second Master Zi's methods, I am ashamed to be inferior," Bai Tao retorted, his sarcasm becoming more pronounced.
He had heard that after his good friend Zi Guochang disappeared, his daughter had suffered greatly under Zi Wenchang's wife's bullying.
Zi Wenchang's smile stiffened for a moment but was quickly concealed.
"Patriarch Bai is too modest. As I ascend to the position of family head, I will have to rely on the care and support of all you patriarchs present!"
"Patriarch Zi is too polite. As lords of the eight prominent clans, we should naturally look after each other."
Before Bai Tao could speak, Hua Wuhen, the patriarch of the Hua family, interjected.
Hua Wuhen had a sharp, monkey-like face, and his sinister eyes occasionally flickered with calculation.
"Indeed, indeed. The eight prominent clans are like one family, and we should certainly visit each other more often," Luo Chuan, the patriarch of the Luo family, chimed in.
If Hua Wuhen was a true scoundrel, then Luo Chuan was a complete hypocrite.
He always played both sides, rarely offending anyone until the final benefits were secured. Su Dan Novel Network
"Yes, yes, yes! Patriarch Hua and Patriarch Luo speak wisely," Meng Youyu, the patriarch of the Meng family, added with a benevolent smile.
He had always been a peacemaker and naturally avoided causing offense.
Gao Ao, the patriarch of the Gao family, also nodded, "It is only right! It is only right!"
Though he was plain-looking, he was a martial enthusiast.
"Heh?" Yang Dezhi, the patriarch of the Yang family, scoffed, "The eight prominent clans are like one family? You have the nerve to say that?"
His words, save for Bai Tao and Sun Pin, the patriarch of the Sun family, who was quietly drinking tea, caused the expressions of the other patriarchs to sour.
Despite their current harmonious gathering, who knew how they schemed against each other in private?
Therefore, Yang Dezhi's remark had effectively stirred a hornet's nest, offending nearly all eight patriarchs.
"Yang Dezhi, what do you mean by that?" Hua Wuhen glared at Yang Dezhi sinisterly, the cup in his hand shattering with a 'bang'.
The Hua and Yang families had a long-standing animosity, and now Yang Dezhi had publicly affronted him. How could he tolerate it?
Gao Ao also looked at Yang Dezhi with displeasure, "Yang Dezhi, if you want to fight, just say so."
He preferred resolving matters through force rather than verbal sparring.
A hint of displeasure flashed in Luo Chuan's eyes. "Patriarch Yang, please choose your words carefully."
Meng Youyu remained silent, as he disliked conflict.
Bai Tao watched the scene unfold with a detached air.
Although he agreed with Yang Dezhi's sentiment, he had no intention of getting involved.
As for Sun Pin, who had been continuously drinking tea, he didn't even lift an eyelid.
It was as if nothing in the world was more important than drinking tea.
Zi Wenchang's face darkened considerably.
This was supposed to be his auspicious day for assuming the position of family head. If they started fighting, he would lose face entirely.
Therefore, he forced a fake smile and said, "Esteemed patriarchs, please calm your anger. I believe Patriarch Yang spoke without thinking. Please grant him some leniency."
His words caused Hua Wuhen and Gao Ao to snort coldly and fall silent.
But Yang Dezhi was not satisfied. He sneered, "Patriarch Zi, are you implying that I speak carelessly?"
Zi Wenchang was taken aback. He forced a smile, "Patriarch Yang, you misunderstand. I meant no such thing."
Though displeased, he merely wanted to provide a way out for both sides and had no intention of offending Yang Dezhi.
Yang Dezhi stated coldly, "It's best if you didn't! Don't think that just because you've become the Zi family head, you can act superior in front of me."
Zi Wenchang's fake smile faltered.
Before he could speak, Yang Dezhi's attention shifted to Hua Wuhen.
"Hua Wuhen, you know exactly what I mean. When your Hua family caused trouble for our Yang family, where was your talk of being like one family then?"
Hua Wuhen was furious!
Yang Dezhi, have some decency!
The enmity between the Hua and Yang families was deep; how could they be like one family?
If not for the need to maintain his image as a family head, Hua Wuhen would have loved to curse him out.
But Yang Dezhi gave him no chance, directly turning his attention to Gao Ao.
"Gao the Madman, others may fear you, but I, Yang, do not. If you wish to curry favor with that scoundrel Hua Wuhen, I'll gladly test the spear skills of your Gao family."
Gao Ao's face darkened, and his anger surged.
Although he and Hua Wuhen were good friends, being exposed so openly by Yang Dezhi was humiliating.
Furthermore, Yang Dezhi had used the insultingly derogatory term "curry favor"!
"Yang Dezhi, how dare you insult me! Today, I shall see how much substance you have!"
As he spoke, he retrieved his long spear, the Overlord Spear, from his storage pouch.
With spear in hand, I am the Overlord!
Holding the Overlord Spear, Gao Ao's aura changed dramatically.
Spiritual energy surged from his spear tip, pointing at Yang Dezhi.
"Brother Gao, I, Hua, shall lend you a hand!" Hua Wuhen declared, producing a weapon of his own.
However, his weapon was peculiar: a large flower bud with a stem.
Yang Dezhi chuckled contemptuously and gestured, summoning a Fangtian Huaji halberd.
Spiritual energy also surged from the Fangtian Huaji.
An atmosphere of imminent conflict filled the space between the three men.
Zi Wenchang's face turned as black as a pot's bottom.
If these two were to fight, how could his succession ceremony proceed?
"Patriarch Gao, Patriarch Hua, Patriarch Yang, what is the meaning of this? Do you intend to ruin my succession ceremony?"