Chapter 160 – Shen Clan

  The Shen Clan compound occupied the heart of Yunlai City’s most prestigious district, not far from the City Lord’s Mansion. It was a vast expanse of courtyards, pavilions, and jade-inlaid walls that exuded wealth and power.

  The gates, engraved with golden Qilins, opened wide, as Shen Jiuyang and his daughter approached, while the guards bowed low in greeting.

  Shen Jiuyang led the way, his bearing calm and steady. He was dressed in the formal robes of the Shen Clan, pure white silk embroidered with golden cloud patterns and the Clan’s insignia, a blazing sun above a mountain. The golden thread shimmered in the morning light, marking him as a direct descendant of the main branch.

  Walking beside him, Shen Ruolan’s appearance was even more striking than that of her father. She was wearing the blue robes of the Tranquil Mountain Sect, with her Sect Token dangling from her sash. She had the white Shen Clan robes draped over her shoulders like a mantle, and the contrast of white and blue matched her hair to give her a stunning look.

  As they passed through the inner gates of the Clan, the sound of running water and rustling bamboo filled the air. Servants and Clan members alike paused what they were doing to bow, while their whispering resumed as soon as the pair had moved past.

  Shen Jiuyang’s expression remained measured, but his hand briefly brushed against his daughter’s shoulder in silent reassurance. Unlike the City Lord’s Mansion, where Ruolan was sheltered and protected by her grandfather and doted on by her parents, the Shen Clan was much more nuanced.

  Ruolan lifted her chin slightly, and her eyes swept across the grand compound with a calm she didn’t entirely feel as she searched for the hated presence of her cousin.

  The interior of the Clan’s compound was already filled with movement when Shen Jiuyang and his daughter crossed into its marble threshold. There were Clan members in white and gold robes standing in neat rows, and several elders came forward to greet them.

  These were the Clan’s Core Formation Elders, all in their later stages of life. Some were not direct members of the Shen Clan, but had been recruited as talented youths and brought into the fold decades, or even centuries before.

  Each of them radiated a strong spiritual pressure that marked them as experts, but when Shen Jiuyang appeared, their stern composure softened into practiced smiles. Jiuyang, while only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, was ready to break through to Core Formation at any time, and such an accomplishment at his young age was remarkable.

  “Jiuyang, it has been far too long!” Boomed a large, slightly overweight Elder whose laughter echoed through the courtyard.

  Another Elder, her hair white but her eyes razor sharp, inclined her head approvingly at Ruolan.

  “And you, Ruolan, such a calm presence for one so young. The 6th Level of Qi Condensation, is it not? Impressive, the heavens truly favour our Shen Clan! The Tranquil Mountain Sect suits you very well.”

  Ruolan bowed gracefully, and her demeanour was composed despite her fingers tightening slightly around the sleeve of her robe. She could feel the eyes of the Clan members on her, assessing and measuring her every movement and cultivation for a single flaw.

  It was because of people like this that she had hidden her identity and had gone out into the city as a young man. They were constantly judging her every action, never letting her out of sight and ready to leap on any perceived imperfection.

  To the City Lord’s Mansion, she was a product of her mother and grandfather’s talent. But to the Shen Clan, she was a reflection of her father’s success and the Shen bloodline.

  Shen Jiuyang accepted the greetings with measured courtesy, clasping his hands and returning their bows where it was appropriate. His words were respectful, but he didn’t neglect his pride either.

  “Elders, you flatter us. My daughter still has much to learn. I only hope that she will live up to your expectations.”

  A chorus of laughter followed, rich and approving, although it sounded fake and hollow to Shen Ruolan, who was used to Jun De’s natural and heartfelt laughter.

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  “Nonsense, Jiuyang! Both of you bring honour to the Clan. It is good to see such promise within our direct line again.”

  After a few more minutes of conversation, servants hurried forward to lead the pair into the main hall. The interior was grand, a testament to the Clan’s wealth and pride that had lasted millennia. Thick incense hung in the air, curling toward the roof far above their head.

  At the center of the room, sitting on a low platform of polished jade, was the Clan Head, and Ruolan’s paternal grandfather, Shen Hongda. The older man’s hair was black with streaks of grey, and he lacked a single wrinkle to indicate his age, while the restrained power of the Late Stage of Core Formation pulsed around him.

  When they entered, he opened his eyes, and it was as though a mountain had shifted. The pressure in the room intensified for a moment before disappearing as though it had never been present at all.

  “Jiuyang, Ruo’er. You have both come.” Shen Hongda’s voice was loud and clear, ringing throughout the large hall.

  Both father and daughter bowed deeply to him.

  “Greetings, Clan Head. Greetings, Grandfather.” They said in unison, and Shen Hongda observed them quietly before nodding. He was clearly pleased by his son and granddaughter’s progress in cultivation and their efforts in the City Lord’s Mansion.

  “Enough formality. Come and sit.” Shen Hongda said sternly, his expression at odds with his words. Ruolan was slightly intimidated by her grandfather. Unlike Han Zhengwu, who was kind and patient with her, Shen Hongda was rigid in his ways and demanding of everyone around him.

  As Ruolan knelt beside her father on cushions just to the side of her grandfather, the rest of the Clan began to file in and take their places. The murmur of voices resumed, and servants poured tea as polite conversations filled the air.

  Her father and grandfather spoke together in low, serious tones beside her, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying despite her proximity. She suspected that one of them had put up a barrier to mute their words.

  A few minutes later, Ruolan found herself seated uncomfortably close to someone she had hoped to avoid.

  Shen Lianxue.

  Her cousin sat down next to her with immaculate poise, her every movement deliberate and elegant. Blue-black hair cascaded down her back like silk, and her porcelain features glowed faintly beneath the light cast by the large windows of the hall.

  Lianxue’s robes were pristine white, embroidered with silver snowflakes that were the mark of the Snowcloud Pavilion, a prestigious cultivation Sect for women that was located a short distance from Yunlai City. Her cultivation was in the 4th Stage of Qi Condensation, marking her as extremely talented, as she was of a similar age to Ruolan.

  Even the way she held her teacup, which was given to her by a nervous servant, was graceful, like a painting of beauty come to life. All around them, the younger clan members stole glances in both Ruolan and Lianxue’s direction, admiration and longing clear in their eyes.

  “Cousin Ruolan.” Lianxue said, finally, her voice as soft and cool as falling snow.

  “It has been some time since you last visited the Clan. I am surprised to see that you have advanced to the 6th Level of Qi Condensation, despite your many responsibilities. Grandfather must be very proud of you.”

  Ruolan managed a polite smile while all the while resisting the urge to reach over and strangle the woman.

  “I have been fortunate. The Tranquil Mountain Sect has been very favourable to me.”

  “Oh?” Lianxue’s lips curved faintly, and her cousin turned her head slightly to look at her. Whatever her outside appearance may suggest, Lianxue’s eyes were cold and hateful.

  “The Tranquil Mountain Sect must be rich with spiritual energy indeed. Still, that alone cannot explain such progress. Has no one told you before that rushing your cultivation through external means can be harmful?” Her tone was mild, but there was a pleased note underlying it.

  Lianxue suspected that Ruolan had made extensive use of pills to force a breakthrough, potentially damaging her future for short-term gain. Such an action would help Lianxue’s standing in the Clan when Ruolan’s progress began to falter.

  Ruolan forced herself to remain calm, as she was unwilling to give her cousin the satisfaction of a reaction. Yet, despite her efforts, a faint blush tinged her cheeks because she knew the true source of her increased cultivation.

  The pure, abundant Qi that flowed through her Dantian and meridians had been catalyzed by her intimate contact with Jun De’s unique constitution. The memory of his warmth, of his body against hers, flickered in her mind, and she couldn’t help but become slightly flushed.

  Lianxue caught the blush and arched an eyebrow.

  “You seem flustered, cousin. Are you unwell?”

  Ruolan composed herself quickly.

  “Not at all. Perhaps the tea is simply strong.”

  Lianxue observed her for a moment before shaking her head.

  “You must be more careful of your health, cousin. We both know how busy you must be in the City Lord’s Mansion these past few months. I cannot fathom how you manage to find the time to cultivate.” Lianxue commented.

  “Ah, I would have advanced further in cultivation myself, but alas, I have been so busy fulfilling my duties. The Sect Master of Snowcloud Pavilion insists that I learn not only the Dao, but also so many other subjects as well. It seems she intends to mould me into her successor.”

  Shen Lianxue paused, and her eyes flicked toward Ruolan.

  “Did the Tranquil Mountain Sect not assign you a master, cousin? Surely someone of your potential deserves a proper teacher.”

  Ruolans’ tone remained calm as she replied.

  “No, I have not been formally taken as a personal Disciple. The Tranquil Mountain Sect does not allow personal Disciples until the Inner Sect.”

  “A pity. The Tranquil Mountain Sect must not value you very highly if they were not willing to make an exception.” Lianxue allowed a sigh to escape her lips.

  “I had thought your choice to leave Yunlai City to chase after a young man was ill-advised, and it seems I was right. Truly, Cousin Ruolan, following someone out of misguided infatuation rarely ends well.”