Who Dares to Scheme Against My People

Chen Yunxuan currently felt like he couldn’t quite keep up with the pace of events.

Just moments ago, during their cheerful toasting and conversation, Chen Yunxuan had been under the impression that the two of them were long-time, close friends.

But now, why would the Ancestor speak of Wang Tianji in such a way?

Could it be that Wang Tianji’s sudden appearance truly harbored ulterior motives?

Chen Yunxuan carefully pondered the situation, replaying every detail of his encounter with Wang Tianji in his mind.

Chen Chang’an sat quietly nearby, watching without interrupting his train of thought.

"Ancestor," Chen Yunxuan finally spoke after a moment of contemplation, "Wang Tianji’s divination of the heavens was genuine, and his visit to reminisce with you was also genuine. But the one thing he didn’t tell the truth about was that his purpose here wasn’t just to catch up."

"Since he knew a major event was coming, he must have some inside information. Yet he didn’t mention it earlier—likely because he has other intentions."

"Hmm, not a bad analysis," Chen Chang’an nodded in approval.

"Ancestor, if that’s the case, why not take advantage of his weakened state and force the truth out of him? Or even..." Chen Yunxuan’s voice darkened.

"You fool," Chen Chang’an chuckled lightly. "Just because he claims to have lost all his cultivation, does that mean it’s true?"

"Didn’t you notice how his aura vanished the moment he left this tavern? Is that something a person with no cultivation could do?"

"Ah..."

Chen Yunxuan hadn’t paid attention to that detail. Could Wang Tianji have lied about this as well?

But what would his goal be?

"Wang Tianji is a man of depth and cunning, but he won’t act against us," Chen Chang’an said with a faint smile.

"Why is that?" Chen Yunxuan asked, puzzled.

"Because he doesn’t dare."

Though their acquaintance had been brief, Wang Tianji harbored an inexplicable wariness toward Chen Chang’an—one even he couldn’t fully understand.

Meanwhile, as the two conversed, Wang Tianji had already traveled thousands of miles away.

"Greetings, Pavilion Master!"

Wang Tianji had now resumed his original appearance. He gave a calm nod to the Tianji Pavilion members before him.

"Upon your return, keep a close watch on Chen Yunxuan’s every move."

"Though he’s only just begun to make a name for himself, his future achievements will be boundless. The more we know about him, the more advantageous it will be for us. Understood?"

"Yes, Pavilion Master."

"And what of Chen Chang’an?"

Chen Chang’an?

Wang Tianji frowned slightly, unable to make sense of him.

His visit to the Great Zhou Kingdom had been an attempt to probe the man, yet just like when they’d first met years ago, he still couldn’t see through Chen Chang’an.

After three thousand years of relentless cultivation, he remained utterly useless against Chen Chang’an.

"Chen Yunxuan carries great destiny—he will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the upheavals to come."

"But what part does Chen Chang’an play in these events? Given his relationship with Chen Yunxuan, he can’t be a mere bystander."

Wang Tianji had foreseen a coming chaos that would engulf all factions. Seizing the initiative could elevate Tianji Pavilion to new heights.

Thus, Chen Chang’an’s role was crucial—it would determine how Wang Tianji should handle their relationship.

"Is he a player in this game... or the one who will shatter it?"

Few people or matters left Wang Tianji so conflicted, which only deepened the curiosity of the Tianji Pavilion members.

Just who was this Chen Chang’an? Why did Tianji Pavilion have no records of him whatsoever?

Tianji Pavilion prided itself on its vast intelligence network, possessing detailed dossiers on even the most formidable figures.

Yet Chen Chang’an was a complete blank in their archives.

"Pavilion Master, if he’s truly unfathomable, perhaps we should..."

Before the Tianji Pavilion member could finish, an overwhelming aura suddenly enveloped them all.

The crushing pressure felt as if the heavens themselves were collapsing.

Wang Tianji’s expression twisted in alarm. He mustered every ounce of his power to resist—but it was futile.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Unable to withstand the force, Wang Tianji and his subordinates were driven to their knees, the impact cracking the ground beneath them.

"Tianji Pavilion?"

A melodious yet bone-chilling voice rang out. "What is your relation to Wang Beichuan?"

Wang Tianji’s heart pounded. The speaker was a woman—and she knew of Wang Beichuan?

Struggling, he lifted his head, the simple motion taking far longer than it should.

Not far away stood a woman clad in a violet gown, her face veiled by a sheer purple gauze.

Though the veil was thin, Wang Tianji couldn’t discern her features.

The newcomer was none other than Chen Chang’an’s master—Mu Yunyao.

"H-He is... my ancestor," Wang Tianji stammered.

"Humph. For the sake of that brat Wang Beichuan, I’ll spare you today."

"Listen well. No matter who you are or what you plan—do not set your sights on Chen Chang’an."

"Or I will wipe out your entire Wang lineage."

"My people are not pawns for your schemes!"

Cold sweat drenched Wang Tianji’s back. He knew little of Chen Chang’an’s origins, only that he was formidable and enigmatic.

Never had he imagined the man had such a terrifying powerhouse backing him.

What was their relationship?

"My people"?

Could she be Chen Chang’an’s woman?

If so...

Was this a deliberate warning from Chen Chang’an himself?

"Senior, rest assured. As a friend of Brother Chen, I would never conspire against him."

"You’d better not."

"Now speak. Why has Tianji Pavilion emerged now? What have you discovered?"

"Senior, have you heard... that the Heaven, Earth, and Mortal Rankings have reappeared?"

The Heaven, Earth, and Mortal Rankings?

Mu Yunyao’s brows furrowed. "When?"

"At first, it was only my divination. But a month ago, Tianji Pavilion received concrete news."

"The rankings have truly returned."

"Senior must know what their reappearance signifies?"

Signifies?

Mu Yunyao knew all too well—she had lived through the last emergence of the rankings, tens of thousands of years ago.

For them to resurface now, after so long...

"Do you know the exact date they appeared?" she pressed.

"It was... the fifth day of the sixth month."

The fifth of June?

Mu Yunyao’s heart clenched.

That was the very day Chen Chang’an absorbed the fetal pearl and gained the ability to cultivate.

But the rankings had age restrictions—Chen Chang’an shouldn’t qualify.

Yet why had they returned the moment he could cultivate?

Coincidence?

Or something far more deliberate?

No matter what, Mu Yunyao knew all too well the cataclysmic changes that had swept the world when the Heaven, Earth, and Mortal Rankings first emerged.

Many of the top factions today rose to prominence during that era.

This time, to avoid repeating past mistakes and being overthrown by others, what lengths would they go to?

The world... was truly descending into chaos!