"You're the head of the current Qu Family?" The youth approached Qu Qingxian. Behind him, a grey mist swirled, revealing the aged, middle-aged form of Qu Wenbai before them.
"I am indeed the current patriarch of the Qu Family. May I ask for what reason this senior has come to our Qu Family?"
With a single glance, Qu Qingxian could tell this man was no Tai Chi Cultivator; it was unlikely he was even a Duality Cultivator.
"Come to your Qu Family? Do you recognize this?" As Qu Wenbai spoke, mist coiled around his outstretched hand, and a Jade Pendant Token in the shape of a Dragon Turtle appeared within it.
Qu Qingxian and Qu Zhiwen's expressions changed in unison. "The Patriarch Order?" they exclaimed in shock.
Hearing this, Qu Wenbai looked at Qu Qingxian with an indifferent expression. "The Patriarch Order? Hah. It seems the disciple dispatched back then really developed some ideas of his own.
This is no Patriarch Order. Back when we, the Five Races, decided on the approximate time for the sacrifice and were ready to make our move, this was the Identity Order issued to the disciples sent out from the clan.
And you are the family founded by a disciple dispatched from my Qu Clan. You were supposed to prepare for the clan's arrival, making the final arrangements for the Celestial Heart Sacrifice and patiently awaiting our coming.
I never thought that you lot of descendants would have such weak cultivation, yet such a strong rebellious streak.
Changing your allegiance is one thing, but I imagine you haven't passed down any information about the clan's affairs for the preparations, have you?
That's all forgivable, I suppose. But not a single one of you practices the fundamental North Nether Soul-Devouring Profound Water Technique, and Heart Soul Dao Cultivators are nowhere to be found.
After so many years of preparation, you only have this pathetic little foundation. With so few clan members, and with such wretched cultivation... it seems you truly have no desire to be members of my Qu Family."
Qu Qingxian and Qu Zhiwen both paused at his words. Qu Zhiwen looked at Qu Qingxian questioningly, as if seeking confirmation about this business of a main family and a branch family.
Qu Qingxian shook his head, indicating that he, too, knew nothing of this so-called "main family" or the matter of the Five Races.
"Senior, I believe you are mistaken. Our Qu Family began as an Independent Practitioner Family, developing slowly over time. We have endured many years of hardship to get where we are today.
We are no Noble Family. If we were truly a branch of some great clan, we would not have had to struggle so much over the years," Qu Qingxian said carefully, looking at Qu Wenbai.
Qu Wenbai shook his head. "So be it. Since you lot have forgotten your heritage, I'll just use you for the preparations."
Hearing this, Qu Qingxian and Qu Zhiwen's faces changed drastically. But before they could react, tendrils of black mist erupted from their bodies, instantly freezing them on the spot.
"Soul Control?" Qu Qingxian asked, his face filled with horror as he found himself completely unable to move.
Qu Wenbai completely ignored them. After bringing the two under control, he made a gesture, and they floated to his side. He then led them toward the heart of the clan's territory.
Along the way, all the disciples wore vacant expressions. Specks of black mist coiled around them as they moved with stiff, rigid motions, slowly heading toward the clan's plaza.
Watching this scene unfold, Qu Qingxian's face grew grim. He stared at Qu Wenbai and demanded, "Senior, what exactly do you plan to do with my Qu Family?
My Qu Family is a Tai Chi Clan under the Celestial Spirit Sect. If something happens to us, the Celestial Spirit Sect will absolutely not let you off the hook, Senior.
We are within the Celestial Spirit Sect's territory. If you harm us, the sect will be forced to make an example of you. They won't simply let this go."
Qu Wenbai paused in his flight, looked at Qu Qingxian, and sneered, "The Celestial Spirit Sect? I'll settle the score with that flock of vultures and carrion crows myself!"
Qu Qingxian's pupils contracted at his words. He glanced at the disciples below, then back at this man, who was radiating such a thick aura of resentment. It was obvious he was not someone to be trifled with.
'He felt a surge of panic, but his body was completely under control. Aside from being able to speak and move his eyes, he was little more than a wooden puppet. Panicking was useless.'
The three of them passed through the clan's territory, and Qu Qingxian discovered that the entire Qu Family had fallen. Every last disciple was gathering woodenly in the plaza.
The trio, however, crossed the plaza and entered the Qu Family Main Hall that stood before it.
A few more wooden-faced disciples were inside, waiting in attendance. But in the entire main hall, there were only two central figures. One was Qu Wenbai.
That's right—there was another Qu Wenbai in the main hall. This one, however, was not a Soul Shadow. It was his physical body, sitting cross-legged with eyes shut tight on a meditation cushion that was also a Magical Artifact.
Despite being a middle-aged man, his hair was withered and pale. Even seated, it was obvious that his frame was somewhat stooped.
Next to his seated form stood three other young men. Their auras were strangely intertwined with Qu Wenbai's physical body, and they bore a strong resemblance to the youthful Soul Shadow that was currently floating in the air.
Besides Qu Wenbai, a breathtakingly beautiful figure occupied the main seat, lounging languidly.
Her pink attire was made mostly of light gauze, revealing skin in many places. Tantalizing glimpses of her figure, coupled with a faint floral scent, created an aura of extreme attraction.
Even without her using any specific Technique, anyone with a clear mind would find themselves irresistibly drawn to her.
No matter what she did, she exuded a natural appeal. Even just sitting there, she possessed an innate charm that drew everyone's gaze. This was none other than the Demon Cultivator of the Extreme Charm Path—Guann Zhenzhen!
The three men looked at Guann Zhenzhen. Qu Wenbai remained expressionless, but Qu Qingxian and Qu Zhiwen both looked lost, their eyes glazed and unfocused.
"So this is how far the Qu Family has come? It looks like you've done a truly terrible job. Not a single Duality Cultivator, and I can't sense the slightest trace of the North Nether Technique's aura in the entire clan.
Tsk, tsk. Are you trying to stage a rebellion? Or have you just stayed out in the boondocks for so long your brains have gone soft?
Did you want to become Righteous Cultivators? To walk the old path of our Five Races, experience the suffering of the masses, and ferry mortals across the sea of bitterness?" Guann Zhenzhen asked, leaning back languidly in the main seat as she looked at Qu Qingxian and Qu Zhiwen.
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