“Hahaha… Looks like it’s a win for our Bai Clan!”
Bai Ren laughed.
He hadn’t expected that Bai Zihan would have everything prepared beforehand—and that there wouldn’t even be a need for him to step in.
He had managed to take care of everything himself.
Gou You gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with fury.
The two of them had seen and heard everything below with their Immortal Senses.
And Gou You knew—they’d lost this time.
With Mo Tianji and Dugu Lianxin lives at risk, all for the mere possibility of obtaining the Immortal Emperor’s Inheritance—which had already fallen into someone else’s hands—it had been a gamble.
Even if he managed to kill Bai Xinyue, the chances of obtaining the Inheritance for himself were slim to none.
Everyone knew that. And yet they still attacked.
Why?
Because there was always a chance.
A chance that they might gain something—perhaps a Saint-Grade technique or artifact that Bai Xinyue hadn’t had time to use.
Something that might have been passed down along with the Inheritance to Bai Xinyue.
Even if that wasn’t the case, they could take out someone potentially a dangerous threat to them.
But now?
Now it had turned into a gamble where the collateral was the lives of the Saint and Saintess of the Demonic Sect plus other geniuses.
If he could return with some kind of Saint-Grade Technique or divine treasure, the loss of their lives might be justified.
But if not?
Then losing Mo Tianji and Dugu Lianxin would be added to his own death.
He wasn’t prepared to take that kind of risk when there were other options available.
“Bai Ren, consider yourself lucky for now. But be prepared—the coming days won’t be good for your Bai Clan!”
Gou You declared.
And it wasn’t just an empty threat.
With the revelation that the Immortal Emperor’s Inheritance had fallen into the hands of the Bai Clan, not many would sit still and wait for their own doom.
There would be assassination attempts.
And possibly wars!
Power plays from old enemies… and even from so-called allies.
Even the Royal Family might act, threatened by the Bai Clan’s sudden rise.
Gou You knew it. And so did Bai Ren.
“Demonic Sect, retreat!”
Gou You commanded, and the order was obeyed without hesitation.
Other powerhouses began to take their leave as well.
Now that they had failed to kill the one who obtained the Inheritance, they needed to go back and prepare.
It was simple now—either align with the Bai Clan or prepare to go against them.
As the various sects began their retreat, the tension in the air didn’t fade.
It simply settled into a quieter, more dangerous pressure—like embers waiting for the next wind to turn them into wildfire.
War was coming.
Assassins, spies, plots, alliances—it was only a matter of time.
But for now, the Bai Clan stood victorious.
Bai Ren descended from the sky, landing heavily beside Bai Zihan, a wide grin stretched across his scarred face.
“Hahahahaha! You little rascal!”
He bellowed, his laughter echoing across the place.
“You really toyed with all of them, didn’t you?! Damn brat!”
Before Bai Zihan could reply, Bai Ren’s massive hand came down and slammed into his back with a loud smack.
“Ugh—!”
Bai Zihan’s body jolted slightly.
Even with his enhanced physique, Bai Ren’s celebratory slap packed a punch. If it had been anyone else, they might’ve spat blood.
Bai Zihan narrowed his eyes and tilted his head.
“Old man, are you trying to kill me or congratulate me?”
Bai Ren barked out another laugh.
“Both, maybe! You’ve made me feel like a damn fool for underestimating you!”
He clapped Bai Zihan’s back again—this time gentler—before turning, his grin fading slightly as his eyes landed on the figure behind them.
Bai Xinyue!
His expression shifted.
Complicated feelings which were mostly regret and guilt.
When their eyes met, there was a flicker of something unspoken in both their gazes.
This was the first time they were seeing each other again after everything.
Back when she’d been exiled, Bai Ren had been deep in seclusion—the other Grand Elder had been in charge.
He had only learned of what happened after it was done.
And he hadn’t taken it well.
“You’ve grown,” he said gruffly, his tone softer than it had been with Bai Zihan, but still tight with emotion. “You always were a stubborn one.”
Bai Xinyue lowered her gaze slightly.
“Grand Elder!”
Bai Ren looked her up and down, the muscle in his jaw twitching.
“They didn’t even consult me. If I’d been awake, none of that shit would’ve happened.”
Bai Zihan shot him a sideways glance.
“Like you could’ve stopped it.”
Bai Ren grunted.
“Tch! I still don’t like what you did, brat.”
Bai Zihan scoffed.
“I didn’t ask for your approval. I didn’t like what happened either.”
“Hah! Still as cocky as ever.”
He turned back to Bai Xinyue and sighed.
“It’s good that you are returning though circumstances might have forced you.”
A pause!
“But you’re family. That never changed. I’ll see to it personally that nothing like before ever happens again. I’ll also bring you the justice you deserve.”
Bai Xinyue blinked slowly.
“Thank you… But I can take care of myself. And as for justice—I’ll get that myself as well.”
She added, glaring briefly at Bai Zihan.
Indeed, with her cultivation, there were few who could touch her including the elders.
Unless… it was Bai Zihan.
That damned bastard always had some trick up his sleeve.
Sigh!
(If only I had come out of seclusion sooner…)
But there was no use crying over spilled milk.
Bai Ren could only hope that things would get better.
The two of them—Bai Zihan and Bai Xinyue—were the future of the Bai Clan.
He just hoped their conflict wouldn’t tear them apart.
That they’d reconcile.
Well… maybe that was just his wishful thinking.
But still, Bai Zihan had managed to convince—or coerce—her into returning.
In that regard, one thing was clear:
When it came to scheming and manipulation, Bai Xinyue was no match for Bai Zihan.
And to defeat Bai Zihan? Cultivation alone wouldn’t cut it.
Otherwise, he’d have been crushed long ago, considering how many high-level enemies he’d pissed off.
But did he ever suffer?
Hardly!
No matter how you looked at it—whether through diplomacy, blackmail, or manipulation—Bai Zihan always seemed to walk away on top.
Anyways, Bai Xinyue was coming back to the clan whether through persuasion or pressure, the result was the same.
That alone was the first step in mending what had been broken.
It was quiet for a moment.
“Fix this mess yourself!”
Bai Ren gave one last slap to Bai Zihan’s back—this time more like a pat—and turned to walk away.
Behind them, the Bai Clan began to retreat, victorious… but fully aware:
The real fight has only begun!