A year is neither long nor short.
Han Xuanji's aura was a bit more solid than it had been a year ago. He did not rush for success; the path of Cultivation emphasizes accumulating strength over time. The more solid the Foundation, the further one can go on the path ahead.
His Realm of the seventh level of the Eternal Dao Lord had been completely stabilized. The next step was to head to the Life and Death Ravine to condense the Law of Life and Death.
On the communication token, Hun Qianling's message consisted of only a few words:
"Big Brother has arrived at the target location. The show is about to begin."
Han Xuanji glanced at it, put the token away, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly.
He felt no worry, nor much anticipation.
Because he already knew the outcome.
"The show… really is about to begin."
After a long time, Han Xuanji stepped out of the cultivation chamber, looked up at the sky with his hands behind his back, and muttered:
"I might as well go and see it with my own eyes."
What he meant by seeing it with his own eyes was, of course, not going to the battlefield, but using another method.
...
Hun Family, main council hall.
The hall doors were tightly shut, and the atmosphere inside was as heavy as the calm before a storm. Dozens of figures were lined up on both sides, some sitting, some standing. Everyone's aura was as deep as an abyss, like dormant volcanoes ready to erupt at any moment.
These people were the core combat power of the Hun Family, beings at the level of Eternal True God.
On the Eternal Continent, even among supreme factions, an Eternal True God belongs to the backbone. The Hun Family has been able to stand tall in Qianhun City for many years because of the support of these people. Usually, most of them are in seclusion to Cultivate or guarding key locations outside, rarely gathering together.
Today, having been urgently summoned, many had expressions of impatience on their faces. Those in Qianhun City arrived in person, while those elsewhere arrived via projected Clones using other means.
"Qianling, if you have summoned us without a major reason, you and Qianxue will have to bear the consequences."
A middle-aged man in a black robe spoke slowly. His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.
His facial features were sharp, his eyes as deep as a dark pool, as if he could see through people's hearts.
This person was none other than Old Ancestor Fenxue, a highly senior clan Elder of the Hun Family and former First Elder of the clan.
After retiring to the second line, he still possessed extremely high prestige in the clan. Even Hun Qianxue's name was taken from his title. Sometimes, a single word from him carried more weight than the current clan head.
Hun Qianling stood in the center of the hall, facing the gaze of dozens of Eternal True Gods, sweat already slightly beading on her back. She had never experienced such a scene before.
Anyone present was higher in cultivation than her; a single glance from any of them could make her feel immense pressure.
"Such a big scene?"
Seeing this, Han Xuanji was also somewhat surprised.
He knew all of Hun Qianxue's plans, but he hadn't expected such a grand spectacle. It looked like, no matter what, Hun Cangfeng and Third Young Master Hun Qianchen were finished. Han Xuanji felt no pity for this at all.
One could only say they deserved it.
Hun Qianling took a deep breath, glanced at Han Xuanji standing in the corner, steadied her mind, and spoke in a clear and calm voice:
"If it were not a major matter for the clan, I would naturally not disturb you all from seclusion."
She took a fist-sized projection Magical Artifact orb from her sleeve and held it in her palm.
The orb was crystal clear, with light faintly flowing inside. It was a precious Magical Artifact used by the Hun Family for remote communication, capable of transmitting images in real-time over long distances, up to the size of a province.
"Please take a look, clan Elders."
Hun Qianling activated the orb. A screen of light shot out from the sphere, unfolding in the center of the hall and forming a clear projected image.
The image showed Hun Qianxue's perspective; they were on the way to Jiuxuan City. The area they were in was a desolate canyon, with steep mountains on both sides, sparse vegetation, and only craggy rocks and whistling mountain winds.
"This is…"
A white-haired clan Elder frowned, clearly not understanding.
"Qianling, you want us to watch Qianxue traveling?"
Another clan Elder spoke in an unfriendly tone, with a bit of impatience,
"Is this why you called us out of seclusion?"
"Everyone, please remain calm."
Hun Qianling's expression did not change, her eyes fixed tightly on the light screen,
"Please continue watching; there will be a result very soon."
The murmurs in the hall rose and fell. Many clan Elders looked displeased, but because Old Ancestor Fenxue was present, they did not lash out.
Old Ancestor Fenxue did not speak, only narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at the image on the screen, seemingly pondering something. At this moment, someone on the scene had keenly noticed: were some people missing?
In the image.
The sky was gloomy, dark clouds hanging low, making it hard to breathe.
The massive flying boat carrying Hun Qianxue flew steadily through the air. The hull was engraved with dense defensive formation patterns, emitting a faint spiritual light under the gray sky.
On the flying boat, Hun Qianxue stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, his gaze looking steadily ahead.
Everything seemed normal.
Just then—
Boom!
A massive light screen descended from the sky, enveloping the entire team.
The light screen was dark red, with dense formation patterns flowing across it, emitting a heart-stopping pressure.
The flying boat was forced to descend slowly, stopping in an open space within the canyon.
"It's a trap formation!"
Someone in the hall immediately couldn't help but say:
"Qianxue and his group have been ambushed! Who dares to oppose our Hun Family?"
"How dare they, intercepting our Hun Family clan head…"
Everyone in the hall discussed it heatedly. They had never imagined that Hun Qianxue would encounter an interception in Jiuxuan Prefecture; this was undoubtedly a declaration of war against their Hun Family.
Many were very curious about the identity of the interceptors, and some were worried about whether Hun Qianxue might meet with an accident.
"Is this what you wanted to show us?"
Old Ancestor Fenxue understood immediately. He was not worried about Hun Qianxue; since Hun Qianling had them watch this scene, she had naturally made preparations.
In the projection, one could see that many people around Hun Qianxue were panicked, while Hun Qianxue was very calm, clearly having been mentally prepared for a long time.
A guard exclaimed, his face changing drastically:
"Clan Head, we've been ambushed!"
"Who dares to intercept the Hun Family clan head? How bold!"
The guards drew their weapons one after another, surrounding Hun Qianxue in the center, their eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly. Hun Qianxue, however, just smiled faintly and raised his hand to signal them to remain calm.
The next moment, dozens of figures suddenly appeared on the surrounding cliffs.
They were dressed in black and wore black masks, covering their faces tightly, revealing only their cold eyes. The few in the lead had deep auras, with suffocating pressure surrounding them—they were clearly powerhouses at the level of Eternal True God.
Six of them.
Inside the hall, in front of the light screen, the expressions of the Hun Family clan Elders changed instantly.
"Six Eternal True Gods!"
A white-haired clan Elder stood up abruptly, his eyes full of shock,
"Who is it? Who dares to move against Qianxue on our Hun Family's territory?"
"This is a long-planned interception!"
Another clan Elder clenched his fists,
"The opponent has even set up a trap formation; they are clearly prepared. Qianxue only has three or four guards with him, how can he resist?"
Old Ancestor Fenxue slowly raised his hand, stopping the commotion of the crowd.
His gaze fell on Hun Qianxue's face in the light screen. That face showed no panic, only calmness, and even a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"Keep watching."
Old Ancestor Fenxue said calmly.
"The show has begun."
Han Xuanji watched this scene with great interest. These two guys had been plotting in the shadows and had even provoked him.
Now, it's a public execution.
Let's see what you do now.