Chapter 12

Chapter 10: Laughter and Planning

"Don't thank me. If you don't have enough strength, you'll still have to move," Tuoba Zhan said coldly.

He waved his hand. "All of you, go out and guard the entrance. No one is allowed to enter."

"Yes, Third Young Master!" The guests and servants of Tuoba Wei all left.

"Uncle, are we really going to compete?" Tuoba Ye asked.

"Of course. I don't want outsiders to see, and you should also have your people leave," Tuoba Zhan said.

Tuoba Ye smiled. "It's fine, they all know my strength."

"Alright, then you make the first move," Tuoba Zhan prepared himself, looking forward to it.

Tuoba Ye slowly walked over. "Uncle, be careful."

Tuoba Zhan was very cautious, not wanting to be at a disadvantage. Just now, he almost suffered a major setback, so he naturally didn't dare to be careless.

"Raising the Cauldron of the Tyrant!" The same move, but in Tuoba Ye's hands, it was even more powerful.

Tuoba Zhan was prepared, but he still got hit. The main reason was that the accompanying movement of Raising the Cauldron of the Tyrant was too miraculous.

The Tyrant's Divine Spear, in the Sixth Rank Cultivation World, was a top martial art, far surpassing the martial arts of the Third Rank Cultivation World.

The tall and strong Tuoba Zhan was lifted by the three-year-old Tuoba Ye, a rather amusing and strange sight. If this spread, his face would be lost.

"Xiao Ye, not bad at all!" Tuoba Zhan praised. "Be careful now."

After warning him, Tuoba Zhan used the Thousand Pound Drop, but Tuoba Ye didn't react at all, standing straight.

Tuoba Zhan exerted his full strength, but Tuoba Ye still stood firm as a pine tree.

Tuoba Zhan struggled hard, trying to break free. He didn't want to admit defeat like this.

Tuoba Ye then truly exerted his strength, directly seizing Tuoba Zhan's weak point, making it impossible for him to exert force, let alone break free.

Tuoba Zhan struggled for a long time, unable to use his strength, and was instantly shocked. "Xiao Ye, how did you do that?"

"Uncle, have you conceded?" Tuoba Ye didn't let go.

In war, deceit is not to be despised. If Tuoba Zhan tried to trick him, it would be bad. Often, the most straightforward people are the most dangerous when they try to trick others.

Tuoba Ye, with his past life's experience, was mature beyond his years.

Tuoba Zhan smiled bitterly. "I concede, put me down."

Tuoba Ye then released Tuoba Zhan, showing a satisfied smile. "Uncle, you promised that no one would disturb us for three years."

"Of course, my word is as good as gold." Tuoba Zhan didn't feel embarrassed, but rather happy.

Tuoba Ye's strength exceeded his expectations, indicating that the Tuoba family had a chance to grow stronger.

Tuoba Zhan thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Ye, do you know that the family head is missing, and the other four major families of the Warring States are watching us, ready to act and weaken our Tuoba family. They haven't moved yet, likely hoping we'll fall into chaos first, so they can benefit. Therefore, I have an idea, but I need your agreement."

"Uncle, it's not that I won't agree, but you need to convince Second Uncle and Third Uncle first," Tuoba Ye understood the meaning behind Tuoba Zhan's words.

Tuoba Zhan looked at Tuoba Ye with new eyes. "Xiao Ye, you're really a clever one. How did you know what I was thinking?"

"Uncle, from now on, call you Uncle Zhan. You're different from the other branch family members. You think about the big picture, so it's not hard to guess your thoughts," Tuoba Ye smiled.

"Smart! You don't seem like a three-year-old. With your wisdom, I'm even more at ease," Tuoba Zhan exclaimed. "I'll go and convince them, and then we'll discuss it in detail."

Tuoba Ye said, "I also hope for internal harmony and focus on external enemies."

The two were in perfect agreement; they were true wise men.

Xia Yuxuan looked at Tuoba Ye, feeling both unfamiliar and relieved.

Tuoba Xiong's disappearance had left the family without a leader, but now it seemed she had found one.

Tuoba Zhan left and soon returned with Tuoba Wei and Tuoba Zhong.

Tuoba Zhong was Tuoba Xiong's third brother and had always supported Tuoba Wei.

"Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Uncle Zhan, you're here!" Tuoba Ye greeted them personally.

Xia Yuxuan and Zhan Meng had gone to the training room, not participating in the major family affairs.

Tuoba Wei and Tuoba Zhong stared at Tuoba Ye, trying to see through him, but they couldn't.

"Third son, are you telling the truth?" Tuoba Wei asked.

"Father, you know me, I would never lie," Tuoba Zhan said.

Tuoba Ye smiled. "Second Uncle, if you don't believe me, you can test me yourself. You won't be fooled."

"That's a good idea," Tuoba Wei nodded.

He stood up and used the Thousand Pound Drop. "Xiao Ye, if you can move me, I'll believe you."

"Second Uncle, then stand firm."

Tuoba Ye suddenly exerted his strength, lifting Tuoba Wei off the ground and swinging him around.

Tuoba Wei and Tuoba Zhong's faces changed dramatically, first in shock, then in wild joy.

"Xiao Ye, you can put me down now. Second Uncle believes you," Tuoba Wei said.

Tuoba Ye put Tuoba Wei down. "Second Uncle, Third Uncle, with Grandfather missing, the Tuoba family is in grave danger. I hope everyone can unite and resist external enemies. Moreover, my goal is to explore the cultivation world, and I have no interest in secular power. The position of family head should go to the most capable person, so we don't have to fight over it."

"Xiao Ye, do you have confidence to join a cultivation sect at the Immortal Edges Assembly?" Tuoba Zhong asked.

Tuoba Ye was confident. "Of course, I have innate divine strength. Even without a spiritual root, I can achieve the Dao through strength!"

"Good! If you can join a cultivation sect, you won't care about the position of family head. After your father becomes the family head, I hope the position can rotate to our branch family members," Tuoba Wei also expressed his thoughts.

"Of course. In the future, the Tuoba family will develop in two directions: the secular and the cultivation. Supporting each other will make the Tuoba family stronger," Tuoba Ye said.

Tuoba Zhan added, "Xiao Ye is right. The major families I've seen outside all develop in two directions to become true major forces that no one dares to provoke."

Tuoba Wei and Tuoba Zhong agreed, and the matter was basically settled.

Tuoba Ye only needed a brief period of stability, but through Tuoba Zhan, the situation had improved even more.

With the support of the family, the Tuoba family could develop better.

He didn't reveal his secrets because he couldn't fully trust Tuoba Wei and others. Once he became stronger, he would consider helping Tuoba Wei and others to enhance their strength and strengthen the Tuoba family.

Being surrounded and killed in his past life made him realize the importance of building a force. He must cultivate more powerful helpers to walk further on the path of defying heaven and seeking the Dao. "Xiao Ye, Third Uncle, what are your thoughts?" Tuoba Wei asked.

Tuoba Zhan said, "Xiao Ye, share your thoughts. I know you have a plan."

"Hehe..." Tuoba Ye laughed sinisterly. "Actually, I do have a small idea. Please, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Uncle Zhan, give me your guidance."

When he shared his thoughts, Tuoba Wei and the others were amazed.

"Good! Good! A great plan! Let's do it," Tuoba Wei said excitedly.

"The Royal Situ family, the Qian family controlling the national finances, the Prime Minister Du family, and the Grand Tutor Yuwen family, seeing us still in internal conflict, will definitely continue to observe. They might even try to intervene by approaching one of our sides. This way, we can see their true intentions. Moreover, showing weakness can have unexpected effects at critical moments," Tuoba Zhong said, nodding and swaying, clearly enjoying it.

In fact, Tuoba Ye's idea was simple: to have Tuoba Wei and Tuoba Zhong continue to have their subordinates cause trouble for the Tuoba Jie branch, creating the illusion of internal conflict.

The other four major families of the Warring States, seeing the Tuoba family in internal conflict, would definitely jump in, each using their own strategies to benefit.

Tuoba Wei and Tuoba Ye could then take advantage of the situation, gain benefits, and learn about the four major families' plans, achieving multiple goals at once.

"Xiao Ye, are you really only three years old?" Tuoba Zhan laughed.

The Divine Martial Continent has many prodigies, but someone like Tuoba Ye is still rare.

"I'm just a bit mature," Tuoba Ye said.

Tuoba Wei said, "Third brother, let's arrange it immediately. In the southern border, have our people openly target Tuoba Jie, but secretly help him to quickly secure the position of Grand General."

"Second Uncle, don't do that. The four major families definitely have spies. Every move of the Tuoba family is under their watch. What we discussed today can only be known by the four of us, not even my father. Let my father fight with your people to make the four major families believe we are truly in conflict," Tuoba Ye said urgently.

Tuoba Wei was surprised. "Xiao Ye, aren't you afraid your father will suffer a major setback in the southern border?"

"I trust my father to withstand the pressure," Tuoba Ye said calmly.

Tuoba Zhong said, "If so, let's not change anything and continue the previous conflict."

"Good! Let's do it!" Tuoba Wei decided.

The four discussed for a long time, carefully planning many details.

It was almost dawn when Tuoba Wei, Tuoba Zhong, and Tuoba Zhan quietly left without disturbing anyone.

Tuoba Zhan's victory meant that Tuoba Wei and Tuoba Zhong's people occasionally harassed Xia Yuxuan, trying to make them move out of the main house.

Xia Yuxuan, knowing some of the inside story, led the Eight Dragon Guards to resist Tuoba Wei's people, creating intense conflict that the spies of the four major families observed, passing on the information.

Soon, the Royal Situ family made a move.

Empress Yuwen Wen Yi summoned Xia Yuxuan to the palace, for unknown reasons.

The royal family was not simple, and Tuoba Ye didn't want to show himself, so he sent Long Yi and Long Er to accompany Xia Yuxuan to the palace.

Xia Yuxuan left in the morning and returned in the evening.

"Mother, what did the Empress call you for?" Tuoba Ye was curious.

"The Empress called me for a reason, and it's related to you," Xia Yuxuan smiled, indicating it wasn't a bad thing.

"Mother, what exactly happened?"

Xia Yuxuan said seriously, "The Empress wants to form an alliance with us. She wants to marry her youngest princess, Situ Yuer, to you."

"What!" Tuoba Ye exclaimed. "Mother, you didn't agree, right? Absolutely don't agree..."

"I already agreed! When you left, didn't you say to be flexible and build a good relationship with the royal family?" Xia Yuxuan was very serious.

Tuoba Ye's face turned bitter, unable to express his frustration.