Chapter 98

At that moment, apart from the clan leader Xu Haoran, who was extremely excited, the other members of the family also looked at Xu Ziyun with gratitude. The sixty top-grade Fifth Rank talismans directly stunned them. They had never seen so many top-grade Fifth Rank talismans in their entire lives. Now, Xu Ziyun had handed over sixty of them, and they wondered if they would do the same if they were in her position. Their hesitation revealed their inner thoughts, which made them even more impressed by Xu Ziyun's actions, and they began to respect her from the bottom of their hearts.

Xu Haoran carefully put the talismans in his storage bag, then scanned everyone present with a serious look and said, "Everyone, Ziyun's actions have made a significant contribution to the family. Although Ziyun has not agreed to become a full member of the family and only wants to serve as a guest elder, I think this is very unfair to her. Just for these sixty top-grade Fifth Rank talismans, I believe we should treat Ziyun as a family member. What do you think?"

None of the family's high-ranking members were fools. Xu Ziyun had first presented sixty Fifth Rank talismans, but don't forget, she herself is a master talisman maker. Although they thought it was impossible for Xu Ziyun to create Fifth Rank talismans, she could at least create top-grade Second Rank talismans. Moreover, her courage and boldness were exactly what the family needed at this time. If they could secure her loyalty by treating her as a family member, it would be a great bargain.

Without a doubt, everyone nodded in agreement, even Xu Haoliang, who nodded with a sullen face. Seeing everyone's reaction, Xu Haoran nodded in satisfaction. He felt that the family was beginning to unite because of Xu Ziyun, slowly forming a solid block, which was his lifelong goal. Now, seeing this goal about to be realized, he felt grateful to Xu Ziyun and said to her affectionately, "Ziyun, I think you should still live a normal life as a family disciple. This way, you won't stand out in the family. If you do as you said, it will be difficult for us to explain to the others."

Hearing this, Xu Haoliang's face turned red. He realized his awkward situation. If the news of his defeat by Xu Ziyun spread, he would lose face in front of the family and would have to go into seclusion with his father on the back mountain. To prevent Xu Ziyun from spreading the news, he had to make her live a normal life as a family disciple. With a thick face, he said awkwardly, "Ziyun, don't let down the good intentions of your elders. Although you are not willing to formally join the family, you still have Xu family blood in your veins, which will never change."

Seeing Xu Haoliang say such things, everyone, including Xu Ziyun, was initially stunned but quickly understood his concerns. Xu Haoran, though his face was stern, was inwardly laughing. He suppressed his laughter and continued, "Ziyun, besides, if your father asks why you didn't go to the inner hall, you can't tell him the truth. How can your parents live in the family with peace of mind?"

Xu Ziyun naturally agreed in her heart. She had only made that statement to show a stance. She had anticipated that after presenting the sixty Fifth Rank talismans, the family would respond to her stance. Seeing everyone's reaction, she nodded gracefully. Others didn't find her behavior strange, but Xu Haoliang felt extremely depressed. However, for the sake of his future in the family, he had to pretend not to notice and slightly lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the ground.

Seeing Xu Ziyun nod in agreement, Xu Haoran secretly sighed in relief and asked softly, "Ziyun, what rank of talismans can you make now?"

Everyone's attention focused on Xu Ziyun, including Xu Haoliang, who raised his gaze from the ground to look at her. In the secular world, having a First Rank talisman maker was a symbol of a major family. They were all curious about Xu Ziyun's talisman-making skills and wanted to know her rank. Of course, they didn't expect too much, as making talismans required talent and a strong ability to understand, which not all cultivators possessed. They thought Xu Ziyun was a Second Rank talisman maker, and the Third Rank talismans she used in the fight with Xu Haoliang must have been gifts from the female immortal who taught her.

However, they didn't know that the talisman-making skills had come with Xu Ziyun's soul to this world, deeply imprinted in her soul, becoming an integral part of her, almost like an instinct. Although she still needed to understand, it was much easier for her.

"I can currently make top-grade Third Rank talismans," Xu Ziyun said calmly.

"What?" Xu Haoran's body trembled, and his back straightened. The other high-ranking members of the Xu family were even more shocked, some were stunned, and others stood up from their chairs, their eyes fixed on Xu Ziyun. Xu Haoliang was no better, his mind racing with thoughts: "So, the Third Rank talismans she used in the fight with me were all made by her. If she had hundreds of Third Rank talismans and set up a large array, wouldn't I be even more helpless?"

"Ziyun, can you really make Third Rank talismans?" Xu Haoran, suppressing his excitement, asked with a trembling voice.

"Yes," Xu Ziyun nodded firmly.

"Does this mean that from today, the talismans you submit to the family will be top-grade Third Rank?"

Xu Haoran's eyes sparkled with excitement, and everyone present looked at each other with relief, all thinking the same thing: it was fortunate that they hadn't alienated Xu Ziyun, and the clan leader's decision to treat her as a family member was very wise. Xu Haoliang, who had lost his ambition to become the clan leader, now saw things from a different perspective. Seeing the current outcome and thinking about Xu Haoran's actions, he couldn't help but sigh, realizing that his elder brother was more suited to be the clan leader.

"No, from today, I will no longer submit talismans to the family," Xu Ziyun said, shaking her head slowly.

Everyone's faces changed, and they looked at Xu Ziyun in confusion. Even if she didn't accept the internal member treatment, as a guest elder hired by the family, she should still submit talismans to the family.

"Ziyun, what do you mean?" Xu Haoran, as the clan leader, couldn't keep his composure, especially since these were Third Rank talismans.

Xu Ziyun's gaze swept over everyone, and she said calmly, "I heard Uncle mention that the Zhou family of Canglang City and the Yang family of Nanlin City would come to investigate our alliance with the Han family of Juge City."

"Yes," Xu Haoran nodded.

"But how do you plan to make the Zhou family of Canglang City and the Yang family of Nanlin City believe that our master is the Tai Xuan Sect?"

"We will be vague in our words, making them suspicious, which will make them believe to some extent."

Xu Ziyun shook her head and said seriously, "Uncle, would you believe it? Just vague words without seeing any disciples of the Tai Xuan Sect would make them send people to investigate. Once they do, the vague words will reveal their true nature, and they won't be delayed until the Tai Xuan Sect responds."

"But... this is a helpless move. The flying sword message has been sent for a long time, and the Tai Xuan Sect has not responded. The family can only take one step at a time."

Xu Haoran looked helpless, and the high-ranking members of the family looked even worse, as if they could already see the forces of Canglang City and Nanlin City attacking their family. Their faces showed fear.

"Uncle," Xu Ziyun said calmly, "I have a plan that can make the Zhou family of Canglang City, the Yang family of Nanlin City, and even the Huayang Sect believe that we have the strong support of the Tai Xuan Sect, making them afraid to act against us, even to the point of not daring to investigate."

"What is your plan?" Xu Haoran's spirits lifted, and he looked at Xu Ziyun with burning eyes.

"Uncle should have heard from Senior Xu Wenli and Senior Xu Lin, and you have seen it yourself. I can set up a talisman array, which is very powerful."

"Ziyun, do you mean to set up a talisman array within the family, and when the time comes, we will show it to scare off the Zhou family of Canglang City and the Yang family of Nanlin City?"

"Something like that, but not just to scare them off. We need to set up a large array as a support for the family. Even if the Huayang Sect, which backs Canglang City and Nanlin City, sends people, they will suffer greatly."

"You mean to set up a large array for the entire family?"

Xu Haoran was so excited that his whole body was trembling, and the other high-ranking members of the family were almost fainting. A clan-protecting array, something only sects had, was now going to be set up in their family. Their eyes glowed green, like hungry wolves seeing meat, as they stared at Xu Ziyun...

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Synopsis: It is rumored that the current Prince Gong is a bloodthirsty butcher who loves to cut his enemies into pieces with a single sword strike, enjoying their cries for help. However, what is most terrifying about him, despite his young age, is not his martial arts, his intelligence, or his patience, but... Unless one knows who he is, no one would suspect him, allowing him to steal lives and hearts with ease...