Chapter 133: Hong Family
The Hong Family, a colossal force that has stood on the Xuanying Continent for countless millennia. Their ancestors produced two generations of Sacred Exalts.
The first Sacred Exalt swept through an era with "Supreme Blood," silencing all thirteen prefectures of the Xuanying Continent.
The second Sacred Exalt cultivated the "Heaven-Piercing Sacred Body" and once followed the Grand Preceptor of the Great Zhou Dynasty to suppress the Nine Nether, making ten thousand ghosts bow their heads!
Such heritage, across the entire Xuanying Continent, could be matched by no more than ten forces. Today, Hong Ang, bringing Chen Xingcai and the awakened Hong Longxiang, finally arrived at the Hong Family's ancestral land.
The three landed before a majestic mountain gate, looking up— The gate towered over a thousand zhang high, forged entirely from "Xuantian Divine Iron."
Its surface was covered in ancient runes, each line flowing with faint golden light, as if narrating the Hong Family's past glory. Above the lintel, the two characters "Hong Clan" coiled like dragons and snakes, their brushstrokes sharp. A single glance was enough to make one's spirit tremble!
Flanking the gate stood eighteen colossal stone statues, each lifelike—some holding swords, others gripping halberds, or standing with hands behind their backs. These were not decorations, but the "Battle Soul Statues" of the Hong Family's past powerhouses. Each contained a wisp of their battle intent.
Should enemies invade, these statues would reanimate, becoming true instruments of slaughter! Even more astonishing, the spiritual energy here was so dense it almost materialized. A faint spiritual mist drifted in the air.
With every breath, the true yuan within their bodies circulated involuntarily, as if every inch of flesh and blood rejoiced. "So this is... the Hong Family?" Chen Xingcai blinked, curiously surveying her surroundings.
In her memory, the Hong Family consisted only of the main courtyard and a cold side courtyard. Hong Ang nodded slightly, a trace of complexity in his eyes. "Correct, this is the Hong Family's ancestral land."
Beside them, Hong Longxiang had remained silent since waking. Now, he merely stood quietly, his gaze dark and inscrutable. "Let's go." Hong Ang took the lead.
Chen Xingcai took a deep breath and followed. Hong Longxiang paused, then silently stepped through the mountain gate. The instant the three entered—
"Boom!" The runes on the gate suddenly flared. An invisible wave swept over them, as if verifying their identities.
Then, the scene before them opened up! Continuous mountains, towering palaces, spiritual springs and waterfalls, cranes soaring... The true Hong Family ancestral land finally revealed itself!
The three passed through numerous halls, arriving before a great hall constructed entirely from Black Crystal Jade. On the coiling dragon pillars flanking the entrance, nine golden dragons appeared lifelike. Their dragon eyes were inlaid with fist-sized night pearls, emitting a soul-stirring radiance.
Inside the hall, Hong Tianque stood with hands behind his back. His dark gold long robe was embroidered with patterns of sun, moon, and stars. His sharp gaze, like a blade, swept over Hong Longxiang before settling on Chen Xingcai, his voice bone-chillingly cold: "Rebellious child, why do you not kneel before your father?"
Chen Xingcai blinked her lively almond-shaped eyes, a sly curve forming at her lips: "Oh my, this is truly rare. My father is likely sunbathing and napping in the valley right now. Are you perhaps too lonely, Elder, seeing a pretty girl and wanting to claim her as your daughter?"
She tilted her head in mock innocence, "Shall I introduce you to some matchmakers? I heard Widow Li in the west of our Immortal Spirit City is most skilled at finding matches for elders." Several elders in the hall immediately displayed colorful expressions upon hearing this.
Hong Tianque's eyes flashed with cold light. His aura erupted violently, pressing down on Chen Xingcai like a mountain range: "Insolence!" At this critical moment, Hong Ang flashed forward, standing firmly before Chen Xingcai.
The two powerful auras collided in mid-air with a dull "boom," shaking the glazed lamp hanging from the ceiling, causing it to tinkle. Yet Chen Xingcai seemed unaffected, peeking half her head out from behind Hong Ang, she said with a smile: "You see, this Elder has quite a temper. No wonder he needs a matchmaker."
Hong Tianque's face darkened as if it could drip water. But ultimately, he snorted coldly and retracted his aura first. Seeing this, Hong Ang also gradually withdrew his pressure, yet maintained a guarded stance.
The atmosphere within the great hall finally began to ease.
A moment later, Hong Tianque narrowed his falcon-sharp eyes and asked slowly: "Do you know why I allowed you to return to the Hong Family?"
Chen Xingcai blinked, feigning innocence: "No idea. I came only to see someone and clarify some unresolved matters."
Hong Tianque snorted coldly: "I heard you defeated Hong Longxiang."
Chen Xingcai waved dismissively: "Oh, that? Nothing worth boasting about."
Beside them, Hong Longxiang instantly flew into a rage, fists cracking audibly. Yet Chen Xingcai spared him not even a glance, as if he were nonexistent.
Hong Tianque's gaze deepened as he suddenly declared: "I summoned you to ask—will you return to the Hong Family and become its next patriarch?"
Silence instantly fell over the entire hall.
Hong Longxiang jerked his head up, face disbelieving: "Father! This—"
"Silence!" Hong Tianque's icy rebuke crushed him with mountainous pressure.
Hong Longxiang's face turned ashen. Grinding his teeth, he growled low: "Old Ancestor will never agree!"
Hong Tianque sneered, his voice glacial: "This is Founding Ancestor's decree."
"Founding Ancestor?!" Hong Longxiang froze as if struck by lightning. His anger melted into stunned shock. He opened his mouth but no words emerged, finally bowing his head in defeat.
"Patriarch?" Chen Xingcai raised an eyebrow, spreading her arms theatrically as if to embrace the entire Hong Family. Smiling sweetly, she asked: "Meaning... all this is mine now?"
Her gaze swept across the grand hall, precious spiritual materials, and the varied expressions of the elders before settling back on Hong Tianque. Tilting her head, she inquired: "But someone always told me there's no free lunch in this world." She blinked. "So, what's the price?"
Hong Tianque remained impassive. "Only one condition."
"The second son of the Zhao family from Lingzhou will marry into the Hong Family. He shall be your future husband."
Chen Xingcai paused, then burst into laughter: "Ah, how wonderful! You've even arranged a husband." She clasped her face in mock gratitude, eyes dancing with mischief. "The Hong Family is truly considerate—gifting both inheritance and a man."
She sighed dramatically, tone shifting to coy reluctance: "Unfortunately, I have no plans to marry now." Tapping her cheek, her eyes curved like crescents. "If I must wed, it would be to a man like my father."
Hong Tianque frowned, about to speak.
Chen Xingcai quickly waved her hands: "Oh, don't misunderstand." She shot him a disdainful glance. "I certainly don't mean you."
Smiling, she stepped closer, voice light: "If you truly want a daughter, how about this—" She clapped her hands. "I introduce you to the matchmaker from west of Immortal Spirit City? I hear she has many unmarried ladies. She'll surely find you a suitable match!"
Hong Tianque: "..."
The hall fell deathly silent. Several elders' faces flushed with suppressed laughter—some beards trembling, others dark with fury as they wished to strike down this insolent girl.
Hong Longxiang stood nearby, fists clenched tight, but dared not speak under Hong Tianque's authority.
Oblivious to the tension, Chen Xingcai remained smiling. She even leisurely strolled two steps across the hall, hands behind her back, as if contemplating deeply. Finally, she turned back to Hong Tianque: "How about this—"
"You meet with the matchmaker first. Once you've found a suitable daughter, come discuss the patriarch position with me?" She blinked. "I'm very reasonable—I won't delay your enjoyment of family bliss."
Hong Tianque: "......"
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