Chapter 170: The Elder's Judgment
Silence filled the room of the magical aircraft for a long while as Christopher's projection studied the expressions of the two women before him.
Christina shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet his piercing gaze, while Christian furrowed her brows in thought.
Finally, Christian broke the silence with a stern tone.
"Grand Papa, before we talk about this any further, I need you to answer a question."
Christopher's expression matched her seriousness. "Hmm? Go ahead."
"Are you asking me this on behalf of the clan," Christian said sharply, "or are you asking as my parent?"
The words weighed heavily in the room. Christina's breath caught in her throat as her eyes darted between the two. Ordinarily, she was not one to be so easily rattled, but when it came to her mother, her husband, and her daughter, her heart could never remain calm. She revered her great-grandfather deeply, but to her, compared to those closest bonds, he remained a distant figure of authority — one who held the power to shatter her family's future.
If the clan discovered the truth, Christy could be taken from her and Elton, forced into some arrangement with a bloodline partner closer to the main branch. That fear left Christina trembling.
Christopher sighed at last, rubbing his temples before meeting their eyes again with unmistakable affection.
"Truth be told, it's a mixture of both. But in my heart… I am speaking as your parent. I have lived with regrets — your parents' tragedy, your father Christen's disappearance after his injuries. Before I reached the Master realm, I had to watch helplessly as those events unfolded. I cannot, in good faith, allow the clan to meddle too much in my family's affairs."
Hearing his words, Christian's tense face relaxed into a soft smile, as though a weight had been lifted. Christina also exhaled shakily, relief breaking through her anxiety.
"I understand you, Grand Papa," Christian said warmly. "If it's like this, I can be more at ease. But… for the sake of my granddaughter's well-being, I cannot tell you much. Still, you are aware she was already set to be engaged to Daoist Blue Heavens Sword. And… it is likely because of him that things have happened the way they have."
Christopher stiffened, his eyes widening. "What?!" He leaned forward, voice sharp. "Are you saying he somehow aided her awakening?"
Christian and Christina exchanged a knowing glance. For a moment, the memory of that blurred image from the life orb flashed in both their minds — Elton's silhouette, Christy's flushed face, the sounds of intimacy carried faintly through the connection.
"Well…" Christian began carefully, "when her evolution happened, the life orb showed us something interesting. Perhaps it is best that the clan focus on supporting Christy's union with him rather than—"
Christopher raised his hand, halting her words. His Aka Boshi no Tengan flared, weaving layers of enchantments so complex even Christian couldn't follow them.
"…Astounding," he muttered. "Even I, as a Master realm expert, cannot fully perceive this boy. I already know more about him than most of the clan thanks to you two, but to shield him from interference, I need to understand far more. Tell me everything you know of Daoist Blue Heavens Sword."
Christina straightened instantly, her anxiety replaced by fiery conviction. "Great Papa, what else do you need to know? Daoist Blue Heavens Sword is an excellent man, with supreme talents!"
Christopher chuckled softly. "Don't worry, little Tina. I ask because he is… strange. Even I cannot read him through the Red Star fate domain. And I suspect even those above me cannot. Something is veiling him." His eyes glinted with intrigue.
Christian's breath caught — shocked. She had long concealed Elton's identity from the clan for that very reason, fearing the higher elders would pry into his destiny. To learn that even her grandfather could not pierce his veil was beyond anything she expected.
"So that's how it is," she murmured. "Then it means I can speak more freely. Still… Tina, you've been closer to your daughter and future son-in-law. Your words will hold more weight than mine."
Christina nodded eagerly. "Mom… alright. I'll tell him everything!"
And so, between them, they began to recount Elton's journey: his cultivation growth, his feats, his alliances, his battle with Mortal Lords, and even his ability to synchronize with Christy.
Christopher listened intently, his stoic face shifting several times into shock. Sweat nearly beaded on his brow.
"Elton… this boy is entangled in far too many powers already. Not just our clan — but the Soloman clan, the fanged elves, the White Star Radiance, even hidden experts. He has conquered not only Christy's heart but also Lady Erica of the Soloman clan, the future fanged elf ruler Shayleaf, and Amberleaf, granddaughter of their current king."
He clasped his hands tightly as he continued.
"Not only that, but he is backed by mysterious figures, even ones tied to our clan. This is no ordinary youth! These threads could not have come together by chance, especially before he even reached the Golden Lord realm!"
Christian and Christina both stiffened. Hearing their elder lay it out so clearly, they realized just how strange it all was. They had been swept up in Christy's path, in Elton's presence, but had not stopped to consider how extraordinary — or unnatural — the convergence truly was.
"Grand Papa… with all of this in mind," Christian asked carefully, her voice low, "do you plan to move against him?" Christina's hands trembled again as she waited for his answer.
Christopher's lips curled into a laugh. "Move against him? Nonsense! The clan should support him with all we have! He is a seed of unfathomable potential — one who could become our greatest backing. If he weds Christy, our descendants will surely inherit the chance to awaken the Kokon Tengan, or perhaps even something higher! And with ties to the Solomans and the fanged elves, our clan's strength will grow beyond measure. That boy already has the capital to defy the laws of this land!"
As his voice thundered, pride radiated from him.
Christian and Christina exchanged relieved smiles.
Christian's heart softened as she remembered her youth, looking up to her grandfather as a guiding light, just as her father Christen had before his disappearance. For a moment, memories of her second husband — who left on his own quest for vengeance and training long ago — tugged at her thoughts.
Her gaze turned to Christina, who wore an expression of hope. Despite her setbacks, Christian believed her daughter would one day reach at least the Middle Stage of the Mortal Lord realm.
And then, of course, there was Christy.
Christian made a quiet vow in her heart: she would oppose the clan itself before allowing them to disrupt her granddaughter's fate. But as she looked at Christopher, she knew this man — her Grand Papa — would never allow such harm to fall upon them. With a wry smile, she let out a soft sigh.