Mortal: I am the young sect master of the Thousand Illusions Sect

Chapter 46 The Yan Family Ancestor Teasing the Cicada

As dawn broke, the night completely faded away.

The faint morning light spilled onto the rows of houses in Yanling Fort, and tiny dewdrops clung to the gray-tiled eaves, shimmering in the dim light.

As more people entered the fortress, the sounds of footsteps and whispers gradually rose, and the vitality of the past slowly unfolded with the morning light.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated when the vermilion doors of Shuyu Pavilion slowly opened inward, and Su Mixin walked out with a composed gait.

He did not allow Yan Ruyan to see him off.

Core Formation cultivators possess boundless and unparalleled divine sense; the slightest carelessness can reveal their secrets. Therefore, they must proceed with extreme caution to ensure absolute safety.

The two of them certainly didn't play chess all night last night.

The chess game and leisurely games in the first half of the night gradually melted away Yan Ruyan's restraint and shyness, and shed her girlish timidity, revealing her vibrant and lively true self.

After finishing their game of chess late at night, the two sat around chatting, discussing the ways of the world and the myriad aspects of life, talking about everything under the sun.

In high spirits, Yan Ruyan even performed a solo dance for him. It was a dance she had secretly learned while she was in the Hidden Moon Sect and had never shown to anyone before. It was gentle and graceful, with a hidden charm.

Su Mixin sighed inwardly. The Hidden Moon Sect was indeed a descendant of the Joyful Union Sect. The dance was full of enchanting charm, which stirred his heart. He could only drink several pots of spiritual tea to suppress the surging heat in his heart.

When they returned to Qingping Pavilion, Tian Buque and the two demon protectors, Chen Shi Shuang Mo, had not yet returned, but Su Mixin was not worried about it at all.

Based on the details in the original work, Tian Buque has always harbored feelings for Dong Xuan'er. This time, he must have wanted to deliberately get close to her before bringing her back to Huanzong, taking advantage of their time together to get closer, create physical contact, and win her over.

It's likely that he's currently outside deliberately cultivating a relationship, and perhaps, just like in the original story, he'll have a confrontation with Han Li.

The real show and climax are yet to come, tomorrow.

Su Mixin cleared her mind of distractions, sat down with peace of mind, and began to study the array jade slip in her hand.

……

At the same moment, in the Flying Cloud Pavilion of Yanling Fortress, the isolation barrier had been completely opened, and the atmosphere in the hall was solemn and heavy.

All the Foundation Establishment Elders, sect leaders, and core members of the Yan family gathered together, sitting upright on both sides, reporting one by one on the various preparations for the family relocation. The reports were well-organized, with each person fulfilling their respective duties.

"All available airships are ready."

"All the clan's inherited books, accumulated spirit stones, magical artifacts, and spiritual materials have been inventoried, sealed, and placed in large storage bags, ready to be transferred at any time."

"The list of all clansmen preparing to migrate has been finalized. All departments are ready to notify and contact personnel. Once the operation is launched, it is expected that the assembly and boarding of the ships can be completed within half an hour."

"The leaders of the mortal clans have been arranged. Once the array restrictions of Yanling Fortress are lifted tomorrow, they will organize the mortal clans of the Yan family to migrate to the surrounding cities in batches, as agreed."

One steady report after another rang out in the main hall, every word and phrase laying the groundwork for tomorrow's relocation.

The entire clansmen were solemn, and no one dared to slack off in the slightest.

With the invasion of the demonic sects of Tianluo Kingdom approaching, the Yan family is located on the front line of the Yue Kingdom battlefield. Now, they have decided to join the Qianhuan Sect. Their future is uncertain, and the matter of migration concerns the life and death of hundreds or even thousands of cultivators in the entire clan. They cannot afford to be careless.

Sitting upright in the main seat, Yan Yan, with his red hair flowing down his shoulders and his face calm and composed, listened to the reports from the crowd below, but a hint of solemnity was hidden deep in his eyes.

Because after the clan meeting ends, he still needs to keep the three Ghost Spirit Sect members who are already waiting there calm.

After everyone had finished reporting, the hall fell silent as all eyes turned to Yan Yan, awaiting the patriarch's decision.

At this moment, Yan Xuanye transmitted his thoughts to Yan Yan, reporting the last piece of secret information: "Everyone on the secret clansman list from last night has been secretly sent out of Yanling Fortress and has met up with that person. They should be on their way to Xi Kingdom now."

Yan Yan's gaze swept across the entire room, and he slowly spoke, his voice deep and authoritative, resounding throughout the entire Flying Cloud Pavilion: "All preparations are complete, let's hold back for now."

"I will deal with Wang Chan, the young master of the Ghost Spirit Sect."

"You only need to stay at your posts, keep your minds calm, and wait for the order to migrate. Do not act rashly or disrupt the formation."

The crowd responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the hall.

As the Yan family gathering came to a close, the layers of restrictions on the Flying Cloud Pavilion slowly dissipated and were completely removed. The heavy palace doors swung open, and the clan elders, stewards, and core members who had participated in the meeting bowed and withdrew, filing out in an orderly fashion.

A moment later, only Yan Yan and Yan Xuanye remained in the empty hall.

Just then, footsteps approached from the outer corridor, and Wang Chan led the Li brothers back into Feiyun Pavilion.

This morning, the disciples who came with the Ghost Spirit Sect have already taken to the arena of Yanling Fortress to compete. They are ruthless and merciless, and have severely injured several cultivators from the Yan family.

This domineering action, while dampening the Yan family's spirit, still failed to dispel the pent-up frustration and annoyance in Wang Chan's heart.

Yan Yan's deliberate delays and indecisive attitude yesterday left him feeling uneasy, and everything went wrong.

At this moment, he raised his eyes and looked at Yan Yan, the red-haired patriarch who was sitting in the main seat. Beneath the mask, his eyes revealed an undisguised coldness and hostility.

Wang Chan walked slowly forward, his posture upright yet exuding an aggressive and oppressive aura.

Before Yan Yan could speak, she went straight to the point and asked in a deep voice, her tone impatient and forceful: "Senior Yan, we agreed last night to give you an answer today. Now that the Yan family meeting has concluded, I wonder what the outcome of your discussions was?"

"Do you decide to submit to my Ghost Spirit Sect and agree to become my Daoist partner with Fairy Ruyan?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Li brothers stood behind him, one old and one young, their gazes simultaneously locking onto the two people in the hall. An invisible pressure of Core Formation stage divine sense quietly spread out, subtly shaking the entire Flying Cloud Pavilion.

Faced with direct questioning and heavy pressure, Yan Yan remained calm and composed, sitting firmly in the main seat, showing no sign of panic.

He slowly raised his hand, gently stroking his sleeve, his tone calm yet imposing: "Young Master Wang, please calm down."

"What I said last night was true. This matter concerns the foundation of the Yan family for thousands of years and the fate of the entire clan. It cannot be decided overnight."

"At the clan meeting just now, the clan members held different opinions and there were many disputes. No unified decision was reached."

Wang Chan frowned slightly, his expression beneath the mask suddenly darkening, and his tone becoming more stern: "Oh? Even now, Senior Yan, you still want to delay? The demonic army of my Tianluo Kingdom is pressing in, the tide has turned, and the Yan family has no room for hesitation!"

Yan Yan's gaze was calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant: "Although we did not reach a consensus at the clan meeting, I have already made a decision: the Yan family will not sink with the Yue Kingdom, this broken ship."

"I have already given the order to secretly prepare for the relocation of the entire clan. The clan can set off as soon as the treasure hunt ends tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chan's tense body relaxed slightly, and the solemn and gloomy expression under the mask softened a little.

He had assumed that Yan Yan would continue to make excuses and deliberately delay, but to his surprise, the other party agreed to the relocation of the entire clan.

In his view, the Yan family's decision to migrate and no longer rely on the Yue Kingdom was tantamount to acknowledging their submission to the Ghost Spirit Sect. The huge weight on his heart was lifted, and most of the depression he had felt over the past two days dissipated.

The atmosphere eased slightly, and Wang Chan's tone softened somewhat. She then pressed on to the most crucial matter: "Now that Senior Yan has made up her mind to submit, has Senior decided on the matter of me and Fairy Yan Ruyan becoming Daoist partners and cultivating together?"

Yan Yan remained calm and composed, replying unhurriedly, "I have already considered this matter. Before the treasure hunt begins tomorrow, Yan'er will definitely return to Yanling Fortress as scheduled. At that time, the two of you can have a private talk and share your thoughts."

"As for your marriage, I have no objection in principle."

These words, seemingly a concession and agreement, are in fact left ambiguous, offering no concrete promise whatsoever.

Wang Chan was too preoccupied to notice the hidden meaning, and assumed that Yan Yan had already given his consent.

Immediately seizing the opportunity, he offered up the Ghost Spirit Sect as a bargaining chip, his tone full of control and temptation: "Senior is insightful and perceptive! To be honest, Fairy Yan Ruyan's intentions directly determine the treatment the Yan family will receive after submitting to my Ghost Spirit Sect."

"If the Yan family agrees and Fairy Yan Ruyan agrees to become my Daoist partner, my Ghost Spirit Sect will immediately promise to grant you the powerful position of Vice Sect Master of the Ghost Spirit Sect."

"In addition, the children that Ruyan and I will have in the future will inherit the direct line of my Wang family business, as well as the core inheritance position of the Ghost Spirit Sect, and may even become the sect leader of the Ghost Spirit Sect. Their future is limitless and enough to protect the Yan family for a thousand years."

Offering immense wealth and a powerful position within the sect, Wang Chan was confident that such generous terms would be enough to tempt any powerful family on the frontier.

A cold sneer flashed in Yan Yan's eyes, but he didn't show it on his face. He shook his head slowly, feigning seriousness, his tone sincere but his attitude resolute: "I know the young master's kindness is sincere, but this matter must not be rushed."

"Yan'er possesses an extraordinary spiritual root, and her talent is unparalleled in the Yan family for a hundred years. She is the pillar of our Yan family's future and the hope for its continuation."

"Her marriage is a matter of lifelong importance, concerning not only her future path but also the future fortune of the Yan family."

"I can decide whether a family submits to another, but I absolutely cannot decide her marriage partner."

"If we force a match and compel her to submit, it will only breed resentment in her and alienate her from the family. At that time, her genius will be disheartened and her Dao heart will be damaged. Our Yan family will truly ruin our future and suffer a greater loss than gain."

"Therefore, the marriage must wait until Yan'er returns and she personally agrees before it can be considered valid."

His words were both reasonable and persuasive, leaving no room for error. He managed to appease Wang Chan while upholding his principles, leaving no room for any incriminating evidence.

Upon hearing this, Wang Chan knew that further pressure would be futile. Yan Yan's words were impeccable, and forcibly applying pressure would only earn him accusations of being arrogant and rude.

He hesitated for a moment, then suppressed his eagerness and said coldly, "Very well! I will wait one more day and wait for Fairy Yan Ruyan to return tomorrow. I hope Senior Yan will not disappoint me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall became even more tense.