Chapter 88: All Second-Generation Heirs

Led by Zhang Haoyun, the disciples of the Ethereal Sect regarded Shen Wan as if he were a mortal enemy—itching to kill him on the spot. Lin Bufan’s brows flickered, and in a flash, he stepped forward to shield Shen Wan. Shen Wan’s mind raced. There were over thirty people across from him; previously, as a lone wanderer, he could simply have run. But the current situation clearly didn’t allow that. His side numbered only seven; in a real fight, they’d stand no chance. If force wouldn’t do, he’d try persuasion.

Nine years of compulsory schooling and three years of high school had furnished him with a solid literary foundation. Surely his silver tongue could outwit even a bald fool. One glance at the bald fellow and Shen Wan judged him not the brightest. Worst case, he'd buy his way out—he had money, so why worry? Fingering the pouch at his waist, confidence surged within him. Boldly, he brushed Lin Bufan aside, ready to call for a halt.

“Bald—” He barely got the first syllable out when a graceful figure flashed before him.

“Which sect do you belong to? How dare you stir up trouble on Gu You Sect’s territory? Do you value your lives so little?” Yun Yi’s willow brows arched fiercely as she raised a golden token, her voice ringing with authority. The gleaming token bore the character “Yun”—the identity badge reserved for direct descendants of the Yun family. Its meaning was unmistakable.

Zhang Haoyun, sword raised, froze at the sight of the token. “A direct descendant of the Yun family… you are—”

“The daughter of Yun Shengkun. Any objections?” Yun Yi stepped forward, a gust of wind swirling beneath her feet. As the wind spiraled upward, her plain male attire transformed instantly into a colorful long dress. Her hair, no longer tied in a high ponytail, cascaded in delicate waves adorned with jade leaves, enhancing her elegance. Yun Yi revealed her true self: petite cherry lips, porcelain complexion, long lashes fluttering—enough to make the assembled men gape in awe. Except for Shen Wan and Gu Zhiping.

Gu Zhiping, already aware of Yun Yi’s identity, was unimpressed. Shen Wan had seen through her disguise at first glance. Besides, in his time, beauties were commonplace—regardless of cosmetic enhancements, Yun Yi’s charm wasn’t particularly rare.

Lin Bufan, however, was most astonished—not by Yun Yi’s beauty, but by his junior uncle’s sharp perception. Earlier, his uncle had insisted Yun Yi was disguised as a man, which Lin Bufan hadn’t believed. Now, he saw his uncle’s wisdom. Even Shen Wan felt a flicker of surprise, mainly at Yun Yi’s identity.

“The daughter of Yun Shengkun…” he muttered, then sidled up to Lin Bufan and whispered, “Brother, who is Yun Shengkun?”

Lin Bufan glanced at his junior uncle and replied softly, “Current leader of Gu You Sect, the younger brother of Yun Shengqian, head of the Yun family.”

“Damn!” Shen Wan exclaimed inwardly. He’d thought Yun Yi was just a minor disciple in Gu You Sect—her lineage was extraordinary. Of the three people he’d met here: a descendant of the Giant God Tribe, the young master of the Ancient Gate, and now a princess of Gu You Sect. All privileged scions! Why had fate denied him such luck in his past life?

Something felt off. He glanced at Gu Zhiping as if to say, “Look at them.” Gu Zhiping was speechless, unable to retort—especially after his boastful departure from the Ancient Gate.

“Whatever.” He pursed his lips, resigned.

While their minds wandered, Zhang Haoyun was already sweating, quickly sheathing his sword and bowing. “We did not know the princess of the Yun family was present. The Ethereal Sect meant no offense and will leave at once.”

His companions followed suit. On Gu You Sect’s territory, no one doubted the authenticity of such a badge. Yun Yi snorted coldly. “Leave!” The Ethereal Sect, as if granted amnesty, turned and fled, raising clouds of dust as they vanished in an instant. Zhang Haoyun cursed inwardly, “This is the worst luck in eight lifetimes!” Shen Wan’s ghostly visage was now burned into his memory, never to be forgotten.

Yun Yi smiled, pocketing the token, and looked at Shen Wan with pride, as if expecting praise. Shen Wan, picking his nose with one hand and giving a thumbs-up with the other, offered only a wordless compliment. Yun Yi pouted, sensing this man was a fool, blind to her beauty. Wasn’t her appearance dazzling enough?

Shen Wan, oblivious, had more pressing concerns. The Giant God Tribe’s history—especially regarding Mi Yake—he understood better than most. With the Ethereal Sect’s arrival, the relic’s restrictions must be malfunctioning, and more sects would soon converge here. Now, the Owe Profound Sect had become the target of all within the ruins. The urgent task was to withdraw as quickly as possible—he had no wish to become a trapped prey.

Without further delay, he called for everyone to move, and the seven of them retraced their steps toward the dilapidated temple halfway up the mountain. Fortunately, no other sect disciples emerged from the temple, and they slipped safely into the tunnel through which they had arrived.

Meanwhile, Yun Tianchen and a group of restored elders finally crossed the gorge, reaching the edge of the cliff. With the restrictions gone, the giant farmer carvings on the cliff walls remained inert. The newcomers had never seen the murals within the tunnel and were unaware a divine altar had once floated here.

Yun Tianchen stood at the front, gazing across the cliff at the enormous city opposite. “Hmph, just as expected—this is the true relic of the ancient Giant God Tribe!” The theory that the eight towers were keys to the relic’s gate was confirmed today, igniting a fervor in Yun Tianchen’s heart.

“Elder Yun Tian,” he called. Yun Tian stepped forward and saluted. “Tianchen, the gorge is indeed where the true relic of the Giant God Tribe lies. With the restrictions gone, crossing the cliff is effortless.” With that, he flipped his hand, producing an object shaped like a half-cut gourd.

Yun Tianchen clasped his hands behind his back and shifted aside, and soon the group cleared a space. Yun Tian recited a spell, tossing the object, which instantly swelled to dozens of times its original size. Yun Tianchen was first to leap onto its rim, followed by the others, who sat cross-legged upon its surface.

Meanwhile, several other sects—nearly a thousand disciples—emerged from various fissures, gathering at the cliff’s edge. They cheered as they gazed at the city across the abyss. Yun Tianchen sneered, “Do these ants hope to compete with giants? Let’s go.”

At his command, Yun Tian began to steer the vessel across the gorge. Suddenly, a great rumbling echoed from the city opposite. Everyone tensed, gazing across, unsure of what was happening. The rumble continued. The vast city began to collapse inward from the central altar, raising clouds of dust. From afar, the details were unclear, but none could have imagined that this metropolis, home to the Giant God Tribe for millions of years, was now sinking rapidly around the former altar site. Where once there was only a pit, now a bottomless abyss expanded, swallowing all ruins. Even the towering structures were collapsing with thunderous force.

Yun Tianchen’s pupils dilated; he saw clearly what was happening. “Yun Tian, you old fool, what are you waiting for? Set sail, now!” In his panic, he abandoned all decorum. Yun Tian, jolted by the shouted curse, hastily cast the spell. The massive gourd quivered, then shot across the gorge like an arrow from a bow.