Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 156: 114, The World's Number One Clan, the Zhao Clan

"Elder Ren has finally arrived, please take a seat!" the man in the yellow brocade robe said, with thick brows and a square face. He curled his large fists slightly at Hou Yuxiao, his face showing a clear effort to please, his steps even unconsciously moving two steps forward.

Reflecting on the end of last year, Tong Hu in Zhaoyang had hardly glanced at him, and now comparing the fawning expression, Hou Yuxiao couldn't help but feel a bit wistful.

In fact, during this period, it wasn't just Tong Hu who was trying to win his favor. Since he declared himself a Loose Cultivator without any affiliation, many people from Wanyang County were currying favor, obviously with the intention of recruiting him to join their respective factions.

To be honest, a Martial Artist at the Grandmaster Realm could indeed be considered an eminent ancestor in third-rate, or even undistinguished circles. But for a strong second-rate sect like the Tianding Sect, the significance, although present, was extremely limited and should not necessitate such eagerness to please from Tong Hu.

After all, the Tianding Sect was not lacking in Grandmasters, and he himself was the Young Sect Master, with his father, Tong Wudi, being a genuine Great Grandmaster of the Fourth Realm.

Tong Hu was not incompetent; on the contrary, he was a very qualified Young Sect Master, a 'strong second-generation' indeed. Taking into account this time in Wanyang County as Ren Feng, Hou Yuxiao had already had three dealings with this Young Sect Master and had come to understand him quite well.

Hou Yuxiao observed the eight people in the room without saying anything. He tilted his head back and took a seat, sipping his tea, not even bothering to greet the two fellow Grandmaster Realm Martial Artists seated next to him, with an air of arrogance.

Thanks to his time here, the deepest impression he left on the various figures of Wanyang County was of someone who disdained others, and none of the eight present showed any dissatisfaction.

Including Tong Hu, a flash of disdain flickered deep in their eyes, but they quickly put on a smile, bowed slightly to the others, and said politely, "I am deeply grateful that you took time out of your busy schedules to attend this banquet today!"

Though unsaid, Tong Hu's gesture was indeed pleasant.

"Young Sect Master Tong need not be so formal. Tianding Sect is the host of Wanyang, and we have been well taken care of by your sect during this time. If there is anything you wish to say, please do so without hesitation; we need not hold back!" said the man in brown brocade robe. He appeared to be in his early thirties, with a slender figure and two short blades at his waist, one of the three Grandmasters present.

Liu Fufeng, a Clan Retainer of the Liu Family from Guangling Prefecture and of First-Class renown, possessed Grandmaster Realm Cultivation. Known by the nickname 'Comet Twin Blades,' his Pair of Mother-and-Child Daggers were famous, ranking 612th among Famed Instruments, even higher than the Ape Demon Staff.

Having spent time in Wanyang County, Hou Yuxiao was unaware of some of the prominent figures, but he was familiar with local personalities like this one.

Seeing Liu Fufeng urging him on without annoyance, Tong Hu nodded and continued, "In that case, I won't beat around the bush. Not to deceive everyone, today's invitation is not from Tong here, but from the direct descendant of the Taishang lineage of the Ziqing Holy Sect, Zhao Qingxue!"

Upon hearing this name, everyone's expression slightly changed.

The Ziqing Holy Sect had three major Dao Lineages ranked equally: Taishang, Yunqing, and Heavenly Respect. Every hundred years, each lineage would take turns overseeing the Holy Sect. Although the Heavenly Respect was the current leader of the Ziqing, it did not mean that the other two lineages were weak.

The World of Taoist practices varied greatly; even within the Ziqing Holy Sect's three lineages, there were countless branches, such as the Forget Love, Governance, Divination, and Su Shu branches under the Taishang.

The three lineages followed a laissez-faire approach to managing their branches. As long as a remarkable figure emerged from a branch, they could become the lineage leader. Thus, each branch, eager to produce such a figure, selected a direct disciple.

"If I remember correctly, Taoist Master Moxuzi is the venerated elder of the Forget Love branch. Rumor has it that he is a strong contender for the next leader of the Taishang Dao Lineage. Fairy Qingxue, his only disciple, was designated a direct descendant at the age of 23, a position of indescribable prestige," said another man, Chen Yuhe, not Liu Fufeng, who was another Grandmaster present. Dressed in white, with a green jade sword at his waist, he had a rather upright appearance.

Hou Yuxiao was aware of these details; he hadn't been idle during this time. He had learned everything about the monks and Taoists that he encountered on that large ship on the Tongtian River, led by Yuan Kong the Monk from Leiyin Temple and Taoist Master Moxuzi from the Ziqing Holy Sect.

However, this was the first time he heard of such high status for Moxuzi.

Evidently showing off, Liu Fufeng shook his head and said, "Fairy Qingxue's status is not just that simple!"

Upon hearing this, Hou Yuxiao's spirits lifted immediately. He remained composed on the outside, but his ears perked up, listening intently.

Seeing everyone's gaze on him, Liu Fufeng wore a mysterious smile and said, "Don't forget Fairy Qingxue's surname."

The crowd paused, then realization dawned, and expressions of shock crossed their faces. Even Tong Hu showed a look of surprise, murmuring softly, "Fairy Qingxue's surname is Zhao, Hero Liu couldn't mean that she is from Qingjian Villa, could he?"

Hearing "Qingjian Villa," Hou Yuxiao's pupils shrank slightly, a flash of cold light in his eyes passing in a fleeting moment, as he couldn't help but look up at Liu Fufeng, who continued to speak.

"Indeed, Fairy Qingxue is of the Zhao Clan's lineage from Qingjian Villa!"

Qingjian Villa, founded over 1300 years ago at the end of the Great Yu Dynasty by Zhao Yulong, the Grand Marshal of Soldiers and Horses who held unparalleled power, is now ranked among the top ten Holy Lands in The World, the undisputed dominator of Jizhou.