Chapter 33: A Reckoning for the Situ Family

Situ Yan walked into the main hall, his expression composed, where his elder brother and father were already seated.

“Hello, Elder Brother. Hello, Father.” Situ Yan cupped his hands and bowed respectfully, a stark contrast to how he usually behaved.

“You’ve returned,” his father, Situ Yan, who sat in the center, was the first to speak.

“It’s good that you’re back. I was worried when you didn’t come home for so long,” his elder brother, Situ Huo, sitting to the side, said with concern.

“We should always discuss important matters together. You shouldn’t shoulder everything alone.”

“I apologize for causing Father and Elder Brother so much worry,” Situ Yan replied obediently. He knew that, at this moment, only his father, mother, and elder brother in the family truly cared for him.

“The family is abuzz with rumors that you’ve caused a great disaster,” Situ Yan senior paused before continuing, “They all say you’ve become too arrogant, looking down on everyone, and that you should be handed over as an apology.”

Situ Yan listened in silence, not daring to utter a single word in rebuttal. He knew he had indeed acted unilaterally this time, making a decision without consulting his family, which had put immense pressure on his father and elder brother.

“Fortunately, your father still holds some sway, and I’ve managed to suppress the rumors for now,” Situ Yan senior said, sounding somewhat weary.

“Others may not know, but as your father, I understand my son’s character. You’ve always been thoughtful and cautious in your actions. Tell me, why did you do this?”

Situ Huo nodded in agreement.

“Third Brother, you’ve always been intelligent, knowing when to advance and retreat. You are the most promising among us. You wouldn’t sign a life-and-death pact without good reason. We are family; whatever happens, we face it together.”

Truth be told, Situ Yan was profoundly moved, even on the verge of tears. Ever since he signed the pact, everyone around him had been unsupportive. Even his master, though saying nothing, had looked at him with profound incomprehension. Only now did he feel like he didn’t have to carry the burden alone.

Situ Yan bowed deeply and recounted the events in detail. “Initially, I was dispatched by my sect to explore an ancient ruin. Within that ruin, I discovered a Sky Origin Fruit.”

“A Sky Origin Fruit?” Situ Huo exclaimed in shock. “The Sky Origin Fruit that guarantees a breakthrough to the Cloud Ascension realm upon consumption, and even greatly benefits future breakthroughs?”

On the Sky Profound Continent, many treasures are incredibly rare and cannot be cultivated, even by sacred lands. The methods of their formation are too coincidental, truly the work of nature’s uncanny craftsmanship, and the Sky Origin Fruit is one such treasure.

Breaking through cultivation realms is always fraught with danger. The higher the realm, the greater the elemental shock one must endure. Even sacred lands and great families can only minimize this risk.

As a sacred item for breaking through to the Cloud Ascension realm, the Sky Origin Fruit is a true gift from nature. It allows for a flawless breakthrough and offers significant advantages for future advancements.

If it weren’t for the fact that only those in the Mortal Transcendence realm could use it, the entire continent would erupt in a frenzied search. Even so, his sect had guarded it fiercely after he obtained it, daring not to let outsiders know.

Situ Yan senior’s eyes widened, and he took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

“So that’s it! No wonder Third Brother would fight so desperately for it.”

Situ Huo suddenly understood, but then noticed his younger brother and father looking at him helplessly. He couldn’t help but ask awkwardly, “Is that not the reason?”

Situ Yan senior was the first to question, “Even for a Sky Origin Fruit, I don’t believe it would cloud your judgment, Yan’er. You’ve never disappointed me in such matters.”

Situ Yan collected his thoughts and explained,

“While the Sky Origin Fruit is indeed precious, I would not be blinded by it. If no one knew, it would be fine, but my possession of the Sky Origin Fruit was discovered by the sect.

As merely a True Disciple, I am not qualified to possess such a treasure. Only an exceptionally outstanding Chief Disciple can claim it, otherwise, this treasure would ultimately become a fatal poison.”

Situ Yan senior closed his eyes. “Very well, continue.”

“If a True Disciple isn’t qualified, then a Chief Disciple is entitled to contend for it,” Situ Yan paused.

“No, rather than saying it was a fight for the Sky Origin Fruit to become Chief, it’s more accurate to say it was using the Sky Origin Fruit to contend for the position of Chief Disciple.”

Situ Huo didn’t immediately grasp it. “What do you mean?”

“For me, what was important was never the Sky Origin Fruit, but that position of Chief Disciple.” Situ Yan bowed deeply.

“My sect has always had a strict rule: whatever is gained through external training belongs to the individual, and the sect does not interfere with how one disposes of their gains.

Therefore, I made a life-and-death pact with the Chief Disciple: if I die, the Sky Origin Fruit goes to the Chief Disciple; if he dies, I succeed him as Chief Disciple.”

“Nonsense!” Situ Huo exclaimed, agitated.

“How can you gamble your own life for that Chief Disciple position? If you were worried about your sect’s disapproval, you could have simply handed over the Sky Origin Fruit.

Your sect would surely have given you a corresponding reward. How can you be sure that your sect would let you succeed him if he loses this gamble?”

Situ Yan answered his elder brother, “The sect agreed to our wager.”

Situ Huo’s eyes widened. “Why?”

At this point, Situ Yan senior slowly spoke, “Heh, why wouldn’t they agree? Huo’er, tell me, what loss would there be for their sacred land if they agreed to this wager?”

Situ Huo seemed to understand something and fell silent.

Situ Yan senior gazed deeply at his eldest son.

This eldest son was the most steadfast in the family and the most reassuring. Even Situ Yan himself believed his elder brother was more suitable to be the family head, though he lacked Situ Yan’s quick wit.

He was excellent at preserving what was established but less adept at innovation. Yet, with enough thought, his eldest son could still figure things out.

Situ Yan senior continued, “Regardless of the outcome, the beneficiary is their sacred land’s Chief Disciple. Who that Chief Disciple is, is not important.”

“However, Yan’er, you know that’s not what I want to ask,” Situ Yan senior’s eyes filled with worry.

“Why did you make this wager? Why did you risk your life for this Chief Disciple position? You know the disparity between a True Disciple and a Chief Disciple.”

“For the future, for the future of the Situ family.” Situ Yan knelt before the man, knowing that Situ Yan senior was not asking as a family head but conveying his concern as a father.

Situ Yan continued, “Father, we have reached a point where we must contend. The Situ family has stood in Furnace City for 400 years. Before us, how many other families have enjoyed such longevity in this place?”

Situ Yan senior thought of something and fell silent.

“Why have we lasted so long? Is it our strength? Or our reputation and connections with the great sacred lands?”

Situ Yan said with forceful conviction.

“None of those. The Zhang family before us even had a peak Imperial Realm expert.

The Li family before them had friends across the world. The Zhao family before them would even sacrifice their own interests to curry favor with the great sacred lands.

But what was the result? Not one of them lasted more than 300 years. Our Situ family, adept at navigating complex situations and striving to maintain balance, has continuously developed in Furnace City.

How much longer can this last? The sacred lands’ reckoning does not distinguish between early or late, only whether it happens.”

“Our continuous growth has not gone unnoticed by them. We are fast approaching the limits of their tolerance. This precious land that allowed the Situ family to thrive has now become a death trap with no escape,”

Situ Yan knelt and declared. “For those sacred lands, what they want is the profit Furnace City brings them, not for Furnace City to cultivate a sacred land that will share their profits.”

Both Situ Huo and Situ Yan senior looked down at Situ Yan, listening to him in silence.

“They need a puppet. If that puppet becomes strong enough to possess the power and potential to disobey, they will move to destroy it.”

Situ Yan senior’s voice was hoarse as he asked, “They are going to make a move?”

Situ Yan bowed his head even lower. “My master told me not long ago to stay in seclusion within the sect for the next few years and not concern myself with worldly affairs.”