A Chaotic World

While Young Master Xuan Hao was facing the members of the Blue Ember faction in the Grand Ember Hall, Lu Tianzi and company were led out by a servant.

They entered a beautiful garden, where the servant gestured towards a small pavilion within. "Please wait here for a while. Young Master Xuan Hao will be here after speaking to the elders. If there is anything you need, feel free to let me know."

The small pavilion might be simply designed and only held a round table and a few chairs within, but it did not feel lacking at all.

A gentle breeze blew through the inside of the pavilion, carrying along the floral aroma from the spiritual plants within the garden.

Just standing within the pavilion gave one a pleasant feeling that was only attainable when close to nature.

"Thank you, Senior," Lu Tianzi replied.

"Haha, you are too polite, you are too polite," the servant laughed in embarrassment.

He might already be in his fifties, but it had still been a while since someone last called him senior. Most sect members simply called him 'you' or 'servant'.

It was just a small gesture, but it still gave him a rather good impression of Lu Tianzi nevertheless.

"Let's take a seat and wait," Ruan Ling settled comfortably in one of the chairs. "Oh? That is...?"

The moment she sat down, Ruan Ling noticed a famliiar figure heading towards them.

Her reaction drew the attention of Lu Tianzi and Ruan Ling, who similarly looked at the direction that she was looking at.

Not too far away, a suave looking young man was walking over with confident strides.

He looked to be in his late twenties, and wore a dark yellow long robe that screamed nobility. Perhaps more importantly, he was a martial artist at the Ninth Cycle Origin Core realm.

When he saw that Lu Tianzi and the rest had caught sight of him, he gave a gentle smile while continuing over.

"Xuan Junwei, widely known as the leader of the younger generation within the Blue Ember faction," Ruan Ling sent a voice conveyance to the two of them. "Ever since Brother Xuan Hao was selected as the heir candidate, he has always been unhappy with Brother Xuan Hao."

Lu Tianzi nodded.

If it was true that his reputation and cultivation level were both superior to Young Master Xuan Hao, it was not unreasonable for him to feel wronged.

Then again, there were probably other aspects in which he was inferior to Young Master Xuan Hao.

Why else would he not be the one selected as heir candidate?

Under their curious gazes, Xuan Junwei eventually arrived at the small pavilion.

"It's been a while, Sister Ruan Ling," Xuan Junwei greeted with a smile. "Seeing that you are here, I suppose Junior Apprentice Brother Hao must have returned?"

"That's right," Ruan Ling answered. "We just returned not long ago."

"That's good. He has been out for so long that we have all been worried for his safety. Now that he is back, the elders can finally put their mind at ease," Xuan Junwei said before turning his attention to Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue, especially the latter. "And who is this beautiful lady with you? Why have I never seen her before?"

"This is Sister Qianxue, and this is Brother Tianzi. Brother Xuan Hao invited them back with us this time," Ruan Ling introduced.

"Nice to meet you," Lu Tianzi clasped his fists towards Xuan Junwei, and Nanlan Qianxue did the same.

"I am Xuan Junwei. Let me know if there is anything at all that you need. It is not that I want to brag, but in the Blue Ember faction, I can be considered to have quite the influence over those of the younger generation. As long as I give the word, you will be able to get whatever you need," Xuan Junwei said to Nanlan Qianxue.

Xuan Junwei had obvious disregard for Lu Tianzi, ignoring him after taking just a single glance at him.

In fact, had it not been for Nanlan Qianxue's extraordinary looks, he would not have bothered with her either.

After all, the two of them were only at the Third and Second Cycle Origin Core realm respectively.

For someone like Xuan Junwei, there was simply no need to associate himself with people of such level.

"Actually, the faction leader has already promised the same thing, so we won't have to trouble you," Ruan Ling interjected with a meaningful smile.

"Hmm? My great grandfather did?" Xuan Junwei revealed a look of surprise. "Why?"

"Who knows?" Ruan Ling shrugged with a smirk.

This woman...!

Xuan Junwei could obviously tell that Ruan Ling was teasing him, and had to consciously tell himself to stay cool.

Xuan Junwei continued to smile at Nanlan Qianxue. "Nevertheless, it is good that he did. Since you just arrived, I suppose you have yet to take a look around? If that's the case, I can bring you around and introduce you to the elders. Who knows? If you so wish to, there might even be a chance for you to join us if I put in a good word for you!"

Xuan Junwei was proud of how smooth he was.

What was the Timeless Flame Sect?

It was one of the four ancient sects, a tier above the rest!

Their sect members had the freedom to travel unhindered throughout the continent, and even the elders and sect leaders of major influences would have to treat them with a certain level of respect!

By throwing out the ultimate bait that was the opportunity to join their Timeless Flame Sect, Xuan Junwei did not believe that any sensible martial artist would be able to resist his offer.

In fact, he had already used this same routine multiple times in the past, and had thus managed to get acquainted with many beauties with ease.

Unfortunately, this was not going to be the same as one of those times.

"Brother Xuan Hao has already offered to show us around, so we will be waiting for him," Nanlan Qianxue replied nonchalantly.

The light in Xuan Junwei's eyes dimmed a little.

Xuan Hao again?

Why does he always have to get in the way?!

Of course, Xuan Junwei did not say that out loud.

"I see, that's fine as well. I'm sure Junior Apprentice Brother Hao will be a good host," Xuan Junwei nodded amiably before turning back to Ruan Ling. "Speaking of which, how is Junior Apprentice Brother Hao doing? Has he mentioned when he will be leaving for his next trip?"

"Not anytime soon, that's for sure," Ruan Ling replied. "This time, Brother Xuan Hao is intending to stay and seriously vie for the position of heir!"

"What?! I mean... wow, really? That's really... that's really good to hear!" Xuan Junwei stuttered a little. "Did Junior Apprentice Brother Hao really say that though? I mean, did he say that explicitly, or did he merely act like he could be thinking that way?"

"He said it himself," Ruan Ling said with a smile.

"I see, I see. That's good news indeed, really good news..." Xuan Junwei said. "I just remembered that there's something I have to do right now, so I shall take my leave first. Feel free to look for me whenever you need something, Lady Qianxue. Just let any of the sect members know, and they will be able to point you to me."

Xuan Junwei did not even wait for her reply before turning around and hurrying off.

Xuan Hao was intending to seriously vie for the position of heir?

That cannot be true!

That must not be true!

If that's really the case, what would happen to his chances of replacing Xuan Hao as the heir candidate?!

This matter concerned his future in the Timeless Flame Sect, so he had to check with his grandfather immediately!

"That was sudden," Lu Tianzi commented as he watched Xuan Junwei's disappearing backview. "He doesn't seem too pleased though. Should you really have told him that?"

Even though Xuan Junwei had tried to hide it, one could only say that he was a rather bad actor.

Just about anyone would have been able to see the change in his expression upon hearing Xuan Hao's decision to vie for the heir position.

"He will hear of it sooner or later anyway," Ruan Ling said. "Hopefully this will make him give up on being the heir candidate, and start giving Brother Xuan Hao the support he needed."

"That would be best..." Lu Tianzi let out an internal sigh.

It would be good if it really turned out that way, but Lu Tianzi had a vague feeling that things might not go nearly as smoothly as how Ruan Ling had envisioned.

***

In a small chamber at another corner of the Timeless Flame Sect, a middle-aged man sat at his desk, carefully reading through a long scroll.

In front of him, Xuan Wen stood there silently, waiting patiently for the middle-aged man to be done reading.

"Do you know why I called you here today?" the middle-aged man finally asked, though he still did not look up from his scroll.

"I have a general idea, Father," Xuan Wen answered respectfully. "Is this regarding Hao?"

"So you already know," the middle-aged man glanced up at him. "Since you still look so calm, I suppose you already have the situation under control?"

"Don't worry, Father," Xuan Wen replied confidently. "Hao wanting to vie for the position of heir will not be an issue."

"Good, remember to immediately let me know if you require any assistance. I will rally the elders to aid you when necessary," the middle-aged man turned his attention back to the scroll on his desk. "You may leave."

"Yes, Father," Xuan Wen bowed slightly before heading out.

Xuan Wen closed the door behind him and proceeded down the corridor. But he did not walk for long before coming face to face with a beautiful young lady coming his way.

She looked to be no more than in her mid twenties, and had a countenance so extraordinary that it could put flowers to shame.

"Wen'er! Did you just meet your father?" the young lady asked.

"Yes, Aunt Fengqian," Xuan Wen replied. "Have a nice day ahead."

"Thank you, Wen'er," the young lady said. "I am going to have a meal with your father. Why don't you join us?"

"My apologies, but I have things to do. If there's nothing else, I will be taking my leave first," Xuan Wen replied before walking away.

"Oh, I guess that can't be helped then..." the young lady said in disappointment as she watched Xuan Wen walk past her.

But he had not walked far before the young lady called out again from behind him. "You know, it would be nice to hear you call me mother for once."

Xuan Wen stopped in his tracks, then turned his head slightly to look back at the young lady.

However, the light in his eyes was cold.

"I think you might be misunderstanding something here, Aunt Fengqian," Xuan Wen said emotionlessly. "The only reason why I agreed to come along to the Yellow Spark faction is solely because of Father, and not because I approved of your existence. If you think that there is even the slightest chance that you can replace my mother, then you need to look into the mirror and learn your place. And don't even try to act like you are close to me in front of others. If I ever find out that you did, I will make sure that you will regret it!"

"Wen'er! How can you say that?" the young lady was shocked. "Even if you dislike me, I am still your father's wife now! How can you be so rude? If nothing else, aren't you afraid that I will tell your father about this?"

"Hah!" Xuan Wen scoffed. "I am the heir candidate, and future leader of the Timeless Flame Sect. If you believe for a second that Father will take your side, then go ahead. Just pray that you don't suffer for your own actions! Oh, and try not to have any other strange ideas. After all, you still have a young daughter, don't you?"

"Wen'er, you...!" the young lady trembled. "Are you threatening me using Xi'er? No matter what, she is still your sister!"

"Think wisely before you act."

Leaving her with those words, Xuan Wen turned around and left.

The young lady could only send him off with her gaze while standing there with clenched fists, trembling from a mixture of indignation, anger, and fear.