Forefather of the Cha Clan . . .
Cha Eun Xiao possessed an extraordinary and awe-inspiring power, a power that exceeded the boundaries of imagination. With a wealth of experience and profound insights, her understanding of the world naturally surpassed the comprehension of ordinary individuals. At this particular moment, even though she hadn't witnessed the colossal purple qi emanating from the north or harnessed its might, she remained acutely attuned to the world's transformation. She detected subtle shifts in the flow of energy, akin to an immense wave that reverberated across the entire realm.
Such a sensation of astonishment had eluded her for quite some time, as her own formidable prowess had long rendered her impervious to such surprises. However, the current enigmatic fluctuations within the world left her genuinely taken aback. Lost in wonder, she pondered.
Eun Xiao could unmistakably discern that the words spoken by Cha Xiao held absolute truth. Despite her inability to fathom the mountain's inherent mysteries, the profound alteration in energy flows suggested that the mountain possessed an extraordinary significance. It served as irrefutable proof that Cha Xiao's earlier assertions were valid.
"It appears that this mountain is the linchpin of all that unfolds here," she murmured, casting her gaze towards Cha Xiao. A mixture of emotions welled up within her, making it challenging to determine whether her heart should swell with happiness or remain shrouded in uncertainty.
"He resides at a lower level, yet he perceives what eludes even me..." she contemplated.
...
In the distance, a commotion broke the silence as a group of more than a dozen individuals approached with determined strides. These were members of the Cha Clan who had concealed themselves in the vicinity throughout the night, and with the dawn's arrival, they emerged from their hiding places. Their urgency was apparent, as they were eager to embark on the journey up the mountain as quickly as possible, understanding the potential risks of delay.
Cha Xiao, Han Bingxue, and Eun Xiao had detected their presence the previous night but had chosen not to disclose it. As they now observed the Cha Clan members emerging with an air of mystery about them, they couldn't help but find it rather ostentatious.
"Is that Brother Cha?" one of the middle-aged men stepped forward, offering a friendly smile and a fist salute. "I am Cha Zihao, your uncle from Qingzhou. Please accept my warm greetings, Brother Cha."
Before Cha Xiao could respond, they were interrupted by the clamor of battle and a distant, resounding voice. A man's fierce and thunderous cries echoed through the air: "Cha Zihao, the Cha Clan's desire to monopolize these treasures must be backed by the strength to secure them! A heart insatiable as a snake attempting to swallow an elephant – how true that adage is! Your insatiable greed knows no bounds, and you should be afraid!"
The voice, akin to an explosive burst, pierced through the Cha Clan's formation like lightning, hurtling toward them. Cha Clan members who stood in the way of this man were sent flying, bloodied and defeated, powerless to halt his advance.
"Cha Tianchen!" Cha Zihao's expression shifted, and his pupils constricted in shock. He had never anticipated that the Cha Clan's patriarch would reappear.
Indeed, this was Cha Tianchen, the most formidable figure within the Cha Clan at the moment. Cha Tianchen, the patriarch of the Cha Clan, was a cultivator of the second stage of the Dao Origin Stage. In this region, reaching the second stage of the Dao Origin Stage equated to godlike power.
Throughout the night, the Cha Clan's members persistently attempted to breach the Li Clan's blockade but met with continuous failure. They were initially reluctant to disturb Cha Tianchen, their venerable forefather, desiring his presence at home. However, the situation had grown dire, compelling them to change their stance.
For the Cha Clan, it was a do-or-die moment. Without their forefather's intervention, they risked being relegated beneath the Li Clan's dominance and enduring subjugation for countless generations. The inclusion of their mightiest warrior in the fray would undoubtedly infuse them with renewed confidence.
Cha Tianchen did not disappoint. He embarked on a journey spanning over seven hundred miles from the Cha Clan to reach this location, racing relentlessly to break through the Li Clan's encirclement. It took him a mere four hours to traverse the distance and gain access to the Mountain of All Medicines.
The sheer swiftness of his arrival left an indelible impression.
Now, the Cha Clan's esteemed forefather had surpassed the Li Clan's defenders and stood before Cha Eun Xiao. He fixed his piercing hawk-like gaze upon the young cultivator, who in return regarded him with a calm and composed demeanor. His eyes mirrored the tranquility of still waters, devoid of emotion.
In terms of raw power, Cha Tianchen was undeniably superior to Cha Eun Xiao, even without accounting for Han Bingxue's presence. Yet, Cha Eun Xiao showed no signs of taking him lightly. Armed with the wisdom and profound insight of a top-level Dao Origin Stage cultivator, he retained the confidence that he could contend with a level two Dao Origin Stage cultivator.
Meanwhile, Cha Xuan Bing remained collected and unflustered, and Han Bingxue, who had risen lazily from his seated position, appeared half-asleep, on the verge of drifting back into slumber. Both Cha Eun Xiao and Cha Xuan Bing understood that any attempt by Cha Tianchen to harm Cha Eun Xiao, regardless of Cha Eun Xiao's response, would unleash Han Bingxue's unbridled fury, resulting in the forefather's immediate demise.
Cha Eun Xiao might have possessed the capability to best Cha Tianchen in combat, but he harbored no intention of letting his guard down. There was always room for surprise, and the unknown potential of the elderly man had to be taken into consideration.
"Young man, you are Cha, correct?" Cha Tianchen addressed Cha Eun Xiao with a genial smile.
Cha Eun Xiao replied evenly, "Indeed, I am also Cha."
Respect for the Cha Clan's forefather eluded Cha Eun Xiao. There was an underlying discomfort in their interactions. Not due to any discourtesy exhibited by Cha Tianchen, but rather a lingering dissatisfaction regarding his silence during Cha Nantian's tribulations in the past. Even when Cha Nantian faced expulsion, Cha Tianchen had refrained from intervening on his behalf.
Cha Eun Xiao found it difficult to reconcile these memories, which soured his opinion of the Cha Clan's patriarch. Furthermore, the absence of Cha Nantian from this critical moment troubled him. It was the Cha Clan's final hour, a time when they should have mobilized every available resource. Even their forefather was now on the scene, yet Cha Nantian was notably absent. What did this omission signify?
Evidently, internal divisions within the clan persisted. Even in the throes of their clan's demise, there were those who seemed to view the situation as an opportunity to amass power. They were willing to sideline Cha Nantian and his followers, potentially perceiving the crisis as a chance to consolidate their authority within the clan, to the detriment of others.