I Was Forced To Marry The Phoenix Empress-Chapter 187: Sibling Rivalry

Before Gao Zhen could complete her words, she saw two flying carpets coming straight towards them.

Unlike the subtle and mild design of Gao Zhen’s artefact, the other party’s artefacts were quite eye-catching and on the domineering side.

Both had enough space for more than ten people. They even had a sloping roof on top, which was supported by four dragon pillars completely made of gold.

Even from a distance, Yi Chen could perceive more than ten cultivators on both carpets. Seeing this, an expression of worry naturally formed on his face.

Gulping down his saliva, he glanced towards Gao Zhen in an attempt to reassure himself. However, to his surprise, a frown was also apparent on her face.

Seeing this, Yi Chen’s tension only skyrocketed.

’Don’t tell me we’re going to be embroiled in a fight even before setting foot on the ground...’

He thought as his heart started racing, and it was the same for his mind, which had started planning for the worst-case scenarios.

’If I end up falling, I can keep using Bursting Fire Steps to slow my fall...even if it doesn’t...those trees seem dense enough to absorb my fall...maybe I’ll break a few bones, but I’ll survive...Later, I can hide in the forest...’

His mind started formulating a plan. However, much to his relief, there was no need to resort to it.

"Hahaha, I was wondering just who could possess such an unsightly Sky Traversing Tapestry...so it was Sister Zhen. Being the money grubber, you are, it all makes sense."

Words containing a mixture of ridicule and amusement soon entered their ears.

"Haha, Brother Tian, I know, right? Just look at her using such a cheap version of an artefact despite being one of us? She’s truly a disgrace to the family."

A disdain-filled voice came from the person who was riding on the other artefact.

By now, the two artefacts had stopped just a few metres away, and two men with almost identical faces stood at the front of both.

’So, they are her siblings...’ The little worry in Yi Chen’s eyes faded when he went through their status panels.

"Gao Tian...Gao Di...What are the two of you doing here?" she asked in a forced tone.

"You still ask? Isn’t it obvious that we’ve come to conquer the tomb and win father’s approval!" Gao Tian exclaimed, a mocking sneer forming on his face.

A visibly shaken expression formed on Gao Zhen’s face when she heard this.

Seeing this, the two brothers’ hearts welled up with utter glee.

"By any chance...did Elder Sister think that we’ll go with the first option? How laughable!" Gao Di snickered with mockery.

It seemed as if they had made this decision on their own, but just looking at the two’s faces, Gao Zhen was able to tell that reality was far from what it seemed.

’So even among my close aides there are spies...’

Meanwhile, Yi Chen, who had been closely observing the status panel of everyone present on the two flying artefacts, suddenly felt a probing feeling wash all over him.

It was the same with Zhou Lan and Xie Rou.

Gao Tian burst into laughter the very next second.

"Haha, you brought a Fifth Level to counter the temple’s trial? With his barely passable cultivation level, will he even make it to the temple’s entrance in the first place? In your thirst for power, Sister Zhen has truly lost her intellect."

When Gao Di heard this, a subtle trace of relief appeared in his eyes and with a feeling of superiority, he said, "Brother Tian is right. Just how foolish a person needs to be to not realise that although the Fifth Meridian Refinement Stage has been accepted as the bare minimum, it is just that...the bare minimum.

There have just been a handful of cases where a Fifth Meridian was able to make it to the temple grounds...but even then, they failed."

"Rightly said, Brother Di." The other twin nodded in approval and added, "The lowest Meridian Refinement Stage cultivators in my team are at least in the Seventh Meridian Refinement Stage, and they too are among the best of the best in the entire Great Umbra Kingdom!"

Gao Tian exclaimed with pride while pointing towards the large group of Meridian Refinement Stage cultivators behind him.

"Right. My team members are also personally handpicked by me. I’m sure they’ll bring great results." Gao Di hurriedly said in the next second.

His words were more directed towards his brother than Gao Zhen, as he had already removed her from the Heir race in his mind.

Hearing the two’s words, Yi Chen glanced towards the Meridian Refinement Stage cultivators standing behind the two of them. They all carried a smug expression on their faces.

’Three Seventh Level and Seven Ninth Level cultivators,’ Yi Chen nodded in his mind and glanced at the other carpet, ’Four Seventh Level and Ten Ninth Level cultivators.’

The lineup on both sides looked formidable.

Therefore, it only made sense from their perspective to find a team containing only three Meridian Refinement Stage cultivators ridiculous, especially when one of the members was only at the Fifth Level.

"Are the two of you done talking crap? The only reason you came here was to check up on my team, didn’t you? Now that you’ve done it, scram."

Gao Zhen glared.

"Nothing can hide from Sister Zhen’s sharp eyes, it seems." Gao Tian snickered.

"Indeed, Sister Zhen, now that we’ve confirmed what we needed, we’ll be going back to our campsite, haha," Gao Di said with a chuckle and continued after a brief pause.

"Oh...and Sister Zhen doesn’t need to feel pressured. Even if you’re not the guild’s heir, we’ll still not treat you unjustly.

As brothers, we’ll ensure a timely marriage alliance for you, so even though you’ll not be able to become an heir, your contribution towards the guild will still be immense. Isn’t that quite nice?"

"Say another word, and I’ll rip that tongue out." Gao Zhen narrowed her eyes the next instant as the air around Gao Di turned thicker as he started struggling to breathe.

Being only at the Fifth Core Building Stage, he wasn’t a match for Gao Zhen at all.

"Does Sister Zhen wish to be disqualified from the Heir Selection?" Gao Tian said sharply when he saw this scene.

It was only then that Gao Zhen let Gao Di go, and the next second, he fell into a fit of coughing. It was only a few seconds later that his condition stabilised.

Glaring towards Gao Zhen in an aggrieved fashion, he said while clenching his teeth, "Your high cultivation won’t be able to save you for long, Gao Zhen! Mark my words!"

With those words, he left with his artefact back to the campsite, no longer wanting to engage with Gao Zhen.

"Will you be leaving, or do I have to do the same with you as well?" Gao Zhen glared towards Gao Tian.

"There won’t be any need for that. However, there’s still something I need to do." Gao Tian said with a playful smile, and said while turning towards his team members.

"You see those three cultivators over there? Do lend them an extra hand when you encounter them inside the tomb later. In the end, they are working for my sister, so it will be a pity if something untoward happens to them. You understand?"

"We understand, Manager Tian!" The Meridian Refinement Stage cultivators exclaimed energetically while glancing towards Yi Chen and the rest with narrowed eyes.

It was obvious what this ’lending an extra hand’ meant by their eyes.

Meanwhile, Gao Tian met Gao Zhen’s darkened expression and, with a stomach full of satisfaction, took his leave.

"Goodbye, Sister Zhen. Once our teams are inside the tomb, maybe we can meet up for tea and revisit old times. Haha."

With that said, Gao Tian finally directed his artefact, and they left for their campsite on the other side of the lake.

Silence.

With them gone, silence enveloped the four of them.

Yi Chen exchanged glances with Zhou Lan and Xie Rou, who, too, had a hesitant expression on their faces just like him.

With how darkened Gao Zhen’s face was at the moment, none of them dared to initiate a conversation with her.

As a result, the silence lasted for several uncomfortable seconds, and the sound of breathing was the only thing that could be heard.

Internally, a lot of thoughts were going through all of their minds.

Especially Yi Chen, who was trying to put all the dots together.

’Heir selection of guild...siblings...Father...Red Velvet Pavilion...’

He soon realised just how deep Gao Zhen’s background actually was.

’Just her status as a branch manager was already overwhelming, but to think that she was also a direct descendant of the guild master...’

Yi Chen nervously thought in his mind while sneaking a glance towards Gao Zhen.

By now, her complexion had recovered somewhat, and her breath seemed to have stabilised.

"Let’s go."

A cold voice finally echoed in their ears, and the next second, Gao Zhen guided the flying artefact towards a suitable spot.