The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 165: Dragon Vein Land

"So this is the Imperial Capital?"

From inside the carriage, Yun Yan Shui peered out at the bustling streets, his eyes wide with amazement.

The roads were alive with throngs of people, and rows of buildings lined every corner, their rooftops forming a jagged skyline.

Shops of all kinds displayed a dazzling array of goods, while street vendors called out enthusiastically to passersby, their stalls offering everything from trinkets to delicacies.

The vibrant scene was a stark contrast to the quiet simplicity of Yunzhang County, a reminder of the capital’s grandeur and prosperity.

"Yes, this is it," Yun Yun Yang replied with a faint smile.

"It’s far livelier than Yunzhang County," Yan Shui marveled, his excitement evident.

"Indeed," Yun Yun Yang agreed.

"Uncle, where in the capital is the Hundred Clans Assembly being held?"

"At Wanlong Mountain," Yun Yun Yang answered.

"Are we heading there now?"

"No. First, we’ll find an inn to settle in for the night. Tomorrow, we’ll make our way to Wanlong Mountain."

Qingyun Inn

Welcomed warmly by the innkeeper, Yun Yun Yang arranged accommodations for his group, securing a set of fine rooms for them.

Meanwhile, in the inn’s first-floor teahouse near a window, Xia Changqing sat with several spiritual root descendants of the Summer Clan, sipping tea and chatting.

"Changqing Brother, look," one of the disciples murmured, nudging him and gesturing toward the newly arrived guests.

Following the disciple’s gaze, Xia Changqing’s eyes narrowed as they landed on Yun Yun Yang’s group. His focus sharpened on Yun Yan Tian.

"Is that the Yun Yan Tian the patriarch mentioned?"

"It is," the disciple confirmed.

"Hmph! The Yun Cang Yun Clan dares to dream of marrying Bai Li Mo Xue? Absurd!"

"Indeed. How could someone like Yun Yan Tian be worthy of her?"

"Changqing Brother, should we go and… test the waters?" one of the disciples suggested, his tone laced with malice.

"No. Don’t stir trouble now. The patriarch’s orders are clear—we wait until the trials during the Hundred Clans Assembly tomorrow," Xia Changqing said, restraining his companions. Rising from his seat, he approached Yun Yun Yang’s group alone.

"Junior Xia Changqing of the Tongshan Summer Clan greets Senior Yun," Xia Changqing said politely, bowing slightly.

"Ah, Xia Changqing! I’ve heard of you," Yun Yun Yang replied with a polite smile, returning the gesture.

The Tongshan Summer Clan was one of the Seven Clans, and Xia Changqing was among the most talented of its younger generation, known for his remarkable strength.

"I’ve long admired the Yun Cang Yun Clan. Your family has risen rapidly and flourished impressively over the years.

I’ve wanted to meet you, Senior Yun, as well as the two spiritual root descendants of your clan," Xia Changqing said, his tone warm and courteous.

His gaze, however, settled deliberately on Yun Yan Tian and Yun Yan Shuang, entirely ignoring Yun Yan Shui.

"Yan Tian, Shuang’er, come and greet Xia Changqing," Yun Yun Yang said.

"I am Yun Yan Tian. A pleasure to meet you, Brother Changqing," Yan Tian said with a slight bow.

"And I am Yun Yan Shuang. Greetings, Brother Changqing," Shuang’er said with a smile.

"Your cultivation is impressive. I’m sure the two of you will excel in tomorrow’s trials," Xia Changqing remarked, his tone pleasant but his eyes cold.

"You flatter us, Brother Changqing. My sister and I have only modest skills—we’re nowhere near your level," Yan Tian replied humbly, though his guarded tone did not escape Xia Changqing’s notice.

"Haha! Brother Yan Tian, you’re too modest," Xia Changqing said, his lips curling into a faint smirk.

"Now that we’ve met, I propose we travel together to the assembly tomorrow. When the trials begin, I hope Brother Yan Tian and Sister Shuang will lend their support to my Summer Clan.

Together, we can face whatever challenges lie ahead."

"It would be an honor," Yan Tian replied politely, though he inwardly wished to avoid deeper involvement with Xia Changqing.

"Excellent! With your help, I’m confident the rewards of this assembly will be divided between our clans’ disciples," Xia Changqing said with a laugh.

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"Let’s hope all goes smoothly," Yan Tian said, his voice steady despite the unease creeping into his heart.

"Yun Senior, Yan Tian Brother, Shuang’er, I won’t disturb you further. Tomorrow morning, let’s travel together," Xia Changqing said with practiced elegance, his demeanor polished.

After some idle chatter, he returned to his seat among his clan siblings, sipping tea nonchalantly as if their conversation had been a mere courtesy.

"Let’s head back to our rooms," Yun Yun Yang instructed, watching Xia Changqing leave.

The four of them followed the innkeeper to the second floor, where their rooms awaited.

"The Tongshan Summer Clan has had little interaction with our family. Why would Xia Changqing make such an effort to approach us?" Yun Yan Tian asked his uncle as soon as they were seated, his brows furrowed in suspicion.

"I’m not sure of his intentions, but at least he didn’t show any overt hostility just now," Yun Yun Yang replied with a shake of his head.

He couldn’t fathom why Xia Changqing, a prominent spiritual root descendant of the Tongshan Summer Clan, would take the trouble to seek them out.

The Yun Cang Yun Clan, despite its rapid growth, was still a relatively minor cultivation family—why would it draw the interest of someone from one of the Seven Clans?

Still, a suspicion lingered in Yun Yun Yang’s mind. Perhaps it had something to do with Bai Li Senior.

’It seems the Emperor’s visit to our Yun Clan with Bai Li Miss didn’t go unnoticed. The Three Great Families and Seven Clans must have caught wind of it.

That could explain why the Tongshan Summer Clan is suddenly paying attention to us,’ he thought, his gaze growing distant.

"Yan Tian, Shuang’er. During tomorrow’s trials at the Hundred Clans Assembly, be cautious of anyone from the Summer Clan.

Also, keep an eye on the disciples of the other Three Families and Six Clans," Yun Yun Yang warned.

"Don’t worry, Uncle. Shuang’er and I will be careful," Yan Tian replied resolutely.

"Good. That’s enough for now. We’ve had a long journey—get some rest," Yun Yun Yang said, waving them off.

The Next Morning

Yun Yan Shui and the others woke early, only to find that Xia Changqing and his entourage of Summer Clan disciples were already waiting outside the inn.

"Yun Senior, Yan Tian Brother, Shuang’er," Xia Changqing greeted with a smile.

"You’re up early, Xia Changqing," Yun Yun Yang replied.

"It’s a habit," Xia Changqing said smoothly.

He invited them to board the carriage, which took them directly to Wanlong Mountain.

Wanlong Mountain

Wanlong Mountain lay twenty li outside the Imperial Capital. Its crisscrossing ridges formed a sprawling landscape that resembled coiled dragons when viewed from above, giving the mountain its name.

This was the ancestral land of Yue Kingdom’s royal family, a place steeped in spiritual energy. Its abundant resources had nurtured the Bai Li family, enabling them to establish the Yue Kingdom and claim legitimacy over its lands.

The mountain was teeming with fierce beasts and mythical plants, protected by an intricate network of barriers. Generations of royal ancestors had ensured its defense with layers of enchantments and stationed troops to guard its borders.

To manage the kingdom’s cultivation families and rogue cultivators who coveted the mountain’s treasures, the royal family had devised the Hundred Clans Assembly.

During the assembly, spiritual root descendants from various families could enter the mountain for trials, hunting beasts, and gathering treasures according to their abilities.

This arrangement allowed the royal family to control access to the mountain’s resources while subtly weakening the other families.

"Wanlong Mountain is the royal family’s ancestral land and the source of their power," Xia Changqing explained as they approached the mountain’s base.

"Legend has it that the founding ancestor of Yue Kingdom relied on the resources of this mountain to strengthen the Bai Li family and establish the royal dynasty we see today.

The mountain holds countless treasures—beasts, plants, and mystical opportunities comparable to those of the Dan Ding Sect’s ruins.

To ensure everyone benefits, the royal ancestors created the Hundred Clans Assembly, allowing spiritual root descendants to explore the mountain.

Whatever they find, they keep."

At the foot of the mountain, Xia Changqing presented his identity as a disciple of the Tongshan Summer Clan. After a brief inspection, the guards stationed at the entrance granted them passage.

The group ascended the stone-paved path, surrounded by the mountain’s rich spiritual energy.

The air buzzed with the roars of beasts and the rustling of creatures in the dense forests.

Protected by the enchantments, the group felt secure, though the occasional glint of predatory eyes in the undergrowth reminded them of the dangers within.

Amid the towering trees and thick undergrowth, they spotted various spiritual plants thriving in abundance. Yellow-grade herbs of the first to third tiers seemed almost commonplace.

Their wonder grew with every step.

"So this is the royal family’s treasure trove," Yun Yan Tian murmured, awestruck.

No wonder the royal family could afford to send resources like spirit rice and stones to their Yun Clan each year.

Compared to what lay within Wanlong Mountain, those gifts were merely a drop in the ocean.

Even the resources sent to the Three Great Families and Seven Clans were likely a mere fraction of the mountain’s riches.