An Unexpected Turn: Villain Becomes Dad

"The current Holy Lord is from the Yu clan. If the next Holy Lord also comes from the Yu clan, it won't just be our Zhan family—several other elders in the Holy Land will also harbor dissatisfaction! Heavenly Dao Holy Land is the sacred ground of all cultivators within it!

"Yet the Yu clan has always treated it as their private property. Hmph, their bloodline is already thinning, and they still dream of controlling Heavenly Dao Holy Land for generations? Ridiculous and overambitious!"

As Zhan Qiuyun spoke, her beautiful eyes fell on Yang Chen. With a serious tone, she continued: "Xiao Chen, although you are only at the tenth stage of the Soul Transformation Realm, and your cultivation level is far from Yu Zun's, your existence is unique!

"While you are Lingshuang's disciple, you aren't entirely tied to the Zhan family. In that sense, you aren't much different from those disciples who joined Heavenly Dao Holy Land from the outside. In terms of background, the other Dao Integration Realm elders in the Holy Land are very pleased with you!

"A cultivator who doesn't come from one of Heavenly Dao Holy Land's ancient clans becoming the Holy Son better aligns with their interests! Even if you cannot defeat Yu Zun, as long as you show exceptional talent—such as battling a first-stage Void Refinement Realm cultivator across realms. If so, Martial Aunt can assure you that those core elders will undoubtedly push you with full force to become the Holy Son of Heavenly Dao Holy Land!"

"At that time, with the joint efforts of the major elders to counterbalance Yu Yourong as the Holy Lord, the position of the Holy Son will inevitably be yours!"

Zhan Qiuyun's words were filled with coaxing and persuasion as she looked intently at Yang Chen.

Yang Chen understood her true intentions. After going on this long tangent, her ultimate goal was to have him seize the position of the Holy Son and then hand over theYu Kong Sealto her.

Heh.

This beautiful woman's obsession with theYu Kong Sealwas truly profound.

"Xiao Chen, what do you think of Martial Aunt's analysis just now?" Zhan Qiuyun asked at this moment.

Yang Chen nodded and replied: "That makes a lot of sense! I didn't expect that while Martial Aunt has been focused on cultivation, you also have such deep insight into political maneuvering and the art of balance!"

"Hah!" Zhan Qiuyun raised her delicate brows slightly, her expression carrying a mix of pride and anticipation.

If this little scoundrel Yang Chen became the Holy Son, she wouldn't just gain the Yu Kong Seal; she could also deliver a resounding slap to Yu Yourong's face.

She had coveted theYu Kong Sealfor over a thousand years.

Back when she reached the Void Refinement Realm, Yu Yourong had promised her that she would hand over theYu Kong Sealonce she attained the Dao Integration Realm.

But when Zhan Qiuyun did reach the Dao Integration Realm, Yu Yourong reneged on her promise, even coercing her into submission.

Hmph.

Did Yu Yourong really think Zhan Qiuyun was so easy to bully?

"Xiao Chen, since you agree, then six months from now, you will participate in the Holy Son Competition! Martial Aunt has now reached the Dao Integration Realm. Although I'm not a core elder, my words carry some weight in Heavenly Dao Holy Land. I will fully support you!"

As Zhan Qiuyun spoke, she gave Yang Chen's shoulder a firm pat, her demeanor full of encouragement.

Hearing this, a trace of hesitation appeared on Yang Chen's face.

"Martial Aunt, what you say is reasonable, but I'm afraid I can't agree to your request!"

"Hm?" Zhan Qiuyun's expression froze, her brows furrowing as she asked:

"Why not?"

Yang Chen replied with a helpless expression: "Martial Aunt, have you forgotten? My master is the Holy Maiden! If I become the Holy Son, wouldn't that mess up the hierarchy? How would I interact with my master then?"

"Why should that matter?" Zhan Qiuyun scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "In the path of cultivation, the accomplished are revered first! Are you telling me that because your master is currently at the third stage of the Void Refinement Realm, you should never surpass her in the future?

"With your current cultivation already at the tenth stage of the Soul Transformation Realm and your ability to contend with Void Refinement cultivators, you are fully qualified to become the Holy Son!

"Besides, in a force of Heavenly Dao Holy Land's scale, elders often live three to four thousand years. It's common for three or four generations of disciples to exist simultaneously! In history, there have been many cases where the Holy Son and Holy Maiden were not from the same generation, and it never caused any issues! You don't need to worry about this, Xiao Chen!"

However, Yang Chen still shook his head firmly.

"No, no! That won't work! My relationship with my master is different! Martial Aunt, you may not know this, but my master raised me. Our relationship isn't just that of master and disciple! If I become the Holy Son, I would feel extremely uncomfortable interacting with her in the future!

"Besides, if we were equals in status, that would be a grave disrespect! In our Xuantian Sect, such behavior is considered treason—betraying one's master and ancestors!"

"You little brat!" Zhan Qiuyun's irritation flared up immediately.

Internally, she cursed:You're always clinging to your master, and I've caught you in the act multiple times. On top of that, you insist on making me, your Martial Aunt, your Dao companion, taking every possible advantage. And now, suddenly, you're talking about seniority and respect for your master, even invoking 'betraying one's master and ancestors' as an excuse?

This little scoundrel actually cares about seniority and respect?

To outsiders, he might seem like a modest and refined gentleman, but to her, someone who had shared honest moments with him, it was clear as day—she didn't believe it for a second.

This brat projected an image of a cultured gentleman outwardly, but inside, he was full of schemes and devious thoughts.

Back in the Ice and Snow City, he didn't hesitate to deal with the Feng family's matriarch, Feng Yuwan—his master Lingshuang's friend and also his elder.

Hmph. This brat must be plotting something again by refusing so adamantly.

"Little scoundrel, just cut to the chase. What will it take for you to agree to participate in the Holy Son Competition and claim the position?"

Zhan Qiuyun spoke directly.

"Well, Martial Aunt, I'm really in a tough spot! I understand that Martial Aunt needs theYu Kong Seal, this sacred spatial artifact, to cultivate the Dao of Space! But, alas, I've been raised in Xuantian Sect under the teachings of respecting one's master and elders. For decades, these principles have been deeply ingrained in me! If I am to break free from these mental shackles, there's only one way—Martial Aunt must help me shatter them in the same way in advance!"

Yang Chen suddenly said something nonsensical, leaving Zhan Qiuyun confused. She glared at him and said: "Little scoundrel, speak clearly!"

After some hesitation, Yang Chen finally spoke, a bit embarrassed: "What I mean is, if Martial Aunt could help me experience this feeling of disregarding seniority in advance, perhaps I could break free from the shackles of respect and fight for the position of Holy Son!"

"Experience the feeling of disregarding seniority in advance?" Zhan Qiuyun repeated, her face gradually freezing as realization dawned.

In an instant, she understood this little scoundrel's intentions.

After all his pretense, after all his eloquence, this brat had been scheming against her from the start!

How infuriating.