Protect Our Clan Leader

Chapter 883: Chapter 30 I! Zong’an the Great Heavenly Proud! Hit the Jackpot (Part 2)

What was Shangguan Yunque’s strength? He was a Level Seven Heavenly Human Realm Great Heavenly Proud, how could he possibly lose to a woman not yet seventy?

While Shangguan Yunque was diligently cultivating, a gatekeeper hurriedly approached and whispered a few words to him.

Shangguan Yunque’s expression shifted from astonishment to surprise, and then to solemnity. He then gave a few instructions to the gatekeeper who had reported to him before quickly removing his armor and leaving in haste.

Four hours later, within the Shangguan family’s main residence.

In the “Celestial Guest Pavilion,” which is specially used for entertaining honorable guests, a group of young and beautiful maids moved gracefully like flowing water, serving dish after dish of exotic fruits, dried meats, and candied treats.

Each of these snacks, regardless of the type, was exquisitely selected and meticulously prepared.

The attending maids, each young and beautiful with an outstanding demeanor, had deep and restrained breaths, clearly all possessing Profound Martial cultivation base.

Such caliber of maids, if placed in any province or guard post, could very well be the treasured pearls of Rank 9 Prominent Families.

Such an arrangement was indeed befitting of a wealthy family with thousands of years of accumulated heritage.

However, even in the Shangguan family, this was a very high standard of hospitality, not every guest was eligible to enjoy such treatment.

In the Celestial Guest Pavilion, there were only a few on each side of the host and guests, every single one of them men of exceptional demeanor and profound stature.

The one in the main seat was a man in regal purple attire, composed and restrained.

He had a gentle temperament, with every movement exuding maturity and stability. His polite smile, neither submissive nor overbearing, made one feel warmly welcomed and at home.

His name was Shangguan Zhenhai, a distinguished talent from the direct line of the Shangguan family. He had been the Family Head for two hundred years. Since his ascension, it was not to say the Shangguan family had soared greatly but it had steadily risen, unlike in the past.

This was a Family Head with considerable achievements.

Shangguan Zhenhai was born a Sky Pride. Though in his youth he did not rank among the top ten prodigious youths, he had his moments of glory. He was most skilled in the Profound Martial Sword Technique “Broken Army Sword Secrets” from the Shangguan family, a sword style vast and mighty, befitting the nickname “One Sword Subdues the Seas.”

Fifty years ago, Shangguan Zhenhai had already broken through the Heavenly Human Realm, becoming the fifth Purple Abode Realm ancestor of the Shangguan family. Normally, Family Heads from Grade Four Prominent Families would step down upon reaching the Purple Abode Realm to focus on cultivation.

However, firstly, Shangguan Zhenhai had been doing well, with the family prospering during his tenure.

Secondly, fortunately, the Shangguan family had birthed a Great Heavenly Proud, with future hopes of rising to Third Grade. Therefore, they needed to enhance their standing, aiming to align with Third Grade families.

Thus, it was an unspoken consensus within the Shangguan family to continue supporting Shangguan Zhenhai as the Family Head, getting a head start in adapting to the situation. The subsequent Shangguan family heads also had to be at least at the level of Shangguan Zhenhai.

Besides Shangguan Zhenhai, the Purple Abode Realm Family Head, the main host included a Purple Abode Realm Great Elder with graying beard and equally impressive aura, alongside the pride of the Shangguan family, the Great Arrogant Shangguan Yunque.

Moreover, there was a mature, peach-like charming woman present—Shangguan Bilian.

Under normal circumstances, Lady Bilian, being married off, should not be involved in the clan’s affairs. However, among the honorable guests this time, there was the Young Clan Leader from the Longzuo County’s Changning Wang Clan.

Lady Bilian and the Changning Wang Clan, both being from Rank Six Prominent Families of Longzuo, had frequent interactions. Her presence eased the flow of conversation between the two parties.

Previously, a guest from the relatively unknown Changning Wang Clan would not have been taken seriously, at most treated by a common Heavenly Human Realm Elder out of respect for the “Rank Six Prominent Family” title.

However, since Li Yao Great Heavenly Proud’s remarkable sweep through the Imperial Capital, the status of the Changning Wang Clan had also risen significantly, entering the vision of many powerful figures. Even out of respect for Li Yao Great Heavenly Proud, no one dared to underestimate the Changning Wang Clan.

Nevertheless, by itself, the Young Clan Leader of the Changning Wang Clan would not have garnered such attention from the Shangguan family. The especially solemn reception was because among the visiting companions was also one of the contemporary Quasi Emperor’s Sons, the An Commandery Prince.

Although lesser in stature compared to the Kang Commandery Prince, An Commandery Prince was still a Quasi Emperor’s Son, a prestigious Heavenly Proud Level Commandery Prince. Even if he failed in contesting for the emperor’s throne in the future, he would still be a Divine Power Realm prince.

With such a personage at their door, how could the Shangguan family show anything but their utmost respect?