The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 594: Chapter 594 Gu Family Members [Fourth Update]

”Although you have the Guest Token, Brother Jing Yan, it’s best that you still don’t leave the territory of Pill Country. They might not dare to confront you openly, but it’s hard to say what they might do in secret. It’s easy to dodge an overt spear but difficult to defend against a hidden arrow, so you still need to be cautious,” Hu Donghe added with a warning.

”In the short term, I indeed have no plans to leave Pill Country,” Jing Yan nodded in response.

After conversing with Hu Donghe for a while longer, Jing Yan took his leave.

Heavenly Origin Continent, the Ancient Family!

The Ancient Family was one of the Seven Great Families of the Heavenly Origin Continent and was said to have a history of thousands of years. This family had already existed before the great war between humans and gods.

The Seven Great Families had incredibly deep foundations, with each family possessing strength comparable to that of Holy City. However, the current Seven Great Families tended to act with discretion. Moreover, they all submitted to the leadership of Holy City, at least outwardly, respecting the Holy Master as their leader.

In a detached courtyard of the Ancient Family Mansion within East Pass County,

a young man with a tall and thin figure, and a handsome face stood with his hands behind his back. In front of him was a black-bearded elder who bowed and spoke respectfully.

The Ancient Family controlled eight counties in the Heavenly Origin Continent, and East Pass County was only one of them.

”Is that Jing Yan still within Pill Country?” The young man asked with slightly parted lips and an indifferent voice.

”Yes! We’ve just received word that Jing Yan has obtained the Pill Spirit City Guest Token. Pill Spirit City has spread this news across the continent, clearly expressing their intention to protect this Jing Yan,” the black-bearded elder answered with his head bowed.

”What on earth is Hu Donghe thinking? Why is he treating Jing Yan so favorably?” The young man’s brow furrowed slightly.

This young man, named Gu Xinghe, was a direct descendant of the Ancient Family, with an esteemed status.

Not only this, but he had another identity as well—he was a candidate for Clan Leader of the Ancient Family. His great-grandfather was one of the Ancient Family’s Supreme Elders.

In a family like the Ancient Family, the selection of the Clan Leader was a rigorous process. Multiple candidates were cultivated, and the future Clan Leader was chosen from among them.

The Ancient Family had a peculiar rule: each Clan Leader could serve a maximum of three hundred years. Once the three hundred-year term was reached, no matter how excellent the incumbent Clan Leader, they must step down and make way for a candidate Clan Leader.

Of course, there weren’t many candidates at any one time; generally, there would be two or three candidates during a single period.

Gu Xinghe was one of the two candidates during this period. And, from the current perspective, he was more outstanding than the other candidate. Most people within the Ancient Family believed that Gu Xinghe would become the next Ancient Family Patriarch.

”This Jing Yan is no simple man. Despite his young age, his abilities are extremely frightening. From the intelligence we’ve gathered, Hu Donghe might have received some sort of benefit from him, which is why he is so protective of Jing Yan,” the black-bearded elder spoke slowly.

”Hmph!” Gu Xinghe let out a cold snort.

”Young Master, since Jing Yan has obtained the Guest Token, we must be more circumspect if we still wish to deal with him. Hu Donghe is no ordinary person, and we cannot afford to offend him,” the black-bearded elder continued.

”I was originally planning to wait until that young man left Pill Country before making a move. Now it seems that whether he leaves Pill Country or not makes no difference. Since he has the Pill Country Minister Order, we can no longer take action against him openly,” Gu Xinghe’s eyes narrowed.

”What about that Ancient Cave Mansion in Lanqu County? How is our exploration going?” Gu Xinghe changed the subject.

”We should be able to finish exploring it in a month or two,” the black-bearded elder paused before answering.

”Stop it!” Gu Xinghe waved his hand, ”Call back our people from the Ancient Cave Mansion. There are indeed many good things inside that mansion. Since it’s not dangerous, I will go take a look myself!”

”Huh?” The black-bearded elder was somewhat confused by Gu Xinghe’s intentions.

”Isn’t that young Jing Yan from Lanqu County? If we now go to Pill Country to find him, considering his familiarity with Lanqu County, wouldn’t it be reasonable to have him lead us to the Ancient Cave Mansion? With our status, if we ask him to help, would he refuse?” Gu Xinghe’s mouth curved into a cold smile.

”That’s feasible!” The black-bearded elder’s eyes lit up, and he nodded.

Pill Country, Splendid Pill Tower!

Inside the top-floor room, facing Jing Yan were the two people, Gu Xinghe and the black-bearded elder.

”Are you Alchemist Jing Yan?” Gu Xinghe sized up Jing Yan as he asked.

”Yes, I am Jing Yan. What brings you two gentlemen to seek me out?” Jing Yan also looked at Gu Xinghe.

He had already learned the identity of this person from Zhou Shangyun; he was a descendant of the Seven Great Families’ Ancient Family, named Gu Xinghe. And the elder beside Gu Xinghe, with his restrained aura, was clearly not an ordinary strong individual and must be in charge of protecting Gu Xinghe.

”I am Gu Xinghe, a candidate for the Ancient Family Patriarch. This is Elder Yin!” Gu Xinghe introduced himself first and then pointed at the black-bearded elder beside him.

Hearing Gu Xinghe’s words, Jing Yan felt a slight stir in his heart.

He had heard from Zhou Shangyun that the Dark Night Organization supposedly had the backing of the Ancient Family. The leader of the Dark Night in Lanqu County was known as Mr. Yin. And now, the person beside Gu Xinghe was called Elder Yin. Connecting the dots, Jing Yan realized that the two must be related.

Jing Yan didn’t speak, waiting for Gu Xinghe to continue.

”We’ve come specifically to seek you out, Jing Yan.”

”We know that Alchemist Jing Yan has extraordinary skills in the field of Alchemy Dao, having won the first place in this Alchemy Tournament and topping the newcomer’s Pill King List. Our Ancient Family considers Alchemist Jing Yan a rare Alchemy Dao genius. So, we would like to cooperate with Alchemist Jing Yan,” Gu Xinghe’s face showed a hint of a smile.

”Oh? In what manner do you wish to cooperate?” Jing Yan also smiled.

”We hope that Alchemist Jing Yan can refine Elixirs for the Ancient Family. Any Elixirs refined by Alchemist Jing Yan, our Ancient Family will purchase them all. Of course, our Ancient Family will also provide protection to Alchemist Jing Yan. With our protection, Alchemist Jing Yan need not worry about any interference from other forces and can focus entirely on Alchemy Dao,” Gu Xinghe spoke with confidence.

”With the support of our Ancient Family, Alchemist Jing Yan, you will surely become a Great Alchemist King,” Gu Xinghe’s voice carried an air of confidence.

This confidence wasn’t feigned but radiated from within.

”Elder Yin, do say a few words too!” Gu Xinghe shifted slightly, turning to Elder Yin.

Elder Yin chuckled, ”Alchemist Jing Yan, is it true that the leader of the Dark Night in Lanqu County died by your hand?”

Elder Yin was quite straightforward.

”That’s correct,” Jing Yan nodded.

If the Dark Night indeed was an Assassin organization controlled by the Ancient Family, then Jing Yan wouldn’t be surprised that the Gu Family Members figured out that he was the one who killed Mr. Yin. So, there was no need for him to deny it.