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The speaker was the Seventh Elder, the eldest among them. He glanced at his palm, reminiscing, “When the Taboo Era dawned, I was nearing ninety, almost ready for the grave. But two years later, the Great Xia Science Academy, using special substances found in the forbidden zones, developed an elixir of longevity, allowing me to live till now.”

His laugh was youthful, “Now, I feel even younger than before.”

The Seventh Elder, over a hundred and twenty years old, appeared merely in his seventies. His complexion was ruddy, his spirit vigorous.

“Indeed,” agreed the Sixth Elder. “Our families have extraordinary squads patrolling, safeguarding us from the strange disturbances that commoners face.

“Oh yes,” the Ninth Elder chimed in with a chuckle, “Last month, the Tian Shu

Administration even assigned me a superhuman squad for protection. The female captain… Ah, she is splendid. To think, at over eighty, I can still command the night… Once, such thoughts were unimaginable.”

Their laughter filled the room, a lively atmosphere as they shared their gains from the Taboo Invasion, a discussion far removed from the concerns of commoners.

“Enough,” the Grand Elder’s frown silenced them. “Let’s not forget our initial terror at the onset of the Taboo Invasion.

His voice was steady, “The invasion brought not only disaster but also power. Many awakened among the populace, possessing abilities beyond human, elusive as specters, impervious to gunfire. With such power, these awakeners will surely not be content with the status quo. Their existence is a challenge to our authority.”

The other elders pondered this, understanding dawning on their faces.

“Fortunately, I decided to establish the Tian Shu Administration back then, gathering talents nationwide while nurturing our family’s young extraordinaries,” the Grand Elder continued, “Now, out of the eight War Gods of Great Yan, six belong to our twelve families. Our young extraordinaries are emerging generation after generation!”

“Indeed,” the Second Elder agreed, “Without your foresight, we, the nobility of

Great Yan, would have likely fallen to the wave of awakeners.”

“Our years of planning are about to bear fruit,” the Grand Elder’s eyes sparkled with ambition, “We’ve used information to leap ahead, seizing resources to strengthen our kin, and using their power to garner more resources in a self-sustaining cycle. This way, the gap between us and the commoners will only widen. If any prodigies arise among them, they must join us to advance. One day, we will stand supreme, gods of Great Yan, our families eternally reigning from above!”

His thirty-year plan was evident in his words.

“But now, some unknown Silent Master dares to take our polluted core, threatening our grand enterprise!” he exclaimed, his eyes reddening with fury. “How can we allow this? What does the Taboo Invasion matter to us? It’s but a few commoners dying!”

The elders were silent, none willing to relinquish their power.

“If we refuse this entity’s demands, and it wreaks havoc in Great Yan…” the Third Elder began hesitantly.

“So be it,” the Grand Elder retorted coldly, “We’ve established superhuman families to ensure our lineage endures forever. Since ancient times, there have been millennia-old families, but no millennia-old dynasties. If the Silent Master destroys Great Yan, we will abandon it! We will stand as immovable rocks in the river of history, unchanging and eternal!”

Their intake of breath was audible. Such audacity mirrored that of characters in cultivation novels, envisioning their families as formidable forces in their own right.

“Besides, we might yet have means to oppose this Silent Master.”

The Grand Elder snorted coldly: “Fifteen years ago, deep beneath the Tianyan Mountains, we found an ancient corpse. The Dayan Science Academy has been researching it ever since. Many ancient texts speak of gods, demons, mythical beasts, and rare treasures… Now, it seems they might be related to the [Polluted Core].”

“This corpse is incredibly ancient, at least thirty thousand years old by the

Academy’s estimates. It’s been found to resonate with some special underground forces… which we have named the (Dragon Vein].”

The Elders exchanged glances, intrigued.

“Dayan should have its own guardian deity,” the Grand Elder resumed calmly. “The Dayan Science Academy has calculated that the power contained within the Dragon Vein surpasses all current Taboo Masters.

We can feign agreement with the Silent Master, using Them to destroy other rulers’ realms and deplete Their power. Before They can take the Polluted Core, we’ll unleash the power of the Dragon Vein to suppress Them and reap the benefits.

“Alright, I’ve said my piece. Let’s vote,” the Grand Elder stated flatly.

“The Silent Master is still a Taboo entity… not of our kind, and thus not to be trusted,” the Second Elder said after a pause.

“This is a matter for Dayan alone, not for Them to interfere,” declared the Third Elder decisively.

“The Polluted Core must not be given to Them,” the Fourth Elder agreed.

“I support the Grand Elder’s proposal.”

“Such a treasure cannot simply be handed over.”

“Who can refuse the chance to become a god?”

“After the Taboo Era, special substances would run out, right? I still wish to live longer.”

“Heh, me too, eh…’

Soon, the Elders reached a consensus, unanimously approving the Grand Elder’s proposal.

Ancheng.

Yangxing Residential Area.

The sound of a door unlocking echoed as Cheng Lingzhu appeared at the doorway. Dressed in a JK uniform, she carried a takeout bag. Stepping out of her shoes, she revealed her dainty feet clad in over-the-knee socks.

“I’m late, so there was only one bowl of liangfen left at the store downstairs,” she said, gesturing to Lu Xuan with the bag in her hand.

Having just finished negotiations with the Dayan delegation, Lu Xuan, lost in thought about his next move, snapped back to reality.

Cheng Lingzhu, wearing little cat slippers, walked over and leaned softly against him. “How did it go with Dayan?” she asked.

“Smooth enough,” Lu Xuan pondered, “But they were obviously wary, not willing to send anyone of significance to talk.”

“They must be afraid of you,” Cheng Lingzhu teased, poking his chest with a smile, “The Silent Master, after all, sounds quite intimidating.”

“Is it just intimidation?” Lu Xuan wondered aloud. “My dear, you know my skills aren’t just in words. Just now…”

“Silly talk,” Cheng Lingzhu blushed, pinching softly at his waist, “It’s all your fault, making me miss buying more liangfen.”

Lu Xuan, feeling responsible, pondered for a moment: “I’ve made a mistake and should be punished. Keep the liangfen for yourself.”

“What will you eat then?” she asked, having bought it especially for him.

Without answering, Lu Xuan scooped her up in his arms, carrying her over his shoulder, face turned backward.

He strolled leisurely to the refrigerator and took out a newly purchased jar of honey: “I’ve heard that the Dushi Sword Sect has a sacred fruit that ripens once every three thousand years… My dear has never invited me to try it, a bit stingy, eh?”

“Ah, no…” she protested playfully..