Eternal life begins with saving my clan

A hush fell over the crowd as Ai raised her hand, patiently waiting for the news to sink in. The once boisterous chatter died away, replaced by an awed silence.

"The Celestial Bank," Ai declared, her voice ringing with confidence, "will be unlike any bank you have ever known. With just a Spirit Comm, you will have access to your financial needs. Transfer funds, receive payments, all without ever setting foot out of your store or homes."

A murmur of astonishment rippled through the audience. Sending and receiving money without physical interaction? It seemed too good to be true.

"I understand your skepticism," Ai continued, her smile unwavering. "But tonight, your Spirit Comms will receive an upgrade, enabling this revolutionary functionality."

A second wave of gasps erupted. The sheer audacity of such a claim left many speechless.

With a pause for dramatic effect, Ai continued, "This is not all. Our store will soon expand its reach, opening its doors in five neighboring cities. And who better to introduce these new communities to the wonder of Spirit Comms than our top ten rankers?"

A stunned silence descended upon the crowd, including the top ten themselves. The prospect of a tour, of showcasing their beauty and the marvels of Spirit Comms to a wider audience, was an unexpected and exhilarating reward.

Instinctively, bright smiles illuminated the faces of the top ten. This tour was not just an honor, but also a chance to experience how other cities compared to their city.

"And to ensure their comfort and enjoyment," Ai added with a smile, "the Celestial Store will cover all expenses incurred during the tour."

The announcement was met with a mixture of awe and excitement. The Celestial Heavenly Sect, once viewed with trepidation, was now being seen as a force for innovation and progress.

"Lastly…" Ai trailed off, her voice hanging in the air like a portentous melody.

The crowd, their eyes glued to her every move, held their breath, anticipating the final announcement.

"From tonight onward," Ai declared, her voice firm and unwavering, "all calls and access to You Connect will require payment."

An unsettling silence descended upon the gathering.

The joy of the new bank, the excitement of the tour, all evaporated in an instant, replaced by a cold, hard reality.

The prospect of paying for what was once freely available left a bitter taste in everyone's mouths.

Some dared to protest, but the memory of Ye Zhen's fate quickly silenced them.

The fear of the Celestial Heavenly Sect's power overshadowed their discontent, forcing them to swallow their grievances and accept the new reality.

Thus, the event that started with the unsettling spectacle of Ye Zhen's defiance ended on a bittersweet note.

The initial thrill and joy had given way to disappointment and resentment, leaving a complex mix of emotions in the hearts of the audience.

…..

Meanwhile, within the secluded courtyard of the Cao clan, Su Yen emerged from his state of enlightenment.

A potent aura radiated from him, sharp and terrifying enough to have shattered everything in its vicinity.

"Finally, I comprehend it," he breathed, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. "Sword Intent is far more powerful than mere sword aura."

With a sigh, he surveyed the destruction wrought by his newfound power. "The grass is always greener on the other side," he mused, a hint of melancholy in his voice. "But Sword Intent is truly a formidable force."

He carefully reined in the chaotic energy, restoring the courtyard to its former serenity.

He understood that this was but the first step on the path to mastering the art of Sword Intent. Patience and dedication would be his companions on this journey.

Outside the courtyard, the Cao clan members let out a collective sigh of relief, the oppressive pressure finally lifted.

Cao Meng, her heart filled with a tumultuous array of emotions, gazed upon the courtyard door. Taking a deep breath, she walked towards it, her steps measured and deliberate.

A gentle knock, a moment of anticipation, and then the door creaked open. Su Yen, his long black hair dancing in the breeze, sat there sipping tea, his aura calm and refined.

He had shed the raw intensity of his earlier state and now exuded a newfound elegance.

"Will you stand there staring or come in?" Su Yen's voice, tinged with amusement, brought Cao Meng back to reality.

A blush crept onto her cheeks as she realized how captivated she had been by his presence.

With a cough and a feigned composure, she straightened her robe and walked towards him, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

"I have news," she said, stopping a couple of feet away from him.

Su Yen raised his head from his tea, fixing his gaze directly on her. "Tell me."

"We found information about those you told me to look for," she replied, pausing to organize her thoughts. "Through the assassin organization, we discovered that they came to the city but only stayed for a day before departing for Silkstrand City."

"Silkstrand City?" he mused, averting his gaze from her face. "Where is this Silkstrand City?"

"It is the most powerful city in our prefecture, and it will take a months to reach there by the fastest horse."

"Hmm." He nodded, a sharp glint appearing on his face. 'Finally, I get a lead on our parents. I hope they are alright, else…' His thought trailed off as he couldn't imagine what he would do if their parents were killed.

"What should I do next?" she asked.

"Nothing for now." He pushed the thought from his mind and turned to face her. "How is the city?" he inquired.

"Everything is going according to plan. Our people have gone to the neighboring cities for the construction of the stores. It should be completed in a week or two."

"Good. Is there anything I need to know that happened during my enlightenment?"

"Nothing much. The son of the city lord, Ye Zhen, challenged a member of the store."

"Really?" His voice was laced with slight amusement.

"Yes." She shook her head, pitying Ye Zhen's unfortunate fate. She quickly explained how Ai handled everything, ordering the death of his mother to teach everyone a lesson.

"Ah ah. I never knew she would be that ruthless," Su Yen mused, a satisfied smile on his face.

"How did the Ye clan react?" he asked, even though he already knew the answers.

"They closed their doors and sent two elders to apologize for their young master's misconduct. According to our spies, they crippled their young master," she said calmly.

Su Yen nodded and averted his gaze, staring at the horizon. With the news about their parents, his plans would need to change a bit.

"Your Majesty…" she called, her voice trailing off with uncertainty.

"Hmm!"

"Your Majesty!"

Su Yen widened his eyes slightly and turned to look at her, his brow creased in shock. "Why did you call me that?"

"Ah… I asked who you are from them, and they said you are the Emperor of the Barren Land," she explained, wondering what she had done wrong.

"Really?!" He knitted his brow. "Who told you? Zimo?"

"Yes, but not only him, everyone else," she replied.

"What do you mean, everyone else?" He was getting more confused. He never called himself a king, not to talk of an emperor. Who spread this false news?

"Yes, that's what everyone is calling you. It is no secret."

It was then he realized that the rumor that had circulated when they were still in the barren land was true. In the hearts of everyone in the barren land, he was their emperor.

But when did he behave like an emperor? He was only trying to make the barren land live better lives. He shook his head and decided not to dwell on it.

"So, what is it that you want to tell me?" he asked.

"Hmm. You may not know, but the Hidden Dragon competition, held every ten years, will start in the next couple of months. All the cities will be preparing for the competition. The king would dispatch various envoys to the prefecture to watch the competition."

"Oh. What is the purpose of this competition?" he asked.

"I don't know… but I heard it is very important for the empire," she said seriously.

"But I don't see your clan or any other clan preparing for the competition."

"That's because we've sent the promising younger generation to the powerful clans to join them as disciples."

"Oh, I see. When will those from your clan come back? I want to see how strong they are."

"They should arrive today or tomorrow."

"Good. Let me know when they arrive," he said before changing the topic.

"Call a meeting. I want all the prominent families in the cities to attend," he commanded.

"I'm on it."

******

In a secure location known to only a few people, an ordinary-looking building stood, an old man sitting at the entrance.

For those privy to this place, they understood the terrifying power it concealed. This was the headquarters of the Death Shadow Assassin Organization.

Inside one of the rooms in the building, an old man studied the message in his hand.

"This is a platinum assassination. Only the old man can do this job," he thought for a moment before deciding to post the mission on their board for other assassins to see.

**********************

[AN: I'm please to announce that I've started another book. Please, check it out: Unparalleled Comprehension Begins With Using My Lifespan.]