Reverend Insanity-Blood Venerable Ascension (New Version)

One after another, Gu Masters wearing the dark blue battle uniforms of the He An Clan slowly walked through the clan gates.

At their waists, they displayed belts with metal plates of varying colors—green, red, and a few silver—each engraved with numbers, mostly "One" and "Two," with the rare "Three."

The only exception was Chen Wang, who marched at the forefront with his chin held high, clad in a noble dark red outfit. Around his waist was a belt with a golden metal plate engraved with the number "Four," which caused surprise among the lower-ranked Gu Masters. However, the powerful aura of a Rank 4 Gu Master, which he made no effort to conceal, left no room for doubt about what are they seeing.

For all the clan elders and Wang Xi, their expressions remained solemn, showing neither shock nor delight. Still, a faint trace of concern was evident in their eyes.

Chen Wei, observing with an equally composed expression, felt even less surprised—practically unfazed. He already knew, long before returning to the clan, that if his grandfather succeeded—as was almost guaranteed—in breaking through to Rank 4, he would choose this moment to announce it to the clan.

As Chen Wang had explained before, his reasoning was as follows:

This march is typically a ceremonial event, taken only when the last strategic points outside the clan are fully abandoned. The clan's logistical Gu Masters bring all external resources within the walls, accompanied by those who protected them during transit.

While it is an essential task, it does not usually garner grand celebration or prestige. Typically, only the families of the Gu Masters involved attend to welcome their loved ones, along with the clan elders and leader, who are obligated to participate out of formality.

This made it the perfect occasion for Chen Wang to reveal his cultivation breakthrough during an official ceremony in front of all the elders. Since the event was not one of great prestige or critical symbolic importance, it allowed him to reframe the moment, transforming it into a celebration of his own glory.

These thoughts of Chen Wang are no surprise to Chen Wei, who was taught by his grandfather from a young age about cultivation, politics, and philosophy. He knows his grandfather's way of thinking well enough to deduce that these would likely be his thoughts, even if his grandfather had chosen not to share them.

'First, conquer people's hearts through impactful actions, symbolism, and decisiveness. Use their emotions so that they willingly submit of their own accord,' Chen Wei recalls, his grandfather's words resurfacing in his mind at this moment. 'After that, your strong cultivation as a Gu Master will only be the second most significant force ensuring their loyalty. Their rationalization of their emotions within their already-subdued hearts will be the greatest.'

As he reflects on this, his eyes follow his grandfather, who walks calmly ahead of him and the other elders. Chen Wang clasps one hand into a fist and bows his head slightly in a near not-reverence—a gesture he would not have dared make in his previous level of cultivation. Yet now, even though his cultivation is still technically lower than Wang Xi's, his demeanor has appropriately shifted.

Since this is not a ceremony of great importance, unlike the one where the clan's victory was officially declared, the participation of the oldclan leader was not requested to preserve his health. Otherwise, even with his current level of cultivation, Chen Wang would not dare not bow completely.

"Elder Chen Wang reporting the arrival of the clan's Gu Masters following the orderly and complete evacuation of strategic points and resources points outside the clan's walls, as well as the successful relocation of all resources to within the clan's walls!"

Hearing this, Wang Xi remains silent for a few moments, his deep gaze gradually softening with some difficulty. "Very well... Let it be declared that, as of this moment, the final day of external preparations for the He An Clan to the Wolf tide has been concluded."

"Honor to the members of the He An Clan! Let this day be dedicated to all their names!"

Chen Wang, seeing this, nods slightly, a faint smile on his face that shows no dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, the Gu Masters behind him, upon hearing the clan leader's declaration, let out a roar of excitement before rushing to reunite with their loved ones who awaited them.

---

"...The clan leader seems even more determined not to let your image gain more prestige within the clan," Chen Wei remarks as he sits in an armchair in his grandfather's study.

"He didn't even address your advancement before emphasizing how today would be dedicated to the gu masters of the clan and their names..."

The armchair is positioned near the window, giving him a clear view of the setting sun painting the sky red. This fiery hue transforms the predominantly blue-decorated streets of the clan, giving them a completely different tone as he speaks.

"Just an attempt by Wang Xi that will have no effect," Chen Wang replies calmly, taking a sip of tea brought by a servant. "His words won't diminish the shockwaves that will sweep through the clan once the news of my breakthrough to Rank 4 spreads."

"With this, the prestige from the admiration and enthusiasm of the clan members is bound to follow, and that is beyond anyone's control to stop..."

Chen Wei nods in agreement, knowing from their earlier conversation that his grandfather had been concealing his cultivation. He had only begun wearing the golden metal plate marked with the number 'Four,' signifying his status as a Rank 4 Gu Master, shortly before entering the clan. Thus, the news was not yet common knowledge.

Given its significance, it wouldn't take a genius to predict that such a revelation—indicating the clan now possessed another Rank 4 Gu Master—would spread like wildfire. By tomorrow, it would be nearly impossible to find a single soul within the clan who hadn't heard of it.

Of course, this applied only to the common members of the clan. The elders and the clan leader—those in the higher ranks—had long known that since Chen Wang possessed the Water Aperture Gu this is bound to happen. They easily could have deduced that he would return to the clan after a breakthrough in cultivation. Still, seeing him in person today, Chen Wei noticed the slight surprise and inevitable concern flickering in their expressions.

Chen Liang, pacing back and forth in the room, quickly added, "What the clan leader avoided was an official acknowledgment of Father's Rank 4 cultivation during a formal ceremony, which he could have used as political leverage."

Chen Wei quickly rises from the armchair to pick up a cup of tea with his right hand before sitting back down again.

"How are you dealing with..." Chen Wang speaks in an unusually low voice, "...your arm?"

Chen Wei remains silent for a few moments, his eyes shifting to where his left arm should have been.

"I've already ordered the refinement of the Dexterous Arm Gu with the Refinement Pavilion elder..." he says, earning a nod from his grandfather, while his father, already aware of this, pays little attention. "...but since it's a fairly complex Gu to refine, even though it's only Rank 2 and the pavilion has prioritized my request, it will still take until the end of this week for me to receive it."

"And for its Rank 3 equivalent, the Ambidextrous Arm Gu, based on what I discussed with the elder, it would take only a few months, no more than half a year," Chen Wei quickly adds, as if predicting his grandfather's next question.

"Hmm, it truly is a pity that this line of Gu, with its powerful effects for regenerating lost limbs, will decay and die within three days of refinement. Otherwise, our Chen family would have numerous ones ready for use..." Chen Wang remarks, a hint of regret in his gaze.

Neither he nor Chen Liang suggest that Chen Wei use one of the other Gu stored in the Chen family's storage, as all of them have disadvantages and flaws compared to the Dexterous Arm and Ambidextrous Arm Gu. Furthermore, unlike these two, most of the others cannot be easily removed after being used to regenerate a lost limb.

"Well, even though the Rank 3 Ambidextrous Arm Gu is the most suitable for me, I still plan to use this period—up to half a year while it's being refined—to attempt to create a Blood Path Gu based on it."

"I had already begun testing this in the past, but using only minimal Gu materials and relying solely on my Blood Path without any other Gu as a foundation, my progress was unsatisfactory. Regardless, I believe it's possible to accomplish this during the available time, dedicating all my free moments outside my elder duties to its development."

Chen Liang and Chen Wang watch the young man speak of creating a new Rank 3 Gu to enhance or adapt the effects of one of the widely acknowledged best Gu for regenerating limbs, as though it were a matter of little significance.

But knowing Chen Wei and his repeatedly demonstrated genius in creating new Gu, their expressions only tighten momentarily before relaxing relatively, maintaining thoughtful gazes.

"Wang Xi is probably having a similar discussion with the old clan leader right now..." Chen Liang, who had been pacing the room, shifted the topic back to the previous subject. "...now that Father has publicly revealed his cultivation, Wang Xi will have to deal with the threat of you taking the position of clan vice leader."

He doesn't speak directly, but he is asking Chen Wang what he thinks both of their attitudes toward this matter would be.

"The old clan leader will officially resign his position and pass it on to Wang Xi," Chen Wang said without hesitation, his tone treating this as an already established fact. "Most likely tomorrow, or at the very latest, within the next few days."

Chen Wei had no doubts about his grandfather's words, immediately using them as the foundation for his own thoughts.

"Better to endure the dishonor of going against clan traditions and being seen as unfilial than to allow you to take the position of vice leader while he's not yet officially the leader, which would place you above him," Chen Wei reasoned.

He understood that if Wang Xi truly chose not to officially take the leadership role, he could simply assume the position of vice leader, as could Chen Wang. With the support of his father, the old clan leader, it wouldn't be difficult at all.

However, this wouldn't resolve the problem of Wang Xi also becoming vice leader. According to clan law, up to three vice leaders could hold the title simultaneously. Even if Wang Xi wouldn't be inferior to Chen Wang, he would stil be his equal, which politically would be a significant loss for him.

Thus, decisively choosing to take on the clan leadership role officially after careful consideration—while ignoring the damage to his prestige and reputation—was the correct choice.

"Hmm... if that's the case, why didn't you announce your intention to become vice leader earlier today? Why are you giving Wang Xi time to prepare and calmly decide how to handle this situation?" Chen Wei asked, concluding his thought with some doubt.

"Because I imagine that Wang Xi taking the position of clan leader is inevitable, no matter when Father requests the position of vice leader, correct?" Chen Liang replied, still somewhat unsure if these were truly Chen Wang's thoughts. However, seeing a nod of agreement from his father, his doubt dissipated.

"So Father chose this approach, forcing Wang Xi to take the initiative—making him the one to sacrifice his prestige for the position of leader, even before Father officially takes a political stance regarding his breakthrough to Rank 4. This makes him appear, in the eyes of the clan, as the one who unfilially initiated the conflict that followed."

Chen Wang's impassive expression broke slightly as a faint smile appeared on his face. "Furthermore, it allows me to frame my request for the vice leader position as merely a reaction to Wang Xi's actions, rather than a display of excessive ambition on my part."

"...Of course, this won't shield me entirely from criticism, but I can guarantee great damage to my reputation and that of Wang Xi, who will lose more in this conflict. And with the old clan leader—whose prestige is untouchable—nearing the end of his days, the path for young Wei to eventually take the position of leader will face fewer obstacles."

Chen Wei, hearing this, was about to say something, but Chen Wang interrupted him, his gaze solemn. "The reputation I've built over the years is something I cherish deeply, but I'm also willing to sacrifice it to the point of it becoming worthless if necessary, to ensure the Chen family takes absolute control of this clan..."

Chen Wang let out a deep sigh, one that seemed to release grievances and a weight only he could understand. "And since I can no longer advance my cultivation to surpass Wang Xi, but you, Little Wei, with your talent, your marriage to the Wang girl, and the child she carries, makes you the perfect candidate, as long as my ruined reputation and Wang Xi's doesn't hinder your rise, I'm willing to drag both of ours through the mud and shit until my last breath!"

Chen Wei had already anticipated his grandfather's determination, but hearing it said aloud he kept quiet. Words he had prepared to refute his grandfather's decision, as expected of a filial grandson. But now he didn't say anything, as his grandfather seemed uninterested in wasting time on such matters he didn't do so either.

The three of them continued discussing the topic, occasionally shifting to related themes, such as the wolf tide, the overall political impact on the clan due to the arrival of a new Rank 4, and how the clan would handle its complete dominance over Longhua Shan Mountain.

Among these, one stood out as particularly significant, as it was one of the matters Chen Wang had spent the most time addressing before returning to the clan: the subjugation and annexation of the Xiong Mao Clan, where some elders had already begun defecting to Chen Wang's side in secret.

However, this was not Chen Wang's most important arrangement regarding the Xiong Mao Clan.

What left even Chen Wei somewhat surprised was Chen Wang's plan to marry Ye Nui, the leader of the Xiong Mao Clan, thereby adopting another Rank 4 powerhouse into the Chen family. As for the opinions of Wang Xi—who would see this as an unacceptable act—or Ye Nui—who was to be his wife—Chen Wang, as when he had engaged him to Wang Mei, had no intention of seeking the approval of either party.