Chapter 9: Family Feuds (Part 2)

Back at the base, Guo Shier discovered that the Eagle Demon had already begun constructing its virtual altar, with Luo Zhan standing guard nearby. He didn’t go in to disturb them, knowing that since the Eagle Demon had inherited the legacy of the Gu Miluo family, building a virtual altar shouldn’t be a problem.
Guo Shier then went to see the Ancestor of Nanqiang. Only some high-ranking members of the Gu Nan family and experts with physical altars were allowed to enter the Ancestor’s room. As for Guo Shier, his status allowed him to enter, and since Nan You was part of the Ancestor’s faction, Guo Shier naturally became an expert in that faction as well.
There were not many expert-level members among the Gu Nan family’s ancestors. They were like pillars of stability, rarely intervening except as a deterrent force, staying in their respective branch family bases and seldom leaving.
Word of the exploration team being framed spread quickly. Despite the Ancestor of Nanqiang appearing frail, he had a fierce temper. He immediately ordered that whenever they encountered the exploration team from the Gu Jin family, they should attack without hesitation, killing anyone without restraint.
Although many high-ranking members objected, the Ancestor’s authority was so great that their objections were ineffective.
Before long, the Gu Jin family issued a similar order. The two Gu families began fighting in the Stormy Secret Realm. For now, the battles were limited to their own disciples, with no altar-level experts involved. But Guo Shier knew that it wouldn’t be long before the two families, unable to bear the losses among their disciples, would send in altar-level experts for revenge.
Guo Shier felt tempted to leave, but since the Eagle Demon was advancing in power, he couldn’t leave under any circumstances and had to stay at the Gu Nan family’s base and wait. He regretted joining the Gu Nan family, as he hadn’t expected to encounter such troubles so soon, which annoyed him.
Conflicts always escalated from small to large. At first, it was clashes between exploration teams, with minor battles and casualties on both sides. As the number of casualties increased, the members of the two Gu families grew more agitated, and the conflicts gradually intensified. Guo Shier estimated that it wouldn’t be long before large-scale battles began.
Guo Shier spent almost every day with the Ancestor of Nanqiang, along with Nan You and Nan Gua. Nan Jiao was sent back to her family’s sect. Although the little girl cried for a while, the Ancestor of Nanqiang showed no mercy this time. By now, the Stormy Secret Realm truly lived up to its name—filled with storms.

After over ten days of observation, Guo Shier discovered that the Ancestor of Nanqiang wasn’t acting on impulse but had been prepared in advance; the conflict was planned. Moreover, the Gunan family had invited many guest elders, most of whom were great sage masters, a few were experts in virtual altar techniques, and two were experts in physical altar techniques.

Guo Shier met these two at the Ancestor of Nanqiang’s residence. One was a professional with a two-layer physical altar, a middle-aged man with a pale face, no beard, and a gloomy expression, named Bo Ruoli. The other was a professional with a one-layer physical altar, a young-looking woman who seemed bold but not particularly beautiful, named Han Huang. Both were guest elders of the Gunan family.

The Ancestor of Nanqiang spent his days chatting and joking with a group of altar experts, seemingly unconcerned about external developments. But Guo Shier knew these were just superficial appearances; the Ancestor would soon take action, otherwise he wouldn’t have gathered so many people—several hundred just as guests.

In the Eight Paths Great Heaven, Guo Shier had no particular plans. He didn’t want to get involved in the conflict between the two ancient families, but he also understood he’d find it hard to withdraw, so he could only watch from the sidelines.

Bo Ruoli was quiet, almost never speaking. When he came to the Ancestor of Nanqiang’s place, he simply found a corner to sit in and meditate with his eyes closed.

Han Huang, on the other hand, was talkative, chattering nonstop, which gave Guo Shier a headache. The Ancestor of Nanqiang seemed equally exasperated. As an altar-level expert, she deserved proper respect, even if she talked as much as the tide—there was no choice but to endure it.

Seeing the Ancestor’s face of forced patience, Guo Shier secretly laughed to himself: Who told you to bring such a woman?

When the Ancestor of Nanqiang noticed Guo Shier’s smirk, he knew the guy was enjoying his misfortune. Suddenly, he said with a smile, “Xiao Huang…” Han Huang, mid-speech, was abruptly interrupted. She glared at the Ancestor irritably and asked, “Sir, what do you want from this young lady?”

The Ancestor of Nanqiang groaned inwardly. Sir? Forget it, too lazy to argue with her. He continued, “Xiao Huang, you’re about the same age as Shier, right…”

Guo Shier immediately became alert. What was this old fellow up to? He felt a chill run down his spine.

Han Huang looked young on the outside but was quite sturdy, with fair skin and a plump round face that gave her a cute appearance. She said, “Shier must be older than me! Right, Brother Shier?”

Guo Shier’s hair stood on end at her call of “brother,” and he quickly said, “No, I’m only in my twenties. I wouldn’t dare be called brother.” As soon as these words came out, everyone was stunned; even Bo Luoli looked up at Guo Shier. What? A master of the Solid Form Altar in his twenties?

Ancestor Nan Qiang swallowed hard before finally saying, “You… are you serious?” He added, “Don’t move. I… I still can’t believe it…” He cast a spell, and a faint blue light fell on Guo Shier. After a moment, he showed a surprised expression and murmured, “It’s true… incredible.”

It’s difficult to tell someone’s age from their appearance, but there are special spells for detection. However, most people don’t use such spells, as it’s not considered a friendly gesture.

“Wahaha, little brother…”

Han Huang called out recklessly, scaring Guo Shier into stepping back. This guy was truly exceptional.

Ancestor Nan Qiang sighed and said, “Impressive. I’ve seen some genius masters before, but someone who reaches the Solid Form Altar level in their twenties… You’re the first. Amazing.”

Guo Shier was puzzled. Looking at Han Huang, who was grinning wildly, he couldn’t help asking, “Auntie, how old are you?”

Han Huang seemed choked and started coughing repeatedly. She snapped, “Auntie? Ah… how dare you call me that? I’m very young… extremely young! Just a little older than you, just a little…”

Nan You let out a snort and quickly turned away. Han Huang shouted, “Nan You, how dare you laugh at me!”

Ancestor Nan Qiang’s wrinkled horse-like face strained as he tried to hold back his laughter. Nan You said seriously, “No, I’m laughing at Shier… Elder, um, Sister Huang is very young and beautiful… That’s something we all know.”

Pfft!

Bo Luoli spat out some water and then said nonchalantly, “Sorry, I choked. Go on with your conversation.”

Guo Shier regretted speaking. If he had known, he wouldn’t have said anything. Who would have thought it would cause such a reaction?

Han Huang had extremely thick skin. She stood up, went over to Guo Shier, sat next to him, and said with a smile, “Little brother, call me sister. From now on, I’ll protect you!”

Guo Shier held his head, in severe pain. This guy actually took advantage of the situation. He said seriously, “You can’t protect me… Calling you sister is impossible. Calling you auntie is barely acceptable.”

Han Huang grabbed Guo Shier’s neck and shouted, “Don’t call me auntie, did you hear me…?”

Guo Shier’s head swayed like a candle flame in the wind. He hadn’t expected Han Huang to actually take action, but he couldn’t dismiss it either. Then he heard the Ancestor of Nanqiang say with a smile, “Shier, just give in.”
Hearing this, Nanyou burst into laughter, while Nangua simply collapsed. Han Huang released her grip and said, “You old rascal! Hmph, if you don’t want to call, then don’t. I’m not losing any flesh.” She stood up gracefully and sat back aside.
Guo Shier wore a bitter smile. He had never met such a bold woman in three lifetimes—she was truly terrifying.
The Ancestor of Nanqiang said, “Enough joking. There’s something I need to announce to everyone today.”
Guo Shier thought, “Here we go. I wonder what it is?”
The Ancestor of Nanqiang continued, “At present, the conflict between the Gunan Family and the Gujin Family is at the disciple level. Although there are significant casualties, both families can tolerate them. What we need to do now is to keep an eye on things. If either side sends a high-level expert from the altar level to attack our family’s disciples, we’ll need everyone’s support.”
Nangua became slightly excited and said, “Wow, there’s going to be a fight…”
The Ancestor of Nanqiang said sternly, “It’s not a fight—it’s murder. Be serious!”
Scolded like that, Nangua dared not say a word. He shrank his neck, looking like a scrawny kid, which made Han Huang laugh. She didn’t care about seriousness or not—after all, her status as a senior guest of the clan meant that any high-ranking member of the Gunan Family would treat her with respect.
The Ancestor of Nanqiang shook his head helplessly and said, “I think there won’t be much trouble for now, but the situation will soon become very serious.” He then explained further. It would be the experts from the virtual altar level who would start fighting first; those from the real altar level wouldn’t act yet. Once they did, it would mean war between the two ancient families—simply put, a family conflict.
A servant came in, carefully approached Guo Shier, and whispered a few words. Guo Shier stood up abruptly, his face filled with surprise, and said, “I’ll go back right away.”
The Ancestor of Nanqiang looked surprised and asked, “Is one of your followers about to advance to the virtual altar level?”
Guo Shier nodded. “Yes. I need to go back immediately to take care of them. Ancestor, everyone, I must take my leave now.”
The Ancestor of Nanqiang said, “Go quickly. Hehe, congratulations.”
Without saying more, Guo Shier left quickly, following the servant out of the room. Nanyou hurriedly said, “I’ll go check too. Ancestor, I’ll be back later.”
Han Huang also stood up and said, “Ancestor, I’m going too.”

Ancestor Nan Qiang stood up, picked up his walking stick, and said, “Let’s just go together. You guys…” Bo Luo Li, who was sitting in the corner, also stood up and silently followed the others. Who said those who don’t like talking don’t like to watch a spectacle? This guy clearly enjoyed watching it.

Guo Shier had only walked halfway when he saw Nan You running up. He asked, “Nan You, what are you doing here?”

Nan You was too embarrassed to say he wanted to watch the spectacle, so he replied, “Uh, I’m worried. Let’s go check on the eagle together.”

Guo Shier thanked him gratefully. As they neared the house, Han Huang rushed up and said, “Little brother, wait for your sister…” Guo Shier’s legs turned weak, and he almost fell. How did this guy catch up?

Looking back, not only had Han Huang arrived, but Ancestor Nan Qiang was also following behind with his walking stick, along with Nan Gua and Bo Luo Li. He couldn’t help asking, “What are you doing here?”

Han Huang was straightforward: “Watching the spectacle!”