Beastmaster of the AgesBeastmaster of the Ages
How House Suishen would view Tianming now depended on Eminent Ranxing. Suishen Zhao obviously hoped that the house would officially take Tianming in, since they had reached this point. Official status didn't mean having his sister simply declaring him her disciple. The seniors of the house had to give him the actual status of a member of one of the Three Exalted Houses.
Suishen Zhao probingly asked, "Dad, Sis and I think Tianming is decent. He is talented, loyal, and smart. He's a rare talent, and he only offended House Yumo because of my sake. I believe that—"
Before he could finish, Eminent Ranxing shut him up with a mere glance.
"What's this? He already dares to fight House Yumo, but we don't even dare to protect him?" Suishen Yao said, displeased.
"Shut up," Eminent Ranxing said, glaring at her. Though he did treasure his daughter, he didn't let her push him around. "That black ring disciple doesn't use totems as his main fighting style, so we can't really evaluate his talent properly. He already helped Little Zhao address the injustice, so his use for the two of you has almost run out. If his future potential is limited, there's no need for us to continue bickering with House Yumo over him. We just have to give him to them when needed to appease them."
The siblings could hardly believe what they heard. Suishen Zhao grit his teeth and said, "Dad, what’d you just say? You're sending someone who stood up for me to his death?"
"Stood up for you? Looks like you're still far too young. He lost Lan Yun's protection and offended House Huang. He's only helping you because he needs your protection. Do you really think this was all out of camaraderie? Since he chose that risky gambit, he should've been prepared for the risk," Eminent Ranxing coldly said.
Suishen Yao lost it. "What a joke! If you do this, House Yumo will see it as a sign of your submission! It’ll be seen as a sign of weakness for the entire Myriadpath Valley!"
"What do you know? All you ever do is let a moment's impulse take over your actions. The Three Exalted Houses might have friction with each other, but we’re also united. They are not our enemies. Instead, we’re up against everyone else in the astralscape that isn’t from the Three Exalted Houses, including millions of myriadpath saints!
"One exalted house isn’t powerful enough to reign over Myriadpath Valley and the Million Mundi. That's why, even though we compete and fight, there's always a limit!" Eminent Ranxing coldly looked at his children.
Suishen Yao chuckled, "You make it sound so reasonable, don't you? Then let me ask you this: if your son was the one who had been humiliated and made to kowtow today, would you still be able to say all that about keeping the peace with them?"
Eminent Ranxing seemed to waver. He definitely wouldn’t, and he would be endlessly displeased. Smiling, he said, "We don’t engage in those hypotheticals. The thing now is that you've won and vented. You’ve already got what you want and taught them a huge lesson. As the victors, we should know when to withdraw so we can leave some room for the losers to leave the stage with some dignity."
Suishen Cang also laughed, "You children really don't know anything. In the eyes of Myriadpath Valley and the Million Mundi, it might seem that we don't get along with House Yumo at all. But once you grow up, you'll truly come to understand that the Three Exalted Houses have been unchanging for all these years because that infighting is just a facade. In fact, we’re united."
That seemed to clash heavily with Suishen Yao and Suishen Zhao's worldview. They had been told that the other houses were their eternal rivals growing up, but now they were being told that they were in fact teammates. It wasn’t easy to accept at all. "I don't care! I refuse to be shameless like all of you!" Suishen Yao snapped.
"Dad, is there really no other choice? We still have to continue clearing the trials of the Prehistoric Path," Suishen Zhao said.
"Then continue doing so. We’ll be watching," Eminent Ranxing said.
"Is there no chance at all? His talent is great—better than mine, even! He might be one of the best cultivators of the astralscape one day! What if he can raise House Suishen above the other two houses from their shadow? Today, he’s just a tool in our spat against Yumo Yuanni, so House Yumo has no need to be so vehemently against him, either, right?"
Eminent Ranxing gave his son a deep look. He could tell that he cared about Tianming a lot.
Even Suishen Yao could see that. She shrugged and added, "If this matter is handled in a way that leaves a regret in Little Zhao's heart, it’ll affect his cultivation for the rest of his life. Would we really win that way?"
Her words caused the other eminents to furrow their brows. They hadn't considered that angle before. They had underestimated Suishen Zhao's loyalty, given his age.
"One of the best cultivators in the astralscape?" Eminent Ranxing didn't even answer Suishen Yao's question. He turned to his son and said, "Do you think that an outer mundi genius is capable of such talent?"
"Why not? I heard that the previous valley lord wasn't from the Three Exalted Houses, either. Granted, he grew up in Myriadpath Valley, but he was able to become the valley lord despite not being one of us," Suishen Zhao said.
"Don't you know that talking about the previous valley lord is taboo? Have you considered why that’s the case? Whose interests do you think he touched upon?" Eminent Ranxing coldly asked.
Suishen Zhao fell silent. It was clear that the Three Exalted Houses were united on that matter.
"Little Zhao, don't worry. If that brat really is a peak talent in the astralscape, we’ll be able to see it as well. We naturally cherish people who are of use to us. No matter what you say now, it’s useless. It all depends on the brat himself, understood? House Suishen won’t let true talent slip past us, but we also won’t risk letting nobodies latch on to you," Eminent Ranxing sternly said. He’d only explained his decision because he had considered his son's feelings on the matter.
Suishen Zhao nodded. "I understand. I’ll go look for him to prepare for the rest of the Prehistoric Path. Father, Uncles, we’ll take our leave."
"You can leave, but Yaoyao, stay behind," Eminent Ranxing said. "For what?" Suishen Yao cautiously asked.
"You seem to have not learned your lesson and still act recklessly. After the Prehistoric Path ends, I’m considering marrying you off so you can engage in totemic bonding."
Suishen Yao seemed completely distraught. She turned back, looking at Suishen Yue and Suishen Yuan as her rage boiled over. "I will never marry you motherfuckers! Fuck your totemic bonding! Kill me if you want! I don't want to live anymore! Fuck!"
Suishen Cang, Suishen Ling, and the other eminents immediately grimaced awkwardly at the sight.
***
Tianming and Yumo Yuanni's fight became the hottest topic in Myriadpath Valley. Fortunately, it was deemed a children's spat at the end of the day and the two houses didn't clash over it. The focus shifted back to the Prehistoric Path.