Three days later, the core members of the Shen Family were gathered in the main council hall, seated on either side of a long, darkwood table.

Patriarch Shen Xiong presided at the head of the table. To his left, in the most prominent position, stood Nangong Wan, her expression as cold and unyielding as ever.

Below them, the two legitimate sons, Shen Xing and Shen Li, occupied their seats on opposite sides.

The faint, lingering scent of sandalwood incense filled the hall, but it did little to ease the palpable tension that hung in the eerie silence.

Shen Li lounged in his ornate chair, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing on his lips as his eyes swept over the assembled elders. Only when his gaze landed on his elder brother did a flicker of respect—or something like it—cross his face.

Shen Xing, in contrast, sat as straight and still as a pine, his eyes closed in meditation, seemingly detached from the proceedings. Only the occasional glint of cold light from the green jade token at his waist betrayed his presence.

Just then, a figure strode in from outside the hall.

Shen Xian entered with a steady gait, dressed in understated but luxurious brocade robes and cloud-patterned boots. His expression was placid, neither subservient nor arrogant.

“My respects to Father, Mother, and all esteemed elders,” he said, offering a cupped-fist salute. His tone was polite and deferential.

The Second Elder let out a cold snort, his bony fingers tapping an impatient rhythm on the table. “The Third Young Master certainly carries himself with importance, making the entire council of elders wait.”

As head of the family’s disciplinary hall, he valued rules above all else. His eccentric and stubborn nature was well-known, and he showed no deference to anyone, regardless of their status.

Shen Xian lifted his gaze, a wry, calculated smile touching the corners of his lips. “Second Elder, the meeting was scheduled for three-quarters past the Hour of the Dragon. It is precisely that time now.” His eyes flicked to the water clock on the table. “If anything, it seems you esteemed elders are the ones who’ve arrived early.”

He wasn’t late, so no rule had been broken. Their decision to arrive early was their own business.

A flash of disgust crossed the Second Elder’s face before he turned away, saying nothing more.

“Now that everyone is present,” Shen Xiong began, his gaze sweeping over the assembly. His authority as the patriarch was unmistakable as he spoke in a measured tone. “Let us discuss the matter of the girl from the Ye Family.”

The matter was of such gravity that even the three legitimate sons had been summoned to attend.

Logically, as a daughter-in-law of the Shen Family, any inheritance or transformation Ye Qingxian obtained would benefit the clan. However, the situation had been complicated. Many had witnessed a Celestial Venerable express interest in her at the cave dwelling, forcing the Shen Family to reconsider its position entirely.

After speaking, Shen Xiong turned to Shen Xing, who remained seated with his eyes closed. A rare softness touched the patriarch’s usually stern gaze, and his tone softened as well. “Xing’er, have you learned anything about that expert’s origins?”

Shen Xing opened his eyes. “Father,” he replied calmly, “my master has sent word. That person hails from the Northern Region.”

The Northern Region!

The words sent a ripple of shock through the assembled elders.

It was the most spiritually abundant region on the entire continent. A land of countless rare treasures and heavenly materials, where a single item could cause a storm in the other three regions.

To most cultivators, such a place was no different from an immortal realm. Anyone who hailed from there was inevitably powerful, possessing a noble status far beyond their own.

Shen Xing continued, his voice even. “That Celestial Venerable is from the Ice Soul Immortal Sect, which is the superior sect to our own Divine Wood Sect. Even my master must treat him with the utmost respect. He is currently a guest at our sect and has not yet departed.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” the Fifth Elder interjected, unable to contain himself. “A personage of that caliber is a monumental opportunity for the Shen Family! If we can establish a connection with him, our family’s status will soar!”

The other elders nodded in fervent agreement.

“It’s just a shame someone saw fit to refuse him,” Shen Li’s voice cut in, his tone dripping with false regret.

He had seen the events of that day clearly. If Ye Qingxian had agreed, the Celestial Venerable would have taken her away on the spot.

“Utterly senseless!” The Fifth Elder scowled, his face a mask of exasperation. “An opportunity that others might not encounter in a hundred lifetimes, and she dared to refuse? The girl is a fool!”

From his seat at the end of the table, Shen Xian’s gaze turned cold. “Fifth Elder,” he said calmly, “everyone has their own path. Some things can’t be forced.”

“What does a junior like you understand?” The Fifth Elder shot him a disdainful look before turning back to Shen Xiong. “Patriarch, this matter isn’t a lost cause. I heard the Celestial Venerable left a jade token.”

“Correct!” the Second Elder chimed in. “We should have the Ye girl go directly to the immortal sect and offer herself as a disciple.”

“Exactly…” Others quickly voiced their support.

In their eyes, Ye Qingxian had but one purpose: to be the bridge connecting the Shen Family to the great power from the Northern Region.

Shen Xiong didn’t respond immediately, looking once more to Shen Xing.

“My master relayed that the Celestial Venerable did mention the girl. If she were to present herself as a disciple… it should be acceptable,” Shen Xing stated plainly.

“Then arrange it at once! When does the girl emerge from her seclusion?” the Fifth Elder demanded urgently. He looked as if he wanted to drag Ye Qingxian out and present her to the expert himself.

“Fifth Elder,” Matriarch Nangong Wan interjected, her brow furrowed slightly. “Should we not ask for Qingxian’s opinion on the matter?”

Before her words had even faded, the Second Elder let out a cold, grating laugh.

“The Matriarch is mistaken!” His voice was hoarse but carried an undeniable force. “Since that girl married into our Shen Family, she is a part of the Shen Family! Her opportunities are the family’s opportunities! Are we to indulge the whims of a junior?”

“Precisely!” the Fifth Elder immediately agreed, his cloudy eyes gleaming with a shrewd light. “An opportunity like this concerns the very rise or fall of our clan! How can we treat it like a child’s game? What does a mere junior know of the grander scheme?”

The atmosphere in the hall grew thick with tension. Several elders nodded in succession, their eyes alight with greed and calculation. In their view, Ye Qingxian was an immature junior whose personal wishes were utterly insignificant.

Nangong Wan was visibly angered by their words.

At that moment, Shen Xiong finally spoke again. “Great Elder, what is your view?”

He looked toward a white-haired, white-bearded old man seated in the most prominent position on the right. This man held a pivotal status within the family, possessing a prestige and authority nearly comparable to the patriarch himself. He wanted to hear the old man’s opinion.

The Great Elder slowly opened his half-closed eyes, and the clamorous discussions in the hall ceased abruptly, as if cut by an invisible blade.

“A Celestial Venerable from the Northern Region gracing our lands is indeed an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years.” The Great Elder’s voice was like the depths of an ancient well—cold, deep, and carrying immense weight.

Then, his gaze fell upon Shen Xian. “You are the girl’s husband. You had best persuade her.”

His words made his stance perfectly clear.

Shen Xian met that penetrating gaze, which seemed to see right through a person. The spine beneath his brocade robes went taut. “Replying to the Great Elder, Qingxian has always been a reasonable person. If the situation is explained to her, she might not be unwilling to consider the family’s interests. But if she is forced…”

He paused, his fingertips tracing the lines on his palm from within his sleeve. “I fear it may have the opposite effect.”

“Preposterous!” The Fifth Elder could no longer restrain himself, slamming his teacup down on the table with a sharp clatter. “Must the entire family beg a mere junior? Patriarch!” He turned an urgent gaze to Shen Xiong. “Indecision will only invite disaster!”

Shen Xiong’s stern face betrayed no emotion as he spoke slowly, “This matter concerns the interests of the entire family. We cannot afford any mistakes.”

“After the girl emerges from her seclusion, she is to be taken immediately to the Divine Wood Sect to pay her respects to the Celestial Venerable.”

“A wise decision, Patriarch!” the Fifth Elder immediately fawned, his old face wreathed in smiles. “This is a heaven-sent opportunity that we absolutely cannot miss!”

Nangong Wan’s brow furrowed tightly, but in the end, she said nothing more. She knew that in front of these old foxes, who valued profit above all else, Ye Qingxian’s wishes held no weight whatsoever.

Inside his sleeves, Shen Xian’s fingers tightened slightly, a flash of coldness crossing his eyes.

These people drone on about family righteousness, yet not one of them treats Ye Qingxian like a person.

In their eyes, she’s nothing more than a bargaining chip to be used as they please.

He was about to speak out.

Just then, Shen Li spoke up. “Father, although the Celestial Venerable might not mind, Ye Qingxian did refuse him once. It’s inevitable that he might harbor some resentment in his heart. I have a suggestion…”