The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Brother, you seem unusually serious today," Yun Yanshuang teased, her tone light and playful as she observed her elder brother's contemplative expression.

"Hah! Do I? Maybe it's because I've been watching the struggles between the families, the clashes among rogue cultivators, and the fall of the Tongshan Xia Clan. It stirs thoughts, I suppose."

"Everyone is striving to protect their families—brother, you, and I are no different.

Yan Tian, Wen Xuan, Wen Yu, and all the elders and relatives of the family work tirelessly. Even though they may act ruthlessly and manipulate others in the outside world, their ultimate purpose is singular—to safeguard the clan!"

"Haha! That's right. Everything is for the family!"

"Enough of this talk. I'm going to help Mother prepare dinner. Tonight, we're having a braised demon boar trotter!"

"Demon boar? Brother, when did you hunt that?"

"Haha! Just after returning from Tongshan County, I went for a stroll in the nearby mountains and happened upon a demon boar in the Embryo Breath stage. I killed it and brought it back as a treat!"

"Hehe! I'll come help too!"

Elsewhere, in a quiet room, Yun Yunrui was reporting to Yun Yunyang about recent developments involving the Sun brothers.

"According to the reports from the family's agents, Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan have been secretly meeting with Su Shengyun multiple times recently," Yun Yunrui said.

"And what came of it?"

"Following your instructions, the Sun brothers deliberately sought private meetings with Su Shengyun. At first, Su Shengyun refused, wary of attracting suspicion. But over time, as their efforts continued, their relationship grew closer.

Rumors suggest that the Su family discovered this and expressed dissatisfaction. Some even petitioned Su Yinglong to remove Su Shengyun from the family registry entirely!"

"And what of Su Yinglong?" Yun Yunyang asked with a faint smile, sipping his tea calmly. Around him, other Yun family members listened with interest.

"At first, Su Yinglong firmly defended Su Shengyun. However, as the meetings between Su Shengyun and the Sun brothers became more frequent, doubt began to creep into his heart.

Now, the Su family has quietly reduced the cultivation resources allocated to Su Shengyun, redirecting those resources to the other three spiritual-rooted members of their family."

"Hmm, it seems we're almost ready," Yun Yunyang said, setting down his teacup with a knowing smile.

"Yunyang, does this mean it's time for the Yun family to make its move?" one of the elders asked.

"Precisely."

"Since there's already a rift between Su Shengyun and Su Yinglong, this is the perfect moment to act!"

"How should we proceed?"

"You mentioned earlier that Su Yinglong has begun to withhold cultivation resources from Su Shengyun. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"If you were Su Shengyun, how would you feel about such treatment?"

"Resentful, of course!"

Yun Yunyang's eyes glimmered with understanding, his intentions becoming clear to the room.

"Haha! Exactly. Resentment is precisely what we need."

"If Su Shengyun harbors resentment toward the Su family, it will be far easier for us to sway him to our side. Without him, the Su family's other three spiritual-rooted members won't amount to much."

Yun Yunrui nodded, catching on to the plan.

"Yunrui, inform the Sun brothers that the next time they meet with Su Shengyun, they should offer him ample cultivation resources. Their goal is to draw Su Shengyun's loyalty entirely to the Sun family. Once that happens, the Su family will be left vulnerable."

"I'll take care of it immediately!" Yun Yunrui replied, bowing before leaving the room.

In the Yun family marketplace, at the residence of the Sun brothers, Su Shengyun paid his usual visit.

"Uncle Fenglin, Uncle Fengxuan," he greeted politely.

"Why do you look so weary today?" Sun Fenglin asked, feigning ignorance. He knew well that Su Shengyun's worsening situation within the Su family stemmed from their own machinations.

"It's nothing. I've just been a little overworked in my cultivation recently, and the family hasn't had any spare resources for me to use."

Su Shengyun spoke cautiously, unwilling to reveal the full extent of the Su family's hostility toward him.

"If you're in dire need of cultivation resources, your Uncle Fengxuan and I have plenty. Take what you need—there's no need to be polite with us."

Sun Fenglin's words were warm and inviting, but beneath his kind facade lay a sharp intent to pull Su Shengyun further into their web.

"Brother, you seem unusually serious today," Yun Yanshuang remarked with a teasing grin, watching her elder brother's contemplative expression.

"Hah! Do I? Perhaps it's because I've seen the feuds between the clans, the battles among rogue cultivators, and even the downfall of the Tongshan Xia Clan. It stirs these thoughts, I suppose."

"Everyone is fighting for their families—brother, you, and I are no exceptions.

Yan Tian, Wen Xuan, Wen Yu, and all the elders and kin of the family—they may act ruthlessly and calculative outside, but their ultimate purpose is singular: everything is for the family!"

"Haha! Exactly, everything for the family!"

"Well, enough of this talk. I'm off to help Mother prepare dinner. Tonight, we're having a braised demon boar trotter!"

"Demon boar? Brother, when did you hunt that?"

"Haha! Just after returning from Tongshan County, I went for a stroll in the nearby mountains. I came across a demon boar in the Embryo Breath stage, killed it, and brought it back as a treat!"

"Hehe! I'll come help too!"

Meanwhile, Yun Yunrui was briefing Yun Yunyang on the recent developments regarding the Sun brothers.

"According to the latest reports, Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan have been meeting with Su Shengyun in secret quite frequently," Yun Yunrui said.

"And?"

"Following your instructions, the Sun brothers deliberately sought private interactions with Su Shengyun. At first, Su Shengyun was wary of suspicion and refused their approaches.

But over time, as the brothers persisted, they grew closer.

The Su family eventually caught wind of these meetings. Dissatisfied, some within the family even urged Su Yinglong to expel Su Shengyun from the family registry!"

"And how has Su Yinglong responded?" Yun Yunyang asked with a slight smile, casually sipping his tea. Around him, several other Yun family members leaned in, intrigued by the unfolding scheme.

"At first, Su Yinglong staunchly defended Su Shengyun. But as the frequency of Su Shengyun's secret interactions with the Sun brothers increased, doubt began to cloud his mind.

Now, Su Shengyun has become a target of suspicion. The Su family has deliberately reduced the cultivation resources allocated to him, redirecting them to the other three spiritual-rooted members of their family."

Yun Yunrui relayed the information with precision, his tone steady.

"It seems the time is ripe," Yun Yunyang remarked, setting down his tea.

"Yunyang, does this mean it's our Yun family's turn to act?"

"Indeed."

"Since a rift has already formed between Su Shengyun and Su Yinglong, this gives us the perfect opportunity to strike."

"How should we proceed?"

"You mentioned that Su Yinglong has started withholding cultivation resources from Su Shengyun. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"If you were Su Shengyun, how would you feel about such treatment?"

"Resentful, of course!"

A gleam appeared in Yun Yunyang's eyes, and the others began to catch on to his plan.

"Haha! Exactly. Resentment is what we need.

If Su Shengyun harbors dissatisfaction with the Su family, it will only be a matter of time before he drifts away. Without him, the Su family's other three spiritual-rooted members will be of little consequence."

Yun Yunrui nodded in understanding, already anticipating the next steps.

"Yunrui, instructed the Sun brothers to offer Su Shengyun more cultivation resources during their next meeting. They must go out of their way to win his loyalty.

Once Su Shengyun pledges his allegiance to the Sun family, the Su family's foundations will crumble without him."

"I'll see to it immediately!" Yun Yunrui said, bowing as he left to carry out the orders.

In the Yun family marketplace, Su Shengyun arrived at the Sun brothers' residence as usual.

"Uncle Fenglin, Uncle Fengxuan," he greeted respectfully.

"Why do you look so weary today?" Sun Fenglin asked, his tone feigning concern. He already knew the answer—Su Shengyun's worsening position in the Su family was entirely by design.

"It's nothing. I've just been tired from cultivation recently. The family hasn't had any spare resources to support my training, that's all," Su Shengyun replied tersely, unwilling to delve into the growing tensions within his family.

"If you're in need of resources, your Uncle Fengxuan and I have plenty. Take what you need—there's no need to stand on ceremony with us," Sun Fenglin offered warmly.

Though his tone was kind, his true intent was sharp and calculated, aimed at pulling Su Shengyun further into their fold.