# Chapter 512: Uninvited Guest
"Yun Xiao? He actually took the initiative to go to the Holy Cloud Platform? That's a rare sight."
"Did this guy take the wrong medicine today?"
"Heh, obviously he knows that the so-called 'Young Family Head' title can't be protected anymore, so he's coming to show off one last time to salvage some face."
"Yun Qiu was defeated so easily? This Yun Xiao usually keeps a low profile—how is he actually this strong?"
"That's only because Yun Qiu had already defeated several challengers earlier and exhausted too much of his profound energy! Although Yun Xiao is slightly higher in profound energy, he doesn't have Arcane Firmament. Under normal conditions, there's no way he could have defeated Yun Qiu so simply."
Regarding Yun Qiu's easy defeat by Yun Xiao, the Yun family disciples were greatly displeased despite their surprise. Because in their eyes, Yun Xiao wasn't of the same clan at all—he was the "bastard picked up from the Tian Xuan Continent" known throughout the entire Illusion Demon Realm. In the past, Yun Xiao never participated in similar sparring matches, but this time he not only took the initiative to go on stage but also defeated Yun Qiu... In their view, it was basically equivalent to an outsider defeating one of their own, which naturally made them unhappy.
"Before, at least he still carried the title of Young Family Head, but after today, heh, let's see who will protect him now. It's only a matter of time before he's kicked out of our family, yet he still dares to come out and steal the spotlight at a time like this... Let me go knock him down!"
Immediately, a Yun family disciple leaped up, landed in front of Yun Xiao, and said with an arrogant expression, "Come, let's have a spar!"
As soon as his voice fell, his movement technique erupted, sweeping up countless afterimages. Several dozen lightning sword beams interwove into a purple sword net, directly enveloping Yun Xiao.
Yun Xiao's expression turned grave. He retreated half a step and swung his Thunder-Swift Sword. Seven thunder blades howled out, the sound of breaking air as piercing as glass being cut.
Bang bang bang bang...
A series of sounds like shattering crystals rang out chaotically. The two clashed amid the lightning sword shadows, and in an instant, the dozens-of-zhang-wide Holy Cloud Platform was more than half-covered by a curtain of lightning light.
"The Grand Elder and the others are coming!"
While the two were fighting on the platform, a shout came over. Yun Che glanced sideways and saw dozens of figures slowly flying in from different directions. Each of them was releasing an extremely powerful aura. They didn't deliberately spread their profound energy fields, but because of their appearance, the surrounding space almost completely solidified.
Any one of these people was a figure who could shake the entire Illusion Demon Realm, but now, they had all gathered in the Yun family's sacred ground!
Each of these people was an existence at the level of Realm King or above. With their absolute power and status, when they arrived, the originally noisy Holy Cloud Platform instantly fell silent. Even Yun Xiao and the other disciple who were exchanging blows had to temporarily stop their techniques and make way.
"Greetings, Grand Elders!"
All the Yun family disciples bowed and shouted in unison. Seeing this scene, Yun Che couldn't help but think back to the Yun family's gathering in the Cang Feng Empire. Back then, the strongest in the entire Yun family was at the Heavenly Xuan Realm, and a single Earth Xuan Realm was already a powerhouse... And now, the strength of the two sides was worlds apart. If Yun Xiao had stayed in the Cang Feng Empire, he probably would never have seen such a scene in his life.
"Mm." An elder in the lead nodded slightly. His gaze swept across the Holy Cloud Platform and said calmly, "The clan meeting is about to begin. Those who want to participate in the competition, please be ready early."
He didn't say much else. After speaking, he slowly descended and took his seat in the row of elder seats prepared in advance. Quickly, one elder after another also landed.
These fourteen people were the Yun family's Upper Elders, and among them, four were at the level of Realm Lord, and the strength of the others was all at the mid-stage Divine Lord Realm or higher!
Behind them, a group of elders followed, totaling thirty-six people—the full roster of the Yun family's Thirty-Six Upper Elders.
Now, the seats of the thirty-six elders were filled. Although some elders weren't present, it was of no consequence—certain things only needed the participation of these fourteen. The remaining elders were merely accompanying them.
"Elders of the other Guardian Clans are also here."
Someone shouted. Sure enough, apart from the Yun family elders, figures from other clans were also descending from the sky. Among them were elders of the Helian clan, elders of the Mu clan, elders of the Tianxia clan... According to tradition, every Guardian Clan's grand clan meeting would invite several elders from other clans to observe. Since the Yun family was hosting this clan meeting, the other eleven Guardian Clans naturally had to send some elders.
However, there were fewer visitors this year than in previous years—only three clans had sent people. The Mu family was there, the Tianxia family was there, and the Helian family was also there. Aside from these three, no one from the other eight clans came.
This clearly showed that after the Yun family's downfall, their status among the Twelve Guardian Clans had plummeted, and the other clans were gradually distancing themselves.
"Elder Mu, please take a seat."
"Elder Tianxia, please take a seat."
One elder after another was invited to their seats. Among these three clans, the Yun family showed special respect to the Mu family elder, with Yun Waitian personally receiving him. After all, with the marriage alliance between the Yun and Mu families and their close blood ties, Yun Qinghong's wife, Mu Yurou, was the biological sister of the Mu family's current head, Mu Yubai. Even though Yun Qinghong had become a cripple, the Mu family had never given up on the Yun family.
"Big sister Yurou." A young Mu family disciple walked over to Mu Yurou and called out softly. "My father said that if there's any trouble today, my Mu family will have the final say."
Mu Yurou was startled, then shook her head with a bitter smile. "Thank you, Uncle Bai... but everything went smoothly today. There's no need for you brothers to cause trouble for me."
"Hehe, it's nothing." The young man scratched his head with a foolish grin, then retreated behind his clan's elder.
Yun Che watched the scene quietly, his eyes flickering slightly. He reached out and gently squeezed Mu Yurou's hand, whispering, "Mother, don't worry. No matter what happens today, I'm here."
Mu Yurou turned her head, looked at Yun Che's determined expression, and the bitterness in her eyes gradually melted into warmth.
At this time, Yun Waitian was already in the main seat of the elder seats. He slowly stood up and surveyed the surroundings. When his eyes fell on Yun Qinghong, the corner of his mouth curled into a faint, self-satisfied smile that was slightly disdainful. He withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Since everyone is here, today's clan meeting..."
The word "begin" had just formed in his mind when a sharp shout suddenly came from the sky above the Yun family.
"Hahahaha! It's quite lively here!"
This voice was wild, arrogant, and carried a hint of domineering sharpness. The sudden sound caused the faces of all the Yun family disciples to change slightly. The Yun family elders frowned, and their gazes simultaneously shot toward the sky.
Then, dozens of figures emerged from the clouds. The leader was a middle-aged man in a golden robe, with a hooked nose like an eagle's beak, an arrogant expression, and a faint golden gleam in his pupils.
Behind him, dozens of black-armored figures stood. Their auras were all fierce and fierce, and their gazes were like wolves eyeing their prey, scanning the Yun family disciples below.
"Jinwu Clan?" Someone blurted out in surprise.
"It's the Golden Crow Clan! Why would the Golden Crow Clan come here?"
The Yun family elders' expressions all changed. The relationship between the Yun family and the Golden Crow Clan had always been poor. Although there were no open conflicts, they were far from friendly. At this moment, the Golden Crow Clan's sudden arrival at the Yun family clan meeting, and in such force, clearly carried ill intentions.
"Hmph!" Yun Waitian's face darkened. He stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked coldly at the man in the golden robe. "This is the Yun family's clan meeting. You, Jin Wuyan, bringing so many people here uninvited and making such a ruckus—what is the meaning of this?"
"Hehehe." Jin Wuyan grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, and his gaze slowly swept across the Holy Cloud Platform. "I heard that the Yun family's so-called 'Young Family Head' is a waste picked up from outside. I was quite curious, so I came to take a look. I didn't expect to run into the Yun family clan meeting. Since we're here, why not let us observe this grand event? Don't tell me the Yun family doesn't dare?"
"Shameless!" An elder beside Yun Waitian slammed the table and stood up. "Jin Wuyan, don't go too far!"
"Oh? Am I going too far?" Jin Wuyan's smile did not diminish. He gently shook his head and spoke unhurriedly, "I'm just here to watch the fun. You Yun family, once the overlord of the Illusion Demon Realm, can't even tolerate this? How pitiful."
"Impudent!"
Yun Waitian's expression turned icy cold. He was about to erupt when another voice suddenly came from afar.
"So lively, how could I miss it?"
This voice was shrill and piercing, like a night owl's cry, making people's scalps tingle. Immediately afterward, another group of people appeared in the sky, their clothes fluttering as they descended. The leader was a thin, elderly man, his face ashen, his eyes flickering with a strange, gloomy light.
"Yan Mo Clan!" Someone shouted again.
"The Yan Mo Clan are here too!"
The expressions of the Yun family disciples present changed drastically again. The Golden Crow Clan had barely arrived, and now the Yan Mo Clan had come as well. These two clans were the strongest among the twelve clans at the moment and had the worst relationships with the Yun family. The fact that they came together today clearly carried deep meaning.
"Heh heh heh." The old man from the Yan Mo Clan let out a strange laugh, then clasped his hands toward Yun Waitian. "My Yan Mo Clan heard that the Yun family is holding a clan meeting today. We didn't come with any ill intentions—we just want to witness it. Don't misunderstand, Waitian."
Yun Waitian's face was ashen. He stared at the people from the two clans and said coldly, "Since you are here, you are guests. But I suggest you watch honestly and not cause any trouble."
"Heh heh, naturally, naturally." The old man from the Yan Mo Clan smiled and nodded, then found a seat in the corner and sat down.
Jin Wuyan also sneered and led his people to sit down in another area.
The atmosphere instantly became tense and oppressive. All the Yun family disciples felt a heavy weight pressing down on their hearts. The originally excited and boisterous clan meeting now seemed eerie.
Yun Che's eyes narrowed slightly. He glanced at Yun Qinghong beside him and asked in a low voice, "Father, what exactly are the Golden Crow Clan and the Yan Mo Clan..."
"They are here for me." Yun Qinghong's expression was calm, but his eyes were deep. "They want to force my hand and make me lose face in front of the whole clan. If I'm disgraced today, not only will I never have a chance to regain power, but even Yun Xiao's position as Young Family Head will be completely voided."
"Oh?" Yun Che's brows furrowed.
"But..." Yun Qinghong suddenly turned his head, a hint of a mysterious smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "Since they're here today, I'm afraid they'll be disappointed."
As his voice fell, another loud laugh suddenly rang out from afar.
"Hahahaha! What a grand event! Clan meetings from every clan are happening one after another—how could our Tianyao clan be left out?"
This voice was like thunder, rolling endlessly. Amid the thunderous sound, a massive figure tore through the air, his eyes like bronze bells, his entire body glowing with blue light, carrying an aura of ancient desolation.
"Tianyao Clan?!"
All the elders present stood up in shock. Even Jin Wuyan and the old man from the Yan Mo Clan narrowed their eyes.
The Tianyao Clan was one of the Illusion Demon Royal Clans, with power equal to the Yun family in its prime. But the Tianyao Clan had been secluded for many years, rarely meddling in worldly affairs. Their sudden appearance today...
"Third Elder of the Tianyao Clan, Tian Yao, pays respects to Yun Clan's brothers!" The giant figure landed and bowed to Yun Waitian with a respectful tone.
"Elder Tian Yao, you flatter me." Yun Waitian hurriedly returned the greeting. He was inwardly puzzled but dared not neglect him.
"Fourth Elder of the Tianyao Clan, Tian Gu, pays respects to the Yun Clan's elders!"
"Sixth Elder of the Tianyao Clan, Tian Heng, pays respects!"
Following behind Tian Yao, two other giant figures descended. The three stood shoulder to shoulder, their auras vast as mountains, making it hard to breathe.
The Yun family elders looked at each other in shock. The clan heads of other clans also showed surprise.
What was going on? Why had the reclusive Tianyao Clan suddenly come to the Yun family clan meeting?
Just as everyone was puzzled, the three Tianyao elders simultaneously knelt on one knee toward Yun Qinghong's direction, their voices ringing out like thunder: "Tianyao Clan, three elders, on orders from our clan lord, pay respects to Young Lord Qinghong! Young Lord Qinghong, the clan lord invites you to the Tianyao clan to discuss important matters at your convenience!"
The entire venue fell silent.
All eyes instantly focused on Yun Qinghong. Yun Qinghong sat there with a calm expression, but a hint of complexity flashed in his eyes.
Yun Waitian's face changed dramatically. Jin Wuyan's and the Yan Mo Clan old man's expressions also turned extremely ugly.
The Tianyao Clan was actually... supporting Yun Qinghong?