Cao Zhen was dead.
It was not out of disrespect to Chen Nan.
Nor was it an act of rebellion.
The cause of death... was simply not answering Chen Nan's question.
"Ancestor, I was wrong, I was wrong, please be merciful and spare my life?"
Cao Dayan collapsed to the ground in terror.
He had not expected Cao Zhen to die.
Even less had he expected Chen Nan's strength to be so terrifying.
Had he known this, he would never have dared to disrespect Chen Nan.
*Pfft!*
Li Ping'an, dagger in hand, plunged it into Cao Dayan's back, gritting his teeth, "Even if the Ancestor spares you, I won't spare trash like you!"
At the same time.
Those arranged by Li Ping'an also rushed in and subdued Cao Zhen's subordinates.
"Master, how are you?" Nangong Yan, her face full of concern, helped Liu Yuanzong up.
Old Liu said with relief, "Your master is unharmed!"
Chen Nan spoke, "Nangong Yan, go and fetch the Thousand-Year Dragon Saliva Incense."
"Yes!"
Nangong Yan quickly brought the Thousand-Year Dragon Saliva Incense.
Chen Nan crushed a corner and placed it before the sect leaders of the six families.
The Thousand-Year Dragon Saliva Incense could cure all poisons.
Upon smelling the fragrance of the Dragon Saliva Incense, the six sect leaders immediately felt their strength return somewhat.
Then.
The leaders of the six families, and Liu Yuanzong, knelt again, "The Ancestor's fortune is boundless, and his reign is eternal!"
If previously their kneeling to Chen Nan was out of deference to seniority.
Then now it was from the bottom of their hearts.
After all.
This was the first expert in the Qi Refining stage in the history of the Outer Eight Sects!
Chen Nan said, "I did not intend to see you so soon, but the father and son of the Cao family from the Thieves' Sect were lawless, so I decided to meet you!"
"Although the Outer Eight Sects are rather mediocre, they are much better than I imagined."
"We are all guilty!"
Everyone spoke in unison.
Chen Nan waved his hand, "This is not your fault. The Outer Eight Sects have been passed down through generations, and it is inevitable that there will be many conflicts and problems."
"However, since I am now the most senior."
"I have a few words to say."
"No matter when, the Outer Eight Sects must rely on themselves."
"Do not attach yourselves to other forces!"
"Junior is guilty, please Ancestor, punish me!" Aunt Lan prostrated herself on the ground, trembling.
She knew Chen Nan was referring to her betrothing Yan Wushuang to a scion of a prominent Kyoto family.
"You are indeed guilty, and by rights, you should be expelled from the Outer Eight Sects," Chen Nan said with a cold snort. "There are two reasons why our Outer Eight Sects have been able to endure for so long."
"First, the position of sect leader is passed down to disciples, not to descendants."
"Second, maintain neutrality, do not attach to the imperial court or other forces."
Aunt Lan trembled all over.
Although she had also been thinking of the future of the Orchid Gate,
She had indeed violated the rules of the Outer Eight Sects.
"Ancestor, I beg you to be merciful and not expel my master from the Outer Eight Sects," Yan Wushuang knelt beside Chen Nan, pleading for her master.
Chen Nan said, "Considering that Wushuang has interceded for you, I will let you off the hook."
"Thank you, Ancestor, thank you, Ancestor!" Aunt Lan was immensely grateful.
Chen Nan continued, "From now on, Wushuang is my woman and does not belong to the Orchid Gate. If anyone dares to disrespect her, they are not showing me any regard."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison.
They felt envious of Yan Wushuang in their hearts.
This was truly a case of a humble maiden becoming a phoenix.
Yan Wushuang's face turned red; she had never expected Chen Nan to publicly acknowledge their relationship.
No.
She had to try some more difficult positions tonight.
"Ancestor, the marriage between the Orchid Gate and the Jiang family..." Aunt Lan dared not say more, fearing Chen Nan's wrath.
Chen Nan frowned, "Naturally, it is canceled. Do I need to say something so obvious?"
"However, the Jiang family is one of the thirteen prominent families. If we break off the engagement, it might cause dissatisfaction from the Jiang family," Aunt Lan said nervously.
Although Chen Nan's strength was immense,
The Jiang family, as one of the thirteen ancient prominent families, had profound foundations.
It was even rumored that there was a Qi Refining stage expert within their family.
Frankly speaking.
Such a person was someone the Outer Eight Sects could not afford to offend.
Chen Nan said, "If you are afraid of causing their displeasure, then you can marry into the Jiang family yourself!"
Aunt Lan quickly lowered her head.
Chen Nan said indifferently, "Remember one thing: the Outer Eight Sects do not need to rely on any force, nor do they need to fear any force."
"Be low-key in your personal life, and high-profile in your actions!"
"If anything happens, I will bear it!"
"Yes!"
"Everyone, please rise," Chen Nan disliked people kneeling before him. After everyone stood up, he said, "Old Liu, you are advanced in age and may not be able to manage the Thieves' Sect. Nangong Yan will serve as the sect leader of the Thieves' Sect. You can advise him."
Old Liu said, "I respectfully obey the Ancestor's decree!"
Chen Nan then turned his gaze to Aunt Mei. With a flick of his right hand, a silver needle entered her chest, causing her to cough up a mouthful of black blood. "The balance between the Gu worm and its host cannot be broken, especially the heart's blood cannot be tainted by the Gu worm."
"Thank you, Ancestor!"
Aunt Mei bowed.
She was shocked that Chen Nan could discern her being counter-attacked by the Gu worm and that he could also provide treatment.
"Old Lu, your injury is not serious. I will write you a prescription later. Recover well for some time, and you will be fully healed."
Lu Fu had released three steel needles to save her earlier, but they had been reflected back into his body by Wang Cheng.
"Yes!"
Guan Nian, the head of the Life-Taking Gate, respectfully said, "Ancestor, junior has a request. I heard that the Witch Gate possesses all the secret techniques of the Outer Eight Sects. Junior wishes to ask for the Shadowless Technique."
Chen Nan formed a seal with one hand.
He condensed the secret technique of the Shadowless Technique into an imprint.
He sent it across the space into Guan Nian's forehead.
Guan Nian knelt on the ground, excited, "I thank the Ancestor for bestowing this technique!"
Chen Nan looked at Li Ping'an, "Do you not have a banquet prepared for today?"
Li Ping'an quickly replied, "Yes, yes, yes."
"Then let's talk while we eat."
---
At eleven o'clock at night.
Chen Nan and Yan Wushuang left the Zelin Villa under the respectful gaze of everyone.
Upon returning to the hotel.
Yan Wushuang offered her passion and ardor.
After a long while, she leaned in Chen Nan's arms, panting, her eyes full of love, "Why didn't you tell me you were the Ancestor of the Outer Eight Sects?"
Chen Nan asked, "Did you ever ask me?"
Yan Wushuang was speechless.
Although she had been searching for the Ancestor, she had never inquired.
She had never imagined that the Ancestor was by her side.
"I plan to go to the capital," Yan Wushuang suddenly said.
Chen Nan frowned, "What are you going to the capital for?"
Yan Wushuang said, "Although I have left the Orchid Gate, I was ultimately raised by my master. I want to repay her kindness and help her open up the market in the capital."
Chen Nan said, "But if you go to the capital, you will inevitably encounter some trouble. The Jiang family will likely not let you off. Forget it, I will teach you the Soul Capturing Technique! Once you have mastered it, no one in the capital will be able to harm you."
The Soul Capturing Technique, a higher-level art than the Charm technique.
To cultivate this technique, one must first master the Charm technique.
Only then can one control the mind and make others serve them.
Yan Wushuang's lips curved upwards, forming a smile of profound meaning, "It seems... you really hope I leave?"
Chen Nan retorted, "If not, how can I interact with other women?"