Despite the Lightning Emperors Palaces chaos, the rest of the Central Divine Mountain went about its business as usual. It seemed outsiders didnt know the Xiao Family was facing imminent, grave internal conflict.

Xiao Yan carried the seal of family head. He wore an emperors robes, and his body crackled with electricity. He glared oppressively at the crowd, especially those on the verge of taking action. If any of you dare move, Ill use my status as family head to exile you from the family.

In the face of this level of threat, no one dared move. Even though Xiao Ting had announced that Xiao Yan had been dethroned, the past hundred years were enough to instill a healthy respect and fear of Xiao Yan in the familys hearts.

Furthermore, Xiao Yans trusted confidantes had locked onto Xiao Tings allies with their divine senses.

This was no longer as simple as who got to sit upon the throne. It seemed that today, the Lightning Emperors Xiao Family would undergo an earth shattering transformation.

From his spot atop the family heads throne, Xiao Ting watched all this play out, his expression grave.

Some time later

Ha ha ha! He laughed out loud and nodded despite himself.

His laughter attracted everyones attention, and it put those who stood by Xiao Yan on edge.

Xiao Ting had abdicated voluntarily, but he was still the strongest expert of the Xiao Family.

Xiao Yan, as your father, your growth over the past hundred years has truly gratified me, praised Xiao Ting. He smiled and pointed at the palace. What are you trying to do? Do you want to seize my throne and incite a rebellion? Has spending a hundred years as family head gone to your head? Now you want to rob your old man of his place?

Xiao Yans lips quivered. He still remembered what Xiao Ting had taught in his youth.

The Xiao Family had always been loyal to the God Race. They were the sharp sword with which the gods fended off demons and yao.

But this current Xiao Ting was strange and foreign. He hadnt just allied himself with other races; now, he wanted to lead the rest of the family into betrayal as well.

Father! Xiao Yan shouted, practically begging. His eyes were full of confusion. Others might not know what that shout or that confused look implied, but Xiao Ting did.

It seems you already know. Did Xiao Hu tell you? asked Xiao Ting flatly.

These words truly, irrevocably, and irrefutably confirmed Xiao Tings betrayal, with no room left for misunderstandings.

Xiao Yans eyes flashed as he stared intently at his father, his thick brows knitting together. Why? Tell me, why?

He didnt care about the seat of family head. If Xiao Ting hadnt tried to seize it at a time like this, he would have happily given it up.

But now

He couldnt just hand the Xiao Family over to Xiao Ting. He couldnt let the Xiao Familys countless millennia of glory crumble in his fathers hands. He couldnt let the generations to come curse them throughout eternity as traitors to their realm.

Even now, Xiao Yan hoped Xiao Ting would come to his senses. So long as he changed course, Xiao Yan could pretend nothing had ever happened.

Are you questioning me, the true Lightning Emperor? Hand over the family heads seal like a good little boy! The implied threat was obvious to all who heard it.

An oppressive atmosphere filled the room, so intense that those present didnt dare so much as breathe too loudly.

Xiao Yan gnashed his teeth and gazed at his father in distress. Finally, distress gave way to disappointment.

Theres no way, he said, dashing his fathers hopes. Xiao Yan shook his head and laughed. Youve gotten old. Youve long since abdicated your throne to me, so theres no reason for you to retake your former position. Under my leadership, the Xiao Family has maintained its limitless glory, so dont worry about the family. Go back and enjoy your retirement.

As he spoke, he locked eyes with his father.

Impudent! Xiao Ting narrowed his eyes, and when he spoke, his voice was raised. Xiao Yan, everything you have, I gave you. I can take it back whenever I please. Anything I give you is yours anything I dont give you, youve stolen. Understand?

Understood. Xiao Yan let out a long sigh, then gazed down at the family heads seal. After one final look, he put it back into his spatial ring. The next moment, his aura seemed to surge. He looked up. Then Ill just have to keep stealing.

Good! Good! I, Xiao Ting, have an excellent son! Xiao Tings face went purple with rage. He nodded at his unrelenting son and praised him through gnashed teeth, then waved to his followers. Seize them!

Whoosh!

The room instantly split into three groups: the first was those who were unsure of the situation and those who wanted to stay neutral. The others either allied themselves with Xiao Yan or Xiao Ting. These two groups stared daggers at each other.

From the look of things, it seemed Xiao Ting had a bit of an advantage.

Everyone on Xiao Tings side was an elder. From their status to their cultivation, they were far more impressive than Xiao Yans confidantes. After all, Xiao Yan had had only one hundred years to raise up his forces.

Before long, Xiao Yan and his followers were surrounded. Everyone took at their weapons and glared at each other.

This is just perfect. It seems these are the followers youve cultivated for yourself. Theyve all come out into the open, which will save me the trouble of weeding them out one by one.

Back on the throne, Xiao Tings eyes flashed with sharp currents of electricity. Two bolts shot forth, slamming into the entryway and shutting it tight.

The room was instantly dark as night. Their only light was crackling electricity. Beneath its eerie glow, the former Lightning Emperor looked as sinister as could be. People of the Xiao Family, heed my commands! Stamp out the rebels!

When those whod planned to stay neutral saw this, they were stunned. Especially when they saw Xiao Tings terrifying glare. Their hearts thudded violently in their chests.

Was the Xiao Family about to become a river of blood?

Crack!

Just as Xiao Ting and Xiao Yans allies were about to fight, someone pushed open the tightly sealed palace door.

Blinding light streamed into the room. Beneath that intense, eye-catching radiance.

They saw a veiled woman.

However, the light shining through the crack was so dazzling, no one could tell who she was.

Once the door was open just enough to let a single person through, it stopped moving. The woman faced away from the light, then stepped into the hall. The light shining through the half-open door lit the palace floors as she slowly walked right up to the center of the room.

Everyone was stunned, from Xiao Ting to the recently surrounded, trapped Xiao Yan. Their eyes all widened in shock.

Xiao Yan is your last and only son, yet youre in such a rush to kill him? If you do this, how can you face your Junior Apprentice Sister Zhao Shiyu?

You. Still clutching the sides of his throne, Xiao Tings hands quivered inexplicably.

The veiled woman laughed faintly and said, Xiao Ting, your life has been an awful failure, hasnt it? But then, Im in no mood to waste words with you.

A hint of disdain flashed across her face. She looked away, then turned to Xiao Yan. Lets go!