My Descendants Are My Power

"Duke's Mansion decrees a citywide curfew; the county magistrate of Tranquil County, heed the order!"

"Jubilee County, heed the order!"

"..."

Servants of the Duke's Mansion, riding on flying swords, headed to every major city to directly locate the magistrates and town leaders, even reaching the rural areas.

On this day, the entire Cloudview County felt the oppressive air of a storm brewing.

The major families sensed that all this turmoil was somehow linked to the calamity once caused by Blackwood in Azure Cloud.

They even received news that masters from the great clans were coming!

This day, Cloudview County was unusually quiet.

...

Cloudview County was divided into nine directions, each guarded by an unparalleled master waiting with their clans.

Inside the city of Cloudview County.

In a simple tavern, there was a secret room.

This small space, lit only by candlelight and resembling a wine cellar, was occupied by Stephen, once the lofty master of the Azure Cloud Pavilion.

Dennis, the former master of the Cloudrise Oceanview Pavilion, was supposed to have passed away a decade ago as his time had come.

Yet now, he appeared somewhat younger, sitting quietly in the darkness, burdened with many thoughts, sighing repeatedly.

The cramped space.

Also housed a group of nine, gathered around a table, illuminated by the dim candlelight focusing on a large compass surrounded by nine smaller ones, all connected by mysterious runes.

The inscriptions on them bore blood-stained words.

"Twelve major Competent powers of Azure Cloud, nine are here today."

"Ghost Eye Demonic Gate, masters of the sinister Ghost Eye Technique."

"Ten Thousand Life Mountain, Kylin Mountain, you are the orthodox lineage of Azure Cloud."

"Celestial Origin Sect, Renowned Sect, Divine Path Flow, Heavenly Blade Pavilion..."

Stephen smiled at the group, "And Williams and Abbot David, fate is an elusive thing; do you really want to clash with Blackwood over it?"

At these words, an elder in a white robe from Ten Thousand Life Mountain sighed, "We've always kept to ourselves, but no matter the fate, Blackwood is too arrogant. They tolerate no one; if they grow too powerful and set their sights on Ten Thousand Life Mountain, we truly might not withstand them."

"Hmph!"

An elder from Williams, dressed in a golden robe, spoke, "Blackwood's youth have already triumphed at the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion, and Edward has been taken back by Duke's Mansion, clearly fearing our hidden threats to their son-in-law.

Duke Michael is an old fox; we can't wait any longer, or else we, the orthodox lineage of Azure Cloud, will watch our millennia of foundations be usurped by them."

The monk could only chant, "Amitabha, well said, well said."

"In recent years, Blackwood has been close with Sky Sect and Black Tortoise; they've always been at odds with us. If we delay further, they might even unite. Everywhere it's said that a new era for Cloudview County is coming, and if it's a new era, it should belong to us, the orthodox of Azure Cloud!"

The elder from Williams clenched his fist, "We must first eliminate the menace of Blackwood, then destroy Sky Sect and Black Tortoise. After that, it's just a matter among us, the orthodox."

"Stephen, my friend, use your Azure Cloud Pavilion's divination, all these years of preparation must be put to use now."

"This time, not a single person from Blackwood shall remain!"

His words were resolute, but everyone present had their own agendas.

Stephen still wore a smile, asking the group, "What do you all think?"

"Agreed."

"Good."

"Go ahead, Stephen, my friend, though I wonder how you will calculate it? I, from Ghost Eye Demonic Gate, have tried but was blinded by a great tree, a coffin, and a set of Cards; Blackwood is truly no simple matter."

Stephen turned to Dennis, who was frowning deeply, and said, "Mr. Dennis has been with Blackwood for many years; he has seen all of Blackwood's people. After they leave Blackwood's base, they still leave traces within their clan—a strand of hair, a piece of clothing, even their used dishes can be of use to us."

The elder from Williams suddenly brightened, "No wonder, Stephen, you never let us destroy their base; you had plans all along."

Stephen simply smiled, saying nothing.

Moments later, Stephen took an artifact from Dennis's hands, an heirloom of the Blackwood descendants, engraved with the names of their lineage. As the cellar burst into light, inscriptions flowed from the energy locator. Nine small energy locators spun wildly, each eventually pointing in different directions!

They each grabbed an energy locator and headed out of the cellar. At the same time, the nine major Competent forces stationed at the edge of Cloudview County sprang into action!

In the dimly lit cellar, only Stephen and Dennis remained, exchanging meaningful glances under the flickering candlelight. "Mr. Dennis, as of now, you have eighty years left to live, and your skills have reached the peak of Developing Skill," Stephen congratulated with a bow.

Dennis's face showed no joy for his extended life or skill breakthrough, he sighed deeply. "The Oracle Chamber, such power."

Stephen smiled faintly. His Storage Ring flashed, and a yellow flag appeared in his hand, emitting a mysterious yellow light. He murmured, "We can act now."

"Ha ha ha, excellent!"

...

On the screen, Ethan sipped his tea calmly. Outside the Azure Cloud Pavilion, the Blackwood children had secured their victory, not disappointing the years of training from their elders, shining brightly in their battle with the prodigies!

Ethan looked pleased. [Your fifth-generation descendants, five of them, crushed many geniuses in the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion battle, earning the trait—Prodigy of a Generation!]

[Their prestige has increased, and their imposing presence has risen by 10% when facing their peers.]

Meanwhile, Nathan had entered the Azure Cloud Pavilion. The screen's event bar flashed with notifications!

[Your descendant Luna has broken through!]

[Your descendant Larry has emerged from the swampy jungle!]

[Your descendant...]

Ethan could see that across Cloudview County, towns were fortifying their gates. Forces throughout Cloudview County were mobilizing, advancing from the edges.

But he... "Time for some milk tea." Ethan grinned, sipping through a straw, his gaze turning cold, "Let's see who really controls the game!"

As he spoke, Ethan switched the view. It was at the Duke's Mansion! Edward had been brought back to the Duke's Mansion, reuniting with his wife and child. Joseph, now a young man, was greeting his parents, eager to hear about the astonishing deeds Edward had performed at the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion.

But Edward was distracted, replying nonchalantly, "It's nothing much." "What do you mean, nothing much? Father, tell me more! I heard that legendary figure Eric was there, and I've heard he's very strong, unmatched by anyone."

Joseph was excited; he loved hearing about those who cultivated psychic powers, unlike at the Duke's Mansion, where he could only play the spoiled rich kid, always wary of his uncle's line, caught in some succession dispute.

Before Edward could respond, Betty smacked Joseph on the head, scolding, "Stupid boy, what legendary figure? Do you want your mother to marry someone else?"

"…My mistake, mother!" Joseph realized his error, rubbing his head, "I just thought dad couldn't possibly lose."

Edward chuckled, "Eric? I vaguely remember him, just a few encounters, and he became a ghost under your Uncle's Spear."

"What???" Joseph's eyes widened, and he motioned for the maid to bring more fruit and tea, "Tell me more."

The family enjoyed a warm moment together. Edward occasionally frowned, sensing that the competition at the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion was just the first move in a game played by his elders in realms unknown to him.

Meanwhile, under a large tree at the Duke's Mansion, Duke's Mansion Michael was playing chess with Olivia. Beside them, Michael's only old son Kenneth, and a serpent that had shrunk its body to about two meters, stared at Kenneth drooling.

"Why are you staring at me?" Kenneth felt uncomfortable under the gaze.

"Love at first sight."