Yin Hui and Yu Zhuwa took a seat at the dining table. As soon as he was seated, Yu Zhuwa began devouring the various delicacies he had put on his plate. There were meats of many different animals, as well as many exotic and juicy looking fruits. Beside him was Yin Hui, who simply had a few ordinary looking fruits and vegetables on his plate.

"Big Brother Yin Hui! Why did you choose to eat those? There's so much better to pick from! Here, take some Fanged Wilderbeast meat, its one of the best things you can get in the outer regions!" Yu Zhuwa reached over the table and put a large chunk of fatty meat on Yin Hui's plate. The meat had its fur still attached, but this seemed to be intentional as Yu Zhuwa ate a piece completely whole.

Yin Hui had never really had meat before in his life. As a slave, he was lucky if he even got fresh fruits and vegetables as part of his daily diet. As for a fat piece of meat such as the one Yu Zhuwa gave him, it was completely out of the question. Regardless, Yin Hui wasn't one to waste food so he held his breath and put the piece of Fanged Wilderbeast into his mouth. An explosion of flavor the likes he had never experienced before entered his mouth. The taste was so great that Yin Hui lamented the fact that he had wasted so many years without eating such a delicacy.

"Good right? Told you!" Yu Zhuwa chuckled and handed him another piece of Wilderbeast.

"My my, you two are enjoying yourselves. Never eaten something like Fanged Wilderbeast in your entire life Yin Hui?" Yu Mingxi came over and took a seat neat the two of them.

Yin Hui immediately stopped eating and straightened his posture. He had forgotten that he needed to act like a normal traveler. If anyone were to figure out he was a runaway slave of one of the strongest clans in the province, there was a good chance he would be reported immediately.

"I was only joking. Fanged Wilderbeast is indeed a delicacy here in these parts. If you like it please help yourself to as much as you want." Yu Mingxi laughed.

"What did you and the messenger from the Tang Clan talk about Grandma Yu?" Yu Zhuwa asked with his mouth full of food.

Yu Mingxi revealed everything to Yin Hui and Yu Zhuwa. She informed them of the rising tensions between the Tang and the Yan, the forced recruitment of children with cultivation potential, and how Tang Bian would return in one month to hear her final decision.

"The Tang seem to be serious about wanting to pull us to their side. They even sent one of these medallions as proof of their sincerity." Yu Mingxi pulled out the silver medallion given to her by Tang Bian. She flicked the Tang surname inscribed in the middle and the aura of Tang Wan spread throughout the room.

"Whoa... I guess we mind as well accept then right? After all, if they Tang come over here the sect's in the outer regions won't even dare to bother us right?" Yu Zhuwa was astounded by the power emitted from the medallion. He felt that if someone of that caliber was backing them, no one would dare to offend the Scattered Leaf Village.

"Perhaps. Their offer does come with a lot of benefits. There protection could very well guarantee the safety of this village's civilians." Yu Mingxi said with faint smile on her face.

Yin Hui had a dark expression on his face. Hearing Yu Mingxi and Yu Zhuwa praise the Tang Clan so much nauseated him, and he needed to take a breath of fresh air.

"Please excuse me Lady Yu. I've eaten a bit too much and need to take a step outside." Yin Hui stood up and walked towards the door. The door trembled slightly when he closed it, being shut with little too much force.

Yu Zhuwa looked over with a surprised expression on his face.

"That's weird, brother Yin Hui seemed very hungry earlier. He even asked me for recommendations of other foods he should try."

Yu Mingxi maintained her faint smile as Yin Hui left. As soon as the door closed, her smile vanished and a serious expression took over.

"Yu Zhuwa how do you feel about young friend Yin Hui?"

"Big Brother Yin Hui? He looks very scary and intimidating, but when you get to know him he's actually a really nice person." Yu Zhuwa was puzzled. Not only did Yin Hui abruptly leave for no reason, but now Grandma Yu was speaking as if Yin Hui was an enemy.

Yu Mingxi sighed and reclined back on her chair.

"That boy is a member of the old Yin Clan, the former overlord's of the province."

"Really? I remember you told me that they angered the heavens somehow and were all crippled as a result. Afterwards, their enemies attacked and almost exterminated the entire clan. Big brother Yin Hui is a cultivator, I saw him use a demonic technique that could devour souls when he saved me. If he's a member of the Yin Clan how come he can cultivate?" Yu Zhuwa was shocked. He never would of thought that Yin Hui was a member of such a famous clan.

Yu Mingxi narrowed her eyes.

"He uses a demonic technique that devours souls?"

Yu Zhuwa turned around and covered his mouth, cursing his clumsiness. He wanted to prove to Grandma Yu that Yin Hui was not a bad person, but ended up revealing that he was a demonic cultivator.

"Even if he uses demonic techniques he's not a bad person Grandma Yu! After all, he saved me remember!"

However, when Yu Zhuwa turned back, Grandma Yu was no longer in her seat. Yu Zhuwa got up and searched the entire residence, but she had completely vanished.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The overlord of the province was generally acknowledged and determined by who owned the capital. The capital of the province was not actually a real city, but an enormous estate the size of one which housed the ruling clan. It was built on top of the finest qi reservoir in the entire province, still maintaining that title even after countless years of use. Enemies of the overlord would often have to plan for years if they desired to invade the capital. This was because the entire estate was protected by many spell formations set by the various overlord's that have ruled over the years. When a new clan takes over, it was often customary for the new ruler to add an additional formation of their own making. This was done to bolster defenses as well as secure their clan's legacy within the capital.

Tang Jiao had an irritated expression on his face as he dragged his brother's bloody body through the Tang Clan's estate. Many servants rushed to aid the injured Tang Li, but Tang Jiao dismissed them all. Afraid of provoking him, they silently watched as he left a trail of blood on his way to the main palace.

The courtyard contained statues of great beasts such as qilin's and kun peng's. It was also surrounded by beautiful habitats of nature, ranging from koi fish ponds to well-kept willow trees. In the center was a giant statue of a middle-aged man wearing a suit of decorated armor holding a spear. The spear had a coil pattern around the entire weapon, and the traditional tip was replaced with a sharp golden pentagram with a small dragon head in the center.

The main palace was positioned on a small mountain that looked over the entire capital. If one were to reach it, they would have to climb 1,000 steps worth of stairs. While most immortal's could just fly to the top of the mountain, it was seen as a sign of great disrespect. Therefore, members of the Tang Clan usually walked, including elders holding high positions within the clan.

Tang Jiao was in no mood to climb the 1,000 steps to the palace and directly flew over. A few elders who had their spiritual sense locked on to him ignored this, despite it being highly improper. This was because Tang Jiao was the son of the Clan Head. If the Clan Head did not care to punish his son for his behavior then they would not push the matter either.

The two guards positioned outside the palace frowned when they saw Tang Jiao.

"I wish to speak to Lord Clan Head. Open the gates." Tang Jiao said impatiently.

"Young Lord Tang Jiao. Lord Clan Head has specifically given us orders not to let you in."

Tang Jiao walked up to the guard and brought his face up close.

"I said let me in. Are you disobeying the order of the future leader of this clan?" His voiced contained a threatening tone.

"Lord Clan Head said that he is disappointed to see his sons fighting to such a degree in darkening times like these. Until Young Lord Tang Li is well again, you are not to take a step into the main palace." The second guard added. Both of the guards knew that if one person pushed Tang Jiao too far, he would possibly kill them. Therefore, they distributed the bad news equally in the hopes of preventing a falling out.

The aura of a Spirit Manifestation cultivator emerged from Tang Jiao. When a cultivator had fully mastered the use of qi, their aura could be used as an oppressive might to suppress others and even injure them.

"Stop!" A voice called out from behind.

Tang Jiao turned around and saw an old man with long white hair standing at the top of the stairs. The elderly man had an extremely calm and dignified expression that made him appear very stubborn. On his right hand he wore a silver ring with a symbol containing the Tang surname on the top.

"Elder Tang Wan." Tang Jiao's anger immediately dissipated and he clasped his hands.

Tang Wan nodded and slowly walked towards Tang Jiao.

"Tang Jiao, you are causing your father excess stress with your behavior. Tensions between us and the Yan Clan are escalating yet your still picking fights within the clan. I have already received complaints from many in the younger generation that your temper is getting out of control." Tang Wan spoke softly, but his voice emanated absolute authority.

"But elder, one of the slaves has--"

Tang Wan raised his wrinkled hand in the air.

"Unless this matter involves the life and death of the entire clan, it can wait. The sun is about to set and Young Lord Tang Li is injured. I will take him to the healers and when he is fully recovered you may present your case to Lord Clan Head."

Tang Jiao begrudgingly lowered his head and dropped Tang Li's unconscious body on the ground. He knew Tang Wan was very stubborn and would almost never take no for an answer, even when dealing with his father. However, his judgement's were often always correct, which was why he was tolerated for such behavior and held the position of grand advisor.

Tang Jiao turned his head back towards the guards and snorted. He rose into the air and flew back to his personal palace to rest. Tang Wan cast a meaningful look in Tang Jiao's direction before pointing his finger at Tang Li. Tang Li's body flew towards him and he began to descend the palace steps.

"One day... One day very soon..." Tang Wan muttered.