Amidst his admiration, Jun Moxie carefully scrutinized the eight surrounding peaks, needing to discern which specific one belonged to the Zhan family purely by the aura they projected. The eight great clans each possessed a vastly different presence, making differentiation, he trusted, not difficult.

Moreover, the Zhan family had effectively become the foremost noble house in the Illusionary Palace, suggesting a situation where the subordinate held sway over the master—a reality that should be clearly visible within the Feng Shui configuration. Following the methods described in the Hongjun Pagoda Canon for observing Feng Shui formations, Jun Moxie narrowed his eyes and began his meticulous examination.

The easternmost peak, he judged, must belong to the Miao family. The current aura of the Miao family was clearly waning; among the eight peaks, nearly every one projected a dazzling spire of crimson light shooting upwards, connecting with the aura of the main peak, yet the Miao family's projection was noticeably thin, almost carrying the weary resignation of a structure fated to collapse midway.

Evidently, in terms of destiny and fortune, they were far behind the other clans.

However, this was entirely within expectations. One had to remember that the Illusionary Palace had always been led by the Miao family. While this long stewardship had undoubtedly allowed the Miao family to flourish, the succession of power within the main palace of the Illusionary Palace, even when conducted internally among the Miao lineage, would inevitably exert a significant toll on the Miao family’s own destiny.

By this point, the residual fortune of the Miao family had reached its nadir; they were truly in a precarious state! Should the main palace change hands, the other clans might suffer some impact, but not fatally. Only the Miao family would see its last vestiges of fortune completely drained; once fate abandoned them, it would truly be the end of everything, an utter collapse!

Coincidentally, the rising power of the Zhan family made their intention to take over undeniably clear. With one side waxing and the other waning, the Miao family’s fortune naturally declined as observed—a daily deterioration, growing worse by the day...

Among the eight peaks, the one situated slightly to the west radiated the most imposing power. Its crimson light pierced the heavens, its formidable presence even influencing the main peak, carrying an aggressive and awe-inspiring demeanor!

Of the eight peaks, this one possessed the most robust fortune! In fact, it was nearly comparable to that of the main peak!

Clearly, this location must be the seat of the Zhan family!

Yet, Jun Moxie sensed that something about this phenomenon felt fundamentally wrong.

Within that towering crimson light, there was a faint but intensely discordant sensation. Though highly concealed, the feeling was unmistakable, even causing a shiver of primal dread to surface from the depths of his heart upon the first glance...

"This crimson light is too pure, too assertive—it’s practically trying to supplant the host..."

Jun Moxie muttered under his breath, "How could something like this happen? Even a total usurpation shouldn't result in such complete dominance by a single power; it’s incomprehensible..."

Having detected the strangeness, Young Master Jun ascended even higher for a more thorough inspection. Soaring once more into the azure heights, he positioned himself directly above the Zhan family's surge of fortune and moved to the core location for a closer look. Only then did Jun Moxie truly realize that lurking within the core of that crimson light was an immensely powerful stream of sinister, malevolent energy!

It was this surge of malignant energy that was actively burrowing downwards, forcefully severing the original connection between the Miao family’s peak and the main peak. Worse yet, through some unknown method, it was channeling the fortune originally belonging to the Miao family over to the Zhan family. The merger of the fortunes of the two previously strongest houses had resulted in the current scenario of singular dominance...

"So that's how it is!"

Jun Moxie frowned. "It seems someone within the Zhan family possesses knowledge of Feng Shui manipulation? And it must be the work of a true master in this discipline to execute such a grand maneuver... Looking at this, I fear the Zhan family's conspiracy has been in motion for several generations already... Truly calculating and deeply entrenched in their planning..."

Jun Moxie let out a cold snort. "Given the current situation, the stability of the Illusionary Palace is most beneficial to the Miao family and the Seven Great Saint Emperors like Cao Guofeng. I shall eliminate this greatest hidden crisis within the Illusionary Palace, considering it repayment for my deep regard toward the people here!"

With that thought, Jun Moxie's speed utilizing the Yin-Yang Evasion technique suddenly maximized to its absolute limit. With a swift 'whoosh,' he plummeted downwards! Rushing headlong into the surging fortune of the Zhan family, he was like an unhesitating, sharp sword thrusting down!

No matter what dragons' dens or tiger's lairs the Zhan family inhabited, I, your young master, have arrived today, and I intend to turn your world upside down!

If you scheme against me, you must endure my wrath and retaliation!

At this moment, Zhan Wuyun, the head of the Zhan family, had returned and was conferring with key members of the Qian family within a secret chamber.

The entire chamber contained only six individuals!

Four of them had never made an appearance during previous family strategy sessions!

As for the other two, besides the Patriarch Zhan Wuyun, only Zhan Lunhui was present.

Among those four individuals, the one positioned in the absolute center was gaunt and sallow, resembling a walking corpse; he lacked any discernible flesh, truly a skeleton draped in human skin. This man was a figure akin to the Zhan family ancestor, named Zhan Tianji—the legendary 'Heavenly Master' from the peak era of the Misty Illusionary Palace over three thousand years ago. To his left sat a man with a ruddy complexion, appearing no older than fifty or sixty, with kind eyes and an amiable expression. This was a naturally pleasant countenance; his name contained the character for 'laughter,' fittingly named Zhan Xiao. Do not be deceived by his benevolent appearance; he was a viper in the grass, a man who hid knives behind a smile, nicknamed the 'Butcher with the Smiling Face'—a testament to his terrifying cruelty.

To his right was the antithesis of Zhan Xiao. His face was icy cold, exuding an aloofness that pushed everyone a thousand miles away, while the divine light in his eyes was as ferocious as a hungry wolf. This gentleman was the cold-sword of poisonous intent, Zhan Tu!

The outermost figure was a middle-aged man sporting the look of a seasoned merchant, radiating an air of amicable commerce. His expression was unremarkable, his face plump like a wealthy landowner, utterly devoid of distinguishing features...

Yet, this man was the most terrifying among the four!

This individual held the chilling record of having killed three thousand people in a single night!

Moreover, afterward, he had returned home at dawn without a trace of killing intent lingering on his person!

This man’s name carried no hint of his true nature: Earth-Piercing Hand, Zhan Xiaoxiao. Merely hearing his name suggested a woman, who would believe such a person was the most dreadful of these four notorious figures?

But it was precisely this plainness that constituted the greatest terror!

Any one of these four individuals from the Zhan family was an unfathomable entity!

However, sitting here, they occupied only one side of the table!

The Patriarch Zhan Wuyun occupied the other side.

The person seated in the very center was none other than Zhan Lunhui!

"Today, you witnessed the Ethereal Constitution. What were your specific impressions?"

Zhan Lunhui’s pale face took on an eerie, corpse-like coldness under the light of the secret chamber.

Zhan Wuyun took a deep breath before replying respectfully, "...Incredibly powerful! Immense potential! I witnessed it firsthand today: Mo Junye’s breakthrough from Silver Profound to Gold Profound... There is absolutely no room for forgery in that."

"Did a true miracle really occur there?"

Zhan Lunhui’s eyes were the color of dead ash. As he watched Zhan Wuyun, even this close associate felt a chill run down his spine.

"Yes! The instantaneous growth of the plant—that could never be faked," Zhan Wuyun stated honestly.

"Such an extraordinary phenomenon... Then this Mo Junye is truly a talent descended from Heaven?"

Zhan Lunhui's tone was unexpectedly filled with surprise. "The heavens themselves manifested anomalies for his sake! If that is the case..."

He paused there, not continuing, but the sharp light flashing in his eyes was no longer the dull gray of ash; instead, it was filled with hope and longing. Zhan Xiao and the other three exchanged glances, nodding thoughtfully.

Then, Zhan Lunhui spoke slowly, "Is it possible... that the legendary Heaven truly exists?"

Heaven!

It truly existed!

This single statement caused Zhan Wuyun’s mind to momentarily short-circuit!

Because he finally understood what this ancient ancestor of the Zhan family truly desired!

"However, whether he is the legendary Ethereal Constitution or designated by Heaven, for now, his cultivation is still merely that of an ant! Hmph hmph, we can reduce him to dust with a mere gesture at any time! Wuyun, you deliberately showed goodwill to them—what was their reaction?"

Zhan Lunhui’s thin fingers gently stroked the surface of the table. The movement was slow.

Though he appeared young, this gesture belonged only to the truly aged.

"They refused! Bai Qifeng even brought up the shameful history of our Zhan family and insulted me severely. In a fit of rage, I fought him."

Recalling this matter filled Zhan Wuyun with simmering anger.

"Hmph hmph, do they really believe having a disciple with the Ethereal Constitution decides everything?" Zhan Lunhui’s eyes shot out a cold gleam. "Wuyun, the Ethereal Constitution is indeed a legend spanning ten thousand years; we cannot gamble on it! Once it truly matures, no one will be able to restrain it! Since it cannot be made to serve us, then we must destroy him!"

"The future of the Misty Illusionary Palace must be entirely controlled by our Zhan family! Only then can we utilize the mystery of the Illusionary Palace's main peak to open that legendary path to Heaven!"

Zhan Lunhui’s sinister gaze fixed on the empty space ahead and he slowly said, "What the Old Ancestor, the First Young Master of Nine Hells, could achieve, perhaps we descendants are capable of as well? Using the same cultivation methods, must we truly be incapable of reaching that legendary peak of the Dao?"

"We must destroy this Ethereal Constitution?"

Zhan Wuyun was greatly taken aback. He had genuinely never entertained such a thought. After all, the rapid advancement of the Ethereal Constitution was certainly not a bad thing for the Zhan family, or indeed, the entire Illusionary Palace.

Now that the Zhan family had successfully displaced the Miao family as the rulers of the Illusionary Palace, the situation was nearly settled. The possessor of the Ethereal Constitution belonged to the Illusionary Palace, which was no different from belonging to the Zhan family. Should he not advance faster? Why must he be destroyed? Wouldn't that be a colossal waste, a true defilement of Heaven’s gift?

"You still don't understand? Then I am truly disappointed in you! Even within a single noble family, any existence that refuses to be compliant, regardless of their potential or genius, must be swiftly eliminated! Have you not seen enough instances of kin turning against kin, sons against fathers, all for the sake of power? Especially in a place like the Misty Illusionary Palace, which can shift the entire balance of the mortal world at a moment's notice? You wish to become the Palace Lord; do you think others do not?"