In the days leading up to the Dual Cultivation Ceremony, the group arrived at Danxia Star. The union between Ji Rufeng and Bai Xingyu was a momentous event for the Bai family. As Bai Ruihua’s sole disciple, Ji Rufeng held a prestigious status. Bai Ruihua was the most pleased of all; seeing his disciple finally marry into the Bai family felt, in a sense, like bringing his lineage to a state of karmic completion.
The ceremony was grand. All five Nascent Soul cultivators of the Bai family from the Yuxuan Sect returned to Danxia Star, making the occasion comparable in scale to the inauguration of a family head. In the Bai family’s main hall, the younger generation swarmed around Ji Rufeng and Bai Xingyu, offering a lively mix of congratulations, well-wishes, and envious glances.
Li Xue sensed an extremely unfriendly gaze. Spreading her divine sense, she discovered it was Bai Xingyi, who was shooting venomous looks at her from time to time. Li Xue frowned slightly; she didn't recall ever offending the girl. However, she quickly shifted her attention elsewhere. She was unfamiliar with the Bai family and saw no need to dwell on someone irrelevant.
Though she wished to ignore it, someone was determined to stir up trouble. As the group discussed the medicinal pill trade, Bai Xingyi finally couldn't restrain herself and spoke to Bai Xingyu. "Eldest Sister, it is truly unfair that the entire Bai family must suffer losses because you were implicated by outsiders!"
The hall fell into a sudden silence. Bai Xingyu’s eyes sharpened as she asked coldly, "What losses has the Bai family suffered?"
Bai Xingyi replied resentfully, "If not for these outsiders, why would the relationship between the Tie family and our Bai family be in such an awkward state?"
Li Xue sneered inwardly. To punish the perpetrator and then blame the victim—by her logic, one shouldn't punish those who do harm, and the victims simply deserve what they get! It was a total reversal of black and white, a complete lack of discernment.
Bai Xingyu let out a cold laugh. "That Tie Yi intended to kill me even after I identified myself as a member of the Bai family. According to Fifth Sister, should our Bai family have just swallowed our pride? Or are you saying you are dissatisfied with me, and it would have been better if the Tie family had killed me?"
Bai Xingyi’s face turned pale. She tried to explain but found herself speechless. Beside her, Bai Xingfeng spoke up, "Eldest Sister, don't misunderstand. Fifth Sister only meant that it isn't worth letting the Bai family suffer losses over someone else's business!"
Standing nearby, Bai Xingnuo could no longer listen in silence. He glared at Bai Xingfeng. "Sixteenth Brother, what kind of talk is that? The Tie family was already trying to kill Eldest Sister—how can you still call that 'someone else's business'?"
Most of the Bai family members nodded in agreement. Bai Xingqian added, "Besides, Brother-in-law and Cousin Dongfang were there too. They are also members of the Bai family!"
"Hmph, what kind of Bai family members are they? On Danxia Star, the word of the Danxia Bai family is law!" Bai Xingyi said disdainfully.
The members of the Bai family were shocked. What kind of spoiled young lady act was Bai Xingyi putting on? They were the Luan-Taming clan, and the others were just as much a part of the authentic Bai lineage.
Dongfang Jing sneered. "So, our branch from Mangyun Star doesn't count as part of the Bai family? In that case, I’ll have to have a good talk with my Great-Great-Grandfather. Perhaps we should reconsider the distribution of the Purple Warbler eggs!"
At this, the Bai family members were truly alarmed. Realizing that the Nascent Soul ancestors in the inner chambers would surely hear everything, they all glared fiercely at Bai Xingyi and Bai Xingfeng of the Second Branch.
Li Xue’s lips twitched. These two from the Second Branch were far too foolish. At such a critical juncture regarding the distribution of spirit beasts, they actually dared to insult the Bai family of Mangyun Star.
Bai Xingqian said resentfully, "Fifth Sister, your grandmother and Daoist Tie Yi aren't even from the same lineage, are they? Or could it be that you fancy that Tie Qingyuan, and that's why you're defending him so much?" It turned out that the grandmother of Bai Xingyi and Bai Xingfeng was from the Tie family; no wonder they acted this way.
"Bah! That Tie family scum? He’s brought nothing but shame to the Tie family. Don't even mention him to me!" Bai Xingyi said with hatred and disgust.
"Then who are you complaining for? To speak ill of your own kin is truly senseless! Regardless of which branch we come from, we are all juniors of the Bai family and should support one another!" Bai Xingjun reprimanded Bai Xingyi before turning to Dongfang Jing. "Cousin Dongfang, Fifth Sister and the others are immature. Strictly speaking, the Bai family of Mangyun Star is several generations senior to us; we only call each other siblings because our cultivation levels are similar. Please do not take offense."
Dongfang Jing ignored him. The moment he heard how the Bai family treated them, he had already decided they were in the wrong.
Ji Rufeng stood up and said solemnly, "We do indeed come from another planet, but we are of the authentic Bai lineage. Sister Li and Xiao Lin are the ones who guided me onto my path; they are my family. If you treat us all as outsiders, then from this day forward, I will take Xingyu back to the Bai family on Mangyun Star!"
"Oh, Eldest Brother-in-law, look at what you're saying! We're all one family here; there's no need for such talk. We're all Bais, regardless of the planet!" Bai Thirteen, Bai Xingxuan, quickly pulled Ji Rufeng back down, and the two began drinking spirit wine again.
Several Core Formation cultivators of the Bai family glared harshly at the members of the Second Branch, sending divine sense transmissions warning them not to cause any more trouble. Only then did the atmosphere return to one of cheerful conversation.
Li Xue and Li Lin exchanged a glance, both shaking their heads slightly. Large clans were always full of divided hearts and endless drama; every gathering or ceremony was bound to have some conflict. Li Xue was somewhat worried; if the Mangyun Star branch truly wanted to integrate with the Danxia Star branch, it would not be an easy task.
The minor conflict in the hall was heard clearly by the Nascent Soul cultivators and the Bai family elders in the inner chamber. The Second Elder, in particular, looked terrible. He wished he could kick those two ignorant juniors from the Second Branch out of the house. He vowed in his heart that once this matter was settled, he would send that granddaughter-in-law from the Tie family away from Danxia Star, lest she corrupt the rest of the Bai juniors.
Bai Fenghua’s elegant brows furrowed slightly, and her beautiful phoenix eyes narrowed. She sighed inwardly: *The Second Branch is the one that needs to be partitioned most.* The Second Branch had many marriages with other great families, creating a complex and intertwined web of relations. This was both a disadvantage and an advantage. The disadvantage was that other families could interfere when interests were at stake; the advantage was that if the clan faced a crisis, they would have other families to turn to. Thus, she began to form a plan.
Bai Ruihua’s expression shifted between cloud and sun before he finally let out a sigh. "Fellow brothers, now that Rufeng and Xingyu are wed... Danxia Star’s Bai family is primarily focused on alchemy. I believe the art of Taming Luans should be passed down through the Fourth Branch, where Bai Xingyu belongs. What do you think?"
How could Bai Ruihua not see that the various branches of the Bai family were not a monolithic block? The secret art of Taming Luans was a core secret of the Bai family; it had to be given to someone trustworthy. Keeping the benefits within the inner circle, his disciple’s wife’s branch was naturally the most suitable choice.
The Nascent Soul Grand Elders consulted and agreed that this was for the best. The Fourth Branch had simple relations and now had this new marital bond, making them the perfect fit.
In the Danxia Bai family, the First Branch had the highest cultivation; once Bai Fenghua issued the plan for external tempering, every member at the Core Formation stage or above had left. The Second Branch was the most populous and had the most marriages with other families, making their relations the most complex. The Third Branch had the highest level of alchemy, while the Fourth Branch had few outstanding alchemists. Therefore, the Fourth Branch was indeed the most appropriate choice to inherit the Taming Luan technique.
The Fourth Elder was overcome with excitement upon hearing this. The Second and Third Elders looked displeased, but they dared not show it before the Ancestors and could only respectfully comply.
Thus, Bai Fenghua announced, "The Second Branch has close ties with various great families; henceforth, you shall handle all external affairs with those families. The Third Branch shall focus primarily on alchemy and the defense of Danxia Star. The Fourth Branch shall focus on the inheritance of the Taming Luan technique. Every branch and lineage must follow the arrangements of the Family Head and the Elders. I hope everyone will work with one heart and mind, cultivate diligently, and strive for great achievements!"
