"It's nothing."
Alex narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile curling on his lips.
"Tobias, summon all the family disciples to the main hall."
"Third Uncle's arrival is a major event for the Hale family."
"We must have the younger generation properly meet their Third Grand Uncle."
"As for me, I shall personally go out and welcome them."
"...Yes."
Tobias's heart sank.
The Saint Lord hadn't changed after all. It couldn't be helped. The Saint Lord's father, the previous Saint Lord Corin, had died from Qi deviation. Daven and the ancestral medallion in his hands were the Saint Lord's only remaining emotional ties to that generation.
Tobias turned and left to pass on the orders.
Alex rode the clouds and mist, heading outside the holy land to receive his guests.
"Daven Hale, you old bastard, your skin is truly thick," Alex muttered, eyes narrowed.
"After pulling off a stunt that backstabbed the entire family, you still dare to run back here time and time again to flaunt your power."
"But this time, don't even think about relying on your age to show off like you used to."
"I am absolutely going to settle these accounts with you, one by one, until everything is crystal clear."
…
Outside the Hale family's holy land. A hillside.
Selene stood with arms crossed, gazing at the Grand Clan Protection Formation in the distance. Normally always giggling and smiling, her expression had turned somewhat solemn.
"The Hale family truly plans ahead. To actually construct such a formidable formation."
"This Grand Clan Protection Formation was definitely crafted by the hands of the formation grandmaster, Cedric."
"Whether in terms of offensive power or defensive strength, it absolutely cannot be compared to ordinary formations."
"In the future, if Her Majesty truly deploys troops to attack the Hale family..."
"Breaking this formation alone will require at least thirty thousand Enlightenment Realm experts."
Behind Selene stood Knox and an old man.
The old man was hunched, short, and shriveled. His expression was sleazy, with the head of a roebuck and the eyes of a rat. Not a single hair on his head. Just a bright, shiny bald dome. His beard, however, was extremely thick, a cascade of white hair hanging all the way down to his chest.
He wore a highly ostentatious, luxurious red python robe.
A large official's hat perched atop his pointy, monkey-like head.
Looking at him gave one the distinct impression of a monkey dressed in human clothing.
He was Alex's Third Uncle, Daven Hale.
Knox was more than a full head taller than Daven Hale. Yet he didn't dare simply look down at him. He deliberately bent his knees, face plastered with a fawning smile.
"Old Duke of Hale, the current Hale family is filled with nothing but despicable, shameless scoundrels."
"Only you are a loyal, straightforward, kind-hearted, and highly respected senior."
"Heh, that is only natural."
Daven was thoroughly enjoying it. He nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Back then, before my father died, his mind had already grown muddled."
"He actually passed the position of Saint Lord to my second brother, Corin Hale."
"As it turns out, although my second brother possessed some ability, he was a short-lived ghost."
"A hundred years ago, he suffered from Qi deviation and died, leaving the Hale family's Saint Lord position to a junior."
"If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked. With such a despicable master, naturally, he raised a group of despicable and shameless scoundrels."
Knox offered a sycophantic smile. "The Old Duke of Hale speaks the absolute truth!"
"When we see that Alex today, this junior will entirely rely on your full support!"
"Heh, brat, rest assured."
Daven Hale stroked his beard, a completely confident smile curling on his lips.
"That little ghost Alex, although fierce, imposing, and ruthless, still pays attention to proper etiquette."
"Every time he sees this old man, he has always been respectful and reverent."
"Princess Orchid, am I right?"
Selene nodded, smiling faintly. "The Old Duke of Hale is a senior of the Hale family, so naturally, his prestige is illustrious."
"See? Are you at ease now?"
Daven Hale laughed confidently.
"Later, when that Alex arrives, I will make him kneel and kowtow to confess his sins first!"
Just as he spoke, a powerful coercive pressure descended from the sky.
The three of them looked up in unison.
Alex, riding upon auspicious clouds, descended from the heavens. He bypassed the others entirely, landing directly in front of Selene. A faint smile.
"Princess Orchid, what brings you the elegant mood to visit my Hale family today?"
Daven's expression darkened at once. He narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Alex, you are becoming more and more unruly."
"Seeing your Third Uncle, you still haven't knelt to kowtow?"
"Oh, you're here too?"
Alex turned his head and glanced at Daven, as if he had only just noticed his existence.
"This seat is the current Saint Lord of the Hale family, commanding the entire clan."
"According to clan rules, you should be kowtowing to this seat."
"You!"
Daven Hale's face changed drastically. He gnashed his teeth.
According to clan rules, Alex's words were indeed correct.
Yet over the years, Alex had always been absolutely reverent and respectful every time they met. Daven had grown used to it, treating it as his absolute, natural right.
This sudden change in attitude caught him entirely off guard.
"Previously, when the Jade Princess visited, there were some minor misunderstandings with me." Alex cupped his fists, smiling faintly.
"Today, Princess Orchid personally graces us with her presence."
"In my opinion, absolutely no friction will occur. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Saint Lord Alex's words are extremely correct..."
Selene truly hadn't expected Alex to adopt this kind of attitude. To treat Daven as if he were invisible, yet place such heavy importance on her.
She could only say helplessly, "Saint Lord Alex, won't you invite us to your esteemed holy land for a cup of tea?"
"Tea? Of course we must drink." Alex gestured politely. "Princess Orchid, please!"
Alex personally rode his floating clouds, taking Selene and flying toward the holy land.
Knox and Daven were left to follow behind them, looking exactly like two lowly lackeys.
"This is unruly..."
Daven Hale ground his teeth, his face turning alternating shades of blue and purple.
"This Alex actually dares to be so insolent and rude!"
"He is simply looking down on me, his Third Uncle!"
Knox looked at Daven Hale. His gaze became somewhat weird and doubting. "Old Duke of Hale... are you sure there won't be a problem?"
"Relax! This old man is, for better or worse, an ancestor of the Hale family!" Daven Hale gnashed his teeth.
"Once we reach the holy land, I will definitely make Alex kneel on the ground and confess his sins!"