<h4>Chapter 286 - Nangong Xuan</h4>


    Nangong Wan’er’s exnation about her n’s dynamics helped Chen Fan sense the cutthroat nature ofpetition within the Nangong n.


    Large, prestigious ns like these were unlike the tiny Chen n, where unity prevailed and internal power struggles were minimal. The n wholeheartedly did their best for the development of the family.


    The Nangong n had too many branches. Every branch hadpeted and schemed against one another to obtain more resources and authority, hitting when one was down. Familial bonds were absent, reced only by relentlesspetition—unforgiving and harsh.


    “Thepetition in these ns runs deep.” Chen Fan couldn’t help but sigh.


    Chen Fan had some grievances with the whole Nangong n. However, after talking with Nangong Wan’er, he no longer felt such deep resentment toward the Moon Bloodline. Otherwise, he would not have agreed to fight for them.


    Her bloodline had been on the way out ever since his parents’ scandal. So, he had decided to help them out this one time. It was the least he could do.


    Chen Fan was confident he could achieve this, as he believed that, let alone protecting the Moon Bloodline’s current seats, he could even get them more seats in the Council of Elders.


    “Over the years, the Sun Bloodline and the Star Bloodline have been targeting and attacking us in every Bloodlines Martial Meet. They took four of our seats in thest three iterations.”


    Speaking up until here, a trace of anger and helplessness shed across Nangong Wan’er’s eyes.


    Their enemies weakened them and used their weakened state to steal their seats; it was indeedmentable.


    “Why does your n let the younger generation essentially decide the Council of Elders? Wouldn''t it be better for the council members to undergo the entire attack and defense process?” Chen Fan asked, puzzled.


    Nangong Wan’er smiled bitterly and said, “This is where the brilliance of our Nangong n''s ancestors shines. Shifting the pressure onto the younger generation urges them to work harder. Failing to keep their council seats reduces their resources; it maintains a constant sense of tension. That''s how our Nangong n has thrived, producing talents from the younger generation. Of course, my bloodline’s situation is an exception.”


    Chen Fan nodded,prehending the wisdom of the Nangong n’s ancestors.


    There was no better source of motivation than pressure. It forced one to get better.


    If Core Formation realm experts in the Council of Elderspeted for the seats, the younger generations might lose motivation and indulge in a pleasure-seeking lifestyle.


    In that case, any n''s prominence would be short-lived.


    “Rest assured. If the opportunity arises, I’ll help your Moon Bloodline to seize a few more seats,” Chen Fan said, smiling.


    Nangong Wan’er smiled helplessly, treating Chen Fan''s words as a joke.


    She would be delighted if her bloodline could keep their seats in the Bloodlines Martial Meet. She never even thought of taking more seats.


    How could they attack when they didn’t even have the strength to defend?


    “We’re here.”


    As they chatted away, the trio arrived at the martial arts arena. It was already crowded with people, heat rising to the skies.


    The trio instantly attracted numerous eyes, each observer wearing a yful and gloating expression.


    “Hehe, the Moon Bloodline is here. Once their seats are taken at this Bloodlines Martial Meet, they''ll be demoted to a branch bloodline.”


    “Many people are eyeing the Moon Bloodline this time. There’s the Star and the Sun from the main bloodlines and even the Mountain, Serene, and River branch bloodlines.” [1]


    “The Mountain, Serene, and River branch bloodlines each upy a seat in the Council of Elders. If either could seize the Moon Bloodline’s two seats, they could be a main bloodline.”


    “I doubt that''s very likely. After all, the Sun Bloodline and the Star Bloodline are also eyeing those seats. Why would they let a fat piece of meat go? I say the Moon Bloodline will copse here, and the Nangong n will only have two main bloodlines holding even greater authority.”


    “You have a point. The Mountain, River, and Serene bloodlines aren’t weak, but whenpared to the Sun and Star bloodlines, they are much inferior.”


    “I heard that the Mountain Bloodline recruited a Martial Market Earth Leaderboard ranker to help them take the seat for themselves. I’m feeling very optimistic about them bing a main bloodline.”


    “Tch, that’s nothing. The Star Bloodline invited Muye Xiao, another ranker. There’s also the Sun Bloodline, with the Qin n’s number one genius, Qin Jian. He is thirty-sixth on the leaderboard.”


    “......”


    Many people discussed how the situation would unfold. Their words reached Nangong Wan’er’s ears, causing her expression to darken.


    Chen Fan, on the other hand, didn’t mind it at all. Hepletely ignored the crowd’s gazes.


    “Hmm? Who’s that kid? A helper invited by the Moon Bloodline? He doesn’t seem any good.”


    “I heard his name is Wang Dongfan. He’s new in the city, but he obtained ten consecutive wins in the Martial Market’s Arena ten days ago. So, he is also on the leaderboard.”


    “For real? How did the Moon Bloodline manage to invite a ranker? Are they going all-in on this fight?”


    “It’s all for naught. A friend of a friend said that Wang guy cowered like a rat and immediately surrendered when Muye Xiao challenged him.”


    “......”


    Many people’s gazes fell on Chen Fan. Some held curiosity, others disyed disdain, and some even showed contempt.


    Nangong Wan’er led Chen Fan and Chu Xuan’er to the Moon Bloodline''s waiting area as they prepared for themencement of the Bloodlines Martial Meet.


    About an hourter, the melodious sound of bells suddenly resounded.


    <i>ng, ng, ng!</i>


    Immediately, the people''s gazes in the martial arts arena became focused. The noisy arena gradually quieted down.


    The sound of something breaking through the wind rang. Next, several figures appeared in the skies directly above the arena. The neers exuded extremely powerful auras, making the people’s hearts palpitate.


    There were seventeen in total; among them, Chen Fan spotted Nangong Baxiong.


    Leading the group was a white-haired elder, appearing old and emitting a seeminglynguid and weighty aura, suggesting the end of his life was near.


    However, Chen Fan could sense that this person’s cultivation was unfathomably deep. It wasn’t any inferior to Wei Buyu’s.


    <i>A high-level Core Formation realm powerhouse!</i> Chen Fan’s eyes narrowed.


    This elder was either at the sixth level of the Core Formation realm or higher. He would be a top expert even in the Spring Autumn Sect and could rise to the authoritative position of Grand Elder.


    The numerous Nangong nsmen in the martial arts arena greeted him respectfully. Even the bloodline leaders looked at him with reverence.


    “Greetings to the Grand Elder.”


    “He’s our Nangong n’s Grand Elder, Nangong Xuan,” Nangong Wan’er said, looking at that aged figure with a deep look of reverence.


    "The Star and Sun Bloodlines have been entangled in a power struggle for years. Without the Grand Elder''s suppression, the Nangong n would have descended into chaos."


    Chen Fan maintained a calm expression.


    While Nangong Xuan was undoubtedly formidable, it didn''t concern him. Moreover, he had heard from Nangong Wan’er that Nangong Xuan gave the order all those years ago to ce Nangong Yue under house arrest.


    The house arrest still hadn’te to an end.


    This alone left Chen Fan with a less-than-favorable impression of Nangong Xuan.


    A faint smile appeared on Nangong Xuan’s face. He nced across the arena, and his aged voice resounded in space.


    “Today marks our Nangong n''s once-every-six-years Bloodlines Martial Meet—a grand asion for our n. I shan’t say much. Let’s begin the martial meet.


    “If you want to keep your seats, demonstrate your capabilities. Otherwise, your seats will go to those who have cultivated hard.”


    “Yes!” The sixteen figures behind him responded in unison. Then, they flew down to their respective bloodlines.


    “The Bloodlines Martial Meet officially begins!”


    1. Mountain, Serene, and River bloodlines use the same characters as Nangong Shan, You, and Chuan, their respective leaders. Meanwhile, Moon Bloodline’s leader is Nangong Baxiong, but the bloodline name uses the same character as Chen Fan’s mother, Nangong Yue. In a few chapters we find out Sun and Star Bloodline Leaders'' names have nothing to do with it, however. ?