Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1036: Clean slate

"You mentioned it earlier when replying to Sister Baihu, considering the Steward's perspective too...", Xue Bing remarked as the group made their way toward a remote canyon.

A grin spread across Wu Long's face, recognizing Xue Bing's effort to lift Fen Baihu's spirits by revisiting her prior input. What amused him further was how this basic, slightly awkward tactic fully succeeded, instantly softening Fen Baihu's attitude toward the frosty beauty once more.

Opting to delve deeper into the matter so both beauties could comprehend his decisions, Wu Long elaborated, "The Steward serves as the Family's highest-ranking servant, managing the succession struggle, thus appearing utterly neutral on the surface. In truth, we lack the intel to pinpoint which of the three he secretly backs..."

"Three?", Fen Baihu cast a puzzled gaze his way.

With a nod, he clarified, "Three heirs altogether. The eldest boasts the strongest foothold; he's absent since this petty contest doesn't merit his involvement—his mother's clan holds supreme power as the official First Wife hails from a greater noble house in the Wei Dynasty."

"So the mission for the Heaven Turning Pill aids these two we're seeing," Xue Bing nodded, grasping the scenario.

"Right, their grandfather the Family Ancestor issued it to balance the odds somewhat. Yet it's vital too, with the Patriarch trapped at the Essence Gathering Realm's peak for 10,000 years, his lifespan possibly waning soon and dooming the Family to lose its Ancestor-level guardian upon his demise."

Next, he outlined the duo's circumstances, "Of the lower two sons, the elder came from a Concubine whose noble kin also originate from the Wei Dynasty, though inferior in status to the first son's mother's family. They vie effectively thanks to alliance with the 4th prince's maternal side in the succession bid, unlike the first son's neutral-to-princes kin. They have their own concubine, but she yielded no heir—just a princess, excluding them. The youngest is the Patriarch's unforeseen bastard son, integrated after the Family Ancestor noted his gifts, potentially also as succession bait. Merely informed speculation, but the Family Ancestor could be stalling their contest until the Imperial succession concludes, choosing the clan heir optimal for Imperial Court influence."

"So you're no supporter of the Patriarch, eyeing a son instead? Hence skipping the firmer authority, the Steward—Patriarch's proxy, I guess? Or the Family Ancestor, who's overly involved for an Ancestor-level in these affairs...?", Fen Baihu scratched behind her ear, piecing together a clearer image amid emerging riddles, and Wu Long's hand swiftly mirrored the action to caress hers, blissfully sealing her eyes shut once again.

"Yes," Wu Long confirmed with a nod, "Plus the sons stand before us now, while Patriarch and Family Ancestor remain report figures only. Far from total awareness, and unmet, so not definitive, but from known facts I disfavor the elder pair. It boosts my Crimson Arrow Manor interest beyond first impressions, potentially allowing a fresh split from old generations for a 'clean slate' new-led family—slashing volatile risks to our Sect."

He delved into greater detail, "The Family Ancestor fathered his son at a young age, yet clung to his authority far longer than sensible for some unknown reason. It's uncertain if that was the root cause or a result, but the Patriarch squandered almost his entire lifetime in idle pursuits, assuming the role just around 30 years back when he was suddenly married off to the principal wife and concubines, plainly to sire an heir. To secure descendants from both the First Wife and the Concubine, the Family Ancestor forged an agreement with a Dual Cultivation Sect, though their assistance turned out excessively potent, leading to the emergence of a bastard heir as well. Regarding the Patriarch's takeover, it was largely ceremonial since he never truly seized the family's reins of power, which remain predominantly in the Family Ancestor's grasp, albeit somewhat weakened by the heirs' maternal clans. And you're spot on about the Steward—he's the devoted retainer of the latter, serving the former only in appearance."

"Heh, so a greedy power-clutcher and a feeble, wavering puppet, both teetering near death, pulling strings through that fellow yonder," Fen Baihu delivered yet another ruthless assessment, "But does he lack any personal drive? He has to notice the same potential power gap you're viewing as your opening."

"Hmm, difficult to judge. The reports insist on his deep loyalty to the Family Ancestor, presented as undeniable truth, but who can say for certain?" Wu Long shifted his gaze to the Family Steward too.

The Crimson Arrow Manor crew arrived at a remote canyon, pausing atop an elevated spot that offered a prime overlook of all the lower areas, Demonic Beasts prowling the savage woodlands and river edges far below.

Demonic Beast hunters and Herb Hunters from Silver Wing City also roamed the canyon in bands, since it served as a common local foraging ground, yet its sheer size kept it from feeling packed. In fact, without extending Spiritual Senses, spotting other cultivators nearby was quite the challenge.

The Crimson Arrow Manor group remained ever vigilant nonetheless, their troops forming a guarding perimeter with bows at the ready, cautious of nosy onlookers lurking amid the lowland foliage or rocky outcrops along the canyon ridges—potentially locals or even visiting mercenaries aiming to pocket some extra coin during their stay.