304: Curtain call!

Upon hearing this, a fervent look appropriately appeared in Hu Li's eyes before turning into resolve. He bowed and said,

"Please report back to the Immortal Master. Having received such great kindness, I will do my utmost to live up to the trust placed in me! In three days, the Hu Family will certainly change its course!"

After seeing off the Teng Family messenger and watching the flying boat disappear into the gray mist again, the fawning and excitement on Hu Li's face vanished instantly, replaced by a nearly indifferent calm.

Then, he dismissed his attendants and walked alone into the depths of the Hu Family, stopping before the doors of a certain hall.

"Master, the Teng Family has entered the trap!" he said respectfully to the closed doors.

A moment later, an indifferent voice echoed in his Sea of Consciousness.

"Very good!"

"Since that's the case, then entertain them well..."

"Yes, your subordinate understands!" Hu Li bowed his head respectfully. "Everyone in the Hu Family is ready."

"Then go!"

...Deep within the Hu Family Territory, the Council Hall.

Dark red floor tiles covered the entire hall. Flame patterns were carved in relief on the pillars on both sides, and a massive Scarlet Flame Crystal was embedded in the center of the dome, emitting a gentle yet steady light.

This should have been the place where the Hu Family discussed important clan matters, but at this moment, it was shrouded in an indescribable, eerie atmosphere.

In the main seat, the Grand Elder Hu Yan, at the Peak of Foundation Establishment, sat upright and still.

Beside him, several clan elders from the main branch also sat straight with their hands neatly on their knees, but their eyes gazed hollowly at the closed bronze hall doors, as if waiting for something, yet also as if waiting for nothing at all.

Below on the left, the representative of Hu Hai's branch, which was supported by the Liu Family—a gloomy and thin middle-aged man who usually clashed with the main branch and almost fought whenever they met—was also unnaturally quiet.

Inside the entire hall, there was not a single sound, save for the subtle shifts in the halo of light from the Scarlet Flame Crystal on the dome.

There was no whispering, no eye contact, and even the sound of breathing was so faint it was almost inaudible.

Everyone was like a row of carefully placed puppets, their Souls lost, leaving only rigid husks.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall doors.

But at that very instant.

Everyone in the room seemed to be suddenly yanked by invisible threads, instantly coming to life!

Hu Yan's stiff figure relaxed slightly, his finger unconsciously tapping once on the armrest.

The veteran elders beside him refocused their eyes, and low coughs came from their throats.

Hu Hai also raised his head, the emptiness in his eyes quickly filled with a complex mix of anxiety, vigilance, and calculation.

All the changes were completed in a flash, so fast it was as if the eerie stillness from moments ago had been a mere illusion.

*Boom—*

The heavy bronze doors were suddenly pushed open by a powerful force!

Blinding daylight flooded in, silhouetting the tall figure at the entrance.

Hu Li stepped inside with a perfectly measured composure, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Following behind him were twelve masked, black-robed Teng Family Hidden Guards with cold auras.

As soon as they entered, they dispersed silently and swiftly like well-trained soldiers, occupying key positions around the hall, while the remaining few formed a semi-circle to guard Hu Li from behind.

The Spiritual Pressure of Late Stage and Middle Stage Foundation Establishment was released without reservation, weaving into an invisible net that enveloped the entire Council Hall.

And the last one to step into the hall was the leader of the Teng Family Hidden Guards—Shadow!

His sharp gaze swept across the hall like a hawk's, instantly catching a hint of discordance.

No, it should be said it was too harmonious, so harmonious it felt unreal.

After all, facing such an intrusion by uninvited guests, the first reaction of these Hu Family higher-ups was surprisingly devoid of shock, anger, or questioning.

His brow furrowed imperceptibly, and his right hand silently pressed onto the Dharma Blade at his waist.

But before Shadow could react, at that moment, Hu Yan in the main seat slammed the armrest of his chair and stood up abruptly!

"Hu Li! How dare you!"

His voice was loud and filled with shock and anger. The muscles on his face twitched slightly with excitement, and his Peak Foundation Establishment pressure erupted at just the right moment.

"To barge into the clan's council chamber without being announced! And to bring these mysterious people who hide their faces! Do you intend to rebel?!"

Faced with Hu Yan's sudden shout, a hint of suspicion flashed in Shadow's eyes. Why did it feel like the Hu Family's reaction was a bit... slow?

But the thought only flashed for a second. Although the atmosphere felt off, Shadow was reassured when he thought about their combat strength.

After all, various key points of the Hu Family had already been quietly replaced by their hidden guards, and the Formation was also under their secret control. There was no need to worry about any variables; the people in this hall were like turtles in a jar!

At this point, Shadow turned his gaze to Hu Li, wanting to see his reaction.

Feeling the gaze behind him, the smile on Hu Li's lips deepened slightly.

Then, he unhurriedly walked to the empty seat at the head of the right side, brushed his sleeves, and sat down. His calm gaze met Hu Yan's eyes, which were nearly spitting fire, and his tone carried a sense of gravity and helplessness.

"Grand Elder, please calm your anger."

"Hu Li has acted so recklessly today only because our Hu Family has reached a critical juncture of life and death. I had no choice but to resort to this temporary measure!"

"A temporary measure?"

Hu Yan sneered, his finger trembling as he pointed at the black-robed hidden guards, his voice rising in anger.

"Hu Li! Do you think I'm senile? Who else could these be but the Shadow Hounds kept by the Teng Family! You dare to openly collude with an outside clan? You are betraying your ancestors for personal gain, handing over the Hu Family's century-old foundation to Teng Qianjue on a silver platter!"

The words "betraying your ancestors for personal gain" were spoken with extreme emphasis, and the heartbreak in his eyes was almost overflowing.

Hearing "Shadow Hounds," Shadow's hand on the Dharma Blade suddenly tightened, but then he relaxed again.

Although he felt offended, this was more like it!

This was the reaction a normal person should have!

This also caused the doubt in his heart to recede slightly; it seemed he had been overthinking earlier.

As for the old man calling him a "Shadow Hound"... there was no rush. Once the Hu Family fully submitted to the Teng Family, there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with them!

Shadow sneered inwardly but remained expressionless, his deep gaze observing the changes in the situation.

Hu Li, rebuked by the Grand Elder, let the smile on his face fade at the right time.

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping like lightning across every "shocked," "angry," or "bewildered" face in the hall.

"Betraying my ancestors for personal gain?"

He scoffed, his voice suddenly rising, carrying a sense of melancholy as if he were the only sober one in a world of drunks.

"My Grand Elder! At a time like this, do you still not understand in your heart? What 'foundation' does the current Hu Family even have left to speak of?"

His gaze fell on Hu Yan's ashen face, as if stating a simple fact.

"Currently, the main and branch lines are internalizing their struggles, fighting for three whole years! The Family treasury is exhausted, the spiritual fields and mineral veins are desolate, the young disciples are disillusioned, and even those with active minds have already begun to seek ways out! If we keep fighting like this, we'll destroy the Hu Family ourselves without any need for outsiders to attack!"