Chen Qingyuan checked the connection of the mother-and-child jade pendants and located the last place from which Han Shan had sent a message, in the Renling Star Domain of the Northern Wilderness.

The Northern Wilderness’s Tri-Core Star Domains: Tianhe, Dihang, Renling.

Decades had passed; what difficulties had Han Shan encountered?

Knowing Han Shan as he did, Chen Qingyuan was certain that Han Shan would never call for help unless he faced an insurmountable problem.

In the Renling Star Domain, within the Four Holy Sects.

In the main hall of the central vein, Han Shan stood in disarray, his purple robe tattered and his hair unkempt, contrasting starkly with the blessed land around him.

On both sides of the hall sat many formidable figures, all high-ranking members of the central vein.

The middle-aged man seated at the highest position wore a green robe, his thick eyebrows and large eyes, full lips and hooked nose exuding an imposing aura without anger.

This man, named Han Yingyang, was the current Holy Lord of the Four Holy Sects and Han Shan’s biological father.

About three hundred and fifty years ago, a significant dispute erupted within the main vein of the Four Holy Sects over the struggle for power.

Han Shan was lost to the outside world, and his mother met a tragic death.

Nearly a century ago, the Four Holy Sects located Han Shan and confirmed his identity as the legitimate heir of the main vein.

With the blood of the Northern Wilderness’s top forces running through his veins, Han Shan could not afford to be mediocre; he had to make a name for himself. Thus, the Four Holy Sects presented Han Shan with some simple tests, starting with managing some business enterprises.

At first, Han Shan’s life was good, earning more Spirit Stones than he could count.

“Are you the lost legitimate heir of the Han family? My name is Han He, nominally your brother, but with your abilities, you’re not fit to be my elder. I’ve come today for a battle, do you dare?”

However, the good times didn’t last long as his half-brother from the same father came to challenge Han Shan directly.

“There’s no need for that.”

Having lived in a remote area for many years, Han Shan couldn’t compare to Han He, the second Young Master who had grown up in the Four Holy Sects.

“If you don’t fight, many will suffer, including that worthless Master of yours.”

Despite Han Shan’s reluctance to fight, Han He was relentless and even had his Master captured.

“Have it your way.”

In just a hundred moves, Han Shan was defeated and felt deeply ashamed.

Although Han He didn’t dare to take Han Shan’s life, he subjected him to all sorts of humiliation, uttering many harsh words.

Such as insults to his mother and his Master.

Enraged and in desperation, Han Shan used his trump card for killing enemies and saving his own life.

Because Han He looked down on Han Shan from the bottom of his heart and was unguarded, that one move seriously injured Han He. Although it didn’t shake his Foundation, it was a loss of face.

Enraged, Han He instinctively unleashed a life-threatening Supernatural Power on Han Shan.

Han Shan’s Master, who had been insulted and silent all along, could no longer remain indifferent. Seizing the moment when others were not paying attention, he struck Han He with a palm, interrupting his spellcasting and protecting Han Shan.

Han Shan’s Master, named Yu Beiting, had once accidentally found a child abandoned by others, with a jade pendant inscribed with the name “Han Shan” in the swaddling clothes.

Yu Beiting adopted Han Shan, becoming both a Master and a father figure.

He could endure Han He’s insults and mockery, but he couldn’t stand by as Han Shan faced a threat to his life under his watch. The moment he made his move, he was prepared to face death.

“How dare you lay a hand on the Young Master, seeking death!”

The accompanying guards, caught off guard, resulting in Han He’s serious injury, a responsibility they could not bear. Trembling with fear, they all struck at Yu Beiting.

“Stop!”

Han Shan shouted to stop them, but to no avail.

Eventually, Yu Beiting was severely injured, his limbs broken, barely clinging to life.

Although Han Shan was nominally the legitimate heir of the Han family, without the protection of maternal power, these guards would not listen to him.

If it came to taking sides among the various Elders of the main vein, they would surely choose Han He over Han Shan, who had been lost outside for hundreds of years.

However, the guards did not dare to make decisions on their own. They only crippled Yu Beiting and returned to the Four Holy Sects, leaving the Sect’s high-ranking members to deal with the matter.

Han Shan, with no one to rely on, could only think of the jade pendant Chen Qingyuan had given him years ago.

He struggled internally for a long time, fearing to involve Chen Qingyuan.

Later, recalling the promise Chen Qingyuan had made, that he could withstand any great matter, Han Shan quietly crushed the jade pendant, a glimmer of hope arising in his heart.

“Han Shan, do you know your crime?”

In the main hall of the central vein, Han Yingyang asked indifferently from his high seat.

“May I ask, Predecessor, what crime have I committed?”

With just one look, Han Shan knew that the man high above was his biological father. However, he did not call out “father” but addressed him as Predecessor.

Hearing himself addressed as “Predecessor,” Han Yingyang felt a slight discomfort, his face expressionless: “Brothers sparring is one thing, but why resort to a sneak attack after defeat? Moreover, conspiring with outsiders to harm your brother, nearly causing a disaster, do you not see the fault in that?”

Of course, the guards did not dare to report Han He’s insulting remarks toward Han Shan.

After all, this matter involved the struggle for power in the new generation. A truthful report would surely damage the reputation of the second Young Master Han He, which would be tantamount to opposing him.

Whether it was based on strength or other considerations, Han He was firmly above Han Shan.

Which side to take was a no-brainer.

Han Shan had nothing but the status of a legitimate heir.

His mother was once the Heaven’s Pride of the Four Holy Sects; had she not died, she would surely be a powerful figure today. Unfortunately, she died due to the dispute hundreds of years ago. Otherwise, who would dare to bully Han Shan so easily?

“He insulted my mother and slandered my Master; I merely wanted him to shut his mouth.”

Han Shan swept his gaze across the room, meeting only unfamiliar faces, the coldness piercing to the soul.

If he had a choice, he would prefer to be an ordinary person in a remote Star Domain, not the so-called legitimate heir of the main vein of the Four Holy Sects.

“Young Master He, is this true?”

Han Yingyang glanced at Han He, who was sitting to the side, his tone softening slightly as he inquired.

“Father, there’s no such thing. I only wished to spar with my elder brother, nothing more,” said Han He, dressed in a dark blue robe, his complexion slightly pale as he rose and bowed with a fist.

“Both of you have your own stories, whom should I believe?”

After pondering for a long time, Han Yingyang said coldly.

The Elders sitting in the hall all remained silent; this was considered the Holy Lord’s family affair, not to be commented on, just to be observed.

“For the sake of clearing my name, I am willing to undergo a soul search to reenact the scene of that day.”

Han Shan was willing to expose everything about himself to prove his innocence.

At this statement, the hall fell silent.

Everyone could see that Han Yingyang was biased towards the second Young Master Han He. One of the Elders quickly spoke up: “The eldest Young Master need not be so anxious, friction between brothers is normal, there’s no need for such confrontation.”

“I’m not his brother; I don’t have that fortune, nor do I have that qualification.”

Han Shan stared intently at Han He, never forgetting the words Han He used to insult his mother and Master.

“Presumptuous!”

Han Yingyang rebuked in a low voice.

“If Predecessor wishes to kill me, then do so. If I, Han Shan, so much as frown, I am no better than a beast.”

Han Shan stood firm against Han Yingyang’s pressure, his eyes wide open, confronting him directly.

Whoosh—

Instantly, the entire hall was shocked, their expressions dramatically changing.