It was already dark.
The sun lingered low on the horizon, bleeding its last light into the distance, yet within the Elder Chambers of the Feng Earth Tower it felt as though morning had never ended.
The Feng Earth Tower consisted of four towering twenty-storey buildings, surrounded by numerous smaller houses that clustered around them like roots around a mountain.
All four towers rested upon a single elevated hill, and at its highest point stood the Elder Chambers , an open structure where cold air was free to circulate, yet paradoxically the heat within it was stifling, heavy with tension rather than weather.
Nine main seats occupied the chamber. One remained conspicuously empty—the patriarch's. The others were filled, elders and guests alike seated in rigid silence.
"Second Elder, I can't believe you are willing to allow this nonsense to continue," a middle-aged man dressed in dark red robes said softly, his tone restrained but sharp.
"Elder Futu, this matter must be handled with care," the Second Elder replied, his voice measured.
"However, it concerns the well-being of the Feng Earth Tower and cannot be dismissed lightly."
"Enough."
A woman's voice cut through the air, calm yet unyielding. She appeared older than most of the elders present, but her back was straight and her presence steady, unshaken by the brewing conflict.
"This concerns the well-being of the Feng Earth Tower, yes , but is it truly necessary to disturb the hierarchy? Grandpa Yang is our patriarch. That is the end of the discussion."
She was the Third Elder—Feng Yun.
"Elder Yun," the Fifth Elder chimed in, his rough face betraying impatience. Though he appeared younger than most, the years still clung to him .
"the patriarch is old. His cultivation has stagnated for countless years. Not only is he unqualified to hold the leader's seat, he is also obstructing it."
"We will not allow such mutiny to continue," Elder Futu snapped, slamming his fist against the armrest. "Members of the Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion should not interfere in our affairs. Inviting an eagle into the matters of ducks only brings chaos."
"Elders, please calm yourselves."
The words arrived with the cold air, carried in by a soft yet composed voice.
Every gaze in the chamber shifted toward the approaching figure.
"Feng San," a man said sharply, his eyes dark as they narrowed. Unlike the others, he wielded a staff , an unmistakable symbol of authority belonging solely to the First Elder.
"This is the Elder Chambers. Unless invited, you are not permitted to interfere."
Feng San continued forward regardless, stopping only to bow slightly.
"My apologies, elders."
"Child," Feng Yun said gently, "we do not know your objectives as the fourth cousin of the Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion. However, this is a matter for the Feng Earth Tower alone."
Feng San bowed again, deeper this time, his paper fan pressed firmly to his chest.
"Elder Yun, I mean no disrespect toward the patriarch or the elders. The Feng Earth Tower and the Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion both belong to the Feng Clan. We are all brothers."
"Brothers also have limits they must uphold," Elder Futu replied coolly.
"Hmph. Limits?" the Fifth Elder scoffed. "The patriarch is so limited in strength that even we elders surpass him."
"The Fifth Elder is correct," another voice joined in. "The Feng Earth Tower is currently the weakest among us. If this continues, decline is inevitable and we will be erased from the map."
Amid the rising chaos, Feng San smiled faintly before concealing it.
"All I am saying," he continued smoothly, "is that a new leader should be chosen. We are all Fengs. You could even select a powerful ally from the Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion or any other friendly ally belonging to the Feng family ,someone who could elevate your reputation once more."
"This brat is right," the Fifth Elder said, standing.
"We should choose a new leader."
The chamber fell into uneasy contemplation.
A weak leader, even surrounded by powerful men, could never dominate nations. Such a figure was not a symbol of authority but of vulnerability . It was no different from a civilian commanding an army.
"How insolent of you old men."
The voice was familiar. Soft, yet every word struck like iron.
"How dare—" the Fifth Elder began.
Two figures entered the chamber.
The Feather Lady's beauty illuminated the room the moment she stepped inside, her presence commanding attention even before she spoke. Beside her walked Feng Tianlei.
"Feng San, get out," Tianlei barked, his gaze locked onto him. "You arrogant bastard."
Some elders failed to recognize Tianlei at once. Feng San did not.
"Oh? If it isn't Feng Tianlei," Feng San mocked. "Long time no see. I see you've brought company." His eyes drifted toward the Feather Lady.
"Feng Tianlei… child of the former patriarch," Feng Yun said softly.
Her words echoed in every elder's ears.
Bodies stiffened.
"Greetings, Third Elder," Tianlei said, bowing respectfully. "It has been a long time."
His gaze swept across the chamber before settling on the First Elder.
"So you are that brat," the First Elder chuckled, stroking his beard. "You've grown."
"Greetings, First Elder."
"So you are the rightful heir," the Fifth Elder muttered, eyes narrowing.
Tianlei scoffed.
"So says the elder advocating for the destruction of our hierarchy."
"How insolent," the Second Elder barked. "Have you forgotten who we are?"
"Second Elder," Tianlei replied calmly, "I remember when I was six , when you helped me search for my mother as I cried through the tower. You were humble then. You showed kindness to both of us. Were those favors merely a means to earn her trust? Now that she is gone, you've grown reckless."
The Second Elder slammed his fists onto the armrests, shattering them.
"What is it?" Tianlei continued. "Did that anger you? I thought inviting an intruder into our affairs would be—"
"An intruder?" Feng San sneered. "At least I belong to the Feng family. Who is she?" He gestured toward the Feather Lady with his fan.
"That is none of your business."
"Yes, it is," Feng San replied lightly. "From what I see, she has nothing to do with the Feng family."
"She is associated with a Feng," Tianlei interrupted. "More importantly, she stands beside someone with royal blood of the Feng Earth Tower."
"Oh?" Feng San smirked. "So she's your thing, am I right?"
Tianlei clenched his jaw and stepped forward.
"Your Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion may be powerful," he said coldly, "but that does not grant you the right to interfere in our matters."
Feng San crossed his arms, scoffing. "Right. So others can just take interest in your thing."
"Say that word again," the Feather Lady roared, "and I will rip out your throat."
The elders watched silently, allowing the younger generation to clash.
"So she barks like a bitch," Feng San laughed.
Tianlei's fist clenched as the Feng family tattoo ignited upon his forehead, releasing a chilling aura that swept through the chamber.
"You insult my friend. You insult my grandfather. You insult our hierarchy . Feng San, talent does not make you untouchable nor does your arrogance ."
"You want to fight me?" Feng San mocked. "Think you can manage?"
The Feather Lady placed a hand on Tianlei's shoulder.
"It isn't worth it."
Tianlei remembered saying those same words to her once and she was right. The gap between them was already clear.
"You're not strong enough," Feng San said. "But I'll be generous. Three years. If you can challenge me by then, I'll kiss your feet. Until then, you might as well kiss mine."
"Feng San."
A voice thundered through the chamber, shaking its pillars.
"You insolent son of a bitch. Go to hell."
The roof exploded inward as a figure crashed down, landing squarely in the patriarch's seat. He sat there naturally, one leg crossed over the other, as though he had never left.
Every elder stood and bowed.
"Greetings, Patriarch."
Though over a hundred years old, Grandpa Yang's skin bore fewer wrinkles than expected, his presence overwhelming even for the elders . The feather lady tried to compare the old man's strength to the sixth elder of the hall of beasts but surely he was much stronger .
"You have forgotten how to behave," he said calmly. "I allowed you to consider Feng San's proposal but how dare you permit insults toward the child of your former leader?"
The Fifth Elder bowed slightly.
"The younger generation should decide their own path."
"Asshole," Grandpa Yang snapped, thumbing his chest. "No one insults my grandson except me. Understood?"
Silence.
With the patriarch present, the rules would be followed—whether they liked it or not.