Chapter 1343

Qiao Si Liu’s proposal moves Fang Yuan: taking over Wu clan, a super force whose territory, resource points and treasury dwarf his own considerable assets, would leave his gains immense, far beyond working alone. He quickly hides his interest and questions her instead. Fang Yuan feigns surprise and reluctance, and Qiao Si Liu explains that Wu Ba Chong has already gathered Wu clan’s supreme elders while deliberately leaving Wu Yi Hai out. ^{ch. 1343}

Fang Yuan doubts he has the foundation to take over, having spent only a short time in Wu clan with no network of his own. Qiao Si Liu insists Qiao clan backs him. Pressed on what that backing means, she admits that Qiao clan’s first supreme elder Qiao Zhi Cai went with Wu Yong and has also vanished, his life tablet Gu broken. Tie clan’s Tie Mian Shen went missing too, all three last seen investigating the deaths of Wu Yuan Ju and Rong Hao. She alone now speaks for Qiao clan, with the clan’s consensus behind her. ^{ch. 1343}

No resource haul from ruling Wu clan matches what Fang Yuan gains from the dream realm. He values that gain above the clan’s authority. Even becoming Wu clan’s most authoritative figure would tie him down at Wu Yi Mountain and cost him this stretch inside the dream realm. But he also judges that refusing Qiao Si Liu outright would ruin his standing with Qiao clan for nothing. He judges too that staying here without returning to take control would look suspicious to everyone, given the political ambition he has already shown. ^{ch. 1343}

So he tells her that returning at once, at Qiao clan’s side, would mean leaving his brother in the lurch and bringing in outsiders to fight for benefits in the clan, tearing it apart. When she objects that waiting would let Wu Ba Chong seize control and become first supreme elder in his place, he answers that they can wait since there is no urgency. He then settles it by asserting that Wu Ba Chong cannot control the situation even if he does not return. The claim leaves her stunned. ^{ch. 1343}

In Wu clan’s discussion hall, Wu Ba Chong takes Wu Yong’s seat and is repeatedly challenged by Wu Qiao, who argues that bloodline entitles Wu Yi Hai to the position, not a second supreme elder acting as though this were a Central Continent sect. Wu Ba Chong shows anger on his face but stays calm inside, then steps back, declaring he was rash and will welcome Wu Yi Hai’s return, and the hall, Wu Qiao included, is stunned. Word of it reaches Fang Yuan. Qiao Si Liu is pleased they have gained ground without returning. Fang Yuan reads it differently: Wu Qiao’s opposition was expected, since Qiao clan had already bribed him as former third supreme elder, but he judges Wu Ba Chong’s step back truly brilliant, a shrewd move that leaves Fang Yuan’s situation worse, not better. ^{ch. 1343}