"Exactly, Ancestor. There's no need to worry. Elders Sun and Mo have had a relationship with our Fu family for over a century, and they will definitely arrive on time. Their current high status in the Demon Flame Sect is also due to our strong support. Moreover, we have married the two most outstanding women in our family to them as concubines. How could they possibly not come?" A thin-browed, robed elder standing beside the fair-faced middle-aged man also spoke respectfully.
"I'm not worried about Sun and Mo not coming. It's just that the closer it gets to the birthday celebration, the more restless I feel, as if something major is about to happen. It's really troubling! Have we recently offended any formidable individuals or larger sects?" The Fu family ancestor stroked his long beard, his eyes flashing coldly as his former smile disappeared completely.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall couldn't help but look at each other.
After a long pause, the fair-faced man cautiously replied:
"Ancestor, you know that while our Fu family has thrived and grown powerful over the years, we have offended countless families and minor sects. But the ones who harbor the greatest enmity towards us are still the Qin family and the Hu family. Could it be that these two families are up to something?"
"It shouldn't be those two families! They used to be able to contend with us, but now they have very few high-level cultivators left and no longer have the capability to stir up trouble." The Fu family ancestor shook his head coldly but, after frowning, hesitated before continuing:
"However, if the two families were to join forces or ally with other hostile minor sects to launch a surprise attack, it could indeed severely weaken our family. After all, to curry favor with the Demon Flame Sect, we killed many of the two families' resisting cultivators. Now, the Qin and Hu families have been forced to abandon their foundations and hide in seclusion. It's not impossible for them to harbor such deep hatred against us and plan something drastic." The Fu family ancestor's face grew somber.
"So, Ancestor, what do you suggest we do?" the robed elder cautiously asked.
"Appear relaxed but stay alert! Double the manpower at all posts. Keep the protective formation of the fortress activated around the clock without a single moment's lapse. Pay extra attention to any unidentified rogue cultivators and assign more people to monitor them." The Fu family ancestor leaned back and closed his eyes, issuing a series of precise orders without any hesitation.
"Yes, I'll arrange it immediately!" The fair-faced middle-aged man quickly accepted the orders and left.
The other younger members of the Fu family left in the side hall, sensing the ancestor's displeasure, stood silently, not daring to breathe loudly.
"Tianyun, call out your third uncle and have him place the Ironback Sacred Beast into the spirit beast pouch. He will accompany me to the birthday celebration. Only he can command our family's sacred beast!" the Fu family ancestor suddenly said.
"What? Ancestor, didn't you previously say that my third uncle is at a critical stage of his cultivation and should not be disturbed for this celebration?" The robed elder was taken aback.
"Hmph! That was then, this is now. We cultivators may not be able to completely avoid danger or foresee the future, but sometimes our premonitions are incredibly accurate. Better to be cautious. I'd rather be overly cautious than let our family face a disaster." The elder snorted coldly.
"Yes, I'll go get my third uncle out of seclusion." The robed elder, frightened by the ancestor's tone, hastily agreed and left.
The Fu family ancestor, still not satisfied, issued several more orders before finally feeling at ease.
