Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 406 Return to the Bai Clan?

Bai Zihan gently parted the fabric of his tent’s entrance.

A subtle coldness brushed against his skin the moment he stepped into the open air.

From the distant frontlines, the faint echoes of Demonic Beast roars persisted, serving as a grim reminder that the conflict was far from over.

His physical form ached with every movement.

The internal damage caused by the backlash of the Heaven's Mandate Reversal Technique had not yet fully mended.

Still, he felt well enough to walk under his own power without requiring someone to carry him like a damsel.

Taking a steadying breath, Bai Zihan began to move forward.

He strolled through the outer perimeter of the camp, a place where common disciples, rogue independent cultivators, and various sect members had congregated.

The scene was a mixture of those seeking rest and others tending to their injuries. Some sat in a daze, their eyes fixed on weapons stained with dried blood.

Every conversation revolved around the day's combat.

They spoke of the Half-Qilin's devastating power and the Saint-Grade Sword that had appeared in Bai Ren’s grip.

Naturally, the reports of Bai Zihan slaying three Great Ascension Realm Demonic Elders were also on everyone's lips.

As Bai Zihan passed by, however, the chatter died out instantly. Disciples froze while wrapping their wounds, their eyes wide with shock. An Elder who had been lecturing his students fell into a sudden silence. One after another, every head turned to watch him.

"That is him... Bai Zihan!"

"The youth who struck down three Great Ascension Demonic Elders..."

"Is it possible he truly shares the same Spirit Severing Realm as us?"

The moment he was recognized, the crowd began whispering about his legendary deeds. Whenever his eyes met theirs, they instinctively bowed their heads in a display of deep respect.

It was evident that following today’s slaughter, no one would dare treat Bai Zihan as a mere junior, regardless of his young age.

He was still a youth.

A boy barely reaching adulthood.

His features still held a touch of boyishness, and his frame was more slender than muscular. Yet, the label of 'junior' no longer applied to him in the eyes of the masses.

This was because Bai Zihan had achieved a feat that many cultivators present—some who had lived for hundreds of years—could never hope to accomplish.

Three Great Ascension Demonic Cultivators!

He had ended them all on his own.

That single achievement was enough to earn him the same level of reverence typically reserved for the leaders of great Sects or Clans.

Bai Zihan kept walking, maintaining a steady and unhurried pace.

He was followed by countless gazes wherever he stepped.

Some looked on with awe, others with pure veneration, and some with feelings far more complicated.

But the underlying truth was undeniable—the time for treating him lightly had passed.

Even those at the Spirit Severing Realm, who were technically his equals in terms of Cultivation, felt a primal urge to lower their eyes when he looked their way.

In this world, power commanded more respect than age.

And the strength displayed by Bai Zihan had already surpassed all conventional limits.

As he moved past a row of tents, a familiar figure came rushing toward him.

"Young Master!"

The voice was high-pitched and full of respect, yet it carried a clear sense of urgency.

Bai Zihan turned to see who it was.

Bai Lumei was approaching him with quick, hurried steps.

She was the leader of the unit Bai Zihan had originally been assigned to.

Stopping a few feet away, she offered a profound bow.

"Young Master," Bai Lumei stated without delay, "the Grand Elders have requested an audience with you."

Bai Zihan’s eyebrow twitched slightly in curiosity.

(The Grand Elders?)

He gave a calm nod of ascent.

***

"I was told you all wished to see me?"

Bai Zihan announced as he entered the meeting area.

Seated inside were the Grand Elders of the Bai Clan—men who usually radiated an aura of such immense pressure that even the Elders of rival clans acted with extreme caution around them.

However, the moment Bai Zihan appeared, their stern facades crumbled.

"Haha! Our genius has arrived!"

"Zihan'er! How is your body? Have your wounds been stabilized?"

"Come, come, take a seat. There is no need for you to stand!"

Before he could even offer a proper greeting, he was hurried into a chair. Several Elders crowded around him like worried grandparents who hadn't seen their favorite grandson in decades.

"Allow me to check your pulse."

"Step aside, you're being too clumsy—let me handle it."

"Your Meridians... hmm, they are under stress, but the recovery is proceeding well. What a magnificent constitution!"

They swept their Spiritual Senses over him with great care and politeness. There was no arrogance or invasive force in their probing—only genuine anxiety for his well-being.

Bai Zihan remained still, letting them finish their inspection.

Gradually, the tension in their faces began to fade.

"The backlash is indeed heavy," Bai Yui noted with a serious tone, "but the internal damage is already mending itself. Provided you rest properly, there will be no permanent issues."

Only then did they finally give him some breathing room.

Bai Zihan exhaled slowly.

"I am perfectly fine!"

Once the initial fuss died down, Bai Zihan shifted in his seat and surveyed the room.

"So," he inquired calmly, "what was the reason for this summons?"

The jovial atmosphere evaporated.

The Grand Elders traded meaningful looks.

Their expressions shifted toward a more serious tone—not one of despair, but of firm resolve.

Eventually, Bai Ren stepped to the forefront.

His smile was gone, replaced by a gaze that was steady and full of thought.

"Bai Zihan," Bai Ren began in a measured voice, "it is time for you to return to the Bai Clan."

The suggestion lingered heavily in the silence of the tent.

Bai Zihan’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"Return?"

He echoed the word, as this was not the conversation he had anticipated.

Bai Ren nodded firmly, his face set with determination.

"We have reached a consensus with the other Elders—and your father as well," he explained. "After weighing the situation, we have decided that your immediate return to the Bai Clan is the best course of action."

Bai Zihan fell into a thoughtful silence.

"For what reason?"

Bai Zihan asked the question calmly, though he had a strong suspicion regarding their motives.

Bai Ren looked him straight in the eye.

"Because your potential is far greater than we ever imagined," he said plainly. "And we are no longer the only ones who have realized this truth."

The surrounding Elders nodded in solemn agreement, their eyes reflecting deep concern.

"The events of today's battle made it undeniable," Bai Ren went on. "Those filthy Demonic Cultivators have already marked you as a primary target."

Bai Zihan’s expression grew a bit darker.

"This time, it was three Great Ascension Realm Demonic Elders," Bai Ren said, lowering his voice for emphasis.

"Next time... they might send an Immortal Realm Demonic Cultivator."

Bai Zihan listened, though he had no intention of complying. If he left, where would he gather System Points? After his recent expenditure on the Heaven's Mandate Reversal Technique, his balance had dropped to a mere 30,000 System Points.

He needed to accumulate more points while the opportunity existed. He simply couldn't walk away from a war zone where points were essentially waiting to be claimed.

"Do you believe we are being dramatic?"

Bai Chu added with a grimace.

"A teenager who can single-handedly kill three Great Ascension Demonic Elders—if you were in their position, would you ever permit such a menace to continue growing?"

Bai Ren’s gaze turned sharp.

"And the Demonic Cultivators aren't the only threat."

He continued his reasoning.

"You are well aware that those snakes from the Li Clan and Zhao Clan are constantly searching for a chance to eliminate you," Bai Ren pointed out.

"Today, they proved they are willing to collude with Demonic Cultivators if it results in your death. Ensuring your safety is nearly impossible when both enemies and supposed allies are working against us."

The faces of the Grand Elders turned stone-cold.

"If you were to fall here—whether by the hand of a Demonic Cultivator or through some other treachery—the Bai Clan would lose much more than just a talented youth."

Bai Ren took a step closer.

"Therefore, we have ruled," he stated with finality, "that you must go back." "You have already obtained sufficient combat experience," Bai Ren added. "More than any cultivator of your generation could ever hope to see."

He was already capable of slaughtering those in his own realm with ease. Even those in the Void Refinement Realm were merely opponents who could survive a few extra seconds against him.

He had even proven capable of slaying those two entire major realms above him. It was the unanimous opinion that Bai Zihan required no further tempering. "And your talent..." Bai Ren paused, his eyes glowing with certainty, "is far too precious to be thrown away on this battlefield."

Furthermore, they all believed that Bai Zihan’s continued existence was more important than the final result of this war.

As long as Bai Zihan lived, the Bai Clan was destined to reach heights greater than any other power.

Bai Zihan looked down.

He recognized the logic in their words.

However, that logic did not sway his resolve.

It didn't matter how high the risks were—as long as he could farm points, his future survival would be much more secure.

Had the Grand Elders understood that, they wouldn't be making this proposal. But they were in the dark.

Finally, Bai Zihan spoke, his voice steady but carrying an edge as sharp as a blade.

"You are worried that I will perish."

No one contradicted him.

Bai Ren met his gaze directly.

"I am," he admitted. "Because if you die here, the future of the Bai Clan dies with you."

Bai Zihan let out a long breath.

"I recognize your worries," Bai Zihan said softly. "And I know your intentions are for my own protection." The Grand Elders looked at one another, assuming he was about to give in.

"However," Bai Zihan continued, looking up at them, "I will not die."

The statement was delivered simply.

It wasn't boastful.

It wasn't foolish.

It was spoken with total, unwavering certainty.

Several Elders immediately began to scowl. "Zihan'er—"

Bai Chu started to protest.

"I already know what you intend to say," Bai Zihan interrupted, lifting a hand.

The movement was calm, yet it silenced the room instantly.

For a brief moment, the tent was quiet.

Bai Zihan looked around, making eye contact with every Elder present. "You fear the Demonic Cultivators. You fear the Li Clan. You fear the Zhao Clan," he said flatly. "You are terrified that when the next crisis comes, you won't be able to shield me as you did today."

"That fear is justified."

"But your conclusion is flawed." The Elders tensed up at his words.

Before any of them could snap back, Bai Zihan spoke again.

"Before we go any further," he said, "you all witnessed the sword technique I employed, didn't you?"

The Grand Elders hesitated.

Then, one by one, they gave a nod.

It was a sight that no one could ever wipe from their memory.

That beam of sword light that had sliced through the chaos of the frontlines.

That crushing aura that seemed to demand the submission of both the heavens and the earth.

Bai Ren’s eyes shifted.

In truth, that specific technique had rattled him to his core.

He realized that if he possessed the same technique Bai Zihan had used, he would have easily slaughtered that Half-Qilin.

Bai Zihan looked toward him.

"What is your assessment of that technique?" He questioned.

The Grand Elders once again traded glances.

"Incredibly potent!"

"The most formidable sword technique I have ever seen in my entire life."

A faint smile played on Bai Zihan’s lips.

"That is to be expected," he remarked.

"It is a Saint-Grade Technique!"