Tian Yan's words instantly stunned everyone present. Internal strife! At that moment, everyone realized just how dire their situation truly was. The Celestial Clan was already on the brink of destruction. If they fell into infighting now, their end would only be a matter of time. All eyes turned to Ye Guan, their expressions complicated. Letting an outsider become the clan leader of the Celestial Clan, was it a blessing or a curse...? But now, they had no choice. Tian Yan suddenly said, "Send the order immediately, recall everyone from the Transcendent Divine Mine, without delay." A clan elder quickly left to carry out the command. "As of this moment, activate all clan arrays. The Celestial World is to enter the highest level of alert!" Then, his gaze fell on Ye Guan. "Bring out the 'Divine Lotus' and have him take it." The moment the words left his mouth, everyone's expressions became strange. The Divine Lotus was one of the Celestial Clan's greatest treasures. It possessed terrifying regenerative power, not just one-time healing, but continuous regeneration that could last nearly a thousand years. Hence, it was also known as the Immortal Lotus. Once consumed, one would become practically impossible to kill. It was a sacred object reserved only for the clan's core members, and there were only a few of such lotuses in the entire Celestial Clan. And now, one was to be given to Ye Guan... Though some people felt uneasy about it, no one voiced any objections. Soon, an elder came over holding a lotus. The lotus was a vivid green, its petals jade-like, crystal clear, and luminous. As it appeared, the hall was instantly filled with a refreshing, fragrant lotus scent. The elder placed the Divine Lotus on Ye Guan's chest. It trembled slightly before transforming into a green light that entered him. A wave of green energy spread from his chest, enveloping him in an instant. Under that green glow, Ye Guan's fleshly body rapidly healed before everyone's eyes. Even his heavily damaged soul was quickly recovering. After an unknown amount of time, Ye Guan slowly opened his eyes, finding himself surrounded by the Celestial Clan's elders. Tian Yan asked, "Are you alright?" Ye Guan stood up. Glancing down at his body, he looked surprised. "Senior, this is...?" Tian Yan explained, "This is the Divine Lotus of our Celestial Clan. Not only does it have powerful restorative abilities, but it also contains exceptionally pure energy. Take your time to absorb it." Ye Guan closed his eyes, sensing a pure energy coursing through him that nourished his internal organs. Tian Yan said, "Clan Leader, what exactly happened before?" Clan Leader? Ye Guan looked at Tian Yan in confusion. Due to the Mad Demon Bloodline, his mind was still somewhat dazed. Seeing his confusion, Tian Yan explained, "When the previous clan leader perished, he gave you the Celestial Seal and left a final order—for you to lead our Celestial Clan." Ye Guan fell silent as memories came rushing back like a tidal wave. Clan Leader Tian He had self-destructed! His expression turned complicated. He knew that without Tian He's self-sacrifice to stop the enemy, he would never have escaped. Clan Leader... He opened his palm, and the Celestial Seal appeared in it. Tian Yan said solemnly, "From this moment on, you are the leader of our Celestial Clan." Ye Guan looked around at everyone. They all stared back at him. He slowly propped himself up with difficulty. "Clan Leader Tian He and I underestimated the Great Daoist Brush Master and the Taigu Clan." Actually, if it weren't for the sudden intervention of the Taigu Clan, he and Tian He would still be defeated, but they could have retreated safely. What he hadn't expected was that the Taigu Clan would suddenly turn on them. He had overlooked one thing—the ambitions of the Taigu Clan. How could a clan that once reigned as supreme overlords possibly be satisfied with living under others? As long as there was a chance to rise, they would definitely give it their all. Ye Guan withdrew his thoughts and turned to look at everyone inside the hall. At this moment, they were all looking at him. Now that Tian He had fallen, Ye Guan was undoubtedly their last hope. Ye Guan asked, "If we go all-in on defense, how long can we hold?" Tian Yan responded gravely, "Not for long..." "Any news from the Wu Clan?" If they had also defected, the situation would be truly grim. Tian Yan replied, "No word yet..." Ye Guan murmured, "They've likely defected, too." Tian Yan said seriously, "The Wu Clan has always stood by our Celestial Clan..." Ye Guan shook his head. "But the benefits offered by the Great Daoist Brush Master... are irresistible. Given the current state of things, there's no way they'd side with us." Tian Yan stared at Ye Guan. "Then what do you propose?" Ye Guan replied, "Hold our ground." Tian Yan nodded. "I've already ordered all our people to return, and all clan arrays have been activated as well. With those defenses, even if the enemy joins forces, they won't break in easily. "However, this isn't sustainable. Now that we've abandoned the Transcendent Divine Mine, it'll fall into the hands of our enemies. With the unique spirit crystals there, the gap between us will only grow over time..." Ye Guan suddenly asked, "How many Trascendent Realm experts does the Celestial Clan currently have?" Tian Yan answered, "Thirty-nine, all elites without exception." Ye Guan asked again, "The empire has more than ten thousand provinces. Each province is equivalent to a Major Civilization. How many realms does the Celestial Clan control?" Tian Yan said, "Over ten thousand as well, all directly governed by us." Ye Guan looked at him. "Senior, can the Celestial Clan give me absolute trust?" "I need complete trust and absolute cooperation." "What are you planning?" Ye Guan didn't answer, simply staring at him. After a long silence, Tian Yan said, "Young Master Ye, I don't know what you intend to do, but—" Ye Guan interrupted, "Senior Tian He died to save me, so I will never betray the Celestial Clan. However, the situation now is dire; frankly, we have no chance of winning. "That Great Daoist Brush Master is far scarier than anyone can imagine. Outsmarting him is nearly impossible." His eyes flickered with a complicated look. He was outplayed, but it made him realize something—outwitting the enemy wasn't an option anymore. The Great Daoist Brush Master was far too intelligent and capable. No one could resist his offers. It was just like when Ye Guan held the tiny pagoda and the Qingxuan Sword; most experts would immediately flock to him. Since he couldn't win with strategy, he'd have to try something else. Tian Yan finally said, "We can trust you. But the rest of the clan... might not. Because you're not one of us. You understand that, right?" Tian Yan said, "There's one way... you must be a part of the Celestial Clan." Ye Guan looked at him. Tian Yan said, "You must marry Little Lian." Ye Guan froze. Everyone else froze, too. And the white-robed woman's face instantly turned cold. Ye Guan asked, confused, "Who's Little Lian?" Everyone turned toward the white-robed woman. Ye Guan also looked at her and saw that her face was indifferent. Ye Guan was silent... Tian Yan explained, "To be honest, we haven't made your appointment as clan leader public yet. But once we do, there'll be an uproar. Many won't accept a non-Celestial Clan member as clan leader. But if you marry Little Lian, it becomes legitimate; she's the heir to the previous clan leader, after all." Ye Guan asked, "Senior, is there... another way?" He could clearly tell the girl disliked him. And understandably so, as her father had died saving him... Tian Yan added, "It doesn't have to be real. Just go through the motions, publicly declare that you're married." He looked toward Tian Lian. After a long silence, Tian Lian said, "No problem." Tian Yan nodded. "Then everything is settled." He turned to Ye Guan. "What do you want the Celestial Clan to do?" Ye Guan narrowed his eyes. "Create a god!" Tian Yan was puzzled. In the days that followed, the news of Ye Guan becoming the Celestial Clan's clan leader spread throughout the Celestial World, shocking every region. How could an outsider become the head of the Celestial Clan? But once it was known that he and Tian Lian were married, much of the resistance faded. Since he had already married into the Tian Clan, he was considered one of them. Any future children would bear the Tian surname anyway. At first, Ye Guan was worried that the Tian Clan elders would pay him mere lip service while secretly rejecting his authority. To his surprise, however, that never happened. From the highest elder to the youngest member, everyone treated him with genuine respect, as if he were truly their clan leader. He knew this was largely thanks to the support of Tian Lian and Tian Yan. Now, the biggest challenge he faced was clear: how to save the Celestial Clan? He knew the Great Daoist Brush Master wouldn't give him any breathing room. And sure enough, just two days later, Emperor Ji Zhan arrived in the skies above the Celestial World. He brought with him an army of formidable allies, including the Taigu Clan. They weren't the only ones. The Zhou Clan had come as well, along with the Wu Clan, who had just recently switched sides. The enemy forces were closing in. High above, Ji Zhan stood at the front of the army. Beside him was the Great Daoist Brush Master, looking down from the sky. His eyes locked onto Ye Guan below, and he said with a smile, "Ye Guan, surrender. I knew your father once. Out of respect for that, I won't wipe you all out. "Surrender now, and when this is over, I'll go my way, and you can go back to being the King of Relying on Others. Doesn't that sound better?" Before Ye Guan could respond, Ji Zhan snarled beside the Great Daoist Brush Master, and his gaze was fixed on Ye Guan as he said, "No mercy. Not one of them is to be left alive!"