The grand banquet hall of the Su family compound buzzed with activity as Su Zhan made his entrance. Immediately, numerous prominent figures from Qingcheng City swarmed around him, offering congratulations and eager to curry favor with the Su family's rising star.
After dismissing them with polite but perfunctory responses, Su Zhan took his place at the head table. His gaze swept across the room before settling on the three patriarchs from the major families, all of whom were subtly probing his cultivation level while maintaining thin, predatory smiles.
"How generous of the three great families to send their patriarchs personally," Su Zhan remarked with casual indifference. "I wasn't aware your schedules were so... unoccupied."
Patriarch Zhao's lips curved into a cold sneer. "A few days ago, we heard rumors that the Su family had produced an extraordinary genius. Naturally, we old men became curious—we wanted to see if such a prodigy truly existed." His eyes glittered with malice. "Now that we've witnessed your abilities firsthand, you are indeed... outstanding."
Patriarch Chen nodded with mock appreciation. "At merely sixteen years of age, reaching the middle stage of the Qi Sea Realm—in all of Qingcheng City, no one could contest your claim to the title of number one genius!"
Murmurs of shock rippled through the assembled guests at this revelation.
"Su Zhan has already reached the middle stage of the Qi Sea Realm? Wasn't he stuck at the fourth stage of the Meridian Opening Realm just days ago?"
"Concealing his true abilities for years, yet choosing to reveal them now in front of the three patriarchs... why would he voluntarily expose himself?"
"It seems he still lacks emotional control! The three great families came prepared for war. I fear the Su family may face disaster today!"
The guests exchanged worried glances, their excitement dampening as the gravity of the situation became clear. The presence of all three patriarchs indicated they had come with deadly intent, fully prepared to destroy the Su family!
"Genius is no guarantee of survival," Patriarch Li interjected, his fingers drumming against the table with deliberate menace. "Sometimes extraordinary talent only ensures an early grave."
Su Tianhai's expression darkened, his hands clenching into fists as he struggled to contain his fury. "State your purpose plainly!" he demanded through gritted teeth.
The three patriarchs exchanged meaningful looks before Patriarch Zhao spoke with venomous clarity. "Our purpose? It's quite simple. Your son consumed the Spiritual Lotus that rightfully belonged to all four families. Therefore, we demand that Su Zhan regurgitate the treasure he swallowed, and this matter will be resolved!"
"Preposterous!" Su Tianhai exploded. "Heavenly treasures are meant for those fortunate enough to claim them! Moreover, my son has already fully integrated its power. How could he possibly regurgitate something that no longer exists?"
"If he cannot return what he stole, then he must face the consequences," Patriarch Li declared coldly. "After all, he only reached the middle stage of the Qi Sea Realm by consuming the Spiritual Lotus. This represents a grave injustice to our families."
"Enough of this charade!" Su Tianhai's aura erupted as he shot to his feet, his peak Qi Sea Realm cultivation pressure flooding the hall. "I have tolerated your three families' provocations for years, but you've mistaken the Su family's restraint for weakness!"
Patriarch Chen's voice remained deceptively calm as he delivered what sounded like a final ultimatum. "Brother Su, for the sake of our years of cooperation, this is your last opportunity. If you remain obstinate today, the Su family will be permanently removed from the ranks of Qingcheng's Four Great Families!"
The threat sent shockwaves through the hall. Every member of the Su family paled, and even the neutral guests hastily retreated to the edges of the room, desperate to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
"Patriarch!" Elder Su Tianyun suddenly interjected, his voice tight with anxiety. "Given the current circumstances, perhaps we should consider—"
"SILENCE!" Su Tianhai roared, cutting him off. "I will never sacrifice my son!" He drew his sword in one fluid motion, positioning himself protectively in front of Su Zhan. "Today, anyone who wishes to harm Zhan'er must first step over my corpse!"
Su Tianyun's expression twisted with rage and frustration. "Su Tianhai, you're being utterly foolish! Your son was originally nothing but trash with blocked meridians. Even though he's improved slightly with the help of the Spiritual Lotus, his fundamental talent remains abysmal! My son Su Heng far surpasses him in every way, yet because of bloodline politics, he cannot inherit the family position. Is this fair?"
His voice rose to a shout as years of resentment poured forth. "If you insist on this suicidal path today, then take your son and leave the Su family! Stop dragging the rest of us down with your stubbornness!"
"You dare speak of rebellion?!" Su Tianhai's eyes blazed with fury.
"Rebellion?" Su Tianyun laughed bitterly. "The patriarch position should belong to whoever is most capable! You've held that seat long enough—it's time to step aside for someone more suitable!"
The representatives from the three great families smiled with satisfaction as they witnessed this internal strife. They had anticipated this moment.
Even if the Su family possessed deep foundations and considerable resources, breaking them through internal division was far more efficient than a costly direct assault. With Su Tianyun—whom they had been secretly cultivating—finally making his move, their plan was proceeding perfectly.
Once Su Tianhai was eliminated, they could install Su Tianyun as a puppet patriarch, giving them complete control over the Su family's assets without the expense of total destruction!
"You've been colluding with the three great families!" Su Tianhai realized with dawning horror, his voice heavy with betrayal.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he turned to Su Zhan with desperate urgency. "Zhan'er, when I engage the three patriarchs, you must escape immediately with the housekeeper. He has served me faithfully for decades and will protect you with his life!"
"Father," Su Zhan interrupted gently, setting down his teacup and rising from his seat with unhurried grace. His eyes swept over the assembled enemies with casual disdain. "Why waste time with such elaborate words? I'm standing right here. If you have the courage, come and try to kill me."
"Arrogant brat! How dare you!"
Su Zhan's brazen provocation sent Patriarch Zhao into a towering rage. Without another word, he struck out with his palm, channeling his cultivation into a devastating attack!
Instantly, a massive wave of condensed true qi materialized in the air, crackling with terrifying power as it surged toward Su Zhan!
"That's the Zhao family's signature technique—the Crushing Palm Wave!"
"Patriarch Zhao has cultivated that technique to absolute perfection! Even Su Tianhai might not be able to withstand such an attack!"
"It seems Su Zhan will indeed perish today!"
Every eye in the hall focused on Su Zhan as the devastating attack approached.
Just as Su Tianhai prepared to intercede, Su Zhan stepped forward and drew his sword in one fluid motion.
Heavenly Frost Sword Intent!
The temperature in the entire banquet hall plummeted instantly. Frost began forming on the walls and furniture as an overwhelming aura of absolute cold filled the space.
The approaching qi wave froze solid mid-flight before shattering into countless ice fragments that tinkled harmlessly to the floor.
Su Zhan's counterattack manifested as a crescent of ice-blue sword energy that cleaved through the air with terrifying precision. The blade of condensed frost and intent struck Patriarch Zhao before he could even register what had happened.
The attack bisected him cleanly at the waist, his upper and lower halves separating as ice crystals spread across his form, freezing his final expression of shock and disbelief.
One sword. One death.
The entire hall fell into stunned silence.
"Sword Intent! That was genuine Sword Intent!" someone whispered in awe.
"But how is that possible? The Heavenly Frost Sword Technique is merely a mortal-level art! When did it become capable of generating intent?"
"Moreover, he comprehended Sword Intent while only at the Qi Sea Realm! Is Su Zhan even human?"
Su Zhan himself seemed mildly surprised by the ease of his victory. "Is this what passes for a peak Qi Sea Realm patriarch? Rather disappointing." He shifted his gaze to the remaining two patriarchs. "Next. It's your turn."
Though shaken by witnessing their colleague's instant death, Patriarchs Chen and Li forced themselves to adopt battle-ready stances.
"We can't retreat now!" Patriarch Chen snarled. "We've committed too much to back down!"
"Brother Zhao was simply caught off guard," Patriarch Li added, trying to convince himself as much as his ally. "Now that we understand his abilities, there's no way he can kill us both with such ease!"
Through gritted teeth, both patriarchs signaled to their accompanying elders—more than ten experts at the late stage of the Qi Sea Realm—to attack simultaneously.
"Hmph. I suppose I might not be able to kill you with one sword," Su Zhan mused with theatrical disappointment. "But I can certainly manage it with two. How did you become patriarchs with such limited intelligence?"
With an almost bored sigh, Su Zhan raised his sword once more.
The Heavenly Frost Sword Intent descended like the judgment of winter itself. Two more crescent blades of ice-blue energy flew forth, each finding its mark with deadly precision.
Both remaining patriarchs fell, their bodies frozen solid before they hit the ground.
"Young Master Su, please have mercy! We surrender! We're willing to submit completely!"
Witnessing their leaders cut down without even the semblance of a fight, the accompanying elders immediately dropped to their knees, prostrating themselves desperately without any regard for their dignity or pride.
"Surrender..." Su Zhan paused thoughtfully, then glanced toward his father. "What do you think, Father?"
At that moment, Su Tianhai stood in complete bewilderment, his mind struggling to process what he had just witnessed.
When Su Zhan asked for his opinion, Su Tianhai's mouth opened and closed wordlessly.
You're asking for MY opinion? Can I honestly say that I'm completely confused right now? You just killed Patriarch Zhao—a peak Qi Sea Realm expert—with a single sword strike. Isn't this level of power somewhat... excessive?
The banquet hall remained frozen in absolute silence, everyone too shocked to even breathe properly as they tried to comprehend the magnitude of what had just occurred.