**Chapter Title: The Confrontation in the Hall**
In the grand hall sat four men clad in azure robes, core disciples of the Dongfang family. As Zhao Yan and Dongfang Ling'er entered, all eyes sharply focused on them, their gazes as piercing as twin blades, ready at any moment to thrust through Zhao Yan's chest.
Zhao Yan felt their hostility and raised an eyebrow in response.
"Zhao Yan! I can't believe you, a lowly wretch, are still alive. How will you escape this time?" a young man stood up and sneered.
"Heh, I thought you said I was already dead? Yet here I am, alive and well," Zhao Yan replied with a calm smile.
His eyes shifted to another young man, "Zhao Chen, didn't you want to kill me last time? What's the matter, changed your mind in the meantime?"
"Zhao Yan, we will discuss this matter later! For now, I'm warning you, the affairs of the Dongfang family are none of your concern!" Zhao Chen barked in anger.
Despite his formidable prowess as an advanced body refining practitioner, Zhao Chen's tone remained somewhat polite towards Zhao Yan, knowing well that Zhao Yan was no match for him.
Zhao Yan, however, scoffed at the warning.
"Wrong, I'm definitely getting involved."
"Zhao Yan, don't push your luck! How dare you act so arrogantly in our presence?" Zhao Chen roared. His longstanding grudge against Zhao Yan had only deepened with time.
Due to Zhao Yan, the Zhao family had suffered greatly, now reduced to a shadow of its former self with only two mid-stage Golden Core practitioners left.
Zhao Chen had come with his team to reclaim their honor.
Though not as prominent as the family's young master or patriarch, Zhao Chen was a core member of the Dongfang family and held significant influence.
His words quickly found agreement among the others.
"Zhao Yan, if you know what's good for you, leave now, or we'll make your life a living hell!"
"That's right, Zhao Yan, keep your distance, or you're asking for trouble!"
"Zhao Yan, you really think you can contend with the Dongfang family just because you have Junior Sister Ling'er with you?"
"Don't forget the heinous crimes you've committed, Zhao Yan!"
The young disciples of the Dongfang family glared at Zhao Yan, their eyes filled with ferocity. These hotheaded youths, spoiled and arrogant, saw no need for civility towards someone they considered an insect.
Zhao Yan chuckled coldly, "Zhao Chen, you sure talk a lot, but I haven't been listening."
"Since you refuse to listen to reason, there's no point in sparing you!" Zhao Chen bellowed and lunged forward.
He thrust his hand out, and a mighty force surged, transforming into a dragon that lunged towards Zhao Yan.
"Heavenly Thunder Palm!"
Zhao Chen's attack was powerful, causing ripples in the air around him, demonstrating the devastating force of his palm strike. Even Zhao Chen felt overwhelmed by his own power.
Yet, he didn't cease his assault; he had to annihilate Zhao Yan to assert his status as a scion of the Dongfang family.
"Zhao Yan, today you'll learn the cost of provoking the Dongfang family!"
As Zhao Chen's palm struck out, the qi of heaven and earth furiously gathered into his hand, forming a cloud of thunder and lightning.
This cloud crackled with destructive energy, a terrifying spectacle.
Zhao Yan's gaze sharpened, knowing the severity of this strike, he quickly summoned the Mysterious Black Lotus.
The lotus appeared in front of him, intercepting the attack.
"BOOM!"
A thunderous explosion echoed.
To the shock of the onlookers, the palm strike smashed against the Mysterious Black Lotus.
"CRACK!"
Instantly, the lotus shattered, vanishing into the void.
This sight left everyone dumbstruck.
"My God, he took Zhao Chen's best strike without a scratch; how is that possible?"
"Zhao Chen's Heavenly Thunder Palm is a formidable technique. It's inconceivable that Zhao Yan emerged unscathed!"
Zhao Chen's expression darkened, his face twisted in anger, "Zhao Yan, will you survive this time?"
Zhao Yan simply shook his head.
"Since you know you can't beat me, why not kneel before me now?" Zhao Chen sneered, confident in his superiority.
Zhao Yan's physique was robust, but his foundations were weak; how could he withstand such an attack?
A smile spread across Zhao Yan's face.
"Kneel? Zhao Chen, has a donkey kicked your head?"
"What! How dare you insult me?" Enraged beyond measure, Zhao Chen rushed forward, his fist thundering out.
Zhao Yan maintained his composure, his right arm swinging out to deflect the blow.
"THUD!"
A dull collision sounded, and Zhao Yan broke through the attack, forcing Zhao Chen back.
Zhao Yan then casually advanced, looking at Zhao Chen with an even expression.
"Zhao Chen, are you admitting defeat?"
Zhao Chen's face turned sullen, realizing he was indeed no match for Zhao Yan.
His eyes narrowed slightly, fury rising within him.
"Zhao Yan, you bastard, once I recover from this injury, I'll tear you to pieces!"
While furiously shouting, Zhao Chen swallowed a healing pill, regaining some color in his face, no longer as pale and powerless as before.
However, his eyes still held a hint of fear, "Zhao Yan, your strength is indeed formidable! But you're unlucky to face me today, you're doomed!"
Zhao Yan smiled faintly, "You're quite confident, Zhao Chen. But let me remind you, don't be too arrogant. There's always someone naturally stronger than you!"
Hearing Zhao Yan's words, the surrounding Dongfang family disciples laughed uproariously.
"This guy is hilarious!"
"Zhao Chen is a high-caliber talent, reputed to have reached the fifth or sixth layer of body refining. Zhao Yan's disdain for him is like asking to be crushed."
"He really doesn't know how high the sky is. Although strong, his talent is lacking. If not for that, why would he even be in the Dongfang family?"
Zhao Chen's demeanor softened slightly, realizing Zhao Yan's strength wasn't as formidable as he had imagined, or else he wouldn't have been defeated so easily.
"Zhao Yan, today I'll show you the consequences of offending me, Zhao Chen!" With a snort, Zhao Chen attacked again.
This time, he used his most terrifying move yet, a self-created version of the Heavenly Thunder Palm called Thunderclap Palm, which could summon the power of thunder and lightning from the void with a single strike.