"Arrogance beyond measure!"
The Sect Master of the Qianqiu Sect hadn't spoken yet, but the elders below couldn't sit still any longer. They stood up one by one, expressing their anger. Submit? It was laughable for them to even think of such a thing.
"I wonder what the Su Family has to qualify for the Qianqiu Sect's submission?" The Sect Master of the Qianqiu Sect remained relatively calm as he posed this question.
"The Qianqiu Sect has no choice. If you refuse, the next time we come, it might not be at the True Martial Realm." Su Zide's voice held a hint of threat.
"Next time? I don't know if there will be a next time, but I do know that you won't have another chance." A voice suddenly came from the back hall – an old man leaning on a crutch had walked out.
"Ancestor."
Seeing the newcomer, the Sect Master of the Qianqiu Sect and the elders present all stood up and paid their respects.
The old man didn't respond; he just sat in the main seat. His slightly cloudy eyes glanced at the two visitors.
"Qianqiu Ancestor."
Su Zide and Su Ziqiang only nodded slightly. Though they were just at the True Martial Realm, they represented the Su Family in this moment. Their lives might be forfeit, but the reputation of the Su Family couldn't be compromised.
"Is the ancestor trying to attack the two of us?" Su Zide took out a talisman paper from the space ring while speaking.
After seeing that piece of talisman, Ancestor Qianqiu had a strong threat that that piece of talisman would kill him.
"This is a piece of avatar talisman paper. It has the strength of the late Profound Origin Realm. It is enough to slaughter Qianqui Sect. Even if you can escape Qianqiu Ancestor, this Qianqiu Valley can only be reduced to Death Valley." Su Zide was not embarrassed at all and directly threatened.
"You…"
The Qianqiu Ancestor stood up, his expression shifting slightly. He knew the two were telling the truth. Even the separation talisman paper possessed the strength of a Profound Origin Realm's late stage. This indicated that its owner was likely at the Peak Profound Origin Realm, or even a Heavenly Origin Realm expert.
His words were correct – even if he managed to escape, the Qianqiu Valley would become nothing more than a dead valley. Moreover, he had overestimated himself.
Though he seemed to be just a step away from the middle stage of the Profound Origin Realm, he had been stuck there for decades. He couldn't escape, even with his foundation's support. At the very least, he'd suffer severe injuries.
"Our Patriarch wants the two of you to visit the Su Family. You might be able to make a better choice."
"Very well, then the old man will pay a visit to the Su Family." The Qianqiu Ancestor was already calculating in his mind. Going to the Su Family was simply to examine this so-called Su Family.
He understood that submitting was the best outcome, but he wanted to know the Su Family's foundation – what would make the Qianqiu Sect willingly submit.
"Okay." The Qianqiu Ancestor spoke this way, and the two of them were naturally pleased.
Afterward, the Qianqiu Ancestor arranged matters with the Qianqiu Sect Master, leaving together with him.
"Cloud Mist Mountain."
The Qianqiu Ancestor had been a frequent guest in the Falling Cloud Mountain Range, naturally recognizing their current location as Cloud Mist Mountain.
"This is my Su Family." A trace of pride flashed across both their faces.
The Qianqiu Sect Master's cultivation was too low to realize this. He wanted to attack and reveal the array, exposing Su Family's true appearance.
"No." The Qianqiu Ancestor wanted to remind him, but the Qianqiu Sect Master had already acted.
The formation became visible.
Sword radiance condensed from starlight streaked towards the Qianqiu Sect Master. The Qianqiu Ancestor swiftly intervened, blocking for the Sect Master. The Qianqiu Ancestor grunted as he suppressed the surging blood energy, his face turning pale. It was evident he was injured.
Seeing that the sword radiance hadn't killed the two, the array gathered more sword radiance. Su Zide and Su Ziqiang quickly used their identity tokens to control the array.
Scaring them a bit was enough. If they died for real, their trip would have been in vain.
"Qianqiu Ancestor, apologies."
The two spoke cheerfully, though their faces showed no remorse. The Qianqiu Ancestor naturally understood this logic, but he couldn't directly address it. When he blocked the sword radiance, he felt seven auras sweeping over him, each not weaker than his own.
When under someone else's roof, one has to bow their head!
"Blame it on my junior. Otherwise, how could it trigger the upper family's guardian formation?" The Qianqiu Ancestor said, glaring at the Qianqiu Sect Master. He established his authority and even used the term "upper family" to show it.
The Qianqiu Sect Master knew he was in the wrong and could only lower his head in embarrassment.
"Please come inside, gentlemen." The two used their identity tokens to deactivate the array, ushering the two inside.
Su Family's main hall.
After seating themselves, someone brought tea over.
The Qianqiu Ancestor glanced around. The hall was much larger than the Qianqiu Sect's. There were two chairs at the main seats, with two on each side, and five on each side beneath the steps.
The Qianqiu Ancestor looked at the four guards stationed around, as well as the two maids offering tea. They were all at the later stage of the Earth Martial Realm. Though the Qianqiu Sect had those at this realm, and even quite a few, they were far from using them as servants. These people were all Su Family's slaves with average talent, but they had been boosted by various means.
"Patriarch."
Upon seeing someone emerge from the back hall, the four guards and two maids quickly paid their respects.
The Qianqiu Ancestor and Qianqiu Sect Master also stood up, gazing at the middle-aged man.
The Qianqiu Ancestor dared not probe with his spiritual awareness, but a sense of danger emanated from Su Zeduan. Both greeted him with cupped hands, showing no arrogance.
However, they were unaware that Su Zeduan was only at the Peak of the Heavenly Martial Realm. The so-called threat was merely because Su Zeduan controlled the Su Family's guardian formation.
"Patriarch Su."
"No need for so much formality. Please, be seated."
Although Su Zeduan's cultivation was lower than theirs, he currently represented the Su Family. What use was a higher cultivation? Respectful and polite conduct was in order.
"I wonder what your thoughts are after considering our proposition?" Su Zeduan took a sip of tea, opening the conversation. He knew the two family elders had likely discussed it already.
"By all means, as ordered by Patriarch Su." After pondering for a moment, the Qianqiu Ancestor made a decision. As for the Qianqiu Sect Master, he had no say in the matter.
"Ahaha, congratulations on making a clear choice." Su Zeduan smiled.
"I'd like to know your thoughts on the emergence of the Qianqiu Sect." Su Zeduan didn't beat around the bush, directly asking the question.
The Qianqiu Ancestor was several hundred years old, quite clever. He immediately grasped Su Zeduan's meaning.
"The Qianqiu Sect is willing to emerge."
"Ancestor."
The Qianqiu Sect Master was about to say something, but a glance from the Qianqiu Ancestor silenced him.
"Once, the Ancestor prophesied that a ruins would emerge in Jinshan Prefecture a month later. Major forces will certainly participate, and that's when the Qianqiu Sect should emerge in the outside world!"
Su Zeduan directly arranged the matter. He never doubted his own Ancestor's words; he always followed them. As for how Su Xun knew, he naturally deduced it from the tasks issued by the system. Otherwise, his cultivation didn't include divination skills – how could he predict this?