"Wait, what? Is Yang Shaoan really dead? But he had the Ouyang family backing him up!"
"Oh, Zhao Menghu, a superior in the Xuanwu Realm, actually attacked a junior!"
"What's more, who is that young man? He could actually command Zhao Menghu!"
"Tsk tsk, no matter what, this is a slap in the Ouyang family's face."
Everyone stared at Yang Shaoan's lifeless body, their minds racing with countless thoughts. The Ouyang and Zhao families had been long-time rivals, constantly scheming against each other in the shadows. Was this the moment when all their disputes would be laid bare?
"Shaoan!"
Yang Che's anguished cry echoed through the hall, his eyes instantly turning bloodshot. His only son had been murdered right before his eyes!
"You deserve to die, you wretch!" Yang Che glared at Xiao Chen, his voice shaking with fury, his hatred palpable.
"I swear, I will kill you!"
Yang Che dropped to his knees before Ouyang Hongyu. "Master Ouyang, please uphold justice for my son! We are an affiliated family of the Ouyang clan, yet my son was slaughtered like this! This is nothing short of blatant disrespect toward the Ouyang family!"
"Please, Master Ouyang, avenge my son! Make Xiao Chen pay with his life!"
"Say no more. I will see justice served!"
Ouyang Hongyu's expression darkened. As his deep voice echoed through the hall, his overwhelming aura burst forth.
"Zhao Menghu! How dare you kill someone right in front of me! Do you wish for death? I demand Xiao Chen's life as retribution!"
"If you want a fight, the Zhao family will be your fiercest opponent! Handing him over? Don't even think about it!" Zhao Menghu retorted firmly, refusing to back down.
"How dare you!" Ouyang Hongyu was taken aback. If he declared war against the Zhao family now, they would retaliate with everything they had. The resulting battle would leave both sides devastated. Such a decision would be reckless.
"Hmph, just you wait."
Ouyang Hongyu scoffed, his gaze icy as he looked at Zhao Menghu.
"After the Seven Families Meeting, my Ouyang family will reign supreme in Yunhai City. With the Wang family's support, I will personally see to it that you all suffer!"
"Master Ouyang!" Yang Che shouted in protest.
Ouyang Hongyu, however, remained composed. "A gentleman's revenge is never too late! Yang Che, wait. Their time will come, and when it does, I will make them pay!"
Just then, Ouyang Shaoyu stormed into the hall.
"Father, you must help me!"
Ouyang Hongyu's gaze hardened as he noticed the clear palm print on his son's face. "Shaoyu, what happened?"
"It's him!" Ouyang Shaoyu pointed at Xiao Chen, his voice brimming with resentment. "He struck me and even forced me to kneel and apologize! Father, you must kill him!"
An elder stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Master, this young man is formidable. I am no match for him."
"What? It's you again!" Ouyang Hongyu's aura erupted once more. He had initially thought Xiao Chen was merely bold enough to order Zhao Menghu to kill Yang Shaoan. He hadn't expected him to have the audacity to lay hands on his own son!
"You were lucky I decided to spare you. But now, you've sealed your fate! Blame no one but yourself!"
Ouyang Hongyu's killing intent intensified as he turned to Zhao Menghu. "Zhao Menghu, I will kill him today! If you try to protect him, I will declare war on you!"
Zhao Menghu hesitated and turned to Xiao Chen.
He didn't wish for an all-out war with the Ouyang family—unless there was no other choice.
"It's fine. I can handle this myself."
Xiao Chen stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Ouyang Hongyu. "I struck your son because he deserved it. What now? Do you seek to shield him?"
"Deserved it?" Ouyang Hongyu's face contorted in fury. "You dare be so arrogant in the face of death?"
"Ouyang Hongyu, allow me to deal with him!" A burly man stepped forward, his voice deep and unwavering.
Ouyang Hongyu nodded. "Thank you, Brother Wang Qiang."
"This brat dared to humiliate Young Master Shaoyu. Of course, I will teach him a lesson!"
Wang Qiang strode forward, each step making the ground tremble.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"You think you're powerful just because you defeated an old man at the first level of the Xuanwu Realm? Today, I'll show you what true strength is!"
A terrifying force erupted from Wang Qiang's body, his aura surging toward the heavens!
"The second level of the Xuanwu Realm!" He Guang gasped in fear.
"I'm afraid only Zhao Qian could stand against him!" The others trembled at the thought.
A second-level Xuanwu Realm expert was rare—there had only been two in all of Yunhai City. Now, a third had emerged!
"You're dead! Go to hell!" Wang Qiang roared, his face twisted in a ferocious grin.
Hiss! Hiss!
A mysterious energy erupted from his hands, forming a massive spectral python that lunged at Xiao Chen.
His figure flickered like a shadow as he closed the distance, his palm aimed straight at Xiao Chen's head!
"Second-level Xuanwu Realm?" Xiao Chen let out a low chuckle, his gaze icy. Since when did someone at that level dare to act so arrogantly before him?
He shifted his stance, his fingers like a blade stabbing forward.
"Spirit... Slaying Sword!"
A chilling light flashed!
It streaked through the air like lightning before vanishing entirely—so fast it seemed almost illusory.
"What happened?"
"Did he even move?"
The crowd was stunned, struggling to comprehend what had just transpired.
Then, a horrified voice broke the silence.
"Look at Wang Qiang's neck!"
All eyes turned to Wang Qiang. His hands clutched his throat, blood dripping between his fingers. He staggered, his expression filled with shock and disbelief.
He wanted to speak, but the words never came.
"He... he killed Wang Qiang with a single strike?" Ouyang Hongyu's face paled, his composure breaking.
"One slash? Good heavens!" He Guang gasped, his eyes filled with reverence as he stared at Xiao Chen.
A second-level Xuanwu Realm expert felled in an instant. Even Zhao Qian would struggle to achieve such a feat!
No wonder the Zhao family entrusted this young man with such authority.
"Hmm? Interesting!" A powerful man beside Ouyang Hongyu glanced at Xiao Chen, intrigued. He had to admit—the boy's strength was terrifying.
But to him, it was still insignificant.
"He took down Wang Qiang in one strike. Impressive. Do you need my assistance?" he asked.
Ouyang Hongyu hesitated before shaking his head. "No need. He is but a mere child. We can handle him."
At that moment, a commanding voice resonated through the hall.
"The Prefecture Master has arrived!"
[A/N]
HI author here am really sorry for not releasing new chapters since, but now i will start releasing them for the remainder of this week am mass releasing chapters so next week i can talk about how many chapters i will be releasing each day, but for now enjoy.