"What? Turns out he's an expert at the Fourth Level of the Xuanwu Realm!"
"How long has it been since our Yunhai Prefecture has produced a Xuanwu Realm expert of the Fourth Level?"
"My goodness, why is there such a powerful figure in the Ouyang family?"
"It seems like a major change is imminent in Yunhai Prefecture. The Fourth Level of the Xuanwu Realm is a game-changer, enough to turn the tide!"
The crowd erupted into an uproar, exclaiming in shock. In the path of martial arts, stepping into the Xuanwu Realm was akin to touching the heavens. Progressing within the realm was even more difficult, yet the man before them had already reached the Fourth Level!
"Now, do you think it's enough?" Wang Lingxiao smirked proudly.
Ouyang Hongyu laughed heartily, his aura surging into the sky. He roared, "The title of the first family belongs to mine! Anyone who dares to object, step forward!"
Silence fell upon the gathered families. Many shook their heads helplessly.
Ouyang Hongyu exuded such an overwhelming presence that none dared challenge him.
"That depends on the Zhao family. Do they have the courage to rise to the challenge?"
"I reckon the Zhao family will give up as well."
All eyes turned to the Zhao family.
"It's really the Fourth Level of the Xuanwu Realm..." Zhao Qian muttered, his face pale. Confronted with such overwhelming power, he slowly closed his eyes.
Too strong!
An expert of the Fourth Level could crush him in a single move.
With his own strength at the Third Level, there was no hope of victory!
"Alas, our Zhao family's reign as the first family is coming to an end!"
"I can't accept it! What a pity that we encountered such an overwhelming force!" Zhao Menghu lamented, but he knew there was nothing he could do.
At the Fourth Level of the Xuanwu Realm, one person alone could dictate the laws of the prefecture. Even the Prefecture Master would have to regard him as an equal!
"It seems the Seven Families Meeting has reached its conclusion."
Seated at the main dais, Lin Changqing glanced at the imposing Wang Lingxiao and smiled faintly.
This outcome was no surprise. The Ouyang family had the support of the Wang family. How could they fail to seize the title of the first family?
Turning his gaze toward Zhao Qian, Lin Changqing asked in a deep voice, "Zhao family, do you wish to challenge the Ouyang family?"
"I... I am willing to forfeit. I relinquish the title of the first family..."
Tears welled in Zhao Qian's eyes as he gritted his teeth, his voice trembling.
As the words left his mouth, his energy seemed to drain away, aging him years in mere moments.
"Congratulations, Master Ouyang!"
"From now on, we pledge our allegiance to the Ouyang family!"
"Meng Ye of the Meng family greets the new head of the first family."
A chorus of voices erupted, showering praise on the Ouyang family.
Laughter spread through the crowd.
Ouyang Zhihao guffawed, his aura bursting forth like a raging flame.
"From today onward, the Ouyang family reigns supreme!"
Ouyang Hongyu declared triumphantly.
Lin Changqing nodded with a smile. "Very well. Since no one dares to challenge them, I officially declare the Ouyang family the first family of Yunhai Prefecture!"
"I hope the Ouyang family will lead the other families in loyalty to the palace and strengthen Yunhai Prefecture."
"Rest assured, Prefecture Master! I shall not disappoint you!" Ouyang Hongyu proclaimed.
"Then, I now name the Ouyang family as—"
Before Lin Changqing could finish, a calm voice interrupted.
"Hold it."
A hush fell over the hall.
Lin Changqing frowned, turning toward the source of the voice. He saw Xiao Chen fiddling with his fingers, his expression indifferent.
Lin Changqing's face darkened. "Why would a junior like you interrupt an official decree of the prefecture?"
"What right do you have to speak?"
Xiao Chen straightened up and replied coolly, "Prefecture Master, Zhao Qian is not the master of the Zhao family. Because I am."
"What!?"
Lin Changqing's expression shifted. To him, Xiao Chen's words were pure mockery!
With the Zhao family's strength, even if they lost the title of first family, surely they wouldn't stoop to appointing a mere junior as their head?
Lin Changqing bellowed in fury, "Insolence! Are you mocking me? Get out, or I shall punish you!"
On the other side, Ouyang Hongyu's face twisted in anger. He glared at Xiao Chen and sneered coldly.
"You again! Within an hour, I will take your life!"
From the seats, others jeered.
"Who does this kid think he is? Get lost!"
"He's lost his mind!"
"Who let this lunatic into such an important event?"
Only the Meng family remained silent. Their gazes upon Xiao Chen carried an indescribable complexity.
At first, the notion had seemed absurd.
But Zhao Qian had confirmed it himself. It could not be false!
Even if it was unbelievable, it was still the truth.
Zhao Qian slowly stood up, cupping his hands.
"Prefecture Master, he speaks the truth. My Zhao family is indeed subordinate to Young Master Xiao."
"Thus, when Young Master Xiao says I cannot decide, he is correct."
"What?"
A wave of gasps rippled through the hall.
For the first time, Lin Changqing showed genuine shock.
He stared at Zhao Qian in disbelief. "Did you just say the Zhao family recognizes this junior as its master?"
"That's right." Zhao Qian nodded firmly.
"Wow."
The entire crowd inhaled sharply.
Yang Che's expression was blank.
He had known Xiao Chen the longest. Their families were once close, and he was well aware of Xiao Chen's background. But now...
How had this country bumpkin suddenly become the master of the Zhao family?
This had to be a joke!
Even if the Zhao family had lost its bid for supremacy, their foundation remained formidable.
To become their master, Xiao Chen's status had to be extraordinary!
In the entire Yunhai Prefecture, only the Prefecture Master and Ouyang Hongyu outranked him now!
This was an absurd transformation!
Yang Che struggled to comprehend the shift, but it was too late to change anything.
Xiao Chen placed his hands behind his back and said calmly, "Now, do you still question my right to speak? It's time for you to ask for my decision."
Lin Changqing took a deep breath and slowly nodded. "Since the Zhao family acknowledges you as their master, you are naturally qualified to speak."
"Now, I ask you: Do you agree to the Ouyang family becoming the first family of Yunhai Prefecture?"
Xiao Chen smiled faintly. "Of course... I do not."
Pausing, he continued, "I hereby announce that the Zhao family officially challenges the Ouyang family!"