"Ding-dong! Successfully confirmed as the Child of Destiny, Nanyang." The system's voice rang out.
Nan Xunran's gaze followed, landing right atop Nanyang's head where a panel flickered into view.
Nanyang
Identity: Child of Destiny
Heaven's Mandate Points: 350/600 points
Inheritance: Ancient Formation Inheritance
Close Relations: Sworn Elder Brother Nanyongyan (Nan Clan main household disciple)
Father Nanzhong (Second Attendant's son)
The coercion released by Nan Xunran was like a surging tide, sweeping over the entire area with a suffocating might.
The crowd felt an irresistible, crushing weight suddenly strike, and their bodies were involuntarily pressed heavily down.
Their legs trembled as they wanted to struggle and rise. Some wore expressions of pain on their faces, while others were struck with terror, yet all could only breathe with extreme difficulty under this coercion.
Nanyang attempted to resist this formidable coercion.
He gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with unwillingness as his body twisted continuously, trying to shake off the binding of the heavy pressure.
Finally, Nanyang could no longer sustain it, his knees buckling with a thud as he collapsed to the ground.
His face was filled with resentment and humiliation.
Nan Xunran waved his hand lightly, and that terrifying coercion instantly dispersed, causing everyone to suddenly feel a sense of immense relief as their bodies gradually recovered their freedom.
Only, this coercion did not entirely vanish, but remained solely upon Nanyang.
Nan Xunran lowered his gaze to look at Nanyang, who knelt on the ground struggling bitterly, and said slowly, "Yesterday I heard the head of the Exotic Beast Hall say someone from the branch household attempted to steal the Wind-Thunder Beast—was it you?"
Under the heavy pressure, Nanyang raised his head with difficulty, his eyes filled with resentment, and said through clenched teeth, "Hmph, so what if it was!"
Nan Xunran chuckled: "In recent years the main household has been lax in managing the branch household, actually letting today's branch household breed someone who commits theft? Should I dispatch some servants to the branch household to manage things?"
Though his face carried a seemingly gentle smile, his gaze revealed an unquestionable majesty.
The entire arena fell into a dead silence, with only Nanyang's heavy panting echoing in the air.
Hearing this, the people of the branch household were all struck with terror, their hearts filled with dread and panic.
They did not want people from the main household to come, so they glared secretly at Nanyang one after another, their hearts filled with malice toward him, resenting his actions for bringing such a massive crisis upon the entire branch household.
Yet matters had reached this point, and they had no choice but to plead for Nanyang.
An elderly branch household member walked forward tremblingly, respectfully bowing and cupping his fist as he said, "Lord Divine Son, Nanyang is young, ignorant, and confused for a moment to commit such a wrong. Our branch household will definitely discipline him severely, and we ask Lord Divine Son to show mercy."
Nanyang's body trembled slightly, but his eyes were filled with obstinacy and defiance.
He roared with gnashed teeth: "Get lost! I don't need you to plead for me, let them come! What divine son, he's nothing more than a hollow name!"
Hearing Nanyang's such disrespectful words, the branch family members were all shocked out of their wits. They looked at Nan Xunran in terror, and the elderly branch family member's expression turned extremely unsightly.
He hastily said, "Nanyang, cease your wild babbling! Will you not hurry and apologize to Lord Divine Son!"
Other branch family members also spoke up to advise: "Nanyang, stop acting on impulse! Why won't you quickly plead for mercy from Lord Divine Son!"
Nanyang remained utterly unmoved; he still stiffened his neck and glared fiercely at Nan Xunran.
Nan Xunran watched everything before him quietly, remaining indifferent.
The powerful coercion he radiated all over made it impossible to resist, making the surrounding air feel as though it had frozen solid.
All the branch family members present grew even more trembling under this coercion, daring only to lower their voices to persuade him in whispers, filled with apprehension and unease, not knowing what to do.
They could only gaze anxiously at Nanyang while nervously watching Nan Xunran's reaction.
Nan Xunran slowly raised his hand, his slender fingers extending accordingly without any undue haste.
In a fleeting moment, a yet stronger coercion—as if it could destroy everything—burst forth from that finger with a boom.
The coercion carried a suffocating oppressive sensation, rapidly permeating every corner with the momentum of a collapsing mountain and overwhelming sea, making the surrounding air seem on the verge of being squeezed out of shape.
At this moment Nanyang lay prone on the ground in utter wretchedness, his face mercilessly pressed out of shape under this formidable coercion, his original visage growing increasingly twisted and unsightly.
Following that, Nan Xunran cast his gaze slowly toward the crowd.
Then, with an incomparably elegant posture, he lightly curled his index finger and placed it to his lips, making a shushing gesture.
The entire scene instantly fell into absolute silence, and everyone quieted down involuntarily.