The Pessimistic Su Family, the Silent Showdown

Elsewhere.

The Mangshan Su Clan naturally received news that the Li Family was about to attack.

The Second Elder, Su Bai, who was temporarily overseeing clan affairs, summoned many of the Su Family's higher-ups to discuss a response.

"The Grand Elder has entered a death seclusion and has yet to emerge. The family head and Fourth Elder went to the prefectural city and still haven't returned. What does our Su Family have to resist the Li Family with?"

The Su Family's Third Elder spoke with a face full of despair.

The Su Family higher-ups all sighed and lamented as well.

Seeing the clan's spirits so low, the Second Elder could not help but feel powerless.

"No matter what, our Su Family will not meekly await death. Even if we die, we'll bite a chunk of flesh off the Li Family."

Su Bai gritted his teeth as he spoke.

"Everyone, this is the most dangerous moment our Su Family has faced in two hundred years since its founding. We must prepare for the worst. Seventh Elder, take the family's remaining spark and leave the mountain by the small path. Go quickly. If the Su Family cannot endure, change your names and surnames, and leave Ascending Dragon Prefecture!"

Everyone immediately voiced their agreement.

Only the Seventh Elder sprang to his feet in a rage. "What, do you all think I'm some coward who fears death? If anyone is leaving, you leave. I'm not going!"

"Seventh, what time do you think this is? Stop acting on impulse!"

Su Bai stood and roared angrily.

"No one said you fear death. I know you aren't afraid to die either. But we're all old bones. Even if we don't die now, we only have a few good years left. You're different. You're still young, and the family's spark still needs your protection. Do you understand?"

The Seventh Elder froze on the spot.

"What are you still standing there for? Get moving!"

Su Bai viciously kicked the Seventh Elder in the leg and roared in fury.

That kick sent the Seventh Elder staggering, nearly knocking him off his feet.

He took a deep look at everyone present, gritted his teeth, then turned and left without looking back.

Seeing this, the Second Elder finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he said, "Everyone, the Su Family's retreat has been arranged. We should still have half an hour. If you have any unfinished business, hurry and settle it."

The pessimism in Su Bai's words infected everyone.

"The mighty Mangshan Su Clan... how did it come to this?"

The Fourth Elder said through streaming tears.

Thinking of the family's impending destruction, several Elders began to sob quietly.

"You're all old bones already. Why put on such a womanly display? Aren't you ashamed?"

The Second Elder rebuked them angrily.

"Second Brother, we aren't crying for ourselves. We're crying for the family."

The Second Elder opened his mouth, but in the end, he slumped helplessly into his chair.

"We are all sinners of the Su Family."

"It isn't the final moment yet, and you've already put on those dead-man faces. Who are you putting on this show for?"

A voice suddenly rang out.

The Su Family Elders abruptly raised their heads and saw an Old Man slowly walking in through the main gate.

Everyone subconsciously rubbed their eyes.

"It's... it's the Grand Elder! The Grand Elder has emerged from seclusion! Our Su Family is saved!"

Several Elders cried out excitedly.

But seeing Su Changqing's pale face, a bad premonition rose in their hearts.

Facing everyone's expectant gazes,

Su Changqing sighed and shook his head. "Heaven does not grant one's wishes. All efforts have come to naught."

Yes, Su Changqing's breakthrough had failed.

Not only had the breakthrough failed, but he had also damaged his vitality. He did not have many days left to live.

After all, he was not the protagonist.

Upon hearing this despairing news, everyone instantly felt as though the sky had fallen. Their vigor and spirit were drained away in an instant, leaving them like walking corpses.

But then Su Changqing changed the subject, rekindling a sliver of hope in their eyes.

"Although I did not break through successfully, dealing with a Li Xinge who has only just entered the Qi and Blood Realm will still be more than easy enough. By the way, where is Su Zhe?"

Only then did Su Changqing realize that at this critical moment of life and death for the family, Su Zhe, the Su Family Head, was nowhere to be seen. This was something Su Changqing could not tolerate.

Hearing Su Changqing mention Su Zhe,

Su Bai gave a bitter smile.

"Some time ago, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion held an auction. The family head took Fifth Elder to the prefectural city, hoping to buy a Qi and Blood Pill for the family, but they still haven't returned."

Su Changqing's expression stiffened.

Only after a long while did he sigh. "I understand him. He is most likely doomed already. It seems even Heaven does not favor my Mangshan Su Clan."

Everyone's faces suddenly turned pale.

The First Elder was dead.

The family head was most likely doomed as well.

The Grand Elder's breakthrough had failed, and his days were numbered.

The decline of the Mangshan Su Clan had become a foregone conclusion. Even this was the best possible outcome.

"Since matters have come to this, all we can do is fight to the death. Su Bai, let us go meet this young man who has made our Mangshan Su Clan suffer beyond measure."

Half an hour later.

Li Xinge and his party finally arrived at the foot of Mangshan.

What he saw left Li Xinge somewhat surprised.

At the foot of the mountain, the Mangshan Su Clan's forces stood in tight formation, ready for battle.

"Li Family Head, the Mangshan Su Clan has been waiting here for quite some time."

A vigorous voice rang out in laughter.

Then Li Xinge saw an Old Man dressed in purple robes slowly walk out from the crowd opposite him.

The moment the Purple Robe Old Man appeared, Li Xinge's attention focused on him.

Though they had never met, Li Xinge knew who he was.

"Su Family Grand Elder, this junior greets you!"

Li Xinge cupped his hands toward him from afar.

Looking at Li Xinge's handsome and spirited appearance,

Su Changqing had to admit that he truly was a Kirin Child.

"Your two families have ultimately come to this point."

Su Changqing said with some emotion.

"If your Su Family had not pressed us so relentlessly, why would our two families have needed to meet blade against blade?"

Su Changqing neither agreed nor disagreed with Li Xinge's words.

If their positions had been reversed and the Su Family had fallen into hardship, the Li Family would likewise never have missed the chance to kick them when they were down.

Unfortunately, man's plans could not match Heaven's designs. The Li Family had Li Xinge, and thus everything had come to naught.

"I have long heard of Senior's great reputation. Today, this junior shall seek some guidance."

A blazing fighting spirit ignited in Li Xinge's eyes.

Ever since breaking through to the Qi and Blood Realm, every enemy he had encountered had been crushed one-sidedly.

Now that he finally had an opportunity to fight a cultivator of the same realm, Li Xinge had been looking forward to it for a long time.

He wanted to know where his limits lay.

"That is exactly my intention. Let me witness the skills of the Li Family's Kirin Child!"

Su Changqing laughed heartily.

As his words fell, a chill flashed through his eyes, as though he had become a different person.

Su Changqing unleashed his aura without restraint. It poured forth like a raging storm, carrying a suffocating pressure.

The strength of an established Qi and Blood Realm Cultivator was beyond doubt.

Naturally, Li Xinge refused to be outdone. He immediately released his own aura in return.

Their auras were like two surging torrents, colliding violently in midair. Even a stray wisp of the power leaking from them could easily tear apart a Body Realm expert.

Both sides hurriedly retreated, watching this clash of auras from afar.

This silent contest continued for a long time, only coming to a stop when Li Xinge and Su Changqing each took a step back.

The two looked at one another, their eyes filled with wariness.

The silent contest had ended.

The true showdown was about to begin.