Wutan City, the Xiao Family.
The reception hall.
Xiao Zhan sat in the seat of honor, his face dark as water as he coldly surveyed the group of unwelcome visitors below.
"Patriarch Aoba Pa, Patriarch Jia Liebi, you've come uninvited, and you've brought so many people with you. What are you here for?!"
"Heh, Patriarch Xiao, your Xiao Family came here without even saying hello and took over a third of Wutan City's marketplace. Don't you think that's a bit much?"
The speaker was Aoba Pa, of the Aoba Clan, a native family of Wutan City.
A powerful Da Dou Shi.
Behind him stood several elderly men whose strength was on par with his!
"Patriarch Aoba Pa is right. Our two families have always coexisted peacefully in Wutan City. You suddenly barged in—what's that supposed to mean?"
The patriarch of the Jia Lie Clan, Jia Liebi, also sneered as he challenged him.
Three years ago, the entire Xiao Family had moved from Jiama Holy City to Wutan City.
As soon as they arrived, they swiftly seized a third of Wutan City's marketplace.
The income of the Jia Lie Clan and the Aoba Clan had fallen by a third overnight!
They were extremely displeased!
But out of deference to Xiao Lin's reputation, they hadn't dared to make trouble.
However, toward the end of last year, the two families had learned by chance that Xiao Lin, a Dou Wang, had succumbed to an old injury and died!
And so, after discussing it, the two families had decided to join forces and drive the Xiao Family out of Wutan City!
That was why they had come to pressure them today!
Xiao Zhan sneered. "My Xiao Family didn't just arrive yesterday. Why didn't you come last year?"
Aoba Pa's expression changed.
Jia Liebi said, "We were waiting for you to make the first move. Who knew you wouldn't take the hint when we gave you the chance!"
"Xiao Zhan! Since we've come here today, you must give us an explanation!"
Aoba Pa pressed him aggressively.
Xiao Zhan looked between the two men. "An explanation? Compensation? Or do you want to drive us out of Wutan City?!"
Aoba Pa quickly said, "Hey, hey, there's no need to put it so harshly. We're civilized people. We came here to discuss this with you, not to act like savages."
Jia Liebi nodded and said with a smile:
"Of course, if you're willing to hand over two-thirds of your annual income to our two families as compensation, then your Xiao Family staying in Wutan City isn't entirely out of the question!"
Xiao Zhan narrowed his eyes as Dou Qi slowly surged within him. "And if I refuse?"
In a secluded courtyard of the Xiao Family.
A little girl, three or four years old, sat in a pavilion.
Behind her, an aged figure appeared.
The old man bowed respectfully to the girl. "Miss, the two local forces in Wutan City are planning to drive the Xiao Family out of the city. Should I intervene?"
"No need. Our goal is that thing. Whether the Xiao Family can establish itself in Wutan City has nothing to do with us."
The little girl shook her head. A calmness far beyond her years appeared on her tender face.
"Yes."
The old man nodded and prepared to leave.
Just then, the little girl suddenly spoke. "Elder Ling, I'll still have to trouble you to keep an eye on things from the shadows. If they start fighting, make sure Patriarch Xiao stays alive. After all... only he knows where that thing is."
"Understood, Miss."
The old man twisted his body, turning into a shadow that merged with the shadow of the pavilion behind him, then vanished completely.
The little girl sighed wistfully. "Father really is something. I'm still so young, and he's already making me handle this sort of thing without even asking whether I agree."
"If you refuse, then we'll just have to escort the Xiao Family out of Wutan City!"
Jia Liebi sneered and waved a hand.
The several old men behind him, along with several elders of the Aoba Clan, all stepped forward at once!
They unleashed the full force of their Da Dou Shi auras!
The Jia Lie Clan and the Aoba Clan had brought eight Da Dou Shi experts!
If it came to a fight, the Xiao Family had only four Da Dou Shi, including Xiao Zhan.
They were no match!
But Xiao Zhan didn't give an inch!
"Hmph! You really think my Xiao Family is afraid of you?"
Xiao Zhan clenched his fists!
Pale green Dou Qi swiftly covered his entire body.
It gathered over his face, forming a phantom lion's head!
The Xiao Family's top cultivation technique, Mad Lion Furious Aura, a mid-tier Xuan-rank technique!
Behind him, the Xiao Family's three elders also stepped forward at once!
Both sides were poised to fight!
"The Jia Lie Clan and the Aoba Clan are despicable! They've actually joined forces against our Xiao Family!"
"If I weren't just a Dou Zhe, I'd rush over and slap them!"
"Those two old bastards are a pair of cowards who only bully the weak. When Patriarch Xiao Lin was still alive, they didn't dare utter a peep!"
"After Patriarch Xiao Lin died, these people started popping out of the woodwork. This is just too much!"
The Xiao Family members all clenched their fists, but a fight between Da Dou Shi was beyond the reach of ordinary Dou Zhe like them!
All they could do was rage helplessly from the sidelines.
"Heh, I've long heard that the Xiao Family's Mad Lion Furious Aura is formidable. Today, let me see it for myself!"
Jia Liebi laughed loudly. Dou Qi surged wildly within him and gathered in his palm as he slammed it toward Xiao Zhan.
At the same time, the other experts from both families charged at the Xiao Family's three elders!
They struck with lethal moves right from the start!
They clearly meant to kill them all and put an end to the matter once and for all!
With their numerical advantage, the two families fought two against one, and the four Xiao Family members soon fell into a disadvantage.
Dou Qi swept through the reception hall without pause.
Tables and chairs lay shattered everywhere, and even the floor was pocked with several craters the size of basketballs!
But even with grave injuries, Xiao Zhan and the others still refused to surrender.
He hadn't expected Jia Liebi and Aoba Pa to be so determined—to really wipe out the Xiao Family!
"Elders, I'll hold them off. Take the clan's elite and leave first."
Xiao Zhan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He was ready to sacrifice himself!
"Patriarch!"
For the first time, the three men called him that from the bottom of their hearts.
Xiao Zhan gave a bitter smile. "If I had my father's strength, no one could bully me. The Xiao Family's future is in your hands!"
"Xiao Zhan, there's no need to leave your last words. We'll make sure your clansmen join you in the grave!"
Jia Liebi burst into a smug, wild laugh.
A vicious smile also appeared on Aoba Pa's face.
"You think you can?"
Xiao Zhan grinned. Dou Qi surged wildly within him as he abruptly shoved the three elders away. "Go!"
Then, alone, he charged at the eight Da Dou Shi!
"Patriarch!"
"Taking on eight alone? Xiao Zhan, you think far too highly of yourself!"
Jia Liebi sneered repeatedly.
But just as the attacks of the eight men were about to land on Xiao Zhan—
Suddenly!
A terrifying force instantly sent all eight of them flying!
They crashed heavily to the ground!
Pfft!
Every one of them spat out a mouthful of blood!
"Who is it?!"
Jia Liebi scrambled to his feet and looked around in terror.
"You eight Da Dou Shi are mere ants, yet you think you can wipe out the Xiao Family I intend to protect? You're not worthy!"
A voice like a great bell boomed through the reception hall!
That single voice alone caused several elders of the Jia Lie Clan and the Aoba Clan to explode into clouds of blood!