Does the Emperor Clan's Su Family owe you? I don't like that look in your eyes

Miao Yin Yun smiled faintly.

"As expected of someone from the Su Family."

"You keep your word."

"In that case, this is the person I have chosen."

As soon as she finished speaking,

the young man beside her stepped forward, abruptly unleashing his aura.

Boom!

Shenkong Ye said, "I've long heard that the Emperor Clan's prodigies possess extraordinary strength. Today, let me see it for myself."

A vast, ancient pressure surged from his body. Faint golden patterns appeared on his skin, as though the bloodline of an ancient deity were awakening.

He drove his cultivation at the peak of the Jijie Realm to its fullest, making even the air in the hall grow thicker.

"The Desolate Ancient Sacred Body?"

Shangyu Su narrowed his eyes, recognizing the ancient aura emanating from his opponent.

The Desolate Ancient Sacred Body was one of the ten great sacred bodies hailed as invincible within their own realm in primordial times. Its flesh was indestructible, its vital energy as mighty as the ocean, and almost no one could rival it in close combat.

The Su Family elders began discussing it.

"This boy actually possesses the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body?"

"Wasn't that physique supposed to have vanished long ago? How could..."

Shangyu Su spoke calmly.

"You're relying on his special physique alone? I'm afraid that won't be enough."

"My cultivation is in the Saint Realm, a full major realm above yours. Do you need me to suppress it?"

Shenkong Ye sneered, his eyes brimming with disdain. "No need."

He stood with his hands behind his back, his golden eyes filled with the arrogance of one who looked down upon the world.

The Desolate Ancient Sacred Body had never lost against anyone within the same realm. He had every reason for his confidence.

Even against Shangyu Su, whose cultivation stood a full major realm above his own, he was confident he could crush him through the physical advantages of his sacred body.

"Even across realms..."

"I'll defeat you all the same."

Such arrogance!

The Su Family elders' expressions darkened.

When had members of their Emperor Clan ever been treated with such contempt?

"Young lady." The third elder sat in his seat, his graying brows knitted tightly together as he tapped the armrest twice with measured force.

"Isn't this going a little too far?"

"When your grandfather had little lifespan remaining, that old bastard Yun Ya thanked me a thousand times over when I brought out the Saint Origin Pill. He said our families would be joined by marriage from then on and never betray each other."

"Now, three hundred years later, his lifespan has stabilized, and his cultivation has even risen a notch. Yet he sends a junior to our door to break off the engagement."

The third elder's voice was not loud, but everyone present heard him clearly.

The elder accompanying the Yun Family waved a hand with a genial smile, playing the peacemaker.

"Please don't be angry, third elder. Let the juniors resolve their own affairs. Miao Yin is a stubborn child. She insists on following the rules no matter what we say, so it wouldn't be right for us elders to interfere, would it?"

Miao Yin Yun turned her delicate hand over, and a jade vial appeared.

"Senior, you once used a Saint Origin Pill to extend my grandfather's life. Today, I will repay you double."

"But this engagement must be dissolved."

The third elder's gaze turned piercing, and he laughed in his fury. "Hmph! The Yun Family. What a fine Emperor Clan the Yun Family is!"

Shangyu Su rose from his seat.

"Grandfather, let me handle this."

Faced with the Yun Family's broken promise, he did not grow angry. He merely raised a hand calmly.

"Your name is Shenkong Ye, correct?"

"The Desolate Ancient Sacred Body. Not bad. I'd also like to witness this legendary physique today. Since that's the case, let's begin."

Shenkong Ye laughed loudly. "Exactly what I wanted!"

The two were about to head outside the hall.

Just then, unhurried footsteps sounded at the entrance.

"It's certainly lively in here."

Everyone turned toward the entrance at once.

A white-robed figure walked in.

The young man was incomparably handsome, his bearing lofty and refined as jade.

His pace was neither fast nor slow, yet with every step, the entire hall seemed to tremble faintly beneath his feet.

A little girl with golden hair and dragon horns followed behind him, craning her neck to peer into the hall.

The newcomer was none other than Su Linxian, who had only recently emerged from seclusion!

"Lord Divine Son?!"

Everyone in the hall rose at once.

Shenyue Su stood from the seat of honor and hurried forward, bowing. "Greetings, Lord Divine Son."

Dozens of elders behind him bowed in unison. "Your Highness!"

What?

The sight briefly stunned Miao Yin Yun. She frowned as she studied the white-robed young man.

She had never seen Su Linxian before. All she knew was that the Su Family had a Divine Son who had spent many years lost beyond the clan and had only recently been found.

She had assumed he merely held an empty title. Yet now, seeing the attitude of Shenyue Su and the elders, and sensing the elusive aura emanating from that figure, she felt an inexplicable chill in her heart.

Shenkong Ye looked over as well.

The instant his gaze fell upon Su Linxian, his pupils contracted sharply.

Such vital energy and physique?!

Possessing the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body, he was far more sensitive to vital energy and auras than ordinary people.

Yet he could sense nothing from the white-robed young man before him.

Ever since Shenkong Ye had first ventured into the world,

he had never felt such an oppressive presence from anyone his own age.

This guy...

He's strong!

His strength was unfathomable.

Su Linxian surveyed the hall, his gaze lingering briefly on Miao Yin Yun and Shenkong Ye before turning to Shenyue Su.

He spoke lightly.

"What's going on?"

Shenyue Su briefly explained the circumstances.

Three hundred years ago, the Yun Family's seventh elder had been nearing the end of his lifespan and had sought out the Su Family's third elder for help.

Out of regard for the longstanding friendship between their families, the third elder had gifted the Yun Family a Saint Origin Pill to prolong his life.

In exchange, the two families had established a marriage agreement—Miao Yin Yun, a daughter of the Yun Family's direct line, was betrothed to Shangyu Su, the third elder's grandson.

Su Linxian listened to the explanation.

His gaze swept over Miao Yin Yun before settling on Shenkong Ye.

A system panel appeared silently.

[Name: Shenkong Ye]

[Title: Heaven-Destined Protagonist]

[Physique: Desolate Ancient Sacred Body]

[Realm: Peak Jijie Realm]

[Fortune: 500000]

A Heaven-Destined Protagonist?

Su Linxian's gaze lingered on Shenkong Ye for another breath.

The Desolate Ancient Sacred Body was one of the ten great sacred bodies of primordial times, with unparalleled flesh and vital energy like an ocean.

If he stripped it away and refined it, it would greatly benefit his cultivation.

Shenkong Ye felt his skin crawl beneath that gaze. Forcing down the inexplicable chill in his heart, he scoffed.

"Since when did the Su Family have a Divine Son? How come I've never heard of him?"

As his words fell, the hall became deathly silent.

Even Miao Yin Yun's expression shifted slightly, and she said coldly,

"Shenkong Ye, shut your mouth!"

Shenkong Ye froze. "Miao Yin... you..."

Miao Yin Yun's beautiful eyes were icy as she spoke directly through voice transmission.

"The son of a Divine Emperor holds an incomparably exalted status. Even members of Emperor Clans like us wouldn't dare offend him."

"I brought you here to fulfill the agreement for me, not to stir up trouble!"

His usual arrogance was one thing, but what right did he have to speak on an occasion like this?

Shenkong Ye's face turned livid, but he said nothing more.

Miao Yin Yun stepped forward. "Lord Divine Son, this man comes from the lower realm and knows nothing of proper etiquette..."

Su Linxian glanced at her indifferently.

[Name: Miao Yin Yun]

[Title: Heaven-Destined Heroine]

[Realm: Sixth level of the Jijie Realm]

Su Linxian waved a hand and spoke.

"So, you came here to dissolve the engagement?"

His tone was mild, betraying neither joy nor anger.

Miao Yin Yun could not quite fathom the depths of this Divine Son of the Su Family.

But the pride in her bones would not allow her to show fear before someone her own age.

She straightened her back and lifted her chin, her voice cool and resolute.

"Yes."

The single word fell.

Boom!

An oppressive force abruptly descended!

It came without the slightest warning. No aura erupted, no divine ability took shape, and there was not even a trace of killing intent.

It was as though a stretch of sky had collapsed, crashing down upon Miao Yin Yun and Shenkong Ye!

"Young lady, watch out!"

The guardian beside Miao Yin Yun, who had been resting with his eyes closed, abruptly opened them. His expression changed drastically as he reached out to grab her.

But before he could extend his hand, that pressure forced him back three steps. The bluestone tiles beneath his feet burst apart, and blood surged into his throat.

"Pfft!"

Miao Yin Yun and Shenkong Ye had no time even to react.

Thud—

Two dull impacts sounded at once.

Miao Yin Yun's knees slammed into the floor, her kneecaps striking the bluestone tiles with a sharp cracking sound.

The cool, aloof face she took such pride in instantly drained of all color.

She lay prostrate on the floor, unable to muster even the strength to lift a finger.

Shenkong Ye fared even worse. The flesh of his Desolate Ancient Sacred Body was harder than divine iron, yet that pressure bent his back like a shrimp. He spewed a great mouthful of blood, the golden patterns of his sacred body flickering as though about to shatter.

[Ding! Heaven-Destined Protagonist Shenkong Ye has been severely injured. Fortune reduced by 30000!]

[Ding! Heaven-Destined Heroine Miao Yin Yun has been severely injured. Fortune reduced by 30000!]

[Congratulations, Master! You have gained 60000 Villain Points!]

"Wh-what kind of power is this?!"

"Lord Divine Son!?"

The sudden scene left the Su Family elders wide-eyed, exchanging stunned looks.

They knew their Divine Son's cultivation was terrifying, but watching him pin two Jijie Realm cultivators to the floor without uttering a word still sent a chill through their hearts!

The Emperor Realm!?

"This Divine Son of the Su Family..."

"His cultivation is in the Emperor Realm!?"

How was that possible!?

The accompanying Yun Family elder's face was deathly pale, his lips trembling as he struggled to utter a single word.

The instant that pressure descended, he had been unable even to conceive of resisting. It was as though an invisible giant hand had pressed down upon the crown of his head, and the slightest movement would grind his flesh and bones to dust!

What?!

Miao Yin Yun lay on the floor, trembling all over as she raised her head.

Blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, and fear finally appeared in those cool, aloof eyes.

She gazed at the white-robed figure towering above her, her throat so dry she could barely make a sound.

"The Great Emperor... Realm?"

Su Linxian looked down at her, his gaze indifferent.

"You heard it just now."

His voice was quiet, yet it reached everyone present with perfect clarity.

"Back then, your grandfather was at death's door and begged our clan's third elder for a Saint Origin Pill."

"A sacred pill that extends one's lifespan is exceedingly precious, yet the Su Family gave him one."

"Now that you've pocketed the benefits, you're telling me you want to turn against us?"

As he spoke, the surrounding pressure intensified, leaving Miao Yin Yun unable to breathe.

"Does the Su Family..."

"Owe you anything?"

Shenkong Ye lay prone on the floor, every bone in his body creaking.

The golden markings of his Desolate Ancient Sacred Body flickered beneath the pressure, as though they might shatter at any moment.

Yet his eyes remained fixed on Su Linxian, a near-mad defiance burning in his golden pupils.

"You..."

He clenched his teeth, blood seeping from his gums as he forced each word through them.

"Throwing your cultivation around to crush others... what kind of ability is that?!"

Miao Yin Yun lay beside him, her delicate body trembling, but she bit her lower lip and remained silent.

She still clung to a sliver of hope. The Su Family was an Emperor Clan, after all; surely they cared about saving face. With Shenkong Ye having said so much, if they actually struck him, word getting out would tarnish the Su Family's reputation.

Just as she was thinking this to herself.

Shenkong Ye suddenly jerked his head up, his golden slit pupils filled with unyielding resolve.

"I'm asking you!"

"Do you dare fight me at the same cultivation level?!"

Miao Yin Yun looked over in astonishment, her pupils widening slightly.

"Shenkong Ye, what are you saying?!"

At those words, the expressions of the Su Family elders in the hall changed in unison.

Nearby, a Yun Family elder struggled up from the floor, blood from the crushing pressure still staining the corner of his mouth. His face was livid as he spoke in a low voice.

"Your Highness, Divine Son, your profound cultivation commands our admiration."

"But today's matter concerns an agreement between our young lady and a member of your Su Family. Isn't it... rather inappropriate for you to forcibly intervene like this?"

"Is that so?" Su Linxian looked toward Shangyu Su.

"What do you think?"

Shangyu Su's mind reeled. Only after a long moment did he come to his senses and hastily reply.

"Everything is for you to decide, Divine Son!"

Su Linxian nodded slightly and said indifferently.

"You people of the Yun Family have worked your abacus nicely."

"You think a single fight will dissolve the betrothal."

Miao Yin Yun stiffened.

She lifted her head, trying to preserve her last shred of dignity, but beneath that gaze, she felt as though she had been stripped naked and thrown into a world of ice and snow, frozen stiff from soul to flesh.

"If you want to dissolve it, you may," Su Linxian said.

"Have your grandfather get his ass over here himself."

Miao Yin Yun's expression froze.

Su Linxian continued.

"Drain his blood, strip out his bones, and extract his Emperor Essence."

"Then we'll consider the matter settled."

"Hiss—"

Sharp intakes of breath rang out throughout the hall.

Drain his blood, strip out his bones, and extract his Emperor Essence—the Emperor Essence was the crystallized culmination of a cultivator's lifetime of cultivation.

Once it was extracted, he would die on the spot, his life and cultivation extinguished.

He was demanding that the Yun Family's seventh elder atone with his life.

Standing behind Su Linxian, Yu Yao peeked out, her golden slit pupils wide and round.

She looked at the two wretched figures on the floor and said with a giggle.

"That's what you get for being so shameless..."

"You even dared offend my master!"

Miao Yin Yun lay on the floor, trembling all over.

Her cool, exquisitely beautiful face had now lost every trace of color.

Her mind was in chaos.

Draining his blood, stripping out his bones, extracting his Emperor Essence—that meant taking her grandfather's life.

Three hundred years ago, her grandfather had nearly exhausted his lifespan. Only by kneeling and begging the Su Family's third elder for a Saint Origin Pill had he survived until today.

Now that she had come to break off the betrothal, the Su Family demanded her grandfather's life in repayment.

Miao Yin Yun gritted her teeth.

"Divine Son of the Su Family..."

"The Yun Family is willing to... to compensate you with twice as many Saint Origin Pills!"

"No need," Su Linxian said.

"You should know the difference between delivering coal in a snowstorm and adding flowers to brocade."

Miao Yin Yun raised her head to look at the white-robed figure before her.

For the first time, helplessness welled up in her heart.

Shenkong Ye lay beside her, his eyes bloodshot and his entire body trembling.

Though the pressure pinned him to the floor and left him unable to move, he had heard every word clearly.

Gritting his teeth, Shenkong Ye glared furiously at Su Linxian. The golden markings of his sacred body flashed wildly as he summoned every ounce of strength to struggle to his feet.

"Miao Yin!"

"Don't be afraid!"

Shenkong Ye braced both hands firmly against the floor, veins bulging like earthworms on their backs. The blood and vital energy of his Desolate Ancient Sacred Body surged madly through him, trying to break through that invisible pressure!

His back arched upward inch by inch, as though he were trying to shoulder an entire mountain weighing down on him.

"You..."

"What kind of ability is crushing people with your cultivation?! Fight me at the same cultivation level if you've got the guts!"

"I, Shenkong Ye, have nothing to fear!"

Su Linxian finally turned to look at him.

"You have no right to speak here."

"And another thing."

"I don't like the look in your eyes."

Hum.

He raised his hand and swept two fingers through the air.

Two dark-gold streaks of sword light shot from his fingertips, thin as hair and swift as streaming light.

Where the sword light passed, it sliced two fine black lines through the void. Even the spiritual energy circulating through the hall was silently annihilated before those two lines.

They plunged straight into Shenkong Ye's eyes!

Squelch—

"Aaargh!!!"