After a prolonged moment, Su Tianhai recovered from his shock and exclaimed with unbridled joy, "Magnificent! Our Su family has truly given birth to a dragon among men! Hahaha!"
He laughed heartily before continuing, "As for these people..." His gaze swept over the surviving elders who remained kneeling in submission. "Zhan'er, since they are all Qi Sea Realm experts, they will certainly be of tremendous value in strengthening our Su family's foundation!"
"Therefore, we shall accept their allegiance!"
Su Zhan nodded thoughtfully, showing no particular concern about the arrangement.
Su Tianhai then placed a proud hand on Su Zhan's shoulder, his voice filled with paternal pride. "My son, if not for you eliminating all those who sought to bring disaster upon our Su family today, our clan would have faced complete annihilation! You concealed your talent so masterfully—you even managed to deceive your own father!"
Su Zhan smiled faintly. "Father, this breakthrough was only possible thanks to the abundant medicinal resources you provided me over the years. However..." His expression grew contemplative. "Are you certain I've eliminated everyone who posed a threat?"
Upon hearing these words, Su Tianyun, who had been standing silently in the background, immediately stiffened. His face drained of all color as his knees buckled beneath him.
Thud!
"S-Su Zhan! Patriarch! I was momentarily confused earlier! I never truly intended to harm the Su family!" he stammered desperately.
"Perhaps..." Su Zhan's eyes gleamed with cold intent as he slowly drew his sword. "I cannot be entirely certain whether you intended to harm the Su family or not." The blade caught the light menacingly. "But there's absolutely no doubt that you wanted me dead. That much is crystal clear, wouldn't you agree?"
Heavenly Frost Sword Intent!
The devastating sword energy descended without mercy, cleanly severing Su Tianyun's head from his shoulders.
"Father!"
Su Heng rushed forward and collapsed beside Su Tianyun's corpse, weeping bitterly as grief overwhelmed him.
When the main pillar leans, all the supporting beams will crook.
Su Zhan glanced at Su Heng with indifference before turning away, dismissing him entirely. Su Tianyun had received exactly what he deserved, while Su Heng—having lost his most powerful supporter within the Su family—would find his future prospects considerably diminished.
With that matter concluded, Su Zhan directed his attention to the assembled guests who had witnessed this dramatic turn of events.
Speaking with calm authority, he declared, "Today, the three major families, along with Elder Su Tianyun, attempted to orchestrate my death. They have all received their appropriate punishment. Their assets and territories will be absorbed by the Su family in due course." His piercing gaze swept across the room. "Do any of the prominent figures present in Qingcheng City object to this outcome?"
"Absolutely not! The three major families thoroughly deserved their fate!"
"Young Master Su possesses extraordinary talent! At merely sixteen years of age, he can already suppress three entire major families single-handedly!"
"Young Master Su is both handsome and exceptionally gifted! I happen to have a beautiful daughter who remains unmarried—perhaps she might prove a suitable match for Young Master Su? Would the Young Master be interested in meeting her?"
Young and beautiful? Su Zhan raised an eyebrow with mild curiosity. "How old is she?"
"She has just turned nine years old!"
Nine years old!
That was practically elementary school age by Earth standards!
Su Zhan's expression immediately darkened with disgust. "Get out of here immediately! Do I appear to be some kind of depraved beast in your eyes?!"
The man hastily retreated with visible disappointment clouding his features.
In truth, his suggestion wasn't particularly unusual by this world's standards—girls were considered adults at fourteen, and engagements at nine were commonplace. However, Su Zhan's sensibilities as a transmigrator from modern Earth made such arrangements utterly revolting to him.
The celebration continued despite the earlier violence.
Throughout the remainder of the banquet, the guests seemed to have lost their appetites entirely. Their attention remained fixated on Su Zhan, who appeared perfectly composed despite having just executed several prominent figures.
"Young Master Su is truly the reincarnation of a divine dragon! Only sixteen years old and already at the middle stage of the Qi Sea Realm! He single-handedly crushed three major families with overwhelming power—it's absolutely terrifying!"
"The Heavenly Frost Sword Technique, though merely a mortal-level art, has somehow developed genuine sword intent in Su Zhan's hands. In my opinion, he's not the reincarnation of a dragon, but rather the return of a legendary sword deity!"
"Unfortunately, my daughter is only seven years old. Otherwise, I would have introduced her to Young Master Su immediately. What a missed opportunity...!"
The guests continued their animated discussions while drinking.
Su Zhan fell silent upon overhearing their conversations.
What exactly are you people thinking? I'm not even seventeen yet, and you're already obsessing over marriage arrangements?
After enduring numerous attempts by guests to curry favor with him, Su Zhan focused on enjoying his meal and wine in relative peace.
Shortly thereafter, the birthday celebration concluded, and he departed the banquet hall to return to his private residence.
Over the following days, the Su family systematically absorbed the territories and resources of the three fallen major families. Su Zhan also acquired access to their most prized martial arts and cultivation techniques—all of which were classified as high-grade mortal-level arts.
"I now possess sword techniques, but I still require additional skills to enhance my overall combat effectiveness! Moreover, due to my previously poor talent, all the techniques I learned before were merely basic Su family arts. I must replace them with superior methods!"
Su Zhan murmured to himself while examining dozens of the finest martial arts manuals available throughout Qingcheng City.
"Diamond Body Technique—a body refinement method that strengthens bones and muscles beyond steel. This will significantly increase my physical power!"
"Wind Step—harnesses wind energy to dramatically enhance movement speed. This will improve my agility!"
"Flame Fist—imbues strikes with scorching fire to burn enemies upon impact!"
"Jade Piercing Finger—a close-range technique capable of killing opponents with a single precise strike!"
"Cold Jade Cultivation Art—imbues true qi with frigid properties, allowing it to freeze and injure enemies during combat!"
After thoroughly reviewing all available options, he gained a comprehensive understanding of the various cultivation methods and martial arts at his disposal.
Ultimately, he selected several techniques that perfectly complemented his fighting style and began intensive training.
Half a month later, the Su family had successfully consolidated control over all territories previously held by the three major families, effectively becoming the sole ruling power in Qingcheng City!
On this particular day, Su Zhan chose to venture outside his residence for the first time in weeks.
Compared to half a month prior, his height had increased by five centimeters, his physique had become more perfectly proportioned, and his overall temperament radiated an extraordinary aura reminiscent of a pristine spiritual lotus.
These remarkable changes resulted from his mastery of the Diamond Body Technique and the Cold Jade Cultivation Art.
During that intensive half-month period, he had achieved perfect mastery of three martial arts techniques and one cultivation method!
However, despite these impressive accomplishments, his halo interface remained unchanged—no new protagonist halos had been unlocked.
"It seems I need to venture beyond the city walls and explore the wider world to trigger new halo awakenings. In this realm, humans aren't the only beings who cultivate—wild beasts also pursue power and transform into spiritual creatures. If I venture outside the city to hunt monsters, I might complete achievement tasks related to beast slaying, don't you think?"
After this brief contemplation, Su Zhan opened his attribute panel to review his current capabilities.
[Host]: Su Zhan
[Cultivation]: Middle Stage of the Qi Sea Realm
[Cultivation Technique]: Cold Jade Cultivation Art (Perfection)
[Martial Arts]: Heavenly Frost Sword Technique (Sword Intent), Wind Step (Perfection), Jade Piercing Finger (Perfection), Diamond Body Technique (Perfection)
Although his cultivation remained at the middle stage of the Qi Sea Realm, the combination of his sword intent, perfected movement technique, lethal finger strikes, and enhanced physical conditioning meant his combat power now exceeded most experts in the Yuan Condensation Realm.
With such formidable abilities, he could venture into the wilderness surrounding Qingcheng City without any significant concerns for his safety.
Just as he prepared to depart the Su family compound, a female servant approached with respectful urgency. "Young Master, the patriarch requests your immediate presence for an urgent matter!"
Urgent business? How peculiar.
With only the Su family remaining as the dominant power in Qingcheng City, what pressing issue could possibly arise?
Su Zhan felt genuinely puzzled but immediately followed the servant to his father's residence.
Upon arriving at Su Tianhai's quarters, Su Zhan wasted no time with pleasantries. "Father, what urgent matter requires my attention?"
"Zhan'er, do you still remember Sister Zhaoyue, who used to play with you during your childhood?"
Sister Zhaoyue?
Su Zhan paused momentarily, requiring several seconds to recall the name from his inherited memories.
With slight confusion, he responded, "Are you referring to Su Zhaoyue, Father? I haven't seen her for eight or nine years—I've almost forgotten what she looks like. Why do you suddenly bring her up?"
Su Tianhai released a heavy sigh, withdrew a letter from his robes, and placed it on the table before them.
With evident concern, he explained, "Zhan'er, the Su family of Tancheng City shares ancestral ties with our branch, and Su Zhaoyue's father was my sworn brother. We even arranged a betrothal between you and Su Zhaoyue years ago. However, some time past, Su Zhaoyue's father died from illness, and in our grief, we nearly forgot about this arrangement."
"But yesterday, I received this letter from the Su family of Tancheng City. It states that after three years of apparent mediocrity, Su Zhaoyue has suddenly awakened extraordinary hidden talent and emerged as a cultivation genius of remarkable potential. Now they claim..." His voice grew bitter. "They assert that the disparity between your abilities and Su Zhaoyue's has grown too vast, and therefore the engagement must be dissolved. The delegation from Tancheng City's Su family departed yesterday and should arrive within days!"
After listening to his father's explanation, Su Zhan's expression became increasingly peculiar.
He had never anticipated that the classic engagement cancellation scenario—which typically occurred when the protagonist was at his weakest—would manifest now, when he had already achieved such formidable power!
With his current talent and strength, what purpose would there be in delivering the traditional retort of "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—don't bully a young man for being poor!" to these people?
This timing seemed somewhat... inappropriate, didn't it?