When he had read that part of the novel, his heart had ached with rage and frustration.
Alex, Alex. A majestic, mighty figure in the Supreme Realm. Facing a tiny, trash-tier Foundation Realm mob he could crush with a casual wave of his hand.
Why on earth did you swallow such suffocating humiliation? Just because he had good luck and managed to be born earlier?
If it were me, I'd crush him into dust with a single finger.
He never expected he would actually get the chance.
Daven, it's your bad luck today. Wait for your nephew to teach you a proper lesson and help you grow a memory.
"Cut the nonsense!" Daven pressed aggressively.
"Do you admit it, or do you not?!"
Alex smiled cheerfully. "What if I admit it, and what if I don't?"
"If you do not admit it, then I will use my authority as Third Grand Uncle to strip you of your position as Saint Lord of the Hale family!"
"I will expel an insolent, shameless scoundrel like you from the clan to prevent you from ruining my Hale family's traditions!"
Daven sneered coldly.
"If you do admit it, then obediently return the Seven Orifices Divine Heart, the Jade Sword and Blood Purification Bottle, and the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus."
Knox stood up and quietly reminded him. "Old Duke of Hale, and that other thing!"
"Right! And the Rakshasa Demon Umbrella in your hands!" Daven Hale finally remembered, his tone becoming high and mighty.
"The Rakshasa Demon Umbrella is the ancestral supreme treasure of the family. How is a junior like you fit to use it?"
"Hand it over to me. Let this old man safeguard it on your behalf!"
The crowd of Hale family members revealed looks of furious indignation. Teeth grinding. Fists clenching.
Blatant, naked extortion relying entirely on his old age. Exorbitant, sky-high demands like a lion opening its maw. He even dared to scheme for the Saint Lord's Rakshasa Demon Umbrella.
His intentions were unfathomable. His heart deserved death.
What left the Hale family members in despair, however, was this: no matter how arrogant Daven's attitude was, or how absurd his conditions were, the Saint Lord would definitely agree.
There was simply no possibility of refusal. It had always been like this every single time in the past.
This time would certainly be no exception.
Sure enough.
A flash of purple light emanated from Alex's palm. From his space ring, he withdrew a bamboo umbrella.
The canopy was a deep, eerie purple, exuding a thick purple mist. The ribs were forged from pure crimson gold, inscribed with ancient Sacred characters.
The Hale family's ancestral supreme treasure. The Rakshasa Demon Umbrella.
Not only did it possess terrifying power, but it also symbolized the supreme authority of the Hale family's Saint Lord. Whoever held the Rakshasa Demon Umbrella could command the actions of every single disciple in the Hale family.
"Brat, consider yourself tactful!"
A gleam of light flashed through Daven's eyes. He swallowed a mouthful of saliva in raw greed.
"Rest assured, I will properly safeguard this Rakshasa Demon Umbrella for you."
"Furthermore, I will arrange a good way out for the disciples of the Hale family."
"Following me will definitely be far more promising than following you!"
He stepped forward, hand reaching out greedily to grab it.
The very instant his hand was about to touch the Rakshasa Demon Umbrella, Alex sneered coldly and casually waved his hand to the side.
A loud snap.
The canopy burst open. A surge of pure, concentrated spiritual energy blasted out from within the umbrella, launching Daven Hale directly into the air.
Daven had only a measly Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation. Coupled with his old age and declining vitality, caught entirely off guard, his entire body was sent flying backward. He crashed heavily onto the floor with a loud thud, grimacing in agony.
The Hale family crowd: "???"
"S-Saint Lord?"
The disciples were utterly dumbfounded, doubting their own eyes. The Saint Lord had actually struck the Third Grand Uncle. Blasted him flying with a single strike. Showing absolutely no mercy.
This scene shocked the crowd even more than when Alex had severely punished Isolde.
Was this still the Saint Lord they knew?!
Selene and Knox were equally astonished. Knox, in particular, felt a deeply ominous premonition rise in his heart. Fine beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
He clearly remembered Isolde telling him this.
Although Alex was fierce, ruthless, and deeply scheming, he placed extreme importance on hierarchy and rules. Because his Third Uncle was the sole surviving elder of the previous generation, Alex was always absolutely reverent and respectful toward him.
No matter what demands Daven made, Alex would exert his utmost effort to satisfy them.
Even if he was beaten or cursed by Daven, he wouldn't show the slightest hint of displeasure.
But now.
Could it be that the intelligence he had investigated was wrong again?!
"Alex, you... you bastard!"
Daven struggled to his feet, roaring in exasperated fury.
"You, a junior, actually dare to lay hands on your elder? This is simply overturning the heavens and defying the natural order!"
"I will absolutely strip you of your Saint Lord position and expel you from the family!"
Before Daven could finish his threat, Alex casually waved his hand and collapsed the Rakshasa Demon Umbrella.
Using the tip of the umbrella, he pressed it firmly against Daven's throat, looking down at him expressionlessly from a dominant height.
"...Gulp."
Daven swallowed hard. His entire body trembled uncontrollably.
No matter how confident he felt, he was ultimately just a measly Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. Enveloped by the coercive pressure of a Supreme Realm expert, he couldn't move a single inch.
The surrounding disciples held their breath. Not even daring to exhale.
Selene frowned, just about to speak up and mediate.
Cedric stepped forward to stop her, reminding her softly. "Princess Orchid, this is our Hale family's internal affair. Please do not intervene for now."
"If you anger the Saint Lord, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold him back."
As the sworn sister of the Heavenly Flame Empress, Selene was spoiled and arrogant, always holding herself in high regard. Faced with Cedric's somewhat threatening words, she initially felt a flash of anger.
But at this very moment, feeling the terrifying killing intent and coercive pressure radiating from Alex, Selene couldn't help but take a step back and nod timidly.
Alex remained silent for a long time before speaking expressionlessly.
"First, I must remind you of one thing."
"The Saint Lord of the Hale family is me."