NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5 – Who do you think you are to spout such arrogance?!
"Patriarch, something terrible has happened!!"
Just as the atmosphere in the council hall grew heavy, a middle-aged man burst in, his voice filled with panic.
"What’s got you so flustered?!"
Seeing the man before them, the three elders all looked up sharply, their expressions grave.
"It’s the market, something’s happened!"
Under the intense gaze of the three elders, the man's face turned pale, but he still mustered the courage to speak.
"The Wang and Lin families have sent people to blockade our market. They not only drove away our customers but also injured many of our people."
"What?!" upon hearing the man's words, Xiao Zhan and the others' expressions changed drastically, and a terrifying aura erupted from them.
"Damn it, the Wang and Lin families are kicking us while we're down. Do they really think the Xiao family is a pushover?!"
The usually hot-tempered First Elder growled coldly, itching to rush over and attack the Wang and Lin families on the spot.
"Hahaha, old fool, you’re right! Your Xiao family is indeed a pushover now!"
Just as the First Elder finished speaking, an aged voice echoed through the hall.
Several figures flew out of the courtyard in front of the council hall, screaming in pain.
Two old men then walked out, exuding a terrifying aura.
"Wang Xuan?! Lin Hai?! You dare to trespass into the Xiao family, are you declaring war on us?!"
Seeing the two intruders, Xiao Zhan and the others' faces turned as dark as water, their auras growing even colder.
Wang Xuan, the second elder of the Wang family, had a cultivation of Core Formation Realm, seventh level. He had clashed with the Xiao family several times.
There was even a time when he fought fiercely with the First Elder, almost causing a complete fallout between the Wang and Xiao families.
Lin Hai, the second elder of the Lin family, also had a cultivation of Core Formation Realm, seventh level. He had caused trouble for the Xiao family multiple times.
Though not much of a talker, he was adept at scheming behind the scenes.
He had once caused the Xiao family's market to lose a batch of goods, almost leading to a complete fallout between the Xiao and Lin families.
The important thing was, these two usually didn't get along, but now they had joined forces to invade the Xiao family.
This clearly indicated that the Wang and Lin families might have reached some agreement and decided to team up against the Xiao family.
"Heh, declaring war? Your Xiao family is already struggling to survive, and you think you can deal with us?" Wang Xuan sneered, his tone mocking.
Seeing Xiao Zhan and the others' auras grow colder, as if they were about to explode at any moment, Wang Xuan didn't dare to push too far.
His tone turned sinister as he continued.
"But don't worry, we're not here to cause trouble. On the contrary, we're here to help you."
"Hah, you think we'll believe that?!"
Before Wang Xuan could finish, the First Elder sneered coldly.
A weasel offering New Year’s greetings to a hen, how could there be any good intentions?
"Your Xiao family offended the Supreme Sword Sect and the Lin family of Heavenly Capital City. We both know about it."
Ignoring Xiao Mingyi's sneer, Wang Xuan continued speaking.
"One million Spirit Crystals is no small amount. Gathering that much won't be easy. We two families are willing to help you with a hundred thousand Spirit Crystals each, considering the relationship we've had with your Xiao family over the years.
"Of course, there are conditions... from now on, your Xiao family's market in Floating Cloud City will belong to us."
After speaking, Wang Xuan and Lin Hai both wore cold smiles, clearly confident that they had Xiao Zhan and the others cornered.
Floating Cloud City had three major markets, each controlled by one of the three major families.
If the Xiao family was forced to sell their market to raise money, now would be the best time for the Wang and Lin families to take over.
Otherwise, if the Xiao family was destroyed, the markets would fall under the control of the City Lord's Mansion.
By then, it would be much harder for them to acquire the markets from the City Lord's Mansion.
But if they acquired them from the Xiao family beforehand, even if the Xiao family was destroyed, the City Lord's Mansion would have no excuse to reclaim the markets.
"Get lost, our Xiao family will not sell our market!"
Before Wang Xuan could finish speaking, Xiao Mingyi interrupted angrily.
A hundred thousand Spirit Crystals from each family, totaling two hundred thousand Spirit Crystals, equivalent to twenty million gold coins, just to take over all the Xiao family's markets. This was outright robbery!
"Xiao Mingyi, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
Seeing Xiao Mingyi's rage, Lin Hai spoke up.
"If your Xiao family can't come up with one million Spirit Crystals within three days, when the experts from the Lin family of Heavenly Capital City arrive, your Xiao family's centuries-old foundation will be wiped out.
Even the hundreds of members of your Xiao family might lose their lives. Rather than letting the City Lord's Mansion take the markets, why not transfer them to us now?
Maybe if we're in a good mood, we might even take care of your wives and daughters if the Xiao family meets with misfortune..."
"Enough!" before Lin Hai could finish, Xiao Zhan exploded in fury.
He took a step forward, and the terrifying aura of a Core Formation Realm, ninth level, swept over the two of them.
"Go back and tell your patriarchs... though our Xiao family is in trouble, we're not some easy prey for anyone to take a bite out of.
If you want to take over our markets, have your patriarchs come and beg on their knees!"
The three elders also stepped forward, releasing their own auras, locking onto the two intruders with a deadly intent.
It seemed that if Xiao Zhan gave the order, they would all attack at once.
"Heh, what spirit!"
Locked onto by four Core Formation Realm experts, Wang Xuan and Lin Hai's faces turned ugly, but they showed no fear.
"If your Xiao family refuses our goodwill, don't blame us for being ruthless!
Let's go!"
Though they didn't fear the Xiao family, they knew that if the Xiao family fought back desperately, their two families would also suffer greatly.
"Think you can come and go as you please? Do you really think our Xiao family can't do anything to you?!"
Just as Wang Xuan and Lin Hai turned to leave, a cold voice echoed through the courtyard.
Xiao Chen walked into the Xiao family inner courtyard, a chilling killing intent spreading around him.
"Xiao Chen?!"
Seeing Xiao Chen enter the courtyard, Xiao Zhan, Xiao Mingyi, and the others were all shocked.
Xiao Chen had been crippled, his dantian destroyed, and several ribs broken.
For the past two days, he had been like a living dead, needing a maidservant to feed him.
But now... not only did Xiao Chen look healthy, but his aura was also unreadable to them.
It was like seeing a ghost in broad daylight!
"Chen, are you healed?!"
Xiao Zhan rubbed his eyes in disbelief, his voice filled with joy.
"The Xiao family brat?"
Wang Xuan and Lin Hai's pupils contracted, their faces showing disbelief.
They knew well about Xiao Chen's severe injuries.
Such injuries... even with Earth Rank spirit medicine, it would take days of bed rest to recover.
But now, he appeared before them as if nothing had happened. Did the Xiao family bankrupt themselves to get him some Heaven Rank spirit medicine?
Exchanging a glance, Wang Xuan and Lin Hai felt a wave of unease. Without acknowledging Xiao Chen, they snorted coldly and prepared to leave the courtyard.
"If you dare step out of this courtyard, I guarantee you’ll die a miserable death!"
Xiao Chen's cold voice stopped them in their tracks.
"Arrogant brat! Even your father Xiao Zhan wouldn't dare speak such nonsense!
Who do you think you are to spout such arrogance?!"
Wang Xuan snorted coldly, turning back to glare at Xiao Chen.
But before he could finish, a terrifying killing intent, like a storm, descended upon them.
A high and cold yet enchanting fiery red figure slowly emerged from behind Xiao Chen.