Things had come to this, and Luo Xiu was no longer willing to endure it.

He had originally planned to follow Su Shenyun's advice and keep a low profile after arriving in the Capital City, his sole goal being the retrieval of the Holy Origin Golden Pill. But his repeated forbearance had only been met with the vile attitudes of these scumbags, again and again!

He suddenly regretted it. Regretted wasting his breath on these people. This was clearly something that could be resolved with his fists; there was no need to reason with them at all. Besides, the only principle these scumbags believed in was brute force. Truth lies only in the fist!

---

The grand hall erupted with discussion as the onlookers, never ones to let a good show go to waste, began to gossip animatedly.

"This kid is something else! So young, yet so powerful!"

"I heard that Young Master Ye has already reached the Gathering Spirit Realm. How could someone with his strength be beaten so helplessly?"

"Could this kid also be in the Gathering Spirit Realm?"

"Heh, it doesn't matter if he is or not. He's finished today!"

"That's right. He's far too arrogant, even boasting that he'd make the Ye Family vanish from the world."

"Kid, do you have a death wish?" Ye Piaoling's gaze was sharp as a blade as he stared at Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu had suddenly attacked and even crippled Ye Xingzhou's leg. In that instant, a murderous intent stirred within Ye Piaoling. Still, he felt a flicker of relief. Luo Xiu's attack showed he was at his wit's end, with no other tricks up his sleeve. And since he'd injured someone so severely, the Ye Family was now in the right. This way, that Heavenly Grade Elixir would be theirs for the taking!

At Ye Piaoling's word, a group of Ye Family Martial Artists surged forward to surround Luo Xiu.

Ye Piaoling looked at Chu Tianming and said coolly, "It seems this boy has no real connection to the Chu Family. He's merely a friend of Miss Chu's.

"Therefore, I feel... the Chu Family shouldn't get involved and disrupt the peace between our two families."

Chu Tianming smiled faintly. "He is a friend of my family's Xie Rou. Is that not reason enough for me to get involved?"

As soon as he spoke, a group of Chu Family Disciples immediately closed in behind him!

Of course, Chu Tianming wasn't just trying to protect Luo Xiu, nor was it because of Luo Xiu's connection to Xu Qianqing. He was simply captivated by Luo Xiu's potential! To possess the Martial Way strength of at least the Gathering Spirit Realm at such a young age, and to potentially be able to refine a Heavenly Grade Elixir... The Chu Family naturally had to win over a talent like that.

Suddenly, a robust voice boomed from the back of the crowd. "If you want to lay a hand on someone from my Wind Blade Sect, you'll have to ask my blade for permission first!"

Everyone's head turned toward the sound. Liu Dexuan, a broadsword in one hand, was striding forward! He had come to the summit of The Four Ancient Martial Families alone, but even by himself, he commanded an imposing presence that filled the room.

Ye Piaoling's eyelids drooped as he stared at Liu Dexuan. "Sect Leader Liu, you claim he is a member of your Wind Blade Sect? May I ask what his relationship is to your sect?"

Liu Dexuan glanced at Luo Xiu and announced arrogantly, "Luo Xiu is our Wind Blade Sect's Honorary Elder. What do you think the relationship is?!

"You scoundrels have been bullying one of my Elders, and you expect me, the Sect Leader, to stand idly by?!"

His words sent the entire hall into an uproar.

After a moment, someone exclaimed, "He's Luo Xiu? The Martial Champion from the great martial gathering?!"

Indeed, just a few months ago, Luo Xiu's name had been known throughout Hua Country!

At that moment, all eyes were fixed on Luo Xiu's face. Gradually, the crowd realized he was indeed the god-like young man from the great martial gathering. Almost everyone present had seen his face on television. Now, prompted by the reminder, their focused gaze seemed to break through the Mist Barrier Art Luo Xiu had cast on himself, and his true features became clear to all.

"My god... now that I look closely, it really is the Martial Champion!"

"No wonder he's so strong!"

The expressions of the Ye Family members turned grim.

Although the Martial Champion was merely the standout among the younger generation of Martial Artists, the title carried significant weight. This was because the Martial Champion was an object of interest for all the major ancient martial powers, and even Her Majesty the Empress herself! If the Ye Family were to make a move against him here, it would inevitably draw the Empress's attention.

But as things stood, the Ye Family was riding a tiger and couldn't get off.

"So what if he's the Martial Champion?" Ye Piaoling argued righteously, his voice booming like a great bell as he swept his gaze across the crowd. "Does that give him the right to injure people at will? You all saw it with your own eyes! My grandson is still being trampled under his foot!"

"That's only because your grandson brought this disgrace upon himself," a voice cut in. "He has no one to blame."

It was Li Chaoqun who had stepped forward. He knew Luo Xiu's true identity and strength, so he hadn't planned on intervening at first. Luo Xiu didn't need his help, and stepping in would merely be gilding the lily, not providing aid in a time of need. But seeing Liu Dexuan's forceful display, he changed his mind. Even if it was just gilding the lily, it could at least leave a good impression on the future Ghost Valley Heavenly Master. That was better than doing nothing at all.

As Li Chaoqun made his move, Granny Miaoyu, who shared his thoughts, also stepped forward.

"Seniors, do you two also wish to intervene?" Ye Piaoling asked, his expression turning utterly foul as he looked at Li Chaoqun and Granny Miaoyu.

After all, the Ye Family was just an ancient martial family. How could they possibly compare to the Proud Sun Sect and Xianyin Valley? Those were two ancient martial forces that possessed their own Secret Realms! Even the Chu Family had to show them deference! Suddenly, Ye Piaoling felt immense pressure weighing down on him.

Li Chaoqun stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at him coolly. "Since you have taken something that belongs to another, please return it to its rightful owner."

Then, Granny Miaoyu spoke up. "Family Head Ye, out of respect for my acquaintance with your elders, I will offer you a piece of advice.

"If you bow your head, admit your mistake, and return the Elixir to Luo Wukui now, there is still a chance to resolve this peacefully.

"But if you stubbornly refuse to shed your pride, the Ye Family will be doomed to an irreversible catastrophe!"

Considering Luo Xiu's background and his unfathomably terrifying strength, even Xianyin Valley held him in a certain degree of awe. For him to annihilate the meager Ye Family would be as easy as flipping his hand!

Ye Piaoling clenched his teeth, his elderly frame trembling. Faced with the tremendous pressure from the Chu Family, the Wind Blade Sect, the Proud Sun Sect, and Xianyin Valley, he finally chose to compromise.

"Fine!" he ground out. "The Elixir... I will send someone to retrieve it later!"

Luo Xiu kicked away Ye Xingzhou, who was still moaning on the floor. "I want it now."

Ye Piaoling let out a cold snort and turned to a Ye Family Martial Artist. "Go back immediately and find the Elder—"

However, before he could finish his sentence, a high, clear voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall. "The Tianyu King has arrived—!"

Every person present was startled, their heads swiveling toward the entrance of the grand hall.

A moment later, a middle-aged man in a luxurious robe entered, walking at an unhurried pace and followed by a group of people.

The crowd immediately bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Luo Xiu noticed that even prominent figures like Li Chaoqun, Chu Tianming, and Granny Miaoyu were bowing.

The middle-aged man had an ordinary face, but his bearing exuded an ineffable authority—a temperament that could only be cultivated by one who has long held a high position.

Chu Tianming hurried forward to greet him with a smile. "May I ask what brings the Tianyu King to grace us with his presence?"

The middle-aged man, named Di Yu, was the current Empress's own paternal uncle and the only Prince in Hua Country.

Di Yu smiled faintly. "Brother Chu, it's good to see you are well. It seems this year's summit is unusually lively."

Hearing this, Chu Tianming chuckled drily. This fellow suddenly showing up... it couldn't be a good thing.

Di Yu's gaze slowly swept across the crowd. When he saw Luo Xiu, his eyes narrowed slightly. His gaze then fell upon Ye Piaoling, and he asked with a smile, "Family Head Ye, I have some matters to discuss with you. May we step aside?"

Ye Piaoling was baffled. He wasn't familiar with the Tianyu King, nor did they have any business dealings. Why would the Prince want to speak with him? However, given the current situation, the Tianyu King's request was like a lifeline, rescuing him from this predicament.

"Please, Your Highness," Ye Piaoling said, making a deferential gesture. He was about to leave when Luo Xiu spoke up.

"Old man, don't be in such a hurry. Give me back my property before you go anywhere."

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