C45 Shocking!

This revelation sent shockwaves through the Chu Family.

"The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group has been completely taken over by the Chu Family? How can that be? Black Panther is a Profound Master Three-star, no less."

"The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group may not be on par with the Chu Family, but they're still the second most powerful entity in Zhenhai City."

"The Chu Family is on the rise! All of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group's shops and hotels now belong to us."

The Chu Family members were abuzz with excitement.

The Chu Family was on the cusp of greatness.

They joyfully discussed the recent developments.

To the northeast of Zhenhai City, sixteen horses galloped.

Astride them were sixteen dignified individuals clad in purple – the Tong Family had arrived.

Recently, the Tong Family received a missive from the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group. Black Panther had willingly led three Profound Masters and over a hundred Profound Warriors to defect to the Tong Family, with the sole condition that they annihilate the Chu Family.

The Tong Family, as per their strategic plans, was intent on absorbing the Chu Family. The addition of a formidable ally was certainly cause for celebration.

The Tong Family convened a special meeting and dispatched The Second Elder, The Third Elder, The Fourth Elder, and the leader of the first Profound Warrior Group. In total, four Profound Masters and twelve Nine-star Profound Warriors descended upon Zhenhai City.

To maximize the impact on the Chu Family, they planned to disclose Chu Yuexing's purchase of the Thousand Day Death Poison from the Tong Family and to reclaim the Chu Family's outstanding debt for the Profound Qi Pills.

They were determined to eliminate Chu Yangxiang; failing to do so would spell disaster for the Chu Family.

Tong Zetian, a prodigy with Grade Five Talent, had been bested by Chu Yangxiang. If they could take out Chu Yangxiang, the Chu Family would crumble.

With Mater Chu, Chu Qingyong, poisoned to death, his second son executed by the Chu Family, and the talented Chu Yangxiang dead, one could only imagine the devastating blow to the Chu Family.

With the strategic insight and combat prowess provided by the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group, they had enough firepower to topple the Chu Family.

Upon their arrival at the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group's headquarters, they were greeted by an unexpected sight: the words "The Profound Warrior Group of the Chu Family" emblazoned on the gate.

The Tong Family was incensed. Black Panther had claimed the Profound Warrior Group was here, so why had it suddenly become the Chu Family's Profound Warrior Group?

Could it be that Black Panther had conspired with the Chu Family to betray the Tong Family?

Setting aside their suspicions, they rode into Zhenhai City and checked into a grand hotel.

The hotel was bustling with patrons by noon.

"Last night, The Third Commander Zhang Yang, who was stationed at Hyphosis Mountain's pass, along with twenty of his men and Zhenhai City's top courtesan, were all slain. Not one survived."

"Who could be behind such a formidable act? Was it the work of the largest family around here?"

"Who else but them? The Chu Family has seized everything from the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group."

"Black Panther is dead, and that's a stroke of good fortune. We've finally rid Zhenhai City of a menace. He's terrorized this city for years, and now he's met his comeuppance."

"Indeed. The countless innocents who fell victim to Black Panther over the years can now find peace."

The Tong Family members were taken aback by the chatter, a sense of astonishment stirring within them. How could a Profound Master Three-star be killed without any of his hundred-plus Profound Warrior subordinates noticing? Not even the mutated hounds caught wind of it. What bizarre occurrence was this?

Surely the Chu Family didn't possess such capabilities. Was there another master lurking within Zhenhai City?

The Second Elder of the Tong Family commanded that they remain in Zhenhai City, keeping a vigilant eye on every move the Chu Family made.

As the afternoon sun continued to beam down, the Chu Family experienced two pieces of good fortune.

They had five Profound Warrior Eight-star experts who had now taken over all of Black Panther's enterprises in Zhenhai City. Though merely a shell, these assets were still highly valuable.

The Chu Family members had all found their places, and the day's highlight was just around the corner. Everyone was eager to see who would emerge as the most gifted among the Chu Family's younger generation.

At the judges' bench, Chu Qingyong, the Chu Family patriarch, made his way over, accompanied by the Great Elder, the four Profound Warrior Group Leaders, and the other elders. The crowd erupted into a wave of applause that resonated throughout the area.

Mater Chu was about to declare the competition open when a group of people emerged from the school's western gate. Leading the group was a man dressed in green, his face stern and his presence commanding. It was none other than Chu Yangxiang.

Following him were his parents, his daughter Chunhong, his servant Xiaocheng, and over a dozen Profound Warriors.

Chu Qingyong's gaze shifted toward the western gate, prompting others to turn their attention in that direction as well. Many were visibly astonished; they couldn't believe that Chu Yangxiang, rumored to have perished on Hyphosis Mountain, had returned.

"Chu Yangxiang, how can this be? Wasn't he said to have died on Hyphosis Mountain?"

"Exactly. Were the stories fabricated? Was it all false news intentionally spread?"

"He's no ordinary man. Surviving on Hyphosis Mountain for three months, all by himself? Can you imagine how difficult that is?"

"A miracle, it's simply an inconceivable miracle."

"Indeed, even for a Profound Master Five-star, or even a Profound General, to make it alone on Hyphosis Mountain for three months would be nothing short of miraculous."

Chu Qingyong noticed that Chu Yangxiang had grown taller since three months prior, and he exuded an intense aura of lethality. This aura was so profound that even seasoned Profound Warriors rarely possessed it.

One could only wonder how many fierce battles this young man had endured to develop such a potent aura.

Chu Qingyong looked at Chu Yangxiang and offered a faint smile, his voice tinged with a rasp of age, "Young man, you've just arrived, and you're already late."

"Master, I am not late," Chu Yangxiang replied, seating his parents at the front of the arena before ascending the stage. "My tardiness was due to waiting for my servant Xiaocheng to heal enough from his injuries to be able to walk here."

"Xiaocheng, speak up. Who bullied our family and you three months ago? If it was the young master, I'll make sure he ends up like Chu Huixiang, with broken legs. And if it was the servants, they'll have only one path left to them—death."

"Xiaocheng, don't be afraid. Go ahead and tell me. I've got your back."

The crowd erupted into murmurs as Chu Yangxiang spoke from the high platform.

"This guy has really come into his own after three months on Hyphosis Mountain. Listen to him—no one is exempt from his words. He's got guts!"

"Making such bold statements in public—if he can't back them up, it'll be a huge embarrassment."

"Chu Xiaoxiang and Chu Tixiang are both Profound Warrior Eight-stars now. Can he really follow through on his threats to break their limbs? He's so full of himself."

The audience buzzed with conversation at his words.

Xiaocheng's fists were clenched tight. He never imagined his master would make such an impactful statement at this moment, and his eyes glistened with emotion.

Chu Yuexing sneered, "What do you think the Chu Family is? You can't just run amok here because you're a lowly Profound Warrior. You've beaten four of my servants, and I haven't even dealt with you for that yet."

Chu Qingyong let out a soft sigh and said, "Let's discuss this after today's final match. Right now, we need to proceed with the top five finalists."

Chu Yangxiang gave a slight smile and said, "There's no need for a contest among the top five. Let them all come at me together. If they can defeat me, I'll hand over 50,000 Xuanwu Silver Coins. You can disregard my words if that happens."

With that, he handed over five black Crystal Cards to Chu Qingyong.

"If they're defeated by me, I expect the Patriarch to give me an explanation."

The crowd was once again stunned. They could hardly believe Chu Yangxiang's audacious offer.

"What? He's taking on the top five by himself? Who does he think he is? A Martial Master Three-star?"

"He's utterly oblivious to his own limitations. An Eight-star Profound Warrior wanting to take on five opponents alone? He's courting death."

"Where on earth did he get such a vast amount of money? 50,000 Xuanwu Silver Coins is a tremendous fortune."

"He must be quite sure of himself; otherwise, he wouldn't dare to flaunt so many Crystal Cards. Only a fool would make such a move."

"This is incredibly thrilling."

Chu Xiaoxiang, Chu Tixiang, Chu Qinxiang, Chu Fengxiang, and Chu Yaoxiang gazed at the five dark Crystal Cards laid out before the family head, their faces aglow with excitement.

Each Crystal Card was worth 10,000 Xuanwu Silver Coins. A Profound Warrior might earn at most four to five silver coins in a year, meaning one Crystal Card represented the earnings of a thousand people over a decade without spending a single coin.

Even for young masters such as themselves, this was an unprecedented amount of wealth.

Martial artists require a vast array of resources. With 10,000 Xuanwu Silver Coins, the possibilities for what they could acquire were endless.

Chu Xiaoxiang let out a chuckle, his expression one of sheer avarice. "Chu Yangxiang, you'd better not renege on your promise."