C8 Conflict

A wave of soul power swept in, covering the sky and overwhelming Shen Xuan, probing him as if to uncover his deepest secrets.

Shen Xuan stood his ground, outwardly composed but inwardly, his emotions were roiling like a storm-tossed sea. This was the most formidable soul power he had encountered since arriving in this new world, surpassing even the might of those at the Nascent Infant Stage. With his current abilities, he stood no chance against it.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Shen Xiaomei inquired from her wheelchair, gazing up at Shen Xuan with concern.

"Oh, I'm fine," he reassured her, though his mind was far from at ease.

The soul power had retreated as quickly as it had arrived, but not without leaving a clear message behind: Shen Xuan had piqued its interest, and a confrontation was inevitable.

"Let's go. What place would you like to visit?" Shen Xuan asked, shaking off the encounter and pushing Shen Xiaomei's wheelchair as they continued on their way.

There was no use in hiding; if the entity wanted him dead, it would be a simple task. Better to face the threat head-on. Yet, the encounter served as a stark reminder of his own vulnerability amidst truly powerful beings, some of which rivaled the ancient entities of Earth. He needed to grow stronger, and quickly.

After spending the morning exploring Emergence City, Shen Xuan and Shen Xiaomei found themselves at the city's most opulent restaurant, owned by the influential Su family. Although not quite on par with the Shen family, the Sus were a force to be reckoned with in their own right.

The restaurant was bustling with patrons when they arrived. They settled into a private room and ordered an array of dishes infused with potent energies that would bolster their own strength—another reason why the locals here were far more formidable than an average Earthling.

Shen Xuan, an ancient being himself, found it odd how he, who had long since lost interest in worldly affairs, felt such a profound sense of care for his adopted sister. The Shen family offered him no warmth, yet Shen Xiaomei's presence alone made him feel as if he had a true home.

Their meal was suddenly interrupted by a disturbance outside.

"Clear out! We've reserved this place. Leave now if you value your lives!"

"What's the meaning of this? We've paid for our meals!"

"Enough talk! Get out! Does the Han family owe you an explanation?"

The commotion grew as guests were herded out. Then, their room door swung open to reveal the restaurant's manager, his face etched with embarrassment.

"Young Master Shen, my apologies for this disruption..."

"What seems to be the problem, Manager?" Shen Xuan inquired, sipping his tea with a calm demeanor.

"It's the Han family—they've booked the entire venue for today and are expelling all other patrons."

The manager was caught between two powerful families, reluctant to offend either. But if push came to shove, the Shen family was the lesser of two evils.

"Let them have their booking," Shen Xuan said dismissively.

"Yes, but they intend to take over the entire establishment, including this room..."

Shen Xuan's gaze shifted to Shen Xiaomei. All he wanted was a peaceful meal, yet it seemed the Han family was intent on making that impossible. It was clear—they needed to be dealt with.

"You're free to go; there's no need for evacuation here."

Shen Xuan spoke to the shopkeeper with a detached tone.

The shopkeeper had more to say, but one look at Shen Xuan's eyes, and he abandoned any attempt at persuasion. Business thrived on harmony, and a clash between the Han and Shen families would undoubtedly cast a shadow over the Su family's interests. Yet, there was little he could do now.

After offering an apology to Shen Xuan and Shen Xiaomei, he exited the private room. He quickly sent word to the Su family, sensing an inevitable conflict brewing in the near future.

The room fell silent once more, the commotion outside subsiding as well—the crowd had been effectively dispersed. Shen Xiaomei gazed at Shen Xuan, her eyes brimming with admiration, though a trace of concern lingered; they were, after all, not on Shen family turf.

"Brother, I've had enough to eat. Shall we leave?"

"You're worried about me being at a disadvantage?"

"Not at all. It's just that they're not worth our time." Despite being only eleven, Shen Xiaomei understood the disparity between the Han and Shen families all too well; the Han family's audacity at the council meeting was proof enough.

"You've got a point. They're not worth our time," agreed Shen Xuan, readying to rise. But then, a cacophony erupted from outside.

...

"Manager, is everything cleared up?" Han Dao's voice, dripping with arrogance, cut through the air.

"Keep your eyes open. If our esteemed guest isn't treated well, you can forget about keeping your heads."

More than twenty servants in green lined up inside the restaurant, all in the employ of the Han family. At Han Dao's command, they nodded in perfect unison. He then led a thorough inspection of each room, intent on leaving no stone unturned.

The Su family's manager, trailing behind, remained silent, wary of crossing Han Dao—a man known for his fearlessness in Emergence City, someone people went out of their way to avoid.

"Why is this door shut?"

Han Dao stopped outside Shen Xuan's private room, fixing the Su family's manager with a frosty stare.

"This, this..."

"Crack!"

Without waiting for an answer, Han Dao's foot crashed against the door, flinging it open.

Inside, Shen Xuan and Shen Xiaomei were seated, quietly dining.

Shen Xuan had been ready to leave, but with Han Dao's arrival, he had no choice but to confront the situation.

He wasn't one to start trouble, but he never shied away from it either.

"You just can't seem to stay away, can you? Looks like you've got a death wish."

Han Dao paused, taken aback at the sight of Shen Xuan and Shen Xiaomei, then a sly grin spread across his face.

"Little sister, I'm not the one looking for trouble this time."

Without giving Han Dao another glance, Shen Xuan shrugged at Shen Xiaomei.

"Hey, kid, I'm talking to you!" Han Dao raised his voice, irked by Shen Xuan's indifference.

"Hold on, I have a question. Does the Han family raise only dogs? Ones that bite and won't let go?"

Shen Xuan was genuinely exasperated. First on the street, now here—it was as if they were cursed to cross paths. His current lack of strength was the only reason he was tolerating this; on Earth, a mere look would have been enough to end Han Dao multiple times over.

"You're asking for it!"

Han Dao, incensed by Shen Xuan's taunt and yet to make his move, clenched his fists as Battle Energy swirled around him. He then hurled a punch towards Shen Xuan.

As Han Dao's fist hurtled toward him, Shen Xuan deftly shifted to one side. He then made his way to Shen Xiaomei, swiftly pushing her wheelchair aside to safety. In the space where Shen Xuan had just been, Han Dao's punch landed with a thunderous crash on the table, shattering it into fragments, with food splattered across the floor.

"Shopkeeper, let him foot the bill for the meal this time," Shen Xuan told the proprietor of the Su family's establishment.

Han Dao's martial prowess was at the pinnacle of Martial Master level, verging on Martial General—a half-step Martial General, to be precise, and notably stronger than Shen Wentao's own bodyguard. Yet, for Shen Xuan, he posed no real danger.

"I will kill you!" Han Dao bellowed, humiliated by Shen Xuan's evasion and still smarting from the slap he had received in the Shen family's council hall. His patience had worn thin; today, he was determined to end Shen Xuan.

His body surged with Battle Energy as he lunged at Shen Xuan once more.

The Su family's shopkeeper clutched his forehead, stepping back in alarm. What was he to do? A death here would leave the Su family in a dire predicament.

"If you're so eager to meet your end, I'm happy to oblige," Shen Xuan declared, a glint of lethal intent flickering in his eyes. He had never failed to eliminate a target. Yet, a swift death seemed too merciful for Han Dao.

In a blink, Shen Xuan was at Han Dao's side, his hands a blur as they struck both temples with lightning speed.

"Crack!"

The sound echoed through the private room like a watermelon being split open.

And then, silence enveloped the world.