C8 The Patriarch Hit Me!

"Kid, it doesn't matter whose friend you are, you're not leaving the Xiao family alive today!" The First Elder spat out the words, barely containing his rage. He approached Xiao Ning and administered several precious medicine pills, only then allowing himself a moment of relief.

Once Xiao Ning was escorted away, the First Elder unleashed a formidable pressure that surged towards Chiang Xie's Soul Sea!

Chiang Xie's head felt like it was about to burst, but luckily, as a transmigrator, his Soul Sea was far more robust than that of an average cultivator. Aside from the pain, he was relatively unscathed.

"You actually have the cultivation of the Golden Core Stage, and yet you're shamed by such a trifling pressure," Chiang Xie taunted, unwilling to be outdone. The old man was clearly after his life, so he saw no need for courtesy.

The First Elder's fury intensified upon hearing this. "You insolent boy, you have no idea of your own insignificance. Let me show you the true pressure of the Golden Core Stage!"

As a Level 2 Golden Core Stage master, he was incensed by the challenge from a mere Foundation Stage upstart. Yet, he couldn't help but acknowledge the young man's formidable Soul Sea, which had impressively withstood even his casual exertion of power.

He then intensified his assault, sending an even more fearsome pressure crashing down on Chiang Xie's Soul Sea, which now felt as if it were being crushed by a colossal mountain, teetering on the brink of annihilation.

But at the most critical juncture, the system's voice chimed in: "Virus invasion detected. Potential system damage imminent... Initiating complimentary virus removal for the host."

And just like that, the oppressive force bearing down on Chiang Xie's Soul Sea vanished as if it had never existed.

"Eh?" The First Elder was taken aback as his pressure dissipated, leaving him with a baffled expression. What happened to his overwhelming dominance?

"Pfft, that's the pressure of the Golden Core Stage? What good did it do? Am I even slightly troubled? You must be joking," Chiang Xie mocked, relieved as the system eradicated the threat.

"Haha, fine! Then I'll take matters into my own hands and finish you off. Let's see who's the real joke here!" The First Elder, furious but laughing, disregarded any sense of restraint and prepared to strike.

"First Elder, he's my friend, and the issue with my cousin was a misunderstanding. Please, let's forgive and forget," Xiao Yan implored, stepping protectively in front of Chiang Xie.

Xiao Xuner also positioned herself before Chiang Xie and calmly stated, "Isn't it inappropriate for you to get involved in the younger generation's affairs, First Elder?"

Chiang Xie felt a surge of gratitude for Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuner's support, but he knew he had to resolve the situation he had instigated. "Step aside, everyone. Let's see if he can actually take me down." With that, he pushed past Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuner, drawing the dark Shark Tooth, ready to strike first.

"Mr. Chiang, hold on! I'll go to my father!" Xiao Yan urged, seeing Chiang Xie's readiness to confront the First Elder. If a fight ensued, Chiang Xie would stand no chance.

A Foundation Stage Level 9 versus a Golden Core Stage Level 2 was an outright mismatch.

"Fine, I'll hold back. Let's go find your father together!" Chiang Xie then lowered the Shark Tooth and nonchalantly patted Xiao Yan on the face.

Do you have to be so brazen? He had his weapon drawn and yet claimed not to be impulsive. It seemed he might have never intended to fight, just waiting for Xiao Yan to offer him an out.

Xiao Yan was momentarily at a loss for words, taking a while to gather his thoughts before responding, "That would be perfect!"

"Hmph, nobody can save you today. Still thinking of running away?" The First Elder ignored Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuner's pleas. His grandson had been humiliated publicly; there was no way he could let Chiang Xie escape.

As Chiang Xie made to leave, the First Elder launched an attack, sending a chilling blast of cold air with a casual flick of his wrist, as if intending to freeze everything in its path.

Chiang Xie, seeing the situation, shoved Xiao Yan aside and took a direct swing at the icy blast with his Shark Tooth!

The onlookers were dumbfounded. A Foundation Stage trying to withstand an attack from a Golden Core Stage? Are they out of their mind? In the next moment, they braced themselves for what they believed was Chiang Xie's imminent demise, closing their eyes in dread.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuner watched in horror as Chiang Xie prepared to face the chilling attack head-on. Their hearts skipped a beat, knowing the cold air was too swift for them to intervene in time.

With a resounding "Boom!" the pitch-black Shark Tooth cleaved through the frigid air, splitting it in two. Ice blossoms crystallized on either side of the ground, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

"What kind of artifact is this? It can actually cleave through the Profound Energy released by someone at the Golden Core Stage?"

"Could it be a Profound Level Artifact? If so, this young man must be a prodigy from a major clan."

"Indeed, and upon closer inspection, he's only sixteen or seventeen years old, yet he possesses the cultivation of Foundation Stage Level 9. His talent is truly remarkable."

Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuner breathed a sigh of relief, simultaneously astonished that Chiang Xie possessed a Profound Level Artifact. After all, the Xiao family itself only had one such artifact.

Only a major clan would allow a junior to wield a Profound Level Artifact. This suggested that Chiang Xie's background was far from ordinary.

The First Elder's expression darkened further, a hint of avarice flickering in his eyes. If he could eliminate the boy, the Profound Level Artifact would be his.

"You're not up to par, old man!"

Chiang Xie taunted, yet internally he was in awe of the Golden Core Stage's power. Despite having the Heaven Level Cultivation Method, Devil Slaying, and the Profound Level Artifact, Shark Tooth, he was no match for his opponent.

The adversary had likely not even exerted a tenth of their strength, while he had given his all just to barely fend off the attack. On the outside, he appeared unscathed, but the cold air had taken its toll internally. Another hit like that, and he'd be done for.

"Prepare to face my next move!" The First Elder coldly snorted, ready to unleash his deadly technique to completely overpower Chiang Xie.

Though Chiang Xie had managed to block his strike, it was merely a casual release of Profound Energy. The First Elder was convinced that with a bit more effort, Chiang Xie would be doomed!

"An elder attacking a junior is quite disgraceful. If you're looking for a fight, I, Xiao Zhan, will be your opponent!"

As the First Elder readied himself for another attack, a burst of flames instantly dissolved all the frost. Xiao Zhan, enshrouded in raging flames, appeared before everyone.

His formidable presence made everyone take notice – this was Xiao Zhan, the Xiao family's premier expert, a formidable Golden Core Stage Level 4 powerhouse!

Confronted with this, the First Elder had no choice but to back down. He had wanted to defy the Patriarch's wishes and eliminate Chiang Xie on the spot, but he was no match for Xiao Zhan.

Yet, he managed to keep a composed demeanor and addressed Xiao Zhan, "Patriarch, you're overreacting. I only knew that the boy had assaulted Xiao Ning; I never laid a hand on him."

It was a blatant lie, but who would dare contradict the First Elder's intimidating presence? It seemed the issue would have to be dropped.

Furthermore, it was likely that the First Elder wouldn't let Chiang Xie off easily. Even if it wasn't appropriate to strike him down in Xiao Zhan's presence, he would surely find a way to do so covertly later on. The Patriarch's protection would be of no use then.

Xiao Zhan extinguished the flames and calmly faced the First Elder, beginning to say, "You claim you didn't attack, but..." His words were cut short by a piercing scream nearby.

"Patriarch! He hit me! That's right, it was him! This bald-headed old man! He almost beat me to death; I'm spitting up blood!"

Chiang Xie's scream was followed by him pointing to the blood on the ground, his face the picture of misery, as he lodged his complaint to Xiao Zhan.

The crowd was left speechless. Moments before, Chiang Xie had been full of bravado, but now he was playing the victim in front of the Patriarch. How utterly shameless!