A furious Su Yang said with a frigid voice, "Su Chen, how dare you be so arrogant? Do you really think you are still the number one genius of the family? Today, I will make you crawl like a dog and beg before me."
"Break his limbs."
"Yes!"
Dozens of people rushed forward, caring for nothing. They knew that if anything happened, Su Yang would take the blame; in the current Su family, he was undoubtedly the one with the most influence.
Who dared to provoke Su Yang?
Even the Patriarch had to curry favor with him. Once Su Yang went to the Su Clan to cultivate, he was destined to become a powerhouse who could look down upon Panyou City, and the family would have to rely on him in the future.
It was nothing but a dog acting on the authority of its master.
Su Chen’s gaze was icy. Even cousins were unbearable when faced with the so-called brutal reality. When he was once at his peak, who dared to provoke him? Now that he was down, they immediately bared their fangs, eager to humiliate him and kick him while he was down.
With a single stride, Su Chen’s figure vanished from where he stood.
Using his finger as a sword, a domineering and sharp sword qi cut through the dusk with bone-chilling coldness. Before the dozens of men could even get close, miserable wails erupted. The sword qi surged, engulfing everyone. Limbs were severed, and blood instantly stained the ground red.
After-images flashed as Su Chen’s figure slowly solidified. The dozens of men who had been full of life just a moment ago were now all corpses. A pungent scent of blood filled the air, scaring Su Yang into retreating repeatedly.
Su Chen was still just as strong.
Suppressing the shock and horror in his heart, Su Yang kept telling himself that Su Chen’s Blood Wheel was shattered and his cultivation had fallen to the Innate Realm. He, however, had already successfully established his foundation. There should be no problem suppressing Su Chen.
He refused to be a dog again. He wanted to look down on Su Chen.
"Su Chen, I’ll show you right now just how wide the gap is between us."
*Hum!*
The blood in his body surged, and a Blood Wheel manifested above his head. A pale yellow sword shadow appeared within the wheel, emanating a sharp intent.
"Since I awakened my Blood Wheel, you shall be the first to taste its power."
Blood Wheel?
Su Chen sneered. A majestic bloodline aura erupted above his head, and his own sword-type Blood Wheel materialized, its power far surpassing Su Yang’s.
The suppression of the Blood Wheel’s rank caused Su Yang’s expression to change drastically. With a face full of disbelief, he roared in shock, "Impossible! Wasn't your Blood Wheel already destroyed by Su Hao? How can you re-condense it?"
His terrified voice was filled with denial. Everyone on the continent knew one thing: once a martial artist's Blood Wheel was shattered, it was impossible to re-condense it. How had Su Chen done it? The family couldn't have spread false news, and he had seen Su Chen's ruined state with his own eyes just yesterday.
"A dog is a dog; it can never become a human."
Fear was etched across Su Yang’s horrified face. He was truly afraid now. He said urgently, "Su Chen, I have already received an invitation from the Su Clan and will be going there to cultivate soon. If you dare to touch me, never mind the family—you won't be able to bear the wrath of the Su Clan."
Trying to threaten him with the Su Clan?
Taking a step, Su Chen’s figure moved like a ghost, instantly appearing before Su Yang. There was not a trace of emotion in his cold eyes. This entire ordeal had shown him the true faces of many people.
Brutal reality taught him that to survive in this world where martial arts reigned supreme, one could not be soft-hearted, even toward cousins. If he hadn't obtained the Chaos Swallowing Tower and re-condensed his Blood Wheel, he would surely be suffering humiliation at Su Yang’s hands right now. Would Su Yang have shown him any mercy? Who would have helped him? No one. That was the cruel reality.
"Su Chen, you have already been expelled from the family. If you dare to strike me, Grandfather will never let you off, and the Su Clan won't let you off either!"
*Bang!*
Before Su Yang could spew more nonsense, he was kicked hard in the stomach. Pain coursed through his body. Due to the suppression of the Blood Wheel and the fact that he was terrified to the limit, he didn't even have the courage to fight back.
Staring coldly at the man before him, Su Chen spoke with a voice that seemed to rise from a frigid hell.
"I’ll let you taste what it’s like to have your Blood Wheel shattered. Let’s see if the Su Clan still wants you once you’ve lost it."
Hearing this, Su Yang trembled violently, his face turning deathly pale. He roared frantically, "Su Chen, you wouldn't dare!"
"Whether I dare or not is not for you to decide."
The energy of the Blood Wheel surged into his right hand, and Su Chen slashed his finger-sword down ruthlessly. His eyes held no wavering or mercy, as if he were looking at a wild boar struggling in the throes of death. He had never imagined that Su Yang—the same person who used to wag his tail and fawn over him—would be the first to turn on him, not to comfort him, but to humiliate him and use him as a stepping stone to curry favor with the Su Clan.
If you start it, I can certainly finish it.
Suddenly, a miserable scream tore through the air. The Blood Wheel hovering above Su Yang’s head was pierced by the domineering sword qi. With a *bang*, the entire wheel shattered. Su Yang vomited a mouthful of blood and passed out on the spot.
Su Chen then looked toward the main hall. He had already learned from Su Yang that he was about to be expelled from the family. It seemed his grandfather had chosen to abandon him for the sake of the family.
Was he bitter? Only a saint could say they wouldn't be. The family that raised him was now choosing to cast him aside.
Ignoring the unconscious Su Yang, Su Chen left the courtyard and walked directly toward the main hall. On his way, he had already sent someone to notify his grandfather; he intended to settle this matter immediately.
Inside the main hall, Su Yuan was astonished. He hadn't expected Su Chen to send word, which meant the boy already knew about his impending expulsion. He felt deeply guilty but saw no other way. As the Patriarch, he couldn't let the entire family perish for the sake of one person. Abandoning Su Chen was the only way to preserve the family.
Hearing footsteps, Su Yuan looked up to see the young man walking in. The youth’s handsome face was devoid of expression, a coldness that made one’s heart ache. With a sigh, Su Yuan gripped the armrests of his chair tightly. Even if there had been the slightest chance, he wouldn't have wanted to exile his own grandson. He had already lost his most outstanding son; now, he was about to lose his most outstanding grandson. He could clearly foresee the consequences for Chen’er once he left the family.
Su Chen did not bow. He stood there, his face filled with indifference as he looked at his grandfather sitting at the head of the hall.
Su Yuan broke the silence first. "Chen’er, how are your injuries?"
"Does Grandfather still care about my injuries?"
Listening to the resentment in his grandson’s tone, Su Yuan sighed deeply, his heart heavy with shame. "As the Patriarch of the Su family, I must consider the entire family." He offered no further explanation. The meaning was clear: the family came first; he could not sacrifice the many for the one.
At that moment, a roar of fury came from outside the hall. "Where is that animal, Su Chen? I will tear him to pieces today!"
The enraged Su Xuan entered with Su Hong and the others. Seeing the youth standing in the center of the hall, he bellowed, "You animal! Look at what you've done!"
"Presumptuous!"
"Father, Su Chen has destroyed Su Yang’s Blood Wheel!"
"What?" Su Yuan looked at his grandson, unable to believe it. Su Chen’s Blood Wheel was shattered, and his cultivation had fallen to the Innate Realm. How could he have destroyed Su Yang’s, especially since Su Yang had already established his foundation?
"Have you confirmed this?"
"Father, Su Yang’s Blood Wheel is shattered, and he is currently unconscious." Su Xuan’s rage grew as he spoke. Su Yang had successfully established his foundation and was destined for the Su Clan. He had been looking forward to rising in status thanks to his son. Now? With his son's Blood Wheel destroyed, everything was ruined. The Su Clan would never want a cripple.
"Who were you calling an animal just now?" Su Chen asked calmly.
"I was calling you an animal! You are a cancer to this family! You want the whole family to suffer with you. It is a tragedy for this family to have trash like you!" If it weren't for the fear of his own father, Su Xuan would have torn Su Chen limb from limb.
Su Chen’s gaze turned icy. He vanished from his spot, leaving behind flickering after-images.
Immediately after, a sword hum resonated through the hall. An incredibly domineering sword qi surged forth, enveloping Su Xuan in a cold, murderous intent that made him shiver uncontrollably.
His face was a mask of shock and disbelief. Before he could even react, he was struck by the sword qi. With a wretched scream, dozens of bloody holes appeared on his body. The pain made Su Xuan’s face contort, and blood stained the floor as a pungent scent began to spread.
Silence.
The hall fell deathly quiet. Everyone, including Su Yuan, watched the scene, dumbfounded. They gasped, unable to believe that someone with a shattered Blood Wheel could defeat Su Xuan, a Level 8 Foundation Establishment realm expert, in a single move. Was it a hallucination?
Looking coldly at Su Xuan, Su Chen chuckled. "You and your son are not qualified to use me as a stepping stone. Apologize now, or this sword qi will pierce every part of your body."
Enduring the waves of pain, Su Xuan was full of horror and fury. He never would have imagined that a "cripple" could defeat him in one blow.
"Su Chen, he is still your uncle," Su Hong said.
Before Su Hong could finish, Su Chen stopped him. "Second Uncle, in the face of reality, does family affection even exist?" Su Hong wanted to say more, but seeing his nephew’s icy eyes, he sighed deeply and swallowed his words.
Looking toward his father, Su Xuan said weakly, "Father, are you just going to watch Su Chen humiliate me?"
"Apologize to Chen’er." Su Yuan felt a profound sense of guilt; he felt there was little left he could do for his grandson.
*What?* Su Xuan backed away, his face twisted with rage and unwillingness. Did he really have to apologize to Su Chen? Apologizing was impossible.
Su Xuan laughed, gloating. "Su Chen, don't think you’ve won. You’ve provoked Su Hao; you have no place left here, and you are about to be expelled from the family! Hahaha! Hahahaha!"
"Show mercy," Su Yuan pleaded.
Su Chen ignored him. He channeled his sword technique, merging his Blood Wheel into it. The sharp, domineering sword qi pierced directly into Su Xuan’s mind, ruthlessly shattering his Blood Wheel.
With a scream, Su Xuan’s body was like a kite with a broken string as he crashed to the ground. He met the same fate as Su Yang—his Blood Wheel destroyed by the sword qi.
Total silence. No one dared to make a sound; they all stared at the scene in a daze. No one had expected Su Chen to dare destroy his own uncle’s Blood Wheel. One had to realize that to a martial artist, the Blood Wheel was as precious as life itself. Once lost, one was destined to remain in the Innate Realm forever, with no hope of foundation establishment.
"You may not act like humans, but I, Su Chen, have my own bottom line."
Su Xuan was his uncle; he wasn't a heartless beast and couldn't bring himself to slaughter his own family, but he would destroy the Blood Wheels of Su Yang and Su Xuan. That was the price they had to pay for provoking him.
Everyone was terrified. Su Chen was simply too strong; even an uncle at Level 8 Foundation Establishment couldn't withstand a single strike from him. How terrifying was that? Most importantly, the Patriarch hadn't stepped in to stop him.
"Grandfather, the feud between Su Hao and me will not implicate the family. From now on, I, Su Chen, expel myself from the family. I am no longer a disciple of the Su family. I will be leaving shortly. My father has nothing to do with this; please treat him well."
Hearing this, everyone was moved. They hadn't expected Su Chen to choose to leave on his own.
Sighs filled the air. Those who wanted to preserve the family found themselves powerless against the might of the Su Clan. Watching Su Chen turn and leave, Su Yuan closed his eyes in agony. Su Chen's Emperor Bone had been stripped by Su Hao, and now, under the threat of the Su Clan, he had to watch his grandson leave. As a grandfather, he could only accept it.
"Take Su Xuan away and take good care of him."
"Father, are you really going to let Su Chen leave the family?"
"This matter ends here. Spread the word: no one is to discuss this privately. Anyone who violates this order will be killed!"
"Yes."
~~~~~~
In the ice chamber, the walls were lined with massive blocks of ice, maintaining a permanent, frozen state. In the center sat an ice coffin, colored a deep, icy blue. Inside lay a middle-aged man who bore a seven-part resemblance to Su Chen, lying still as if he were a living corpse.
Su Chen appeared in the ice chamber. Looking at the coffin and the man inside, he slowly fell to his knees. "Father, your child is unfilial. Due to certain circumstances, I have expelled myself from the family and will be leaving soon. One day, I will surely help you wake up."
Su Zhan had once been the number one powerhouse in the Eastern Wilderness, a man who intimidated all clans and sects, but now he could only lie in this coffin as a living corpse. The Su family had tried countless methods, but none could wake him.
Suddenly, the Dragon-Elephant bloodline within Su Chen began to churn. A drop of Dragon-Elephant essence blood was forced out of his body, rapidly merging into the ice coffin.
The next second, intense Dragon-Elephant fluctuations surged from the coffin, pouring into Su Chen’s mind like a tidal wave. After half an hour of integration, Su Chen slowly opened his eyes.
"Nine Dragons, Nine Elephants Art!"
Su Chen could guess that his sealed bloodline and the art he just acquired from the coffin surely held some unknown secrets. Alas, his father was in a coma and could not tell him.
Footsteps echoed. Su Yuan walked in, seeing his grandson kneeling before the coffin, and sighed deeply. "Chen’er, I have contacted the Dean of the Eastern Wilderness Academy. Because your father did them a favor years ago, you can go there to cultivate. Even the Su Clan wouldn't dare offend the Academy."
Su Chen took the jade token offered by his grandfather, which bore the words "Eastern Wilderness Academy." He did not refuse. He understood his grandfather’s intent: only by seeking a powerful protector could he buy himself time to cultivate and gain the strength to take revenge on the Su Clan.
"And this is the marriage contract. The news has reached the Imperial Palace; the Ji family of the Imperial Clan wants to annul the engagement."
Taking the token and the marriage contract, Su Chen’s gaze turned frigid. Back when the Ji family saw his father dominating the Eastern Wilderness, they had repeatedly sent people to seek a marriage alliance. Now that his Emperor Bone had been stripped and he was being intimidated by the Su Clan, the Imperial Ji family had finally lost their nerve and chosen to annul the engagement.
They wanted to break off the engagement? Su Chen stood up and tossed the token and the contract into his space ring. If there was going to be an annulment, it would be on his terms, not the Ji family’s.
Watching his grandson turn to leave, Su Yuan’s face turned pale. He wanted to speak, but the words stuck in his throat. He didn't know what to say; he was the one who had failed Chen’er.
Without lingering, Su Chen left the family. He intended to head straight to the Eastern Wilderness Academy to buy himself time. As the top academy in the region, its deterrent power was such that even the Su Clan wouldn't dare collide with it head-on. They wouldn't risk life and death with the Academy just for Su Hao.
The streets were bustling, filled with the sounds of hawking, but Su Chen had no heart to look at the prosperous scene.
"Oh, look, isn't this our famous Su genius from Panyou City?"
An oily, sarcastic voice sounded. Dozens of youths walked over, their faces full of smirks, their gazes filled with malice as they looked at Su Chen.
"Get lost!"
Su Chen recognized them—disciples from various families in Panyou City. They had been his fawning followers before, but now that they heard his bloodline was destroyed, they jumped out to bark.
"Eh? Su genius, your Blood Wheel is destroyed, yet you dare to be so arrogant? Do you believe if I stomp you to death right here, your Su family wouldn't even stand up for you?"
"Kneel and bark twice. If you satisfy us, you might be fine. Otherwise, you’ll be heading home with a pig’s head."
Seeing Su Chen’s icy eyes, the dozens of men weren't afraid at all. What kind of power could someone with a shattered Blood Wheel have? The feeling of humiliating a former genius was just too satisfying.
"Su genius, you don't agree? Fine, I'm standing right here. If you have the guts, hit me." One of them walked right up to Su Chen, grabbed his fist, and pressed it against his own face, shouting defiantly. He was certain Su Chen didn't have the courage, which was why he was so unbridled.
The onlookers sighed. Everyone could see that the former number one genius of Panyou City had fallen to such a state that he didn't even dare to speak up while being humiliated. This was the cruel reality.
"I will satisfy your request."
*Hum!*
A sword hum roared from within Su Chen. The sword-type Blood Wheel that suddenly materialized above his head startled everyone nearby. Before they could react, Su Chen had already unleashed his sword technique, integrating it into the Blood Wheel.
Dense, domineering sword qi rippled out, piercing through the bodies of the dozens of men. Blood stained the ground, and the pungent smell of blood told everyone present that everything they were seeing was real.
To kill dozens of hecklers with one sword strike—how tyrannical!
[Author's Note]
The new book has started. Please give this book your support! I, Xianhe, thank you all!