Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

Buzz!

A domineering aura spread outward, like a flood or tidal wave, crashing toward Qin Zi.

The red-haired elder sneered inwardly—weaklings who act recklessly will ultimately pay with humiliation.

Clang!

But in the next instant, a faint bell sound rang out, and his smile froze.

Qin Zi stood completely unharmed, enveloped in a golden bell.

"Heh, your strength is mediocre, but your arrogance is impressive… disciplining my son? I'm afraid that's not your place," Qin Chuan sneered, standing beside the bell.

"You!!"

The red-haired elder was stunned, his old face twisted in disbelief. He never imagined that his attack would be blocked.

But how could this person be so powerful?

According to his information, Qin Chuan's cultivation was only around Heaven-Piercing Realm (Tongtian) Fourth Layer. Even if he could fight beyond his level, at most, he'd be comparable to the Heaven-Piercing Sixth Layer. How could he resist someone like him?

Not only was the red-haired elder shocked, but everyone else was as well. The intensity of their surprise was overwhelming, as if fire had just ignited beneath them. They all stood up, staring intently at Qin Chuan.

It was the kind of fear that stemmed from feeling their own positions of superiority were no longer secure.

Just moments ago, they had looked down from above, and now suddenly, the person they had been underestimating was standing on equal footing with them!

"Qin Chuan, your strength…"

Zhao Fulong took a deep breath, his voice filled with hesitation as he asked.

"I've regained a bit of it," Qin Chuan calmly replied.

"Re… regained?!"

The crowd's faces changed drastically.

Regained? Just a bit?

What did that mean? Did it imply that this person had once been much stronger than he currently was?

Their minds raced, quickly conjuring up a story of a once mighty expert whose cultivation had been sealed, and who was now slowly undoing that seal, gradually restoring his overwhelming power…

Such situations, though rare, were not unheard of!

Moreover, they had always found Qin Chuan's background strange. Previously, he had seemed entirely unremarkable, nothing more than an insignificant cultivator at the Core Formation Realm (Yuan Dan). Yet, in a single year, he had risen to such heights.

Who could cultivate that quickly under normal circumstances? Even using demonic methods, it wasn't possible!

"Hmph, just trying to seem mysterious. Don't think that gaining a few lucky opportunities makes you invincible," the red-haired elder scoffed, though his confidence had visibly weakened.

"Whether you believe it or not doesn't concern me. I'm not someone who clings to a false sense of superiority, but I certainly won't allow anyone to look down on me," Qin Chuan said, his tone calm as he gazed at the red-haired elder. "You may be guests, so I won't hold this against you."

He swept his gaze across the other elders from the Six Great Sects, his eyes deep as he said, "The struggle between you and the royal family? I won't get involved. I've helped move your plan forward, and now you can help clean up the mess. After this, we owe each other nothing."

Gasp!

At these words, the elders of the Six Great Sects exchanged wary glances, their expressions tightening.

He had figured it out!

This man was far from ordinary!

In that moment, they truly saw Qin Chuan as an equal, and perhaps… even someone to be feared.

He was too mysterious.

It was as if they were staring at a venomous creature they couldn't identify, and they had no idea what kind of bite it might deliver…

People always fear the unknown.

Boom!

Suddenly, a deafening rumble shook the heavens, accompanied by roaring thunder that echoed across the skies.

"A royal decree! Supreme Elders of Seven Martial Sect, come forward to receive the imperial edict!"

A commanding voice boomed from high above.

The Supreme Elders of the Six Great Sects grew serious. They exchanged glances and nodded.

"Let's go."

Together, they made their way outside.

Meanwhile, Qin Chuan and Qin Zi casually found a couple of chairs and sat down, intending to wait until the situation resolved itself.

Though it appeared as if the whole issue revolved around them, Qin Chuan knew it had nothing to do with him or Qin Zi!

The Six Great Sects were using this as an opportunity to gauge the royal family's strength.

And the royal family seemed to be playing along, using this as a chance to conceal their power and perhaps plan something in secret…

However, one thing Qin Chuan was certain of:

The royal family was not to be underestimated!

It was said that the Nine Suns Royal Family had once come from the vast and prosperous Eastern Region, exiled to this barren land.

Families forced into such predicaments often developed remarkable resilience, fostering an unbreakable unity and strength.

Perhaps the royal family was deliberately hiding its power to deceive its enemies in the Eastern Region and buy time to grow stronger.

But how could they grow stronger in such a desolate land, where even breaking through to the Saint Realm was nearly impossible?

It didn't make sense!

Some things were beyond Qin Chuan's understanding, and he didn't dwell on them. After all, these concerns weren't his.

He only needed to wait until Qin Zi grew stronger. Once his son reached the right level, they could leave this barren land behind—none of it would affect his own cultivation.

As for why the people here didn't leave? It was similar to how people in impoverished areas of the world don't simply leave their homeland.

There were many reasons.

Some lacked the ability to make such a journey. Others found the outside world too complex and challenging to survive in. And for many, this place was simply their home, their roots.

There could be many other factors as well.

Boom, boom, boom!

In the sky above Seven Martial Sect, the thunderclouds roiled, and an oppressive aura descended like waves crashing against the ground.

The disciples of the sect shivered, trembling as they prostrated themselves on the ground, pale-faced and staring up at the heavens.

Within the clouds, armored figures stood tall, their powerful auras flickering between the clouds, exuding a terrifying majesty like celestial soldiers from the heavens.

The clouds parted.

"Supreme Elders of Seven Martial Sect, come forward to receive the decree!"

An old eunuch dressed in a red robe stepped forward—clearly another of the royal palace's powerful eunuchs. He looked down at the sect and called out again.

Buzz!!

In the next moment, five figures slowly rose from the valley, their bodies radiating light like the rising sun.

Boom, boom, boom!

Waves of powerful pressure surged forth, crashing into the thunderclouds above.

Whoosh!

The thunderclouds were swept aside, revealing the figures of the "celestial soldiers" within.

Without the clouds, the royal army's presence seemed far less intimidating.

"So, you've finally shown yourselves!"

The eunuch's ceremonial hat ribbon fluttered across his face, and he frowned slightly before speaking coldly.

"What business does the royal family have with us?" Zhao Fulong asked politely.

"Supreme Elder Qin Chuan of Seven Martial Sect has killed the Chief of the Internal Affairs Bureau, Han Diao, a servant of the imperial family. This crime of rebellion against the throne must be punished by death! Today, you will execute Qin Chuan in public, and the execution will be carried out by your own hands."

The old eunuch's voice was icy as he delivered the decree.

"What?!"

"Execute Elder Qin?"

"And the Supreme Elders must carry it out?"

"This is a humiliation!"

The disciples of Seven Martial Sect erupted into outrage, their hearts pounding as they recalled the events at Wind Thunder Valley.

To them, Elder Qin had done nothing wrong. If the sect couldn't protect Elder Qin, it would already be a great shame.

Forcing their own Supreme Elders to carry out the execution? That would utterly destroy their honor and dignity, leaving the entire sect's morale in shambles!

A sect that couldn't even protect its own elders, and was willing to sacrifice one to appease the powers that be, could never have a future.

Such a sect wasn't worth staying in!

Of course, the disciples weren't the only ones who understood this. The Supreme Elders had already considered the implications, and the royal family had no doubt anticipated it as well. This was clearly a calculated move.

They wanted to back everyone into a corner, leaving no room for retreat.

"The royal decree is too much this time," Zhao Fulong said in a deep voice, taking a long breath. "If we comply, what will our disciples think of us? How will the young talents who wish to join Seven Martial Sect view us?"

"Heh, how you deal with that is your concern. It has nothing to do with me," the eunuch sneered, his tone arrogant. "The decree is final. You have no choice but to obey!"