Chapter 3 - Su Changsheng Emerges from Seclusion, Let the Battle Begin
The grand hall of the family assembly was filled with dozens of clan elders and seniors seated separately based on the colors of their clothing. The white, black, and purple-robed ranks were distinguished, with white-robed elders being the lowest and purple-robed elders holding the highest rank.
The purple-robed elders consisted of supreme elders, cultivators at the Eternal Ancient Realm, who typically focused on intensive cultivation or guarding key locations without interfering with clan affairs. However, this time, except for two supreme elders guarding secret areas, all of them appeared together, united solely to address the current crisis faced by the Su Family.
The Su Family was a prominent power in the True Sacred Continent, ruling over vast territories in the Northern Wilderness like a dynasty. The Gu family and the White Cloud Dynasty were top-tier powers maintaining a delicate triangular control over the Northern Wilderness. Numerous smaller forces existed, scattered like asteroids orbiting a star.
Unexpectedly, the Gu family, which had maintained a balanced relationship with the Su family for a long time, experienced a sudden surge in power the previous year and launched a fierce attack against the Su family, targeting their mining veins, businesses, resources, and even talented individuals. Within a mere year, the Su family suffered significant losses. The Gu family’s strength had mysteriously surged, far surpassing the Su family’s in terms of formidable individuals within their clan.
“The Gu Family must have allied with a top-tier power or stumbled upon a monumental opportunity. Otherwise, their strength couldn’t have surged so dramatically,” spoke a deep voice emanating from a weathered face purple-robed supreme elder. His white hair and beard showcased his long life, and his eyes held a formidable gleam, instilling fear in those who gazed upon them.
“In the face of the Gu Family, we have no choice but to retreat to Tianyuan City and abandon a significant portion of our industries that barely survive,” coldly declared another supreme elder, a woman with white hair exuding an aura of purity and nobility. Despite her age, she maintained her elegance undiminished.
The proposition of relinquishing a substantial part of their industries shocked the elders and the clan patriarch seated at the head of the table, causing his expression to change dramatically. “Are you suggesting that we surrender all the resources amassed by the Su Family over thousands of years? These are the foundations built through the arduous efforts of our ancestor, Changsheng Ancient Ancestor!” The Su Family patriarch’s eyes reddened with intensity. Su Changsheng was revered profoundly as the legendary ancestor, and the Su family’s current status owed much to his endeavors.
“The current Su Family is a testament to the effort built by Changsheng’s Old ancestors. Are you not concerned that he will hold you accountable for such a proposition when he emerges from seclusion?” questioned the patriarch, his tone laced with accusation. “Or perhaps you have already betrayed the Su Family and joined forces with the Gu Family?” he added, igniting a tremor within the hearts of the other elders, particularly the purple-robed supreme elders.
The name Su Changsheng carried immense weight among these revered elders, who held deep respect for him. While they were all Eternal Ancients, there was only one old ancestor within the Su family, ‘Su Changsheng.’ For thousands of years, Su Changsheng’s dominance over the True Sacred Continent earned him the Starfall King title and established his invincibility in the Eternal Realm, known far and wide.
“Su Yun, do you believe I will willingly propose this?” replied Su Qing, the calm and composed purple-robed supreme elder, unperturbed by the patriarch’s words.
She greatly admired him as a direct relative and belonging to the same era as Su Changsheng. It was natural for her not to betray the interests of the Su Family and become a traitor.
“Instead of succumbing to the Gu Family’s onslaught, it is wiser to proactively seek assistance from our allies and preserve the clan’s strength. Once Brother Changsheng emerges from seclusion, all our problems will be resolved,” Su Qing asserted. “Su Yun, you must understand that in this world, true importance lies not in industries or resources but in strength!” she emphasized.
“What does relinquishing temporary industries matter? If Brother Changsheng successfully emerges from seclusion, everything can be regained,” she continued. “However, if Brother Changsheng remains in seclusion, it’s not merely about giving up a significant portion of our industries. To safeguard the Su family’s bloodline, we might even have to abandon the foundations upon which the Su family was built!” Su Qing’s casual words sent ripples of realization through the assembly.
The supreme elders, including the patriarch of the Su Family, lapsed into profound silence, fully grasping the significance of Su Qing’s words.
Changsheng Old Ancestor’s seclusion was an attempt to break through to the Saint realm, a secret known only to the highest elders and the patriarch. If he succeeded, it would mark a meaningful breakthrough and a substantial increase in power. He could effortlessly quell any insignificant adversaries and resolve the Su Family crisis. However, if he failed, it could lead to a catastrophic downfall, leaving the family vulnerable, especially with the relentless pursuit of the Gu Family.
To avoid the clan’s destruction, their only choice would be to abandon Tianyuan City and seek refuge in a distant location. The atmosphere in the family meeting turned heavy and oppressive. Suddenly, a black-robed elder seated at the forefront, responsible for gathering intelligence, furrowed his brows deeply. He was visibly shaken by a piece of information that deeply rattled him.
“What is it?” His outburst drew everyone’s attention in the room. Even the five senior transcendent elders, including Su Yun, and the six dignitaries at the Eternal Realm focused their gaze on him, sensing the tangible impact of the Great Dao that seemed capable of intimidating even those in the Void-Opening Realm. The elder, a peak Dao Void realm expert, and a formidable half-step Eternal Ancient Realm powerhouse, struggled to contain his astonishment.
“The Gu family has mobilized a large number of powerful individuals. They have dozens of Law-Phase Realm experts, over a dozen Void-Opening Realm cultivators, and seven Eternal Realm dignitaries. They are launching a full-scale attack on the Purple Abyss of Heaven to seize control!”
The black-robed elder’s expression turned serious and displeased. “What?!” The room erupted with dramatic changes in the expressions of those present. Purple Profound Heaven, the most crucial foundation and heritage of the Su Family, was a broken small world. The Gu Family’s attack on it meant they intended to uproot the core of the Su Family. “The Gu Family has gone too far!”
Su Yun slammed his hand forcefully on the table, his roar resonating through the Su Family hall as his Eternal Ancient realm aura erupted, shaking the surroundings. “We must go to war!” a group of radical elders shouted angrily, their resentment already at a boiling point, further fueled by the audacity of the Gu Family.
“Then let’s go to war!” The supreme elders exchanged glances, and Su Qing, the supreme elder, let out a helpless sigh. Her stunning face remained composed, but her voice turned cold. As a cultivator at the sixth level of the Eternal Ancient realm, someone who had risen from a low cultivation realm, she was unafraid of life and death. Moreover, Purple Profound Heaven was more important to the Su Family than Tianyuan City. It was a movable small world, the hope for the Su Family’s resurgence.
They could abandon all their industries, but not this small world. Su Changsheng had slain several peak Eternal Ancient realm overlords to seize control of this small world, staining the heavens and earth with blood and shaking the surroundings for ten thousand miles. Su Qing would never allow the Gu Family to snatch away Purple Profound Heaven. She was willing to fight to the death to protect it.
“Then let’s fight!” Just as the elders were filled with passion and enthusiasm, a calm voice resonated in the hall. “The Su Family does not seek trouble, but we are not afraid of it either!” In the next moment, Su Yun and the five supreme elders widened their eyes, their expressions filled with ecstatic joy.