"I apologize for offending you today, Young Master. We take our leave now," Su Chengyun bowed respectfully before turning to depart, his mind clouded with confusion and regret.
Not only had the engagement been canceled, but he had created an entirely new problem for himself. He had brought so many people to act arrogantly at the Qingcheng Su family residence today, and Su Zhan undoubtedly harbored resentment toward him for it.
With Su Zhan's terrifying talent, he could easily advance through the Yuan Condensation Realm, the Core Formation Realm, the Nascent Soul Realm, and potentially even reach the legendary Soul Transformation Realm!
Sigh... I truly made a catastrophic mistake in offending such a genius!
As these thoughts consumed him, the bitter regret in Su Chengyun's heart intensified. The accompanying Tancheng Su family elders shared his disappointment and dejection as they prepared to leave.
As their group exited the Su family compound, one elder finally spoke up with obvious frustration. "Patriarch, our Su family has lost tremendous face today. Su Zhan showed us far too little respect. Today's events will make us a laughingstock throughout the region. Should we take action? Although Su Zhan is strong, he remains quite young. We could seek assistance from a professional assassin organization..."
"What are you thinking?!"
Before the elder could finish his reckless suggestion, Su Chengyun erupted with fury. "Do you want to kill Su Zhan? Fine, but before pursuing such madness, you must leave our Su family!"
If you want to die, don't drag our entire Su family down with you!
No! The mere fact that you harbor such thoughts means you must immediately leave our Su family!
Su Chengyun's voice turned ice-cold with finality. "From this moment forward, you are no longer a Su family elder. Return to your branch family and announce this decision yourself. You are banished!"
"W-what did you say?"
The elder stared in disbelief at what he was hearing. Just because he had spoken one sentence, he was being expelled from the Su family? Wasn't this punishment excessive?
"Su Zhan is only sixteen years old yet has already reached the late stage of the Qi Sea Realm, demonstrating combat power that exceeds even experts in the late stage of the Yuan Condensation Realm. Do you truly believe he lacks a powerful and mysterious master guiding his development? You see only the surface and fail to think strategically. People like you will eventually endanger our entire family!"
Su Chengyun's tone brooked no argument. "Leave! Don't force me to take direct action!"
Sensing the true qi beginning to emanate from Su Chengyun's body, the elder's heart filled with resentment, but he dared not linger even for a moment. With a dejected expression, he quickly departed.
Su Chengyun turned to Su Zhaoyue with visible regret. "Zhaoyue, today Second Grandfather made a terrible mistake..."
Su Zhaoyue offered a gentle smile. "Second Grandfather, although Su Zhan is an unparalleled genius, I may not trail far behind him, so please don't be overly disappointed."
"One day, I will also become powerful enough to elevate our Su family into a truly formidable clan and fulfill your aspirations, Second Grandfather!"
"Excellent! Wonderfully spoken! My granddaughter is absolutely not inferior to Su Zhan! It's only this old fool who was too stubborn!"
Su Chengyun's mood finally brightened as he hurried toward their horse carriage. The Tancheng Su family caravan began their departure.
"Senior Lin, is Su Zhan truly as frightening as you suggest?" Su Zhaoyue whispered softly within the confines of her carriage.
The bracelet adorning her wrist began to glow, and wisps of spiritual energy coalesced into a translucent female silhouette before her.
"Are you aware that I possess expertise in the ancient art of fortune-telling? Initially, I chose you as my host because I perceived your luck aura shining like a vast and brilliant starry sky. Do you know what I observe when I examine Su Zhan's spiritual signature?"
"What do you see?" Su Zhaoyue asked with growing curiosity.
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
Lin Feiyu nodded gravely. "Or more accurately, his fortune has transcended the very limits of this world. Therefore, within this realm, I cannot detect even the faintest trace of his spiritual aura!"
"Transcended the limits of this world..." Su Zhaoyue's eyes widened with shock and disbelief.
"But don't despair," Lin Feiyu continued with an encouraging smile, seeing Su Zhaoyue's spirits falter. "You possess an exceptional constitution and my guidance. Your future achievements may yet rival his!"
"Don't dwell on such concerns. After you obtain that strange fire within the ruins, your physical body will undergo a dramatic transformation and your cultivation speed will increase several-fold! At that time, you can compete with him as equals!"
"Understood!" Su Zhaoyue's eyes blazed with renewed determination.
"I, Su Zhaoyue, will definitely not lose to anyone!"
The Qingcheng Su Family Compound
After leaving the reception hall, Su Zhan immediately began intensive cultivation in seclusion.
As for the pair of Bloodfang fangs, he had already entrusted them to Qingcheng's most skilled weaponsmith for forging, and the completed weapon would be ready in three days.
In his private courtyard, Su Zhan sat cross-legged in meditation.
He first deactivated all his other halos, leaving only the cultivation halo active, and began his practice.
Under the cultivation halo's influence, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged into his body at an unprecedented rate.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
As Su Zhan absorbed spiritual energy with extraordinary speed, the converging energy actually formed a whirlwind-like vortex of pure spiritual force!
"What is that phenomenon?!"
"A spiritual energy vortex! Heavens above! Isn't this a miraculous sign that can only be produced by a genius possessing a sacred physique?"
"Young Master Su Zhan is a peerless genius with unparalleled talent—he manifested a spiritual energy vortex in just one day! He clearly possesses a sacred constitution, so why are you surprised?"
Expressions of admiration and amazement echoed throughout the Su family compound as servants and elders witnessed this extraordinary display.
Three Days Later
The spiritual vortex finally dissipated.
Su Zhan's cultivation had advanced to the Late Stage of the Qi Sea Realm, leaving him only one step away from breaking through to the Yuan Condensation Realm!
A complete breakthrough in just three days!
If the Su family experts hadn't witnessed this incredible cultivation speed with their own eyes, they would never have believed such rapid advancement was possible!
"It's time to depart for the ruins. The journey is considerable, and travel will require substantial time."
Su Zhan stretched as he rose from his meditation posture, evaluating his newfound strength.
"When I was at the Middle Stage of the Qi Sea Realm, my combat power already rivaled experts in the late stage of the Yuan Condensation Realm. Now that I've broken through once more, I should be unbeatable below the Core Formation Realm, shouldn't I?"
Su Zhan paused, then shook his head with characteristic caution.
"Each cultivation level has its own advantages and disadvantages. I can fight across realms, and others may possess similar capabilities. The geniuses from throughout Liang Province who are venturing to these ruins undoubtedly carry powerful trump cards bestowed by their elders. I cannot afford complacency and must remain vigilant in all my actions!"
After securing the violation token, Su Zhan immediately visited Su Tianhai's quarters to bid farewell.
"Zhan'er, exercise caution on your journey. Also, your new sword is completed—I'll present it to you now."
As he spoke, Su Tianhai retrieved an exquisite weapon and placed it in Su Zhan's hands.
The sword possessed a pale crimson hue with razor-sharp edges, containing an aura of barely restrained wildness. When infused with true qi, this weapon would dramatically enhance its wielder's combat effectiveness.
This was a genuine spiritual weapon!
Su Zhan grasped the sword and performed several experimental swings, immediately sensing its superior quality and balance. After receiving additional instructions from Su Tianhai, he departed the family compound with his new pale crimson blade.
Two Days Later - The Grasslands Outside the Core Yuan Expert's Ruins
Su Zhan gazed at the shimmering barrier of light extending thousands of meters ahead, contemplating the information he had gathered about these ruins over the past several days. Suddenly, a clear, familiar voice called out from behind him.
"Su Zhan?"
He turned to see Su Zhaoyue approaching.
"It really is you!" Su Zhaoyue smiled warmly. "You're truly remarkable—even your silhouette possesses a distinctive presence!"
Su Zhan returned her smile but remained silent.
At that moment, the formation barrier ahead suddenly began to dim significantly!
"Move quickly! The formation has reached its weakest point!" someone shouted urgently.
Instantly, cultivators who had been waiting for hours rushed forward in a desperate surge toward the ruins' entrance.