As guests presented their gifts, the banquet hall doors swung open. A woman with short crimson hair entered, her loose hanfu styled to reveal a hint of décolletage, one sleeve slipping carelessly from her shoulder. In her hand rested a long smoking pipe, carried with practiced grace.
She approached the elderly couple and exhaled a thin stream of smoke.
"Congratulations on your anniversary," she said, flicking her wrist. Two pillboxes slid from her sleeve, landing neatly before them.
The elderly couple opened the pillboxes, and a powerful fragrance surged forth, filling their senses.
"This scent… it feels as if a decade of vitality has returned to me!" Su Zhengyi exclaimed in awe.
"Master Wang Ruoxi, what kind of pill is this?"
She exhaled lazily. "Nothing special—just pills that make you ten years younger."
Chen Xilan's eyes gleamed with desire as she bowed slightly. "Master Wang Ruoxi, your presence honours us. May I ask… have other esteemed masters also come tonight?"
Wang Ruoxi settled into the phoenix chair, crossing her legs with a calm air. "Only Xin Lin could attend. The others sent their regards."
Chen Xilan lowered her eyes, her intent clearly exposed.
Whispers spread among the guests:
"Who is she to act so arrogantly?"
"That pill claim is absurd—modern medicine can't even compare."
"She's just boasting, not worth our attention."
"Fools! She's one of the Five Elemental Sect Masters. If the Su family offends her, they are finished."
"Even the capital's elites wouldn't dare provoke her!"
Ji Yuan's voice boomed across the hall. "Who dares doubt my master? A single low-grade pill from her could buy your family's entire bloodline!"
Silence fell instantly. None dared speak further.
Ji Yuan then bowed deeply. "Master, forgive this disciple for the late greeting. To hear slander against you within the Su family's hall—just give the word, and I shall silence them forever."
She waved her hand dismissively. "Enough. The opinions of others mean nothing to me."
"Senior Sister truly remains untouched by the views of others," came a bright voice.
A platinum-haired woman entered, dressed in a fitted blouse and wide green pants, smiling warmly though her eyes concealed hidden depths.
Ji Yuan stepped forward. "Thank you, Master, for your guidance. I gave Su Moyan some advice during the deal and helped secure the agreement, but I will continue to do my best."
Xin Lin smiled. "Patience, disciple—growth takes time. Even your small guidance helped secure the AA Group deal, which shows your potential."
Ji Yuan bowed low. "Thank you, Master, for your praise. I will work harder."
Another woman stepped forward before the elderly couple, her tone brisk.
"Congratulations on your anniversary. My time is short, so I offer these two Azure Cloud District villas as my gift."
Su Zhengyi's jaw dropped. "Azure Cloud District villas? Their value exceeds a hundred million!"
He bowed with both hands. "Master Xin Lin, your generosity will be remembered for generations."
Xin Lin frowned, sweeping her gaze across the room. "Where is Wang Xiaotian? Why has he not arrived yet?"
Su Zhengyi's voice dripped with contempt. "Master Xin Lin, his absence speaks for itself. He holds no respect for our family's celebration."
Su Jianyu's eyes widened as he moved to defend Wang Xiaotian.
But Su Zhengyi cut him off. "Su Jianyu, how long will you shield his misdeeds? I know you value righteousness, but true duty is to expose misconduct, not hide it with blind loyalty."
Su Moyan stood silent, her expression unreadable, offering neither defense nor explanation. The rest of the Su family quickly added lies of their own, fanning the flames of hatred against Wang Xiaotian.
Ji Yuan stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Forgive me, Master, but how could one abandon a family event over mere resentment?"
"True, Wang Xiaotian suffered mistreatment, yet Su Moyan always treated him as family. Shouldn't that alone move him to honour his elders?"
Li Mei feigned sorrow as she addressed Wang Ruoxi.
"I personally told him that all five masters would attend, yet he still refused to come."
"Even if he resents us, how could he show such disrespect to his masters—the ones who gave him everything?"
Wang Ruoxi rose sharply, her voice cold as steel. "To neglect a family gathering is arrogance beyond measure. Today, I will correct it permanently."
Xin Lin nodded gravely. "Senior Sister is right. Wang Xiaotian must learn respect. Though an orphan, we raised him as family, teaching him all we knew. We cannot replace blood ties…" She sighed. "But his envy and ingratitude wound us deeply."
Su Moyan lowered her head in guilt. Wang Ruoxi softened slightly, patting her head. "Do not burden yourself. For your sake, I will show mercy—his punishment will be light."
Su Moyan bowed gratefully. "Thank you, Master Wang, for your kindness toward Wang Xiaotian."
Turning, Wang Ruoxi's voice cut like ice. "Deliver my decree—he has five minutes to appear and apologise. If he fails, his ties to the sect will be severed forever."
Xin Lin's tone was firm. "The sect leader has spoken. If he does not appear, every cultivation resource, every scroll, and all support will be withdrawn permanently."
Ji Yuan leaned close to Wang Ruoxi, speaking softly. "Master, forgive me, but from the time Senior Brother received your decree to now, he has had enough time to forge false evidence meant only to stir your guilt."
Wang Ruoxi's eyes hardened. "Fine. No need to waste decrees on that fool. Send a core elder to bring him here."
Ji Yuan's face stayed calm, though inside he scoffed. Whether a decree or a core elder, what difference? The Law Enforcement Hall should have dragged him here in chains. Hmph, by the time you see that so-called prodigy, he will already be dead. His eyes flashed cold amusement behind his mask of calm.
Xin Lin added coldly, "Senior Sister, why even send a core elder? A single call would be more than enough for him."
Su Linfeng spoke urgently, "Daughter, call your husband at once. The Su family cannot risk offending Master Wang."
Su Moyan dialled again and again, but each call went unanswered. Her voice trembled. "Master Wang… he isn't answering."
Wang Ruoxi's palm slammed onto the phoenix throne, shattering it to dust.
"Wang Xiaotian!" she hissed, her voice trembling with fury. "You dare ignore my summons? Whatever fate befalls you now is your own doing. That insolent wretch will not leave unscathed!"
Su Jianyu bowed deeply. "Master Wang, perhaps Senior Brother is occupied, or left his phone unattended. I beg you to withhold judgment until the truth is clear. Forgive me if I have spoken out of turn."
Su Linfeng yanked him aside, hissing, "Are you mad? Do you want us all to die for Wang Xiaotian?"
Wang Ruoxi's eyes narrowed on Su Jianyu. "You have crossed the line. Still, I cannot ignore your words. I must hear his side as well before deciding."
Li Mei said coldly, "Master Wang, there's no need to listen to lies. Wang Xiaotian never works—he only sleeps all day like a useless layabout."
Su Jianyu tried to speak, but Ji Yuan's deadly stare stopped him. A pulse of inner energy pressed him down, leaving him frozen in silence.
Xin Lin stepped closer. "Senior Sister, go to the Su family villa and catch him red-handed. Then we will know why he ignored the summons."
Wang Ruoxi gave a short nod. "Hmm… very well. Let's go to the Su family villa."
[An hour later, at the Su family villa]
Li Mei froze at the sight of the villa door standing open. Fear flickered in her eyes as she whispered,
"Why isn't the door locked? And why is it so dark? Only the garden lights are on, while the rest of the villa lies in darkness".
"Could we have been robbed? I'm certain Wang Xiaotian has already fled with our hard-earned money!"
Wang Ruoxi's gaze sharpened. "Old hag, I know my disciple is useless, but he would never stoop so low as to betray those who raised him. Do you understand?"
Trembling, Li Mei bowed. "Yes, Master Wang."
Xin Lin gave a sharp command. "Turn on the lights."
In an instant, the entire villa was brightened.
Only then did they step inside.
"Wang Xiaotian! Come out this instant, or I'll break those useless legs of yours!"
Wang Ruoxi's voice shook the villa, rattling the windows.
...…
...…
Still, there was no response. Her fury deepened. "How dare he ignore me?"
With a single stomp, she shattered the floor beneath her feet. Turning to Su Moyan, she barked, "Take me to his room!"
Su Moyan flinched, trembling at the sheer force she had just witnessed. "Y-Yes, Master Wang… this way!"