The Chen Clan possessed vast estates, a long heritage, and profound depth. As one of the great clans in the Eastern Region, a single stomp of their foot would make the entire Eastern Region tremble. And yet, someone had actually claimed they would come to their doorstep and exterminate them! How could these high-ranking members of the Chen Clan not be furious?
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! I'd like to see who dares to speak such boasting words, to come to our doorstep and exterminate the Chen Clan within five days!" the Grand Elder of the Chen Clan roared with wrathful laughter.
"Patriarch, give the order immediately. Recall all members of our Chen Clan to defend the headquarters," another elder said to the Patriarch.
"Patriarch, do you think… the incident at the Tianyuan Sect headquarters… could it be the doing of experts from Hudao Academy? This threat to exterminate our Chen Clan… could it also be from Hudao Academy? If Hudao Academy is truly behind this…" an elder with a more cautious temperament spoke up, his voice tinged with worry.
"It will not be!
Whether the events at the Tianyuan Sect headquarters are truly Hudao Academy's doing, I cannot say for sure. However, whoever threatens to exterminate our Chen Clan cannot be Hudao Academy. Nor can it be any force from the Central Continent. In the past, when invaders from beyond this realm invaded, after a great war, the four regions—Eastern Region, Western Plains, Northern Wastelands, Southern Frontier—were almost destroyed, their strength greatly diminished. Only the Central Continent suffered comparatively lighter losses. Thus, after the war, the Central Continent was the strongest, while the other four regions were weak and feeble. Later, upon the suggestion of Venerable Hu Dao, the Central Continent made a guarantee: No force within the Central Continent is allowed to excessively interfere with the development of the other four regions. Extermination of sects and clans is absolutely forbidden. Once such an event occurs, the entire Tianxuan Continent would regard the perpetrator as an enemy from beyond the realms. This guarantee was proposed by Venerable Hu Dao; Hudao Academy would certainly abide by it!" the Patriarch said slowly. As the Patriarch, he had the privilege to regularly read ancient texts handed down within the clan, granting him some understanding of many secrets across the Tianxuan Continent.
"So that means… whoever threatens to exterminate our Chen Clan definitely cannot be Hudao Academy," the cautious elder sighed in relief.
"Definitely not. And it won't be any force from the Central Continent either," the Patriarch stated.
"Hahaha… As long as it's not one of those great powers or experts from the Central Continent, I'd like to see who in this Eastern Region dares to have such a big mouth, to boast about exterminating our Chen Clan!" The other high-ranking Chen Clan members also completely set their minds at ease, bursting into loud laughter.
"That's right! Report this matter to our four Ancestors immediately! Have them emerge to preside over the situation!" the Chen Clan Grand Elder ordered.
At the same time, the high-ranking members of the other four great forces—the Xiao Clan, the Lei Clan, the Huangtian Sect, and the Heavenly Emperor Sacred Land—also received letters with identical content. They were told to prepare, for within five days, someone would come to their doorstep… and destroy them! Upon receiving these letters, the leaders of these four forces naturally erupted in fury.
"Recall all our forces! Prepare to fight the enemy to the death!" The higher-ups of these four factions all issued similar orders, preparing for war with full force.
As the news spread, the entire Eastern Region was once again shaken. Reputable great sects and clans of the Eastern Region were actually being threatened with extermination! This was simply astonishing.
"Heavens! Who is so audacious, to dare boast they will come to their doorsteps and wipe out five great sects and clans within five days!"
"Did you notice? The Chen Clan, Xiao Clan, Lei Clan, Huangtian Sect, and Heavenly Emperor Sacred Land—these five factions threatened with extermination all sent forces to deal with the Tianyuan Sect and the Ye Family. I'm certain this matter is absolutely related to the Tianyuan Sect and the Ye Family!"
"But Ye Yunfei is dead. With the strength of the Tianyuan Sect and the Ye Family alone, they could never accomplish such a shocking feat. So, who could it be?"
"Regardless, we've got another good show to watch!"
... Countless martial artists across the Eastern Region were frantically discussing these events.
A day later.
Yet another sensational piece of news rapidly spread across the Eastern Region. It was that a group of young talents from top-tier forces in the Central Continent had arrived in the Eastern Region and were currently guests of the five great sects and clans threatened with extermination.
It was said that among these young talents from the Central Continent, the strongest among them were Mystic Liquid Realm experts!
"Mystic Liquid Realm experts? This is the first time I'm hearing of it. What kind of realm is that?" Many young people in the Eastern Region were hearing about this cultivation realm—the Mystic Liquid Realm—for the first time and couldn't help but be shocked, questioning one after another. After all, Yuan Foundation Realm experts were the strongest beings in the Eastern Region. In the minds of many Eastern Region youths, Yuan Foundation Realm experts might be considered the most powerful fighters in the world. Now they suddenly heard of the Mystic Liquid Realm.
"You lot are so ignorant! Listen carefully: above Yuan Foundation Realm is the Mystic Liquid Realm. Only the Central Continent has Mystic Liquid Realm experts," many veteran experts explained.
"My god! That means the strength of the Central Continent is terrifying! To think even their youths are stronger than the most powerful Yuan Foundation Realm experts of our Eastern Region!" Many youths gasped in disbelief upon hearing this.
At this moment.
At the headquarters of the Chen Clan.
A lively feast was being held.
Seated at the main seat was a man in a purple robe, his face filled with unbridled arrogance. He was flanked and surrounded by the four Ancestors of the Chen Clan and a large group of high-ranking clan members, who treated him like stars circling the moon.
"Young Master Xi is truly a dragon among men!"
"Young Master Xi's presence has added luster to our humble Chen Clan!"
At the feast, every high-ranking Chen Clan member grovelled in every possible way, their flattery falling thick and fast! However, this 'Young Master Xi' for the most part simply drank his wine by himself, paying these Chen Clan higher-ups little attention.
He was, after all, a Mystic Liquid Realm expert. In his eyes, these Chen Clan high-ranking members were far too weak. They were practically a bunch of ants! He had little interest in paying attention to a group of ants. If not for the few Shenfeng Sect disciples with ties to the Chen Clan who had tried their utmost to curry favor and repeatedly invited him, he might not have even bothered coming to the Chen Clan.
"Attendants! Bring forth the tribute our clan has prepared for Young Master Xi!" one of the Chen Clan Ancestors declared loudly.
Immediately, the Chen Clan Grand Elder reverently offered up over a dozen spatial rings with both hands, personally presenting them to Xi Feng.
Xi Feng's Soul Power lightly swept over the spatial rings, and only then did his expression turn slightly more amiable. These spatial rings were filled with all sorts of valuable treasures, greatly pleasing him.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony," Xi Feng said indifferently, flicking his sleeve, a slight smile finally appearing on his face.
"I heard someone threatened to come to your doorstep and exterminate the Chen Clan within five days?" Xi Feng raised his wine cup, took a sip, and casually inquired.
"That's correct. We know not which impertinent wretch dares to threaten our Chen Clan like this," a Chen Clan Ancestor hurriedly nodded.
"Well then, I'll wait here. Let's see who will come to their door to exterminate them," Xi Feng nodded.
"Fantastic! With Young Master Xi present, no one in the entire Eastern Region is a match for him!"
"With Young Master Xi here, our Chen Clan is as stable as Mount Tai!"
"Hahaha…"
Hearing Xi Feng's words, the Chen Clan members grew extremely excited, laughing heartily.
This Young Master Xi was a Mystic Liquid Realm expert! With him here, who in the entire Eastern Region would dare to touch the Chen Clan?
"You did an exceptional deed, inviting Young Master Xi back. Great merit!
The four Ancestors of the Chen Clan quietly praised the few young disciples who had already joined the Shenfeng Sect.