Chapter 95

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Xu Haoliang suddenly slammed his hand on the armrest of the chair, staring fiercely at Xu Ziyang, and coldly shouted:

"What? Are you daring to disobey me?"

Xu Ziyang glared at Xu Haoliang and then turned to look at Xu Haoran, who was sitting in the center of the main seat. After all, the current clan leader is Xu Haoran, and the one who can make decisions in the Xu family is also Xu Haoran. Xu Haoliang's words do not represent the attitude of the Xu family. If Xu Haoran also had the same attitude as Xu Haoliang, Xu Ziyang would not hesitate to leave. As for whether the Xu family would forcibly detain her, Xu Ziyang wouldn't care. With the talismans on her body, Xu Ziyang believed she could carve a bloody path out of the Xu family.

Xu Haoran, seeing Xu Ziyang looking at him, felt somewhat awkward. He also wanted Xu Ziyang's cultivation technique, but Xu Ziyang's situation was different from the disciples in his clan. Her technique was taught by someone else, and she was instructed not to pass it on. If he forced Xu Ziyang to reveal it, and the female immortal from that sect found out and became angry, it would be something his secular clan could not bear.

Moreover, the clan was in a time of crisis and needed Xu Ziyang's help. If he angered her, even if she didn't deliberately sabotage the talismans, just lowering the quality and quantity of the talismans would be a huge loss for the clan. However, he never thought that Xu Ziyang would rebel against the clan. No one present could imagine that Xu Ziyang had the strength to rebel. They were only considering the female immortal from the sect who taught her the technique and the current situation of the clan. Xu Haoran chuckled and turned to Xu Haoliang, saying:

"Ninth Brother..."

Xu Haoliang waved his hand to stop Xu Haoran, already almost bursting with anger. Being glared at by a junior in front of the clan's high-ranking officials, and then being ignored when he angrily questioned her, and instead looking at Xu Haoran, was unbearable. When he heard Xu Haoran not scolding Xu Ziyang but turning to speak to him, Xu Haoliang already knew what Xu Haoran was concerned about and what he would say. If he let Xu Haoran say it, he would lose even more face, which Xu Haoliang could not tolerate.

So, he immediately waved his hand to stop Xu Haoran, coldly staring at Xu Ziyang, and the peak of the second layer of the Foundation Establishment stage power pressed down on Xu Ziyang like moving mountains and filling seas. He roared:

"Junior, kneel down!"

Everyone looked at Xu Ziyang with pity. Xu Haoliang was the second strongest person present, only after the clan leader Xu Haoliang. The only one who could stop him was the clan leader Xu Haoran. However, although Xu Haoran was the clan leader, Xu Haoliang also had a significant force under his control, and he couldn't afford to openly confront him over a junior. Xu Haoran also knew that Xu Haoliang wouldn't dare to kill Xu Ziyang, just to teach her a lesson.

Moreover, in Xu Haoran's heart, he also felt that Xu Ziyang was too domineering. A first-layer Qi Cultivation... No, wait, Xu Haoran suddenly realized that he had been so focused on asking Xu Ziyang about the cultivation technique and talismans that he had overlooked her cultivation. She... She had revealed a first-layer Qi Cultivation today. Could it be that she had broken through again and adjusted her Concealment Talisman to reveal her Qi Cultivation, preparing to enter the Inner Hall? By the time Xu Haoran realized this, Xu Haoliang's power had already reached Xu Ziyang.

Everyone was waiting to see Xu Ziyang humiliated, to see how she would withstand Xu Haoliang's power and be pressed to the ground, begging for mercy. These people were usually high-ranking figures in the clan. When had they ever been glared at and ignored by a junior? Even those not in Xu Haoliang's camp felt that Xu Ziyang was too arrogant and looked forward to Xu Haoliang teaching her a lesson, making her respect their elders. So, no one intervened, not even verbally.

But what everyone expected did not happen. Xu Ziyang remained steadily seated, still not looking at Xu Haoliang, but still staring at Xu Haoran.

Although Xu Ziyang's current cultivation was only the first layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, don't forget that she is a Water Spirit Body. Among peers, she is invincible, and even against Xu Haoliang, who is one layer higher, she does not yield. Just by this aura, how could Xu Haoliang overpower Xu Ziyang? Even her clothes did not move.

Everyone's mouths were wide open, staring at Xu Ziyang in shock. When they came to their senses, they hurriedly scanned Xu Ziyang, trying to detect her cultivation. But the result only made them more confused and shocked by Xu Ziyang.

What shocked them was that Xu Ziyang had already broken through to the first layer of the Qi Cultivation stage. This left these old men in shock. They were very clear about when Xu Ziyang entered the Outer Hall, and only Xu Haoran, Xu Haobo, and Xu Haomiao truly understood the situation. The others only knew that Xu Ziyang entered the Outer Hall at the sixth layer of the Later Heaven stage. They never expected that in less than half a year, Xu Ziyang had broken through to the first layer of the Qi Cultivation stage.

What confused them was that even if Xu Ziyang was a genius, her cultivation speed was so fast that it made them feel ashamed. But she was only at the first layer of the Qi Cultivation stage, how could she resist the pressure of a peak second-layer Foundation Establishment stage?

While others were still in a daze, Xu Haoliang could not bear the loss of face. He had scolded and pressured a junior, but she completely ignored him. Not only did she treat his scolding as a breeze, but she also ignored his pressure. Although Xu Haoliang did not know why Xu Ziyang could resist his pressure, he absolutely did not believe that Xu Ziyang had the strength to resist him. So, in a fit of anger, he unconsciously used his strength to crush the armrest of the chair. He stood up and walked towards Xu Ziyang, roaring:

"Junior, you are courting death!"

"Ninth Brother, stop!"

Xu Haoran suddenly stood up from his seat, sternly stopping Xu Haoliang. Without waiting for Xu Haoliang to speak, he quickly turned to Xu Ziyang and shouted:

"Ziyang, why don't you kowtow and apologize to your Ninth Uncle?"

"Big Brother," Xu Haoliang said angrily, "Don't interfere with this matter today. I must teach her a lesson. If I let her off with just a kowtow and an apology today, where will the rules of our Xu family be in the future?"

Xu Ziyang withdrew her gaze from Xu Haoran, slowly stood up, and coldly said to Xu Haoliang:

"If you want to fight, then let's fight."

When Xu Ziyang's words came out, everyone in the hall was stunned. They doubted whether they were hallucinating, a first-layer Qi Cultivation person challenging a peak second-layer Foundation Establishment stage person. Only Xu Haoran, Xu Haobo, and Xu Haomiao were shaken, exchanging glances, thinking, "Could Ziyang have broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage?" Then they bitterly smiled and shook their heads, denying their own thoughts. How could that be possible?

But this made the three of them worry about Xu Ziyang. They simultaneously shouted:

"Ziyang, don't be foolish, quickly kowtow and apologize to your Ninth Uncle."

"No need."

Xu Haoliang had already recovered from the shock Xu Ziyang gave him, his face turning green with anger. He took a step forward, extending his hand towards Xu Ziyang, grabbing at her.

Xu Ziyang did not want to expose her true cultivation, which was her trump card. She pulled her hands in front of her chest, and twenty top-tier third-grade talismans appeared between her hands. She set up a medium-grade talisman array around her body. Xu Ziyang also wanted to test the power of a medium-grade talisman array set up with top-tier third-grade talismans.

Once the talisman array was formed, the hidden power immediately filled the hall, like a fierce beast staring at everyone. Xu Haoliang's claw could not stop, grabbing directly onto the talisman array. A burst of light flashed, and Xu Haoliang felt an irresistible force surging towards him. He quickly pulled back his hand but was still pushed back several steps, his face turning a deep purple with shame and anger.

"Hmph, is this a talisman array? It can deal with Qi Cultivation people, but it's still too weak against me."

Xu Haoliang would never admit that he was not a match for a talisman array. He firmly believed that his mistake was due to carelessness.

With a "hum" sound, Xu Haoliang's aura surged, his long robe flapping in the wind. His aura had reached its peak, and at this moment, he no longer cared about the clan's situation, only thinking about putting the insolent junior to death.

"Ninth Brother, no!"

Xu Haoliang, Xu Haobo, and Xu Haomiao flashed to stand between Xu Haoliang and Xu Ziyang.

"Move aside," Xu Haoliang's veins on his forehead were jumping, his eyes turning red.

"Ninth Brother, stop. I order you to stop as the clan leader."

Xu Haoran also raised his aura to its peak, intercepting the power Xu Haoliang emitted.

"Clan Leader, hahaha, Big Brother, my good Big Brother, you are really good. You have been suppressing me for decades, and today you even indulge a junior to suppress me. I want to see how you will help that junior bully me in front of the clan."

At this moment, Xu Ziyang, standing behind Xu Haoran, had already confirmed that Xu Haoran was still showing her kindness. This was enough. In the future, Xu Ziyang would naturally repay the clan. But this did not mean that Xu Ziyang would bow her head. Looking at Xu Haoliang's twisted face and his angry shouts at Xu Haoran, Xu Ziyang could not help but sigh:

"This is the tragedy of a large family, internal strife is always the beginning of a family's downfall. It seems that Xu Haoran has not fully grasped the power of the clan. As long as Xu Haoliang does not give up his struggle, the Xu family will never be united. Since this is the case, I will shatter Xu Haoliang's illusions and help the clan leader."

At this moment, Xu Haoran was speechless, his face turning red with anger. His cultivation was only one layer higher than Xu Haoliang. Although he would win in a fight, it would not be resolved quickly. Moreover, Xu Haoran did not want to fight the second-in-command of the clan in a time of crisis. He could only suppress his anger and slowly said to Xu Haoliang:

"Ninth Brother, Ziyang is still a child. Can't you forgive her?"

"A junior who defies and rebels like this cannot be forgiven," Xu Haoliang said through gritted teeth.

"Clan Leader, please step aside. I want to see if Xu Haoliang has the right to forgive me."

Xu Ziyang, standing behind Xu Haoran, spoke calmly, her voice steady, and her expression showing a hint of disdain amidst the talismans.

Xu Haoran turned around, staring at Xu Ziyang for a long time, and finally asked hesitantly:

"Ziyang, are you sure?"

"I am sure," Xu Ziyang said calmly. "This matter was not initiated by me. He was the one who insulted me first, and he was the one who attacked me first. I can't think of why a Foundation Establishment stage elder, the second-in-command of the clan, would bully me to this extent. I have nothing left to endure. In my heart, I only remember one thing: when you can't bear it anymore, there's no need to bear it."

At this moment, Xu Haoran was also unsure of Xu Ziyang's strength, but seeing her calm and confident demeanor, he inexplicably trusted her, thinking:

"If Xu Ziyang can strike a blow to Ninth Brother's arrogance, it will be important for me to control the clan. Even if it just buys some time, it will make Ninth Brother lose face. When Ziyang can no longer hold on, I will step in to stop Ninth Brother."

With this thought, Xu Haoran moved aside and turned to the disciples outside the hall, shouting:

"Close the door."

The door of the hall slowly closed, and Xu Haoran, Xu Haobo, and Xu Haomiao also moved to the side. At this moment, everyone in the hall was watching the two people in the center. One was an old man with his hair standing on end, and the other was a calm young woman.

Xu Haoliang's accumulated power finally erupted with the departure of Xu Haoran and the others. His right hand formed a sword seal, and with a "clang," a treasure sword emerged around his body, enlarging in the air and slashing towards Xu Ziyang like the opening of the heavens. In Xu Ziyang's talisman array, a shield suddenly appeared, blocking the giant sword. Then, as the giant sword rebounded, it transformed into a giant hand, which grabbed the sword out of the air.

When the flying sword failed to break through Xu Ziyang's talisman array, Xu Haoliang was already shocked. When the talisman array suddenly transformed into a giant hand that grabbed his flying sword, he was even more shocked. He quickly pulled back his finger seal, trying to recall his flying sword. However, the flying sword only trembled in the air, not only failing to return but being dragged into the talisman array by the giant hand.

Xu Haoliang was both shocked and furious. If his flying sword was pulled into the talisman array by a junior, how could he ever show his face again? At this moment, Xu Ziyang had already calmed down, thinking to herself:

"Indeed, a medium-grade talisman array set up with top-tier third-grade talismans can deal with Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. But I wonder how many layers of Foundation Establishment stage it can handle? Sigh, Xu Haoliang's cultivation is still too low."

Xu Haoliang's face was completely red with shame, his right hand forming a sword seal to control the flying sword, and his left hand gripping tightly, causing a "boom" sound. Behind him, earth elemental energy instantly condensed into a giant axe, which cleaved towards Xu Ziyang's talisman array. Xu Ziyang's talisman array transformed into a massive fist, which met the giant axe head-on.

With a loud explosion, the giant axe dissipated, but the giant fist, though much dimmer, still maintained its shape and continued to strike towards Xu Haoliang. Xu Haoliang's face changed drastically, and he had to release the finger seal controlling the flying sword. He quickly formed a hand seal in front of his chest and flipped it towards the giant fist, causing dozens of earth-colored axes to whistle towards the giant fist.

The giant hand in the air, holding Xu Haoliang's flying sword, suddenly dropped the sword. The flying sword, now without the giant fist and Xu Haoliang's control, "clang" fell to the ground, the sound echoing in the hall, each strike seeming to hit Xu Haoliang's heart. The giant fist and the dozens of earth axes collided, quickly dissipating, but only about ten axes remained. The giant fist that had dropped the flying sword quickly caught up, smashing the remaining axes and then opening its hand, grabbing towards Xu Haoliang.

"Hmph."

Xu Haoliang coldly snorted, his face no longer arrogant but serious. He reached out and summoned the fallen flying sword back into his hand, raising it to meet the incoming giant fist. The flying sword swiftly slashed, and the air was filled with the sound of sword whistles, with thousands of sword shadows forming a glow. The giant fist was instantly shattered and dissipated in the air.

"Hehe, a bit interesting."

Xu Ziyang, surrounded by the talisman array, spoke softly, forming a sword seal and drawing several lines on the main talisman in the array, infusing it with spiritual energy. Instantly, the talisman array glowed, and ninety-nine fist-sized talismans appeared, striking towards Xu Haoliang. A strong wind howled in the hall, and behind the ninety-nine fists, a giant hand appeared, following the fists and grabbing towards Xu Haoliang.

The battle between the two was as swift as lightning, completing several rounds in just a few breaths. The onlookers in the