"What's happening? Why is the emperor attacking the Su family?"
"I know the Qian Emperor never cared for Su Liqiu, but isn't attacking his own wife going too far?"
"I heard a decree was just announced. The emperor wants to marry his daughter, Qian Xiaoli, to Mao Yuan…"
"No wonder the Su family is resisting. Who would want to marry their daughter to such a snake? Qian Niu is truly heartless."
Discussions about the emperor's actions spread quickly. Most people disagreed with him and understood why the Su family was fighting back, but no one dared to intervene.
There was a simple reason for this: these clans were all part of the Qian Empire, not the Dao Seeking School. If the Qian family decided to wipe them out, just as they were doing to the Su family, the Dao Seeking School wouldn't lift a finger to help.
Even if they felt sorry for the Su family, they had more pressing matters to worry about. Helping the Su family offered no benefits, only demerits.
The elder holding the token continued to control the barrier, but soon, beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. It wasn't long before the barrier finally gave way.
Qian Niu focused his power on his spear and charged toward the barrier. A massive lion materialized behind him as he surged forward.
Every spear the barrier generated shattered effortlessly against him, as if they were nothing. His spear struck the barrier surrounding the Su family, and cracks began to spread.
The barrier collapsed, allowing Qian Niu and the three cultivators with him to storm the Su family manor.
"Don't let them get any closer!" Su Liqiu shouted, darting through the air like a cheetah as she moved to intercept Qian Niu.
Su Liqiu's sword glowed blue, and a massive killer whale rising above the sea appeared behind her as she moved. The image wasn't an illusion—it felt real.
The air grew heavy with the scent of salt, and moisture clung to the surroundings.
This was the power of the Dao Seeking realm. A cultivator's Dao became part of their attacks, and with each breakthrough, they grew closer to mastering their Dao.
Qian Niu looked at Su Liqiu with contempt. She hadn't been a match for him decades ago, and she still wasn't now.
The giant lion reappeared behind Qian Niu. The lion didn't even glance at Su Liqiu below—after all, the king of the forest wouldn't bother with those beneath him.
The lion radiated majesty, a reflection of Qian Niu's Dao.
With a roar, the lion charged as Qian Niu thrust his spear forward. The lion and the killer whale collided, the outcome was clear.
Qian Niu remained unmoving in the air, but Su Liqiu was thrown to the ground by the force of the impact. The killer whale behind her shattered into pieces, and she coughed up blood, her Dao damaged by the clash.
Su Liqiu glared up at Qian Niu, defiance burning in her eyes. She wiped the blood from her lips with the sleeve of her robe and pushed herself up from the ground.
Nearby, six other cultivators clashed in a fierce battle. But it was clear, Qian Niu's side had the upper hand.
"Su Liqiu, surrender," Qian Niu said, his gaze cold as he looked down at her. "I don't want to kill you."
Despite his words, Su Liqiu let out a contemptuous laugh. "Qian Niu, do you take me for a fool? The only reason you want me alive is to use me against my daughter."
Before Qian Niu could respond, a chilling presence materialized behind her.
"So what if you know?" A sinister voice whispered in her ear.
A jolt of terror shot through Su Liqiu, she hadn't even sensed his arrival.
Before she could react, a powerful hand closed around her throat. Her strength drained from her body in an instant, her vision blurring as darkness swallowed her whole.
The last thing she saw was the smirking ghostly face of Mao Yuan.
Qian Xiaoli slowly opened her eyes. Her head still felt a little dizzy, but when she remembered what had happened at home, her eyes snapped open.
"Mom!" she cried out, sitting up quickly from the bed.
"Calm down, Young Miss. I'm here," a voice said beside her.
Sitting in a chair was Zhong Ya, the head maid from their household.
Qian Xiaoli grabbed Zhong Ya's arm. "Where's Mother, Zhong Ya?! Where are we?"
Zhong Ya looked at her calmly, trying to stay composed, but a hint of sadness showed in her eyes.
"Everyone from the Su family who was at the manor has come to the White Crow Sect. They've agreed to give us asylum…" she replied.
"Zhong Ya… where is Mother?" Qian Xiaoli asked again, already sensing that 'everyone' didn't include her mother.
Zhong Ya sighed before answering. "She stayed behind to buy us time to escape. Young Miss, I'm sure Qian Niu won't kill her."
Zhong Ya didn't explain further, but Qian Xiaoli understood. If Qian Niu wanted her to marry Mao Yuan, he must have something to gain from it.
She clenched her teeth so hard she could taste blood in her mouth.
The door creaked open, pulling Qian Xiaoli from her thoughts. She turned toward the sound and saw Elder Duan standing in the doorway.
"Uncle Duan!" she cried, her voice trembling as fresh tears welled up. She ran into his arms, gripping his robes tightly.
"Mother… sob… sob…" Her body shook as she let everything out, her tears falling uncontrollably.
Elder Duan let out a heavy sigh, gently stroking her head in an attempt to soothe her. "Don't worry, you're safe now. Your mother is alive… and we will save her. No matter what."
A familiar voice called out behind Elder Duan.
Qian Xiaoli froze. She knew that voice instantly.
She quickly pulled away from Elder Duan, hastily wiping her tears with her sleeve. She didn't want Feng Fan to see her .
Feng Fan strode toward her, his expression dark with fury. He took her hands in his, his grip firm.
"That black belly father-in-law and the sect master of the Heavenly Demon Sect… I'll kill both of them for hurting you!"
'Those two bastards want to make me wear the green hat? Screw them!' Feng Fan thought, his fury boiling over.