178: Chapter 178 Assistance

The moment the person stepped over the threshold, the air in the main hall seemed to solidify.

The Su Family members looked up, all stunned.

The next moment, immense joy swept over every face like a tide.

"Clan Chief!"

"Father!"

Everyone rose, bowing respectfully.

The arrivals were none other than Su Yang and Su Xinrui, who had just come from Qingyuan to Yunmeng Ruins!

The long-standing worry in Su Xuanxiao's eyes melted away the moment he saw who had arrived.

He almost rushed forward, his face showing undisguised ecstasy.

"Father! You've come at just the right time!"

The heavy stone in his heart finally dropped with a thud.

With his father here, what strategies did he need to ponder?

Seeing his son's completely reliant and relieved expression, Su Yang couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.

When he and Su Xinrui arrived at Yunmeng Ruins, they had already heard the rumors in the market and had a pretty good guess about the current situation.

Su Xuanxiao quickly offered the main seat to his father, then personally poured a cup of hot tea infused with Spiritual Qi. His gaze then fell upon the small figure beside his father, and a gentle smile spread across his face.

"This little fellow must be Xinrui! Last time I saw him, he was still nestled in second brother and sister-in-law's arms. In a blink of an eye, he's grown so much."

No sooner had he spoken than Su Xinyou, who was beside him, suddenly widened his eyes, staring directly at Su Xinrui with a look of disbelief: "You're my younger brother?!"

Su Xinrui, who had been called out, looked up with a bewildered expression, blinking his big, dark eyes as he stared back at this unfamiliar elder brother.

Father and Mother had told him he had an elder brother in Yunmeng Ruins, but his memories from when he was one or two years old were already blurry, and he couldn't remember what his brother looked like at all.

Father and Mother had sent him to Yunmeng Ruins precisely so he could meet his older brother and foster some fraternal affection.

Under his brother's intense gaze, he timidly called out, "Xinrui Gege."

This call instantly ignited all of Su Xinyou's emotions.

A brilliant smile bloomed on his face, and he rushed forward, embracing his younger brother without a word.

"It really is Xinrui! You've grown so much!"

Holding his younger brother, feeling the heavy yet soft weight in his arms, a strange emotion surged in his heart.

The tiny infant in his memory who only slept soundly, occasionally opening his eyes to observe the world, seemed like it was just yesterday.

Now, he could run and jump, speak clearly, and there was a hint of cleverness in his eyes, making him seem very intelligent.

Su Xinrui's arrival subtly eased the previously solemn atmosphere in the main hall.

Everyone's expressions relaxed accordingly.

Seeing the atmosphere lighten, Su Yang unhurriedly took a sip of the spiritual tea and slowly began:

"I heard about the Xiao Family matter on the way. Our Su Family has always operated on the principle that if others do not offend us, we do not offend them, but if someone offends us, we will eradicate them completely."

"You don't need to worry about those two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Xiao Family; I will handle them myself."

He paused briefly, his gaze calm as he surveyed everyone.

"The real key is that the Xiao Family's allied Foundation Establishment Factions might intervene. Therefore, the Su Family also needs to use its connections and ask the Foundation Establishment Factions with whom we have a decent relationship to step forward and create a mutual check and balance."

At this point, he turned his gaze to Su Xuanxiao and Ji Shulan, asking, "Currently in Yunmeng Ruins, which Foundation Establishment Factions have good relations with our Su Clan Chamber of Commerce?"

Ji Shulan replied clearly, "The Qian Family and the Kaishan Association."

In the cultivation world, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

The Qian Family and the Su Family once had an unpleasant past, but their conflict never escalated to a point of no return.

After the Su Family gained renown in Luoxuan City and was promoted to a top Rank Seven Qi Refining Family, the Qian Family, as before, approached them again with the unique smile of a businessman, actively seeking to deepen cooperation with the Su Family.

As Su Xuanxiao assumed the position of Vice Alliance Leader in the Yunshou Alliance, the Qian Family's attitude became even more enthusiastic and attentive.

The Qian Family's actions truly mirrored their surname, always prioritizing profit.

Although their stance was wavering and not necessarily reliable, for now, they were indeed one of the few allies the Su Family could leverage in Yunmeng Ruins.

The Kaishan Association, on the other hand, was a faction specializing in hunting Yao Beasts. They led core members and recruited Loose Cultivators to hunt in the Ten Thousand Mountains, dealing exclusively in Yao Beast business.

While said to be on good terms with the Su Family, their actual stance was more neutral.

It was because the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce provided them with discounted Spirit-Attached Artifacts that the two parties developed a good relationship.

"They are all leaning towards the Su Family due to profit!"

Su Yang chuckled; this situation aligned with his consistent understanding of cultivation factions.

However, being profit-driven was not necessarily a bad thing. As long as the Su Family could offer sufficient benefits, cooperation could be easily achieved. If the other party valued sentiment, they would be much harder to command.

Su Yang decisively ordered, "Immediately send people to contact the Qian Family and the Kaishan Association. Offer sufficient benefits to secure their intervention and counterbalance other factions that might side with the Xiao Family."

Then, he looked at Ji Shulan, his gaze full of trust and entrustment: "As for what benefits will move these two families, Shulan, I leave it to you to deliberate and decide."

Ji Shulan, though only fourteen, had displayed astonishing business acumen, even surpassing Su Xuanming of the same age group.

With her business capabilities, she would certainly be able to weigh what benefits would prompt the two families to act as a check and balance.

Just as everyone was discussing, Alliance Leader Situ Yu of the Yunshou Alliance suddenly arrived.

Upon learning of the animosity between the Su Family and the Xiao Family, he had to come and discuss countermeasures.

After all, the Su Family was a member of the Yunshou Alliance, and Su Xuanxiao held the position of Vice Alliance Leader. This matter concerned the prestige of the Yunshou Alliance; if the Alliance stood by, it would inevitably invite criticism from all sides.

However, the Yunshou Alliance was ultimately just an Alliance composed of Qi Refining Factions. Facing a behemoth like the Xiao Family, even with their full strength, they could only defend their own positions.

Situ Yu's heart was quite conflicted. After some deliberation, he decided to come in person, hoping to find a way to avoid conflict with the Su Family.

As soon as he was invited into the main hall, before Situ Yu could fully organize his diplomatic words, his gaze fell upon the familiar figure in the main seat, and he froze.

"Patriarch... Patriarch Su?!"

Situ Yu had absolutely not expected to meet Su Yang here.

Since Su Yang passed the family head position to Su Xuanming many years ago, the two had not met again.

Situ Yu had thought that Su Yang had long since retired to the background, living a life of peaceful old age, but he never expected to reunite in Yunmeng Ruins today.

Even more surprising was that this old acquaintance was not only radiant and full of spirit, completely unlike the rumors that he had become disheartened due to the hopelessness of Foundation Establishment and was preparing to live out his golden years.

"Fellow Daoist Situ, long time no see, I trust you've been well."

Su Yang sat in the main seat, a warm smile on his face, yet his next words instantly stiffened Situ Yu's expression.

"Fellow Daoist, have you come this time specifically to help my Su Family, to jointly annihilate the Xiao Family?"

What the hell is 'help the Su Family annihilate the Xiao Family'!

Situ Yu felt an invisible blockage in his chest, unable to utter a word for a long time.

He, an Alliance Leader of a Qi Refining Faction Alliance, how could he possess such ability?

He had come to find a way to mediate relations between the two parties, but Su Yang, on the other hand, opened his mouth wanting to destroy a Foundation Establishment Family.

His tone was so casual, as if he were just discussing what dish to add to dinner.