179: Chapter 179 Reactions from Both Families

"Patriarch Su, the Xiao Family cannot be underestimated!"

Seeing Su Yang dismiss the Xiao Family as inconsequential, Alliance Leader Situ Yu's expression grew solemn. He reminded in a deep voice, "The current head of the Xiao Family, Xiao Jin, and their Old Ancestor, Xiao Xunjiang, who has been in seclusion for many years, are both Foundation Establishment Cultivators who have long been renowned in the Yunmeng Ruins."

He paused briefly, adding with grave emphasis, "It is said that the two of them once joined forces to slay a formidable enemy at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage."

Within the Foundation Establishment Realm, each stage represents a chasm in power as vast as an unbridgeable ravine.

Without special methods, for a Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivator to defeat a Middle Stage opponent alone is almost a fool's dream. Even if they stake their life on a secret technique, they only have a chance to severely injure the opponent.

"From this, it is evident that Xiao Jin and Xiao Xunjiang are far from ordinary Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators."

Alliance Leader Situ Yu looked at Su Yang, speaking earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Su Yang's expression turned slightly cold, his tone betraying neither joy nor anger, "Does Alliance Leader Situ Yu mean to advise my Su Family to surrender without a fight?"

Situ Yu's face stiffened, and he quickly waved his hands in explanation, "Patriarch Su, please do not misunderstand! I absolutely do not mean that, it's just..."

He carefully chose his words, "...it's just that both the Su Family and the Xiao Family are powerful forces within the Yunmeng Ruins. If peace could be valued, keeping the conflict to a minimum to avoid mutual destruction would be the best strategy."

"The Xiao Family has deep foundations. A direct, head-on confrontation is far from wise."

He inwardly lamented his predicament.

Times had changed. Although the Su Family nominally remained the Vice Alliance Leader of the Yunshou Alliance, all factions within the Alliance had an unspoken understanding: the Su Family, now with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator backing it, was regarded as the Alliance's de facto strongest pillar.

Even he, as the Alliance Leader, had to be exceptionally cautious and respectful when facing Su Yang, fearing that a single misplaced word might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

He knew the Su Family had a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, but they were ultimately isolated and outnumbered.

"The Xiao Family has been rooted in the Yunmeng Ruins for many years, with deeply cultivated connections. They maintain close ties with several other Foundation Establishment Factions. Those factions will surely intervene to assist the Xiao Family out of past friendships."

Situ Yu reminded earnestly once more, his gaze carrying a hint of sincerity, hoping Su Yang would weigh the pros and cons and not risk the entire Family over a moment of pride.

Suddenly, a faint smile bloomed on Su Yang's face.

"The Su Family appreciates Alliance Leader Situ Yu's goodwill."

His voice was gentle yet carried an unshakeable firmness, "The Su Family's code of conduct has never included the principle of swallowing insults. You may rest assured, Alliance Leader. This is a private grievance between the Su Family and the Xiao Family. It will not implicate the Yunshou Alliance. The Su Family will bear all consequences."

He picked up his teacup, making a slow, deliberate gesture of seeing a guest out, "If the Alliance Leader has no other matters, the Su Family must now discuss the serious business of dealing with the Xiao Family. We can only invite you for tea another time."

Seeing this, Situ Yu let out a heavy sigh, his expression complex.

"If that is the case... I urge everyone to exercise utmost caution in all matters."

He offered a solemn cupped-hand salute to everyone in the hall, said no more, turned, and left the Su Family residence with somewhat heavy steps.

He had said all there was to say. The reminders he could give had been given; he had done his utmost.

The Su Family was determined to clash with that Xiao Family. He had neither the authority to stop them nor the power to intervene.

All he could do was step aside and quietly await the final outcome of this storm.

Not long after Situ Yu departed, Su Xuanxiao's Sound-transmitting Talisman received a message from him.

[Fellow Daoist Su, the Xiao Family has just publicly demanded that the Su Family come to their doorstep tomorrow to apologize. Otherwise, they will raze the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce!]

...

Yunmeng Ruins, Xiao Family Mansion.

Xiao Ying vividly recounted the conflict in the Ten Thousand Mountains before the assembled clan members, naturally embellishing the tale and portraying the Su Family as particularly overbearing.

Upon hearing it, all the Xiao Family members wore expressions of fury.

A mere Qi Refining Family dared to kill members of their Xiao Family? Such audacity was beyond belief! They had no regard for their own lives!

Clan Chief Xiao Jin sat silently at the head of the hall.

He understood Xiao Ying's nature and knew the truth likely differed from her account.

It was probable the Su Family's version was closer to reality: Xiao Family members, coveting a treasure, attempted to seize it, but were outmatched and killed.

However, one point was undeniable: their Xiao Family members were indeed dead.

Regardless of the cause, the Su Family should not have resorted to killing.

This was a challenge to the dignity of a Foundation Establishment Family. If the Xiao Family did not make the Su Family pay, they would lose all face in the Yunmeng Ruins.

"A mere Qi Refining Family dares to act against our Xiao Family? Clan Chief, there's no need for hesitation. Let us go immediately and raze that Su Clan Chamber of Commerce!"

One of the Xiao Family Elders spoke, his voice icy and filled with murderous intent.

"Wait!"

Before Xiao Jin could respond, another, calmer voice rang out.

"Rumors outside suggest the Su Family also has a Foundation Establishment Cultivator backing them. Their audacity likely confirms this rumor is mostly true. Once we move, it becomes a collision between Foundation Establishment Factions. Clan Chief must think thrice."

"Hmph, they merely got lucky producing a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator. What 'collision between factions'?" The previous Elder scoffed disdainfully, "Our Xiao Family has two Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The Clan Chief and the Old Ancestor once joined forces to slay a Middle Stage opponent. What threat does a mere, freshly broken-through Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator pose?"

Hearing this, Xiao Ying's Aura swelled further as she excitedly agreed, "The Elder speaks truly! Moreover, that Su Family's Foundation Establishment Cultivator might not even be in the Yunmeng Ruins at the moment."

"We can directly destroy the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce. What can he do even if he finds out later? As for settling scores afterward... our Xiao Family has nothing to fear either!"

Within the hall, with everyone adding their piece, the fate of the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce was almost sealed.

Emotions ran high, and the atmosphere was charged with readiness, awaiting only the Clan Chief's order.

Xiao Jin pondered for a moment, finding his clansmen's words not without reason.

"The Su Clan Chamber of Commerce itself is indeed not a concern," he spoke slowly, his voice steady, "But the Su Family is not entirely without support either."

"First, send out the word: The Su Family is to come to our doorstep to apologize before noon tomorrow. Otherwise, our Xiao Family will surely raze the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce!"

"Second, immediately contact the Liang Family and the Baibao Pavilion, requesting their presence for support tomorrow. They need not act directly, only serve to restrain any forces that might intervene on the Su Family's behalf."

Xiao Jin's gaze turned profound as he said, "Finally, inform the Old Ancestor of this matter and request his presence tomorrow to accompany us to the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce's premises."

Given the Su Family's way of doing things, they would absolutely not kneel and come to apologize.

The reason for laying these backup plans was not just caution, but also a formality of informing all parties.

The intent was to give the major Foundation Establishment Factions advance notice, asking fellow Daoists to turn a blind eye when the time comes and refrain from interfering, lest mutual harmony be damaged.

Although the Yunmeng Ruins had an ironclad rule prohibiting private fights, that rule ultimately applied to the weak who lacked the power to defy it.

When conflicts truly erupted between Foundation Establishment Factions, unless a Golden Core Great Power personally stepped in to adjudicate, so-called 'justice' would often arrive belatedly, only after everything was settled.