48: The Dao Embryo with its drawn-out gaze, the Ninth Princess's "jealous pot".

The massive sound of a bronze gong vibrated through the air of Wanbao City, its echoes lingering for a long time over the square paved with black gold stone.

The Su Family clan competition had reached its climax.

Above the ten levitating arenas, spiritual light exploded as shouts and cries rose and fell in succession.

The younger generation of the Su Family fought with fiery enthusiasm, various Martial Skill light effects intertwining in an extraordinary display of activity.

But in the eyes of true experts, this excitement was nothing more than a bunch of weaklings pecking at each other.

Upon the high platform.

Ninth Princess Ji Lanxi gave a bored yawn.

She was still sitting on the armrest of Su Xuanchen's grand armchair, her long legs crossed casually, while the snow-white spirit cat dozed on her lap.

“Su Xuanchen.”

She held a peeled grape in her hand, but instead of putting it in her own mouth, she naturally held it up to Su Xuanchen's lips.

The movement was intimate, as if practiced countless times.

“Is this the foundation of your so-called ‘Number One Ancient Clan’?”

Ji Lanxi looked down at the branch lineage disciples on the arena who were locked in a difficult struggle, her pale gold Phoenix pupils full of disdain.

“What was the strongest one called? Su Canghai?”

“Twenty years old, Peak Tongxuan Realm.”

“In the Imperial Court, someone with that Aptitude would only be fit to feed horses.”

“You aren't planning to rely on this bunch of mediocre Trash to compete with the true ancient clans, are you?”

Su Xuanchen opened his mouth to take the grape, his tongue brushing almost imperceptibly against her slender, scallion-like fingertips.

Moist.

Warm.

Ji Lanxi pulled her hand back as if struck by an electric shock, the tips of her ears turning slightly red, yet she maintained her haughty posture and glared at him fiercely.

“Don't get fresh with me.”

“I am talking business with you.”

Su Xuanchen chewed the grape and leaned back lazily against the chair, his gaze passing over the busy arenas to land on a green-clad young girl resting with her eyes closed in a corner of the waiting area.

“What's the rush?”

He gave a playful smile.

“The good show is only just beginning.”

“Mediocre Trash?”

“Just make sure you don't fall off your chair in fright later.”

Ji Lanxi followed his gaze.

In the corner.

Su Zining stood alone.

She wore a simple set of green training clothes, her long hair tied up high, her face devoid of any expression.

The surrounding Su Family disciples were intentionally or unintentionally staying away from her, as if there were an invisible barrier around her.

“That girl...”

Ji Lanxi narrowed her eyes.

Deep within her pupils, golden runes flickered slightly.

In her perception, the girl's Aura was unremarkable, merely at the level of just entering the Tongxuan Realm.

But for some reason.

The Nine Phoenix Holy Blood inside her body actually produced a faint but real sense of restlessness.

It was an instinctive reaction to encountering one's own kind, or even... encountering a threat.

“How interesting.”

Ji Lanxi sat up straight, putting away her nonchalance.

“Is she hiding her cultivation?”

“Or is it some special breath-concealing technique?”

Su Xuanchen didn't answer, simply making a gesturing motion with his hand.

“Keep watching.”

...Upon the arena.

The presiding Elder shouted loudly:

“Next match: Su Zining of the Ninth Branch Lineage versus Su Canghai of the Third Branch Lineage!”

Boom!

The entire audience erupted.

The previously somewhat dull atmosphere was instantly ignited.

“It's here! Su Zining, the Trash who's making a comeback!”

“I heard she used to be a Spirit Sea Realm waste, but after the Old Ancestor took her away for special training, her strength advanced by leaps and bounds!”

“Tsk, no matter how fast she improves, how strong can she be? Su Canghai is our Su Family's recognized number one Genius, Peak Tongxuan Realm, only one step away from the Yutian Realm!”

“Although Su Zining has been in the spotlight lately, her foundation is too shallow. She's likely to lose this one.”

Amidst the discussions.

A young man dressed in fine silk and holding a folding fan leaped onto the arena.

Su Canghai.

He landed soundlessly with an elegant posture, drawing screams from a group of smitten young girls below the stage.

“Cousin Zining.”

Su Canghai snapped his fan shut with a 'clack,' a confident and hypocritical smile on his face.

“I didn't expect us to meet so soon.”

“Although the Old Ancestor thinks highly of you, on the arena, fists and feet have no eyes.”

“If you're afraid of getting hurt, Cousin, why not just admit defeat now to save some face?”

His words were well-crafted, both elevating himself and subtly mocking Su Zining for being a 'connections hire' relying on the Old Ancestor.

Many people below the stage nodded secretly.

However.

Su Zining simply walked onto the arena calmly.

One step, two steps.

Her pace was steady; every step she took was as precise as if measured with a ruler.

She came to a halt.

She looked up.

In those pitch-black eyes, there wasn't a single ripple of emotion.

It was as if she were looking at a stone, a blade of grass, or... a corpse.

“Too much nonsense.”

Su Zining spoke.

Her voice was cold and clear, with a metallic quality to it.

“Make your move.”

“I'm in a hurry.”

Arrogant!

She was simply arrogant beyond belief!

The smile on Su Canghai's face froze instantly, and a flash of malice crossed his eyes.

“Good! Very good!”

“Since my cousin is so confident, then don't blame your Elder cousin for being ruthless!”

“Boom!”

A violent burst of green spiritual power erupted from his body.

Peak Tongxuan Realm!

“Gale-Splitting Palm!”

Su Canghai gave a low roar, his figure moving like lightning as he struck with his palm.

The palm wind whistled, actually condensing into a massive green handprint in the air, carrying a piercing shriek as it tore through the air, aimed fiercely at Su Zining's face!

With this palm, he used his full strength.

He didn't hold back at all.

He wanted to trample this so-called 'connections hire' under his feet in front of everyone, in front of the Old Ancestor!

The crowd below held their breath.

This palm was too strong!

Even a Cultivator of the same level wouldn't dare to take it head-on!

However.

Facing this aggressive attack.

Su Zining didn't dodge.

She didn't even blink.

She simply slowly raised her right hand.

The movement was simple, direct, and without any flourishes.

Clenching her fist.

Punching out.

“Bang—!”

A dull explosion instantly drowned out the noise of the entire square.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

That menacing green handprint, the moment it touched Su Zining's fist, shattered directly like a bubble!

Immediately after.

Su Zining's fist continued its momentum, like a cannonball fired from a barrel, smashing heavily into the Protective Aura on Su Canghai's chest.

“Crack!”

The Protective Aura was like paper, shattering instantly.

“Pfft!”

Su Canghai's eyes looked like they were about to pop out.

He felt as if he had been struck by an ancient savage Dragon.

His sternum collapsed, and blood sprayed wildly.

His entire body was blown away by the massive force, flying backward ten times faster than he had come.

“Boom!”

He slammed heavily into the defense Formation at the edge of the arena, then slid down limply, fainting on the spot.

Silence.

A deathly silence.

The tens of thousands of Cultivators in the square were now speechless.

Everyone's mouths were wide open as they looked at the green-clad girl on the stage who still maintained her punching posture, their minds completely blank.

One move?

The Su Family's number one Genius, Su Canghai, couldn't even take one move?

“Whew...”

Su Zining slowly withdrew her fist.

That Aura of hers that had been suppressed all this time was no longer hidden at this moment.

Boom!

A terrifying pressure soared into the sky!

It wasn't the Tongxuan Realm.

It was... the Yutian Realm!

And it was the third level of the Yutian Realm!

“Yu... Yutian Realm?!”

On the viewing platform, the Taichu Sect Elder's hand shook, and the teacup he had just picked up fell to the ground with a 'clatter,' shattering into pieces.

“How is that possible?!”

“She was in the Spirit Sea Realm two and a half years ago, and now she's in the Yutian Realm?!”

“What kind of cultivation speed is this? Did she eat an Immortal Pill?!”

Everyone was going crazy.

Two and a half years to cross three major Realms.

This was no longer a Genius.

This was a Prodigy! A monster!

Upon the high platform.

Ji Lanxi suddenly stood up.

Those pale gold Phoenix pupils stared fixedly at Su Zining, the shock in her eyes no longer able to be concealed.

“No!”

“This Aura isn't right!”

“Such pure spiritual power fluctuations, such perfect affinity with the Great Dao...”

She suddenly turned to look at Su Xuanchen, her voice changing pitch.

“Innate Primordial Dao Embryo?!”

“You actually hid an Innate Primordial Dao Embryo?!”

This kind of Physique was known as the favored daughter of the Heavenly Dao; there were no Bottlenecks in cultivation, and Spiritual Qi would automatically pour into the body.

Even in the Central Heaven Realm, this would be a prize that all the great Imperial Clans would fight over!

Su Xuanchen remained sitting as steady as an old mountain.

He unhurriedly peeled a grape and popped it into his mouth.

“Stay calm.”

“Ninth Princess, watch your image.”

“It's just a Dao Embryo, is there any need for such a fuss?”

Ji Lanxi took a deep breath, her chest heaving violently.

Looking at Su Xuanchen's punchable face, she felt like pouncing on him and biting him.

Just?

Do you know what a Major Achievement Innate Dao Embryo means?

It means that as long as they don't fall, they are destined to become an Emperor in the future!

“Su Xuanchen, just how many trump cards do you have?”

Ji Lanxi sat back down, but her gaze had completely changed.

If she was only interested in Su Xuanchen before.

Then now, she felt a deep wariness toward this unfathomable man, as well as... an even stronger desire to conquer him.

On the arena.

Su Zining ignored the surrounding looks of awe and fear.

She turned around.

Those eyes that were originally as cold as ice instantly melted the moment she looked toward the main seat on the high platform.

They became fervent.

They became burning hot.

Like a believer seeing their deity.

She ignored everyone else, her gaze fixed intently on Su Xuanchen.

The affection in that look was so thick it almost seemed to draw out threads of silk.

Adoration, attachment, love, and an almost pathological desire for possession.

“Old Ancestor Brother...”

She silently whispered the name in her heart.

“Zining did it.”

“Zining has trampled them all under her feet.”

“Did you see?”

This scene was seen clearly by everyone on the high platform.

Su Jingyuan and several Elders looked at each other, meaningful smiles appearing on their faces.

“Tsk tsk tsk, look at those eyes.”

“Our little Zining's heart has probably long since flown to the Old Ancestor.”

“It's a good thing! This is a great thing!”

One Elder lowered his voice, rubbing his hands in excitement.

“An Innate Primordial Dao Embryo! If she can unite with the Old Ancestor, what kind of talent would their offspring have?”

“Our Su Family is about to take off!”

“We must find a chance to play matchmaker later; keep the good fortune within the Family.”

The voices of these old fellows were small, but they couldn't hide from the ears of Su Xuanchen and Ji Lanxi.

Su Xuanchen's expression remained unchanged as if he hadn't heard a thing, merely picking up his teacup for a sip to hide the twitch at the corner of his mouth.

These old rascals.

All they think about every day is breeding.

Ji Lanxi, however, gave a cold snort.

She keenly captured Su Zining's smitten gaze.

As a woman, and especially as a proud woman.

Her instincts immediately set off alarm bells.

“Su Xuanchen.”

Ji Lanxi leaned forward, getting close to Su Xuanchen's ear, her tone carrying a strong scent of sourness.

“You're living quite the comfortable life as an Old Ancestor.”

“Not only did you raise a peerless Prodigy, but you managed to take her heart along with it?”

“Look at those eyes; she looks like she wants to eat you right now.”

“Does your Su Family specialize in this kind of 'Big Bad Wolf eats the Little White Rabbit' game?”

Su Xuanchen put down his teacup, turned his head, and looked at the beautiful face inches away.

Their noses almost touched.

“Is the Ninth Princess... jealous?”

His voice was low, carrying a hint of teasing.

“Jealous?”

Ji Lanxi was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her fur instantly bristling.

“I would be jealous of a little slip of a girl?”

“Ridiculous!”

She sat up straight and gave a light huff, resuming her haughty appearance.

“I am merely reminding you.”

“Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. Be careful not to play with fire and get burned.”

Su Xuanchen smiled and didn't argue.

He looked toward the arena.

By now, Su Zining had swept the entire field.

There was no suspense.

With a cultivation of the third level of the Yutian Realm combined with the overbearing nature of the Innate Dao Scripture, she was simply performing a dimensional strike on the field.

Whether it was a dark horse from the branch lineages or a Genius of the main line.

Before her, none could last more than a single move.

First place.

Well-deserved.

“In this clan competition, Su Zining takes the top spot!”

With a loud shout from Su Jingyuan, this completely one-sided crushing match finally came to an end.

Su Zining stood in the center of the arena, enjoying the cheers of the entire crowd.

But her gaze never left Su Xuanchen.

Not until Su Xuanchen gave her a slight nod and a smile of approval.

Only then did a soul-stirring smile finally bloom on the girl's tense face.

Satisfaction.

As long as he saw it, it was all worth it.