48: The Deng family speculated that Sun Hu had arrived.

Deng Rui chuckled, "That Young Master only used one sword strike, yet he easily slew a Cultivator at Opening Meridian Realm Ninth Level. How could such strength be compared to the likes of Liu Yan or Sun Le?"

Upon hearing this, Deng Xuan's face trembled, and he said in disbelief, "You mean he instantly killed a Cultivator at Opening Meridian Realm Ninth Level with just one sword strike? How is that possible? Is he a Condensing Core Realm expert?"

Deng Rui affirmed, "In my opinion, he has most likely already entered the Condensing Core Realm; otherwise, it would be impossible for him to do it so effortlessly."

Deng Xuan's expression cleared, and he sighed with admiration, "Condensing Core Realm... a Condensing Core Realm expert around your age... This child is truly remarkable. With his cultivation, he is more than capable of entering the Cloud Ripple Sect's Inner Sect."

Deng Rui laughed, "He did tell us he was a Cloud Ripple Sect Disciple, but an Outer Sect Disciple. I think he was deliberately concealing his identity, not wanting outsiders to know."

Deng Xuan echoed, "How could such an extraordinary Genius be an Outer Sect Disciple? He must have been lying."

"Hmm, now do you understand why Deng Fuxi is so smitten with him?"

"I understand."

He understood without needing to think much. The other party possessed such talent and could be called a favored son of Heaven, destined to be admired by most of the opposite sex. Moreover, Deng Fuxi's own Family background and talent were far inferior to his, so it was only natural for her to secretly give her heart.

Upon understanding, Deng Xuan couldn't help but say apologetically, "I'm sorry, Xi'er, it's your father's fault for being useless. I can't give you a better Family or more resources, otherwise you wouldn't have to feel inferior in front of him."

Deng Fuxi shook her head repeatedly, "Father, you're exaggerating. I am already extremely grateful that you can give me such a Family background. How could I dare to ask for better?"

Deng Rui agreed, "That's right. Our Deng Family is one of the top Families in Luoxiao City. To be born into such a Family is already a gift from Heaven. To want more would be a bit too greedy and insatiable."

Deng Xuan sighed, "Our Deng Family is decent within Luoxiao City, but if we look at the entire territory under Cloud Ripple Sect's jurisdiction, we are merely a bottom-tier Family, the lowest of the low."

The siblings knew their father was right, so they didn't refute anything.

For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat subdued.

Realizing the mood was off, Deng Fuxi lightly coughed twice, breaking the silence, "Ahem, Father, weren't you in seclusion just now? Why did you suddenly come out? Did you successfully Breakthrough?"

Speaking of this topic, Deng Xuan's face lit up with joy: "Yes, after several days of secluded Cultivation, I successfully Broke through to Condensing Core Realm Second Level."

Ning Wan Second Level!

Immediately, both siblings became excited.

The Family Heads of the Sun Family and Liu Family were currently at this cultivation Realm. Their Deng Family had previously been a Realm lower, so they had to act cautiously in the city, not daring to overly offend the two Families.

Now that their Family Head had Broke through, the Deng Family could finally hold their heads high and no longer fear anyone!

"That's great, Father! With your cultivation, we no longer have to bow to the Sun Family and Liu Family!"

"The Deng Family has endured too much for too long. Now that Father has Broke through, we finally don't have to tolerate it and can rightfully be called one of the three great Families of Luoxiao City!"

As the siblings rejoiced, a voice came from outside the house: "Be called one of the three great Families with my Sun Family? Who gave you the courage?"

As the voice fell, a middle-aged man suddenly appeared in the main hall.

He was none other than Sun Hu, the Sun Family Family Head.

Seeing the newcomer, the three's expressions changed. Deng Xuan, as the Deng Family's patriarch, was the first to step forward and say, "Brother Sun's sudden visit truly surprises us. However, our Deng Family hasn't had any conflicts with you recently, have we? May I ask why you've come?"

Sun Hu sneered, "The existence of your Deng Family is a conflict. Luoxiao City only needs my Sun Family to be in charge. Your Deng Family either surrenders, or prepares to become history."

These words caused the three of them to be greatly shocked!

Deng Xuan frowned deeply and questioned, "What do you mean by this, Brother Sun? Even if your strength is great, it's only comparable to the Liu Family Family Head. Furthermore, I have now also Broke through to Condensing Core Realm Second Level. You can't deal with either of us Family Heads, so how dare you speak of dominating alone?"

Deng Rui couldn't help but speak, "Our Deng Family is not something you can underestimate, and besides, there's also the Liu Family. Where does your Sun Family get the confidence to dominate Luoxiao City?"

At this moment, they all felt that Sun Hu was too arrogant, completely disregarding other Families.

Sun Hu sneered, "Where do I get the confidence? I'll tell you now."

With that, he circulated his Qi and released his prime, revealing his Ning Wan Third Level aura without reservation!

"This is... Ning Wan Third Level! You actually Broke through to Ning Wan Third Level!"

Deng Xuan's face paled with shock!

He had originally thought that his Breakthrough to Condensing Core Realm Second Level would elevate the Deng Family to the status of one of the three great Families, but he never expected the other party to have also Broke through.

As a result, the advantage instantly vanished, and their Deng Family would still be a Realm lower.

Deng Fuxi and Deng Rui also couldn't have imagined this, and both of their expressions were quite grim.

Sun Hu said smugly, "That's right, I just Broke through the Realm not long ago, and then immediately rushed to the Deng Family. You should feel honored to be my first visit."

While surprised, Deng Xuan forced a smile and said, "Brother Sun, we are indeed honored that you can visit our Deng Family. However, regarding the matter of surrender you mentioned, could we perhaps discuss it further?"

Sun Hu said arrogantly, "I don't want to say the same thing a second time. If you don't surrender, I will act now. Dare I ask, Clan Leader Deng, can you bear the consequences?"

Deng Xuan put away his smile, his expression slightly sinking.

Honestly, he was indeed no match for Sun Hu, but if he were to surrender just like that, wouldn't all the foundations he had laid over the past decade or so be for naught?

He simply could not accept such an outcome.

Deng Rui gritted his teeth and said, "Father, even if he has Broke through to Ning Wan Third Level, you are also at Second Level. A difference of only one minor Realm certainly won't allow for an overwhelming defeat. If we fight to the death, it's still uncertain who will win."

"Oh?"

Sun Hu looked at the siblings standing together, his expression surprised, "You two actually didn't die?"

The three of them froze for a moment, then immediately reacted.

"Indeed! It was you who hired mercenaries to assassinate us!"

"Despicable! How did our Deng Family offend you, that you would rather spend a large amount of prime stones to eradicate us?"

The siblings' eyes widened in anger as they questioned him simultaneously.

Sun Hu sneered, "Kill you? You really think too highly of yourselves. I was only trying to cut off the Deng Family's supplies. As for taking your lives, that was just an incidental matter, but I didn't expect those mercenaries to be so useless that they couldn't even take down two juniors at the Opening Meridian Realm."