234: surrender

It was precisely because of Su Hua that Su Chen had thought of giving them a helping hand.

Hearing Su Chen's indifferent tone, Xu Zhen's heart skipped a beat. Having been in business for many years, he was well-versed in worldly wisdom and reading people.

It was real!

This was his conclusion; Su Chen's words were not a joke.

Xu Zhen took a deep breath, discarding the unnecessary emotions in his heart, and bowed to Su Chen with a smile:

"This old man has no sons, only a precious daughter, Xu Yan. Now, she has also married that lad, Su Hua."

"Su Hua is a member of the Su Family, and this Bloodline connection cannot be cast off. If this old man were to pass away one day, this Duobao Pavilion would inevitably belong to Su Hua."

"Therefore... if Your Excellency could demonstrate your strength, I could lead Duobao Pavilion to join the Su Family."

He spoke these words with utmost sincerity, and these were all his true thoughts.

Su Hua's Heart-Nature and character were both excellent, and he treated Xu Yan with great sincerity. He had long planned to hand over Duobao Pavilion to him.

Furthermore, with Su Hua having now achieved a Breakthrough to the True Immortal Realm, he would likely be able to retire behind the scenes before long.

Since Su Hua would sooner or later take control of Duobao Pavilion, if he could find a suitable destination for it before stepping down, he could rest easier.

"Strength?"

Su Chen looked at Xu Zhen with a faint smile. If he were at his peak strength, his mere pressure would likely be enough to kill Xu Zhen instantly.

He was truly very brave!

Seeing Su Chen's expression, Xu Zhen thought he had caused offense and quickly said, "Your Excellency, this matter was indeed a bit abrupt; please just pretend this old man never mentioned it."

In this perilous world, everyone placed great importance on privacy, so inquiring about someone's strength without reason easily led to misunderstandings.

It was a great taboo!

Before he could finish speaking, an incomparably terrifying pressure instantly enveloped him.

What!

Xu Zhen's mind shook; he felt as if he had fallen into an endless abyss, surrounded by evil ghosts that held him firmly in their grasp.

He would die!

Infinite terror welled up in Xu Zhen's heart. His mind was devoid of any other thoughts, and every cell in his body was urging him to flee.

Yet, the suffocating pressure radiating from Su Chen made him completely unable to move.

He wanted to run, but he dared not!

In that instant, he had already forgotten about his previous wish for Su Chen to demonstrate his strength.

All he felt was that Su Chen would truly kill him.

Xu Zhen wanted to scream, but he dared not make a sound. Trembling all over, with bloodshot eyes, he knelt before Su Chen.

Submission!

This was an instinctive thought in his heart.

Su Chen's aura made him feel as if he were suffocating, even feeling as though he might be killed at any moment. Therefore, the only decision in Xu Zhen's mind was to submit, which might save his life.

What!

Seeing Xu Zhen kneeling on the ground and trembling incessantly, Xu Yan's face was also filled with terror, though she had not sensed any aura.

However, Xu Zhen's expression was clearly different.

What on earth had happened!

At that moment, that incomparably terrifying aura vanished completely. Su Chen remained calm and composed, as if none of it had anything to do with him.

Xu Zhen widened his eyes, his face still bearing an expression of lingering terror.

After the aura disappeared, Xu Zhen felt as if he had emerged from a bottomless abyss, panting rapidly with cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

He was pale, feeling as if he had completely collapsed, with a sense of having survived a catastrophe.

How could it be so terrifying!

When he looked at Su Chen again, his eyes were filled with fear.

Just by relying on an aura, he was made to feel the suffocation of death. If he were to take action against him, wouldn't he be killed instantly?

This pressure could not be from a Profound Immortal.

It was at least a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, or perhaps even a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal powerhouse.

No!

Xu Zhen's heart suddenly jolted. He suddenly remembered another thing Xu Yan had said: that Su Chen had just ascended to the Immortal Realm.

Just ascended!

Then why did he have such powerful strength?

Could it be that he could freely travel between the Immortal Realm and the Lower Realm?

Xu Zhen's pupils constricted sharply, and his heartbeat began to accelerate. If this were true, his background would be terrifying.

Freely traveling between the Immortal Realm and the Lower Realm was something that only existed in legends.

At least, he had never heard of anyone in the Canglan Realm who could do it.

However, there was one thing Xu Zhen could be certain of: a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal absolutely could not travel into the Lower Realm.

As for those above the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, such Cultivators were beyond his imagination.

Could Su Chen be a person of that Realm?

Xu Zhen did not stand up, instead bowing respectfully to Su Chen: "Your Excellency, from now on, Duobao Pavilion will follow you. As long as you give the order, our Duobao Pavilion will surely do its utmost."

He was not an indecisive person. Since following Su Chen only had benefits, there was no need to continue hesitating.

If Su Chen was truly a terrifying Cultivator above the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, then the Su Family he established would surely be one of the most powerful forces in the entire Canglan Realm in the future.

Being able to follow him now would surely bring infinite benefits in the future.

Seeing this, Xu Yan quickly reacted and followed Xu Zhen in kneeling before Su Chen.

Su Chen nodded, then said with an indifferent expression: "Withdraw. Su Hua is currently preparing for the establishment of the Su Family; Duobao Pavilion should use its resources to assist."

"Apart from that, there is nothing else."

His voice was calm, yet unquestionable, filled with the majesty of a superior.

Having experienced what had just happened, Xu Zhen was filled with the utmost awe and reverence for Su Chen. He quickly bowed and said: "As you command, Master!"

...

After leaving the courtyard.

Xu Zhen went to arrange the follow-up matters. Since he had decided to follow Su Chen and the Su Family, he naturally would not just pay lip service, but would take concrete actions.

He was a businessman; although he was cautious and steady in most matters, he was very aggressive when it came to major decisions.

Just like this time.

Since Xu Zhen decided to follow Su Chen, he would certainly support the Su Family at all costs, allowing it to develop rapidly. Even if it meant draining himself dry to build up the Su Family, it would be worth it.

Because Su Hua's character was reliable.

Even if Su Chen forgot them in the future, Su Hua would certainly not forget them.

While Duobao Pavilion might seem comfortable in Fengyu City now, its future would just be like this, and it would be extremely difficult to expand beyond Fengyu City.

But if they followed the Su Family, their future prospects would become incomparably vast.

Moreover, according to the original trajectory, he would have handed over Duobao Pavilion to Su Hua, and since Su Hua was a Direct Line member of the Su Family, wasn't that no different from simply gifting Duobao Pavilion to the Su Family?

By agreeing now, it even felt a bit like merit for supporting a new ruler.

As long as the Su Family rose in the future, the status of their Duobao Pavilion would also be higher, and they might even be able to ascend into the core circle.

Low risk, chasing big opportunities.

To hesitate would be pure stupidity.

Although Xu Zhen was old, he still wanted to become stronger. Now that the opportunity was before him, he naturally had to seize it firmly.

Being able to follow a Cultivator above the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal was an opportunity not everyone could encounter!