The Second Prince stepped forward, raising his voice so everyone could hear. “Right now, your Bai Clan’s Grand Elder is surrounded by Great Ascension Realm cultivators and several Fifth Formation Masters. Even if they can’t kill him, they’ll keep him busy-long enough for you and your clan members to be erased.”

The Second Prince’s smirk deepened.

“So here’s my offer, Bai Zihan-surrender quietly, and I might keep you alive. Resist…”

He gestured to his guards as their weapons strengthened with spiritual Qi. “…and not even ashes will remain.”

The chamber fell into heavy silence, broken only by the crackling energy of clashing auras.

Then-

A faint, mocking smile curved Bai Zihan’s lips.

“Great Ascension cultivators, several Fifth Formation Masters…”

He repeated softly, almost amused.

It was quite the lineup, considering this was the Falling Star Empire-but could that really work against someone like Bai Ren?

Perhaps an Immortal Ascension Realm cultivator might fall under such a lineup. However, Bai Ren was someone above that realm.

Moreover, Bai Zihan didn’t need his Grand Elder’s help either.

“That’s quite the army you’ve prepared for a banquet, Second Prince”

He raised his head slightly, his voice cold and sharp as a blade.

“Unfortunately for you…”

His eyes glowed brighter, the space around him distorting.

“…they seem a bit weak.”

The Second Prince’s expression twisted in fury.

That mocking smile-those calm, unbothered red eyes that seemed to look down on him-lit a fire in his chest hotter than any flame.

“How dare you look at me like that, Bai Zihan!”

He roared, his Qi flaring with violent energy.

“Kill him! Leave no one from the Bai Clan standing!”

The chamber trembled as the order echoed.

Dozens of killing intents surged forth at once. Great Ascension Realm experts burst into motion, their combined spiritual pressure shaking the entire palace. The air rippled, and the marble floor began to crack under the weight of their

auras.

Yet before they could even approach Bai Zihan-

“Stand back!”

The Bai Clan members intercepted them.

BOOM!

The two forces collided in midair. The impact was like thunder tearing through the heavens, shaking the entire palace complex.

A wave of destructive energy rippled outward, shattering the walls and sending rubble flying.

The Fifth Prince’s chamber-already ruined-finally collapsed completely, leaving only open air and scattered fragments of gold and jade.

“Bai Clan… you dare!”

One of the Great Ascension Commanders roared, locking blades with an elder.

The Bai Elder sneered.

“Dare? That’s what I should be saying.”

Despite being outnumbered-two against one in most cases-the Bai Clan Member fought with ease, their movements sharp and precise.

Each of their strikes carried refined Qi that sliced through techniques like

paper.

They weren’t just blocking the enemy-they were winning against them despite being at disadvantage.

The difference in cultivation technique was simply too vast.

Meanwhile, closer to the center of the battlefield-

Several powerful figures burst forward, bypassing the elders who were busy with the Great Ascension Realm.

Void Refinement Realm cultivators-five in total-each exuding terrifying killing intent.

These were no Imperial Guards. Their movement technique was ghostlike, their killing intent sharp and clean-a style reminiscent of professional killers.

The Second Prince smiled coldly.

“It’s over, Bai Zihan.”

His eyes gleamed with excitement, his confidence returning as the five Void Refinement experts surrounded the Bai youth from all directions.

Along with them were the two who had saved him earlier-both also at the Void Refinement Realm.

“Let’s see how arrogant you can be against seven of them!”

To him, the outcome was already decided.

Even if the Bai Clan Elders could hold their own, Bai Zihan was still a junior-

albeit a prodigious one.

Facing seven Void Refinement experts at once, he shouldn’t stand a chance.

And once Bai Zihan fell, the rest would crumble.

(With this… I’ll become the hero who killed the Bai Clan’s heir. The future

Emperor of the Falling Star Empire!)

His blood boiled with excitement at the thought.

The destruction of the Fifth Prince’s reputation, Bai Zihan’s death, and the glory

of defeating a genius from the Desolate Heaven Empire-he could already see

the world bowing before him.

And as for retaliation…

“My master said he’ll handle the Bai Clan.”

His lips curled into a confident smirk.

He didn’t know his Master Shuhai’s full identity, but he knew enough-his

power, his reach, his mysterious allies.

If Shuhai could mobilize multiple Great Ascension Realm cultivators and several Fifth Formation Masters just to stall the Bai Clan’s Grand Elder, then surely the man’s influence exceeded that of any ordinary sect or clan.

With a backer like that… what was there to fear?

The moment the seven Void Refinement Realm experts surrounded Bai Zihan,

an uneasy ripple spread through the Bai Clan ranks.

Even amidst the chaos of clashing blades and roaring Qi, their attention wavered-eyes darting toward the center of the battlefield where their young master stood encircled.

“Seven Void Refinement Realm cultivators…”

One disciple muttered under his breath, voice trembling.

Even for Bai Zihan, that number was terrifying.

They wanted nothing more than to rush to Bai Zihan’s side-but they were

already preoccupied with all the other enemies.

And enemies knew that as long as Bai Zihan fell under their hands, they would

win. So, they all desperately tried their best to keep Bai Clan Members from

going to help Bai Zihan.

The Bai Clan Member grew a bit impatient. They knew Bai Zihan was strong- far beyond the level of a typical Spirit Severing Realm.

But seven opponents of Void Refinement realm, all trained killers… it wasn’t something that they thought that Bai Zihan could handle.

The Emperor, standing in the distance, could see it too-the subtle panic

rippling through the Bai Clan’s ranks.

A grim satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

(So even they feel fear…)

For so long, they treated even him as insignificant but now they seemed to be

scared.

The seven assassins moved in perfect unison, their killing intent locking onto

Bai Zihan from all sides.

The floor beneath them cracked under the oppressive weight of their

combined aura.

Each one specialized in a different art-speed, strength, stealth, poison, sword,

and two formation masters to seal escape.

They weren’t here to fight fairly. They were here to kill.

“Don’t let him use a single technique,” one of them hissed coldly, his dagger

glinting. “End it in one breath.”

Their figures blurred-vanishing from sight.

The Bai Clan members froze, eyes widening as seven streaks of light converged

toward their Young Master.

“YOUNG MASTER!”

Several voices shouted at once, their desperation cutting through the roar of

battle.

Even the elders, despite knowing it was futile, tried to break free-Qi surging as they clashed violently with their opponents.

“Damn! Is the Grand Elder really being held back?”

One of the Bai Clan Elder couldn’t help but complain. Now that Bai Zihan’s life

seemed to be in danger, and they were also being held back, their hope was the

Grand Elder.

They too knew that those people mentioned by the Second Prince couldn’t

possibly hold back someone like Bai Ren.

But what if they had managed to do so?

Otherwise, this is the time for him to show up and protect Bai Zihan, their main

purpose of being

But Bai Ren didn’t!

here.

Which might mean that what the Second Prince said might be true.

For a heartbeat, all anyone saw was light and motion-seven lethal strikes descending from every direction.

The Second Prince grinned viciously, already imagining Bai Zihan’s corpse

hitting the marble

Floor.

“This is what happens when you defy me!”