Su Ye stepped forward and looked at the towering platform ahead.
It was a stage forged from black stone, its surface scarred with countless cracks and stains left behind by previous battles. Ancient sigils glowed faintly along its edges, forming an invisible barrier that sealed the space within.
This was the arena established by the Shen family.
The place where all grudges were settled.
The Life and Death Stage.
Once one stepped onto it, life and death would no longer be in the hands of others. No one could interfere and no one could save them.
Only victory or death would follow those that step on it.
Su Ye lifted his foot to step forward—
But a firm hand stopped him.
"Grandfather?"
Su Linghan, a middle-aged man with stern brows and streaks of white in his hair, his presence steady like a mountain, pulled Su Ye slightly closer. His usually imposing face now carried a trace of worry that he could not conceal.
He lowered his voice.
"Your grandfather will step in if things turn dangerous," he said quietly. "If you cannot win, surrender immediately. Life is more precious than anything, do you understand?"
Su Ye shook his head.
"Don't."
His voice was calm, but carried an unshakable firmness.
"Today, either he dies…or I do."
"That is the only way this ends."
Su Linghan's expression changed.
"Don't be ridiculous!" he snapped, his voice rising slightly. "How can we stand by and watch our grandson walk into a pit of fire!?"
Su Ye turned slightly, a faint smile appearing on his pale face.
"I won't lose."
Before Su Linghan could say another word, Su Ye had already stepped forward, his figure moving with quiet decisiveness.
"You—" Su Linghan raised his hand, but stopped midair.
"…You really do run fast," he muttered, his voice filled with helplessness.
Su Ye didn't want the Su family to be implicated in his matter. If they really tried to help him, they might face scrutiny by the other 3 families.
He stepped onto the edge of the Life and Death Stage.
Across from him stood Li Tao.
Li Tao, clad in blue robes, his face sharp and stern, still carried the same imposing aura as before. However, his right arm hung unnaturally at his side, motionless.
The moment their eyes met, the air turned cold.
There were no greetings.
No words of reconciliation or consideration of familial bond.
Only hatred.
Above the arena, four elevated seats held the most powerful figures present.
The patriarchs of the four great families sat side by side.
Li. Shen. Su. Wang.
Li Meng, the Li family patriarch, an elderly man with deep-set eyes and a long beard, sighed softly.
"It is like an ant trying to shake a tree," he said. "How can a mortal defeat a cultivator of the fifth step?"
Su Daoxuan, youthful in appearance with bright, curious eyes that seemed out of place for someone of his status, smiled faintly.
"You should worry about your own people instead," he replied. "Even I am not confident in facing Su Ye."
The moment those words were spoken—
All three patriarchs froze.
Their gazes sharpened instantly.
Su Daoxuan was the second strongest among them. His cultivation had already reached a terrifying level despite his young appearance.
For him to say such words…
Wang Lie, a burly man with a broad frame and a domineering aura, raised a brow.
"Is he truly that strong?"
Su Daoxuan only smiled.
"Watch and see."
On the stage, Su Ye's gaze drifted to Li Tao's right arm.
A faint smile appeared.
"Still can't move it?"
Li Tao's eyes grew cold.
"To deal with you, I do not even need to blink."
Su Ye chuckled softly.
"Then let me strike first," he said. "Otherwise…I might not get the chance later."
Li Tao scoffed.
"Fine."
"I will give you three moves."
"Consider it my final act of mercy."
Su Ye's smile deepened.
"Then I truly have to thank you."
Without another word, Su Ye raised his hand toward the sky.
The Yin Devouring Aura gathered instantly, swirling above his palm like a dark vortex, twisting and compressing into a dense, spiraling sphere.
The air around it distorted.
Even space itself seemed to tremble faintly.
A strange, suffocating pressure spread outward.
Below the stage, whispers erupted.
"Is he insane?"
"A mortal dares speak like this?"
"He must have some kind of treasure!"
"There's gotta be a reason for his arrogance, but...what would it be?"
Even among cultivators, disbelief filled their faces.
At the viewing platform Su Daoxuan's expression changed slightly.
Without hesitation, he waved his hand.
Layer upon layer of defensive formations appeared around him, shimmering like overlapping barriers of light.
Wang Lie stared at him as if he had gone mad.
"Su Daoxuan…have you lost your mind from cultivation?"
Su Daoxuan smiled calmly.
"Aiyah~ I am simply cautious," he said. "Even a gust of wind can be dangerous. What if I get a scar?"
He then glanced at Wang Lie.
"If you are so confident, why not stand in front of me?"
Wang Lie snorted.
"You old fox, what are you scheming now?"
Su Daoxuan casually took out a pill.
It glowed with a faint golden-red light, its surface flowing like liquid fire.
"If you stand in front of me for one incense stick," he said lightly, "this Phoenix Pill will be yours."
The surrounding patriarchs immediately turned their attention to it.
Shen Mo, calm and composed, narrowed his eyes.
"A Phoenix Pill…capable of pulling someone back from the brink of death," he said. "Even I find it tempting."
"Then take it," Su Daoxuan replied with a smile. "I don't mind as long as someone stands in front."
Shen Mo shook his head.
"I will pass."
Li Meng also waved his hand.
"After everything that has happened, I don't dare touch anything from your hands."
Only Wang Lie remained.
He laughed loudly.
"You two are fools! A free treasure and you refuse it?"
He stepped forward without hesitation.
"Fine. I'll take it."
Su Daoxuan smiled brightly and tossed him the pill.
"Very good."
Wang Lie caught it and inspected it briefly.
His eyes lit up.
"It's real!"
He grinned widely and stood firm in front of Su Daoxuan, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Just a gust of wind?" he scoffed. "I bet there won't even be a fart!"
Su Daoxuan nodded gently.
"Yes…just a gust of wind."
Behind their calm expressions, Li Meng and Shen Mo quietly reinforced their own defenses.
They knew Su Daoxuan too well.
Back on the stage.
The Yin Devouring Aura in Su Ye's hand compressed further.
It spun faster and faster, emitting a low, almost inaudible hum that caused the ground beneath his feet to crack.
Su Daoxuan's smile stiffened slightly.
This child…
Even he felt a hint of unease.
He turned toward Wang Lie.
"Brother Wang…you may want to add another layer of defense."
Wang Lie laughed loudly.
"What nonsense are you spouting? I am a body cultivator! If I cannot withstand something like this, I will take your surname!"
Su Daoxuan sighed softly.
"…Don't say I didn't warn you."
His gaze returned to the stage.
The air had already begun to change.
Something was coming.
And it was far from a simple "gust of wind."