chapter 20: The Collapse of the Invincible

The meng family, Wang family, and Ouyang family.

At this moment, a group of people gazed toward the Zhao family mansion with shock etched across their faces.

These families, tied to the Seven Greatest Households and affiliated with the Zhao family, were alarmed by the sudden commotion in the Zhao family.

"The spiritual energy in the Zhao family is fluctuating violently. There must be a major battle between Spirit Incarnation Realm experts!"

An elder from the Wang family whispered, disbelief coloring his tone. "But the Zhao family has been a powerhouse for so long. Who would dare to challenge them?"

"Could it be another family from the Prefecture City?"

"No matter who it is, they must be an unfathomable force."

"Perhaps the balance of Tianyang Prefecture is about to shift."

The other families murmured, their faces filled with unease.

For over 500 years, the Zhao family had reigned supreme in Tianyang Prefecture, their deep foundations unshaken. But now, someone dared to strike against them—a force so bold it defied comprehension.

Meanwhile, the entire Tianyang Prefecture trembled as Zhao Menghu unleashed the Xuanwu Seal.

"A Xuanwu Realm expert has been forced to act!"

"Unbelievable! A battle that requires a Xuanwu Realm expert..."

Everyone's expressions darkened.

The Xuanwu Realm represented an unshakable pillar of power in Tianyang Prefecture. Such figures rarely intervened unless the situation was one of life and death.

"When did the Zhao family provoke an expert of this caliber?"

The Meng family's head muttered in disbelief.

Beside him, a faint smile appeared on meng Ye's face.

For meng Ye, it was fortunate that the Zhao family had antagonized such a terrifying enemy. If this mysterious force could weaken the Zhao family, their influence might wane, granting others respite.

"Maybe this person will topple the Zhao family altogether," meng Ye whispered, clenching his fists as if cheering for the mysterious figure challenging the Zhao family.

---

At the Zhao Family Mansion

The scene was one of chaos.

The ground was in ruins, battle scars marking every corner. The grand gates of the Zhao family were riddled with holes, a testament to the ferocity of the ongoing battle.

"Xuanwu Seal—suppress him!"

Zhao Menghu roared, his voice shaking the heavens as waves of spiritual energy surged in all directions.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions echoed through the air as Zhao Menghu pushed his power to the peak. His presence was as overwhelming as a tiger stalking its prey.

"It's an honor for you to witness my full strength," Zhao Menghu declared coldly.

As he unleashed his Xuanwu Seal, a white tiger materialized from the imprint. Its gaze fixed on Xiao Chen, radiating a menacing aura.

A roar erupted from the white tiger as its massive claws slashed downward.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Pillars shattered into dust, and the bluestone floor crumbled into powder beneath its might.

Even a Spirit Incarnation Realm expert at the ninth level would meet their end under such an assault.

"He's finished," someone in the Zhao family sneered.

Although Xiao Chen had proven strong, they were convinced that a Xuanwu Realm expert and the Xuanwu Seal would ensure his demise.

---

But Xiao Chen's expression didn't waver.

As the white tiger lunged at him, he calmly reached out and gripped its neck.

"You want me to die? Not even close," Xiao Chen said with a disdainful smile.

With a burst of power from his hand, the white tiger exploded into fragments. The Xuanwu Seal cracked and shattered, retreating as a flicker of light back to Zhao Menghu.

Bang!

Zhao Menghu coughed up blood, his aura rapidly waning. He stared at Xiao Chen, dumbfounded.

He... lost?

Even as a Xuanwu Realm expert, he had been defeated.

The crowd was frozen in disbelief.

"Chen... Chen Shu... What are you?" Zhao Menghu muttered, his voice trembling.

---

From afar, Zhao Qian rushed to the scene.

"What's going on?!" he shouted, his tone laced with urgency.

But when he saw Xiao Chen, anger surged through him.

"You again, Xiao Chen! How dare you come here and disrespect my Zhao family!" Zhao Qian roared.

Unaware of the gravity of the situation, Zhao Qian assumed his father had already defeated Xiao Chen.

"Father, this arrogant fool insults you! Send him to his grave!"

But Zhao Menghu cut him off.

"Enough, Zhao Qian! Go call your grandfather... I couldn't stop him," Zhao Menghu admitted, his voice filled with exhaustion and bitterness.

Zhao Qian froze.

"You... couldn't stop him?" Zhao Qian stammered.

His father, a Xuanwu Realm powerhouse, had been defeated?

Before he could process the shock, a thunderous voice echoed through the sky.

"Who dares challenge my Zhao family?"

The oppressive force of the voice suffocated the onlookers as an elderly figure in regal robes descended from the heavens.

"The backbone of the Zhao family has arrived," Xiao Chen murmured, his expression finally turning serious.