Chapter 7: Ashfell Family Junior, You've Crossed the Line

"Honored envoy, may I ask what business brings you to the De Molinos family of Nezier Town?"

"As long as it is within our power, the De Molinos family is willing to do anything for you and the Ashfell family, even if it means braving fire and water."

Despite the overwhelming aura of the Ashfell family cultivator, who sat astride a ferocious tiger beast, Simon managed to maintain a composed demeanor. His words were tactful, leaving no room for reproach.

As the De Molinos family patriarch, Simon's shrewdness and capability far exceeded those of ordinary men.

He understood well that the greater the crisis, the calmer he needed to be.

Simon was fully aware of the Ashfell family's ambitions. His polite inquiries and deferential attitude were deliberate, meant to deny the Ashfell family any excuse to act aggressively while buying as much time as possible.

Even in a dire situation, delaying tactics could potentially open a path to survival.

However, the Ashfell family cultivator was no easy opponent.

Though he appeared to be no older than twenty, his youthful appearance was due to a Rejuvenation Pill he had consumed in his youth. In reality, he was nearing one hundred years old.

A man of such age and experience would not have been entrusted with this mission unless he was highly competent.

As Simon finished speaking, the Ashfell family cultivator did not respond immediately. Instead, he cast a meaningful glance at his attendant.

Having served the Ashfell family cultivator for years, the attendant instantly understood. Adopting an arrogant demeanor, he sneered and said in a provocative tone:

"Outrageous! You De Molinos family mortals dare not kneel before the Third Elder of the Ashfell family? Do you wish to bring about your own destruction?"

The attendant's words fell like a spark into dry tinder.

While the elder members of the De Molinos family remained impassive, the younger generation—hot-blooded and long sheltered under the family's protection—were immediately enraged.

The De Molinos family was a prominent clan within a hundred-mile radius of Nezier Town. When had they ever suffered such humiliation?

Seeing this, Simon frowned deeply, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart.

He knew the Ashfell family's strength and influence. If a confrontation broke out today, it would spell disaster for the De Molinos family.

In terms of territory, the Ashfell family directly controlled five of the seven towns within a thousand miles of Purple River City.

In terms of armed forces, the De Molinos family had a total of four hundred armored guards, while the Ashfell family boasted at least ten thousand.

In terms of cultivators, the De Molinos family had only one—while the Ashfell family had dozens.

A direct conflict with the Ashfell family would be a hopeless endeavor.

"Our family has never been a vassal of the Ashfell family. Kneeling… what a joke!"

"Patriarch, the Ashfell family bullies us too much. They show no regard for the De Molinos family at all…"

One of the younger De Molinos family members, his face flushed with anger, spoke out, his words sparking a chorus of agreement from the other youths.

These thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds, accustomed to the respect they received when walking through Nezier Town, could not comprehend the Ashfell family's overwhelming power.

Though their elders had explained the regional power dynamics to them before, most dismissed these warnings as mere stories.

"Silence, you fools!"

An elder of the De Molinos family, leaning heavily on a cane, scolded the younger generation harshly, silencing their outbursts.

But within the Ashfell family's ranks, the attendant seized the opportunity to escalate the situation. With a cold glare directed at Simon, he spoke in a voice laced with murderous intent:

"The De Molinos family… truly does not know its place. Not kneeling before the Third Elder of the Ashfell family is one thing, but to let these brats hurl insults?!"

"Provoking the Ashfell family… is punishable by death!"

As he spoke, the Ashfell family's armored guards drew their swords and prepared for action.

Meanwhile, Arius had concluded his cultivation and stepped out of the underground chamber.

He had been monitoring everything happening outside Nezier Town.

Through his observations, Arius now had a basic understanding of the current state of the De Molinos family.

As the patriarch, Simon was competent enough. If given the right conditions, he could be further nurtured in the future.

The De Molinos family elders were cohesive and understood the bigger picture, which was a positive aspect.

However, the younger generation of the De Molinos family was lacking in proper education. Although they hadn't become spoiled or arrogant, if their outlook wasn't corrected to recognize the harsh realities of the world, it would be hard for them to grow into the backbone of the family.

When it came to the De Molinos family's military strength… it was truly subpar.

Out of the four hundred armored guards, only about twenty were trained martial artists. The rest were ordinary mortals, equipped with decent gear but clearly lacking in regular training.

Their actual combat strength was only slightly better than that of common bandits or mountain brigands.

On the other hand, the Ashfell family's forces were made up of elite soldiers. If a battle broke out, the Ashfell family guards alone could likely annihilate the De Molinos family without the Ashfell family's Third Elder needing to intervene.

"The dignity of the Ashfell family cannot be challenged."

"I give your De Molinos family a choice: submit to the Ashfell family, and we will leave you one-tenth of Nezier Town's assets so your family may survive."

"Otherwise… the De Molinos family will be annihilated."

As tensions reached a breaking point, the Third Elder of the Ashfell family, sitting atop his ferocious tiger beast, finally spoke.

His tone was commanding and brooked no argument. He wasn't negotiating with the De Molinos family; he was issuing a threat.

This visit to Nezier Town was solely to expand the Ashfell family's territory and influence.

The Ashfell family had begun planning this move ever since they learned of Arius's departure from the Albigensians Sect and his loss of status as an Outer Sect disciple.

To the Ashfell family, the De Molinos family was insignificant.

The Third Elder himself was at the peak of the Blood Tempering Realm.

According to their intelligence, Arius was only at the mid-stage of the Blood Tempering Realm.

Had Arius not used an Ascension Decree to join the Albigensians Sect, the Ashfell family would have taken over Nezier Town long ago.

Faced with the Third Elder's threat, Simon's expression darkened, and even the De Molinos family elders began to show signs of unease.

Submitting to the Ashfell family and surrendering ninety percent of Nezier Town's assets… . The terms were far too harsh.

If they lost ninety percent of their assets, the De Molinos family's finances would collapse in less than two months, and the family would fall apart entirely.

However, if they resisted, the Ashfell family's overwhelming power would lead to their total annihilation.

"Honored envoy, the De Molinos family is willing to submit, but under these conditions…"

Simon's voice was bitter as he attempted to negotiate.

However, the Third Elder of the Ashfell family ignored him entirely. Raising three fingers, he spoke coldly:

"Three breaths."

"You have three breaths to decide."

"Three, two…"

Just as the Third Elder was about to utter the word "one," Arius emerged, hands clasped behind his back, stepping slowly out of the thick mist.

His gray robe fluttered gently, and the moonlight glinted off his silver hair, casting a mysterious glow.

Arius's expression was calm and detached, his deep gaze locking onto the Ashfell family's Third Elder. Suddenly, the aura of someone at the early Bone Tempering Realm burst forth, radiating power.

"Nezier Town belongs to the De Molinos family!"

"Ashfell family junior, you've overstepped…"