Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

"What is going on here?"

"The marriage challenge is only three days away. With Chen Longxiang's strength, it's likely he'll emerge victorious and win the beauty's heart. Why would he suddenly suppress the Saintess at this critical moment?"

"Something major is happening in Baiyu Capital!"

The entire Baiyu Capital was engulfed in chaos, confusion, and unease.

Even some of Baiyu Capital's higher-ups were completely baffled at this moment.

Deep within Baiyu Capital Holy Mountain.

A massive ice cavern resided here, with nine Ice Dragons coiling within its depths.

Each of these Ice Dragons stretched over ten thousand zhang in length, their bodies covered with frosty blue Scale Armor. Each scale radiated a faint blue glow, reminiscent of eternal ice, even more translucent than crystal. Razor-sharp claws were folded beneath their bellies, yet their ferocity could scarcely be concealed—one strike from them could seemingly tear through the void.

Their menacing dragon heads were adorned with long, sword-like dragon horns that seemed to pierce the heavens.

Although they had been deceased for many years, they still exuded an unmatched aura of fearsome dignity.

Their bodies emanated a chilling coldness.

Those freezing currents...

Were the purest energy for cultivating Baiyu Capital's Holy Land Cultivation Technique.

Training here yielded twice the results with half the effort.

It even allowed one to comprehend the Dao of Ice!

At this moment.

Within the Ice Dragon Cavern.

The Holy Master of Baiyu Capital, two Supreme Elders, and members of the Seven-Elder Council were all seated here. The weakest among them had reached the Peak of Heavenly Venerate Realm, while the strongest—Holy Master Fang Ru—was in the Supreme Realm.

To Fang Ru's left and right were the two Supreme Elders: Left Elder Wu Qian and Right Elder Jin Malun, both of whom were formidable powerhouses of Supreme Realm Peak.

Their ears had naturally caught Chen Longxiang's voice, prompting them to open their eyes.

There was doubt, shock, and confusion.

Fang Ru's gaze was electric, and the temperature within the cavern plummeted dozens of degrees in an instant, the drifting cold solidifying into frost. With a face of cold indifference tinged with disdain, he glared at the two Supreme Elders.

It was precisely because of their unwavering support that more than half of the Elder Council had chosen to stand by Chen Longxiang.

Fang Ru sneered coldly, "Elder Wu, Elder Jin, is this the peerless genius you've chosen to replace me? I haven't even stepped down from the position of Holy Master, yet he dares to suppress my daughter beneath the Seal Demon Stele. If I were to abdicate, would my daughter even have a chance to survive?"

Wu Qian and Jin Malun exchanged glances, seeing shared frustration and displeasure in each other's eyes.

Clearly, Chen Longxiang's actions had even made them deeply unhappy.

Yet, in Fang Ru's presence, the two had no choice but to defend Chen Longxiang to the utmost.

Wu Qian coughed lightly and said, "Holy Master, there may be some misunderstanding here. From what I know, Longxiang is not the type of person to act recklessly. His actions are probably due to the Saintess's own mistakes…"

"Exactly. Longxiang was able to obtain the patriarch's inheritance in the Forbidden Land. His talent and character must have passed rigorous tests..."

Jin Malun added, "This matter likely stems from the Saintess's own missteps!"

"The two Elders are correct; it must be the Saintess who was at fault!"

"I think so too!"

The other elders chimed in one after another.

Each wore a fawning expression, currying favor with Wu Qian and Jin Malun.

This made Fang Ru's face darken to its extreme.

Ever since Chen Longxiang had obtained the inheritance of Baiyu Capital's first patriarch in the Forbidden Land, Wu Qian and Jin Malun had gone to great lengths to elevate Chen Longxiang as Fang Ru's replacement and the next Holy Master of Baiyu Capital.

Even though Fang Ru's strength was sufficient to suppress all threats, Chen Longxiang's possession of the patriarch's inheritance served as an ironclad shield against retaliation. Coupled with support from more than half of the Elder Council, Fang Ru couldn't act against him recklessly.

In the face of Chen Longxiang's growing influence, Fang Ru had been forced to concede by holding a marriage challenge.

Fang Ru's gaze fell upon Elder Lan, a staunch Peak of Heavenly Venerate Realm supporter from the Elder Council.

Elder Lan sensed Fang Ru's gaze and sighed inwardly. Though he remained loyal to Fang Ru, it was evident that Fang Ru's position was crumbling, and once Chen Longxiang married, he would inevitably take over Fang Ru's role as Holy Master.

Elder Lan now sought to avoid overly offending Chen Longxiang and his allies.

Yet...

Under Fang Ru's intense gaze, Elder Lan felt compelled to speak: "Honorable Supreme Elders, you have not investigated the matter properly and still presume fault lies with the Saintess. Isn't this conclusion too rash?"

"Elder Lan, then what do you propose?" Wu Qian squinted and asked.

Elder Lan replied, "Naturally..."

Before he could finish.

A deep, fiery voice filled with boundless rage suddenly reverberated throughout Baiyu Capital Holy Land: "Xiao Yi of Southern State challenges the mountain! I have come for Fang Qingzhu! Everyone in Baiyu Capital, from the gatekeepers to the Holy Master and Supreme Venerates—if anyone dares obstruct me, I will kill them all!"

Boom!

These words erupted like thunder across Baiyu Capital Holy Mountain.

In an instant.

Everyone was stunned.

Someone dared to challenge Baiyu Capital?

This was even more shocking than Chen Longxiang suppressing Saintess Fang Qingzhu.

This was a holy site of the Human Race!

For someone to challenge its mountain was akin to delivering a brutal slap to Baiyu Capital's face!

In the frigid Ice Dragon Cavern.

The assembled elders exchanged glances and disbelief covered their faces.

Wu Qian erupted in anger, slamming the cushion beneath him furiously: "Outrageous, outrageous! Who is this Xiao Yi from Southern State? How dare he act so presumptuously and challenge our Baiyu Capital's mountain? Does he think Baiyu Capital is without defenders?!"

The sacred mountain.

An inviolable landmark.

And yet now Xiao Yi had declared he would challenge it publicly?

Jin Malun squinted and looked at Fang Ru: "Xiao Yi? It seems the Saintess once had a marriage agreement in the secular world. Could it be with someone named Xiao Yi?"

Everyone's gaze turned to Fang Ru.

Even Fang Ru was momentarily dazed. He distinctly remembered Fang Qingzhu once mentioning that Xiao Yi was merely a general from a small Southern State military family.

But when had such a person gained the boldness and strength to challenge Baiyu Capital?

In astonishment.

Fang Ru's eyes flickered with contemplation, but his heart held a trace of comfort: "No matter his strength or background, at least this level of courage, coupled with his willingness to risk everything for Qingzhu, makes him worthy of her. Yet…" He frowned slightly, glancing at Wu Qian and Jin Malun beside him. "If he doesn't have enough strength, he's only sending himself to his death with such fanfare!"

Unsurprisingly...

Wu Qian sneered coldly, "Hmph, so it's him, that bastard. Holy Master, we previously refrained from dispatching someone to Southern State to kill this brat out of respect for you. But now that he's dared to intrude upon Baiyu Capital Holy Land, you won't stop us from eliminating him, will you?"

Jin Malun added icily, "Holy Master, don't forget—you are still Baiyu Capital's leader!"

Ha!

Now you remember I am Baiyu Capital's Holy Master?

Where was this respect when you were pressuring me to step down?

Fang Ru chuckled coldly to himself but knew he needed to proceed cautiously, lest Wu Qian and Jin Malun exploit the situation.

Thinking carefully.

Fang Ru spoke casually: "What do the esteemed Elders propose we do?"

The two exchanged looks, their eyes gleaming with viciousness, and declared in unison: "Kill! Without! Mercy!"

Gasps!

Everyone present drew sharp breaths.

All eyes turned toward Fang Ru, whose gaze flickered lightly before he spoke slowly: "Do as you will..."

"Hmph, this brat dares to challenge our Holy Land's authority? He must be torn to pieces!"

"The first stage of the marriage challenge just ended, didn't it? Perfect timing to alter the rules: whoever can kill Xiao Yi will advance directly to the third stage..."

"With this, Xiao Yi will become everyone's target. How could he survive?"

"Excellent, excellent. I'll go issue the kill order right away!"

As the sinister-faced Wu Qian and Jin Malun left, Fang Ru's gaze turned distant, muttering to himself: "Xiao Yi? Whether you live or die depends entirely on yourself now..."