Chapter 1930: Not Losing Temper Still Counts as Being Young?

Zu An recovered his senses and looked at Meng Jing. "Doesn't your Meng family always pride itself on its profound heritage? Bring out whatever other trump cards you have."

Meng Jing was utterly devastated. The series of events had completely shocked him, leaving his mind blank.

What other trump cards could the Meng family possibly have? Their previous ones were enough to kill countless masters, yet none of them worked against you.

Seeing his silence, Zu An reached out, pulling Meng Jing directly into mid-air. He remotely choked him by the neck from a distance, lifting him up, and said calmly, "Since you have nothing left, it's time for us to settle our score."

As he spoke, the Stream-Severing Bone-Stripping Blade floated in the void, circling as if contemplating the best angle to sever Meng Jing's head.

Meng Jing's face turned ashen, thinking, *This kind of torment is unbearable.*

What could be more terrifying than death itself? Only the agonizing wait for it.

Just then, several shouts echoed from afar: "Hold your blade!"

As they spoke, five white-haired old men flew in from different directions. Their complexions were remarkably ruddy, and their magnificent attire clearly indicated their extraordinary status.

What shocked the various forces in the capital even more was that each of these individuals was at the peak of the Grandmaster realm, seemingly just one step away from becoming an Earth Immortal.

"When did the capital get so many top masters?" a lone cultivator in a distant inn murmured, momentarily dazed.

"Are you stupid? These are the legendary Eight Dukes. They usually reside in their respective homes in secluded cultivation. But with such a grand spectacle in the capital today, it would be strange if they didn't awaken," another well-informed person explained.

"As fellow Eight Dukes, wouldn't they have to help the Meng family?" another person asked.

"It's hard to say. The combat power displayed by that Zu fellow is simply heaven-defying. The Eight Dukes aren't a monolithic block; they might not necessarily stick up for him."

Such discussions occurred in every corner of the capital, with all factions guessing how events would unfold next.

Zu An looked at the five old men. "Who are you?" Although he had a rough idea based on their strength, he had never seen any of them before.

"This old man is Zhuang He," the elder from the east said proudly, stroking his long beard. Seeing Zu An show no reaction after hearing his name, his expression stiffened, and he had to add, "Zhuang He, Grand Tutor of the current dynasty."

If it were any other time, his subordinates would have long since stepped forward to sing his praises; he wouldn't have had to introduce himself. But a fierce battle had just taken place here, leaving terrifying residual power, so those with slightly lower cultivation couldn't even approach. He was worried about misunderstandings and conflicts, so it was better to state his identity first. After all, the strength this young man displayed earlier was a bit... too strong.

Zu An simply said "Oh" and looked at the others. "And you?"

The remaining old men raised their eyebrows, but still suppressed their emotions and introduced themselves one by one.

"Yu Rui, Grand Guardian of the current dynasty," said the elder who was clearly the most handsome.

Zu An couldn't help but glance at him again. *So his surname is Yu.* Recalling carefully, he seemed to have seen information about the Yu family before. Going back a few generations, he and Yu Yanluo indeed belonged to the same family; strictly speaking, he was of Yu Yanluo's great-uncle's generation. However, their branches had separated generations ago, and they now belonged to different families. Therefore, when Zhao Hao dealt with the Yu family previously, Zu An had not expressed an opinion on the matter. However, Zhao Hao had also shown him deference, not utterly annihilating the Yu family. A significant portion of the elemental stone mine industries in Yunzhong Commandery still remained in the Yu family's hands.

"This old man is Zhao Song, Grand Commandant of the current dynasty!" another clean-shaven old man with a pale face announced.

Zu An recalled some intelligence he had received earlier. This person was of Zhao Hao's grandfather's generation, an antique-level existence within the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty. However, his lineage had always been thin on descendants. Some of his grandchildren had died before him, and crucially, had not left many bloodlines behind, so it was likely his line would die out without issue.

"This old man is Du Jian, Minister of Works," an elder with an unusually round head stated.

Zu An nodded. Du Jian's son had served as an attendant to the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace in his early years, so there was some connection there.

"I am Cheng Yuan, Grand General of the current dynasty!" the last elder announced with full vigor, his voice like a great bell.

They had been unaware of the initial battle. After all, at their level, mundane affairs could hardly pique their interest; they pursued the Heavenly Dao and sought further advancement on the path of cultivation. But later, when Meng Jing emerged from seclusion, his familiar aura still startled them. They wondered why the old fellow had suddenly emerged. Had something major happened? Even so, they still had no intention of leaving seclusion. After all, at their age, each movement consumed their limited lifespan, and cultivation breakthroughs were more important. After all, with Meng Jing's strength and the Meng family's heritage, resolving any matter would have been an easy feat.

But who would have known that things would take an unexpected turn? Meng Jing's aura suddenly weakened, as if he had fallen. Later, when the golden giant dragon appeared, and even attracted the aura of the Dragon King, they could no longer sit still and successively emerged from seclusion to come here. As soon as they arrived, they saw Zu An about to kill Meng Jing and subconsciously cried out to stop him.

For the ordinary cultivators in the capital, the reappearance of the Eight Dukes was a truly grand spectacle. Countless cultivators throughout the capital were incredibly excited. Since they began cultivating, they had heard tales and the prestige of the Eight Dukes from the imperial court. However, these individuals pursued the Heavenly Dao and remained in secluded cultivation in their residences year-round; they never expected to have the chance to see their true faces today. But the current situation seemed a bit awkward.

Seeing these individuals, Meng Jing's eyes shone with unusual brilliance. Unfortunately, his throat was clutched by an invisible hand, preventing him from speaking, so he could only gaze at his old friends with pleading, hopeful eyes. They had been renowned for many years and had frequently gathered and drunk together in the past. They were certainly considered friends; surely they wouldn't just stand by and watch him die.

Compared to Meng Jing's hopeful state, Meng Chan, who was slumped beside a tree stump, was disheartened. *The Old Ancestor isn't as clear-headed as I am,* she thought. *Regardless of whether these people will offer assistance, even if they genuinely wanted to help, would that malevolent star truly let it go?* Although it was her first meeting with him today, he had left an indelible impression on her. Based on her many years of experience managing affairs in the Meng family and Prince Dai's residence, this person was the type who responded to gentleness but not to force; the more one threatened him, the more one courted death. But did the Meng family still have a chance to make him respond to gentleness...?

Just then, Zhuang He said, "Young friend, you have already destroyed more than half of the Meng family, and their masters have all perished. Your anger should have been sufficiently vented..."

He hadn't finished speaking when Zu An directly interrupted him: "My anger is not yet vented enough."

Zhuang He's breath hitched. When had someone of his status ever been interrupted so rudely? He was about to erupt, but after glancing at the dog-like Meng Jing, he still restrained himself.

Rage value from Zhuang He: +222,222,222...

At this moment, he also felt some surprise and uncertainty. He couldn't be clearer about Meng Jing's cultivation, so how could he have been defeated so miserably? Could it be that this young man is an Earth Immortal? But how was that possible? Before coming, he had already asked his family members. This young man had only risen abruptly in the past two years, and his total cultivation time was no more than three years. If he could reach the Earth Immortal realm, then what were they, a group of old fellows who had toiled for a lifetime, considered? Yet the combat power this young man displayed earlier was too outrageous. He hadn't understood it clearly from a distance before, but now, face to face, he quietly released his aura to sense him. As a result, he couldn't sense any elemental energy fluctuations from the other party, as if Zu An were just an ordinary person. Yet the more he sensed this, the more uncertain he became. Seeing the Meng family's miserable state, if he still considered Zu An an ordinary person, then his advanced age would truly be for naught.

"Young friend, no matter what the Meng family did, they have now received their deserved lesson. It's time to let go," Grand Commandant Zhao Song said, lightly coughing as he stepped forward to mediate.

"Are you suggesting we disregard the facts?" Zu An said, coldly scrutinizing him.

Zhao Song: "..."

*I, a venerable elder of the imperial family, am even respectfully greeted by Zhao Hao as Grand-Uncle. Is this young man really so disrespectful?*

Rage value from Zhao Song: +222,222,222...

The other Eight Dukes also had varied expressions, seemingly wanting to erupt, but after looking at Meng Jing's miserable state, they were momentarily apprehensive.

Just then, another voice slowly rang out: "Young man, if you release Meng Jing, this old man can make the decision that the imperial court will let bygones be bygones for what you have done today."

The voice seemed to come from afar, but the next moment, a figure stepped forward, appearing directly before everyone. This person wore a black robe embroidered with four-clawed golden dragons, clearly indicating he was a member of the imperial family. The other five Eight Dukes were greatly astonished upon seeing this person. "Brother Zhao, you have already taken that step?"

This was Grand Preceptor Zhao Chen, the head of the Eight Dukes. According to seniority, he was also of Zhao Hao's grandfather's generation. Unlike Zhao Song's dwindling lineage, his own was prosperous with descendants. His sons, Zhao Quan and Zhao Zhang, served as Eastern and Northern Central Generals, responsible for the empire's eastern and northern defenses, making them influential figures in the military. His grandson, Zhao Zai, the King of Hexi, whose fiefdom bordered that of the King of Yan, had also interacted with Zu An previously in Yi Commandery.

The black-robed elder said proudly, "Indeed. A few days ago, this old man already comprehended the mysteries and became an Earth Immortal."

Although his voice wasn't loud, it resounded throughout every corner of the capital. Everywhere erupted in an uproar, discussing this explosive news. The Human Race had actually gained another Earth Immortal! Previously, many people had felt uneasy because the Emperor, King Qi, and the Imperial Sacrificial Wine had successively fallen, worried about what would happen if the demon race took advantage of the weakness. Now that there was an Earth Immortal, everyone's hearts settled down.

Inside a wooden building of the Red Sleeve Pavilion, the courtesan Nan Xun's face was full of worry. "Oh no," she murmured. "An Earth Immortal has appeared, along with five other Eight Dukes. Young Master is probably in danger."

She wasn't the only one with such thoughts; many people looked at Zu An with some sympathy. This young man was indeed heaven-defying, but reaching this point, he had finally met his match. No matter how powerful he was, how could he be a match for an Earth Immortal? In everyone's perception, Earth Immortals were the combat power ceiling of this world. Below Earth Immortals, all are ants. Not to mention ordinary cultivators, even the five Eight Dukes looked at Zhao Chen with envy, jealousy, and hatred. They had all been on equal footing before, but he was the only one who took that crucial step. One fears friends who don't do well, and also fears friends who do too well.

Zu An replied indifferently, "What if I don't release him?"

Zhao Chen's eyes narrowed, his expression somewhat dangerous. "Young man, don't be too impetuous."

"If I'm not impetuous, can I still be called a young man?" As soon as Zu An finished speaking, the Stream-Severing Bone-Stripping Blade seemed to receive instructions and, right in front of Zhao Chen, directly severed Meng Jing's head.