Chapter 43: The Ruthless Heavens and Boundless Compassion
Inside the Pill Tower, everyone was stunned into silence.
What just happened? Song Qing actually lost?
This fifteen year old named Xiao Yan had defeated an Eight Star Dou Emperor like Song Qing, leaving him in such a miserable state?
The elders of the Pill Tower, who had far more discerning eyes, quickly recognized that Xiao Yan must have used an exceptionally powerful body refining Dou Technique.
On the ground, Xiao Yan's shoeprints continued to decorate Song Qing's face and body. If Song Qing weren't a Dou Emperor with a strengthened physique, he would likely have been reduced to a bloody pulp by now.
"Enough!"
A furious roar echoed through the air, carrying with it an invisible pressure that swept toward Xiao Yan.
"Oh? Beat the younger one, and now the old one shows up?" Xiao Yan sneered but stopped his actions, though he kept his foot firmly planted on Song Qing's face.
The invisible pressure approaching Xiao Yan dissipated ten meters away, neutralized by an unseen force.
When the pressure failed, the space before Xiao Yan rippled, and a red robed elder stepped out.
"Young man, how can you be so cruel?" The elder's eyes burned with anger as he looked at the shoeprints all over Song Qing.
"And who might you be?" Xiao Yan glanced at the elder, immediately guessing that this was likely the Grand Elder of the Pill Tower.
Sure enough, the elder suppressed his rage and said, "I am the current Grand Elder of the Pill Tower. The one under your foot is my disciple. Young man, don't you think you've gone too far?"
"Too far?" Xiao Yan sneered, looking down at the unconscious Song Qing beneath his foot before glancing at the Grand Elder. "Indeed, I am ruthless. But your disciple was the one who had the gall to provoke me. If you're his teacher, then you owe me an apology."
"You!"
The Grand Elder's anger surged again, his face flushing crimson.
"Ha! Is this the level of discipline we should expect from Yao Chen's disciple?"
"If Yao Chen can't teach you properly, then allow me to do it for him!" The Grand Elder raised his hand, Dou Qi surging and creating small cracks in the surrounding space.
As the Grand Elder of the Pill Tower, second only to the three heads of the Tower, his strength was undoubtedly that of a Dou Venerate.
Yet despite the terrifying pressure, Xiao Yan's expression didn't waver. Instead, he casually spat on Song Qing's body.
"Disgraceful wretch!" The Grand Elder's forehead nearly burst with veins as his rage peaked. Song Qing was like a son to him, and seeing him humiliated like this was unbearable.
However, just as his attack was about to land, an equally aged hand emerged from the void, gently stopping his strike.
It was none other than the refined and scholarly Yao Lao.
"Yao Chen!"
The Grand Elder stepped back slightly, glaring coldly at Yao Lao. "Is this how you teach your disciple?"
Yao Lao turned to glance at Xiao Yan, who stood shirtless and looked every bit the rogue, with the unconscious Song Qing still under his foot. The elder could only shake his head helplessly.
"My disciple is unruly. I can't control him," Yao Lao said lightly.
"You can't control your own disciple?" The Grand Elder's eyes widened in disbelief. "Fine! Song Qing lost the duel; I can accept that. But humiliating him like this is utterly unacceptable!"
Yao Lao coughed lightly and said, "Lin, we've known each other for years. I'd advise you to choose your words carefully."
"Carefully?" The Grand Elder glared at Yao Lao, his voice cold. "It seems even you have grown arrogant. No wonder your disciple is so insolent. Let me make myself clear: if your disciple doesn't apologize today, he'd better leave the Pill Tower immediately!"
As the Grand Elder, his authority was not on par with the three heads of the Pill Tower, but it was still formidable.
Yao Lao sighed and gave him a pitying look.
The next moment, the surrounding space froze, and two auras far stronger than Yao Lao's silently appeared behind the Grand Elder.
Who Has Arrived?
The Grand Elder's expression shifted as he sensed the overwhelming pressure of these two powerful presences. Who were they? Could they be the legendary three heads of the Pill Tower?
Two black robed elders emerged. One had a kind and gentle appearance, while the other had a fiery and intimidating presence. Both of them fixed their piercing gazes on the Grand Elder of the Pill Tower.
"Half Saints!" The Grand Elder's eyes filled with shock.
He had been in seclusion for many years, unaware of the happenings in the outside world. He knew Yao Chen had taken in a talented disciple but had no idea this boy came with such a formidable background. If it hadn't been for the grievous injuries sustained by his beloved disciple, Song Qing, he wouldn't have shown himself here.
"You were just about to expel our clan's Holy Son from the Pill Tower, weren't you?" said Xiao Wen with a smile that did not reach his eyes. The pressure behind his words caused the Grand Elder's heart to tighten.
"Holy Son… Xiao Yan is the Holy Son of the Xiao Clan?"
The Grand Elder's heart skipped a beat.
"Hmph! Old man, don't be ignorant!" Xiao Wu, the more hot tempered of the two, glared at the Grand Elder. "Our Holy Son graces your Pill Tower by choosing to study here. That is your honor! Don't act like an ungrateful fool.
"If you dare provoke our Holy Son, I'll tear down your Pill Tower and smash your head in!"
Unlike the reserved Xiao Wen, Xiao Wu exuded raw dominance and arrogance.
The Grand Elder braced himself, attempting to maintain his dignity. "Even if he is a Holy Son, there must still be reason and accountability, no?"
"Reason?" Xiao Wu sneered. "A mere Dou Venerate like you dares talk reason with the Xiao Clan?"
With just those words, the Grand Elder's face turned pale.
Nearby, Xiao Yan spoke up in a calm voice. "Old man, weren't you just demanding an apology from me?"
He stepped forward, smirking coldly. "Now I'll give you the same chance. Apologize on behalf of your disciple. If I find it sincere, I'll spare you both. If not…"
Xiao Yan's wicked chuckle sent chills down the Grand Elder's spine.
"You !"
The Grand Elder's face turned crimson with anger, his body trembling as words failed him.
"Humph!"
Xiao Wu stepped forward, the ground beneath his feet cracking slightly. A terrifying pressure surged forth, forcing the Grand Elder to stagger.
"A true man knows when to yield." Taking a deep breath, the Grand Elder suppressed his fury, cupped his hands, and bowed to Xiao Yan.
"It was my disciple who acted foolishly. As his teacher, I apologize to the Holy Son on his behalf."
"Now that's better." Xiao Yan's expression shifted, his smile returning. "Since you've apologized, I'll grant you this favor. Take your disciple and leave.
"When he wakes up, let him know this: If he dares provoke me again, it will be his death!"
"Thank you, Holy Son," the Grand Elder said through gritted teeth. With a wave of his hand, he scooped up the unconscious Song Qing and vanished into thin air.
As the Grand Elder disappeared, the two Xiao Clan elders, Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu, also retreated into the void, following Xiao Yan's signal.
Aftermath
Yao Lao glanced at Xiao Yan. "Satisfied now?"
"Just about," Xiao Yan replied indifferently.
"Song Qing provoked you, and injuring him was enough. But did you really need to humiliate him further?" Yao Lao frowned slightly.
While he understood that Xiao Yan's background gave him a level of immunity, this kind of heavy handed behavior felt excessively domineering.
"If someone provokes me, they must pay the price," Xiao Yan replied with a cold laugh. "This world operates on survival of the fittest.
"Song Qing didn't hold back in the fight because of some benevolence he feared my background.
"If I were some talentless boy with no connections, he would have crushed me like an insect without hesitation.
"In that scenario, would you still say I was too ruthless?"
Xiao Yan turned to face Yao Lao. "The heavens are heartless, treating all as mere playthings. Yet the heavens are also boundlessly compassionate everything must die.
"If I were weak, then today, I'd be the one in the wrong. But I am strong, and today, Song Qing is wrong.
"In the eyes of the strong, the weak have no place."
Yao Lao's old eyes narrowed, and he sighed deeply.
"I didn't expect that someone so young could already possess such a mindset."
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