CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: EXPELLED FROM THE FAMILY!

EDITOR: ENDLESSFANTASY TRANSLATION

Everyone in the hall was stunned by Luo Feng’s domineering words. No one understood why Luo Feng, whose cultivation was clearly a level below Zheng Yuan’s, dared to speak so boldly.

Luotian watched Luo Feng standing in the middle of the hall like a javelin, his eyes brightening slightly as he looked on with some anticipation.

"Luo Feng, you’re too arrogant. Today, I will teach you a lesson!"

Pushed to his limit by Luo Feng’s derision and insults, Zheng Yuan felt his chest would explode with anger. He leaped directly opposite Luo Feng.

"Tide Control Palm!"

With a roar, he aimed a palm strike at Luo Feng.

WHOOSH...

The palm wind blew Luo Feng’s black hair, making it fly up. It was fierce, and the hall faintly filled with the sound of an ebbing and flowing tide.

This was one of the Luo Family’s mid-level Yellow Tier martial arts techniques. Its palm strength was like waves—long and continuous. When practiced to Great Accomplishment, a single strike could instantly exert force eighteen times, shattering an enemy’s bones and severing their life force. It was an incredibly powerful technique.

"Who could have guessed that Zheng Yuan’s Tide Control Palm had reached the Great Achievement Realm? One truly couldn’t judge a book by its cover."

"With this being the case, Luo Feng had even less chance of winning against Zheng Yuan."

"What a pity. I was hoping to see an exciting duel. It seemed now the victor would be decided in one move..."

Seeing Zheng Yuan use the Tide Control Palm, the onlookers shook their heads, not optimistic about Luo Feng’s chances.

With the Tide Control Palm at the Great Achievement Realm, Zheng Yuan could even contend with peak experts of the Fifth Layer Iron Bone Realm!

Luo Feng’s cultivation, however, was only at the mid-stage of the Fifth Layer Iron Bone Realm. The result seemed obvious.

Luo Feng’s expression was calm, as if he hadn’t felt the ferocity of Zheng Yuan’s palm at all.

It wasn’t until the strong wind reached his face that he let out a cold laugh and suddenly sprang into action.

As his figure moved, an aura of vicious malevolence radiated from Luo Feng, like a raging tiger.

BOOM!

As his foot struck the ground, it was like a giant beast trampling. The entire hall trembled, and dust fell from the beams above.

SWISH!

Before anyone could react, Luo Feng had already appeared before Zheng Yuan, throwing a punch.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

This seemingly casual punch caused the air to explode repeatedly. Its sheer power was astounding, and its fearsome momentum caused many of the young disciples present to click their tongues in awe, their scalps tingling.

CRACKLE...

Before the punch even landed, the forceful fist wind alone was enough to make Zheng Yuan’s cheeks throb with pain. He paled in fright and hurriedly circulated his palm energy to block.

However, the moment his hands touched Luo Feng’s fist, he felt an irresistible force surging toward him. His face turned white, and he spurted a mouthful of fresh blood, screaming as he was sent flying backward. He crashed heavily into the wall and passed out instantly, his arms hanging limply at his sides, their bones shattered inch by inch.

"Impossible!" Zheng Hongzhi could hardly believe his eyes. After staring blankly for a long moment, he shot a venomous glare at Luo Feng, then flashed to Zheng Yuan’s side and hastily fed him a healing pill.

The hall fell deathly silent. Everyone was dumbfounded.

Indeed, victory had been decided in one move, but no one could have imagined that the victor would be Luo Feng!

With just one punch, Luo Feng had nearly killed Zheng Yuan, who was in the late stage of the Fifth Layer Iron Bone Realm! What terrifying strength!

"Feng Er, you...?" Luotian looked at Luo Feng, his face flushed red as if he had been drinking, his eyes filled with delighted surprise.

He had never expected Luo Feng to possess such strength! He was both astounded and overjoyed.

"Father, when I was at Purple Sun School, I went to the Red Chain Mountain Range. There, I accidentally obtained a vermilion fruit. After consuming it, my physique seemed to have been tempered, and my strength surpassed that of ordinary men. I can even handle a peak practitioner of the Fifth Layer Iron Bone Realm to some extent," Luo Feng explained.

Although it was a fabricated lie, the fact that his strength surpassed that of ordinary men was true.

"A vermilion fruit that greatly increases physical strength! Could it be the Beast Saliva Fruit! That’s a third-grade spiritual medicine. No wonder his cultivation has progressed so rapidly these past two years!" a middle-aged Martial Artist exclaimed, his eyes, fixed on Luo Feng, filled with envy.

"Third-grade spiritual medicine!"

The others also paled one after another.

Third-grade spiritual medicine possessed an incredibly miraculous effect! However, it was extremely expensive, worth hundreds of thousands of silver taels, or even over a million. Even as leaders of the Four Great Families, they could not afford such a medicine.

"HAHAHA... Good! Good! This is a fortuitous encounter, something one can only hope for by luck. It seems Heaven truly favors you!" Luotian burst into hearty laughter, his earlier gloominess vanishing completely, replaced by elation.

"Someone, take the Young Master away to rest!" Zheng Hongzhi ordered after checking Zheng Yuan’s injuries, his face ashen. Once Zheng Yuan had been carried away, he glared furiously at Luo Feng. "Luo Feng, your methods are too ruthless! This was supposed to be a friendly spar between family members, and yet you struck such a vicious blow!"

Luo Feng met his gaze calmly, a smirk playing on his lips that didn’t reach his eyes. "Everyone here saw it. Zheng Yuan insisted on sparring with me. I couldn’t refuse, so we fought. He lacked skill and was taught a lesson by me; he brought this humiliation upon himself. If this matter is to be pursued, you were the one who incited it! You have only your own lack of discernment to blame."

"You!" Zheng Hongzhi was seething. A frigid aura enveloped Luo Feng, and the air in the entire hall seemed to freeze that instant.

He was at the Seventh Layer of the Essence Storage Realm. In his rage, his aura was terrifying; clan members with lower cultivation could barely stand steady.

"HUMPH!"

A cold snort exploded in the hall, and the frozen air began to flow again.

Luotian swept his imposing gaze across the hall, landing on Zheng Hongzhi, his aura several times more powerful. "Zheng Hongzhi, injuries are inevitable in a spar. Are you going to interfere in matters between the younger generation?"

Zheng Hongzhi stiffened at Luotian’s question. Just moments ago, he had advised Luotian not to interfere in the disputes of the younger generation. He hadn’t expected the tables to turn so quickly, putting him in the hot seat.

His expression flickered indeterminately. Zheng Hongzhi shot a deep look at Luo Feng, then turned to Luotian. "Luotian, I can overlook this incident. However, if the family still wishes to use the Cangyan Town transportation route, you must give me sixty percent of the profits! Furthermore, I want the mining rights for the Cangyan Town veins!"

"Another sixty percent of the profits! And the mining rights as well!" This time, it wasn’t just Luotian; even some members from collateral branches with different surnames cried out.

Zheng Hongzhi’s demand was an open challenge to the Family Head, an attempt to seize power and establish his independence! It was utterly treasonous!

Zheng Hongzhi looked at Luotian, sneering, "You can refuse. But from this day forward, all my forces shall separate from the Luo Family!"

"Separate from the family!"

The entire hall erupted again. No one had expected Zheng Hongzhi to utter such words to Luotian’s face. This was no longer mere disrespect; it was a blatant provocation!

Luotian’s gaze turned icy. "You dare threaten me?"

"I am merely seeking the maximum benefit for myself," Zheng Hongzhi replied, unfazed, a hint of smug triumph in his eyes.

Over the years, he had gained control over most of the Luo Family’s transportation channels. In the past, the Luo Family could have collaborated with other families even without him. But now, that was impossible. Everyone in Panlong City knew the Li Family was poised to become the city’s foremost family. Consequently, the Luo Family would inevitably face suppression. All other powers would scramble to avoid the Luo Family; how could they possibly cooperate with Luo Feng? Zheng Hongzhi was confident that without him, the Luo Family would stagnate and be destined for decay.

"The choice is yours," Zheng Hongzhi said, his expression confident, as if he had Luotian right where he wanted him.

Luotian’s brow furrowed; he was caught between a rock and a hard place. If he refused Zheng Hongzhi’s demands, the Luo Family would undoubtedly face destruction. Yet, agreeing would tear the Luo Family apart...

"Father, may I handle this matter?"

Just as Luotian hesitated, a voice suddenly rang out in the hall.

Everyone turned to the speaker and was surprised to see it was Luo Feng. He had never interfered with family affairs before.

Luotian, too, was taken aback. He looked at Luo Feng intently. Does this young rascal actually have a plan? I’d like to see how he handles this! After a moment’s hesitation, Luotian nodded, ceding the floor to Luo Feng and sitting back down. Luo Feng had given him too many surprises today; he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anticipation to see how Luo Feng would manage this affair.

"Zi Ling, bring brush and ink," Luo Feng instructed with a wave of his hand.

"Yes, Young Master," Zi Ling nodded and quickly fetched the items, her large eyes sparkling as she looked at Luo Feng. This was the first time in her life she had seen Luo Feng looking so imposing.

Luo Feng took the brush and ink and began to write swiftly. The entire hall fell strangely silent; only the faint scratching of the brush on paper could be heard. Everyone watched Luo Feng with wide eyes, eager to see what he was writing.

Luo Feng quickly finished. He put down the brush, picked up the paper from the desk, and with a SMACK, slapped it onto Zheng Hongzhi’s face. "Zheng Hongzhi, you and your faction have committed insubordination, threatening the Family Head—a heinous crime! On behalf of my father, I hereby expel you from the family! From this moment forward, you are no longer members of the Luo Family!"

Luo Feng’s voice wasn’t loud, but it resonated like thunder, making everyone’s eardrums buzz.

"Expelled from the family!"

The whole hall exploded into an uproar. Everyone stared wide-eyed at Luo Feng, incredulous. No one had expected Luo Feng to make such a decision.

"You want to expel us from the family! Do you realize the consequences of your actions?" Zheng Hongzhi’s eyes turned inexplicably cold as he skimmed the document in his hand.

If they were truly expelled, without the Luo Family’s goods, their profits would become pitifully small. For the Luo Family, however, it would be a devastating blow! Therefore, Zheng Hongzhi didn’t believe Luo Feng would actually go through with it.

"Of course, I do. But my decision is final." Luo Feng stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression serene.

Zheng Hongzhi’s brow furrowed. He turned to Luotian and shouted, "Luotian, are you really going to let this brat act so recklessly?"

"I have already agreed to let Luo Feng decide this matter. As the Family Head, I naturally stand by my word." Luotian’s palms were sweating, but he chose to trust Luo Feng.

Luo Feng waved his hand dismissively. "Zheng Hongzhi, there’s no longer a place for you and your cronies here. Take those who conspire with you and get out, now! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being impolite!"

Seeing no room for negotiation, Zheng Hongzhi burst into furious laughter. "Good! Excellent! Luotian, you have a fine son. I’d very much like to see how long you all can last! I hope you don’t come crying to me then! Let’s go!"

More than ten high-ranking members from collateral branches stood up and followed Zheng Hongzhi towards the entrance.

Reaching the doorway, Zheng Hongzhi suddenly stopped, his face cold as he looked at Luo Feng. "Luo Feng, do you think that just because you had a fortuitous encounter and your strength increased a little, you can look down on everyone? Compared to the Li Family’s two young masters, you are less than an ant!"

"That’s none of your concern," Luo Feng dismissed him with an indifferent wave.

"Hmph! We shall see!" Filled with extreme resentment, Zheng Hongzhi gritted his teeth, snorted coldly, and spun on his heel to leave.