The First Summoner - Chapter 54

The Shen disciples also realized that Tan Zhuang had beaten their Third Elder unconscious.

Their entire party had been wiped out.

And the culprits numbered three—no, strictly speaking, only two: Shen Yan and Tan Zhuang.

Shen Xue hurried over, staring at Shen Yan in shock. “Sister Yan’er, what are you doing?”

Shen Yan slowly rose and fixed her with a piercing stare. “You aren’t my father’s daughter. Stop calling me your sister. It’s disgusting. As for what I’m doing, you can see for yourself. I’m teaching a few beasts with foul barks a lesson.”

Shen Xue’s expression shifted.

Before she could speak, Nangong Jin cut in. “Shen Yan, you are vicious, vulgar, and cruel beyond measure!”

His voice overflowed with disgust.

Shen Yan stared coldly at him.

After enduring her gaze for some time, Nangong Jin grew deeply uncomfortable and finally snapped, “No matter how long you stare at this Crown Prince, Shen Yan, this Crown Prince will never like you.”

Shen Yan fell silent.

Another freak whose vanity knew no limits.

Calmly, she said, “I dislike everyone who likes Shen Xue.”

Then she looked at Shen Xue.

“The Shen family now demands that I repay what they spent on your behalf. It seems they don’t care about your reputation at all. Shen Xue, one day, every debt between us will be repaid.”

Her gaze swept over the fallen Shen family members.

“Take your Shen family’s dogs home. Don’t let them come here and cause trouble again. Tell the family head that I spared them this time solely for my father’s sake. If there is a next time, I will show no mercy.”

A cruel smile touched Shen Yan’s lips. Her dark eyes remained fixed on Shen Xue, dangerous and unreadable, like a hunter studying prey.

A chill ran through Shen Xue.

Forcing herself to remain calm, she asked, “Shen Yan, you can cultivate now?”

Shen Yan did not answer.

“Shen Xue, remember everything I once told you. Every word will come true.”

Shen Xue stiffened.

When Nangong Jin saw her pale, fragile, and wounded expression, his heart ached. He glared at Shen Yan.

“What exactly did you say to Xue’er? How did you become so cold-blooded and heartless? Xue’er once treated you so well, yet now you threaten her? Are you even human?”

Shen Yan remained indifferent. “Why don’t you ask your Xue’er?”

She turned away, called Tan Zhuang and Hongri, and returned to the residence. The gate slammed shut behind them with a bang that seemed to herald the approach of a violent storm.

Shen Xue could not calm herself.

Whenever she faced Shen Yan, genuine panic rose within her. She feared Shen Yan would take away everything that belonged to her.

That she would ultimately be left with nothing.

Suddenly, an old man’s hoarse and sinister voice sounded within her sea of consciousness.

“Xue’er, your heart is in turmoil. Do not give Shen Yan the chance to become your heart demon. Find an opportunity and eliminate her as soon as possible.”

Shen Xue lowered her gaze, concealing the venomous killing intent in her eyes.

She would never allow Shen Yan to trample her underfoot.

Therefore, Shen Yan could only die a second time.

“Eldest Young Lady, please… please save us!”

The fallen disciples moaned continuously.

Only then did Shen Xue turn her attention to them. Their bodies were covered in wounds, and their unevenly shaved hair made them look hideous.

She crouched and asked gently, “Did Yan’er truly beat you like this?”

“It was Shen Yan!”

The disciples gnashed their teeth with hatred.

Shen Xue’s eyes darkened briefly before her usual expression returned.

…

The watching pedestrians finally recovered and erupted into discussion.

“Shen Yan can cultivate, and she defeated so many Shen disciples alone. Her cultivation must be considerable! That means her talent is actually very strong—perhaps even stronger than Shen Xue’s!”

“True. But what I want to know is how Shen Yan suddenly regained her senses and became capable of cultivating…”

“Perhaps fools really are blessed by fortune.”

“Shen Yan’s younger brother, Shen Huai, is far more gifted than Shen Xue. Now that Shen Yan can cultivate, her talent must be impressive as well.”

“She severed ties with the Shen family. Do you think they’ll regret it?”

“Didn’t you think Shen Yan seemed too insane just now? If she hadn’t been holding something back, I think she would have killed every one of those disciples.”

“Hah. Shen Yan isn’t nearly as miraculous as you claim. No matter how much she struggles, she can never compare to the Shen family’s eldest young lady, Shen Xue!”

Opinions flew in every direction.

If Shen Xue had not needed to maintain her gentle and dignified image, her expression would have darkened long ago.

Now people were actually comparing Shen Yan to her!

Refusing to accept it, Shen Xue’s desire to eliminate Shen Yan grew ever stronger.

…

The Shen family party, including the Third Elder, was carried home.

News soon swept through Nanxiao Kingdom’s imperial capital. Learning that Shen Yan could cultivate was shocking enough. That she had defeated more than a dozen Shen disciples, shaved their heads, and humiliated them was even more astonishing.

Many people rushed to the residence, hoping to see the truth for themselves.

Naturally, word spread through the Shen family as well.

In the main hall, the Grand Elder furiously smashed a table with one palm.

“What a fine Shen Yan! Now that she’s grown strong, she’s turned against our Shen family! How utterly ungrateful!”

The family head was still verifying whether Shen Yan could truly cultivate.

When the fact was confirmed, his expression changed completely.

A younger elder immediately smiled. “In the past month, the second young lady has not only recovered her senses, but also gained the ability to cultivate! Family Head, this is wonderful news. If she could defeat so many disciples, her talent must be as exceptional as Young Master Shen Huai’s!”

The other elders’ faces darkened.

How could they admit that they had cast a dust-covered pearl out of their gates—after first grinding it beneath their heels?

None of them spoke.

The young elder continued. “Family Head, children often quarrel with their elders. If we show genuine sincerity, the second young lady will surely return. With the young master and Young Master Shen Huai still here, her heart will soften.”

The elders exchanged glances.

Shen Xue stood in the hall with lowered eyes. Then she turned to the family head, guilt on her face.

“Grandfather, everything was Xue’er’s fault. If not for me, Sister Yan’er would never have left home.”

“Sister Yan’er is stubborn. Since regaining her senses, she has stopped treating us as family and views us as enemies. Xue’er should have shown her more care, but Xue’er failed…”

She raised a pitiful face, her tone resolute.

“Xue’er is willing to represent the Shen family and invite Sister Yan’er home. From now on, whatever she wants or wishes to do, Xue’er will help her. Xue’er will never allow Sister Yan’er to suffer the slightest grievance.”

Her words left the family head and elders feeling unsettled.

It was true. Since recovering her senses, Shen Yan had opposed them at every turn, shown no respect for her elders, and treated them like enemies…

Even if they brought her back, however talented she was, she might never lift a finger to help the Shen family.

Besides, if the Shen family bowed its head first, wouldn’t they become a laughingstock?