Immortal Clan: Marrying the Empress of Destiny at the Beginning - Chapter 3: The Su Family's Catastrophe; Su Changsheng Emerges from Seclusion; War is Inevitable:

Chapter 3: The Su Family’s Catastrophe; Su Changsheng Emerges from Seclusion; War is Inevitable:

“Everyone, we need to discuss how to handle the relentless assault from the Gu Family. What should our next steps be?” asked the patriarch of the Su Family, his voice heavy with concern as he sat at the head of the table. His imposing gaze swept across the hall filled with elders.

In the main hall, dozens of elders were seated, each dressed in robes of different colors—white, black, and purple—representing their rank. The White Robed Elders were the lowest, while the Purple Robed Elders were the highest-ranking.

The Purple Robed Elders, all Grand Elders, were cultivators in the Eternal Life Realm. Normally, they would be in seclusion, focusing on breakthroughs in their cultivation or guarding critical locations, rarely getting involved in the day-to-day affairs of the clan. However, the current crisis had brought all but two of them out of their hidden retreats. It was an unprecedented move, showing how dire the situation had become.

The Su Family was a first-rate power on the Absolute Holy Continent, ruling over tens of thousands of miles in the desolate northern lands, much like an empire. Their neighbors were the Gu Family and the White Cloud Empire, both first-rate powers themselves. Together, the three formed a delicate balance, coexisting while maintaining control over their respective territories.

However, last year, for reasons still unknown, the Gu Family’s strength had skyrocketed, and they launched a vicious attack against the Su Family. The Gu Family aggressively encroached on Su Family lands, mines, and commercial ventures, leaving their resources in tatters. They even struck at the Su Family’s geniuses and clansmen, leading to severe losses.

In just one year, the Su Family had suffered greatly. Not only had they lost many powerful warriors, but half of their industries had also been destroyed.

Despite their best efforts, even going to war, they discovered the Gu Family’s power far exceeded their own. The Gu Family’s experts had multiplied, surpassing those of the Su Family. After several brutal battles, the Su Family had lost two Grand Elders in the Eternal Life Realm, leaving only seven.

If it weren’t for the emergency measures left behind by Ancestor Changsheng before he went into seclusion, which forced the Gu Family to retreat, the Su Family would have been wiped out completely.

“The Gu Family must have joined forces with a top-tier power or discovered an incredible opportunity. There’s no other explanation for such a sudden increase in their strength!” one of the purple-robed Grand Elders said gravely.

This elder appeared ancient, with white hair and a long beard. Though he had lived for a very long time, his eyes still glowed with terrifying energy, like a dormant beast ready to strike. His presence alone was enough to send shivers down the spine.

As an Eternal Life cultivator, known as a Ten Thousand Ages Venerable, he had the power to live for ten thousand years, making his words carry immense weight.

“We should retreat to Heavenly Origin City and abandon most of our industries. It’s the only way to survive,” another Grand Elder suggested coldly.

She was a white-haired woman, beautiful and elegant despite her age. Her cold, dignified aura gave her an air of authority. Even with her white hair, she exuded an extraordinary presence.

“Abandon most of our industries?” The entire room was shocked by her suggestion, and even the Su Family chief’s expression darkened.

“Are you saying we should give up everything the Su Family has built over thousands of years? These are the foundations laid by Ancestor Changsheng’s hard work!” The chief’s eyes reddened with anger. He was a direct descendant of Su Changsheng’s bloodline and deeply revered his legendary ancestor.

The Su Family, thousands of years ago, was nothing more than an ordinary third-rate family, with their most powerful member only at the Dharma Phase Realm. Su Changsheng’s rise had turned them into a first-rate power, ruling over a hundred thousand miles and earning a renowned reputation across the True Sacred Continent.

The entire foundation of the Su Family was built on Su Changsheng’s efforts. Abandoning their industries would mean abandoning everything he had worked for.

“Sister Su Qing, are you serious?” the Su Family chief demanded, his face filled with rage as he glared at the white-haired woman. “If we follow your plan, what will happen when Ancestor Changsheng emerges from seclusion? Do you want to face his wrath? Or have you already betrayed the Su Family and joined the Gu Family?”

The other elders flinched at his words, their hearts trembling. Even the other Purple Robed Grand Elders paled at the mention of Su Changsheng’s name.

Su Changsheng was a legend. To these Grand Elders, he was a figure of immense power, someone they admired deeply.

Even though they, too, were Eternal Life Realm cultivators, their status was nothing compared to Su Changsheng. He had traversed the Absolute Holy Continent for thousands of years, known far and wide as the Starfall King, invincible among Eternal Life Realm cultivators.

The number of peak-level Eternal Life Realm cultivators he had killed exceeded twenty. He had even battled three and a half Saint Realm experts for three days and nights, slaying all of them in the end. That battle had shaken the entire Absolute Holy Continent. If not for Su Changsheng’s seclusion for hundreds of years, the Gu Family would never have dared to act so brazenly.

“Su Yun, do you think I want this?” Su Qing, the white-haired Grand Elder, responded calmly. “This Su Family was built with my own eyes watching Ancestor Changsheng’s struggle. But if we don’t act now and keep fighting against the Gu Family, the Su Family will be destroyed.”

Her voice remained steady despite the accusations. She was a contemporary of Su Changsheng and a direct relative. She had witnessed his rise and deeply admired him. There was no way she would betray the Su Family or act against its interests.

“Rather than waiting for the Gu Family to bring us down, it’s better to take the initiative and contract our power to preserve the clan’s strength. Once Brother Changsheng emerges from seclusion, all of our problems will be resolved!” Grand Elder Su Qing said firmly.

“Su Yun, remember that in this world, strength is what matters—not temporary industries or resources. What are those compared to the power of the Su Family? Once Brother Changsheng returns, he can solve everything.

“But if he cannot make a breakthrough, we won’t just lose our industries. We may have to abandon the very foundation of the Su Family itself!”

Her seemingly casual words struck everyone deeply. Silence filled the hall as the weight of her statement settled in. The Su Family chief and the other Grand Elders understood what Su Qing was implying.

Ancestor Changsheng had gone into seclusion to make a breakthrough into the Saint realm. Only the top Grand Elders and the Su Family chief knew this. If he succeeded, it would be an incredible breakthrough. Even if he didn’t reach the Saint realm, his power would still grow significantly, allowing him to crush any threats, including the Gu Family.

However, if he failed to emerge, it could mean his death. Without Su Changsheng, the Su Family would lose its greatest pillar of strength. The Gu Family’s relentless pursuit would undoubtedly lead to the Su Family’s downfall. To survive, they might have no choice but to flee and abandon everything, including Heavenly Origin City.

A heavy atmosphere hung over the entire clan meeting.

Suddenly, one of the black-robed Elders in the front row furrowed his brow as he received a message. His face immediately shifted to one of shock.

“What is it?” Su Yun and the other elders turned their attention to him.

This elder was responsible for intelligence within the clan, a peak Sky Realm expert just half a step away from reaching the Eternal Life Realm. His sudden reaction drew everyone’s focus, including the five Grand Elders.

“The Gu Family has mobilized a large number of experts! Dozens of Dharma Phase Realm cultivators, several Sky Realm powerhouses, and seven Eternal Life Realm masters! They’re launching a full-scale attack on the Purple Abyss Heaven. Their goal is to occupy it!” The black-robed Elder’s face grew increasingly grim.

“What!?” The entire hall erupted in shock.

Purple Abyss Heaven was the heart of the Su Family’s heritage and the foundation of their strength. It was a small, broken world, vital to the family’s survival. For the Gu Family to target it meant they were trying to completely uproot the Su Family.

“The Gu Family has crossed the line!” Su Yun’s eyes blazed with fury, and his Eternal Life Realm aura surged, shaking the entire hall. “We must fight! There’s no other choice!”

A group of radical elders shouted in agreement. They had been holding back for too long, and now, the Gu Family’s actions had pushed them over the edge.

“Then let’s go to war!” they roared.

The five Grand Elders exchanged glances. Grand Elder Su Qing sighed, her face still as composed and breathtaking as ever, but her tone had turned cold.

As a 6th Stage Eternal Life Realm expert, Su Qing had fought her way through countless dangers and was not someone who feared death. Purple Abyss Heaven was far more important than the Heavenly Origin City. It was a small world that could be moved and carried, representing the Su Family’s hope for rising again. The Su Family could abandon many things, but not Purple Abyss Heaven.

In the past, Su Changsheng had fought and killed several peak Eternal Life Realm powerhouses, shedding rivers of blood to secure that small world. The battle had shaken a hundred thousand miles. Su Qing would not allow the Gu Family to take it. She was prepared to fight to the death if necessary.

“Then let’s go to war!” she declared.

Just as the hall filled with the fiery determination of the elders, a calm voice echoed through the room.

“The Su Family doesn’t provoke trouble, but we are not afraid of it either.”

At this moment, Su Yun, the five Grand Elders, and everyone else in the hall froze. Their eyes widened in disbelief. A moment later, their faces lit up with joy and ecstasy.