But almost immediately, the elder's eyes regained clarity. Now, when he looked at Ian Song, his gaze held deep respect.
At the same time, Ian sensed a special soul-link had formed between them, allowing him to issue silent commands to the elder.
"Don't reveal your identity for now!"
Ian struck the elder's chest with another palm, sending him flying, but quietly sent a strand of Radiance of Life into his body to heal his injuries.
"Cough, cough."
The Second Elder struggled to his feet, wiped the blood from his mouth, and looked at Ian, asking, "What martial art did you just use? Why is it so powerful?"
Ian clearly only had Innate First Layer cultivation, yet with this palm technique he left an Innate Second Layer expert like himself utterly defenseless. The art's intricacy was obvious.
"Raging Tidal Surge!"
Ian clasped his hands behind his back and slowly uttered four words.
The Second Elder frowned slightly, but couldn't recall any sect or clan known for a technique called Raging Tidal Surge. By rights, an art this powerful should be famous throughout the world.
"May I ask who taught you this palm technique?" the Second Elder continued.
"I created it myself!"
"What?" The Second Elder blurted out in shock. Overcome by emotion, he coughed up blood again.
His gaze instantly turned fervent, locking onto Ian Song. A genius—an absolute prodigy! Not only had he reached Innate Master at such a young age, he had even created a powerful palm technique. His talent was no less than Logan Lee or Harold Zhao in their youth. If only the Nangong Family could recruit him, when he matured, they could unify Tianhe State and become a top-tier clan in Yanhuang.
But remembering Ian Song's connection to Blood Rose, the assassin who tried to kill Justin Nangong, his gaze dimmed again. Justin was the Nangong Family's only son, the apple of their eye. Not just Nathan Nangong, but even his two elder brothers doted on him to the bone.
Because of this, the Nangong Family could never tolerate Ian Song's existence.
While the Second Elder mulled things over, Ian Song was also considering his next move.
The Nangong Family had three brothers who dominated politics, the military, and business respectively.
In other words, to remove the threat of the Nangong Family, he would have to subdue or eliminate all three brothers at once.
Thinking of this, he swept his sharp gaze over the grim-faced Nathan Nangong and said, "Mr. Nangong, have your men send me home."
Nathan Nangong wasn't stupid. With both the Second and Third Elders injured by Ian Song, and the Grand Elder away hunting Blood Rose, it meant no one in the Nangong Family could match Ian. If he kept pushing and provoked Ian into a killing spree, the entire clan might be wiped out.
"Someone!" he shouted toward the hall entrance.
The leader of the black-clad men hurried into the hall and bowed. "Third Master, your orders?" He had witnessed Ian Song defeat both the Second and Third Elders in a flash, and now understood Ian's power even more clearly. Only the Grand Elder, at Innate Fourth Layer, might be able to suppress him.
"Escort Mr. Ian Song home," Nathan Nangong said through gritted teeth.
"Yes, sir."
The leader replied respectfully, then turned to Ian Song. "Young Master Song, this way please."
Ian Song gave Nathan Nangong a playful look and said, "Next time you want to invite me over, you'd better think it through. Goodbye!"
Once Ian Song's figure disappeared, Nathan Nangong could no longer contain his fury. He swept the expensive teacups and teapot off the table and roared, "Ian Song, you've gone too far! I will kill you!"
The Second Elder saw this and sighed, then said weakly, "Third Master, there's something I must say, though I'm not sure if I should."
Nathan Nangong suppressed his anger, sat back down, and said in a deep voice, "Go ahead, Second Elder."
"Ian Song's martial talent is astonishing—probably no weaker than Logan Lee or Harold Zhao in their prime. I believe we shouldn't make him our enemy. If we must, we need a foolproof plan to ensure he never gets a chance to rise again, or we'll suffer endless consequences!" The Second Elder's face showed deep worry as he spoke.
Hearing the Second Elder compare Ian Song to Logan Lee and Harold Zhao, Nathan Nangong was deeply shocked. "Is Ian Song's potential really that terrifying?" he asked.
The Second Elder replied gravely, "Third Master, just think—he's only seventeen. Logan Lee broke through to Innate at eighteen, Harold Zhao also at eighteen. Harold died young, but Logan, barely past forty, has already reached Innate Ninth Layer. He may even reach the legendary realm before his life ends.
Ian Song achieved Innate a year earlier than Logan Lee, and his true qi is exceptionally pure and condensed. Especially his self-created Raging Tidal Surge, which is incredibly profound. His combat strength could rival Innate Third Layer experts—who in this generation could compare to such talent?"
Nathan Nangong's face grew darker and uglier with every word of the Second Elder's analysis. "If that's the case, we must kill this brat as soon as possible before he grows up and becomes a mortal enemy of the Nangong Family!"
Hearing Nathan Nangong's words, the Second Elder could only sigh inwardly. It seemed all his advice was for nothing. Was it really so easy to kill a genius like Ian Song?
Nathan Nangong turned to the silent Third Elder and ordered, "Third Elder, contact the Grand Elder immediately. Tell him to stop chasing Blood Rose and return to the clan at once."
"Yes, Third Master!" the Third Elder replied, bowing.
Nathan Nangong nodded, then asked, "Second Elder, Third Elder, are your injuries serious? Go collect a Ninefold Jade Elixir each later."
"Thank you, Third Master."
......
Back in his study, Nathan Nangong picked up his phone and called his two elder brothers. After a brief exchange, both agreed to return to the Nangong Family the next day to discuss plans for eliminating Ian Song.
At Redleaf Mountain Resort, Cliff Fu was reviewing the accounts in his office when his phone suddenly rang. Seeing the number, his expression changed slightly. He quickly closed the office door before answering.
"What is it?" Cliff Fu asked quietly. The caller was one of his informants inside the Nangong Family.
"Master, about an hour ago...!"
After hearing the report, Cliff Fu's face lit up with amazement. The Nangong Family had tried to deal with Ian Song, but the result was completely unexpected: both the Second and Third Elders were defeated, while Ian Song left unscathed.
As far as he knew, the Second Elder was Innate Second Layer, and the Third Elder was Innate First Layer.
For Ian Song to defeat them meant his combat power had reached Innate Third Layer. At just seventeen, Ian could become the next Logan Lee—or even surpass him.
Thinking this, Cliff Fu felt proud of his foresight—not choosing to make Ian Song an enemy, but instead recruiting him.
"No, I need to report this to the family and step up our efforts to win Ian Song over!"