The Xiao Family, an emperor clan.

When the royal guard spoke, the others froze in astonishment.

Are you saying

Just as another royal guard was about to speak, someone else covered his mouth, expression ferocious.

Do you want to die!? he said under his breath.

The first guard gulped violently, then heard the other guards say,

Hurry and notify the God Emperor. People like us cant intervene in Lady Providence and the Xiao Family Emperors affairs.

The Royal Capital.

The Xiao Family had been there since the moment the God Realm came into existence. They were an emperor clan and controlled lightning punishments for all living things. Their estate was located on the western side of the Royal Capital and occupied one hundred and fifty thousand acres. Its entrance was extravagant. Two lightning lion statues stood majestically by the front gate, one on each side.

The gilded sign above the gate read Xiao Family. The God Emperor had carved it himself. You could say this was a symbol of endless glory.

Boom!

With a bang, a beautiful figure landed in front of the estates entrance. As she landed, the bricks and tiles of the entryway were crushed to bits.

Who dares behave so insolently at our Xiao Familys gates? The security guards protecting the gate chastised her, their gazes arrogant. Although they were mere security guards, even some high-ranking officials had to treat them with the utmost respect.

It was just like ancient times when even ordinary soldiers in a prime ministers estate were considered ninth-grade officials. Similarly, the status of the Xiao Family security guards wasnt low.

In the past, encountering this sort of foolish person meant they were about to earn some easy money.

Theyd berate and make a bit of trouble for them. In this way, the guards could easily earn tens of thousands of Aureus [1].

However, this time they'd run into a wall.

Boom!

The security guard whod spoken earlier felt a wisp of potent energy rush towards him. The security guards were the face of the Xiao Family. Although they were arrogant, they all had at least some strength to back it up.

He shifted to the side. The energy crashed into the gate instead, shattering it to pieces.

How brazen! You...

This woman dared come to the Xiao Family and attack people. Now she even dared ruin their front gate? It seemed she was tired of living.

But at that moment, he felt someone tugging on his sleeves. To his shock, he looked back and saw his bro, the other guard, was kneeling on the ground.

It was then that he finally saw clearly just who had arrived at their gates.

Thud.

The formerly domineering security guards legs gave out as he knelt to the ground.

"We kowtow. We kowtow in salute to the Lady. We kowtow in salute to the Lady Providence."

Right now, he really wanted to slap himself and his big mouth. Just who gave him the balls to talk to Lady Providence of the Profound Pavillion like that?

"Tell Xiao Yan to come out and see me."

Lady Providence had important business to attend to; she couldnt be bothered with mere guards. Just as the security guards were about to go looking for Xiao Yan, she saw him arrive at the estates front gate. He was accompanied by the youth carrying ancient tomes.

When he saw that the security guards were all kneeling and, worse, that the front gate was shattered, he frowned in deep displeasure.

Those were his Xiao Familys security guards. How could they bow to someone from the Profound Pavillion? Nevermind little Xuan Ji, even if the God Emperor himself were here, they still had to stand upright and at attention.

As for the gate, that was the Xiao Familys front door. Breaking it just like that was like hitting the Xiao Familys face, wasnt it?

Lady Providence, you truly have a fiery temper. However, My Lady, if youre angry, why vent it on our Xiao Family? What, do you think our Xiao Family is an easy target?

The former head of the Xiao Family, Xiao Ting, was no longer interested in worldly affairs. He, Xiao Yan, was head of the Xiao Family now. He had to be firm.

"Xiao Yan, you're just in time. Im here because theres something you need to do for me.

...you need to do for me!?

Her tone left no room for argument. Shed always done things like this. If she wanted someone to do something, they had to do it. That was true even for an emperor clan like the Xiao Family.

Discussion? She would never do such a thing.

My Lady, this is not your Profound pavilion. This is the home of the Xiao Family, an emperor clan. When you talk, you have to consider the bounds of propriety.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes but didnt back down at all.

That said, he snorted, its rare for the Lady Providence to ask others for help. Out of respect for the God Emperor, our Xiao Family ought to give you a bit of face as well. Well, Lady Providence? What, pray tell, do you wish to ask of my Xiao Family?

Ask? Lady Providence sneered but she made no effort to explain herself.

Your clansmen are sending out divine tribulations as we speak, right? Well, one of the people currently undergoing tribulation is a girl named Xiao Keke. I want you to immediately cancel her tribulation.

My Lady, just when did our Xiao Familys tribulations become your concern? Arent you extending your reach a bit too far? Xiao Yan smiled calmly in response. However, dont be fooled into thinking this was an ordinary conversation. In truth, this was a power struggle that affected the face of both factions.

If he responded weakly, hed lose face for the entire Xiao Family.

Will you cancel it or not? Xuan Ji narrowed her eyes.

Whoosh!

At that very moment, the mustached man from the Profound Pavilion appeared as well. He sensed that something wasnt quite right with the situation the moment he arrived. His heart thumped violently in his chest.

It really was just as hed predicted: the Lady truly had gone to make trouble for an emperor clan.

Xuan Jis strength and influence were still somewhat greater than his. Xiao Yan hadnt been family head for long, whereas Xuan Ji was the long-famous head of her faction. He seemed somewhat young and inexperienced by comparison.

Even so, how could Xiao Yan just back down in front of so many of his clansmen?

Xuan Ji, if youre asking for something, you ought to act the part. If you ask nicely, I can cancel that persons tribulation for you. Its nothing but a divine tribulation after all. Its up to us to continue sending lightning or not. However, you need to change your attitude first.

Xiao Yan thought he sounded rather tough. Little did he know, his response was completely ineffective.

Ask? I didnt bother explaining myself earlier; I never would have guessed youd be so demanding. Im afraid youre overthinking things. What on earth gave you the impression that I was asking you for anything?

A smile emerged on Xuan Jis face as she said, her tone brooking no room for doubt, Im telling you to cancel it, understand? Youre going to cancel this tribulation whether you want to or not!

Insolent! Xiao Yan had stayed calm this whole time. Now, however, he finally lost his cool.

He shouted furiously, Xuan Ji, dont take things too far! I gave you an inch and now you want a mile?! Im going to make this clear: we wont be canceling that tribulation!

Oh really?

Xiao Yan was practically foaming at the mouth. When Xuan Ji saw this, she shook her head contemptuously. Its really a shame that you inherited the seat of family head. Your sister would have been ten thousand times better. I know you want to maintain your dignity in front of your clansmen, but strength is about more than just who can shout the loudest.

Hmph, snorted Xiao Yan, I dont need you to tell me that.

Im naturally not concerned with your affairs. Even if someones got to discipline you, it ought to be the Lightning Emperor, Xuan Ji laughed playfully, then took a few steps back. At the same time, a group flew over from the Royal Capital and landed behind her.

In an instant, the hundreds of people from the Profound Pavillion whod heard her call all gathered behind her.

I originally wanted to settle this properly, but your ignorance has only made the problem worse. Now Ive got no choice but to lead my people and fight my way to the Xiao Familys lightning pool!

[1] This is the currency of the God Realm. "Aureus" is the name of a coin used in Ancient Rome. I thought it sounded cooler than "God Money." I might change the name to something else later. For now, all you need to know is it's a kind of money.