An illusory hand of shimmering blue appeared in the skies. Although it had the delicate and slender features of a woman, it blossomed with an unbridled and domineering power. No matter how beautiful it looked, one couldn't help but shiver at its sight.
Elder Ciaran panicked, his casual demeanor shattering in the face of absolute strength.
He was a complete fool. He actually dared to anger Mistress Kunan when she was in a terrible mood. She had just been feeling helpless about her lack of ability to help her grandson and now someone provoked her? This was no less than poking at a sleeping bear.
"Ah, Priest Saintess. Please give me some face and stay your hand."
Ryu inwardly sneered when he heard this newcomer's words.
Wearing the same red robes as Elder Ciaran, aside from the gold etchings, a seemingly young man appeared within the Palace Hallway.
Although he seemed young, this was only because of the depth of his cultivation. In reality, he was several million years Elder Ciaran's elder. This man was none other than one of the Grand Elders of Fire Shrine, Third Grand Elder Eloysius.
'As expected, this really does have something to do with father's actions. But, to think Third Grand Elder would be so bold.' Ryu's expression never changed, glancing from Sixth Elder's shivering body to Eloysius.
Any normal mortal wouldn't be able to meet the eyes of an immortal. In fact, mortals of the lower realm shivered in the face of even those Ryu saw as mediocre cultivators. However, Ryu showed no such reaction in the face of these immortals. His pride was staunch even in the face of his quaking inner organs.
Seeing that Mistress Kunan's technique hadn't paused, Third Grand Elder continued elegantly.
"Although your son-in-law is the Priest Saint of Fire Shrine, it wouldn't bode well for his mother-in-law to kill one of our elders, right?" A small smile played his handsome lips. "After all, Priest Saint Titus' rule is… Well, it's best we don't speak of this with those not of this Shrine. It would be inappropriate."
Mistress Kunan didn't have the normal reaction a person would have to such provocation. Instead, she turned to her grandson.
"What's the worst I can do without causing trouble?"
Ryu's eyes flashed. "Cripple Sixth Elder. Slap Third Grand Elder and sever his left arm."
"Okay!" Without hesitating, Mistress Kunan did exactly that.
Third Grand Elder's eyes widened. What kind of situation was this?
His calm expression crumbled into darkness. He had miscalculated.
During Ryu's life, who had dared to provoke him? The answer was obvious: No one. His mother was the heiress to three potential Shrines while his father was the Priest Saint of the Fire Shrine. This didn't even need to mention his grandparents. Who would dare touch him?
This caused a misconception that began the moment Ryu went into seclusion at seven years old. Many believed that he was weak willed and sheltered. They had no clue about his decisiveness, nor his ruthlessness. Today, they would learn.
The illusory light blue palm fell from the skies.
"No! No please! I was wrong!" Sixth Elder screamed almost incoherently. He couldn't believe what was happening. His only job was to probe Ryu. Maybe if they could make the son give up what his father had given him, then the father would say no more. Yet this resulted in him being crippled?!
Mistress Kunan couldn't seem to hear a thing. In one swift motion, the massive hand slammed into Sixth Elder's body, burying him into the ground.
Just how sturdy was the Fire Shrine Palace? It was made of some of the greatest and strongest materials known to the martial world. Yet, it blasted apart like wet cardboard in the face of Mistress Kunan's strength.
Sixth Elder convulsed on the ground, unable to stop the cold energy from seeping into his body, freezing his meridians and shattering them one by one.
His Spiritual Foundation shook in indignation, unwilling to leave the world so soon. But, with its tether to the Living Plane severed, it faded into non-existence.
Third Grand Elder eyes contracted. The Faith a Priest Saintess of two Shrines could maneuver was too fierce. Even if he was in his home territory, it wasn't enough to fend off Mistress Kunan!
"Entering the private property of the Tatsuya Clan without permission. Showing disdain for the heir of the Tatsuya Clan. Insulting the ruling Priest Saint. Eavesdropping on Council Grade information." Ryu's voice was akin to the surface of an undisturbed lake. But, beneath its surface, it was clear… So devoid of life that one could see clear through to the bottom yet remain unable to fathom its depth. This was Ryu!
Third Grand Elder shivered when he heard Council Grade information. The Council referred to the highest order experts of any given shrine. The lowest acceptable rank for a member of The Council was Priest! A Grand Elder was still two ranks from such prestige!
"Lies!" Third Grand Elder lost control of his emotions, uttering something he never should have.
"You can cripple him now too, grandmother." Ryu said casually as though he was speaking about the weather.
Mistress Kunan smiled lightly, raising her fallen palm and slamming it into the aggrieved First Grand Elder. In the next instant, one Elder lay unconscious on the ground while the other became stuck in the wall. It was a truly pitiful sight.
"His father will be quite unhappy." Mistress Kunan spoke gleefully.
"Supreme Priest Adofo should have taught his son better, then."