Chapter 27 Consecutive Slaps to the Face, Julian Mercer Makes His Move

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Consecutive Slaps to the Face, Julian Mercer Makes His Move

"How is this possible? The Patriarch of the main Mercer Family has personally come to our branch!"

"I heard the Patriarch had been in seclusion for several years. Some people even thought he had suffered a fatal accident. Who could have imagined that he would emerge from seclusion alive and well?"

"Before entering seclusion, the Patriarch had already reached the peak of the Heavenly Origin Realm. Now that he’s returned, could he have broken through to the Purple Mansion Realm?"

"After hundreds of years, has our Mercer Family finally produced another Purple Mansion cultivator?"

One Mercer disciple after another stared at Julian Mercer with wide eyes. Their gazes were filled with admiration, and excitement swept through the crowd.

Many of them had dreamed of returning to the main family. Naturally, they had heard the names and deeds of its Patriarchs. The moment Julian announced his identity, they recognized him.

When the murmuring reached Conrad Pierce’s ears, his expression relaxed. A peculiar look appeared on his face.

After all that commotion, he had assumed the young man possessed some extraordinary background. It turned out that he was merely the Patriarch of the Mercer Family.

Judging by the reactions of those around him, Julian had been in seclusion for years and had only recently emerged.

Although Conrad did not know what extraordinary opportunity had allowed Julian to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm, he assumed that Julian had reached no more than the first layer.

Even if Julian really was a Purple Mansion cultivator, Conrad was confident he could defeat him in a direct confrontation.

After all, Conrad himself had reached the second layer of the Purple Mansion Realm.

With that thought, he glanced at Kieran Locke.

Their eyes met briefly.

Kieran immediately understood the message. His confidence returned, and the last trace of hesitation vanished from his expression.

If Uncle Conrad could handle the situation, there was no reason for him to hold back.

Kieran turned toward Adrian Mercer and examined him with an arrogant gaze.

"So you’re the one who spoke earlier?"

A sneer spread across his face.

"Adrian Mercer, I remember you. You were expelled from the Aldercrest Order some time ago, weren’t you? What happened? Did this stray dog finally come crawling back to his family?"

Adrian did not answer immediately.

Instead, he turned his head and looked at Julian.

Julian gave him a slight nod.

Having received permission from the Patriarch, Adrian stepped forward and faced Kieran directly.

"If I’m a stray dog, then what does that make you?"

Kieran’s expression instantly darkened. The veins on his forehead bulged, and a murderous glint appeared in his eyes.

"You worthless piece of trash..."

He had not even finished speaking when a sharp swishing sound cut through the air.

A fist shot straight toward his face.

Kieran’s pupils contracted.

He had never expected Adrian, whom he had regarded as a cripple, to attack him without warning. Caught completely off guard, he had no time to dodge or defend himself.

Bang!

The punch landed squarely on his face.

Kieran staggered backward, his face swelling and bruising almost instantly. He stumbled another two steps before losing his balance and crashing to the floor.

Pain burned across his face.

He clenched his teeth, overwhelmed by a humiliation unlike anything he had experienced before.

But the pain itself was not what angered him most.

Adrian had made him look like a fool in front of everyone.

Worse still, Elara Wycliffe had witnessed the entire thing.

Kieran scrambled to his feet and glared at Adrian with murderous hatred.

"I never expected you to recover your cultivation! I admit I underestimated you just now, but don’t think you’ll catch me off guard a second time!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he launched himself forward.

A Profound Rank Low Grade fist technique erupted from his hand, and his fist tore through the air toward Adrian.

This time, Kieran intended to reclaim every shred of dignity he had lost.

Adrian remained completely calm.

He did not even draw the treasured sword concealed against his body.

Instead, he shifted his weight and used a simple feint to evade Kieran’s incoming punch.

Kieran’s attack struck empty air.

Before he could react, Adrian drew his scabbard and swept it horizontally across Kieran’s face.

Smack!

The blow sent Kieran flying several meters.

His body spun through the air before he crashed onto the ground and rolled through a cloud of dust.

For a moment, the entire hall was silent.

Conrad Pierce’s expression changed drastically.

He immediately flashed forward, reached Kieran’s side, and helped him to his feet.

Elara stared at the scene in disbelief.

She knew Kieran’s strength well. He had reached the ninth layer of the Meridian Opening Realm and possessed several Profound Rank cultivation methods. Among the younger disciples of the Aldercrest Order, few could match his combat ability.

Yet Adrian, whom everyone had believed to be a cripple, had humiliated him twice in succession.

One punch.

One slap with a scabbard.

Kieran had been sent flying both times, as though the difference between their strengths were worlds apart.

What had happened to Adrian?

Elara could not understand it.

Nearby, Ethan Mercer was equally stunned.

He had never imagined that the unfamiliar young man standing beside his grandfather would possess such overwhelming strength.

Is this the talent of the main Mercer Family?

Ethan’s gaze dimmed slightly.

If his cultivation had not collapsed, he would have believed himself capable of competing with a genius of Adrian’s caliber. His own talent had once been extraordinary, after all.

But fate had taken a cruel turn.

Now he could only watch from the sidelines.

Kieran finally managed to stand upright with Conrad’s support.

Every part of his body seemed to ache. His face was swollen, and the humiliation in his eyes had become almost tangible.

He knew perfectly well what would happen once word of this incident spread through the Aldercrest Order.

His fellow disciples would laugh at him.

The son of the Sect Master, beaten twice by someone who had supposedly been a cripple.

He could already imagine the ridicule.

Kieran turned toward Conrad, his voice cold and vicious.

"Uncle Conrad, I want that brat dead!"

Conrad’s eyes flashed with murderous intent as he looked at Adrian.

"To possess such strength at your age is impressive. Your talent is certainly exceptional."

His expression hardened.

"Unfortunately, you’re far too reckless. You’ve offended someone you should never have provoked."

He began walking toward Adrian.

"Since Young Master Locke has ordered your death, I’ll grant his wish. And so you won’t be lonely on your journey to the underworld, I’ll send everyone here to join you."

The moment those words rang out, the expressions of the Mercer Family members changed drastically.

They understood exactly what Conrad intended.

He was not merely threatening Adrian.

He intended to slaughter the entire Mercer branch family.

Several elders instinctively stepped backward, while others clenched their fists in desperation. Yet no one dared to challenge a Purple Mansion cultivator from the Aldercrest Order.

Conrad soon stood directly in front of Adrian.

Adrian’s expression remained unchanged.

He had no reason to panic.

Julian was standing behind him.

As long as the Patriarch was present, Adrian had nothing to fear.

Conrad noticed his calm expression and could not help sighing.

"Even now, when death is standing right in front of you, you remain composed. You truly are a promising young man."

His eyes grew colder.

"Unfortunately, that only makes me less willing to let you live."

He raised his hand, preparing to strike.

Just then, a leisurely voice drifted through the hall.

"Oh? Is this the virtue of the Aldercrest Order? When the younger generation loses, the elders step forward to bully their opponents with superior strength?"

Conrad’s brow furrowed.

He turned toward the speaker and found Julian Mercer standing exactly where he had been before, watching the proceedings with an unhurried expression.

Conrad withdrew his raised hand. A cruel smile spread across his face.

"Hahaha! You have a point. I’ve changed my mind."

He looked at Adrian with contempt.

"This brat’s methods are vicious. You must have taught him yourself. Very well, then. Since you’re responsible for his behavior, we’ll settle accounts with you first!"

Julian regarded him calmly.

"Settle accounts with me? You haven’t earned that right."

The instant his words fell, Julian’s figure blurred.

He vanished from his original position.

Whoosh!

A sudden gust of cold wind swept across Conrad’s face.

The chill brushed against his skin, and the hairs across his body stood on end.

His expression changed violently.

What incredible speed!

This is bad!