Chapter 1693: I Object

"I object to your ascension as Patriach." The handsome man's voice echoed throughout the square, causing the previously noisy crown to turn deathly silent.

All of the leaders present had expressions of complete surprise. They couldn't believe that someone would spout such words. Who would dare to act so brazenly? This was the Chi family's ceremony to choose a new leader. Although Chi Wenwu was on the verge of dying and the Chi family had declined, the new Patriarch, Chi Li, was deeply trusted by the Imperial Beast Hall. This could be seen by the fact that they had even dispatched a King Stage Hall Master to observe the ceremony.

With a behemoth like the Mythical Spirit Divine Continent supporting them, even with Chi Wenwu's demise, no one would dare to touch the Chi family for a period of time. Thus, when they saw someone turn up to ruin Chi Li's ceremony, furthermore daring to express his dissent, everyone had the same thought: this was incredibly absurd. He objected? Was he looking to die?

Many members of the Chi family's branch family looked dumbfounded. At the same time, some people in the crowd, especially people with high positions, had thoughtful looks on their faces. In particular, there was an old man with a head of white hair. In his hand was an iron crutch and he was hunched over, his expression frosty. His name was Chi Song, and he was the branch family's head.

Chi Song turned to the middle-aged man next to him and asked in surprise, "Ah Bin... what was the name that Chi Li just shouted?"

The man was missing an arm and there was a beautiful woman next to him. He paused for a moment before he answered, "Father... it seems like he shouted..."

"It's Chan'er!" The gorgeous lady beside him began to shed tears like rain as she looked at the graceful figure standing in the square. "It's Chan'er! She's back!"

However, her words set off a huge commotion among the people in the branch family. Not everyone was excited—some had pale expressions and their bodies turned cold.

"Is that Chi Chan? She actually dared to return?"

"It's fine to return, but why would she dare to ruin Chi Li's ascension ceremony? With Chi Li's personality, won't he make the branch family suffer a hundredfold?"

"We're doomed! The branch family is finished!"

"Family Head, we know Chi Chan is your granddaughter, but you can't indulge her any further. She escaped from Chi Li's marriage years ago, and he's been constantly oppressing us ever since. If something like that happens again, how will we survive?"

"Indeed!"

All sorts of despairing cries arose from the branch family's people. Everyone was trembling with expressions filled with fear. They had been stepped on by the main branch for countless years, and fear had seeped into every fiber of their being. On top of that, Chi Li's personality was venomous and violent, inflicting physical and psychological trauma upon the branch family members. Thus, they all quaked in their boots, causing a slight commotion.

"All of you, shut up!" Chi Song commanded. His expression had turned steely green, suppressing any further chaos. As the Family Head, he had a good reputation and standing, so everyone in his branch respected him.

Although everyone's fears had been temporarily placated, Chi Song's face seemed to have aged even more all of a sudden. Even he was at a loss when faced with Chi Chan's sudden appearance. He knew that his position as the Family Head would be forfeited after this event. Chi Li would also enact vicious reprisal upon them, and his old bones would not be able to take it.

"Father, all of this is my fault. If Chi Li wants to take revenge, I'm willing to commit suicide in front of him in order to save the branch family," the middle-aged man with a missing arm said, his expression bitter.

Chi Song's old bones trembled momentarily. He only had one son, Chi Bing, and he had doted on him since young. All those years ago, when he learned that his son and daughter-in-law had secretly sent Chi Chan away, he did not blame them. Instead, he bore the brunt of Chi Li's anger for years. All Chi Song could do was let out a heavy sigh. Perhaps this was fate.

Chi Chan's mother's expression was pale as she said with a trembling voice, "Chan'er has always been rational. The fact that she returned today means that she has something to rely on. She will not bring disaster upon everyone."

Chi Song forced a smile. "Chi Li has earned the trust of the Imperial Beast Hall, and that behemoth has formed the Imperial Beast Tamer's Alliance. In terms of backing and support, there could scarcely be anyone superior. No matter how great Chan'er's backing is, could it really be better?"

The couple were speechless. The strongest individual among the branch family members was none other than Chi Song, and he was just a ninth-grade Pinnacle Duke who had exhausted all his potential. In the eyes of the Imperial Beast Tamer's Alliance, he was nothing more than an ant.

"That youth might be her backer. Although I don't know who he represents or how strong he is, his words are domineering and have definitely infuriated Chi Li," Chi Song said as he focused on Li Luo, who was beside Chi Chan.

"Oh?" Chi Song suddenly noticed that something wasn't right. Chi Li's vicious gaze gradually changed and his rage seemed to freeze when the young man appeared. Not only had he not attacked as everyone had expected, but he had taken dozens of steps back. It looked as though he had encountered some sort of terrifying creature.

Then everyone heard Chi Li exclaim in horror, "You are... Li Luo?!"

"Li Luo?"

"Who is that?"

"Which power is he from?"

The numerous leaders were confused as they were clearly unfamiliar with that name.

Meanwhile, Li Luo looked at Chi Li with surprise. Clearly, their interactions in the Celestial Mirror Pagoda weren't the reason Chi Li looked so afraid. After all, Chi Li was a Single Crowned King now, which made him far more powerful than Li Luo was at the time. Thus, the only reason he was so fearful was because he understood Li Luo's current strength and influence. After all, the feats Li Luo had accomplished after coming out of secluded cultivation were impressive enough to be made known across the top powers in all the divine continents. Although the Chi family was not at that level, the Imperial Beast Hall would definitely have heard of him.

Chi Song and the couple were also taken aback by this development. The young man standing next to Chan'er was clearly extremely young, so there had to be something extraordinary about him if someone with a feral and brutal personality like Chi Li was scared away.

While everyone was looking at each other in surprise, a figure appeared in the square next to Chi Li. It was a man in crimson and violet robes with a fierce expression, exuding a strong sense of oppression.

"It's the Hall Master from the Imperial Beast Hall! He's a Dual Crowned King!"

"The honored one has personally stepped in. It looks like this commotion will end soon," the numerous leaders whispered to each other.

The man was known as Hall Master Zhu Ze, and he had been personally commanded by Supreme Hall Master Lin Miao to attend the Chi family's succession ceremony. He had the highest standing out of everyone here. As the representative of the Imperial Beast Hall, his actions indicated that his entire faction was taking a stand. As one of the overlords of the Mythical Spirit Divine Continent, no one dared to offend the Imperial Beast Hall.

Just as everyone was wondering what would happen next, they were baffled to see Hall Master Zhu Ze, who was usually forceful and imposing, take the initiative to clasp his hands and bow with a serious expression. His voice then boomed across the square. "So it turns out it's the Eastern Region Federation's chief, Lineage Chief of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li, the Ten Resonances King, Li Luo. As a distinguished guest from afar, I hope you'll forgive me for these shabby conditions."

This scene immediately shocked the leaders of the numerous powers in the square. Meanwhile, the Chi family's branch family became as quiet as statues. Chi Song, Chi Bing, and Chi Bing's wife's eyes had become as round as saucers as their breathing turned heavy. It turned out that this exceptional youth was even capable of causing the overbearing Hall Master Zhu Ze to take the initiative to bow. How much face did this person deserve?