Is it still not too late to admit the mistake

Chen Chang'an's words left Gao Changyuan momentarily stunned. What did this guy mean? Was he looking down on him?

"Do you know where this is?"

"In Lanling, you dare speak to me like this?"

"You really have some nerve," Gao Changyuan sneered.

In Lanling, the Gao Family had been accustomed to their lofty status for far too long. They were used to flaunting their dominance over others.

In fact, they instinctively believed that everyone should tread carefully and show utmost deference in their presence.

Gao Changyuan, raised in such a family and hailed as a prodigy since childhood, had been pampered beyond measure.

To him, Chen Chang'an's earlier remark was nothing short of blatant disrespect!

"If he wants a beating, then let him have it."

"You two, teach him a proper lesson."

Gao Changyuan's eyes turned cold as he ordered his two subordinates to deal with Chen Chang'an.

"Yes, Young Master."

The two nodded at Gao Changyuan before darting forward, charging straight at Chen Chang'an.

"This Chen Chang'an really has a death wish, daring to offend the Gao Family's Young Master."

"He even dared to provoke the Lin Family—do you think there's anyone he wouldn't cross?"

"Fair point. What a shame. He could've been taken away unharmed, but now he's asking for pain."

"Youth these days—they won't learn until they hit rock bottom."

"Pah! Looks like a coward to me, frozen in fear. Thought he was something special."

As the two closed in, Chen Chang'an remained standing in place, his expression calm, not moving an inch.

To onlookers, it seemed like he was too terrified to react—incapable of fighting back.

But those with sharper eyes could tell: Chen Chang'an simply didn’t care. He wasn’t even taking them seriously.

Bang!

Bang!

"What…?"

"What just happened? Did anyone see that?"

Many were completely bewildered. Chen Chang'an hadn’t moved at all, yet Gao Changyuan's two subordinates were sent flying, collapsing to the ground unconscious.

"Wait—it wasn’t Chen Chang'an who acted. It was… Gu Xian'er!"

"What? Gu Xian'er?"

"How is that possible? The Lin Family said Gu Xian'er was only at the True Qi Realm!"

"Those two were both at the Divine Ability Realm—how could they be defeated without resistance?"

"No way. It can’t be Gu Xian'er. The Lin Family’s intel can’t be wrong."

"No, it was her. I noticed it—Gu Xian'er’s body barely shifted, but that was the moment those two Divine Ability Realm fighters were sent flying."

"This…"

The crowd buzzed with shock, and Gao Changyuan’s face twisted in disbelief.

He never imagined Gu Xian'er would be this strong.

The two subordinates he sent were at the sixth level of the Divine Ability Realm—yet they couldn’t even withstand a single move?

And Gu Xian'er’s speed—how was it so terrifying?

"Remember, next time, don’t hold back."

"Never give your enemy a chance to recover. Understood?"

Though Gu Xian'er had struck, she hadn’t gone for the kill, leaving room for mercy.

This habit wasn’t ideal, so Chen Chang'an gave her a gentle reminder.

"Yes, Xian'er understands."

"I was just worried…"

"Nothing to worry about. It’s just the Gao Family," Chen Chang'an said with a cold smirk.

"I will heed your teachings, Young Master. Xian'er promises not to hold back next time."

"Good. Remember that."

Chen Chang'an’s words made it clear he didn’t see the Gao Family as a threat. Now, many began to wonder—just who was Chen Chang'an? What was his true strength?

Someone who could make the Lin Family mobilize like this couldn’t possibly be an ordinary man. Why hadn’t they realized this earlier?

Gao Changyuan’s face burned with fury, but he was no match for Gu Xian'er.

"Young Master, we should leave. This isn’t the place to linger."

"According to the Lin Family’s intel, Gu Xian'er was only at the True Qi Realm a month ago."

"For someone to elevate her strength to this level in such a short time—Chen Chang'an is no ordinary man."

"Even if the two of us attack together, we might not be his match."

The two men behind Gao Changyuan were both at the Divine Transformation Realm, assigned specifically to protect him.

But facing Chen Chang'an, they felt uncertain.

Despite Chen Chang'an’s displayed cultivation being only at the first level of the True Qi Realm, his composure was unnerving—as if everything was under his control.

This was the confidence of absolute strength. They were certain Chen Chang'an was no simple figure—hence his disregard for the Gao Family.

"You two can’t take him either?" Gao Changyuan asked, stunned.

"Not just us—no one in the Gao Family stands a chance."

"Just the matter of Gu Xian'er alone proves that. Even the Lin Family might not have such means."

"This time, not only has our Gao Family kicked an iron plate—the Lin Family might have done the same."

"Who knows what grudge the Qingshui Lin Family holds against Chen Chang'an."

Hearing this, Gao Changyuan grew nervous. He trusted these two men implicitly.

If they said this, they must have good reason.

"Then… what do we do now?"

"Will he… come after the Gao Family?" Gao Changyuan asked anxiously.

"Apologize. Admit fault."

"Do not make an enemy of him!"

Apologize?

Admit fault?

This was something Gao Changyuan had never done in his life.

A disgrace—an indelible stain on his pride.

"Young Master, hesitate no longer. The moment is fleeting. For the sake of the Gao Family, swallow your pride."

"Indeed, Young Master. Bowing before strength is no shame—it’s only natural."

Gao Changyuan took a deep breath, nodded heavily at the two, then turned to face Chen Chang'an.

"My earlier actions were wrong. I offended you, and I ask for your forgiveness."

"Our Gao Family only acted under the Lin Family’s pressure—we had no choice."

"I beg for your mercy. If there’s anything you desire, name it, and I will do my utmost to fulfill it."

Gao Changyuan’s words sent shockwaves through the crowd.

Who was this?

The Gao Family’s Young Master—someone who had never bowed his head in Lanling before.

Yet today, not only did he lower his head—he even apologized?

Just who was Chen Chang'an?

"Am I dreaming? That’s the Gao Family’s Young Master!"

"Never thought I’d live to see the day the Gao Family’s heir would apologize in Lanling. Unbelievable."

"Is it just because of Gu Xian'er’s strength? That can’t be it."

"Fool! They’re not afraid of Gu Xian'er—it’s Chen Chang'an they fear."

"Chen Chang'an? What about him?"

"Are you fucking brain-dead? Look at how Gu Xian'er treats Chen Chang'an—utterly reverent. If Gu Xian'er is already that powerful, what does that make Chen Chang'an?"

"Holy shit, I didn’t even think of that. Could Chen Chang'an be at the Divine Transformation Realm?"

"Probably… no, definitely beyond the Divine Transformation Realm!"

Beyond Divine Transformation?

"How terrifying is that? But he doesn’t look that old."

"Thank god Gao Changyuan showed up. If we’d acted earlier, none of us would’ve made it out alive."

"So, in a way, the young master of the Gao Family indirectly saved our lives?"

Those who had earlier considered attacking Chen Chang'an now trembled with fear.

Luckily, Gao Changyuan had played the fool and spared them from disaster.

"Now you’ve realized your mistake?"

"Speak. Did the Lin Family order you to capture me, or Gu Xian'er?" Chen Chang'an asked coldly.

"Both… but the main target… is you," Gao Changyuan replied, staring at Chen Chang'an.

The main target was him?

Things just got a lot more interesting.