Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 576 Seventh Prince Forces the Xue Clan to Submit

"What is the meaning of this, Seventh Prince?"

Patriarch Xue inquired, his brow furrowed.

"Patriarch Xue, I have extended an opportunity to you repeatedly, yet you fail to recognize what benefits you!" Yu Longxuan exclaimed, his voice laced with anger.

As a person of exalted status, his arrogance dictated that the Xue Clan should be the ones to grovel before him. Despite humbling himself to offer them a chance, he had been rebuffed not only previously but also just yesterday, fueling his intense displeasure.

He had shown restraint until now, but such patience was no longer warranted.

The Xue Clan Patriarch remained silent for a moment, understanding that this was no longer a negotiation. Behind Yu Longxuan stood several elders from the Crimson Thunder Palace. Their auras alone, emanating the power of the Great Ascension Realm, were enough to pose a grave threat.

The oppressive pressure they exuded, simply by their presence, was a clear and potent warning. Several Xue Clan disciples paled, some faltering under the immense force. Resistance was utterly futile.

Yu Longxuan clasped his hands behind his back, his tone unyielding. "I have tolerated your defiance for too long. However, I will grant you one final chance. Xue Clan, will you submit to me?"

A ripple of unease went through the Xue Clan's ranks. The Patriarch's eyes hardened as he replied, "Your Highness, our Xue Clan has always maintained a neutral stance..."

"Neutral?" Yu Longxuan interjected, repeating the word with a mixture of amusement and irritation. "Such a thing no longer exists."

A heavy silence followed, then a palpable surge of killing intent permeated the air. "You either stand with me, or you stand against me!" Yu Longxuan declared with absolute authority.

There was no room for compromise, no middle ground. The Patriarch balled his fists within his sleeves, his mind in turmoil. Yesterday, he still clung to the notion that refusal was an option. Today, that illusion had been brutally shattered.

He was powerless against a prince, especially one accompanied by formidable elders from the Crimson Thunder Palace. Refusal was simply not viable. Patriarch Xue found himself trapped between a precipice and a hard place.

To refuse meant facing annihilation at the hands of the Seventh Prince. To accept, however, meant entanglement in the bitter struggle for the throne. He harbored doubts about the Seventh Prince's chances of victory, a primary reason for his prior refusal. If he pledged allegiance and the Seventh Prince ultimately fell, the Xue Clan would face ruin.

Yet, faced with immediate destruction versus a chance at survival—and potential advancement—he knew which path held greater promise. The Patriarch's lips parted, the words of submission poised to escape him.

Just then—

"I never imagined the Seventh Prince would resort to forcing others into allegiance," a voice interjected, calm and clear, cutting through the suffocating tension.

All eyes turned towards the source. A young man stepped forward from within the Xue Clan's ranks. Tall and refined, with sharp, composed features handsome enough to captivate any cultivator, he exuded an aura of quiet confidence, utterly unfazed by the oppressive atmosphere.

"Young Master Nie Fengzhuo, what are you doing?!" Patriarch Xue's expression contorted with alarm. He hurried forward, attempting to intervene, but it was too late. The words had already been uttered.

Yu Longxuan's face darkened, the ambient temperature seemingly plummeting. "Hmph!" His gaze locked onto Nie Fengzhuo like a sharp blade. "Who are you to dare meddle in my affairs?"

A palpable pressure emanated from Prince Yu, yet Nie Fengzhuo stood his ground. "My identity is inconsequential," he replied, his tone unwavering. "However, compelling others to swear allegiance..." he paused briefly, "...hardly seems fitting for an Imperial Prince."

Yu Longxuan's eyes narrowed. "It is their honor to serve me," he stated with unbridled arrogance, his voice carrying absolute conviction.

Nie Fengzhuo met his gaze unflinchingly. "Whether it is an honor or not, that is for them to decide."

Silence descended. The elders of the Crimson Thunder Palace exchanged glances, their brows furrowing slightly, yet they deferred to the Seventh Prince's judgment.

Yu Longxuan's expression turned icy. Apart from a singular individual, no one had ever dared address him in such a manner. Now, Nie Fengzhuo stood directly before him, doing exactly that. A flicker of killing intent crossed his face, then he paused.

Recognition dawned. "Oh..." A slow, mocking smile spread across his lips. "Your name sounded familiar." His tone shifted from cold to one of amused condescension.

"Isn't this the discarded fiancé of the Bai Clan?"

This particular incident had caused quite a stir years ago. The broken engagement.

The profound humiliation suffered by the Nie Clan.

The name Nie Fengzhuo then became widely known.

After all, Bai Xueqing's scandalous affair was observed by many, making such a public annulment impossible to conceal.

Furthermore, as a prince seeking the Bai Clan's advantageous support, he certainly wouldn't dare to

squander such a golden opportunity.

What could possibly be more beneficial than marrying the princess of the esteemed Bai Clan?

Although, naturally, his proposal was turned down back then.

However, that wasn't the sole reason for his recognition of Nie Fengzhuo.

It was because of the incredibly impactful Dragon and Phoenix Competition, where Nie Fengzhuo stunned the entire Empire, dramatically transforming his status from that of mere trash to a recognized genius.

He had even been on the cusp of victory—though in the final battle against his former fiancée, he ultimately met defeat.

Yu Longxuan had also witnessed his performance during that competition.

Nie Fengzhuo's reputation and fame might have ascended even higher if not for that single loss, which ultimately served to validate Bai Xueqing's decision. Otherwise, Nie Fengzhuo would undoubtedly have been acclaimed as the undisputed number one genius. Unfortunately, Bai Xueqing proved too formidable—and now, her brother, Bai Zihan, also stood as a formidable power.

That coveted title was irrevocably destined to elude his grasp.

Nie Fengzhuo exhibited no overt reaction, as one might expect. He had, after all, grown accustomed to enduring such slights.

Of course, those taunts had largely subsided after he secured the second position—but

whispers persisted that he had been cast aside because he was deemed unworthy of Bai Xueqing.

He simply met Yu Longxuan's gaze with remarkable calmness.

As if the venomous words held absolutely no power over him.

"That is all in the past," Nie Fengzhuo stated, quickly regaining his composure.

"You are still coercing a clan into submission. Are you not ashamed of such actions, Your Highness?"

Yu Longxuan's smile gradually faltered and vanished.

His patience... had finally been stretched to its absolute limit.

"So be it."

His voice turned icy cold.

"If you insist on playing the hero-"

Taking a decisive step forward.

Faint crackles of lightning began to coalesce around his hand. "Then I shall demonstrate the devastating consequences."

Patriarch Xue abruptly stepped forward.

"Your Highness!"

His voice was laced with urgency.

"This matter bears no relation to him. He is merely an honored guest of our Xue Clan!"

Yu Longxuan entirely disregarded him.

His unyielding gaze remained fixed intently on Nie Fengzhuo.

"Anyone who dares to impede my path today shall be considered my sworn enemy!"