Chapter 1537: Suppression

The moment the elder from the Jin Clan spoke, the lively atmosphere instantly quieted down, and many turned their heads to look.

The situation grew tense, as his words were clearly disruptive. For the Jin Clan to make such a demand at this moment was unexpected.

Some might argue it was reasonable—after all, the rotten wooden chest was of immense importance, and Shi Hao should hand it over for the elders of various clans to study.

However, most realized the Jin elder was deliberately trying to suppress Shi Hao’s momentum.

Shi Hao’s recent actions had caused too great a stir. He had provoked the foreign realm into besieging the Heavenly Beast Forest, even triggering battles among Supreme beings. Yet, the “instigator” himself had returned unscathed, basking in unprecedented glory.

Earlier, nearly ninety percent had believed Shi Hao would perish beyond the pass, destined for an early death. But now, reality had proven otherwise.

Even setting aside everything else, just the sheer audacity with which Shi Hao had turned the borderlands upside down had already shaken the entire Imperial Pass. His brilliance was undeniable.

And that was without even mentioning his success in retrieving the wooden chest!

Something even the foreign realm desperately coveted had been seized by him and delivered to the Imperial Pass. This was a monumental achievement, a feat of great merit.

No matter what, Shi Hao deserved recognition for his exploits, which had left the various clans in awe.

The Jin Clan’s intervention at this moment was clearly an attempt to suppress his rising influence—a targeted effort to dim his radiance.

This provoked discontent among many, such as the Heavenly Horned Ant, Cao Yusheng, and Chang Gongyan, whose expressions darkened.

Qing Yi spoke up, her voice calm but weighty: *”Shi Hao has brought back such an important treasure, a feat of great merit. He should be respected, yet you display such an attitude—are you not afraid of alienating hearts?”*

Her words, though measured, carried enough force to make the Jin elder’s expression shift.

*”Well said! Shi Hao risked life and limb, fighting his way through the borderlands to retrieve this treasure, yet you greet him with cold indifference—what is the meaning of this?”* Cao Yusheng pressed.

Many were indignant, rallying to Shi Hao’s defense.

This was no gathering of mere youths—even elders from various clans had arrived, eager to learn the details.

Watching the scene unfold, many wore complex expressions.

Of course, some naturally sided with the Jin Clan—their loyal followers and allied families.

*”Elder Jin meant no harm. You are overreacting,”* someone interjected.

*”Ahem!”* An elderly woman coughed pointedly. *”Let us take the chest and consult the experts for study.”*

The Jin faction voiced their agreement, acknowledging Shi Hao’s merit but still demanding the chest under the guise of righteousness.

Their stance was clear—they echoed the Jin elder’s earlier words, effectively diminishing Shi Hao’s glory.

Chang Gongyan spoke solemnly: *”If everyone were like you, who would dare fight in the future? Shi Hao has returned with merit, yet you treat him like a criminal, cold and aloof. Who granted you such authority?”*

*”You overthink, young man. I act without selfishness—only urgency compels me to gather the experts of the Imperial Pass to decipher the chest’s secrets,”* the Jin elder, Jin Yi, replied.

A great cultivator who had long entered the Dunyi Realm, Jin Yi naturally held authority over most in the Imperial Pass.

*”No selfishness? Then why not show courtesy instead of barking orders? You’re just jealous of Shi Hao, trying to suppress him. Disgraceful!”* The Lunar Grace Fairy, though delicate in appearance with silver hair and bright red eyes, was anything but docile as she lashed out.

*”Hmph, I admit Shi Hao has accomplished much this time,”* Jin Yi sneered, then coldly eyed the youths. *”But the trouble he stirred is no small matter either!”*

*”Shameless! You just want to suppress him, yet you speak of trouble? Name one!”* the Lunar Grace Fairy snapped.

Few expected such boldness from the young girl, daring to challenge a great cultivator with such blunt words.

Shi Hao remained silent, observing, confident enough to see how far the Jin Clan would go.

*”Elder, your words lack fairness. What trouble has Shi Hao truly caused?”* Qing Yi questioned calmly.

*”Do you know the price Elder Meng Tianzheng paid to save him? He returned gravely injured. A mere Dao-Severing cultivator nearly doomed a Supreme being—is that not trouble enough?”* Jin Yi declared.

Many bristled at his words, sensing deliberate provocation.

The Heavenly Horned Ant was the first to explode: *”Did your Jin Clan’s Supreme even step out of the pass to help? Never! Yet now you posture with righteousness, speaking of endangering Supremes. How dare you!”*

*”Elder Meng acted out of master-disciple bonds, succeeded in his rescue, and Shi Hao brought back the chest the foreign realm covets. This should be cause for celebration. Yet you nitpick—what is your aim?”* Cao Yusheng demanded.

*”Are you blind?”* The Lunar Grace Fairy was merciless. *”The foreign realm mobilized armies and multiple Supremes for this chest—proof of its significance. Our Imperial Pass should have fought tooth and nail for it! Instead, Elder Meng risked his life alone to spare the clans heavy losses. A heroic tale, yet you twist it! Your Jin Clan’s Golden Matriarch never left the pass, yet you dare criticize others? What logic is that?”*

Her outburst drew frowns from elders of other clans, their gazes turning cold toward Jin Yi.

*”Haha, the youth are passionate and righteous—a good thing,”* a Wang Clan elder interjected, smoothing things over. *”Brother Jin spoke hastily out of concern for Elder Meng’s injuries. A wounded Supreme affects us all.”*

Few bought this excuse—many knew the Wang Clan despised Shi Hao and Meng Tianzheng.

*”Indeed, Brother Jin meant well, only worried for Elder Meng,”* a Jin follower chimed in.

Then Jin Kun, a Jin Clan elite, fixed Shi Hao with a piercing gaze: *”Young man, you are too composed. Had you explained earlier, misunderstandings could have been avoided. Do you think your merit makes you above addressing us?”*

Shi Hao finally broke his silence, his voice icy: *”Shameless. Must I explain myself to you? Delusional.”*

*”You—such arrogance! Do you think merit grants you the right to scorn us?”* Jin Kun roared.

A Dunyi Realm expert himself, his aura flared.

Beside him, Jin Yi’s face darkened: *”Youth, no matter your achievements, respect for elders is fundamental.”*

Both were supreme experts, the strongest among the Jin delegation, clearly targeting Shi Hao.

Shi Hao now suspected—had the Jin Clan been behind the ambush in the Heavenly Beast Forest? Their hostility fueled his suspicions.

*”A man should know his place. If you discard dignity, why expect others to spare you?”* Shi Hao retorted coldly.

The crowd stirred—even Cao Yusheng hadn’t expected Shi Hao to stand so firm against Dunyi experts.

At that moment, a group of youths arrived with urgent news.

*”Trouble,”* Cao Yusheng whispered, tugging Shi Hao’s sleeve. *”The soul lamp outside Elder Meng’s retreat has dimmed. The Jin Clan dares act now because of this!”*

Shi Hao’s heart sank—the soul lamp reflected the Grand Elder’s condition.

Yet he steadied himself. Before parting, Meng Tianzheng had assured him he would not only recover but attempt a breakthrough.

The Jin experts, rebuked by Shi Hao, seethed with anger. Then Jin Zhan stepped forward.

*”Shi Hao, you’ve crossed a line. Do you know whom you address?”* Jin Zhan’s aura surged, his gaze piercing.

Shi Hao turned, meeting the eyes of Jin Clan’s so-called peerless genius of recent ages, and countered coldly: *”Do you?”*