Certainly, if Zi Wenchang had presented the Patriarch's Token obtained from Zi Guochang, the matter would have been different.
However, Zi Wenchang lacked the Patriarch's Token yet, and instead, he flaunted his authority by leaning on the Zi family of the Empire as his backing.
This was something the upright Zi Yanchun could not accept.
Furthermore, when the news of Zi Lingling being abused by the Wang family broke out, Zi Yanchun's dislike for Zi Wenchang intensified.
What's more, Zi Wenchang had previously threatened the four of them and arbitrarily changed the rules of the grand competition. It was no wonder Zi Yanchun wouldn't give him a pleasant face!
As for the other three elders, although they also disliked Zi Wenchang, the acting patriarch, who could blame them when Zi Wenchang had the support of some members of the Imperial Zi family?
This was precisely why, despite the absence of the Patriarch's Token, they had agreed to Zi Wenchang's succession as patriarch.
Of course, they were unaware that Zi Wenchang had betrayed his father, Zi Jitian, to Zi Donglai and his group, nor did they know that Zi Donglai and his group had become prisoners of Zi Lingling.
If they had known, would they still have allowed someone like Zi Wenchang to take over as patriarch?
Zi Wenchang cleared his throat and said, "The four elders can see that Ling'er is currently in a very precarious situation. As her uncle, I am willing to protect her, but I am powerless."
As he spoke, his voice even carried a hint of a sob.
"Hmph!"
Zi Yanchun snorted coldly but did not respond.
Instead, Zi Yangshang sighed and asked, "What does the acting patriarch intend?"
Zi Wenchang transmitted his voice mournfully, "Logically speaking, with Ling'er's outstanding talent, our Zi family should spare no effort to protect her, as a way of repaying my brother's great kindness from years ago. But..."
He paused and then transmitted, "But the Palace Master Lian Hua has now become a Saint King realm expert, and judging by her demeanor, she will undoubtedly pursue Ling'er to the death. And even if all the members of our Zi family were to charge forward, we could not stop a Saint King realm expert! Therefore..."
"Hmph, so you, a coward who fears death, are going to abandon Third Miss and let her fend for herself?"
Zi Yanchun interrupted Zi Wenchang angrily, filled with disdain.
He could not imagine if such a cowardly and cold-blooded person were to sit in the position of the Zi family patriarch, would the Zi family have any future?
Zi Wenchang pretended to sigh, "Second Elder, it pains me, her uncle, to send Ling'er to her death! But I am about to succeed as patriarch, so I must consider the best interests of the Zi family. I cannot jeopardize the entire Zi family for the sake of just one person, Ling'er, can I?"
Zi Yanchun sneered, but he had no intention of bothering with Zi Wenchang anymore.
Zi Lingling's situation was dire, and there was no time to delay.
Therefore, he transmitted with grief and indignation, "Eldest Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, what do you think?"
Zi Yangshang, Zi Yangbei, and Zi Yangqiu all fell silent.
To be fair, as the patriarch, what Zi Wenchang said made sense.
After all, one could not sacrifice the future of the entire family for one person, right?
Seeing that the three remained silent, Zi Yanchun's voice carried a trace of sadness.
"I understand! Eldest Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, you have your considerations, and I do not blame you. But please do not stop me. This is something the four of us brothers owe Guochang and Third Miss."
"Second Brother, what do you mean?"
Zi Yangshang saw a hint of a hero at the end of his road in Zi Yanchun and couldn't help but worry.
Zi Yanchun said sadly, "Eldest Brother, I am going to save Third Miss. If I do not return, please treat her kindly after she survives! With Third Miss here, the Zi family has hope!"
"Second Brother, absolutely not!"
"Second Brother, absolutely not!"
Zi Yangshang, Zi Yangbei, and Zi Yangqiu all tried to stop him simultaneously.
However, Zi Yanchun's resolve was firm, and he would not listen to their dissuasion.
He transmitted, "Eldest Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, take care! Also, if I can return, I will no longer support Zi Wenchang's succession as patriarch!"
Zi Wenchang's face turned ashen, as Zi Yanchun had not kept his transmitted words secret from him.
After speaking, Zi Yanchun gave a bitter smile and resolutely walked towards the arena.
Zi Yangshang, Zi Yangbei, and Zi Yangqiu extended their hands but ultimately said nothing.
However, they had to ask themselves, were they wrong to do this?
On the arena, Zi Lingling looked at Xie Lianhua opposite her with disdain. Just as she was about to retort, she saw Zi Yanchun walking up.
She turned her head back in surprise, not understanding, "Second Elder, what are you doing?"
Zi Yanchun quickly walked up to Zi Lingling, his eyes moist, and said, "Child, you have suffered all these years! It is our fault for focusing only on cultivation and neglecting you, allowing the Wang family to take advantage."
After speaking, his sharp gaze fell on Xie Lianhua.
Before Zi Lingling could speak, his aura erupted towards the heavens, and he shouted, "Today, I am here to atone for my sins! I want to tell the world that if anyone wants to harm a child of my Zi family in front of me, they must first ask my spear!"
As Zi Yanchun spoke, a spear appeared in his hand.
This spear was the Fire Dragon Spear, which had accompanied him through countless battles.
The Fire Dragon Spear was thirteen feet long, its shaft a peculiar shade of red, as if it were a fire dragon covered in blazing flames. The spearhead was black, like an open dragon's mouth, exuding a sinister cold glint.
Zi Yanchun stood there, holding the Fire Dragon Spear. Although his cultivation was not as high as Xie Lianhua's, who was in the late Saint King realm, he still exuded a heroic aura, as if he could hold back a million troops alone.
He stroked the Fire Dragon Spear in his hand and said with tears streaming down his face, "Old friend, we will fight side by side again! Today, let us fight for the girl behind us!"
The Fire Dragon Spear, being sentient, trembled and emitted excited roars.
A spear is a weapon of protection, thus, protection is its greatest honor in life.
With a spear in front, it guards me whole!
With a spear in hand, I command the world!
With a spear for battle, I have no regrets in life or death!
Perhaps without the psychological burden, Zi Yanchun's state of mind became liberated.
His aura ascended once more, slowly merging with the Fire Dragon Spear in his hand.
The barrier that had plagued him for decades shattered, and a powerful aura shot straight into the sky.
Zi Yanchun, at this very moment, broke through, advancing from the peak of the Huayuan realm to the early Saint King realm.
He laughed up to the sky, "Hahaha... I finally understand! I finally understand!"
"Third Miss, let me fight for you today!"
Zi Yanchun roared and charged towards Xie Lianhua.
Zi Lingling wanted to stop him, but it was too late.
A warm current surged through her heart.
This feeling was so familiar! It was like... a father's feeling.
So, being protected felt this happy!
Although Zi Yanchun's actions were somewhat redundant, the feeling of being protected... was truly wonderful!
Regardless, she accepted this kindness!