The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the lingering rays of dusk over South Hill City. Moss clung to the corners of the city's towering stone walls. Before the main gates, civilians, merchants, and carriages lined up to enter. Inside, the streets branched out in every direction, lined with bustling inns, shops, and willow-shaded alleys. Children played in the side streets while street vendors hawked their delicacies along the walkways. A few martial artists beat gongs and drums, gathering crowds for their performances. Cooking smoke curled upward from the courtyards, gently blurring the twilight.​Sixteen-year-old Fang Wang stepped through the grand entrance of the Duke of Fang’s Manor. Clad in a tailored white robe, he possessed a refined and spirited aura—combining the sharp intellect of a scholar with the heroic vigor of a young warrior. The gatekeepers beamed as they greeted him, and without a hint of arrogance, he nodded in return.​"The 'Shadow Step' truly is extraordinary—n

​On the seventh day, the Fang Residence faced the most oppressive atmosphere since its founding. Although most people dismissed the threat of annihilation with cynicism, the entire estate grew visibly tense as dusk fell.​The night was as clear as water, with a cold wind howling through the quiet streets of South Hill City. What was once a bustling town was now deadly silent, broken only by the occasional bark of a dog.​Fang Wang sat on the edge of the roof, holding a precious sword in his hands. This was the weapon Li Jiu had spent three days acquiring—a divine blade capable of cutting through iron as if it were mud.​His gaze was fixed on a figure perched on another rooftop in the distance: his cousin, Fang Hanyu.​Fang Hanyu stood tall with his sword folded in his arms, his head slightly lowered as if he were asleep. The cold wind whipped his long hair and robes, giving him the imposing air of a valiant swordsman preparing to scale the highest peak.​'His martial skills are indeed

​"What are you doing here? You are no match for him!"​Zhou Xue said through clenched teeth. Seven days after her rebirth, apart from her adoptive parents, she had also developed a touch of affection for Fang Wang and did not want to watch the young man get buried here tonight.​Fang Wang cradled Zhou Xue in one arm and executed the Shadowless Step, constantly shifting his position to dodge the incoming beams of golden light. He did not flee directly, instead dodging back and forth across the area.​"Maybe not, but are you sure about that now?"​Fang Wang did not look down at Zhou Xue in his arms; he replied calmly, keeping his gaze locked on Daoist Qingyi hovering in mid-air.​Zhou Xue fell silent, unable to retort.​At that moment, Daoist Qingyi's attack ceased, and Fang Wang landed on a shattered wall. Zhou Xue naturally pulled away from his embrace, keeping a very measured distance from him.​"Is this magic? The lowest tier of the Cultivation World is this strong—you aren't tricki