
A joyous celebration was still underway at the Xiao Family Manor. Red lanterns hung in rows throughout the main hall.
Warm light reflected off the smiling faces of the guests. String and brass music played in unison, while long tables were laden with sumptuous dishes. There were aromatic roast meats, freshly opened old spirits, and spirit fruits rarely seen in the market. Laughter and conversation filled the air. However, amidst the festive atmosphere, something suddenly changed. “Ha ha ha!! ….” Wild laughter was heard. A cold, suffocating breeze suddenly spread without warning along with the laughter. Everyone felt goosebumps all over their bodies. That's not just an ordinary fear. It's an instinct all martial artists possess—a sense of imminent danger to one's own life. Several glasses of wine fell from the guests' hands, clattering on the stone floor without anyone noticing. After a few more breaths .... The laughter was heard again. “Ha ha ha ....” The sound of laughter boomed loudly. The laughter was not only loud, but also echoed from all directions. It was as if the sky and earth were shaking with it. The sound wave swept across the Xiao Clan village, making the roof tiles rattle and the windows vibrate violently. The music stopped completely. The crowd fell silent, everyone looking up at the sky with pale faces. Then words of obvious sarcasm were directed at the entire Xiao Clan which were emitted using true energy. “Sigh, you're truly shameless. You're on the verge of death, yet you still have time to throw a grand feast here. The Xiao Clan has truly devoured the heart of the Dragon and the heart of the Phoenix.” The tone was full of mockery, as if he were talking about a bunch of fools who were unaware of their own doom. “But that doesn't matter either. Just think of it as a party to send you all off to your deaths.” As soon as the last sentence echoed, a tremendous pressure descended from the sky. The air became heavy like molten lead. Several low-level practitioners immediately fell to their knees, gasping for breath. Their faces paled in an instant. That voice carries enormous pressure and coercion. It made everyone's faces pale and their knees shake violently. It was as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on their heads. Several long tables were cracked. The wooden posts creaked loudly. Even the Grandmaster-level practitioners of the Xiao Clan could not withstand that coercion. The Grandmasters, who had previously sat with dignity, were now gritting their teeth, their muscles tensed, as cold sweat poured down their temples. One of the elders whispered softly, “This … this is Earth Warrior level pressure …” It was as if all the martial practitioners in the Xiao Clan were forced to their knees just by the energy emitted from that sound wave. Some of the younger generation were simply unable to hold on and fell to their knees with a loud thud. The elders and the Patriarch of the Xiao Clan looked at each other. Even though their faces were pale, they still forced themselves. Xiao Feng—Patriarch of the Xiao Clan—slowly stood up from his chair. His robes trembled violently from the pressure, but he kept his back straight. He knew that if he showed weakness now, the entire morale of the clan would collapse. Xiao Feng clearly knew that a powerful senior who was probably at the Earth Swordsman level had come to find out about them. But, in his memory, not a single person from the Xiao Clan had offended a scourge at that level. Enduring the immense pressure, the Xiao Clan Patriarch—Xiao Feng—asked in a forced, steady voice, “Senior, we have never offended you. Why don’t you come in and enjoy the banquet? We will serve you well.” His tone of voice was polite, not condescending, nor flattering. However, the answer Xiao Feng got was just a cold snort. “Sigh! Just a bunch of ants, not worthy of entertaining me.” As soon as the words fell, several young practitioners of the Xiao Clan clenched their fists in anger. But they did not dare to speak. After those words were spoken, many black shadows quickly filled the roof of the Xiao Clan building. One … Two … Ten … Thirty black shadow figures. Like crows perched on rooftops before a disaster, they were people dressed in black with their faces covered by masks. Their eyes were cold and emotionless. The aura they emitted was oppressive. Their energy was not hidden in the slightest. It was clear that those people were powerful practitioners at the Grandmaster level. The lowest are at the Early Grandmaster level. Some are even approaching the peak of Grandmaster. Xiao Feng gritted his teeth. ‘That many … this isn’t a warning. This is a massacre.’ “Senior—” Xiao Feng was still trying to negotiate, but before his words came out, he was cut off by other words. “Let’s move,” the voice from the sky rang out again, “Starting with the Xiao Clan’s most proud young talent. Just destroy that brat’s martial pulse and all his meridians.” Those words were like a knife piercing the heart. Several elders immediately turned to look at a boy sitting in the front row—clearly referring to the clan's proud young talent—Xiao Chen. The voice continued again in a mocking tone. “I don't want to come across as too oppressive. Besides, if there's no resistance at all, it's really no fun.” A thin laugh was heard, cynical and full of mockery. “If someone can escape and survive, consider it his luck to live a few more years.” As soon as those words ended, the pressure felt by all the Xiao Clan members lifted—the Earth Warrior level practitioner released the pressure exerted on the Xiao Clan. The air felt light again. Several people gasped for breath, falling to the ground from the sudden change in pressure. But they didn't have time to breathe a sigh of relief. The men in black standing on the rooftop had already moved. They didn't scream. They didn't give a long signal. They just jumped down like the shadow of death. The first attack came so fast that it was hard for the eye to catch. A young Xiao Clan practitioner who had just stood up was suddenly sent flying backward. Blood spurted from his mouth. His chest was sunken in, and he died instantly in a single blow. “Protect the younger generation!” shouted one of the elders. The clash of energies immediately filled the entire courtyard. Swords clashed with swords. Fists collided with palms. Screams rang out. Several Xiao Clan members fell in one blow. The Xiao Clan Grandmasters immediately leaped forward, trying to hold back the attackers. “Form a defensive formation!” Xiao Feng shouted. Several elders immediately moved to form a circle, their energies connecting to form a temporary barrier in front of the main hall. But the attackers were too strong. One of the black-masked attackers burst in with incredible speed. He immediately moved towards Xiao Chen, his attack clearly not with the intention of killing, but rather to leave Xiao Chen paralyzed and disabled. But, will the attack be successful immediately?!Latest Chapter
Chapter — 97
Upon arriving at the Black Shadow Sect, Meng Qianyue did not waste any time.She immediately headed toward the main meeting hall, where the elders and high-ranking members of the sect had already gathered to await the results of her investigation.The doors of the hall opened.Meng Qianyue stepped inside calmly, then stopped several steps in front of the row of seats occupied by the elders.Elder Qiao—Qiao Ye—who was seated in the main position, immediately directed his gaze toward her. “What were the results of your investigation?”Meng Qianyue cupped her hands before her chest.“My report is simple, Elder. After inspecting the ruins of the Blood Wolf Gang’s headquarters on North Hill in Red Mountain City, I discovered that the deaths of the gang members and the four envoys from the Black Shadow Sect were most likely related to the use of the Death Blood Palm Technique.”The atmosphere in the hall immediately became more serious.Meng Qianyue continued without changing her expression
Chapter — 96
Xiao Chen’s footsteps echoed softly along the stone walkway of the Sky Sword Academy after he left the Northern Pavilion.The morning sunlight had already risen higher, warming the academy courtyard, which was beginning to fill with disciples of various ranks.Halfway along the journey, a thought suddenly crossed his mind—the monthly resource allowance that every official disciple of the academy was entitled to.Having been away from the academy for two years, Xiao Chen had naturally never claimed any of those resources.After thinking for a moment, he changed direction and headed toward the Academy Treasure Hall, where various medicinal pills, spirit stones, and cultivation materials were distributed to the disciples each month.The building was as busy as usual. Several disciples entered and left while carrying small porcelain bottles or cloth pouches filled with spirit stones.Xiao Chen went directly to one of the distribution counters. He took out his disciple identification jade
Chapter — 95
Seeing Elder Gong appear, Guan Yu, who had still been wearing an annoyed expression, immediately became cheerful. The little girl turned around and trotted toward the elder, then tugged playfully at the sleeve of his robe.“Grandpa Gong! Look who finally showed up!” Guan Yu exclaimed, pointing her chin proudly toward Xiao Chen.Elder Gong glanced briefly at Xiao Chen, then turned his attention back to Guan Yu, who now appeared much more excited.The little girl gave a small snort before glancing at Xiao Chen again.“Let him organize all the scrolls scattered across this table as punishment for leaving without saying goodbye!” Guan Yu continued without waiting for an answer.After saying that, Guan Yu immediately walked away from the room with cheerful steps. The satisfaction on her face was difficult to hide, as if she had just completed some great mission.Xiao Chen could only shake his head at her behavior.Two years had passed, yet Guan Yu was still exactly the same as before.Elde
Chapter — 94
The next morning, sunlight pierced through the gaps between the pine leaves within the Sky Sword Academy complex, casting a golden glow over the stone pathway.Xiao Chen put on his gray robe again, without wearing the hood, then stepped out of his room. He walked along the path leading toward the northern part of the academy complex—the Northern Pavilion.The morning air was cool. Dew still clung to the tips of the leaves, while the faint sounds of birds could be heard in the distance.The disciples had begun filling the academy’s pathways, some heading toward the training halls while others carried equipment for their respective duties.Xiao Chen walked past them without attracting too much attention. His face indeed looked much more mature than it had two years ago, but most of the disciples who saw him had no reason to connect the young man with someone who had disappeared from the academy for so long.Before long, a building with classic black-wood architecture came into view befo
Chapter — 93
Xiao Chen’s footsteps along the stone path within the Sky Sword Academy complex felt light.The atmosphere of the academy welcomed him with the rustling of wind carrying the scent of pine leaves. A scent that had once felt so familiar now instead gave him a strange feeling after two years without setting foot in this place.Many things had changed during his absence. The buildings of the outer courtyard disciples’ pavilion appeared more magnificent, and several stone bridges that had once been cracked had now been repaired with polished white stone carvings.However, these physical changes were nothing compared to the social dynamics that had developed among the disciples.When Xiao Chen crossed the central courtyard, whispers and curious gazes began turning toward him. The dull gray hood covering half of his face had indeed succeeded in concealing his true identity from the crowd.However, the faint cold aura emanating from Xiao Chen’s body caused several senior disciples to frown su
Chapter — 92
The atmosphere inside the main hall of the Black Shadow Sect in Ghost City grew increasingly oppressive.No one dared to regard their disappearance as a coincidence.Four Mid Martial Master Realm practitioners were not a force that could simply vanish without reason.Amid the heavy silence, a white-haired senior elder holding a wolf-head staff—Elder Qiao—Qiao Ye slowly raised his head.His wrinkled gaze swept across the faces of everyone seated around the table.“We must not speculate or act rashly based solely on empty assumptions,” the hoarse yet authoritative voice broke the silence. “If we immediately send a large force or our core elders, it will only attract the attention of other powerful factions out there. We must proceed carefully.”Elder Qiao slowly tapped the tip of his wolf-head staff against the stone floor.Tok!—“Before taking any action, we must first find out what actually happened at North Hill in Red Mountain City.”“If all four of our experts died at almost the sa
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