In fact, from the start, the strengths of the two sides were clearly very different.
The people who attacked the Xiao Clan were mostly at the Middle Stage and Peak Stage Grandmaster level. Meanwhile, the Xiao Clan members were only at the Early Stage Grandmaster level and only a few elders were at the Intermediate Stage. This difference made the situation on the battlefield extremely lopsided. The attackers moved confidently, without even a hint of worry. They came with thorough preparation, sufficient numbers, and clearly superior strength. On the other hand, the Xiao Clan was forced to face a surprise attack in a condition that was not fully prepared. Most of the clan members were actually just young cultivators or guards whose strength was not yet very high. They continued to advance against the enemy, but it was clear that the difference in cultivation levels made each clash extremely difficult for them. It clearly shows an imbalance of power. However, supported by a good defensive formation, the Xiao Clan was able to hold out for a long time. However, now that the formation had been breached, the attackers could easily begin to exterminate every member of the Xiao Clan, including even the invited guests who had come to celebrate the Xiao Clan's feast. The attackers dressed in black moved in without hindrance, as if they were shadows of death coming from the darkness of the night. The Xiao Clan members who were previously able to survive behind the protection of the formation were now forced to face the enemy directly. In no time, the large yard that was usually filled with laughter and family activities turned into a killing field. That night, Xiao Village was completely filled with pools of blood and body parts. The lamps hanging along the village streets were still lit, but their light now illuminated a horrific scene. Bodies lay on the ground, some still gripping their weapons tightly, as if unwilling to let go even after their last breath. Screams of pain and shouts of rage mingled together. The clanging of weapons clashed incessantly, but the voices from the Xiao Clan grew fainter and fainter. The people dressed in black who attacked the Xiao Clan were truly decisive and ruthless. They strike effectively—a stab to the heart or a slash that cuts the neck. No movement is wasted. Each of their attacks seemed practiced as a killer, as if the assassins had gone through extremely rigorous training to achieve such efficiency. They didn't waste time on a long fight. If they find a weaker opponent, they immediately finish them off in one or two moves. Some Xiao Clan members tried to fight back desperately. Some leaped forward with shouts of courage, but most of them fell within just a few exchanges. For the attackers, anyone present in this place tonight was considered a witness who could not be left alive—except for those who managed to escape. That was the promise made by the leader of the attack. Yes, only Xiao Chen was an exception—he was not brutally killed immediately but had his martial spirit destroyed. Truly a form of humiliation for the Xiao Clan. Xiao Chen was already lying on the ground with a pale face. The energy flow that was the foundation of his training was destroyed in an instant. For a martial artist, that condition is almost as painful as death. Without an intact martial spirit, one will no longer be able to cultivate spiritual energy. All potential they once possessed will be lost. Xiao Chen was still conscious when that happened. The excruciating pain made his body tremble, but what was even more excruciating was the realization that his future as a martial artist had been forcibly snatched away. Even so, Xiao Chen still harbored a grudge in his heart and was determined to survive this massacre. Meanwhile, the Xiao Clan Patriarch—Xiao Feng, who was still engaged in a fierce battle with the black-robed man, could certainly see what was happening to his clan at this moment. Xiao Feng could only grit his teeth and do nothing as he watched the Xiao Clan members being killed one by one before his eyes. The battle he was going through alone was anything but easy. The opponent standing before him was clearly no ordinary martial artist. The aura the black-robed man exuded made the air around them feel heavy. This is a powerful Intermediate Stage Grandmaster-level practitioner. Every time their weapons collided, the resulting energy waves swept across the vast surrounding courtyard. But what made Xiao Feng even more tormented was not the pressure from his opponent, but the sight that kept entering his eyes from the corner of the battlefield. Xiao Feng seeing the clan guards who had faithfully served him fall one by one. He saw the elders who had once sat together in the main hall now lying lifeless. He also saw young members who had not even reached the peak of their lives being forced to face a cruel death. “Will the Xiao Clan really collapse under my leadership?!” Anger filled his chest, but he knew that losing control would only hasten his defeat. After a few heated exchanges, Xiao Feng, who was previously blinded by anger, slowly started to come back to reality and understood very well that he himself might be killed tonight. Sweat began to bead on Xiao Feng's forehead, and his breath was also getting heavier. Xiao Feng didn't want to admit it, but his opponent clearly still had some strength that hadn't been fully unleashed. If the fight continued like this, he most likely wouldn't be able to last until the end. That realization made his mind much clearer. If he really died tonight, then the fate of the entire Xiao Clan would almost certainly end here. Xiao Feng looked at his son lying on the floor. Then, his gaze shifted to Ye Yuan—the old servant. After considering all the possible things that might happen, Xiao Feng, who was still fiercely fighting with his opponent, sent a voice message to Ye Yuan. Even though he was fighting, Xiao Feng was still able to direct a small part of his consciousness to convey the message silently. “Ye Yuan,” Xiao Feng’s voice echoed in the old servant’s ears, “Listen carefully.” Ye Yuan, who had previously fallen because he was trying to protect Xiao Chen, tried to get up while coughing. He immediately turned to look at their Patriarch who was still fighting in the distance. “Ye Yuan ... leave the Xiao Village immediately, and bring Xiao Chen with you. There's a hidden path that leads to the back of the mountain just below the Xiao Clan's main manor.” “It doesn’t matter whether Xiao Chen will become trash or a useless person in the future, the main thing is that Xiao Chen’s life must be saved, at least the Xiao Clan’s bloodline won’t be completely severed just like that.” The message was delivered in a firm tone, but behind it was a deep sadness. As a father and patriarch, Xiao Feng certainly did not want to see his son live without martial arts skills. But in a situation like this, survival is far more important than maintaining one's self-respect as a martial arts practitioner. “As long as he is alive,” Xiao Feng’s voice continued in the transmission, “There is still hope for the Xiao Clan.” Ye Yuan gritted his teeth. He had served the Xiao family for decades, and seeing the devastation that had occurred tonight made his heart feel incredibly heavy. But Ye Yuan also understood that the Patriarch's decision was not something taken lightly. Ye Yuan immediately understood what the Patriarch meant. And without further ado, he began to stealthily move—trying to take Xiao Chen away.Latest Chapter
Chapter — 164
Xiao Chen regulated his breathing, allowing the Pseudo-Qi to flow steadily through his muscles, bones, and bodily tissues. The physical foundation he had strengthened through the Golden Lightning God Body Technique helped him maintain his balance and react to changes in movement.However, a stronger body did not automatically enable Xiao Chen to unravel the secrets of his opponent's technique.He had to find a way to deal with the situation without wasting his energy needlessly.Suddenly, one of Cang Ming's figures shot toward him from the right.The figure raised a hand and aimed it at Xiao Chen's head, as though preparing to deliver a powerful punch.Xiao Chen immediately shifted his body to anticipate the attack.However, before the hand could reach its target, the figure abruptly changed direction. Its body swept past Xiao Chen's side before rejoining the circle of shadows.Xiao Chen did not take the bait and counterattack. He merely rotated his shoulder and shifted one step, ensu
Chapter — 163
The examiner's hand came down firmly. “Match Seven... Begin!”As soon as the signal sounded, Cang Ming did not charge forward immediately. Instead, the corners of his lips lifted as he moved sideways with light steps.Whoosh!His body shot several steps away from its original position. Before Xiao Chen could follow his movements, Cang Ming had already changed direction, circling the arena at a startling speed.Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.His opponent's speed was indeed impressive. However, what caught his attention even more was Cang Ming's control over his body. Every change of direction was remarkably smooth, without the slightest sign of losing his balance.Xiao Chen shifted his left foot to maintain his position facing his opponent. He did not pursue him. As long as Cang Ming had yet to attack, there was no reason to waste energy simply trying to follow his every movement.“Quite cautious,” Cang Ming remarked after stopping several meters away from Xiao Chen. “However, rel
Chapter — 162
After confirming his match number, Xiao Chen shifted his gaze toward the participants waiting for their turns. Among them stood a tall, well-built young man with his arms folded across his chest.The young man wore a neat, dark blue robe, and his long hair was tied back. His expression was cold, and his sharp eyes occasionally surveyed the arena before him.He was Cang Ming.As though sensing someone's gaze, Cang Ming turned his head. His eyes soon met those of Xiao Chen, who was standing near the announcement board.The corners of his lips lifted slightly.Ever since Xiao Chen's fight against Mo Fan, the name of the young man who lacked a normal cultivation aura had become a topic of discussion among the outer-courtyard disciples.Some believed he possessed hidden abilities, while quite a few others thought his victory had been nothing more than luck.Cang Ming was among those who did not put much faith in the rumors about Xiao Chen's strength.In his view, someone without a normal D
Chapter — 161
The spectators’ cheers still echoed around the arena after Guan Yu had ended her fight in less than three seconds.The girl walked down from the platform with light steps, as though her recent victory were nothing worth boasting about.However, for the participants who remained in the competition, that brief fight served as a warning. Guan Yu’s strength far surpassed what one might expect from her cheerful appearance and occasionally childish behavior.The Inner Courtyard Disciple Examination continued.Of the eighty participants who had passed the first test, only forty remained.Some had already demonstrated extraordinary abilities, while others had been forced to accept defeat after realizing that their opponents were far stronger than they had anticipated.On one of the arenas, Bao Shan had just defeated his opponent with a powerful punch reinforced by the Stone Fist Technique. His opponent’s body was sent flying several steps backward before finally falling beyond the arena’s bou
Chapter — 160
The palm struck the side of Bai Shan’s broad sword with concentrated force. The violent collision shook the arena, sending a shockwave through the air and scattering dust in every direction.Bai Shan had been confident that his slash would force Guan Yu to retreat. However, the moment their attacks collided, his expression changed instantly.The force behind the palm strike was far greater than he had anticipated. The impact sent a violent tremor through his sword, numbing his arm, while the True Qi enveloping the blade shook violently.Bai Shan’s grip nearly slipped, and his body was forced to shift backward to withstand the pressure coming from the opposite direction.“What?!”Bai Shan’s eyes widened. He immediately tried to regain his balance, but Guan Yu had already moved.A blue palm shadow shot toward him once more.This time, Bai Shan had no chance to raise his sword in defense. He tried to channel his True Qi to reinforce his body’s defenses, but the flow of his energy was sti
Chapter — 159
Shortly after Sima Ruoxi returned to Xiao Chen’s side to recover her strength and savor her first victory, the atmosphere around the Outer Courtyard Main Square grew heated once more.The academy elders wasted little time calling the next participants to the combat arena.Several fierce matches followed one after another. However, the spectators’ attention was immediately drawn when the academy supervisor announced a match involving one of the most conspicuous figures among the outer-courtyard disciples.“Match Twenty-Three! Guan Yu versus Bai Shan!”Hearing her name called, Guan Yu snorted softly as she straightened her academy robe. She glanced briefly at Xiao Chen and Sima Ruoxi before lifting her chin with an expression full of confidence.“Watch closely,” Guan Yu said. “Your Senior Sister is going to show you how to finish a fight without wasting too much time.”Without waiting for a reply, the girl stepped forward. Her chin held high, she radiated the pride of the daughter of th
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