Learned the Secret, Swore an Oath!

That morning, Zhuang Xingyu lay spread out on his bed. This was the first time in the year since he had blown up Tang San's little brother that he had slept so long.

Because he understood the situation on the continent and wanted to grow stronger, he had always been highly motivated, cultivating diligently every day without daring to slacken. But after obtaining his first spirit ring yesterday, his strength had soared. So long as nothing unexpected happened, the insignificant Tang San posed no threat.

With the sudden easing of his state of mind, he finally took a rare break and felt as though his entire being had been elevated. Sure enough, blindly cultivating bitterly was not right. He ought to go out and walk around now and then. The cultivation sects in other fantasy worlds often assigned missions to their disciples, likely with such considerations in mind.

There had been no accidents during the process of obtaining the spirit ring, nor had any fools come to ambush them. The carriage meant to conceal their movements had also successfully fooled outsiders, and nothing had happened.

Zihan was eleven this year. Because residual energy from the Blue Silver Emperor's original body remained within her, her Soul Power was still rising rapidly. She had obtained her third spirit ring last month and was now a level 32 Soul Elder! She was even a year ahead of Tang San. In the original story, Tang San's Soul Power had only advanced by leaps and bounds after obtaining Immortal Herbs and undergoing God Trials.

Among the younger generation publicly known on the continent, aside from Zhuang Xingyu, only Qian Renxue surpassed Zihan. Qian Renxue was fifteen this year. To six-year-old Zhuang Xingyu, she was undeniably an old auntie.

But aunties had their benefits too. Zhuang Xingyu had failed to understand that in his previous life and regretted it for many years. This time, he had to seize the opportunity.

There were also quite a few geniuses among the continent's Hidden Forces, but none of them could surpass Zihan's current pace of cultivation. At most, they could match her. If they were truly that strong, they would have long since emerged to contend for the continent instead of remaining hidden.

At that moment, a guard requested an audience at the courtyard entrance. He said that the Supreme Elder, the clan leader, and the others had summoned Zhuang Xingyu and Zihan to the family hall.

Zhuang Xingyu told him to withdraw, saying that he would inform Zihan himself.

"Xingyu, what is it? Why are you in such a hurry? Look at how messy you are. You don't even know to tidy yourself up." As she spoke, she helped Zhuang Xingyu fix his hair and smooth the wrinkles from his clothes.

"I don't know. Grandma and the others want to see us both. I don't know what it's about either."

He immediately took Zihan's hand and headed for the hall within the residence.

When they arrived at the hall, they found only Grandma, Father, Mother, and Little Aunt there. There was not a seventh person present, and all four wore solemn expressions.

Only when they saw Zhuang Xingyu and Zihan walking in hand in hand did they smile.

"Xingyu, Han'er, we called you two here today because there is something we want to tell you." After Murong Yunxue spoke, she led Zhuang Xingyu and the others to the family's secret chamber. It was located beneath the rear of the hall and was one of the ten largest secret chambers in the family. Apart from Grandma, Father, and the others, even Zhuang Xingyu had no right to enter without permission.

"Xingyu, we originally did not intend to tell you about this, because at the time, we could not see even the slightest hope. Your father, mother, little aunt, and I had planned to bury it in our hearts forever.

"But your talent is simply astonishing. You have been wise beyond your years since childhood. Even Bibi Dong back then was far inferior to you in talent. You have let us see hope for revenge. As your grandfather's eldest direct grandson and the family's Young Clan Leader, you need to know about this."

Looking at his grandmother's expression, Zhuang Xingyu had already guessed what it was about—the truth behind his grandfather's death. However, he did not reveal that he already knew.

"Sixteen years ago, your grandfather Zhuang Ziliang was fifty-three years old and level 82. By chance, he obtained a complete sixty-thousand-year left-arm Spirit Bone in the Star Dou Forest. Your grandfather immediately decided to return to the family to absorb it. But he did not know that Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, those bastard wretches, had somehow learned of it. Before your grandfather could even leave the Star Dou Forest, those two turtle sons ambushed and murdered him.

"At the time, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao's Soul Power was higher than your grandfather's. On top of that, they had launched a sneak attack. Your grandfather's two fists could not contend against four hands, and he ultimately fell. I waited in the family for half a month. When your grandfather still had not returned, I immediately went to the Star Dou Forest to search for him.

"And there, I found only the family's secret message left behind by your grandfather. He had written it with his last breath before dying. That was how I learned what had happened." Before she could finish, Murong Yunxue covered her face and wept. Zhuang Jingxing, Zhuang Jingxi, and Li Xuanhua were also filled with grief.

Zihan was equally shocked. She had never imagined that the enemies of her second family would also be that bunch of damned souls from the Clear Sky Sect! She said nothing. Her hands clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh without her noticing, revealing the turmoil in her heart.

As she spoke, Murong Yunxue took Zhuang Ziliang's portrait from her storage ring. "Old man, do you see this? This is your eldest grandson, Zhuang Xingyu. Twin Martial Souls, Innate Full Soul Power, twin innate domains—the future successor of our family. The family revival you dreamed of day and night will be realized in your grandson's generation, and your blood-deep enmity will certainly be avenged!"

Zhuang Xingyu looked at his grandfather's portrait and dropped heavily to his knees. Zihan knelt beside him as well, following Zhuang Xingyu as he kowtowed nine times with loud bangs.

Zhuang Xingyu immediately swore, "Let this be proclaimed to all sages and known throughout all worlds, witnessed by the patriarchs of all heavens. The murder of my grandfather is an irreconcilable hatred. If this vengeance is not repaid, I am unworthy to be called a son. I, Zhuang Xingyu, swear here that in this life, I will surely slay Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, destroy the Clear Sky Sect, and kill every bearer of Tang Clan blood on the Douluo Continent! I will cut down every affiliate of the Tang Clan on the Douluo Continent! I will lead the Pure Yang Sacred Leopard Clan to become the master of the entire Douluo Universe! Heaven and earth bear witness to this oath, the Three Pure Ones shall judge it, and my life shall guarantee it. If I break this oath, then I deceive Heaven. For the crime of deceiving Heaven, may my body perish and my soul scatter, my name be erased from the Three Realms, and may I never reincarnate."

The Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao that Zhuang Xingyu cultivated was an orthodox Daoist cultivation art. He could be considered a disciple of the Three Pure Ones, and swearing to the Three Pure Ones was the most solemn oath in Daoism.

At the same time, Zihan swore as well. "I, Zihan, was once a person destined to die. Only through Heaven's mercy was I fortunate enough to encounter my benefactors and live peacefully in this world. My benefactors treated me as one of their own. I lacked nothing in food, clothing, or daily needs, and every resource I required was provided. I often reflect upon my benefactors' kindness and feel deeply fortunate in this life, yet I have never been able to repay them, which fills me with guilt. Though I do not share the family's bloodline, I have long regarded myself as one of its members. Therefore, my benefactors' affairs are my affairs, and my benefactors' enemies are my enemies!

"Moreover, my original clan perished because of the Clear Sky Sect. With these two hatreds combined, how could the magnitude be measured? My hatred has multiplied. I, Zihan, swear here that in this life, I will make destroying the Clear Sky Sect my duty! I will kill every member of the Tang Clan and all their lackeys! I will take revitalizing the Pure Yang Sacred Leopard Clan as my mission! If I break this oath, may I suffer Heaven's punishment, never be reborn for all eternity, endure all the suffering in the world, have all my Soul Power crippled, my reputation ruined, and lose forever the ones I love!"

Upon hearing this, Murong Yunxue felt both comforted and, even more so, heartbroken and guilty. She stepped forward, embraced Zhuang Xingyu and Zihan, placed their hands together, and sighed.

"Why must it come to this? Why must it come to this! It is all because we adults are incapable, forcing you two children to shoulder this responsibility and endure such pain at such a young age.

"It is enough that you have such intentions. That oath just now does not count. Focus on cultivating peacefully. If you have the ability in the future, then seek revenge. If not, preserve yourselves.

"The Pure Yang Sacred Leopard Clan's sons shall bear grandsons, and grandsons shall bear sons; sons shall have sons, and sons shall have grandsons; generation after generation, our descendants shall be endless! But can the glory of the Clear Sky Sect truly endure forever? As one declines, the other rises. This vengeance can be avenged!"

"Mother, rest assured. So long as our family remains united, there will come a day when we can take revenge!" Zhuang Jingxing said from the side.

"Yes, yes, yes. This old woman simply loves being sentimental. Our family has produced a heavenly genius, and there is hope that our great enmity will be avenged. This is a good thing! A good thing! We should be happy!" Murong Yunxue also emerged from her grief and adjusted her mindset.