Annihilating a Clan (2)

Over the past half month, Qingyang Town had undergone earth-shaking changes.

The aftermath of the destruction of the Lei Clan and Xie Family gradually subsided, while their businesses and territories were swiftly divided up.

As the strongest family in Qingyang Town, the Luo Family, led by Luo Shan and Luo Yun, used thunderous methods to take over nearly half of the Lei and Xie Clans' core assets.

The Lin Family and Raging Blade Martial Hall each received twenty percent, while the remaining ten percent was jointly divided among the town's other small and mid-sized families.

Throughout this process, the Luo Family displayed unprecedented strength.

With five Heaven Yuan Realm martial artists holding the fort—Luo Shan at the Late Heaven Yuan Realm, Luo Yun at the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm, and two other family elders successfully breaking through to the Early Heaven Yuan Realm with support from the Yang Yuan Stone mine's resources—along with Luo Heng, the renowned genius who was not currently in town, the Luo Family's strength had slightly surpassed that of the Lei Clan at its peak.

With more than twenty Earthen Yuan Stage martial artists and over a hundred Body Tempering Realm guards, the Luo Family had become Qingyang Town's undisputed number one family.

Over the past half month, Luo Heng had not participated much in the struggle over family affairs. Most of his time had been spent cultivating in peace and stabilizing the somewhat turbulent state of mind brought about by his successive killings.

His half-formed Sword Intent became increasingly condensed through daily meditation and sword practice, faintly showing signs of advancing toward minor mastery.

As for his Spiritual Power, he was only one final step away from becoming a Three-Mark Rune Master.

That day, in the study of Luo Manor.

Luo Heng placed a Storage Ring on the table and pushed it toward Luo Shan across from him.

"Grandfather, there are ten thousand Yang Yuan Stones, five hundred Yang Yuan Pills, and thirty bottles of medicinal pills suitable for Heaven Yuan Realm cultivation inside," Luo Heng said calmly. "It should be enough to support the family's development for the next two years."

Luo Shan swept the ring with his divine sense, and shock flashed through his eyes.

The resources within this ring were worth enough to buy half of Qingyang Town!

"Heng'er, where did you obtain all this?" Luo Shan asked in a deep voice.

"Some came from the Flame City Symbol Master Association, and the rest... were spoils of war." Luo Heng did not elaborate further.

Luo Shan looked deeply at his grandson and did not ask any more questions.

He knew that this grandson of his had already grown to a height beyond his imagination. Some secrets did not need to be probed too deeply.

"When do you plan to leave for Flame City?" Luo Shan asked.

"Tomorrow morning. The Tower Battle is five months away, and I need to return and prepare. Besides, it is time to settle my grudge with the Blood Wolf Gang," Luo Heng said calmly.

At the mention of the Blood Wolf Gang, worry flashed through Luo Shan's eyes.

"Heng'er, the Blood Wolf Gang is powerful, and Yue Shan is at the Great Perfection of the Core Formation Realm. Are you... confident?"

Luo Heng smiled faintly, confidence glinting in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Grandfather. Your grandson knows his limits."

He was not boasting, but his composure put Luo Shan somewhat at ease.

"Oh, right." Luo Heng took out two Jade Slips and said, "These are advanced versions I deduced from the Flowing Cloud and Soaring Goose Steps and the Tiangang Thunderclap Fist. They may not be as exquisite as the originals, but they better suit the characteristics of our family's cultivation arts. Grandfather can pass them on to the clan's core disciples and those who have made great contributions."

Luo Shan accepted the Jade Slips and scanned them with his divine sense, delight appearing on his face.

After Luo Heng's modifications, these two martial arts had lower cultivation requirements and were extremely compatible with the Luo Family's cultivation arts. They were more than sufficient to become inherited martial arts of the family!

"Good! Good! Good!" Luo Shan said "good" three times in a row, deeply gratified.

With such an outstanding grandson, why would the Luo Family fear not prospering?

That afternoon, in the Lin Family's small courtyard.

Qing Tan was practicing her fists in the courtyard. As her fist wind whistled, a faint icy chill circulated through it, causing even the early spring air to carry a trace of coldness.

With the aid of the Cold Jade Necklace Luo Heng had given her and her own diligent efforts, the fourteen-year-old had now reached the peak of the Body Tempering Seventh Level. She should reach the eighth level within a few days, and the potential of her Slaying Demon Physique was gradually being unleashed.

"Qing Tan."

A gentle voice came from nearby. Qing Tan paused, then turned to see Luo Heng at the courtyard gate. Her eyes instantly lit up.

"Brother Luo Heng!"

Like a light butterfly, she fluttered toward him and stopped a step away, tilting up her little face. Her joy carried a touch of shyness.

Luo Heng smiled and ruffled her hair. "You've improved so quickly. You're already at the Body Tempering Seventh Level. Looks like you haven't been slacking off."

This girl had only been at the Body Tempering Second Level four months ago. Her progress was truly remarkable.

"It's all thanks to the necklace Brother Luo Heng gave me!" Qing Tan said sweetly, her gaze fixed on him, full of dependence and delight.

Looking at her delicate, youthful face, already beginning to reveal breathtaking beauty, as well as the affection in her eyes, Luo Heng sighed inwardly. She was still young; by the standards of his past life, she was only a middle school student. That hazy affection made him maintain a certain degree of restraint and distance.

"Qing Tan, I'm returning to Flame City tomorrow," Luo Heng said gently.

The radiance on Qing Tan's face visibly dimmed. She lowered her head, unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes between her fingers. "So soon... Can't you stay a few more days?"

"The Tower Battle is approaching. I need to go back and prepare," Luo Heng explained. Then he took out an exquisite little jade box and handed it to her with a smile. "This is the special gift I promised you before. See if you like it."

Qing Tan accepted the jade box and carefully opened it. A crescent-shaped ice-blue Jade Pendant lay quietly upon the velvet. It felt warm and slightly cool to the touch, while flowing light seemed to drift within it. It was dreamlike and beautiful.

Even more wonderfully, the aura emitted by the Jade Pendant instantly soothed the cold energy within her body that occasionally became restless.

"This is..." Her eyes widened in surprise.

"The Ice Moon Jade Pendant. Its main material is Mysterious Ice Jade Marrow, and it has dual Talisman Arrays for Spirit Gathering and Slaying Demon Absorption inscribed within it," Luo Heng explained patiently. "It can assist your cultivation and help you gain control over the cold energy in your body more quickly. In a critical moment, it can also activate an ice barrier to protect you. It can withstand a full-force strike from someone at the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm."

This Jade Pendant had cost him considerable effort. It contained a trace of the original aura of Mysterious Nether Water and incorporated the exquisite craftsmanship of the Symbol Master Association. Though it was only Mortal Grade High Tier, its effects were unique.

Qing Tan tightly gripped the Jade Pendant in her palm. Though it felt cool, her heart was warm.

She raised her head, her eyes faintly reddening. It was not sadness, but because she had been deeply moved by such a thoughtful gift.

"Brother Luo Heng... thank you. I... I really like it!" Her voice trembled slightly. Then she suddenly stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, and quickly kissed Luo Heng on the cheek.

The soft, warm, moist touch vanished as quickly as it came.

Luo Heng froze. He had not expected this girl to ambush him again. What a silly girl.

Qing Tan's entire face, including the tips of her ears, turned crimson. Like a startled little rabbit, she backed away two steps and lowered her head, not daring to look at him. Her fingers tightly clutched the Jade Pendant and the hem of her clothes, her heart pounding like a drum.

Luo Heng smiled as he looked at the girl before him, who had lowered her head and seemed ready to steam from embarrassment. He could not help but chuckle, then reached out and patted Qing Tan's head.

"Take good care of yourself during this time. Wait for me to come back," Luo Heng said softly. Let this little girl grow a little older first. Then it will be time to determine our feelings.

Hearing this, Qing Tan secretly glanced up at him. Seeing that he was still smiling and that the gentleness in his eyes remained unchanged, the tension in her heart eased somewhat. Yet the blush on her face lingered for a long time.

Hehe, my second sneak attack on Brother Luo Heng succeeded again. He didn't reject me, and he even told me to take care of myself. Hehe.

"Yes! I definitely will! And I'll become even stronger!" Qing Tan nodded firmly, determination blazing in her eyes. She wanted to become stronger, to stand by Brother Luo Heng's side rather than merely watch his retreating figure.

After reminding her of a few more cultivation precautions, Luo Heng bid her farewell and left.

As he walked out of the small courtyard, he felt that the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him still retained an unusual warmth.

I never thought I'd be flirted with by a fourteen-year-old girl. What a disgrace for a nineteen-year-old uncle from my past life.