City Falls! Slaughter! Escape!

"Patriarch Zhang is indeed a clever man."

The centipede-like scar on the old man's face writhed along with his smile, looking both hideous and satisfied.

He tossed Zhang Tao onto the ground as if he were nothing more than a rag.

Zhang Tao lay sprawled on the floor, twitching silently, blood seeping continuously from the corners of his mouth like a dying beast.

"Tao'er..."

Zhang He's heart tightened, and he instinctively moved to rush forward.

Swoosh.

An incredibly faint sound of air being pierced rang out.

The old man flicked his finger, and a black pill emitting a pungent, fishy stench shot precisely into Zhang Tao's wide-open mouth, sliding down his throat.

"You... what did you feed Tao'er again!!!"

Zhang He's eyes were split, the corners of his sockets nearly bleeding.

He stared fixedly at the old man, his gaze filled with anger, fear, and a despair bordering on total collapse.

He wanted to lunge at him, but his legs felt as if they were filled with lead, unable to take a single step.

"Patriarch Zhang, rest assured." The old man laughed eerily, his expression appearing particularly sinister under the moonlight:

"I have merely fed your son a poison pill. As long as you cooperate tomorrow night and get the job done, I will naturally provide the antidote."

He paused, leaning in close to Zhang He until his hideous face was almost touching his, his voice as low as a serpent flicking its tongue:

"But if... you show even the slightest bit of dishonesty, then prepare to collect your son's corpse."

"Oh, right. When this poison takes effect, it will rot the intestines and pierce the stomach. He will suffer in agony for seven full days and nights before he finally breathes his last."

"Your son's mouth is already ruined, so he won't even be able to scream; he will have to endure it all in silence."

Having said this, he straightened up, satisfied as he admired Zhang He's paper-white face, then flicked his body and vanished into the darkness outside like a ghost.

Zhang He sat dazed in the room for a while, his heart still pounding, before he took a deep breath, suppressed his fear, and helped the despairing, wretched-looking Zhang Tao up.

At the same time, a surge of fury rose within him.

They are all useless! All of them are useless!

Especially Huang Tong, the Transformation Strength martial artist whom the Zhang Family spent tens of thousands of silver taels to retain every year.

He claimed that as long as he was there to hold the fort, the Zhang Family would be as secure as a fortress—and yet?

The people from the Seven Kill Cult snuck into the estate as if it were their own backyard, and that old thing didn't even react.

"That piece of trash, I'll have him kicked out tomorrow!"

No sooner had this thought crossed Zhang He's mind.

"By the way."

An eerie, strange laugh, like the cry of a night owl, suddenly rang out behind him.

Zhang He's hair stood on end, and he whipped his head around.

The white-haired old man who had just left had, somehow, appeared in the center of the room again.

He was still hunched over, still wearing that same sinister smile.

But this time, he held something in his hand.

A head.

Drip... drip...

Crimson blood dripped continuously from the severed neck of the head, spreading a shocking patch of black-red across the blue-brick floor.

The old man tossed it aside, and the head rolled to Zhang He's feet, facing him directly as if staring in silence.

Zhang He lowered his head, and by the pale moonlight filtering through the window, he finally saw the face.

It was Huang Tong!

The Transformation Strength martial artist the Zhang Family had retained for seven or eight years, the Huang Tong who claimed to be well-traveled and experienced.

At this moment, his face—eyes wide open, unable to close even in death—was facing Zhang He, his lips slightly parted as if he had wanted to shout something before he died, but never managed to get it out.

Blood was still slowly flowing from the severed neck, soaking the floor and staining the soles of Zhang He's shoes.

"Th-this is..."

Zhang He's voice caught in his throat, turning into a short, choked sob that sounded like a chicken's cry.

He widened his eyes, his pupils contracting violently; he stood frozen, as if struck by lightning, forgetting even how to breathe.

That was a Transformation Strength martial artist!

One of the top experts in Anxi County!

Yet at this moment, the head of this Transformation Strength martial artist was being held like a freshly picked watermelon and tossed casually at his feet.

The old man leaned down, moved close to Zhang He, and grinned, revealing a few yellowed teeth, his voice as light as a chilling breeze:

"Just as I was heading out, I happened to run into this old thing sneaking around, poking his head about."

"I figured, leaving him be would only be a nuisance."

"So, I just dealt with him while I was at it."

He straightened up and brushed off his hands, as if he had merely performed some trivial, insignificant chore.

Then, he turned around once more and, just as he had arrived, vanished silently into the darkness outside the door.

Zhang He remained frozen in place, unable to move a muscle.

A Transformation Strength martial artist, just like that, dead?

An unprecedented chill surged from the soles of Zhang He's feet straight to his crown, freezing his entire body stiff until even his blood felt as though it had congealed.

The next day.

Jiang Ye rose early, as was his custom.

Only, he did not practice his punches today; instead, he simply packed his belongings and stood outside the gatehouse, watching every blade of grass and tree within the Martial Practice Field, complex thoughts flickering in his eyes.

After a long while, he walked slowly to the main gate of the academy, opened it with practiced ease, and sat on the small stool by the entrance, staring blankly at the empty street.

Unlike Jiang Ye, who was a solitary old man, the luggage belonging to Liu Yiyi and the others was clearly much more extensive.

Boxes and crates of all sizes piled up half the room; clothes, books, daily necessities, and various training apparatuses made the packing process exceptionally tedious.

The mother and daughter were busy from dawn until the afternoon before everything was finally settled.

Liu Qingshi had specifically arranged for a spacious carriage, which was currently parked at the entrance of the academy.

They were to stay at the Su Family tonight so they could leave Anxi County as early as possible the next morning.

Liu Qingshi stood before the academy gate, taking one last look at the institution he had built with his own hands.

The rays of the setting sun spilled over the eaves of the courtyard, plating them in a layer of warm, golden red.

On the Martial Practice Field inside, those wooden training dummies still stood silently, as if waiting for the disciples to come and train tomorrow.

Yet he knew there would be no more.

Everyone felt a heavy weight in their hearts.

"Get in the carriage."

Liu Qingshi took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his mind, his voice as calm as if this were merely an ordinary trip.

Yet, the hand hanging at his side was clenched ever so slightly.

His wife, Huang Xiyu, glanced back at Bluestone Martial Academy before boarding the carriage, her eyes reddening until she could not help but sob.

Although Liu Yiyi showed no outward emotion, her reddened, beautiful eyes betrayed the sorrow she felt at that moment.

Jiang Ye, however, showed no emotion at all, save for a faint glimmer that flickered twice in his eyes.

Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was stiflingly oppressive.

Liu Qingshi watched the streetscape flying past the window and suddenly spoke, his voice gentle, attempting to break the suffocating silence:

"When I was young, I had a good friend who, I heard, is doing quite well in the Azure Sky Sect."

"Once we reach the prefecture city, I will pull some strings through him; with Yiyi's innate talent, she should be able to enter the Azure Sky Sect."

"Yiyi can enter the Azure Sky Sect?" Huang Xiyu's eyes brightened instantly, the sorrow on her face fading a fraction.

In Cloud Ridge Prefecture, the Azure Sky Sect was the heavens themselves.

Even she, a woman who knew nothing of the martial path, understood that for a martial artist, entering the Azure Sky Sect meant a future filled with promise.

Liu Yiyi was slightly moved, yet she still spoke, her voice cold but tinged with a hint of stubbornness: "Father, I will just follow you to practice my punches; is that not enough?"

Hearing this, Liu Qingshi shook his head with a faint, wry smile:

"Yiyi, if you follow me, you will reach your limit once you hit Transformation Strength."

"In a small place like Anxi County, a Transformation Strength martial artist is still considered someone of note."

"But once you reach the prefecture city, Transformation Strength is nothing."

As he spoke, he looked deeply at his daughter, his eyes full of expectation and gravity: "With your talent, you have a great chance to surpass your father, break through Transformation Strength, and Form the Core from Qi!"

At these words, Liu Yiyi was slightly stunned: "Form the Core from Qi?"

It was the first time she had heard Liu Qingshi mention a realm beyond Transformation Strength.

Beside her, Jiang Ye kept his eyes closed, appearing to be dozing, but in reality, he was listening even more intently than Liu Yiyi.

"Yes," Liu Qingshi nodded slightly and continued:

"The foundation of the martial path is to temper blood and qi through external techniques, transforming them into force! Bright Strength is rigid and fierce, Dark Strength is subtle and soft, and Transformation Strength is the balance of both, allowing one to act as they please!"

"And beyond Transformation Strength, one begins to cultivate 'Qi' within the body, moving from the external to the internal."

"When the 'Qi' within the body is nurtured to a certain degree, one can condense that Qi into a core, stepping into the Core Formation Realm!"

Speaking of this, a look of longing flashed across Liu Qingshi's face as he let out a soft sigh.

"This realm possesses a hint of the profound. Once a martial artist steps into it, they remain free of illness and disaster, easily living for two full cycles of sixty years. If they possess methods to extend their life, they can live even longer."

"However..." Liu Qingshi's tone shifted, his expression turning grave as his voice dropped. "Stepping into this realm is incredibly difficult, and the most crucial element is the Qi Nourishing Method!"

"This is a closely guarded secret held firmly by the imperial family and the great sects and clans!"

"Aside from joining a sect or a noble clan, there is almost no other way to obtain a Qi Nourishing Method."

"When I was young, I once set my sights on obtaining one, but I ended up severely wounded and nearly lost my life."

"Therefore, if you wish to break through beyond Transformation Strength and go further on the path of martial arts, you must enter the Azure Sky Sect."

Liu Qingshi looked at Liu Yiyi with a solemn expression.

Liu Yiyi listened quietly, a flicker of determination flashing through her beautiful eyes.

She nodded slightly, saying nothing more, but her gaze said everything that needed to be said.

Qi Nourishing Method...

Jiang Ye, who appeared to be dozing, murmured to himself in his heart.

About an hour later, the carriage slowed to a stop in front of a grand mansion.

The vermilion gates were adorned with gleaming copper studs, and a plaque bearing the characters "Su Mansion" hung above the lintel.

Su Chen, the head of the Su Family, was already waiting at the entrance, with a slender figure standing beside him—it was Su Yan.

"Master Liu, you have had a long and tiring journey!" Su Chen stepped forward with a smile and bowed. "Please, come in. The wine and food are prepared; let us rest first."

Liu Qingshi jumped down from the carriage, exchanged a few pleasantries with him, and then signaled for the others to disembark.

"Old Man Jiang!"

Su Yan, standing to the side, greeted Jiang Ye politely, a strange look flashing in her beautiful eyes.

For some reason, ever since that night, she felt a peculiar sense of dissonance every time she looked at Jiang Ye.

"Miss Su, I apologize for the intrusion."

Jiang Ye kept his head slightly lowered, his voice raspy and humble, appearing no different from the unremarkable gatekeeper he had always been.

Late at night, all was silent.

After dinner, everyone had retired early.

The bed in the Su Mansion guest room was soft and comfortable, the bedding faintly scented with incense—a stark contrast to the hard wooden cot in the Martial Academy's gatehouse.

Yet, Jiang Ye remained sitting cross-legged on the bed, refusing to lie down.

Having grown accustomed to the hard cot, he found he could not sleep on such a soft bed.

He closed his eyes, his breathing long and steady, as if he had entered a state of meditation.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water, spilling over the rockeries and ponds in the courtyard, creating a scene of quiet serenity.

In the distance, the occasional sound of a night watchman's clapper echoed, the "clack-clack" drifting far into the night.

Suddenly—

"BOOM!!!"

A roar like a thunderclap violently tore through the silence of the night.

The sound seemed to come from the east side of the city, carrying with it boundless malice and killing intent, causing the window lattices to hum and vibrate.

"Heaven creates all things to nourish man, yet man has no goodness to repay Heaven!"

"KILL, KILL, KILL, KILL, KILL, KILL, KILL—!!!"

The seven "kills" grew louder with each utterance, like seven consecutive thunderclaps exploding, making one's scalp tingle and one's heart and gallbladder shatter.

It was a cry permeated with an ancient, maddened bloodlust—the signature of the Seven Kill Cult.

That roar sounded as if countless vengeful spirits were screaming along with it, chilling one to the bone!

Jiang Ye's eyes snapped open.

Immediately following—

"The East City Gate has fallen!!!"

"The Seven Kill Cult has broken through!!!"

"Everyone, run!!!"

Piercing screams, terrified wails, the chaotic sound of footsteps, the sharp clashing of weapons, and the thunderous roar of collapsing houses swept in from the east like a bursting dam, instantly engulfing the entire county town.

"Not good!"

Jiang Ye's figure flickered as he darted to the window.

He pushed it open and looked toward the east side of the city.

Over there, flames soared into the sky! Thick smoke billowed, dyeing half the night sky a terrifying, dark crimson!

The screams grew closer and more frequent, spreading like a tidal wave toward the west and south of the city.

"The Seven Kill Cult has made their move so quickly?!"

A chilling, murderous glint flashed through the eyes of Jiang Ye.

The tragic state of Lushan County, the slaughter that left nine out of ten houses empty, and those rumored scenes of bloodshed flashed rapidly through his mind.

Thud, thud, thud!!!

Urgent knocking suddenly erupted, accompanied by the hushed, frantic voice of Liu Qingshi: "Old Jiang! Quick! Pack your things, we leave immediately!"

Jiang Ye did not delay. He grabbed the bundle he had packed long ago and pushed the door open.

Outside the door, Liu Qingshi's face was ashen, his eyes filled with gravity and urgency.

Behind him, Huang Xiyu was deathly pale, clutching Liu Yiyi's hand tightly, her entire body trembling.

Liu Yiyi was composed, yet within those cold, clear eyes flickered an unprecedented sense of shock and vigilance.

"The people of the Su Family are already gathering! Follow me quickly!"

Liu Qingshi grabbed Jiang Ye by the arm and led him rushing toward the front courtyard of the Su Mansion.

Passing through the corridors and over the rockeries, the scene in the front courtyard came into view.

Su Chen stood in the center of the yard, his expression grave as he directed his family members and servants.

Several men who appeared to be stewards hurried about, counting heads and distributing weapons.

Su Yan stood beside her father, dressed in a sturdy outfit with a short sword hanging at her waist; her face, usually soft and smiling, now held only cold vigilance.

"Master Liu!" Su Chen greeted them with a quick stride as they arrived, "The situation is critical, there is no time for talk!"

"My Su Family has a secret passage; we shall depart at once and escape Anxi County through it!"