Blood Battle

No one in the clan said anything; they were not so shallow, yet they visited less and less, making the atmosphere feel increasingly cold. However, such a small child did not understand these things.

Finally, Little One grew weaker and weaker, regressing to an extremely severe state where he could no longer even recognize Aman or Fourth Granduncle.

"Little Young Master, you must remember, you are a Supreme, and do not forget me, I am Aman." The beautiful little girl stood by the bed crying, her large eyes red and swollen.

But Little One could no longer speak; he did not know how to open his mouth to talk.

A month later, Shi Ziling returned. He had not found Thirteenth Master, and upon entering the manor, he immediately sensed that something was wrong; the atmosphere was strange.

"Where is Hao?!" he demanded.

When the couple saw Little One, they were shocked to the point of trembling. Was this still a child of only ten months? Why was he so weak, so thin and small? His eyes lacked any luster; where was the former liveliness and intelligence?

The weak Little One saw the couple and subconsciously opened his small hands, smiling innocently as if he felt a sense of kinship and warmth, wanting them to hold him.

"Hao!" Shi Ziling roared, his eyes nearly bursting with blood. His father was missing, his young son had suffered a calamity; he was mad with hatred.

"My child, what has happened to you?" Little One's mother nearly fainted, scooping him up and clutching him tightly to her chest.

"Ziling, it is I who have failed you both. I did not take good care of Hao. I should not have let others feed him. You may punish this old man!" the elder, who resembled a golden lion, said in pain.

"What exactly happened?!"

When Shi Ziling learned the truth, he was driven mad with rage. His black hair stood on end. Wielding a golden war spear, his body wreathed in runes and his battle aura boiling, he struck with a boom, shattering a palace with a single thrust of his spear and charging straight toward the residence of Shi Yi's branch.

"Eleventh, calm down! Let's talk this over; we will give you an explanation!" A group of people heard the commotion and rushed over.

The so-called "Eleventh" did not mean he had ten older brothers; it was simply his rank among this generation of the clan. It was a ranking used to foster closeness and unity within the family.

"Get lost!" Shi Ziling's eyes widened. He swept his golden divine spear, and runes filled the sky like a surging ocean, striking furiously at the heavens.

With a thunderous boom, the group was sent flying, all of them vomiting blood. They could not block him at all, and the protective patterns on their bodies shattered instantly.

Shi Ziling was like a golden god of war, bathed in towering golden flames. Holding his war spear, he strode forward, divine light shooting from his eyes. His voice was chillingly cold as he said, "Whoever dares to block my path, I will kill, no matter who they are or what their background is!"

"Eleventh, don't be impulsive!" a young man said, blocking his way.

"Impulsive? Hahaha..." Shi Ziling laughed wildly, his gaze icy. He shouted, "You are Shi Yi's uncle, aren't you? Thinking our branch has no one left to defend it? Get out of the way!"

He thrust his golden war spear forward. Myriad rays of divine light and endless runes coalesced into spear after spear of pure light, radiating a towering mist as they flew forward.

"Pfft!"

The young man on the opposite side struck back, but he could not stop the attack. His weapon snapped, his precious artifacts shattered, and then his chest was pierced by a golden war spear, sending him flying into the distance. With a "thud," he was pinned to the gatehouse of a massive palace, coughing up blood. His eyes were filled with horror; the gap between them was too vast.

"Ziling, don't do anything rash. We will let you deal with the wicked woman, but Shi Yi is still just a child; you cannot kill him." A group of elders appeared.

"All of you, get out of my way! Where were you when my son was suffering? She broke one bone of my son, I will break a hundred of hers!" Shi Ziling roared, tears in his eyes.

Returning to the clan and seeing his once lovely and intelligent son reduced to this state made his heart twitch and bleed.

"Boom!"

Shi Ziling slashed with his golden war spear. The divine technique was heaven-shaking, as if all the gods were chanting in unison. The rumbling incantations resonated, deafening to the ear.

The several elders blocking his path were all sent flying, vomiting blood, their faces filled with shock.

Thinking of his son, Shi Ziling's heart felt as if it were being sliced by knives. Little One was too pitiful; he was born a Supreme, only to have his bone stolen. As he wept, he prepared to embark on a slaughter.

Blazing rays of light bloomed as one elder sacrificed a string of bone beads. Each bead was as large as a goose egg, emitting a crystalline, precious glow. It was as if a cluster of stars had flown in from beyond the heavens, the energy fluctuations terrifying. They constructed a star map, the patterns spreading like a falling galaxy, the aura so majestic that it immediately shrouded Shi Ziling from above.

"Break for me!"

Shi Ziling shouted, his black hair dancing wildly. He swung his spear, and golden light surged, shaking the firmament. The corners of his eyes split open, and blood-tears flowed. His young child had suffered such a calamity, making his heart bleed; now, he would kill anyone who stood in his way!

The divine technique was heaven-shaking, the rumbling incantations resonating as if all the gods were chanting. Endless sacred light spilled forth, enveloping the area, and the star map hanging in the air exploded instantly.

"Shatter!"

Shi Ziling shouted, his spear thrusting forward. Primitive runes surged in waves, and the golden light engulfed everything ahead.

Amidst the cracking sounds, the string of snow-white bone beads shattered one by one. The powerful runic energy dissipated entirely, transforming into an ocean of divine light that spread in all directions.

Many palaces were immediately lifted into the air like fallen leaves, insignificant under such violence, before being pulverized in the high air and turned to dust.

Such a string of bone beads was a rare and powerful artifact, yet it was shattered by the war spear just like that, its divine essence dissipating into the world, causing many clan elders to feel a pang of heartache.

As royal kin, the Shi Clan held the title of princes and were very powerful, but even they could not afford to waste such rare artifacts so casually. The elder was bleeding from the corner of his mouth, his body shaking violently, his bones broken in many places. He was sent flying, crashing into a giant palace and causing it to collapse in a cloud of dust.

"Ziling, stop! We are all family; do not resort to such violence and harm our harmony!"

A group of elders emerged from the dust, covered in grime and blood. Their faces showed both anger and shock; this nephew was too powerful, rivaling his own father.

"Harm our harmony? My son's Supreme Bone was stolen, his life hangs by a thread, yet the wicked woman's branch still lives well—does that not harm our harmony?!" Shi Ziling's hair stood up in fury, the golden light on his body growing even more intense, illuminating the world as if divine fire were burning. His voice was cold as he shouted, "Though you are my uncles, you are no match for me. Aside from the wicked woman's branch, step aside, or do not blame me for being heartless and starting a massacre!"

"You..." someone showed anger.

"Ziling, let's talk this over. Is there anything we cannot sit down and discuss?" an elder urged.

"What is there left to discuss? You have already made your decision: the evildoers are protected, while the victim must lick his wounds alone? My son might not even survive, and you want me to sit down? Fine, then bring me that wicked woman and Shi Yi, and let me hack them to pieces!"

"Insolent! This was a decision made by over a dozen Clan Elders. Do you intend to rebel against the clan?" an elder shouted, holding a feather fan that crackled with wind and thunder. He swung it with force, and like a thunder god descending, endless purple light surged toward him.

"You are Shi Yi's granduncle?" Shi Ziling's pace had never stopped; he was still charging forward. At this moment, he let out a long roar, and his eyes erupted with endless, blazing electric light—it was also thunder, but it was golden.

"Crack!"

Suddenly, the thunder was deafening. The world was filled with electric light, and a violent explosion occurred.

The feather fan in the old man's hand shattered instantly. When the lightning faded, his entire body was charred black, smoke rising from his head, his life or death unknown. Then, a blazing golden light shot from Shi Ziling's eyes, striking him and sending him flying into a palace, from which he never rose again.

Everyone gasped. Shi Ziling was too powerful; he was truly a prodigy of his generation. Such methods and such a heroic posture, like a god of war, made the older generation look dim by comparison, unable to contend with him at all.

"Fifteenth Master really has sired a good son," someone whispered. The strength of the Fifteenth Master was legendary in the Imperial Capital. Who else could shoot down a Luan Bird—a creature of the ancient world—with two arrows? His cultivation was earth-shaking!

It was precisely because of this that he dared to hunt and kill a pure-blooded Pixiu cub on the Hundred Clans Battlefield. Many of the older generation had guessed the Fifteenth Master's intention: he wanted to use the true blood of a Pixiu to baptize his grandson's body.

Now, his son was just as overwhelmingly strong, his power shaking the Imperial Capital to the point where even the elders were no match for him. Like a golden god of war, how could he not make people tremble?

It could be said that if it weren't for the other branch producing Shi Yi, who was born with the Double Pupil and possessed the potential of an ancient saint or deity, Shi Ziling would undoubtedly have been the one to lead the clan in the future.

In fact, even with the emergence of Shi Yi, the branch of Shi Ziling was destined to rise; no one could hide their brilliance, because his youngest son was born with the Supreme Bone.

Regrettably, this was the final outcome, leaving people to wring their hands and sigh.

Boom!

Shi Ziling strode forward. With every step he took, the earth cracked open with massive fissures. He was like a golden giant on the march, and nothing could stand in his way.

"Bind!"

An old man shouted, brandishing a vine. This was a precious artifact transformed from a powerful plant spirit; it was dark brown, but now it glowed with a shimmering light.

With a loud crash, the ground between the palaces was pierced. Vine after vine shot up, all radiating precious light like dragons, rushing madly toward Shi Ziling to bind him.

"Trifling tricks. Those of your branch who block me shall die!" Shi Ziling roared.

He moved with the grace of a dragon and the power of a tiger, his aura overwhelming. His hair suddenly surged, each strand crystalline before erupting with golden light. He looked like a sun god, his entire being radiating a brilliant, blinding glow.

"Boom!"

His thick, golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall, rushing toward the vines. With unstoppable force, it shredded all the glowing vines and then struck the artifact in the old man's hand.

With a "puff," the precious vine exploded, burning into ash. This display of overwhelming power left the crowd stunned and chilled to the bone.

"Get out of the way!"

Shi Ziling shouted. He swung his long spear, and with a splash of blood, he skewered the old man and sent him flying into a rockery, blood spraying everywhere.

"Ziling, you have fallen into the demonic path! Stop at once!" a group of elders shouted.

"If seeking justice for my youngest son is considered falling into the demonic path, then today I shall gladly become a devil!" Shi Ziling bellowed. His hair danced wildly as he bathed in the blazing golden light, charging forward with no one able to stand against him.

He swung his golden spear, and blood splashed dozens of feet high. Anyone who dared to block him was executed on the spot, causing everyone to retreat involuntarily, their faces pale.

"Form the runes! Lock down this space and suppress him!"

By now, they had entered the territory of Shi Yi's branch. The people of this lineage were anxious, using precious bones and other items to set up a killing formation to suppress Shi Ziling.

"Let's see who can stop me!" Shi Ziling was like an unrivaled Devil King. His killing intent soared to the heavens, and the light in his eyes made the elders tremble and retreat. Wherever his gaze fell, no one dared to meet his eyes. Shi Ziling covered dozens of feet with each step, his spear booming forward and shattering the palaces of the opposing branch one after another.

"Suppress and kill!"

The precious bones glowed, and layer upon layer of runes intertwined on the ground and filled the air, forming a net of heaven and earth intended to trap Shi Ziling within.

"Roar..."

Shi Ziling went mad. His disheveled hair surged toward the sky like burning divine flames. His body erupted with infinite light; he was like a golden statue, standing tall and firm as he swung his spear with all his might.

At that moment, the chanting of gods and deities echoed once more. Infinite power surged, and his precious techniques were earth-shattering. He was like a golden god, sweeping across all directions.

"Boom!"

A violent explosion occurred. Rocks shattered and flew into the clouds, and divine light spread outward like a vast sea. Shi Ziling's fighting spirit soared as he danced with his divine spear, shattering the entire area and causing all the precious bones to explode.

"All of you, go to hell!"

He swung his golden spear, and those participating in the formation were sent flying like straw dolls, falling in heaps with blood splattering everywhere. No one could stop his advance; he marched forward, unstoppable.

Shi Ziling's wife held their youngest son, her body flowing with a crystalline radiance as she followed closely behind him.

Little One was confused. He looked at the figure ahead, who resembled a god, and kept reaching out his small hands, feeling a sense of deep familiarity. He babbled, but could not speak a single word.

His mother's nose stung, and tears welled in her beautiful eyes. Her child, once so precocious and spirited, had regressed to this state, leaving her heartbroken, her soul bleeding.

"Stop him!" many screamed in terror.

Shi Ziling had fallen into the demonic path; he was completely berserk, and they were terrified. He was going to slaughter them all.

"Kill him! Kill him!"

As a royal branch, they naturally had many servants and even more death-sworn warriors. Fearing that Shi Ziling would return to settle scores, they had naturally made preparations. A dense crowd of people rushed forward—all experts, fearless of death—hoping to use their numbers to wear Shi Ziling down and suppress him.

"Worthless rabble!"

Shi Ziling was fearless. He thrust his spear into the ground and channeled his most powerful technique. At this moment, he looked like a god being worshipped, his aura both sacred and terrifying.

A thunderous roar erupted, and infinite divine light burst forth. He stood at the center of the world, with the sun, moon, and stars revolving around him. A massive, ferocious beast manifested, sweeping across the battlefield.

"Awoo..."

The beast's roar was deafening. This was an earth-shattering technique; the blurred, ancient beast rampaged wildly, and with every swipe of its claws, dozens of people were bathed in blood.

The area became a slaughterhouse. The massive creature was invincible, and in its leaps, over a hundred experts were quickly cut down, leaving the rest paralyzed with fear.

Such terrifying methods made one's hair stand on end. A single man, fighting so many experts of the opposing branch—it was truly shocking.

"Boom!"

In the end, Shi Ziling himself took action. His entire body erupted with ten thousand zhang of golden light, shaking the heavens and moving the earth. He swept forward, and the remaining men were sent flying, blood spraying through the air.

In a mere instant, the area ahead was cleared; not a single person remained to block his path, as all had been dealt with.

"Ziling, have you killed enough? Has your anger been vented at least a little?" A group of people appeared ahead. The one speaking was "Fifth Elder," his body surging with crimson mist, resembling a blood-red phoenix undergoing nirvana, his eyes golden like two burning lanterns.

Beside him stood a child with sharp, prominent features and natural Double Pupil. Though young, his demeanor, his calmness, and his composure made even adults feel inferior.

After Shi Yi obtained the Supreme Bone, he became even more extraordinary. As his eyes opened and closed, divine light flowed, and every movement he made carried a faint, terrifying majesty.

Though still a child, he possessed an incredibly formidable aura, as if destined to tower above the masses and look down upon all living things, like a god descended into the world.

"Not enough!" Shi Ziling replied coldly. He looked back at Little One, whose large eyes were dull and lifeless, hanging on by a thread. His heart ached. He pointed his war spear forward and said, "Unless my son is restored, blood must be repaid with blood. You have committed such a vicious act that heaven itself cannot tolerate it. For every piece of the Supreme Bone you took from my son, you shall pay back with a hundred bones!"

"Ziling, no one wanted this to happen. Name your terms for compensation, but do not ask for anything that would sever the arm of our clan," the old man said calmly. "Fifth Elder, what are you saying?!" Shi Ziling's eyes widened. He stood firm with his golden war spear, glaring at the group of experts opposite him. "You stole my son's Supreme Bone, leaving him to wither and die, yet the culprit has become the 'arm of the clan'? How can you even say such words!"

"Fifth Elder" was the fifth in their generation, named Shi Yuan. He was a generation older than Shi Ziling's father and served as a Clan Elder, possessing unfathomable cultivation.

"Ziling, let us not discuss the rights and wrongs of this matter for now. Do not be angry; sit down and let us talk it over slowly. We will surely give you a satisfactory explanation." Shi Yuan's eyes opened and closed, divine light swirling, his aura intimidating.

"Spare me!" How could Shi Ziling not know that the clan had already made its decision? How could it be undone? He said coldly, "Let's put other things aside for now—hand over Hao's Supreme Bone."

The expressions of the group opposite changed. They were all experts from Shi Yuan's lineage, numbering several dozen. This demand was impossible to grant; they would never hand over the Supreme Bone, no matter what.

"Ziling, the Supreme Bone has already been grafted. It is difficult to remove it now. Let us compensate you with something else," Shi Yuan said smoothly.

"Whether it can be reattached or not is not for you to worry about! What belongs to Hao, no one else shall possess!" Shi Ziling shouted. A stifling rage filled his heart; the precious bone of a mere infant had actually been snatched away by others.

"No!" Shi Yuan shook his head firmly. "For the prosperity of our clan, this cannot be done. A natural supreme being must not be allowed to perish."

"You say no?" Shi Ziling's aura was like a rainbow, his eyes filled with lightning. He strode forward with his war spear, pressing toward them. "Then I will take it myself!"

He locked his gaze onto Shi Yi, his golden war spear pointing from afar at the boy's chest. Light erupted, and runes roared like thunder; he was truly about to strike.

On both sides of Shi Yuan, many experts held their weapons, eyes filled with fury, ready to strike. They would not allow the god-like child with the Double Pupil to die young; they were prepared to fight here.

"Good, good, good!" Shi Ziling said the word 'good' three times. His rage surged, and the golden light in his pupils grew even more intense.

"Ziling, any other demand is acceptable, but you cannot harm Yi'er." Shi Yuan stepped forward, his gait steady, his body surging with crimson light. His presence was astonishing, like the rising and falling of the sea. He was a supreme expert, renowned not only within the clan but throughout the entire Imperial Capital.

Shi Ziling raised his spear. What else was there to say? There was only battle. Around the golden war spear, one divine rune after another appeared. They looked as if cast from metal, possessing a cold texture, circling the spear and emitting an incomparable divine might.

"Kill!"

Shi Ziling charged forward. With a shake of his spear, the entire firmament trembled. Those runes seemed to have a life of their own, radiating divine brilliance as they suppressed everything below.

With a loud boom, the dozens of experts opposite could not help but retreat. It felt as if a hundred thousand mountains were pressing down, making everyone's heart tremble, forcing them to the verge of kneeling.

This was the gap in power. Shi Ziling was known as a prodigy of the Imperial Capital, famous in all directions. He was far beyond what they could contend with; only a Clan Elder could hope to fight him.

Only Shi Yuan remained in the field; everyone else stumbled backward, unable to stand, for otherwise, they would surely have been crushed to pieces by that aura.

A rumbling sound echoed as Shi Yuan's arms vibrated, resembling a blood-red phoenix striking the heavens. Crimson light surged into the sky around him, and his aura increased tenfold, blocking the might of the golden war spear.

Boom!

The war spear was like a rainbow, carrying an unstoppable momentum and a sky full of golden runes as it pierced through. The world itself trembled.

Shi Yuan's right hand was covered in dense runes as he struck forward, transforming into a divine wing wreathed in crimson phoenix feathers. It was dazzling and brilliant, accompanied by the cry of a phoenix that shook the heavens.

The phoenix wing collided with the golden spear like two active volcanoes crashing together. Magma surged, flames obscured the sky, and the area became so blinding that nothing else could be seen.

The two fought fiercely, exchanging dozens of blows in the blink of an eye. One was wrapped in golden light like a god of war, the other bathed in crimson mist like an ancient savage bird, the blood-red phoenix. They moved with incredible speed, constantly colliding, each impact releasing a sky-shattering brilliance.

The onlookers were all terrified. Shi Ziling was too powerful, forcing the clan's mighty Elder to fight for his life. It was truly unimaginable, especially considering the vast difference in their cultivation time! A phoenix cry rang out, piercing enough to shatter metal and stone. It was shrill, causing palace after palace to collapse, startling the experts into activating their runes to protect themselves, lest they be injured.

Shi Yuan's hair stood on end, his eyes filled with lightning, his body glowing. An ancient savage bird emerged from within him, entirely crimson, its feathers bright and vivid. It spread its wings to strike the heavens, pouncing toward Shi Ziling.

He had unleashed his strongest precious technique, his killing intent surging. The crowd was horrified; the Elder had actually been forced to this point.

"Roar..."

From Shi Ziling's side, a deep, muffled roar sounded. His entire body bloomed with golden light as a massive, ferocious beast emerged, filling the heavens and earth. It raised its head and roared, making all living things submit. It was like a king appearing, looking down upon the vast earth.

The beast's shadow was blurry, but everyone knew it must be one of the most powerful savage beasts, or it would not possess such a heaven-dominating aura.

With a thunderous boom, the massive beast swiped a claw downward, covering rows of palaces beneath it. Its ferocity shook the ten directions, and everyone trembled, on the verge of kneeling.

The ancient savage bird shrieked, its vivid wings striking out to slash at the beast's claw. The two clashed violently.

This was a duel of precious techniques, a peak battle between the two. It was a fight to the death, with no room for retreat. Vast divine light swept in all directions, striking terror into the hearts of all.

"Grandfather, strike his left flank!" At that moment, Shi Yi suddenly spoke. His eyes contained double pupils, swirling with divine brilliance. Even at his young age, he possessed an intimidating aura. His eyes could pierce through the origins of the world, spotting a flaw in Shi Ziling's defense, and he shouted out to remind his grandfather to attack the weakness.

Boom!

Lightning shot from Shi Yuan's eyes as he drove his precious technique. The ancient savage bird immediately dove down, striking at Shi Ziling's left flank, aiming to amplify that flaw infinitely.

"Roar..."

Unfortunately, the massive savage beast let out a roar that shook the mountains and rivers, instantly blocking the terrifying bird. It swiped a claw down, and the heavens trembled.

"Grandfather, attack under the beast's left armpit!" Shi Yi spoke again, his eyes incredibly profound. Wisps of divine light shot out, and mysterious power swirled, terrifying to behold.

With a loud boom, the ancient savage bird pounced again, its wings spreading and its beak opening to spew endless rays of light. Any single strand of that light was enough to destroy a group of experts.

Bang!

The savage beast raised its giant claw and slapped it directly against the bird's beak, blocking all the light and preventing it from breaking through.

"Strike its chest!" Shi Yi shouted again, his gaze burning even brighter, like two divine lamps ignited. The aura flowing from him made many feel a tremor in their hearts, a sense of dread.

"Boom!" The ancient fierce bird lashed out with its feathers, swift and vicious, sweeping toward the beast's chest. Alas, it struck empty air again, and the bird nearly got swatted by the massive beast claw, forcing it to retreat in a flash.

"It's no use, his speed is too great!" Sweat beaded on Shi Yi's forehead as he continued to point out weaknesses, but Shi Ziling remained cold and indifferent, paying him no mind. His strikes were like lightning, his mastery of precious techniques as untraceable as an antelope hanging its horns by its hooves.

Shi Yi possessed the Double Pupil, capable of seeing through many origins and finding flaws, but even with his guidance, he simply could not keep up with Shi Ziling's speed.

"Fifth Uncle, you are not enough!" Shi Ziling spoke, his body erupting with even more brilliant light. The massive beast shadow expanded rapidly before exploding, transforming into ancient fierce beast runes that surged into his body, merging with him.

He shone with brilliant radiance, walking forward with a battle spear in hand. Every step he took shook the earth, and the spear in his hand thrust out with blinding speed, the golden light piercing the ancient fierce bird and skewering it to death.

"Boom!"

The golden spear tip turned, thrusting forward. Shi Yuan revealed fear and dodged at top speed, but it was already too late. The runes wrapped around the blade, piercing through his shoulder.

Shi Yuan roared, using every ounce of his strength to concentrate all his runes toward his shoulder. The brilliance was dazzling, and he was sent flying backward. Mysterious symbols intertwined to prevent the wound from spreading, leaving a blood-hole that was transparent from front to back.

Had it been anyone else, their entire body would have cracked and exploded. Even with superior methods, that arm would likely have been shattered. But Shi Yuan's precious technique was astonishing, congealing the wound; though half-crippled, the arm at least remained intact.

Even so, he had lost his ability to fight. He looked as if he had aged ten years in an instant, collapsing into the crowd, unable to battle again.

The Clan Elder was defeated, and no one in Shi Yuan's lineage could rival Shi Ziling. This was shocking—how old was he? Only in his twenties, yet he possessed such oppressive power over the strongest of the clan!

The scene fell into a deathly silence; those of Shi Yuan's lineage were terrified.

Shi Ziling walked forward step by step, the golden battle spear in his hand pointing ahead. He locked his gaze on Shi Yi and said, "My good nephew, it was you who told your mother about the Supreme Bone in Hao's body, wasn't it? Such deep, calculating thoughts."

Shi Yi did not speak, standing in place with divine light flickering in his eyes.

"The clan wanted to punish your mother, and you threatened to die if they killed her, is that right? I wonder, if I kill her here today, would you truly draw a blade across your own throat?" Shi Ziling said calmly.

"Elders, will you not act yet?" someone shouted.

Shi Ziling did not look back. He had known all along that the moment he made his move, the Clan Elders had been deployed, using the precious bones of ancient relics to seal the entire estate, preventing the sounds of battle and shouting from reaching the outside world.

"Ziling, all the faults are ours. This wicked woman is here; you may kill her or carve her as you please, but Yi'er—you cannot touch him." Just then, several Clan Elders appeared together.

Each of them possessed astonishing strength; they were senior experts who had lived in seclusion for many years, several generations above Shi Ziling. Their eyes were as bright as small suns—these were the true powerhouses of the clan.

Before them, a bound woman was being escorted forward.

"Sister-in-law, is your heart truly red, or is it black?" Shi Ziling gritted his teeth, then shouted loudly, "You truly are heartless and ungrateful!"

Not far away, Shi Yi's face was cold, his Double Pupil glowing. The aura he emitted was incredibly startling, carrying a biting chill that made everyone shudder.

Shi Ziling continued, "I said it before: for every bone you break of my son's, I will break a hundred of yours. Today, even if the Heavenly King himself came, he could not stop me!"

The young woman looked up, her expression icy. She said nothing, but in her heart, she felt terror and regret. Her own family had clearly sent powerhouses to intercept and kill this couple—how were they still alive and back here?

"I will let you watch with your own eyes!" Shi Ziling roared. He then turned abruptly to face Shi Yi, raising the golden battle spear and swinging it like an iron rod.

"How dare you!" a Clan Elder shouted in anger.

"Ziling, stop! You cannot harm Yi'er, anything else is negotiable!" another Elder shouted.

"Shi Ziling, are you rebelling?!" the Elder who favored Shi Yuan's lineage shouted even louder.

These people moved to stop him simultaneously, unleashing heaven-shaking precious techniques that illuminated the sky.

"And what if I am rebelling? I said it: no one can stop me!" Shi Ziling bellowed. The golden spear in his hand continued its swing, its direction unchanged, smashing toward Shi Yi.

However, a group of elders stood in the way, unleashing all manner of precious techniques, their runes sealing the path as the spear descended.

Shi Ziling shook his arm, and runes intertwined—complex and profound—descending along the golden spear and emitting a bizarre power.

"Oh no!" All the Clan Elders were shocked.

They felt a secret force bypass their precious techniques and transmit through, striking toward Shi Yi. Although it weakened as it passed through them, it remained terrifying.

"What... what precious technique is this?" They were alarmed. It had never been recorded in the clan; it was incredibly strange, passing through their bodies and their techniques to strike forward. It was too late to stop it.

"Ah..."

Shi Yi let out a miserable scream, sent flying through the air to crash into a rockery. He was covered in blood, his bones crackling and popping as over a hundred of them shattered in an instant!

"Yi'er!" The young woman screamed in terror. She looked up, her malice shocking, and stared at Shi Ziling, saying coldly, "My father and the others will not let you off!"

"Swish."

Golden light flashed. Shi Ziling coldly threw the golden battle spear in his hand. With a pu sound, it pierced through her body, carrying her dozens of feet away and pinning her to the ground.

Silence reigned; everyone trembled! What kind of might was this? Several Clan Elders had acted together, yet they could not stop Shi Ziling. He stood like a war god, bathed in brilliant radiance, standing between heaven and earth, unstoppable.

The young woman bled, pinned to the ground by the spear, the golden shaft still vibrating slightly. This method of slaughter was incredibly intimidating.

With over a hundred bones broken in his body, Shi Yi was drenched in cold sweat. He looked up and saw the young woman, and two astonishing beams of light shot from his pupils as he let out a low, guttural roar.

It did not sound like the voice of a child at all; it carried a coldness, a rage, and a ferocity that sent a chill through everyone's hearts.

Shi Ziling was surprised. Even though his strongest strike had been blocked by several Clan Elders, isolating over ninety percent of its power, it was still not something an ordinary person could withstand.

He was just a child, not even four years old, yet he was this astonishing. Though his bones were broken, his spirit and vitality had not diminished; instead, he had become even more ferocious, like a divine furnace burning—something he had never seen in his life.

"Yi'er!"

The Clan Elders shouted, turning into streaks of lightning to arrive in an instant, surrounding him and shielding him in their midst. They were all horrified. This was the Double Pupil bearer, possessing the traits of ancient saints and gods, and he had even fused with the Supreme Bone. He was destined to rise and rule the ancient kingdom—how could they allow anything to happen to him?!

"Ziling, how could you do this?" an Elder shouted.

"Shi Ziling, you have gone too far! How could you bear to lay a hand on Yi? You truly have a heart of iron and stone—are you trying to cripple the very pillar of our clan?" A Clan Elder who favored the lineage of Shi Yuan spoke with harsh, biting severity, shouting his reprimand.

The crowd was in a panic; the Double Pupil could not die, and the heaven-born Supreme Bone could not be allowed to vanish. To lose either would be a catastrophic blow, for they were the very hope upon which their clan staked its pride in this world.

"And who, pray tell, has any pity for my son?" Shi Ziling asked, his voice calm. Yet, the chill in his tone, the cadence of his words, and the look in his eyes made everyone tremble; it was clear he had moved beyond mere anger.

Little One had been so bright and clever, born with the Supreme Bone, destined to look down upon the heavens and the earth. Yet, his sacred bone had been ripped away by others. His body had withered severely; he could no longer recognize his own kin, could no longer speak, and now lay on the brink of death, his very life hanging by a thread.

How could he be content? How could he not be enraged? Shi Ziling was driven to the brink of madness. Hearing such accusations, his eyes turned terrifyingly cold. Who had shown pity to Little One? Why had none of them shown such concern for him?

Two beams of golden light shot from his eyes like lightning tearing across the sky, startling the crowd into retreating, rendered speechless. Some of the Clan Elders felt a prick of conscience and fell silent.

"Little One... he is truly pitiful," someone finally sighed.

Born with the Supreme Bone, only to be met not with glory but with such treacherous harm—it was truly tragic. That innocent child was so kind, yet his fate was heartbreaking.

"Ziling, no matter what has been said, stop this now!" an old man urged.

Other Clan Elders knelt to examine Shi Yi's condition. As long as he was not dead, they would pay any price necessary to heal his wounds.

Wisps of multicolored light flowed from Shi Yi's eyes, a bizarre sight that slowly enveloped him like a cocoon. It nourished his body with a crackling sound, and his broken bones began to shift back into place.

Though they could not knit together instantly, he was no longer limp and was able to sit up. His eyes were as deep as a sea of stars, the Double Pupil radiating a mysterious power as the multicolored light continued to pour forth.

This was shocking, and many stood there in a daze.

"A true Double Pupil! Even more formidable than the legends suggest!" a Clan Elder exclaimed, unable to contain his awe after the initial shock.

With a low hum, Shi Yi's chest began to glow, suffused with a holy light that sealed all his bleeding wounds. His bones pulsed as if playing a divine melody, faintly beginning to knit together. This was the power of the Supreme Bone. The onlookers were stunned; it had been less than two months since the transplant, yet it was already this terrifying. It truly lived up to its name!

Shi Ziling felt a pang of agony. That was Hao's bone, yet it was exerting such astonishing power in another's body. If it were allowed to fully mature, how heaven-defying would it become?

"Ziling, stop," a Clan Elder urged.

"Shi Ziling, cease your actions now, or we shall suppress you this very day!" The Clan Elder who favored Shi Yuan's lineage was far less polite, his eyes filled with cold intent.

Shi Ziling beckoned, and the war spear pinned to the ground tore free. It erupted with a scorching golden radiance, and with a thwip, it flew back to his hand, trailing a spray of blood.

"Mother!" Shi Yi cried out. He broke free from the Clan Elder's arms and lunged forward, his eyes glowing with a terrifying divine light, desperate to mend the woman's shattered body.

However, before he could reach her, the young woman let out a miserable shriek as half of her body exploded into mist.

At the same time, Shi Ziling strode forward, his war spear pointed ahead, his killing intent chilling the air.

A Clan Elder immediately scooped up Shi Yi and retreated rapidly. Shi Ziling was now like a Devil King, slaying gods if they blocked his path and slaughtering Buddhas if they stood in his way; they had to avoid his edge.

"You ancestors, you have been here for a long time. Why not show yourselves?" Shi Ziling suddenly spoke.

The entire mansion had long been shrouded in a hazy glow. It was the sacred bone of an ancient beast, locking down this space and preventing the sounds of battle and shouting from reaching the outside world.

Four old men appeared, emerging from the four cardinal directions. They sat cross-legged atop the palace halls, wreathed in clouds and mist, appearing like chaotic deities from before the dawn of time. Their presence was terrifying enough to make one tremble.

They did not strike, but their presence suppressed the entire area.

"From the moment I stepped into this mansion, before I even made a move, you had already locked down the heavens and earth. Since it has come to this, why have you not acted yet?!" Shi Ziling demanded.

There was rage in his eyes. The moment he returned to the mansion, he had sensed something strange and sinister. Before he could even go mad, the most powerful figures of the clan had already laid their traps.

"Ziling, put all of this aside for now. In ten years, you shall take charge of our Shi Mansion," one ancestor said.

"Am I to act as a guardian for Yi, only to hand it over to him in twenty years?" Shi Ziling's voice was cold. He looked back at his wife and child. His young son had been born with the Supreme Bone, only to end up in this state. Everything else was empty.

"Ziling, you have already killed many. Your anger should be vented by now. Stop," another ancestor said.

"Very well! Return the Supreme Bone to my son!" Shi Ziling roared.

The four ancestors remained silent, sitting there wreathed in mist. They were indistinct, like chaos itself, blurry and vague, yet the faint, looming aura of majesty and terror made the very world tremble.

"Shi Ziling, you go too far! Do you know who you are speaking to? Those are the ancestors of our clan! Do you have no shred of reverence left?!" a clan elder shouted.

"Get lost!" Shi Ziling barked. Even the Clan Elders had been defeated by him; did a mere collateral elder dare to act on the authority of others? He thrust his spear, unleashing ten thousand rays of divine light and a thousand streaks of auspicious color. Golden runes pressed forward like a tidal wave. With a thud, the man exploded instantly, leaving behind only a mist of blood!

"Shi Ziling, the clan has treated you well. The ancestors have already promised to let you take charge of the family in ten years. What more could you possibly be dissatisfied with?" a Clan Elder said in a deep voice.

"If someone were to take a sword and slaughter your offspring, then come back and say these words to me!" Shi Ziling retorted without a hint of restraint.

"Then there is no other way. We must suppress you and banish you to the desolate, bitter lands!" one person shouted.

A massive, imposing old man stepped out, gathering all his strength to engage Shi Ziling in a fierce battle, intent on capturing him. The area was instantly flooded with divine radiance, the world turning bright and clear as it was enveloped in brilliant light.

However, in the end, the imposing old man was sent flying, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood. He was nearly torn apart, suffering grievous injuries.

The experts of the clan had all arrived, and seeing this, their hearts trembled. Shi Ziling was simply too strong. It was a true pity that such a talent had to be cast out!

The Clan Elders were moved, but three more stepped forward simultaneously, chanting incantations and launching a joint assault.

Instantly, the area was filled with the deafening roar of wind and thunder. Divine light surged into the heavens, lightning turned into a sea, and killing intent filled the air, transforming the space into a land of destruction. Various holy lights danced as supreme arts raged.

"Shi Ziling, you have such audacity! Do you intend to betray your masters and destroy your ancestors?" The Clan Elder who favored Shi Yuan's lineage roared, stepping forward to join the fray.

"Great-Grandfather, carry me!" Shi Yi suddenly spoke, asking the Clan Elder to take him into the formation to fight.

"You..." Shi Li was astonished.

"I am a Double Pupil. I can imbue you with mysterious power, granting you divine-like assistance in battle!" Shi Yi whispered into his ear.

Shi Li hoisted him onto his back and released his runes, wrapping them around the boy. The two seemed to connect instantly. Shi Li felt a sharp, stinging pain in his eyes, and then, he could see through all illusions. The movements and attacks of every art before him seemed to slow down.

Even as a Clan Elder of high status, he was shocked. This child was truly extraordinary; at such a young age, he already possessed such arts and divine abilities.

With a "swish," Shi Li charged into the battlefield and launched his assault, his eyes as brilliant as the scorching sun, capable of piercing through numerous flaws as he struck with wild, tyrannical force.

"Shing!"

A Precious Technique soared through the air, brilliant runes converging to manifest as a Flood Dragon Blade. Its scales were chilling and its dragon claws ferocious, slicing straight through the air with razor-sharp intensity; it grazed the edge of Shi Ziling's hair, shearing off a lock of black strands in a hair-raising moment.

"Good!" Shi Li was overjoyed at the success of his strike. He secretly transmitted his voice, ordering the others to coordinate with him, and while carrying Shi Yi on his back, they unleashed a round of peerlessly powerful killing moves.

Shi Yi's Double Pupil glowed as he lay on the Clan Elder's back, staring coldly at the figure in the battlefield who resembled a golden god of war; despite his young age, his gaze was enough to make one's heart tremble.

The four Clan Elders battled Shi Ziling with extreme intensity, leaving the gathered clansmen terrified and breathless.

"Hum."

Suddenly, Shi Yi transmitted his voice, gaining the cooperation of the Clan Elder to draw upon his vast, ocean-like essence and spirit to nourish his own body. His Double Pupil shone, projecting a field of runes that branded the void; they were so dense that they influenced every Precious Technique in the world, severely disrupting Shi Ziling's offensive.

"So strong!" many people exclaimed.

"Although this child is still young, he is truly extraordinary!" Even an ancestor sitting in the distance, shrouded in mist, suddenly snapped his eyes open.

Boom!

With a flash of blazing radiance, the four Clan Elders attacked like a violent storm, their Precious Techniques shaking the heavens. Shi Ziling swayed as his own technique was interrupted, nearly suffering a calamity; his eyes turned icy cold as he stared at his opponents.

"Protect Yi'er!" one Clan Elder shouted, a sense of fear rising in his heart.