Extermination

The plain, simple words drifted slowly into the residence, yet they rang in every banquet guest's ears like thunder, instantly silencing the once-lively scene.

Everyone turned to look toward the gate.

Amid the dust.

A youth in a silver-white robe slowly walked forward. His long black hair streamed freely behind him, and an Ancient Mask covered half his face, concealing his true appearance. Perched on his shoulder was a Second Order Greenwood Fox with faintly green fur.

This strange combination of one man and one fox abruptly entered everyone's sight.

The youth walked over to the Bronze Bell and gently stroked it with one hand. His calm gaze passed over the crowd before settling on Yao Ding and his parents. He said, "Do you all like this gift?"

The scene fell into an eerie silence. Everyone stared at Yao Yan in disbelief. No one had expected anyone to dare cause trouble here today.

This was Pill Cauldron City in the Medicine World.

According to the Yao Clan's Rules, whether outsiders or clansmen, no one was permitted to fight privately within the Medicine World. If there was a dispute, it could be reported to the Elder responsible for punishments in each city. Anyone who broke this rule would, at best, be confined for reflection, and at worst, be expelled from the Yao Clan or even have their cultivation crippled.

That was why everyone was so shocked as they watched Yao Yan come here to cause trouble.

"Could it be that you do not know the Rules of the Medicine World?"

Yao Ding slowly rose to his feet. Looking at Yao Yan, who had come to provoke him, his gaze turned cold as he demanded harshly. At the same time, Dou Qi erupted from his body, and a powerful aura swept through the entire courtyard. Two pale red Dou Qi Wings condensed behind his back as the aura of a Dou Wang pressed down upon Yao Yan.

Naturally, this aura was useless against Yao Yan. He did not even spare the man a glance, instead looking at Yao Ding's ashen-faced parents and asking, "Do the two of you still remember that Purple-Gold Spirit King Ginseng from back then?"

As soon as he spoke, several people's expressions changed slightly, including Yao Sang, Yao Ding's first teacher. Back then, it had been Yao Sang who helped Yao Ding refine that Purple-Gold Spirit King Ginseng. It was also because of that matter that he became Yao Ding's first teacher. Later, when Yao Yan's mother caused trouble, he had played no small part as well.

More than a decade had passed since then, yet someone had now brought the matter up again—and even come knocking at their door.

"...You're that child?"

Yao Ding's father seemed to recall something. His face darkened as he spoke. He vaguely remembered that when that woman had caused trouble years ago, she had brought along a two- or three-year-old child. He had not paid much attention to him at the time. After all, what could a toddler possibly remember? Yet he had never expected the boy to come seeking them out more than a decade later.

Seeing the Expression Change on their faces, Yao Yan understood. Hun Xuzi had not fabricated the story. Yao Ding's family had indeed stolen the Purple-Gold Spirit King Ginseng that should have belonged to him.

As for whether there were other hidden details, they no longer mattered.

"It's good that you remember."

Yao Yan nodded and said calmly, "The hatred of one's parents cannot be borne under the same sky. I came today to send you all on your way!"

"Arrogant!"

Yao Ding snorted coldly, his aura growing even stronger. He stared icily at Yao Yan and said in a deep voice, "I knew nothing about what happened back then, nor do I wish to investigate it further. If you leave now, I can pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, according to the Yao Clan's Rules, I have the right to capture you—or even kill you!"

His final words carried an icy Killing Intent.

He did not want to make this matter worse. Once someone died, the Elders in charge of punishment would inevitably be drawn in, and they would investigate everything to the bottom. Trouble would never end. Even if he managed to settle it in the end, it would affect his reputation in the Imperial City and might even affect his choice of teacher.

As for Yao Yan's worthless life, he would have plenty of ways to deal with him later.

"Your mother is dead today."

Yao Yan's lips moved. The simple words were the ultimate mockery.

"Good. Very good. I hope that mouth of yours can still say that in a moment!"

Yao Ding's face instantly turned livid as he said coldly.

He was young to begin with, and having someone ruin things like this on the most glorious day of his life had already shattered his composure. If he had not feared an investigation by the Elders in charge of punishment, he would have Made a Move from the very beginning. But Yao Yan still refused to let up. Clearly, he could no longer endure it.

The instant his words fell, he attacked. The Dou Qi Wings behind him trembled lightly, and his body shot forward. In the span of a breath, he arrived before Yao Yan and struck a palm toward his abdomen, intending to cripple all the Dou Qi in Yao Yan's body first.

Even now, he did not want to kill a fellow clansman. He even suspected that Yao Yan intended to use his own death to frame him.

He possessed a sixth-grade Dou Di Bloodline and had a bright future ahead of him. How could he lose sight of the greater good over something so minor?

In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind. He even considered how to clean up the aftermath and calm the storm once this was over. But soon, his mind went blank, because Yao Yan had tightly seized his wrist. At the same time, Yao Yan's calm eyes entered his vision.

How is this possible? I'm a Dou Wang!

Yao Ding stared at the scene in shock. Yao Yan had clearly not released any Dou Qi, yet the strength in his hand was terrifying. His grip made Yao Ding's wrist creak, and amid the sound of bones cracking, searing pain swept through him and made his vision go dark. At the same time, Yao Yan's teasing voice sounded beside his ear. "Your courage is commendable~"

If Yao Ding had kept his distance and used Dou Techniques to blast him apart, Yao Yan truly would not have had any way to deal with him for the time being. But that was the charm of words—they could make people angry and rob them of their ability to think.

Crack!

With the sound of bone breaking, Yao Ding dropped to his knees with a cry of pain. His wrist had been twisted into an unnatural shape.

But soon.

His cry abruptly stopped, because Yao Yan had seized his neck. Yao Yan had no intention of saying another word. He lifted Yao Ding slightly by the neck, then viciously smashed him into the ground.

The motion was fluid and swift, without a trace of wasted words.

"Stop!"

"Calm down!"

"Have you gone insane?!"

The people who saw this rose one after another, wanting to stop him. No one had expected Yao Yan to be so powerful, defeating Yao Ding in the blink of an eye and even intending to kill him.

Unfortunately, it was already too late for them to act. Yao Yan was fast, and his attacks were even more ruthless. Gripping Yao Ding by the neck, he slammed him heavily into the ground. The terrifying Giant Strength crushed the floor, spreading outward from the impact as cracks snaked everywhere. The gate collapsed outright, and smoke and dust filled the air.

Before anyone could make another move, a bell rang out. The Bronze Bell Yao Yan had brought shot through the air and smashed toward Yao Sang and Yao Ding's parents.

"Seeking death!"

Yao Ding's father roared. Violent Dou Qi erupted from his body as he shattered the incoming Bronze Bell with an enraged palm strike. Then he charged toward Yao Yan, intending to save his son.

As for whether he could win, he no longer had the sanity to consider such questions!

Yao Ding absolutely could not die!

He was the hope of his entire life!

Yet Yao Sang felt his entire body turn cold. Especially after Yao Ding's father shattered the Bronze Bell with one palm, that ominous feeling grew even stronger. His Soul Power also sensed the Space Barrier around them, as well as the tiny pill revealed after the Bronze Bell shattered.

His Pupils contracted. Amid the smoke and dust, Yao Yan's figure was revealed as he rapidly retreated, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Not good!"

Yao Sang had no time to shout anything. His heart simply skipped a beat as the tiny pill before his eyes cracked open. An Energy Fluctuation filled with Destruction Aura erupted, sending a chill through his entire body and making every hair stand on end. Yet he had no way to stop its eruption.

Boom!

Lightning and flames engulfed the entire residence, swallowing everything.

At the same time, Yao Yan crushed the Teleportation Jade Token in his hand. silver-white Space Energy instantly covered his body, and he vanished from where he stood...