"Quick, report to Sect Master Tang Chen!"

As the words fell.

Chen Fan did not linger, turning to Chen Jianjun and saying, "Uncle, let's go."

Chen Jianjun nodded. With a light flick of his Seven Kill Sword, the residual blood droplets on the blade were shaken off, splashing onto the floor tiles like tiny, crimson flowers.

He sheathed the sword with a casual motion, as if he were putting away an ordinary iron blade.

Xu Wensu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, walked over to Xu Changping, and lowered his voice. "Take the two girls and go."

Xu Changping seemed to snap out of a dream; he hurriedly grabbed Xu Jiuer and Xu Qinger, quickening his pace to follow.

Xu Jiuer and Xu Qinger were still in a state of near-numb shock.

A high and mighty Titled Douluo!

He had been slaughtered as easily as a chicken!

The Dai Family royal house, which had terrified them so, had been trampled into the dirt like mud!

Everything had happened far too quickly!

It was so fast that their minds could not even begin to process it.

The group passed through the long corridor of Taihe Hall, their footsteps echoing through the vast palace.

Guards and palace maids on both sides retreated, heads bowed, holding their breath to the absolute minimum for fear that even the slightest sound might draw attention.

No one dared to stop them.

No one dared to speak.

They didn't even dare to breathe too loudly.

After Chen Fan and his group departed, the entire Taihe Hall remained in a deathly silence.

It was only after a full two and a half minutes, as the stench of blood from the corpses began to spread, that the scene seemed to come back to life.

"Y-Your Majesty..."

An old official spoke up tremulously, his voice as dry as sandpaper rubbing against stone.

Dai Li did not respond.

He remained slumped on the floor, the puddle of warm liquid between his legs having already gone cold, soaking the hem of his bright yellow dragon robe.

Yet, he remained completely oblivious to it.

He simply stared blankly at the wall of Taihe Hall, which had been smashed into the shape of a human, at the head of Dai Renfeng rolling in the corner, and at the icy, lifeless corpse of Zhu Buchun...

The Dai Family...

His Dai Family's two reclusive ancestors, just like that... were gone?

Just like that, they had simply vanished?

Beside him, Empress Zhu leaned against the wall and struggled to stand, her face deathly pale and her lips trembling, yet she could not utter a single word.

As for the eldest princess of the Dai Family, she was curled up beside the dragon throne, her hands gripping her skirt so tightly her knuckles turned white. She trembled uncontrollably, the high and mighty arrogance she had displayed earlier completely gone.

After finally recovering her senses, she could no longer hold it back and burst into wails. "Father... the ancestors... the ancestors..."

She sobbed until she was gasping for air, tears and snot mixing together to ruin her makeup; there was not a shred of royal dignity left in her.

"Shut up!"

Dai Li seemed to be jolted awake by the cry; he suddenly raised his head, his voice hoarse and repressed. "What are you crying for!"

"The ancestors are dead—will your crying bring them back to life?!"

Dai Yue was so frightened by the reprimand that she choked back her sobs, leaving only her shoulders heaving as she let out suppressed whimpers.

Dai Li took a deep breath and, gripping the armrest of the dragon throne, managed to pull himself to his feet.

His legs were still weak, but the dignity of an emperor forced him to stand firm and avoid collapsing again. "Collect... collect the remains of the two ancestors."

"Yes!"

The imperial guards responded in unison.

With those words, Dai Li turned and staggered toward the exit.

Empress Zhu followed closely behind, stumbling as she was supported by a palace maid.

Dai Yue bit her lip, stood up, and followed quickly with her head bowed.

As Dai Li and the rest of the royal party departed, the civil and military officials dispersed one after another.

Soon, only a few imperial guards remained in Taihe Hall to clean up the mess, along with the lingering traces of frost that refused to melt in the air.

"Hiss!"

It seemed the icy chill finally stimulated Tang Wei, and he snapped back to his senses.

Only then did he realize that his cold sweat had soaked through his undergarments, clinging to his skin with a chilling sensation that made him instinctively touch his neck and swallow hard. "This..."

"Just what kind of strength does Chen Jianjun possess?"

He dared not imagine it.

If, if the target of those two sword strikes from Chen Jianjun had been him...

Tang Wei dared not think any further, instead taking a deep breath and walking quickly out of the Taihe Hall. "I must return to the sect immediately and report this to the Sect Master!"

Behind him, Tang Xiao had also become much more subdued, following along quite obediently.

"Uncle, it's fortunate you arrived in time this time."

Not long after leaving the Star Luo Imperial Palace, Chen Fan spoke up.

Chen Jianjun turned his head to glance at Chen Fan, wanting to scold him, but the words wouldn't come out; he only sighed. "Fan'er, you were indeed reckless this time."

Chen Fan smiled slightly. "I knew you had arrived, Uncle."

"Don't take such risks next time."

After a pause, Chen Jianjun knocked him on the head, annoyed. "You won't have such good luck every time."

"I had only just entered the palace at that moment, and hadn't even reached the Taihe Hall yet."

"If my swordsmanship hadn't been superb, you brat..."

"Heh, I just have confidence in you, Uncle!"

Hearing this, Chen Jianjun laughed and scolded, "You glib-tongued brat, you're exactly the same as your father."

"That... Your Excellency, what should we do now..."

Xu Changping, standing to the side, opened his mouth several times, wanting to speak but not daring to interrupt. Seeing the two of them stop talking, he finally spoke cautiously.

As the head of the Xu Family, he was likely the most down-and-out patriarch in the family's history.

His soul power level was merely that of a low-level Soul Emperor, barely over sixty.

But what had happened tonight?

He had never seen such a spectacle in his entire life!

First, he was nearly wiped out by Dai Li, and then his own ancestor appeared as if descending from the heavens. He had expected a fierce battle, but he never imagined that a 'divine pill' from Chen Fan would cause his ancestor, Xu Wensu, to break through to become a Titled Douluo on the spot!

Yet, just when he thought the matter was settled, he hadn't expected the Dai Family to produce two old monsters!

Just as he felt the Xu Family was doomed, he never expected those two old monsters to be cleanly and efficiently wiped out by Chen Jianjun in three sword strikes!

Even now, his brain was still buzzing, as if someone had stuffed a nest of hornets inside.

"How about... we go to my Xu Mansion to rest for a while?"

Chen Fan paused his steps, looked at the cautious Xu Changping, shifted his gaze to Xu Wensu, and said, "Old Xu."

"Sect Master!"

"Pack your things and prepare to relocate."

Xu Wensu was startled, but immediately nodded. "Yes!"

"This matter is likely very complicated; start making preparations now."

After a pause, Chen Fan added, "As for a place to rest..."

"We have our own arrangements."

Chen Jianjun spoke up suddenly. "Just focus on handling your own affairs."

"Yes, Your Excellency!"