Annihilation

At the same time, attacks of every color reached Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan seemed not to hear them, as though he had no free hand to defend himself and could only allow the attacks to strike him.

Rumble!

Another thunderous explosion rang out, kicking up billowing dust that swallowed Jia Lie Bi, who held a spear, and the lion Xiao Zhan had transformed into.

The black-robed men outside the dust cloud all breathed sighs of relief.

With Xiao Zhan's strength, there was no way he could withstand that round of attacks.

Even if he did, he would suffer grave injuries. Then, with their patriarch's strength, killing him should have been easy.

Yet as the dust gradually settled, the sight before them made the black-robed men's pupils contract sharply.

Their patriarch, Jia Lie Bi, was kneeling on one knee, one hand braced against the ground as he gasped heavily. He had clearly exhausted his strength, and his spear had long since rolled away.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan stood upright. Though his torn robes made him look somewhat disheveled, he had clearly suffered no serious injuries.

The difference between the two was immediately apparent, as was the outcome.

"How is that possible?!"

The black-robed men could not believe it.

Their previous attacks had been launched by several Da Dou Shi, not just any rabble.

Even a high-star Da Dou Shi would likely have suffered considerable injuries from those attacks.

Yet Xiao Zhan had taken the barrage head-on without suffering much harm. How could they possibly accept that?

Little did they know that Xiao Zhan himself was somewhat surprised.

He had originally thought he would suffer considerable injuries from those attacks.

But it seemed he had underestimated himself and overestimated others.

At the same time, hurried footsteps sounded out. Xiao Household members carrying torches arrived together, led by the Xiao Household's three Elders.

After surrounding the people present in a circle, the three Elders stepped behind Xiao Zhan.

They surveyed the black-robed men with solemn expressions, guarding against any attack on the younger Xiao Household members.

Jia Lie Bi forced himself to stand, his body swaying as he asked Xiao Zhan, "You've broken through to Dou Ling, haven't you?"

Though it was phrased as a question, his tone carried certainty.

As soon as he spoke, everyone present held their breath.

Confusion, shock, joy, despair—every sort of gaze intertwined before finally settling on the somewhat bedraggled Xiao Zhan.

Facing everyone's gazes, Xiao Zhan nodded calmly. He did not hide the fact that he had broken through, saying in an even tone,

"That's right!"

The moment the words fell, an uproar erupted.

The Xiao Household members were ecstatic, while the black-robed men turned ashen-faced.

Upon hearing this, Jia Lie Bi wore an expression that was neither laughter nor tears. After a long while, he finally let out a deep sigh.

He glanced at the black-robed men beside him. Grief and fury filled Jia Lie Bi's face as he threw back his head and roared,

"I am the sinner of the Jia Lie Family!!!"

With that, Jia Lie Bi used the last thread of Dou Qi in his body to take a dagger from his Storage Ring and slash it across his throat.

Splurt!

Blood immediately gushed out, dyeing the ground crimson.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan and the Elders could not help feeling wistful.

As two of Wutan City's three great families, they had fought and competed for many years, their grudges long since accumulated.

Now that they had personally witnessed one of those families meet its end, it was only natural to feel some melancholy.

After a long while, Xiao Zhan turned his gaze toward the black-robed men.

"Gentlemen, will you keep your dignity yourselves, or shall Xiao help you keep it?"

The Jia Lie Family Elders exchanged glances, and a vicious glint flashed through all their eyes.

The next instant, they scattered like streaks of light, charging at the surrounding Xiao Household members.

"How foolish!"

"Hmph, we were already on guard against the likes of you!"

Xiao Zhan and the Elders reacted instantly. Dou Qi surged through their bodies as they rushed toward the Jia Lie Family Elders.

Before long, the black-robed Jia Lie Family Elders had all lost their heads.

Heads rolled across the ground, and blood flowed everywhere.

Ignoring their boots stained red beneath their feet, Xiao Zhan and the Elders led the Xiao Household members present in a mighty march toward the Jia Lie Family estate.

The following morning

Pedestrians and vendors began appearing in the streets. Some noticed something strange about the Jia Lie Family and curiously went over to take a look.

Before long, a shocking piece of news spread through Wutan City.

One of Wutan City's three great families, the Jia Lie Family, had been wiped out!!!

As the perpetrators, the Xiao Household made no statement whatsoever and simply carried on as usual.

The Ao Ba Family, however, was another matter.

At that moment, Ao Ba Pa sat in the main seat of the Ao Ba Family hall, his face filled with terror.

The Elders seated beside him looked no better.

"Who did this?"

One of the Elders asked in horror.

"Who else could it be?"

Ao Ba Pa looked toward the Elder who had spoken, feeling utterly powerless.

The situation was already so obvious, yet there were still fools who could not see the writing on the wall.

"Come. Follow me to pay the Xiao Household a visit!"

Ao Ba Pa swept his sleeve, rose to his feet, and headed for the door.

The Elders exchanged glances and hurried after him.

Inside the Xiao Household hall, Xiao Zhan sat in the main seat and leisurely took a sip of tea.

After savoring it for a moment, he finally spoke.

"Brother Ao Ba, I only have one thing to say. From now on, there can only be one family in Wutan City—the Xiao Household!"

"As for your Ao Ba Family, either be exterminated or leave Wutan City as soon as possible."

The Xiao Household's three Elders, seated nearby, also smiled as they took sips of tea, their gazes playfully assessing Ao Ba Pa opposite them.

"How dare you speak to the patriarch like that?!"

An Ao Ba Family Elder who had come along pointed at Xiao Zhan and cursed angrily.

Ao Ba Pa immediately knocked him unconscious with a palm strike, then nodded ingratiatingly. "Brother Xiao, rest assured. Before tomorrow, I will lead the Ao Ba Family out of Wutan City!"

"Hm?"

Xiao Zhan rubbed his fingers together and simply looked at Ao Ba Pa.

Seeing this, Ao Ba Pa hurriedly removed the Storage Ring from his hand and respectfully offered it to Xiao Zhan.

"Brother Xiao, this is a small token of my regard. Please accept it."

Xiao Zhan took it and examined it. Afterward, he nodded in satisfaction.

He reached out and patted Ao Ba Pa on the shoulder. "Brother Ao Ba, I believe someone like you will prosper wherever you go. May you have a smooth journey!"

With that, he did not spare Ao Ba Pa another glance and continued savoring his tea.

Ao Ba Pa hurriedly pulled the Ao Ba Family Elders beside him into a bow. "Thank you for your blessing, Brother Xiao. Then this little brother shall take his leave."

As he spoke, Ao Ba Pa kept bowing while dragging the unconscious Elder out of the hall. The other Ao Ba Family Elders hurried after him.

Only after the Ao Ba Family members had left did Xiao Zhan reveal a smile.

"From now on, Wutan City will no longer have three great families. There will only be the Xiao Household!"

The Second Elder stroked his beard and smiled. "It is all thanks to the patriarch breaking through to Dou Ling. Otherwise, our Xiao Household would not have today."

"Wrong!" Xiao Zhan shook his head and corrected him. "It is thanks to Xiao Qing. If not for the medicinal pills he sent back, I would probably still be stuck at the Da Dou Shi stage, unable to advance any further!"

At those words, the three Elders exchanged smiles and nodded in agreement. "Indeed. For our Xiao Household to have such a brilliant son is truly a great blessing!"