The Xiao Clan Battles the Jia Lie Family, the Flame Ruler Breaks Their Might

The night was black as ink, but the Xiao Clan residence was ablaze with light, its atmosphere heavy as iron.

After Xiao Yan told Xiao Zhan and the others that the Jia Lie Family would attack the next day, the entire Xiao Clan sprang into action. The brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li summoned all the guards, checked their weapons, and reinforced the defenses; Xiao Zhan took command at the center and kept everyone calm; Xiao Yan used the energy drawn from the Dou Qi Source Crystal to seize the time to consolidate his cultivation as a One-Star Great Dou Master, while playing out the next day's battle in his mind.

"Father, eldest brother, second brother," Xiao Yan said gravely, looking at his solemn-faced family. "Jia Lie Ao is a Five-Star Da Dou Shi, and his strength is formidable. We must not be careless in tomorrow's battle. I will deal with him myself. Eldest brother, second brother, I'll leave the other Jia Lie Family experts to you."

"Little Yanzi, you're going to face Jia Lie Ao alone? Won't that be too dangerous?" Xiao Zhan asked worriedly. He knew Xiao Yan was already a Da Dou Shi, but Jia Lie Ao had spent many years at the Five-Star Da Dou Shi level, and his strength was unfathomable.

"Don't worry, Father." Xiao Yan smiled faintly, confidence shining in his eyes. "Although I'm only a One-Star Great Dou Master, my Dou Techniques and trump cards are enough to deal with him." He didn't elaborate, but his unruffled composure put Xiao Zhan and the others considerably at ease.

[Ding! The countdown for the main quest "Family Protection" (2) has begun. Time remaining: three shichen.]

[System notification: The host is advised to exchange 500 points for one Dou Qi Recovery Pill (Profound Tier Low Grade), in case of need.]

Without hesitation, Xiao Yan spent 500 points on the Dou Qi Recovery Pill. The pill was lustrous white all over and gave off a faint medicinal fragrance. It could restore a large amount of Dou Qi in a short time, making it a potent asset in a prolonged battle.

As the night deepened, Xiao Yan stood alone in the courtyard, gazing up at the stars. He could sense the Jia Lie Family's presence hanging over Wutan City like a dark cloud, carrying a thick stench of blood. But he felt not the slightest fear, only a fiercely burning will to fight.

In this life, he would not only protect the Xiao Clan, but personally cut down the Jia Lie Family's arrogance and let everyone in Wutan City know that the Xiao Clan was back!

Early the next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, earthshaking hoofbeats and footsteps rang out in the streets in the west of Wutan City.

The Jia Lie Family's forces rolled toward the Xiao Clan residence like a black flood. At their head was Jia Lie Ao, patriarch of the Jia Lie Family. Clad in black armor and wielding a giant axe, he exuded the formidable presence of a Five-Star Da Dou Shi, pressing down like an invisible mountain and leaving the people along the way gasping for breath. Behind him followed five Jia Lie Family elders, all at the Two-Star through Four-Star Da Dou Shi levels. Farther back came hundreds of family guards armed with blades and spears, fierce and brimming with killing intent.

"Xiao Clan brats, come out and die!" Jia Lie Ao reined in his horse before the Xiao Clan residence and pointed his giant axe at the gate. His voice boomed like a great bell, making the doors hum.

The gates slowly opened, and Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li filed out with dozens of guards and formed ranks to meet the enemy. Xiao Yan stood beside Xiao Zhan, his blue robes fluttering and his expression calm. The black iron ruler in his hand gleamed coldly in the morning light.

"Jia Lie Ao, you've brought so many men to lay siege to our Xiao Clan. Aren't you afraid of angering the other families in Wutan City?" Xiao Zhan stepped forward and glared at him.

"Angering them?" Jia Lie Ao burst into wild laughter, his eyes full of contempt. "In Wutan City, the will of my Jia Lie Family is the law! Xiao Zhan, if you know what's good for you, open your gates and hand over all your businesses and mines. Then have that brat Xiao Yan cripple his own cultivation, and I might spare your Xiao Clan!"

"In your dreams!" Xiao Li roared, pointing his long saber straight at Jia Lie Ao. "If you want to touch the Xiao Clan, you'll have to step over my corpse first!"

"Stubborn fools!" Jia Lie Ao's face darkened, and killing intent surged in his eyes. "Since you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, don't blame me for showing no mercy! Attack!"

"Kill!"

Hundreds of Jia Lie Family guards surged toward the Xiao Clan residence like a tide, their blades and spears flashing coldly.

"Brothers, defend our home! Fight them to the death!" Xiao Ding roared and charged first. His spear shot out like a flood dragon emerging from the sea, piercing a guard's chest in an instant.

"Kill!"

Though outnumbered, the Xiao Clan guards fought without fear of death, clashing with the Jia Lie Family's men. Blades flashed, sword shadows danced, and flesh and blood flew. Piercing screams mingled with the clang of weapons, ringing to the clouds.

"Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, your opponent is me!" A Four-Star Da Dou Shi elder of the Jia Lie Family charged out, swinging a pair of hammers down at the brothers with a howling wind.

"Bring it on!" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a glance and moved to meet him from different sides. Xiao Ding's spear was swift as lightning, Xiao Li's saber fierce as a tiger. The two worked together seamlessly, fighting the Four-Star Da Dou Shi to a standstill.

Meanwhile, the other four Jia Lie Family elders also made their moves, attacking the Xiao Clan's other guard captains. The weakest of these elders was a Two-Star Great Dou Master. Though the Xiao Clan's guard captains were fierce and brave, the gap in strength was vast. They soon fell on the defensive, facing danger at every turn.

"Xiao Yan, your opponent is me!" Jia Lie Ao fixed his gaze on Xiao Yan like a beast locking onto its prey. "You dared kill an elder of my Jia Lie Family. Today, I'll make you taste a fate worse than death!"

Before his words had faded, his figure blurred, and he appeared before Xiao Yan like a ghost. His giant axe came cleaving down at Xiao Yan's head with the immense power of a Five-Star Da Dou Shi! Before the wind from the axe even reached the ground, the bluestone slabs had already cracked under the pressure.

"Bring it on!"

A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. His One-Star Great Dou Master Dou Qi erupted without restraint, his iron ruler humming as a dark red phantom of the Green Lotus Core Flame appeared in an instant.

"Flame Splitting Wave Ruler!"

A crimson ruler shadow, bearing the force to burn the heavens and destroy the earth, slammed head-on into the giant axe!

Clang!

Metal rang against metal like an exploding thunderclap. Violent shock waves spread outward from the two men, driving the nearby guards back again and again.

Xiao Yan felt an immense force surge through the iron ruler. Agony shot through his arm, and he stumbled back three steps before he could steady himself. He was secretly startled. A Five-Star Da Dou Shi's strength was indeed formidable, more than a full tier above that of Jia Lie Nu, the Two-Star Great Dou Master.

Jia Lie Ao was also driven back a step. He looked at Xiao Yan, surprise flashing in his eyes. "Not bad. You took one of my axe blows without falling. For a One-Star Great Dou Master, you're stronger than I imagined. What a pity-the gap between us is like a chasm in the heavens!"

He closed in again, swinging his giant axe in layer upon layer of shadows. Every blow carried the force to split mountains and shatter stone, sealing off every path of retreat around Xiao Yan. The Dou Qi of a Five-Star Da Dou Shi poured into the axe without end like a raging river, lending the axe shadows a faint earthy-yellow glow-a sign of highly condensed Dou Qi.

Xiao Yan dared not be careless in the slightest. He pushed Wind Walking Step and Explosive Step to their limits, his figure weaving through the axe shadows like willow fluff in a gale. His iron ruler did not remain idle, either. From time to time, he seized an opening in Jia Lie Ao's moves and launched a fierce counterattack.

The crimson ruler shadows of Flame Splitting Wave Ruler clashed repeatedly with the earthy-yellow shadows of the giant axe, producing deafening crashes. Though Xiao Yan's cultivation was somewhat inferior, his Dou Technique was exquisite, and it had the burning effect of the Green Lotus Core Flame. For a time, he and Jia Lie Ao fought an inseparable battle.

How is this possible?! Jia Lie Ao grew more and more alarmed. He had thought he could crush Xiao Yan with ease, never expecting his opponent's Dou Technique to be so strange or his speed so great. In particular, the flames on the iron ruler burned his Dou Qi with every clash, leaving him agitated.

"Brat, you think you can beat me like this? You're far too naive!" Jia Lie Ao roared. Dou Qi surged madly through his body, and the earthy-yellow glow on his giant axe became more solid than ever. "Taste my Earth-Splitting Axe!"

He raised the giant axe high, and its shadow swelled to several zhang in an instant. With the force to tear the earth apart, it smashed down at Xiao Yan! This was the Jia Lie Family's signature Dou Technique, Profound Tier Mid Grade and boundless in power!

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted as he felt unprecedented pressure. He drew a deep breath and pushed Burning Heaven Art to its limit. The phantom of the Green Lotus Core Flame on his iron ruler grew more solid, almost becoming real fire. At the same time, he circulated his Dou Qi to its limit, even burning a trace of his original Dou Qi to gain greater power!

"Flame Splitting Wave Ruler: Flame Prison!"

This was a new move of Flame Splitting Wave Ruler that Xiao Yan had created by combining Burning Heaven Art and Heavenly Flames Simulation! The crimson ruler shadow expanded instantly, becoming a burning sea of fire that completely engulfed Jia Lie Ao's giant axe shadow. Within the sea of fire, a faint dragon's roar sounded, carrying the overbearing force to burn all things to ash.

Boom!

An earthshaking crash erupted before the Xiao Clan residence. The crimson sea of fire and the earthy-yellow axe shadow collided violently and annihilated each other, while ferocious shock waves spread in all directions like a tsunami. The gates of the Xiao Clan residence were blown away, and the roof tiles of the surrounding houses rattled as though the buildings might collapse at any moment.

Dust filled the air, blocking everyone's view.

Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and the others locked in fierce combat all stopped instinctively, staring tensely toward the center of the dust cloud.

When the dust slowly settled, two figures appeared before everyone's eyes once more.

Xiao Yan's face was pale, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. His blue robes had been torn to shreds by the impact, but he still stood firm with his iron ruler in hand, his gaze as sharp as a blade. Though he had blocked that last blow, it had consumed a great deal of Dou Qi and even left him with some internal injuries.

Jia Lie Ao was no better off. His hair was disheveled, his black armor covered in cracks, and blood likewise hung at the corner of his mouth. There was even a small notch in the edge of his giant axe. He looked at Xiao Yan, his eyes filled with disbelief and deep apprehension.

"Your... your Dou Technique... how can it be so powerful?" Jia Lie Ao asked hoarsely. He couldn't understand how a One-Star Great Dou Master could take his full-strength blow and even injure him.

Xiao Yan didn't answer. He simply raised his iron ruler slowly. Though the flames on it had dimmed considerably, the lingering heat still made Jia Lie Ao's heart tighten.

"My turn," Xiao Yan said, his voice cold as frost.

He moved, pushing Explosive Step to its limit and charging at Jia Lie Ao like a bolt of blue lightning. At the same time, he pulled the Dou Qi Recovery Pill from his robes and swallowed it without hesitation.

[Ding! Dou Qi Recovery Pill consumed. Dou Qi restored by 30%!]

A cool sensation instantly spread through his body, and the Dou Qi he had just expended rapidly recovered, lifting Xiao Yan's spirits. His iron ruler swung once more, crimson ruler shadows falling like a raging storm, every blow gathering all his strength and will.

"No!" Sensing Xiao Yan's momentum returning, Jia Lie Ao felt a surge of fear. His last attack had consumed a great deal of Dou Qi, and now he was struggling to cope with Xiao Yan's furious assault.

He swung his giant axe, struggling to hold on, but Xiao Yan's fierce offensive soon had him scrambling to defend himself, with danger closing in on every side. The flames on the iron ruler constantly scorched his Dou Qi and armor, causing him unbearable pain.

Bang!

Xiao Yan seized an opening and struck Jia Lie Ao hard across the chest with his iron ruler. Jia Lie Ao screamed and flew backward like a kite with its string cut. He slammed heavily into a wall, blood gushing from his mouth. His giant axe flew from his hand and buried itself in the ground, humming.

Jia Lie Ao, a Five-Star Da Dou Shi, had been defeated!

The entire field fell deathly silent!

Whether they were from the Xiao Clan or the Jia Lie Family, everyone was stunned by the sight. They had never dreamed that Xiao Yan, a One-Star Great Dou Master, could defeat Jia Lie Ao, a Five-Star Da Dou Shi!

"Patriarch!"

"The patriarch's been defeated!"

The Jia Lie Family's people panicked at once, their morale plummeting.

Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and the others erupted in earthshaking cheers. Their morale soared, and their attacks grew fiercer.

"Kill!"

Xiao Yan gave the Jia Lie Family no chance to catch its breath. His figure blurred, and he charged once more at the Jia Lie Family elders who were still resisting.

"A Two-Star Great Dou Master? Take a blow from my ruler too!"

A crimson ruler shadow flashed. A Two-Star Great Dou Master elder who was joining others in attacking the Xiao Clan guards screamed as the iron ruler struck him and sent him flying backward, his fate unknown.

"And you!"

Xiao Yan swept through them as though no one stood in his way, swinging his iron ruler as crimson shadows darted among the Jia Lie Family elders. The Two-Star and Three-Star Da Dou Shi before him were like clay chickens and pottery dogs, unable to withstand a single blow, and fell one after another.

[Ding! Defeated one Two-Star Great Dou Master of the Jia Lie Family. 150 points awarded!]

[Ding! Defeated one Three-Star Da Dou Shi of the Jia Lie Family. 250 points awarded!]

System notifications rang out one after another, but Xiao Yan paid them no heed. He had only one goal in his sights-to utterly crush the Jia Lie Family!

Seeing their patriarch and elders all defeated, the Jia Lie Family guards were scared out of their wits. None dared fight on; they threw down their weapons and fled in all directions.

"After them!" Xiao Ding roared, leading the Xiao Clan guards in pursuit.

Xiao Yan did not follow. He walked up to the severely injured Jia Lie Ao, who lay on the ground, and pointed his iron ruler at his throat.

"Jia Lie Ao, you've lost."

Looking into Xiao Yan's icy eyes and feeling the threat of death, Jia Lie Ao finally broke down completely. Trembling, he said, "Xiao Yan... no, young master Xiao Yan... spare me... the Jia Lie Family is willing to submit... we're willing to hand over all our businesses..."

"Too late." Xiao Yan shook his head, not a trace of mercy in his eyes. "When you were suppressing the Xiao Clan, did you ever imagine this day would come?"

He pressed down slightly with the iron ruler, and the light vanished from Jia Lie Ao's eyes.

[Ding! Slain Jia Lie Ao, patriarch of the Jia Lie Family (Five-Star Da Dou Shi). 800 points awarded!]

[Ding! Main quest "Family Protection" (2) complete!]

[Rewards issued: Successfully broke through to the Two-Star Great Dou Master realm. Advanced version of the Profound Tier Mid Grade Dou Technique "Flame Splitting Wave Ruler" mastered. 3,000 points credited. "Jia Lie Family Treasury Key" obtained!]

A warm current instantly coursed through Xiao Yan's body. His injuries rapidly healed, and his Dou Qi surged as he easily broke through to the Two-Star Great Dou Master realm! At the same time, information about the advanced version of Flame Splitting Wave Ruler flooded his mind, deepening his understanding of the Dou Technique and increasing its power severalfold.

The battle was over.

Before the Xiao Clan residence, corpses carpeted the ground and blood flowed in rivers. The Jia Lie Family's main force had been utterly defeated, and its patriarch, Jia Lie Ao, had been killed. From that day on, the Jia Lie Family no longer existed as a power in Wutan City.

The Xiao Clan's people cheered and leaped for joy, embracing one another and weeping with happiness. They knew that from this day forward, the Xiao Clan would once again stand at the pinnacle of Wutan City!

Xiao Zhan walked up to Xiao Yan and looked at the son who made him so proud, his eyes full of excitement and relief. "Little Yanzi, well done! You've avenged the Xiao Clan!"

Xiao Yan smiled faintly and swept his gaze toward Wutan City, a profound look flashing in his eyes.

Defeating the Jia Lie Family was only his first step toward restoring the Xiao Clan. Next, he still had to go to Jia Nan Academy, find Xun'er, awaken Yao Lao, and embark on the true path of an expert.

But before that, he had one more thing to do-open the Jia Lie Family's treasury and see what treasures were inside.

He tightened his grip on the key, an expectant smile curling his lips.

His legend had only just begun.