Chapter 14
The next day, as dawn broke, the Xiao family estate was buzzing with activity.
A shocking piece of news had reached the ears of the Xiao family's senior members,the Gallie family and the Oba family had been wiped out overnight.
Upon hearing this, all the senior members of the Xiao family were in uproar.
The Gallie and Oba families were among the three major families in Wutan City.
For them to be annihilated so suddenly was astonishing.
However, after the initial shock, joy followed.
With the two great families gone, the Xiao family would now be the unchallenged leading family in Wutan City.
They had been troubled by the alliance between the two families, but now their problem had unexpectedly been solved.
Xiao Family Hall
A gathering of the senior members of the Xiao family was swiftly organized by Xiao Zhan.
The hall was filled with an air of cautious celebration.
"Clan leader, who could have done this?" The great elder couldn't hide his joy but was curious nonetheless.
"There's no clear clue. It's most likely an external force," Xiao Zhan responded, worry etched on his face.
If the force that destroyed the Gallie and Oba families decided to target the Xiao family, they would be in grave danger.
"Send the order to increase vigilance," he commanded.
The destruction of the two rival families was beneficial, but the threat of an unknown powerful enemy loomed large.
Xiao Zhan could only hope that the Xiao family would not be the next target.
When Xiao Yan learned about the destruction, he was equally shocked.
"To destroy two great families simultaneously, it must be a Dou Ling, right? Are there any powerful fighting spirits in Wutan City?"
"I didn't sense any Dou Ling, but your Xiao family does have a Dou Huang realm hidden inside," Yao Lao's voice suddenly interjected.
"What? A Dou Huang ?" Xiao Yan was confused. A Dou Huang fighter within the Xiao family? How could that be possible?
"Teacher, are you joking?" Xiao Yan asked skeptically.
"This Dou Huang isn't a member of your Xiao family," Yao Lao explained with a smile.
"Your little girlfriend has a mysterious background. She has a Dou Huang realm guard by her side."
"Xun'er?" Xiao Yan was taken aback.
The idea of Xun'er having a Dou Huang guard seemed ridiculous to him.
"Teacher, this sounds unbelievable."
"What? You don't believe it?" Yao Lao continued, "You need to understand your position.
Xun'er's background is formidable.
Even if she likes you, those behind her might never agree due to the vast difference in status."
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, his palms clenched tightly.
Yao Lao's words about the importance of strength and status rang true.
He remembered Nalan Yanran's condescending attitude, rooted in her superior background.
"The forces behind Xun'er are even more terrifying than the Yunlan Sect," Yao Lao said earnestly. "Your current status is insignificant to them.
Only by displaying fearsome strength can you bridge the gap and achieve what you desire."
Xiao Yan sighed, his thoughts drifting to Xun'er's past smiles and laughter.
He resolved firmly, "Teacher, I won't give up."
A sudden thought struck him.
"Teacher, could Xun'er be behind the destruction of the two families?"
---
Meanwhile, Xiao Ning woke up early, stretching comfortably.
He recalled the spoils of his previous night's activity and eagerly opened a package beside his bed.
The contents spilled out and over a dozen rings, some stained with blood.
After slaughtering two aristocratic families, Xiao Ning had not returned empty-handed.
He had taken the rings from all the masters he killed and looted the treasure houses of both families.
"I must be the richest man in Wutan City now," Xiao Ning thought, examining the rings with excitement. The spoils would be able to support his practice for a year, freeing him from financial worries.
Ignoring the noise outside, he focused on the gains from last night.
Now, with the two major families destroyed, no one would disturb his cultivation.
With everything sorted out, Xiao Ning's thoughts turned inward.
Beside the figure of Emperor Huang Tian, the second class inheritance star was now fully lit up. After devouring the souls of everyone in the two great families, he was ready to receive the second inheritance.
As his mind touched the inheritance star, it emitted a bright light. An extremely mysterious message flooded his consciousness.
A terrifying sword intent erupted within him, unparalleled in its intensity.
In a vision, Xiao Ning saw a grass with nine sword-like leaves.
As the leaves flipped, the world turned upside down, and sword energy cleaved through the universe, invincible.
"Cao Zi Sword Jue!"
After an indeterminate amount of time, Xiao Ning slowly opened his eyes, a flash of sword light reflecting in them.