"Xiaojin, do you want to head back with me?"
Xiao Hao said to the little golden snake.
WHOOSH!
The little golden snake didn’t respond. Instead, it coiled directly around Xiao Hao’s waist, looking just like a golden belt. No one would ever recognize it for what it was.
"Haha! Let’s go back, then!"
Xiao Hao stroked the little golden snake’s head, then left the cave and headed for Celestial Water City.
A day later, Xiao Hao safely returned to the Xiao Family.
To this day, no one had discovered that he had entered the Demon Beast Mountain Range.
"Father, I’m back!"
The moment Xiao Hao stepped into his residence, he saw his foster father, Xiao Chen.
But Xiao Chen looked utterly haggard, and his hair had even turned considerably whiter.
"Hao’Er, where have you been? I’ve been so worried about you this past month."
Xiao Chen’s face lit up with joy.
"I went into seclusion to focus on my cultivation."
Xiao Hao said, a hint of guilt in his voice.
He hadn’t told Xiao Chen that he’d gone into the Demon Beast Mountain Range because he didn’t want him to worry, but his plan had clearly backfired.
"Hao’Er, I’m just glad you’re back. I have to leave for the Evil Wolf Stronghold soon. If I don’t return, you must take care of yourself."
Xiao Chen patted Xiao Hao’s shoulder, his expression full of reluctance to leave.
His Dantian was severely damaged, and his strength was less than half of what it was at his peak. How could he possibly be a match for Ma Hong, the leader of the Evil Wolf Stronghold?
Because of this, he had already prepared himself for death.
The only person he couldn’t bear to leave behind was Xiao Hao.
"Second Brother, don’t you worry. If something were to happen to you, I’ll be sure to take good care of this good-for-nothing."
Just then, a mocking voice suddenly drifted in from outside.
Immediately after, Xiao Yang walked in, leading a group of Xiao Family guards.
"Brother, I’ve never begged anyone for anything in my life. But now, I’m begging you. For Hao’Er’s mother’s sake, please don’t make things difficult for him in the future!"
Xiao Chen pleaded with Xiao Yang.
"I can agree not to make things difficult for him, but he must offer the Secret Treasure his mother left him to the Xiao Family. After all, the Xiao Family doesn’t support freeloaders."
Xiao Yang’s eyes were filled with greed.
He had always believed that Xiao Hao had only been able to defeat his daughter last time by relying on the power of the Secret Treasure.
And that Secret Treasure must have been what his mother left him.
"Hmph! Xiao Yang, keep dreaming! Even if I had a Secret Treasure—which I don’t—I would never give it to a pack of ungrateful, backstabbing wolves like you!"
Xiao Hao sneered, furious flames of anger erupting in his eyes.
’He finally understood. The Xiao Family was sending his foster father to his death at the Evil Wolf Stronghold for two reasons: first, to appease Ma Hong’s anger, and second, to get their hands on his Secret Treasure.’
’This was simply atrocious.’
’If he were stronger, he would have already cut all ties with the Xiao Family.’
"Insolent!"
a Xiao Family guard barked.
’How dare a good-for-nothing who Awakened a trash Martial Soul disrespect their Patriarch? Who gave him the gall?’
"Hmph! You good-for-nothing. I hope you can still act so tough later. Without the Xiao Family’s protection, you won’t even be able to survive. Alright, Second Brother, it’s time. We need to leave."
Xiao Yang began to hurry Xiao Chen along.
The Evil Wolf Stronghold’s lair was located in the Central Region of the Demon Beast Mountain Range. It would take at least a full day to get there from Celestial Water City.
Therefore, they had to depart immediately.
Otherwise, if they missed their appointment with Ma Hong, he would almost certainly retaliate against the Xiao Family.
"Hao’Er, I’m leaving now."
Xiao Chen gave Xiao Hao one last, reluctant look, then hurried away with Xiao Yang.
’Father, you’ll be fine. I’m going to destroy the Evil Wolf Stronghold right now!’
Xiao Hao’s fists clenched tightly, a terrifying killing intent flashing in his eyes.
...
A short while later, he used his profound Body Technique to evade the patrolling Xiao Family guards and appeared on the main street.
Then, he rushed toward the Demon Beast Mountain Range as fast as he could.
Although he had never been to the Evil Wolf Stronghold’s lair, he knew its exact location.
After all, the Evil Wolf Stronghold was infamous in the area around Celestial Water City. Countless innocent people had died at their hands.
Even the City Lord had placed a large bounty on the heads of the Evil Wolf Stronghold’s nine leaders.
However, because the Evil Wolf Stronghold was backed by the Black Dragon Alliance, no one dared to try and wipe them out.
Half a day later, Xiao Hao arrived near the Evil Wolf Stronghold’s lair.
The stronghold was located in the Central Region of the Demon Beast Mountain Range, an area teeming with Tier One Demon Beasts. Yet, not a single Tier One Demon Beast dared to approach the Evil Wolf Stronghold; doing so was a death sentence.
This was because the Evil Wolf Stronghold was guarded by nine Profound Realm Powerhouses.
Forget Tier One Demon Beasts; even a Tier Two Demon Beast would have a hard time leaving this place alive if it dared to invade.
"Haha! Today’s the day our Chieftain duels Xiao Chen. What do you guys think, will that son of a bitch dare to show up?"
"Hmph! That bastard was seriously injured by the Bai Family’s Patriarch. His Dantian is severely damaged, and his strength is a shadow of its former self! If he dares to come, the Chieftain will slaughter him with ease!"
At that moment, a group of bandits standing guard at the main gate of the Evil Wolf Stronghold were talking amongst themselves.
WHOOSH!
Just then, a figure shot out from the Ancient Forest like a Spiritual Ape, instantly appearing before them.
"Who’s there?"
The bandits were all stunned.
SLASH. SLASH.
But before they could even react, streaks of sword light flashed before their eyes.
In the next instant, their heads were lopped off.
The one who had attacked was, of course, Xiao Hao.
The Evil Wolf Stronghold was infamous for its countless evil deeds. Not a single person there was innocent.
Naturally, Xiao Hao showed them no mercy.
AHHH!
Soon, waves of bloodcurdling screams echoed throughout the Evil Wolf Stronghold.
Everywhere Xiao Hao went, bandits fell to his sword.
Even experts at the Ninth Layer of the Yellow Realm were utterly powerless against him, all of them cut down with a single strike of his sword.
"Chieftain, bad news! Someone is fighting their way into our stronghold!"
"He’s too strong! No one can stop him!"
In a large hall within the Evil Wolf Stronghold, a bandit with a grim expression reported to a burly man.
This man was none other than Ma Hong, the Chieftain of the Evil Wolf Stronghold.
"Brother, it seems our opponent is a Profound Realm Powerhouse."
"Hmph! I don’t care who he is. Anyone who dares to cause trouble in the Evil Wolf Stronghold will die."
"Let’s go. We’ll slaughter him right now."
Several of the Evil Wolf Stronghold’s other leaders, standing beside Ma Hong, said coldly.
"No need. I’m already here. Today, not one of you will leave this place alive."
Just then, a young man dressed in black night-prowling gear suddenly appeared in the hall and spoke, his face devoid of expression.
This young man was none other than Xiao Hao.