The
Xiao Family Estate
was bustling with activity as the first light of dawn broke over Linfun City. Servants scurried across the courtyard, preparing for the
morning family assembly
, where the clan elders would discuss important matters.
No one paid attention to the
bloodstained ground
in the outer courtyard.
To them,
Xiao Li was dead.
A cripple, discarded like trash.
Not worth remembering.
Yet, as the sun
rose higher into the sky
, a shadow slowly
approached the Xiao Family’s Main Hall
—his
black robes tattered, his body radiating an eerie presence.
Inside the
Main Hall
, dozens of Xiao family members sat in an orderly fashion.
At the
highest seat
,
Xiao Zhen
, the
Patriarch of the Xiao Family
, sat with a stern expression. His
deep blue robes
, embroidered with golden cloud patterns, signified his
status as the clan head
.
To his left, several elders were gathered, whispering amongst themselves.
And at the center of attention—
Xiao Feng, the second young master of the Xiao Family.
A proud smirk played on his lips as he spoke.
"Father, I have done what was necessary. That cripple was a disgrace to our family. His death is a blessing."
The gathered members
nodded in agreement
.
"Xiao Li was a waste of resources."
"Better that he died than continue shaming our bloodline."
"Even if he had lived, his cultivation was crippled. He was finished."
Xiao Zhen’s
expression remained unreadable
, but there was
no sadness in his eyes.
The once-talented
Xiao Li had fallen
. That was simply the
law of the strong.
"It is unfortunate,"
the Patriarch finally said,
"but you are correct. He was no longer worthy of the Xiao name."
Xiao Feng’s smirk
widened
.
"Then as his rightful successor, I will take his position as the first young master of the Xiao Family."
Murmurs of
approval
swept through the hall.
Xiao Li was dead.
Xiao Feng would be the
next ruler of the clan.
Or so they thought.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
The sound of
slow footsteps
echoed outside the hall.
The
main doors creaked open
.
A
figure stepped inside.
His
long black hair
flowed freely down his back. His
eyes, once dull and lifeless, now gleamed with chilling intensity.
His posture
straight, unwavering—like a war god stepping onto the battlefield.
And on his
face… a smile.
A
smile that sent shivers
down the spine of everyone present.
"You talk about my death so casually, yet here I am."
The hall fell into
dead silence.
Xiao Li had returned.
"I… Impossible!"
Xiao Feng’s voice trembled, his
eyes widening in disbelief.
He had
personally shattered Xiao Li’s dantian
. He had
personally watched him bleed out
in the courtyard.
There was no way he could have survived!
Xiao Zhen’s sharp gaze
narrowed
as he examined Xiao Li.
His
son should have been crippled. Weak. On the verge of death.
Yet, the
aura
surrounding Xiao Li was
calm… powerful.
Something was
different.
One of the elders,
Xiao Yuan
, rose from his seat.
"Xiao Li, how are you standing?"
Xiao Li’s gaze swept across the room, his
calm smirk never fading.
"Disappointed?"
Xiao Yuan
froze
, unable to speak.
The Xiao family members
whispered anxiously.
"How did he survive?"
"He shouldn't even be able to walk, let alone stand with such confidence!"
"Could it be that… he regained his cultivation?"
Xiao Feng
gritted his teeth
.
He had already
taken his brother’s position
, already declared him
dead
.
He could not allow this humiliation.
"Father!"
he shouted, pointing at Xiao Li.
"He is faking it! His dantian was destroyed—he’s just putting on an act to embarrass me!"
Xiao Li
chuckled.
"Oh? You believe I’m still crippled?"
Xiao Feng’s face twisted in anger.
"Of course! If you’re so confident, then prove it!"
A flicker of
amusement
flashed through Xiao Li’s eyes.
"Fine."
He took a
single step forward.
And then—
BOOM!
A terrifying
wave of energy erupted
from his body, shaking the very foundations of the hall.
The
Xiao Family Elders
instantly turned pale.
"This… This is the Qi Refining Stage!"
"No, not just the first level! He's at least at the third!"
Xiao Zhen’s
eyes widened
in disbelief.
"Impossible! His cultivation was crippled! How did he recover… and advance so quickly?"
Xiao Feng stumbled back, his
confidence shattering
.
He had expected his brother to
crawl back in shame
.
Instead, Xiao Li stood before them
stronger than ever.
"H-How…?!"
Xiao Li took another
step forward
, his
smirk deepening.
"Xiao Feng, do you still believe I am a cripple?"
Xiao Feng’s body
trembled.
But before he could speak—
WHOOSH!
Xiao Li’s figure
blurred
as he suddenly
vanished.
Before anyone could react—
CRACK!
A
slap echoed across the hall.
Xiao Feng was sent
flying backward
, crashing into the stone floor with a
sickening thud
.
The entire
hall fell into stunned silence.
Xiao Feng clutched his
burning cheek
, his
eyes wide with shock and humiliation.
"Y-You… hit me?!"
Xiao Li
tilted his head, amused.
"It seems your hearing is still working."
He took another step forward,
his cold gaze locking onto his brother.
"I once tolerated your arrogance, thinking you were just a fool."
"But you took advantage of that and tried to kill me."
"Now, it's my turn."
Xiao Feng’s
face drained of color
.
For the first time in his life—he felt
fear.
And from the looks of
Xiao Li’s eyes
, he knew—
This was
just the beginning.