The expansive room housed a warm stove, its blazing coals creating a world starkly separated in temperature from the outside.

Yet, at this moment, Fan Shuhe felt a bone-deep chill suffuse his body.

In his own chamber, a living person had appeared at some unknown point.

This man’s temples were faintly streaked with white, but his eyes were strikingly clear, tinged with a slight severity.

His face, a shade of brownish-purple, possessed a fullness around the forehead, cheeks, eye sockets, and ears, giving off an almost uncanny sense of vibrant energy.

That long, somewhat pointed facial structure complemented thin, sharply defined lips, the corners of which were stubbornly drawn downward, receding inward.

His gaze rested coldly upon Fan Shuhe, suggesting that this great master of the Tenth Level of Inner Strength was no different from a beggar by the roadside, incapable of stirring even a ripple of emotion in his heart.

It was this very placidity in his eyes that filled Fan Shuhe with shock and an indescribable terror.

As the contemporary head of the Fan family, he was naturally a man of broad experience.

Moreover, achieving the pinnacle of Post-Heaven mastery at the Tenth Level of Inner Strength before the age of sixty spoke to a talent and dedication far beyond the ordinary imagination.

Likewise, in his efforts to revitalize the Fan family, he had cultivated relationships with many highly skilled individuals, such as the two brothers of the Xiao family, whom he had painstakingly courted as friends.

However, among all his acquaintances, he had never encountered anyone so profoundly inscrutable.

He could not even recall when this person had entered his room.

After a brief push and pull, he positioned his son, Fan Haori, squarely behind him, before finally separating his feet into a stance that allowed for both advance and retreat, calmly asking, “Who are you, sir, and what business brings you to my humble residence?” Fan Haori stole a glance from behind his father.

The shock he felt was no less than his father’s; it was the first time he had ever witnessed such a fleeting expression of panic on his father’s usually unflappable face.

He had always believed his father to be a pillar of strength, an unfaltering master of the Tenth Level of Inner Strength who could remain impassive even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.

Therefore, seeing his father display alarm sent tidal waves of shock through his own heart.

The strange man, whose hair was somewhat grizzled but whose body radiated vitality, offered no reply and paid the father and son no mind.

Instead, he turned and settled into the main armchair at the center of the room.

His movements were not swift, yet they imposed an immeasurable sense of gravity upon the Fan father and son.

“What you said earlier was correct.” The man spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet possessing an awe-inspiring power.

Fan Shuhe blinked in confusion; these words seemed strangely disconnected from his own inquiry.

Cautiously, he spoke with deep respect, “Sir, you refer to…” “My two disciples were indeed not the sort to flee in the face of battle.” Fan Shuhe sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening abruptly.

“You—you are the master of the two Xiao brothers?” The man said coldly, “What, did those two youngsters neglect to tell you?” Fan Shuhe hesitated, drew his feet back to stand parallel, and bowed respectfully.

“Senior, the two virtuous brothers Xiao never mentioned their lineage to me.

They said that only upon reaching the Tenth Level of Inner Strength would one be qualified to travel the world under the guise of their master’s name.” Though the statement seemed peculiar, it was the truth.

Prior to this, Fan Shuhe had repeatedly tried to subtly question the Xiao brothers, but they had maintained a tight-lipped consistency, offering only this very explanation.

If a master of the Ninth Level of Inner Strength had said this, Fan Shuhe might not have believed him.

The Tenth Level of Inner Strength was the absolute limit for a Post-Heaven expert.

While there were many at the Ninth Level, who could guarantee they would break through that final barrier to reach the Tenth? However, the Xiao brothers were different.

Not only did they possess two sets of incredibly precious arm-guard treasures, but they also clearly commanded a cultivation technique derived from Innate knowledge.

The words spoken by such individuals were naturally hard to doubt.

Fan Shuhe had often speculated in secret, even entertaining the thought that their master might be an expert of the Innate Realm.

But that remained only a speculation; the distance separating him from an Innate expert felt too vast, making him seem utterly unattainable.

Yet, upon meeting this extraordinary man now, his heart hammered violently.

Perhaps his previous guesses had not been wrong… A slight smile finally touched the corner of the man’s lips; he was clearly quite satisfied with the statement.

Seeing this smile, laced with confidence, Fan Shuhe’s heart sank slightly.

His demeanor became even more reverent.

“Your junior, Fan Shuhe, has been close to the two Xiao brothers for many years; we are like sworn brothers.

May I dare ask your honored name? If you would deign to reside in my humble abode, I would gladly assume the duties of a disciple in place of the Xiao brothers and serve you.” The man paused slightly, then let out a short, proud laugh.

“I am Lü Xinwen.” The bodies of the Fan father and son trembled simultaneously.

He Yiming did not recognize the name, but how could the Fan father and son, natives of the Jinlin Kingdom, not know this name that represented sheer terror? Especially his notoriety for slaughtering a thousand people in a single day was enough to make any faction tremble in fear.

For an expert of the Innate Realm, unless they fought to the death without retreat, even a greater number of Post-Heaven masters could not hope to kill them.

In the presence of Innate Realm experts, Post-Heaven practitioners posed no threat unless they gathered in terrifying multitudes.

In short, the reason Innate experts regarded human life as worthless was purely due to their superior individual strength.

The muscles in Fan Shuhe’s face twitched slightly as he quickly said, “So it is Senior Lü who graces us with his presence.

This junior did not know; please forgive my offense.” Lü Xinwen waved his large sleeve.

“Enough.

Since you are acquainted with my two disciples, I will not trouble you further.” With that, his gaze shifted to Fan Haori’s face, and he abruptly asked, “You, are you afraid of this old man?” Fan Shuhe’s heart tightened.

The moods of these Innate Realm experts were impossible to gauge; if Haori managed his response poorly, the consequences could be disastrous.

However, though Fan Haori was terrified to death, he remained remarkably clear-headed at that moment.

He stepped forward, moving out from behind his father, knelt before Lü Xinwen, and bowed deeply.

“Great-Uncle, your nephew was indeed afraid just now, but I am not afraid anymore.” Lü Xinwen watched him with interest, making no move to stop the kowtow, and asked, “And why is that?” “Nephew was afraid upon hearing your reputation, but the moment I realized you are the master of the two Uncle Xiao’s, the fear vanished.” Fan Haori’s voice had wavered slightly when he began, but it quickly grew fluent, showing that his thoughts matched his words and that he spoke no falsehood.

A flicker of satisfaction appeared in Lü Xinwen’s eyes.

“Not bad.

You are quite sharp, and your courage is acceptable.

To reach the Seventh Level of Inner Strength by your twenties, and more importantly, without having consumed any Golden Elixirs—such talent is one in a thousand.” Fan Haori felt a stir in his heart, suddenly experiencing a moment of profound clarity.

He immediately kowtowed again, the top of his head making a crisp thud against the floor.

When he looked up, his forehead was crimson, clearly due to not using his Inner Strength for protection.

Lü Xinwen smiled slightly.

“Why do you bow to me?” Fan Haori said solemnly, “Great-Uncle, this nephew admires you greatly.

I do not seek to become your disciple, only to serve by your side day and night in the future, to fulfill the duties of filial piety.” Fan Shuhe, standing behind him, was both astonished and overjoyed, knowing that to earn the favor of this old man would be a blessing dropped from heaven, both for Fan Haori and for the entire Fan family.

However, facing Lü Xinwen, even he was struck mute with fear, daring not to speak a request, limiting himself to a hopeful glance and a respectful bow.

Lü Xinwen said calmly, “You wish to serve by my side.

Are you not afraid of my infamous reputation?” Fan Shuhe thought to himself, So you are aware that your reputation precedes you.

But he dared not show any expression, worrying internally about how Haori would handle this next query.

Fan Haori looked up and declared loudly, “Great-Uncle, your fame in the Jinlin Kingdom shines like the sun; how could it be considered a bad reputation?” Lü Xinwen laughed heartily, a sound brimming with unconcealed satisfaction.

“For these past two decades, everyone in the Jinlin Kingdom has rumored that I slaughtered over a thousand members of the Zhu family.

Is that not a bad reputation?” Fan Haori asserted righteously, “If this nephew recalls correctly, Great-Uncle, it was the Zhu family who provoked you first, and only after you achieved cultivation success did you take open revenge.” He paused, then continued loudly, “We martial artists should act on our grievances with straightforwardness.

If we constantly worry about this and that, are we truly men?” Lü Xinwen finally let out a full-throated laugh, a sound of incredible release.

The hearts of the Fan father and son eased instantly.

The inexplicable pressure they had felt upon learning Lü Xinwen’s name vanished completely.

They marveled inwardly, for they themselves could not explain why they felt such a wondrous shift in atmosphere, increasing their reverence for the old man before them.

Lü Xinwen’s smile faded.

“Very well.

You child, you suit my taste.

I shall keep you by my side.” Fan Haori was overjoyed, hurrying to bow, but before his head could touch the ground, Lü Xinwen waved his large sleeve, and Fan Haori was lifted upright against his will.

“Since I am keeping you near, I might as well tell you some things.

The rumors spread by outsiders over the years are not entirely true.

While the Zhu family was indeed wicked and I did destroy them, how could I, Lü Xinwen alone, slaughter over a thousand people? When I charged into the Zhu residence, I killed only about a hundred obstinate core members of the Zhu family who were attacking me.

The rest scattered and fled.” He smiled faintly.

“A thousand people scattering to save their lives—even if I had the will, I lacked the capacity to slay them all.

Public rumors are exaggerated hearsay; they cannot be fully believed.” The Fan father and son stared, eyes wide, taking a long moment to process the information.

Yet, far from looking down on him, their faces revealed genuine gratitude.

For someone of Lü Xinwen’s stature to take the trouble of explaining this matter to them was an honor they could never have conceived before.

Lü Xinwen glanced at them.

“Do you know why I explained this to you?” “(This junior/nephew) does not know.” The Fan father and son spoke solemnly, their tone more respectful than ever.

Lü Xinwen said leisurely, “Every time the brothers Xiao Yifan and Xiao Yifan return from training, they speak of your merits, saying you are brothers bound by life.

Moreover, I find this lad pleasing to the eye.

Otherwise…” He gave a slight snort; though the tone was not sharp, it caused a cold sweat to break out on Fan Shuhe.

At this moment, the head of the Fan family was overwhelmingly thankful that he had long discerned the profound mystery surrounding the Xiao brothers and had always made a point of being friendly with them.

Otherwise, the consequences today could have been unimaginable.

Lü Xinwen slowly stood up.

“Arrange a room for me; I need to rest for half a day.

As for the brothers Xiao Yifan, you need not worry.

They have likely gone to fetch my eldest disciple.

It is just that something must have happened for no news to arrive.” Fan Haori’s heart stirred, and he mustered his courage to ask, “Great-Uncle, has my Eldest Uncle also arrived?” Lü Xinwen smiled faintly, appreciating the boy’s quick wit.

“That is right.

My eldest disciple is named Zhuang Yuan.

Have you heard of him?” Fan Haori’s expression shifted slightly.

“I have heard of him.

Eldest Uncle is a famous cultivator in our Jinlin Kingdom, rumored to have broken through to the Tenth Level with fire-attribute techniques.” He paused, then added, “However, as far as I know, Eldest Uncle has not joined any aristocratic family, inheriting that trait from you, Great-Uncle.” Lü Xinwen nodded vaguely, his expression inscrutable.

Afterward, Fan Shuhe personally arranged lodging for him, while Fan Haori, truly setting aside the airs of the Fan family’s young master, began to serve him personally.

This fact undoubtedly brought Fan Shuhe the greatest satisfaction.

However, this good mood lasted only two days.

By the third day, there was still no word from either Zhuang Yuan or the two Xiao brothers.

At this point, even Lü Xinwen, who possessed immense faith in them, began to grow restless.

He summoned Fan Shuhe and began to question him in detail, focusing most intently on the process of the Xiao brothers’ confrontation with He Quanxin.

After hearing the account, Lü Xinwen pondered for a long time, then instructed Fan Haori to prepare a small carriage to travel toward the Yuan family manor.

Westward from the city, they finally reached a small grove beside the Yuan family estate.

The surrounding land belonged to the Yuan manor, but at this spot, Lü Xinwen abruptly ordered a halt.

Fan Haori, driving the carriage, stopped immediately, then watched as Lü Xinwen stepped down with a grave expression and circled the inconspicuous small wood several times.

Though Fan Haori was filled with confusion and unease, he dared not voice a single question.

Ever since Lü Xinwen arrived at their home, he had maintained an air of absolute confidence, as if he were an omnipotent deity, above any worldly challenge.

Indeed, with the combat strength of an Innate expert, if they could not accomplish something, it was unlikely anyone else could.

But in this grove, Lü Xinwen revealed an expression Fan Haori found unbelievable.

This expression seemed to encompass shock, rage, sorrow, and other intense negative emotions.

In that instant, the old man no longer appeared as the lofty Innate expert, but suddenly transformed into an ordinary elder.

After a long while, Lü Xinwen silently returned to the carriage, seemingly deep in thought.

Fan Haori cautiously inquired, “Great-Uncle, has something happened?” Lü Xinwen glanced at him and said slowly, “As I passed through this grove, I was suddenly afflicted with an intense discomfort.” Fan Haori’s face changed drastically.

“Great-Uncle, you must take care of yourself.” Lü Xinwen forced a weak smile and waved his hand.

“It is nothing, just some disquiet of the spirit, but I suddenly recalled Zhuang Yuan and the brothers Xiao Yifan.

Therefore…” He sighed deeply.

“I fear they may have met with ill fortune.” Fan Haori felt a chill like ice in his heart, yet he still said, “Great-Uncle, Eldest Uncle and the two uncles possess peerless martial arts; absolutely nothing will happen to them.” Lü Xinwen shook his head slightly and said sternly, “I know the combined strength of those three better than you do.

If anyone could truly hold them back, it could only be an Innate master.” Having said this, he strode forward, abandoning the carriage entirely, heading directly toward the Yuan family manor.

He slowed his pace as he walked, his expression growing more somber with every step, and Fan Haori following behind him felt his anxiety mounting.

Finally, about a hundred meters from the entrance of the Yuan manor, Lü Xinwen stopped completely.

He looked up, staring intently at the sprawling estate, his eyes flashing with unparalleled sharpness.

Their arrival had already alerted the guards stationed at the gate, but at this moment, those men did not dare to draw a full breath.

Although these guards could not possibly know the identity of the man before them, they clearly felt the pressure emanating from him, rendering them immobile, like frogs paralyzed by the gaze of a venomous snake.

Suddenly, Fan Haori shuddered.

For reasons unknown, he felt an immense, unimaginable pressure.

Though he could not determine its source, the terrifying sensation, like Mount Tai crushing down upon him, was undeniable.

Fortunately, the pressure vanished completely after only an instant.

But at that very moment, Lü Xinwen turned, walking back the way they came without looking back.

Fan Haori, startled, immediately followed close behind with lingering dread.

Lü Xinwen returned to the carriage and asked coldly, “How many days remain until your appointed meeting with the Yuan family?” “Reporting to Great-Uncle, there are five days remaining.” “Good.

We return immediately,” Lü Xinwen’s voice was utterly calm, as if devoid of any human emotion.

“Once back, I will enter secluded cultivation.

Five days from now, I will fight this person to avenge my disciples.” Fan Haori’s face instantly turned bloodless, all color draining away! Ps: Another chapter in two minutes ^_^