He Yi-ming’s expression shifted slightly; in his cultivation these past few days, he had repeatedly provoked the blade radiance of the Guan Dao, and he knew its power intimately.

He had counted on this blade radiance as his ultimate trump card, much like Lü Xinwen's technique of stacking martial arts—it was his final means of survival.

Yet, after this strike of blade radiance landed on Lü Xinwen, the man acted as if nothing had happened and fled merrily. This was something He Yi-ming simply could not fathom.

A thought flashed through his mind, and he immediately said, "Uncle, your nephew will be right back."

With that, he unfurled his form and vanished in an instant. Although he carried a heavy Guan Dao, in his hands it seemed weightless, showing no sign of being cumbersome.

After the two Xiantian experts retreated, the scene was first dead silent, then suddenly erupted into intense turmoil between the two factions.

The servants and retainers of the Fan family behind Yuan Ze-wei suddenly let out a shout and scattered like startled birds and beasts. Only a few remained, watching Yuan Ze-wei with ashen faces. They had followed Yuan Ze-wei here, not belonging to the Fan family. Though they now understood that the Fan family was merely a shell of its former self, and they would never have the chance to enter the Yuan family lineage, at this moment they still refused to abandon Yuan Ze-wei and flee.

However, Yuan Ze-wei now possessed not a shred of fighting spirit. The muscles on his face twitched a few times, and he finally let out a long sigh.

With this sigh, he seemed utterly unburdened. His body slowly collapsed to the ground, his eyes devoid of any vitality.

He had struggled relentlessly his entire life for the position of Yuan family patriarch. Just as success was within reach, he discovered that this dream had been utterly shattered.

The old man could not withstand such a crushing blow and finally brought about his own end.

Yuan Ze-yu’s eyes were equally vacant. He stepped forward a few paces, arriving beside Yuan Ze-wei’s corpse, and gently knelt down, slowly closing the eyes that had not yet shut.

Yuan Chengzhi stepped forward, seemingly wanting to say something, but hesitated and ultimately chose silence. However, the sheer hatred visible in his eyes for Yuan Ze-wei made it clear that he felt not a shred of sympathy for his deceased grand-uncle.

Yuan Ze-yu stood up and said slowly, "Chengzhi, you go to the commandery city and bring back all of my elder brother’s descendants."

Yuan Chengzhi was startled and blurted out, "Father…"

Yuan Ze-yu waved his hand. "Say no more. I have decided. You may manage the shops in the city, but the fields and courtyards registered under the main branch must all be returned to them."

The old man’s words were resolute, allowing no room for negotiation.

Although Yuan Chengzhi was extremely unwilling, faced with the old master’s stubbornness, he finally dared not disobey, sighing and agreeing to the demand.

Yuan Ze-yu turned back, cupped his hands toward He Quan-xin, and said, "Nephew Quan-xin, today my Yuan lineage is preserved entirely thanks to the might of your He family. This old man thanks you deeply…"

He bent his knees, about to kowtow.

He Quan-xin’s expression changed drastically, and he quickly stepped forward, supporting the old man before he could fully kneel.

Yuan Ze-yu struggled twice, but He Quan-xin’s arms were as solid as rock, unmoving in the slightest.

He Quan-xin said earnestly, "Uncle Yuan, you and my father shared decades of friendship. If I were to accept this bow, how would I face my father when I return?"

Yuan Ze-yu sighed deeply, stood up, and suddenly said, "Nephew, there is a matter I wish you to witness."

He Quan-xin quickly replied, "If Uncle has a request, this nephew will certainly assist."

Yuan Ze-yu pointed at Yuan Ze-wei’s corpse and said, "As the saying goes, death is like a lamp extinguishing. No matter what he did in life, now that he is dead, it shall all be written off."

He Quan-xin hesitated for a moment. "Uncle Yuan speaks correctly."

"Good. Since nephew agrees, please witness this: I intend to re-register my elder brother's surviving descendants into the Yuan family genealogy and restore their lands and residences." Yuan Ze-yu stated seriously, "I ask for your witness in this matter. Should anyone in the future covet their land and wealth, I ask that you preside over justice for them."

He Quan-xin’s gaze fell upon Yuan Chengzhi’s face, his own expression filled with difficulty.

Yuan Chengzhi, however, looked livid. "Father, what is the meaning of this?"

"You know what I mean," Yuan Ze-yu sighed softly. "I simply do not wish for my elder brother's bloodline to be extinguished after I am gone."

Yuan Chengzhi scoffed, "Father, Great-Uncle treated you this way, yet you still insist on this? Do you think they will appreciate it?"

Yuan Ze-yu said calmly, "Whether they appreciate it is unimportant. I merely wish to protect this branch of the family."

"What if they become rebellious again in the future?"

Yuan Ze-yu replied calmly, "What I wish to protect are those who are content to live peacefully and honestly."

Yuan Chengzhi’s expression finally softened. "Yes, your son understands."

Yuan Ze-yu turned around. "Nephew Quan-xin, what do you think?"

He Quan-xin finally nodded. "Since it is Uncle’s request, this nephew dares not refuse."

Although he agreed, he understood clearly that this was merely the old man’s final act of sentimentality.

Even if Yuan Ze-wei’s descendants were allowed back into the Yuan family, at most they would live a life free from want. To ever again become decision-makers within the Yuan family was absolutely impossible.

After being marginalized for decades like this, no one could guarantee whether this branch would even survive.

If Yuan Ze-yu were alive, perhaps no one would dare bully them, but once the old master passed away, everything would become uncertain.

What He Quan-xin could do was offer this branch a sliver of hope, and perhaps prevent the rest of the Yuan family from openly setting their sights on their property.

After finishing his instructions, the old man excused himself to rest. As for Yuan Ze-wei’s body, the old master personally attended to the rites of collection.

Seeing the old master leave, the heavy atmosphere in the courtyard gradually dissipated.

Yuan Chengzhi let out a long breath, briskly ordered the servants to finish tidying up, and then quickly approached He Quan-xin. "Brother He, is Yi-ming... no, is Master He truly your nephew?"

He Quan-xin frowned upon hearing this. "Yi-ming is naturally my nephew." He paused, as if the tone wasn't firm enough, and heavily added, "Without a doubt."

Yuan Chengzhi instantly beamed with joy. "Excellent! Brother He, you kept this from me for so long!"

Although he complained verbally, his words were filled with excitement. This was truly turning a corner where hope seemed lost—a miraculous survival! If not for the appearance of Master He today, it would have been Yuan Ze-wei who died.

He Quan-xin twitched his lips, thinking inwardly, I don't even know the full story myself, how could I have deliberately hidden it from you? He glanced again in the direction He Yi-ming had departed, feeling a rush of emotion, as if he were dreaming. Second Brother, oh Second Brother, your son has already reached the Xiantian realm; surely the Old Master's wish can finally be fulfilled…

In the desolate mountain forest, a figure streaked across the ground like a bird navigating the trees.

In this figure's hand, he carried another person, yet it seemed as though the body weighed nothing at all.

Finally, after passing through a hollow in the mountains, the figure stumbled slightly and was forced to stop.

As soon as he stopped, he collapsed onto the ground, as if all his strength had been completely depleted at that moment.

"Grand-Uncle."

A startled cry rang out from beside him. Fan Hao-ri quickly stood up and helped support the old man.

This person was none other than Lü Xinwen, who had just been defeated in the clash of Xiantian masters. At this moment, no powerful life force could be felt emanating from his body.

His hair had turned completely snow-white in this short span of time, making him look like any ordinary old man. Dense wrinkles had appeared on his forehead, as if several decades had rushed across his body.

Although Fan Hao-ri was not a Xiantian expert himself, upon seeing the drastic change in the elder's appearance, he seemed to grasp something, and his face also turned utterly bleak.

Lü Xinwen coughed lightly; his voice had become incredibly hoarse. "I checked just now; no one is pursuing us from behind."

Fan Hao-ri was momentarily stunned and quickly replied, "Yes, Grand-Uncle."

"Do you know why I brought you away from there?" Lü Xinwen asked solemnly. Even in such a desperate situation, he showed no signs of panic.

Fan Hao-ri’s lips moved, and he finally said, "Grand-Uncle, you mean to seek vengeance for me and for the two Uncle Xiao brothers."

A bitter smile touched Lü Xinwen’s face. He shook his head slightly. "In truth, the first time I saw you in the Fan family, I recognized your innate nature and constitution were perfect for cultivating my methods." He raised his head and sighed deeply. "I had intended to wait for the other three to arrive, and then take you as my final disciple. But alas, those three will never return."

Fan Hao-ri looked up abruptly, his voice filled with shock. "Grand-Uncle, you…"

"I was struck by one of He Yi-ming’s blade radiance strikes. I never thought someone so young could not only have advanced to the Xiantian realm but even execute a blade radiance that slices through the air. Heh heh…" He gave a self-mocking laugh. "I truly underestimated him."

Fan Hao-ri opened his mouth to speak.

Lü Xinwen waved a hand. "Listen to me; do not interrupt casually. I do not have much time left."

The ominous feeling in Fan Hao-ri’s heart grew stronger, and he immediately clamped his mouth shut tightly.

"He Yi-ming is a genius of heaven-sent talent; his future prospects are limitless. Even if you cultivated diligently your entire life, you would never be his match. I rescued you not in the hope that you would seek revenge, because that would be no different from courting death." Lü Xinwen gasped for breath. "I saved you merely so you could inherit my techniques and ensure my lineage of martial arts is passed on, not extinguished."

Fan Hao-ri’s expression shifted rapidly. He had been defeated today, his father was killed, and the decline of the Fan family was foreseeable. Under these circumstances, even if Lü Xinwen could let go of his feud with the three Xiao brothers, Fan Hao-ri could not easily forget it.

Lü Xinwen took several deep breaths. "There is a rumor circulating in the martial world that I found the hidden dwelling of some senior master and obtained his treasures, which is how I advanced to Xiantian."

Hearing this, even Fan Hao-ri instinctively composed himself and paid close attention.

"Heh heh, I really don't know how those people guessed it, but they actually hit upon the truth," Lü Xinwen admitted helplessly.

Fan Hao-ri thought to himself: It’s not that they guessed the truth, but rather that whenever someone’s martial arts increase dramatically overnight, similar rumors always spread. You achieved sudden ascension to Xiantian; if this version of gossip didn't appear, it would be unnatural.

Lü Xinwen sighed deeply. "In truth, thirty years ago, I was ambushed by the Zhu family. Although I narrowly escaped, I was gravely wounded and nearly died. Later, by sheer coincidence, I did find the dwelling left behind by a senior master. Within that dwelling, there were not only miraculous internal energy and combat skill manuals but also two Xiantian Golden Elixirs."

Fan Hao-ri’s eyes widened. In a small place like He Family Village, few might know what a Xiantian Golden Elixir was, but having lived in the commandery city, he knew perfectly well: a Xiantian Golden Elixir was refined from the inner core of a spirit beast that had lived for five hundred years or more.

Once a Houtian master at the peak of the tenth level of internal energy consumed one, they would have a chance to step into the Xiantian realm.

While Limitless Golden Elixirs and Energy Golden Elixirs were precious, compared to the Xiantian Golden Elixir, they amounted to nothing. An elixir that offered a chance to cultivate a Xiantian expert was beyond description in value.

"I consumed one of those two elixirs, which allowed me to advance to Xiantian. The remaining one, I originally intended for one of the two Xiao brothers. But now that all three of them are dead, it will be passed to you."

Fan Hao-ri knelt heavily. "Yes, thank you, Grand-Uncle."

Waving his hand slightly, Lü Xinwen said, "There's no need for pleasantries, but you must remember that not everyone is qualified to consume a Xiantian Golden Elixir. The elixir I obtained was derived from the inner core of a water-attribute spirit beast. Therefore, only water-attribute cultivators have a chance to step into the Xiantian realm upon consuming it. Otherwise, the medicinal power generated by the elixir will not only fail to assist but will instead cause medicinal conflict, ultimately becoming a deadly poison."

Fan Hao-ri’s expression changed slightly, and he quickly replied, "I understand, Disciple." However, he thought to himself: Such a wonderful thing should naturally be kept for myself.

Lü Xinwen seemed to read his thoughts. He managed to draw another breath with difficulty. "I know you are tempted, but you must remember: if you have not managed to cultivate to the peak of the tenth level of internal energy before you turn eighty, then never touch this elixir."

Fan Hao-ri immediately asked, "Why?"

"A person’s constitution has limits. If you cannot reach that standard before you turn eighty, your physical body will slowly age, and it will become impossible to withstand the impact of the elixir’s power. Even if you reach the peak later, that aged body will still be incapable of enduring the shock of the medicinal force." Lü Xinwen said with solemnity, "Remember this point clearly; never forget it."

Fan Hao-ri bowed his head respectfully. "Yes."

A flicker of disappointment crossed his mind. Eighty years is not an excessive age for a Xiantian expert, but for an ordinary person or common cultivator, it is an age where one foot is already in the grave. In fact, in this world, the vast majority of ordinary people did not live to be eighty. However, given his own talent, even reaching eighty, he might not reach the tenth level peak.

Lü Xinwen took a piece of sheepskin scroll from his robes and handed it over. "This sheepskin scroll details the exact location of that dwelling. You may take it. If you are careful, you will surely find it."

Fan Hao-ri received it solemnly with both hands, glanced at it carefully, and placed it inside his robes.

Lü Xinwen sighed again. "The dwelling I accidentally entered back then was built by an unknown senior. It was filled with mechanisms far beyond my ability to decipher. Fortunately, there was a meditation chamber inside that seemed to be where the senior usually resided, so it was free of traps. I found the Golden Elixir and the secret manuals in that chamber."

Fan Hao-ri paused and asked instinctively, "Why would that senior leave those things in the meditation chamber?"

Lü Xinwen shook his head, his mouth bitter. "I do not know why. But based on the state of the meditation chamber, it seems something important happened at the time, causing the senior to leave in a hurry. But for some reason, he never returned. Alas… perhaps that senior met the same end as I have."

Fan Hao-ri’s expression tightened, and he quickly asked, "Grand-Uncle, your body?"

Lü Xinwen gave a wry smile. "That single strike of blade radiance from He Yi-ming severed the life force within me completely. I suppressed my injuries and rushed you here, exhausting everything I had. As for this old life of mine, there is no turning back now."

Fan Hao-ri’s face darkened, and tears began to well up in his eyes. In a sense, the two of them were kindred spirits sharing misfortune. Seeing the old man on the verge of death, he felt a strong sense of sorrow for the fate of fellow rabbits when the fox dies.

Lü Xinwen’s voice grew fainter. "The Golden Elixir and my cultivation insights are both in the dwelling. Go find them and ensure my lineage is passed on; do not let it be severed."

Fan Hao-ri knelt heavily, kowtowed three times, and said solemnly, "Yes."

Lü Xinwen nodded with satisfaction. His eyes slowly closed, and he mumbled, "How could his Xiantian energy be so strong? Was he already a Xiantian expert when he left his mother’s womb? Is he the legendary innate Xiantian powerhouse?" His voice grew fainter until it was barely audible.

Fan Hao-ri remained kneeling, motionless. After a long while, he reached out to check the old man's breath, and then his face began to twist.

He kowtowed heavily several more times, as if speaking to the deceased, yet also speaking to himself: "Grand-Uncle, rest assured, I will avenge this deep hatred for you and the Fan family." His teeth ground together audibly. "This disciple may never be He Yi-ming's match, but the Yuan and He families have only one He Yi-ming. When this disciple achieves success, I will first kill every single person in the Yuan and He families. I will slaughter them until not a single dog or chicken remains, so that he lives forever in regret."

His voice boomed out, firm and absolute, like nails driven hard into a wall, impossible to erase...

P.S.: Another chapter in two minutes.