Main hall-Hao family
In the shattered silence of the Hao Family's main hall, the tension cracked like thunder in a brewing storm. Shao Huan, the leader of the once-proud Shao family, stood up with solemn authority. His sharp gaze swept over his elders. Then, without hesitation, he commanded:
> "Activate the Mysterious Huanjishu Formation! Prepare to annihilate them!"
Gasps rippled through the Shao family elders—none had expected their leader to unleash their clan's greatest trump card. This technique had remained dormant for centuries, preserved only for moments of absolute desperation.
A grim-faced elder sneered at the Hao family and declared with venomous pride:
> "This is your misfortune, Hao family! Today, you vanish from the face of Feng City!"
But as the ancient formation began to stir, crackling with spiritual light and demonic runes, Hao Xuan stepped forward—calm, unwavering, and almost bored.
There was no fear in his eyes.
Instead, he mocked them, voice cold and unshaken:
> "Only one rule echoes through the heavens:
'If you are weak, you deserve to die.'"
With that, Hao Xuan's hand flicked, and a chilling surge of energy erupted. A sword—elegant, but humming with terrifying destruction—appeared in his grasp.
> "Star Distraction Sword Art."
The words were whispered, but the world seemed to tremble.
This was no ordinary technique. Taught to him by his father—the clan leader of the Bai family from the Upper World, this sword art was nameless,Its strength could destroy the one fifth of a star—Hao Xuan had named it himself: Star Distraction Sword Art.
The slash came.
BAM! BAM!
The world seemed to rupture.
The Hao Family's main hall exploded into splinters, the ground itself cracked open in jagged fractures, and the heavens seemed to howl under the power of the attack. The Mysterious Huanjishu Formation—known for its vast destructive might—was utterly overwhelmed, crumbling like dried leaves in the face of the sword's radiant fury.
The skies split, the earth screamed.
And then—silence.
When the dust finally settled, a horrifying truth became clear.
The Shao family leader and all participating elders… were gone.
Not fallen. Not injured.
Erased.
Their bodies had been obliterated, no trace left behind but fading spirit residue and scorched stone. The rest of the room was a wasteland of ruin.
Hao Lan, former patriarch of the Hao family, along with all the remaining elders, stood frozen. Their eyes reflected the truth:
> They had feared Hao Xuan before. But now… they understood him.
They had heard whispers—how Hao Xuan had single-handedly wiped out the Lang family in a single night. But witnessing his true power with their own eyes was something else entirely.
Fear gripped them, yes—but also relief.
Because this man was not their enemy.
In that moment, they realized the genius behind Hao Xuan's action. This was not just power—it was strategy.
He had shown them enough strength to inspire unwavering loyalty.
The soul mark Hao Xuan had placed on each of them served only to prevent betrayal. It could not force loyalty, nor control their will. But now—after what they had seen—they would never dare cross him.
---
The Fall of the Shao and Chen Families
The surviving members of the Shao family, trembling with fear and despair, surrendered without resistance. The same followed for the Chen family, who had been scheming in secret alongside the Shaos.
Now, both clans were entirely under the control of Hao Xuan.
Soon after, reports reached the sect that had been secretly supporting the Shao family. The story that spread said:
> "The Shao and Chen family leaders plotted to assassinate the new Hao patriarch. In self-defense, Hao Xuan struck them down and unified Feng City under his banner."
Fearful of retaliation, the supporting sect chose silence. But they reported the incident to their higher superiors in the great sects of the Central Lands.
---
A Few Days Later – Hao Xuan's Residence
With the original main hall still under reconstruction, Hao Xuan convened a meeting in his personal chambers.
The former patriarch, Hao Lan, and all loyal elders gathered respectfully before him.
Hao Xuan sat calmly and said:
> "Elders, I have summoned you to plan our next step."
A respected elder bowed and replied,
> "We await your command, Lord Hao Xuan."
Without speaking further, Hao Xuan handed over a scroll. The elders passed it between themselves. As they unrolled the ancient parchment and read its contents, shock painted every face.
The old patriarch's eyes widened as he gasped,
> "T-this… this is an Earth Grade – Low Tier Technique! How do we have this?!"
But Hao Xuan only narrowed his eyes and thought coldly:
> "In the Upper World, this is a trash technique used only for wartime cannon fodder... And here, it's seen as a treasure."
He spoke flatly:
> "This technique allows breakthrough to 5th Stage Qi Cultivation within three months. I want you to train a large force. I'll need them for our next conquest."
He intentionally not told him that there is a back clash of this technique which is any one who breakthrough to 5th stage there foundation unstable so they can't breakthrough to 6th stage in there life time.
The elders bowed deeply. This was unprecedented.
Then Hao Xuan handed over a second scroll, this time to Hao Lan.
> "Mark the Chen family with soul seals, then give them this. It is a poison secret art."
The elders looked at it in awe—and dread.
> "This art contains knowledge to craft poisons capable of killing 6th Stage cultivators. Have them prepare a vast amount. This knowledge must never be leaked."
---
Next Mission: Domination
Hao Xuan's final words chilled the air.
> "In three months, we will strike against a First-Class family. Prepare every cultivator. I want overwhelming power."
He stood, and before leaving, handed a formation disk to Hao Lan.
> "This formation can withstand attacks from a peak 6th Stage team for three days. If activated, even a high-level enemy won't break through easily. If it's triggered, I'll sense it and return immediately."
With that, Hao Xuan stepped into the distance, leaving the Hao family to prepare for an upcoming storm.
To be continued -----