Chapter 39: Massacre
The calm and simple words drifted slowly into the estate, yet rang like thunder in every guest's ears—instantly silencing the once-cheerful banquet.
Everyone turned toward the front gate.
Amid the lingering dust—
A youth in silver robes stepped forward. His long black hair fluttered behind him, and half his face was hidden behind a plain mask, obscuring his features. Perched on his shoulder was a second-rank Greenwood Fox with pale green fur.
The bizarre pairing of boy and fox had suddenly stepped into everyone's line of sight.
The young man walked up to the bronze bell, gently resting a hand on it. His calm gaze passed over the crowd, landing on Yao Ding and his parents.
"I wonder… do you like this gift?" he asked.
For a moment, the entire room fell into an eerie silence. All eyes were fixed on Yao Yan, filled with disbelief. No one had imagined that someone would dare cause trouble here, today of all days.
This was Dan Ding City—within the Realm of Pills.
According to Yao Clan rules, both outsiders and clan members were forbidden from engaging in private duels within the Realm of Pills. Disputes were to be taken to the elders responsible for punishment in each city. Anyone who broke this rule would face consequences ranging from house arrest to expulsion from the clan—or worse, having their cultivation crippled.
That's why everyone looked on in stunned silence.
"Young man… perhaps you're unaware of the rules here in the Realm of Pills?" Yao Ding slowly rose to his feet. His gaze sharpened as he coldly questioned Yao Yan. At the same time, his Dou Qi burst forth, and two faint red wings of Dou Qi spread from his back—the unmistakable aura of a Dou Wang surged toward Yao Yan.
But that pressure had no effect on Yao Yan. He didn't even bother acknowledging Yao Ding. Instead, he turned to look at the ashen-faced parents and asked, "Do you two still remember… the Violet-Gold Spirit King Ginseng?"
As soon as he said it, several people in the hall visibly stiffened—including Yao Ding's mentor, Elder Yao Sang. He had assisted in refining that very ginseng for Yao Ding back then. It was also how he had come to teach him. And when Yao Yan's mother tried to raise a protest years ago, he had helped silence her.
A matter thought long buried had now returned—with vengeance.
"…You're that child?"
Yao Ding's father seemed to recall something. His face darkened. He vaguely remembered a woman causing a scene years ago, accompanied by a two- or three-year-old boy. He hadn't paid him much attention back then. After all, what could a toddler remember? Who could've guessed that little child would come knocking ten years later?
Watching everyone's reactions, Yao Yan understood—Hun Xuzi hadn't lied. Yao Ding's family truly had stolen the ginseng that should have been his.
As for any deeper schemes, they no longer mattered.
"So you remember. Good."
Yao Yan nodded lightly and said in a flat tone, "A grudge for my parents' deaths… cannot be forgiven. Today, I've come to send you all on your way."
"Arrogant!"
Yao Ding snorted coldly. His aura flared stronger, and he glared at Yao Yan. "I knew nothing of what happened back then, and I don't care to investigate. If you leave now, I'll pretend this never happened. But if you persist… then according to clan rules, I have every right to arrest—or kill—you!"
The final words were laced with icy killing intent.
He didn't want things to escalate. If someone died, the punishment elders would launch a full investigation, and it would be endless trouble. Even if things could be covered up, it would stain his reputation in the Imperial City and affect his future prospects—possibly even who he could apprentice under.
As for Yao Yan's worthless life, there were countless ways to deal with him later.
"Your mom's dying today," Yao Yan said casually, his lips curling in mockery.
"…Very well. Let's see if you're still smiling in a moment."
Yao Ding's face darkened with rage. Today was supposed to be his moment of glory. To be humiliated like this—his patience had reached its limit. If not for fear of the punishment elders, he would've acted already. But Yao Yan clearly had no intention of backing down. He could no longer tolerate it.
The moment his words fell, he struck.
His Dou Qi wings fluttered, and his figure vanished, reappearing in front of Yao Yan with a palm aimed at his abdomen—intending to cripple his Dou Qi immediately.
Even now, he didn't want to kill a fellow clan member. He suspected Yao Yan might be baiting him into murder.
He had a sixth-grade Dou Di bloodline. His future was limitless. He couldn't afford a mistake.
So many thoughts passed through his mind. He was already planning how to clean up afterward. But then—his mind went blank.
Because his wrist was caught.
Yao Yan had caught him—and with ease.
Yao Ding stared in disbelief. Yao Yan hadn't even released any Dou Qi… yet his grip was terrifyingly strong. His wrist bones creaked and cracked under the pressure. An intense pain surged through him as the bones shattered.
Then came Yao Yan's mocking voice: "You've got guts."
If Yao Ding had kept his distance and used Dou Techniques, Yao Yan would've had a much harder time. But words have power—they can provoke people into making mistakes.
Crack!
With the sound of bones breaking, Yao Ding collapsed to his knees with a cry of agony. His wrist was twisted into an unnatural shape.
But the scream stopped abruptly—
Because Yao Yan grabbed his throat.
Without a word, Yao Yan lifted him and slammed him headfirst into the ground.
The motion was clean, brutal, and without hesitation.
"Stop!"
"Calm down!"
"Have you lost your mind?!"
…
The crowd jumped to their feet, trying to intervene—but it was too late. No one had expected Yao Yan to be this strong. In a blink, he had overpowered Yao Ding and was going in for the kill.
But they were already too late.
Yao Yan moved too fast, and struck too hard. He smashed Yao Ding's face into the ground with such force that the floor cracked and splintered outward in every direction. The main gates collapsed. Dust filled the air.
Before anyone could act—
Clang!
The bronze bell that Yao Yan had brought came flying through the air—hurtling toward Elder Yao Sang and Yao Ding's parents.
"You're courting death!"
Yao Ding's father roared and unleashed his furious Dou Qi. With a single palm, he shattered the bronze bell and rushed toward Yao Yan to save his son.
Whether or not he could win—he no longer cared!
Yao Ding must not die!
He was his life's greatest hope!
Meanwhile, Elder Yao Sang felt a chill crawl down his spine. Especially after Yao Ding's father shattered the bell—he sensed a growing danger. His soul power detected a barrier sealing the estate—and a small pill nestled inside the shattered bell's remains.
His pupils contracted as he saw Yao Yan retreat through the smoke with a faint, calm smile on his lips.
"Something's wrong!"
Yao Sang didn't even have time to shout.
The pill exploded—
Unleashing a devastating surge of destructive energy.
Thunder and flame engulfed the entire estate.
At that very moment, Yao Yan crushed the teleportation talisman in his hand. A flash of silvery space energy surrounded him—instantly removing him from the scene…
(END CHAPTER)
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