After Zhang Haoyang's Cultivation Breakthrough to the Peak of the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm, it was around the Yin hour. Zhang Haoyang was sitting cross-legged on his bed, stabilizing his Cultivation at the Peak of the seventh level of Body Tempering when a whistle suddenly sounded from outside, followed by the 'swish, swish' of clothes tearing through the air.
"You little beast, you actually escaped! Come out and die!" A sharp voice rang out.
Immediately, the Shangguan Family's enemy attack gong sounded, and in a short while, the Shangguan Family was brightly lit. Shangguan Yuantian and a group of other experts had already gathered in the East Hall where Zhang Haoyang was.
Seeing the group of Black-Clothed Masked Men before him, Bai Shaoyang's eyes were filled with rage. It was this group of Masked Men who had annihilated the Zhang Family. Bai Shaoyang wanted to rush forward and fight them to the death, but Shangguan Yuantian held him back. Bai Shaoyang struggled a few times but couldn't break free. Shangguan Yuantian gently shook his head, signaling him not to act rashly, and softly said, "Protect Haoyang, that's what's important!"
Bai Shaoyang immediately retreated to Zhang Haoyang's doorway upon hearing this.
There were over thirty Black-Clothed Masked Men. The leader was a White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man, whose Cultivation was at the Major Achievement of the sixth level of the Nascent Soul Realm. The Cultivation of the other Masked Men were also all in the Nascent Soul Realm: about three at the third level of the Nascent Soul Realm, eight at the second level of the Nascent Soul Realm, and about eighteen in the Core Formation Realm.
Shangguan Yuantian's Cultivation was at the Peak of the third level of the Nascent Soul Realm, the five Grand Elders were all at the Peak of the second level of the Nascent Soul Realm, and Li Changfeng's Cultivation was at the Perfection of the second level of the Nascent Soul Realm. Additionally, the Shangguan Family Old Ancestor was at the fifth level of the Nascent Soul Realm but had been in secluded Cultivation for many years. Under the current circumstances, the overall strength of the Shangguan Family members was far lower than that of their opponents.
Although Shangguan Yuantian was extremely angry, due to the opponent's high Cultivation and large numbers, he could only first stabilize the situation and then think of a countermeasure.
Shangguan Yuantian suppressed the anger in his heart and said to the leading Black-Clothed Man, "Who exactly are you people? How can you not even spare a fifteen-year-old child!"
The White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man said, "Shangguan Yuantian, I consider it not easy for your Shangguan Family to have such a foundation in White Emperor City after hundreds of years; you should cherish it! What you can do now is immediately hand over the Zhang Family remnant, otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless. A wise man submits to circumstances; do not follow in the footsteps of the Zhang Family and invite the disaster of clan annihilation."
Shangguan Yuantian, who had been suppressing his anger, could no longer hold it back when he heard the other party say that the Shangguan Family should not follow in the footsteps of the Zhang Family and invite clan annihilation. He shouted, "Shameless villains, stop your chattering! Return my daughter's life!"
Before he finished speaking, he charged directly at the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man with his long sword. The White-Haired Black-Clothed Man, seeing Shangguan Yuantian attack, let out a cackling laugh: "Truly courting death!"
Immediately, the two began to fight. The Shangguan Family members, seeing their Family Head already fighting with the Masked Man, also immediately flew forward and joined the battle. At this time, Bai Shaoyang did not rush forward but stood at Zhang Haoyang's door, constantly on alert for sneak attacks. He was determined to protect Zhang Haoyang with his life.
After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Shangguan Yuantian was seen being sent flying by a palm from the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man, spitting blood, and falling heavily to the ground.
The five Grand Elders of the Shangguan Family and Li Changfeng were also injured to varying degrees, and many of the younger generation suffered deaths and injuries.
The Masked Men all walked towards the injured and fallen Shangguan Family members. Just as it seemed the Shangguan Family was about to follow in the footsteps of the Zhang Family, the East Hall door was pushed open with a "bang," and a tall, resolute-faced young man appeared at the doorway. He looked at the Masked Men before him with a murderous expression and said, "The person you are looking for is me. Do not make things difficult for my maternal grandfather and the Shangguan Family members."
After speaking, he slowly walked out of the East Hall, showing no fear towards the Black-Clothed Masked Men, whose Cultivation levels were all in the Nascent Soul Realm.
When Bai Shaoyang saw Zhang Haoyang come out, he immediately retreated to Zhang Haoyang's side, standing in front of him. He had already made up his mind that he would protect Zhang Haoyang even if it cost him his life.
Shangguan Yuantian, who had fallen to the ground spitting blood, struggled to slowly stand up. He staggered to Zhang Haoyang's side and shielded him with his hunched body.
The White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man saw Shangguan Yuantian and Bai Shaoyang standing alone to block Zhang Haoyang, vowing to protect him, and a look of disdain immediately appeared on his face.
"You two alone think you can stop me? Truly courting death! However, this child does have some courage; he shows no fear in the face of us!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Haoyang said, "What is there to fear? At most, it's death. If you have the guts, then kill me!" Then, Zhang Haoyang stared intently at the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man, a cold light in his eyes, and continued, "If you cannot kill me today, I, Zhang Haoyang, swear that in the future, I will slice you into a thousand pieces to avenge my clan's annihilation."
This murderous gaze actually sent a chill down the back of the Major Achievement of the sixth level of the Nascent Soul Realm. This made him incredibly surprised; a mere wet-behind-the-ears child, with only Body Refining Realm Cultivation, whose fearless words actually sent a chill down his back. He also cursed inwardly, "What the hell is going on?! He's just a child!" Although the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man didn't know why Zhang Haoyang made him afraid, he felt the tangible killing intent in Zhang Haoyang's eyes.
His original intention was to kill Zhang Haoyang, but because the mysterious people wanted the child alive, he could only capture Zhang Haoyang alive instead of killing him.
Looking at Shangguan Yuantian, Bai Shaoyang, and Zhang Haoyang before him, the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man mused that the Shangguan Family Old Ancestor was in secluded Cultivation. It was said that this Shangguan Old Ancestor was already at the Peak of the fifth level of the Nascent Soul Realm fifty years ago. After fifty years of secluded Cultivation, his Cultivation must have reached the sixth level of the Nascent Soul Realm or even higher. If the Shangguan Family Old Ancestor were disturbed and came out of seclusion, he would be very passive. The most important thing now was to capture Zhang Haoyang first. He had to act quickly!
Thinking this, the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man suddenly moved. His figure flickered and immediately disappeared from the spot, appearing next to Zhang Haoyang in the next moment. He extended his right hand to grab Zhang Haoyang, intending to capture him alive.
Shangguan Yuantian and Bai Shaoyang, who were protecting Zhang Haoyang, immediately attacked from two directions towards the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man upon seeing this. However, due to the vast difference in strength, their attack speed could not contend with the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man's.