Shangguan Yuantian's cultivation was at the Peak of the third layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, while Bai Shaoyang's cultivation was only at the Peak of the eighth layer of the Core Formation Realm. The White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man's cultivation, however, was at the Major Achievement of the sixth layer of the Nascent Soul Realm. The immense disparity in their cultivation made it impossible for them to contend with this White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man.
Seeing Shangguan Yuantian and Bai Shaoyang attacking him, the White-Haired Old Man's right hand, which was reaching for Zhang Haoyang, did not stop but continued towards Zhang Haoyang. His left hand struck out a palm each towards Shangguan Yuantian and Bai Shaoyang. This seemingly simple palm strike, however, sent the attacking Shangguan Yuantian and Bai Shaoyang flying. The two were struck and crashed into the wall of the East Hall, spitting blood and falling heavily to the ground.
Even severely injured, the two still struggled to stand, staggering forward, wanting to protect Zhang Haoyang.
Zhang Haoyang, his face full of anxiety, stepped forward to help the two up and said, "Grandfather, Grandpa Bai, don't suffer any more needless casualties for me! You must take care!"
After speaking, Zhang Haoyang knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude to the two and the members of the Shangguan Family.
"Little beast, why don't you surrender?" said the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man.
Zhang Haoyang slowly stood up and walked towards the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man, his right hand holding a profound iron dagger hidden within his sleeve. He intended to launch a sneak attack on the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man; since death was inevitable, he might as well try to fight one last time.
The White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man was at the Major Achievement of the sixth layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, while Zhang Haoyang, at the Peak of the seventh layer of the Body Tempering Realm, was undoubtedly like an ant to him. Looking at Zhang Haoyang walking towards him, the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man had a look of amusement. However, when he saw Zhang Haoyang's sorrowful expression and helpless eyes, he let down his guard.
Just as Zhang Haoyang approached within five feet of the Old Man, he extended his right hand and said to the White-Haired Old Man, "I'm here, you can capture me!"
Seeing Zhang Haoyang surrender, the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man burst into laughter. His goal of capturing Zhang Haoyang was about to be achieved. Capturing Zhang Haoyang and handing him over to his master would naturally earn him a reward from his master. Thinking of this, the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man couldn't help but feel happy, and he reached out to grab Zhang Haoyang's arm.
No sooner said than done, Zhang Haoyang suddenly reversed his hand, and a cold gleaming dagger appeared, stabbing straight towards the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man's heart. The Old Man was overly confident and had not expected Zhang Haoyang to use a dagger to assassinate him. The White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man quickly retreated, but due to the close distance, it was too late to dodge. He could only circulate his Qi to resist Zhang Haoyang's strike while dodging.
Due to the extreme speed, in a flash of lightning, the dagger had already pierced the Old Man's heart. Although the dagger was incredibly sharp, it could not penetrate the protection of the Old Man's body-protecting divine skill, causing no harm to the Old Man. If Zhang Haoyang's cultivation had also been at the sixth layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, this strike would probably have killed the Old Man. However, Zhang Haoyang's cultivation was only at the Peak of the seventh layer of the Body Tempering Realm, and the huge disparity in cultivation made it impossible for Zhang Haoyang to personally kill his enemy.
Although the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man was not injured, Zhang Haoyang's dagger striking his body was an act that made him lose face. Thus, he was heard to roar in a fit of rage, "Little beast, you want to kill me? You're simply seeking death!"
With a wave of the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man's right hand, Zhang Haoyang's body flew out like an arrow released from a bowstring. Immediately after, a "bang" was heard as Zhang Haoyang was sent flying over ten zhang and crashed heavily into the East Hall wall. The immense impact created a large hole in the stone wall, and the scattered stones pressed down on Zhang Haoyang's body. A "wah" sound escaped Zhang Haoyang's lips as he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his spirit instantly wilting.
Just as the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man was about to fly forward to capture Zhang Haoyang, a powerful and domineering voice, full of vigor, came from afar: "Stop! How dare you act so recklessly in my Shangguan Family!"
A gaunt Old Man was seen slowly appearing from a distance. Without taking a step, he was already in front of the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man in the blink of an eye.
Shangguan Yuantian and the others, seeing the gaunt Old Man, all knelt down and shouted in unison, "Welcome, Old Ancestor, out of seclusion!"
With a wave of the gaunt Old Man's right hand, everyone's kneeling motion was not only incomplete but they were also directly lifted up by a surge of power.
Shangguan Old Ancestor said to the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man, "Your Excellency, you are causing trouble in my Shangguan Family. Do you truly believe my Shangguan Family has no one?"
Blood flowed from the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man's mouth. Clearly, Shangguan Old Ancestor's initial command of "Stop" had already caused some damage to the White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man's internal organs.
The White-Haired Black-Clothed Old Man cupped his hand to Shangguan Old Ancestor and said, "You must be Senior Shangguan Tianlong, the Old Ancestor of the Shangguan Family, correct? I was originally ordered by my master to capture the remnants of the Zhang Family, but your Shangguan Family has continuously obstructed us, preventing us from acting. I ask Senior Shangguan Tianlong to hand over the remnants of the Zhang Family."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yuantian immediately said to Shangguan Tianlong, "Old Ancestor, he is Yilan's son, Zhang Haoyang."
Shangguan Tianlong nodded slightly and said, "I already know." He then gestured with his hand. A huge force immediately enveloped Zhang Haoyang's body, which was lying on the ground. The next moment, his body uncontrollably flew directly in front of Shangguan Tianlong.
Shangguan Tianlong placed his right hand on Zhang Haoyang's Baihui (Acupuncture Point), seemingly to inject True Qi to heal his injuries. As soon as Shangguan Tianlong's True Qi entered Zhang Haoyang's body, Zhang Haoyang's Dantian immediately absorbed it like a whale swallowing water. Feeling the rapidly draining True Qi, Shangguan Tianlong immediately released his Divine Sense to examine Zhang Haoyang's body.
When Shangguan Tianlong saw Zhang Haoyang's Dantian emitting a seven-colored radiance, his expression changed slightly, but in an instant, he returned to normal. He did not immediately stop injecting True Qi; instead, he injected more True Qi to directly envelop Zhang Haoyang's Dantian. Under the effect of this vast True Qi, the seven-colored radiance emitted by Zhang Haoyang's Dantian was completely concealed.
Shangguan Tianlong transmitted a message to Zhang Haoyang, saying, "Child, you are exceptionally gifted. You must not let outsiders know about your mutated Dantian. I have already used True Qi to temporarily conceal the seven-colored radiance of your Dantian. Child, take care of yourself. The Shangguan Family's great formation can at most delay them for two incense sticks' worth of time. At that time, I will send you and your Master Bai out of the Shangguan Family's main residence. You must quickly run north to the Dark Night Forbidden Land. The Forbidden Land contains numerous Yao Beasts and is constantly accompanied by poisonous miasma. Even ordinary Nascent Soul Realm Cultivators dare not enter. I hope you can survive!"