Two days later, news of the Blue Thunder Clan’s destruction spread like wildfire. In every town and village surrounding the region, people spoke in hushed whispers of the mysterious young man named Zhi Hao—a man who annihilated an entire clan in one night.In the meeting hall of a small sect, several clan leaders gathered, their faces pale and stricken with fear.“What exactly happened? How could the Blue Thunder Clan fall so quickly?” one leader asked in a panicked tone.“It’s all because of a youth named Zhi Hao,” replied an old elder, his voice trembling. “I’ve heard rumors that he is the last heir of the Hao Clan. He has returned for vengeance.”“The Hao Clan?” murmured one of the leaders. “Weren’t they wiped out years ago?”The elder nodded gravely. “That’s the problem. We thought it was over, but now their shadow has returned… And that young man will not stop until everyone involved in their destruction has paid the price.”Nervousness blanketed the room. They all knew that many
That night, in the quiet forest, Zhi Hao and the four Black members sat around a small campfire. The cold night air pierced their bones, but the aura from Zhi Hao was colder than the night itself. He stared at the map spread out on the ground, his finger pointing to two locations: the headquarters of the Sect of the Fire Dragon and the stronghold of the Bai Clan.Black 1 spoke up, trying to break the silence. "Master, which one should we prioritize— the last sect or the last clan? Should we attack directly, or divide our forces to destroy both at once?"Zhi Hao did not answer immediately. He closed his eyes for a moment, his mind racing. Hastiness was not his style. Defeat was not an option, but victory with minimal effort was his goal.After a while, he opened his eyes and looked coldly at his group. "We will not divide our forces. Our focus is the Bai Clan first, but we will not attack directly."Black 2, who was known for being more critical, asked, "Why the Bai Clan first, Master?
"The Sect of the Fire Dragon is stronger and more organized than the Bai Clan," Zhi Hao replied coldly. "If we attack them directly, we’ll just waste time and energy."Black 2 smirked, understanding Zhi Hao's plan. "So, we’re using a different strategy, Master?"Zhi Hao nodded. "The Sect of the Fire Dragon has many smaller allies who supply them with resources, including rare minerals to strengthen their weapons and medicine to heal their bodies. We’ll destroy them at the root."Zhi Hao continued, "Black 1, Black 3, listen carefully. I have tasks for both of you."Black 1 responded, "We’re ready, Master. What are the orders?"Zhi Hao spoke again, "The Sect of the Fire Dragon gets their supply of rare minerals from mines in the southern region. That’s one of their main sources of power. You two will infiltrate that mine and make sure its operations come to a halt."Black 3 raised an eyebrow, "How should we do that, Master? Should we destroy the mine directly?""No need to destroy the e
Meanwhile, Zhi Hao moved steadily toward a small village at the foot of the Black Mountain. The village seemed ordinary from the outside, but information from the Hao Clan’s legacy revealed that it was merely a cover for a hidden cave, which was one of the main sources of power for the Fire Dragon Sect.That night, the village was silent. The lanterns hanging in a few houses provided dim lighting, casting moving shadows around. However, Zhi Hao was undisturbed. Utilizing his "Silent Thunder Step" technique, he sneaked past the village guards without making a sound.In the middle of the village, he spotted a small path that appeared ordinary. However, his instincts told him something was off. He activated his spiritual energy and scanned the area, detecting a protective formation hidden behind an illusion."They really are cautious," he muttered coldly. He pulled out a formation-destroying talisman from his spatial ring, placed it at the center of the formation, and activated it.Insta
Amid the chaos, Zhi Hao stealthily infiltrated the main stronghold. Every step he took was filled with deadly silence. He didn’t waste time fighting weaker guards, but for those foolish enough to block his path, his blue sword moved with lightning speed, leaving bodies that collapsed without a sound.Finally, he reached the main hall. There, the leader of the Fire Dragon Sect, a large man with flaming red hair, stood waiting with a furious expression. His body was surrounded by an aura of fire that radiated extreme heat, causing the floor around him to melt.“Zhi Hao! So you're the mastermind behind all this destruction!” the leader shouted angrily, his voice echoing through the room. “How dare you come here and destroy everything? Do you think I will let you live?”Zhi Hao didn’t respond immediately. He raised his sword, which shimmered with blue light, and the surrounding thunderous aura pulsed, ready to explode at any moment. “You and your sect took my family. You burned the Hao Cl
Zhi Hao walked through the gates of the Zhi Clan with calm steps. The guards escorted him respectfully, but he waved them off, signaling them to return to their posts. His eyes were not drawn to the clan’s grandeur or the curious gazes of the young disciples who watched him. His focus was singular: his mother’s grave.The evening sky began to turn orange as Zhi Hao arrived at the family cemetery of the Zhi Clan, where ancestors and deceased family members were laid to rest. He paused momentarily at the small gate of the cemetery, gazing at the neatly arranged tombstones on the small hill.After taking a deep breath, he stepped inside. His feet carried him to a quiet corner, where a simple grave stood. The headstone was clean but appeared worn, indicating that not many had come to tend to it.Carved on the stone was the inscription:Mei Lan. A faithful wife, a loving mother.Zhi Hao’s eyes softened, a rare sight. He kneeled before the grave and placed a bundle of white flowers he had c
Zhi Hao stopped in front of the envoy. “I heard you're here with a marriage proposal. Get to the point; I don’t like small talk.”The envoy gave a thin smile, trying to hide his surprise at Zhi Hao's firm demeanor. “Indeed, Young Master. We, on behalf of Patriarch Ling, come with the intention of strengthening the bond between the Ling Clan and the Zhi Clan through marriage.”Zhi Hao stared at the envoy with a neutral expression. “Who am I expected to marry?”“Patriarch Ling’s eldest daughter, Miss Ling Mei. She is known for her intelligence and talent, and is highly respected within our clan,” the envoy answered proudly.Zhi Hao furrowed his brows. The name sounded unfamiliar to him. He had never heard much about Miss Ling Mei, but if she was the eldest daughter of the Patriarch, this marriage clearly had bigger motives.“And what does the Zhi Clan stand to gain from this marriage?” he asked coldly.The envoy smiled, as if he had been expecting this question. “Through this alliance,
The quiet of the night enveloped the Ling Clan's headquarters, with only the moonlight reflecting off the grand stone walls. Inside the main pavilion, the atmosphere was livelier. Black 1 stealthily crept towards one side of the building, approaching a half-open window. Inside, Patriarch Ling was sitting with five clan elders, their faces serious, indicating the discussion underway."This marriage is a golden opportunity for us," Patriarch Ling said in a low voice, full of authority. His sharp eyes swept across the table, ensuring every elder understood his point. "Zhi Hao is not just a genius, he is the key to our future power."One elder, an old man with gray hair and a long beard, nodded slightly. "But Patriarch, Zhi Hao is known to be difficult to control. If he doesn't agree with our terms, this plan could turn into a threat for us."Patriarch Ling smiled coldly. "We don’t need his consent directly. If he marries Ling Mei, we can slowly use that relationship to gain control. Ling
Amid the tense atmosphere at the Ling Clan’s residence, Ling Zhen decided to take a drastic step. Standing in the main hall, surrounded by the clan elders awaiting his orders with bated breath, he broke the silence.“The situation is spiraling out of control,” Ling Zhen said firmly. “We’ve lost control over key territories, and the Eastern Shadows are pressing us relentlessly. Zhi Hao and the Huai Clan can’t be underestimated either. The only way to secure the Ling Clan’s survival is to ally with the Grey Sky Sect.”The first elder nodded in agreement. “This is a wise move, Patriarch. The Grey Sky Sect wields immense power. With their protection, we can at least withstand the Shadows’ assault.”The third elder, a sharp-eyed man with graying hair, added, “But what price will they demand? The Grey Sky Sect never acts without a substantial benefit.”Ling Zhen sighed, his face hardening. “I’ve considered that. If we must cede some territory or resources, it’s a fair price to pay for our s
In mere seconds, they moved like shadows. Black 5 attacked the guard on the left with swift precision, striking his neck and causing him to collapse without making a sound. He Lian fired an arrow at the guard on the right, dropping him to the ground.Zhi Hao darted into the center of the camp, his sword gleaming as he slashed at a guard attempting to resist. “Don’t let anyone escape!” he shouted.A few guards tried to flee, but Black 3 and Black 5 intercepted them with ease. Within moments, the camp fell silent, leaving only one trembling man encircled at the center.Zhi Hao approached the man, his sharp gaze piercing through him. “Who sent you? What are you planning here?”The man shook his head, his body trembling in fear. “I... I’m just a guard... I don’t know anything!”Black 5, already losing patience, kicked the man, sending him sprawling to the ground. “Do you think we’ll believe that nonsense? Speak up before I break your arms!”The man sobbed in terror. “Alright! Alright! I’l
The man in the black hood lay sprawled on the floor of the cave, his body trembling from the agony he had just endured. Black 5 stood beside him, twirling a small silver needle between his fingers, a cold smirk on his face.“You thought you could toy with my master and walk away unscathed?” Black 5 said in a low, menacing voice. He crouched down, slowly pressing the needle into the man’s shoulder, sending sharp pain coursing through his body.“Aaagh!” the hooded man screamed, his body arching in agony.Black 4 stood nearby, arms crossed, his expression unyielding. “You’ll talk eventually. We’ve got plenty of time. But for you, every second will feel like an eternity.”Zhi Hao stood a short distance away, his piercing gaze fixed on the man. He raised his hand slightly, signaling Black 5 to continue.Black 5 chuckled darkly. “You know this is just the beginning, right?” He pressed the needle into the man’s knee this time, twisting it slowly. “This pain won’t kill you, but you’ll wish it
That night, Zhi Hao prepared his next move. Calm and composed, he stood in a dimly lit room at his temporary base, illuminated only by the faint glow of a small lantern. Before him lay a map of Linggau City, marked with strategic annotations.Black 5 returned from his reconnaissance, bowing respectfully before speaking. "Master, the hooded man appears to have connections with the shadow group from the West. They’ve been using the teahouse on the city outskirts as a temporary meeting place, but their movements are swift and difficult to track."Zhi Hao didn’t respond immediately, his sharp gaze fixed on the map. "How many people did you see?""At least seven, including the hooded man. Four looked like seasoned mercenaries, while the other two seemed to be intermediaries or messengers."Zhi Hao nodded slowly, then shifted his gaze to a burly man standing in the corner—He Lian, one of his combat commanders. "He Lian, assemble the team. We begin the operation tonight."He Lian grinned bro
The dark night enveloped Linggau City. In a luxurious inn on the outskirts, the mysterious man sat in a dimly lit room. Several documents were scattered on the table before him. He gazed at them calmly, lifting his teacup and taking a sip.A plain-looking man entered the room quietly and bowed respectfully. "Everything is going according to plan, sir. Zhi Hao continues to pressure the Ling and Huai Clans. Tensions between them are escalating."The mysterious man placed his cup down and nodded slowly. "Good. Has the document reached Zhi Hao?"The man nodded. "Yes, sir. An anonymous courier managed to slip it into one of his frequent haunts. He must have read it by now."The mysterious man smirked, his eyes gleaming coldly. "Zhi Hao will see it as a golden opportunity. He’ll use the document to humiliate the Ling Clan and possibly provoke direct conflict with the Gray Sky Sect. In the process, he’ll expend considerable resources and energy.""And if he succeeds?" the man asked cautiousl
The following day, Linggau City was shrouded in an invisible tension. Rumors of a potential conflict between the Ling Clan and the Huai Clan spread quickly, leaving merchants and ordinary citizens anxious about their safety. Behind the scenes, Zhi Hao continued to maneuver his pieces, unseen by anyone.In a secluded tea house at the edge of the city, Black 1 sat at one of the tables, conversing with a nervous informant."The Huai Clan has started deploying small forces along the border. They're preparing for something, but Patriarch Ling doesn't seem fully aware of it yet," the informant said in a low voice.Black 1 gave a slight nod. "Keep watching. Make sure we know their every move. Zhi Hao wants this information on time."The informant hurried away, leaving Black 1, who soon melted into the bustling market crowd. He knew Zhi Hao's next steps would be pivotal.Meanwhile, at the Ling Clan residence, Patriarch Ling felt pressure mounting from all sides. Reports about the Huai Clan's
The mysterious man unrolled another small scroll, revealing a document detailing secret transactions. The writing on the paper recorded the shipment of weapons and hidden agreements between the Grey Sky Sect and several small clans in the region. He grinned. "I got this from an informant in the black market. This is proof that the Grey Sky Sect has a contract to supply weapons to the Ling Clan and other clans. If this document reaches Zhi Hao, he'll definitely use it to expose the Ling Clan's betrayal."The younger man sitting across from him, still sharp but appearing less experienced, chuckled softly. "You're truly crafty. With this, Zhi Hao will shift his focus to destroying the Ling Clan while we remain in the shadows."The mysterious man nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming with the calculation of a well-thought-out plan. "And that’s just the beginning. If Zhi Hao and the Ling Clan destroy each other, we only need to wait for the right moment to swoop in and take what's left."The yo
On the other side, at the Ling Clan's residence, Patriarch Ling stood in front of a large window, gazing out at the tranquil garden below. His eyes were vacant, yet his mind was filled with plans and concerns. The sky, tinged with red, seemed to reflect the pressure he was feeling.Ling Mei approached with light steps, but there was tension in her expression. She carried a cup of tea for her father and placed it on the small table beside him."How was your meeting with Zhi Hao?" Patriarch Ling asked without turning, his voice low yet full of attention.Ling Mei sat in the chair near him, adjusting the folds of her long skirt before answering. "He’s clever and hard to read. But I feel he hasn’t completely closed himself off from our approach."Patriarch Ling chuckled softly, but there was no humor in his tone. "Of course. A man like Zhi Hao won't be easily trapped. He plays at a different level, and that makes him dangerous."He took a sip from his teacup, then continued, "However, tim
Ling Mei stood on the balcony of her pavilion, gazing at the starry night sky. Her mind was filled with images of her meeting with Zhi Hao. His sharp words, his cold demeanor yet full of power, and his calculating gaze made her feel both intimidated and captivated."I have to do this," she muttered to herself, trying to gather her courage. Patriarch Ling had entrusted her with the task of approaching Zhi Hao and ensuring the success of the alliance.The following day, Ling Mei began preparing her first step. With the help of her personal maid, she decided to send a private invitation to Zhi Hao, asking him to meet her in the bamboo garden at the edge of Linggau City. The place was quiet and beautiful, far from the bustle of the clan—a location she hoped would make their conversation more personal.The message was delivered by a messenger of the Ling Clan and was received directly by one of the Black. Zhi Hao, who was reviewing documents about the Ling Clan's weaponry at his residence,