A few days later, news of the destruction of the Iron Sword Sect reached the Hu Clan's headquarters. The grand main hall fell into an eerie silence. The elders of the Hu Clan gathered, their faces pale as they listened to the spy’s report. "Are you sure this is true?" Elder Hu growled, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "The Iron Sword Sect is one of our strongest allies! How could they be annihilated in a single night?!" The spy, kneeling on the floor, trembled violently. "It’s true, Elder! Zhi Hao led the attack. He… he was like a demon. Fire, explosions, and blue light destroyed everything. No one survived." The tension in the room grew heavier. The head of the Hu Clan, Hu Jingrong, who sat atop his ornate throne with a hardened expression, tapped his finger against the armrest. His narrowed eyes gleamed with hatred. "That boy… Zhi Hao," he hissed. "He continues to wreak havoc on us. If this continues, the Hu Clan will become a laughingstock." An
“You think you can kill me with that?”Zhi Hao raised his sword high. “Lightning Blade Technique, Third Form—Sky Shatterer!”From his blade, a bright blue light surged into the sky, forming a colossal wave of energy that cascaded down toward the elders. Their techniques crumbled instantly, and their bodies were flung dozens of meters, crashing hard onto the ground.Hu Jingrong leapt forward, his crimson aura taking the form of a massive fire dragon. “I’ll kill you myself, Zhi Hao!”Zhi Hao stared at him impassively. “Try it. But your fate will be no different.”The fire dragon charged toward Zhi Hao, melting the earth in its wake. But Zhi Hao calmly swung his sword once more. A lightning dragon of blue light burst forth, colliding head-on with Hu Jingrong’s fire dragon.BOOM!The deafening explosion shook the ground and sent shockwaves across the battlefield. When the dust finally settled, Hu Jingrong was kneeling, his body scorched and bleeding. His breathing was ragged, his eyes fil
The Hu Clan’s residence had been reduced to ashes. Flames still burned, and thick black smoke shrouded the night sky. The quiet of the night was broken only by the crackling of wood and the faint rustling of a cold wind. This victory was a warning to all clans and sects who dared to oppose Zhi Hao.Zhi Hao stood atop a small hill not far from the ruins. From there, he observed the remains of the Hu Clan’s former glory, now a mere memory. The glow of the fire reflected in his sharp, cold eyes. Beside him, the Four Black stood upright, their bodies covered in the dust of battle, their faces filled with satisfaction."Master, the mission is complete. The Hu Clan has been wiped from history," Black 1 reported respectfully, his voice calm but filled with pride.Zhi Hao gave a small nod. "Good. This is only the beginning. There will be many more like them."Black 2 stepped forward, a small grin on his lips. "After tonight, every clan and sect in this region will surely hear about the Hu Cla
Before inheriting the Hao Clan's legacy, Zhi Hao knew nothing of the tragedy. All he was aware of was the ruthless destruction of his clan after they had obtained a mysterious legacy. The culprits—and their reasons—had remained shrouded in impenetrable fog.But within the Hao Clan's legacy, he saw the truth. The inheritance was not just a vessel of techniques or power; it contained memories recorded by his ancestors.Zhi Hao saw:The secret meeting where the leaders of the great clans conspired to destroy the Hao Clan.The Blue Thunder Clan, one of the key supporters, had dispatched their forces to slaughter his family.The oaths of traitors—those envious and fearful of the Hao Clan’s power—who had resolved to erase his lineage from history.“The Blue Thunder Clan… You may only be one part of the conspiracy, but the blood of my kin stains your hands just the same,” Zhi Hao thought, his grip tightening around his sword.Zhi Hao and the Four Black sat in a clearing deep within the fores
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
The sound of clashing weapons echoed loudly as the burly man launched a ferocious attack against Zhi Hao. The room shook with every strike of the man's massive weapon, leaving cracks on the floor and walls. Zhi Hao, moving with incredible agility, continued to dodge."Fast, but that won't be enough!" the man roared, leaping forward in an attempt to crush Zhi Hao with a heavy swing.Zhi Hao calmly sidestepped, twisting his body gracefully. With a precise yet powerful motion, he slashed his sword across his opponent's shoulder, causing the man to stagger backward as blood flowed from the wound."Who are you, really?" Zhi Hao asked coldly.The man grinned despite his pain. "Just another pawn, like the rest. But my job is to make sure you don’t leave here alive."Elsewhere in the room, Black 4 and Black 5 were locked in battle with a group of masked men who seemed well-trained. The clanging of weapons and war cries filled the air."Master, we need to eliminate them quickly. This noise wil
Zhi Hao left the grand hall of the Huai Clan with steady steps. Outside, He Lian waited with a serious expression.“What’s the result, Master?”Zhi Hao glanced at the imposing gates of the Huai Clan, his gaze sharp and calculated.“Huai Yan agreed to hold his ground and fortify their defenses. It’s enough for now. But this is just the beginning.”He Lian nodded and handed him a small scroll from his pocket.“This is the latest intel from Black 5. It seems the Grey Sky Sect has accelerated their weapon shipments. There’s a chance the Eastern Shadows are forcing them to move faster.”Zhi Hao unrolled the scroll and quickly absorbed the details. A cold smile formed on his lips.“If they’re rushing, it means they’re starting to feel cornered. Good. We’ll strike at their weakest point.”That night, Zhi Hao summoned his team for a secret meeting at a small cabin outside the Huai Clan’s territory.“Black 4,” he called.Black 4, sitting quietly in the corner, stood up straight.“Ready, Master
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 fo
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