"Elder Lan!"

A moment later, the Lan Family disciples who had come with Lan Fang finally reacted. They yelled and ran over, digging Lan Fang out from the pile of rubble.

GASP...

Seeing Lan Fang’s condition, everyone present couldn’t help but gasp. The Alchemist robes on his body were completely torn. A large, dark purple Fist Seal was branded on his chest, a jarring sight. His snow-white hair was a tangled mess, and he looked utterly wretched.

"Shen! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?" a Lan Family disciple snarled at Shen Haoran, grinding his teeth.

"What have I done? I merely taught a lesson to someone who was rude to me. Is there a problem?" Shen Haoran said casually, glancing at the disciple.

Seeing Shen Haoran’s completely unconcerned expression, the Lan Family disciple snorted. "Fine... fine. You’ve got guts. Just you wait for the Lan Family’s revenge!"

"Patriarch Han, our Lan Family’s Elder came here by invitation, yet he has now suffered such a great humiliation! We hope you can give us an explanation, otherwise, the Lan Family will not let this matter rest! We’re leaving!" With that, the Lan Family disciples ignored Han Ding and supported Lan Fang as they walked out.

After the Lan Family left, Han Ding’s expression instantly turned cold.

"Han Xu, is this the guest you brought back? So arrogant and domineering! He’s angered the Lan Family and brought disaster upon our Han Family. Can you bear the consequences?" Han Ding shouted coldly at Han Xu, but his gaze was fixed on Shen Haoran.

Hearing this, Han Xu’s face also grew cold. "Disaster? Second Uncle, since when has our Han Family feared the Lan Family? What power do they possibly have to bring disaster upon us? You are the Patriarch of the Han Family now. When did you become so cowardly?"

"Hmph! Han Xu, is that any way to speak to an elder?" Han Ding’s expression turned frigid as he barked.

"Today, we must hand this brat over to the Lan Family and give them an explanation. Otherwise, the only other option is to hand over your sister!" Han Ding said coldly to Han Xu, shooting a glance at Shen Haoran.

"Han Ding! I respect you as my elder and call you Second Uncle, but don’t push it! If you dare hand over Xiaoxue, then don’t blame me for forgetting our blood ties!" Han Xu’s eyes burned with fury as he pointed at Han Ding and roared.

"Blood ties? Fine. Then let’s talk about blood ties! Today, you must choose between your sister and this brat! Otherwise, don’t blame *me* for forgetting our blood ties!" Han Ding flicked his sleeve and said icily.

"You..." Han Xu was speechless with rage. ’To think that Han Ding would sacrifice his own niece to the Lan Family just to save his own skin!’

Though Han Xu was furious, Han Xue was still in Han Ding’s hands. And he couldn’t possibly hand over Shen Haoran—the very person he had invited for help—to the Lan Family. Han Xu was trapped in a dilemma.

"Second Master Han, is it? There’s no need to make things difficult for Brother Han. It’s just the Lan Family. I’ll take full responsibility for what I’ve done," Shen Haoran said, stepping forward when he saw Han Xu’s predicament.

"Hmph. You? Take responsibility?" Han Ding scoffed, looking at Shen Haoran. "The Lan Family’s power is beyond anything you can imagine!"

"Tch. Just the Lan Family. If they dare provoke me, I’ll make them disappear from the face of the earth." Shen Haoran’s quiet voice echoed through the hall, sending a chill down everyone’s spine and making the hair on their bodies stand on end.

Everyone stared at Shen Haoran in disbelief. The Lan Family, a clan with a century of power in Desert City, sounded so utterly insignificant coming from him.

"Hmph. You overestimate yourself. In that case, I’d like to see just how you’ll handle this!" Han Ding shot Shen Haoran a look, then turned and departed.

"Stop. Where is Xiaoxue?" Han Xu blocked Han Ding and demanded coldly.

"The East Wing," Han Ding replied flatly, and then he was gone.

Hearing this, Han Xu shot a cold glare at Han Ding’s retreating back before turning to Shen Haoran.

"Brother Shen, I’m sorry. You just arrived and I’ve already dragged you into this mess..." Han Xu said, embarrassed.

"It’s nothing. The Lan Family poses no threat to me," Shen Haoran said with a light laugh, his tone brimming with confidence.

"Come on, let’s go see your sister first." Worried that Han Xu would keep dwelling on the issue, Shen Haoran quickly changed the subject.

"Oh, right! Let’s go, I’ll take you to see Xiaoxue!" Han Xu understood Shen Haoran’s intention and immediately grabbed his arm, running toward the East Wing.

Soon, the two arrived at the East Wing, and Han Xu burst inside impatiently.

"Hm?" As soon as they entered the room, a blast of icy chill hit them, making Han Xu shudder involuntarily.

"This is bad!" Han Xu’s expression changed drastically as he felt the frigid aura.

"Young Master, you’re back! Something’s happened to the young miss! The cold poison in her body has flared up again!" a maidservant cried, running over in a hurry with an anxious expression.

"I know!" Han Xu answered, rushing straight into the inner room. Shen Haoran followed close behind.

Inside, a faint, cold mist swirled, and a thick layer of frost coated the surrounding tables and chairs. Seeing this, Han Xu rushed to the bedside, his face tense as he looked at the young girl on the bed.

Shen Haoran’s gaze followed. On the bed lay a young girl, about ten years old, with delicate features. With a face like that, she would undoubtedly grow up to be a devastatingly beautiful woman.

Right now, however, the little girl’s delicate eyebrows were tightly furrowed. Her jet-black hair was laced with white frost, and her body trembled uncontrollably. Her face was pale, and she looked to be in extreme pain.

"Xiaoxue!" Han Xu’s heart clenched at the sight of Han Xue’Er’s state. He took a step forward, about to rush to her side.

"Wait! The cold poison in her body is active. You can’t touch her, or it will invade your body too!" Shen Haoran quickly held Han Xu back.

"But..." Han Xu looked at Han Xue’Er anxiously, completely at a loss.

"Don’t worry. Leave it to me," Shen Haoran said, patting Han Xu’s shoulder as he slowly walked forward.

"Brother Shen, I’m counting on you," Han Xu said, his voice laced with a pleading tone.

Shen Haoran nodded, came to Han Xue’Er’s side, and opened his palm. The Fire Spirit Black Obsidian slowly began to rise from it.

As the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian appeared, the temperature in the room shot up, completely dispelling the frigid aura.

Gazing at Han Xue’Er’s tightly furrowed brows, Shen Haoran took a deep breath, then slowly moved the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian in his hand toward her body.

"Ngh..." As the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian entered her body, Han Xue’Er’s brows furrowed even more severely.

"Brother Shen!" Han Xu couldn’t help but cry out, seeing how much pain Han Xue’Er was in.

Shen Haoran, however, ignored Han Xu. He formed a Seal Technique with his hands, and the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian erupted from within Han Xue’Er’s body, completely engulfing her...

[Author’s Note: I had something on today, so sorry for the late update. There will be one more Chapter in a bit! I’ll do a small burst release tomorrow!]