The Han Family of Desert City...

The Han Family grounds were in ruins. Bodies were strewn everywhere, and blood stained the earth red. The once-bustling Han Mansion was now deathly silent, the only sound the incessant CRACKLE of burning buildings all around. Thick black smoke could be seen rising from all corners of the family estate.

At the entrance to the ancestral hall deep within the Han estate, a group of Martial Artists in blue robes had formed a watertight siege. Leading them was none other than the Lan Family’s steward, Lan Sha!

"Listen up, you people inside! This is your last chance. If you don’t surrender now, don’t blame us for what comes next!" Lan Sha bellowed at the ancestral hall. With a wave of his hand, the Martial Artists behind him raised their bows, aiming arrows wreathed in flames at the Han Family’s ancestral hall.

"Lan Sha, is that any way to treat Old Master Han?" Just then, a resonant voice rang out. A burly, middle-aged man strode forward, wearing a blue sable fur cloak. In his hands, he continually rolled a pair of golden lion-head baubles.

"Patriarch!" Upon seeing the man, Lan Sha and the surrounding Martial Artists bowed respectfully.

The Lan Family Patriarch waved his hand dismissively, then called out to the ancestral hall, "Mr. Han, why not come out for a chat? I don’t imagine you want to see the Han Family’s century-old foundation destroyed at your own hands, do you?"

The Lan Family Patriarch’s voice was infused with power, the sound waves spreading across the entire Han estate. The surrounding bamboo forest trembled violently, and countless leaves fluttered down.

Inside the ancestral hall, the few remaining Han Family children huddled together, trembling uncontrollably as they listened to the voices outside. They were only eleven or twelve, an age for play and fun. They had never witnessed such cruelty. Most of their friends had already fallen under the butcher’s knives of the Lan Family. If not for Han Feng’s desperate protection, the Han Family’s bloodline would have truly been extinguished!

At the doors of the ancestral hall, Han Feng and two white-haired elders stood with deeply furrowed brows, peering out through a crack in the door.

"Old Han, the situation looks grim," one of the elders said in a low voice. He and the other elder were helpers Han Feng had invited, both experts at the Spirit King Level!

Hearing this, Han Feng let out a long sigh. He clasped his fist to them and said, "Brother Li, Brother Zhang, I can’t thank you enough for this. You’ve already helped me so much. Please, leave now. Their target is the Han Family. If you leave now, the Lan Family probably won’t make things difficult for you!"

At Han Feng’s words, the expressions of Elder Zhang and Elder Li darkened. "Brother Han," one of them snorted, "what kind of people do you take us for? You saved both our lives back in the day. Now that you’re in trouble, how could we possibly abandon you? Hmph, it’s just the Lan Family. The worst that can happen is we give them our lives. But if they want to take our lives, they’ll have to pay a steep price!"

Hearing the words of Elder Zhang and Elder Li, Han Feng’s heart swelled with gratitude. ’These were true brothers, worth their weight in gold.’

"That’s right, Grandfather! Let’s fight our way out and kill every last member of the Lan Family! Avenge our dead brothers and sisters!" Han Xu stepped forward, his face contorted with rage as he shouted.

"No! Xu’er, you’re the oldest here. You have a much more important task! You must take your younger brothers and sisters and get out of here! Elder Li, Elder Zhang, and I will buy you time. Remember, you must preserve the Han Family’s bloodline so that one day, you can avenge our fallen kin!" Han Feng said gravely.

"Grandfather..." Han Xu was reluctant.

"Xu’er, this is no time to be stubborn! Look at your little brothers and sisters. As long as you all escape safely, there is hope for the Han Family! I believe that one day, you will avenge our family and restore the Han Family’s glory in this Desert City!" Han Feng said, cutting Han Xu off.

Hearing this, Han Xu turned and looked at the young, innocent faces around him. He could only nod in agreement. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Seeing this, Han Feng smiled and nodded. He then turned to look outside the ancestral hall, a look of grim resolve flashing in his eyes!

"Old Master Han, if you don’t come out now, I’ll have to use force!" At that moment, the Lan Family Patriarch’s voice rang out again.

"Haha, Nephew Lan Quetian, I was fighting your father when you were still a twinkle in his eye! In any case, I am your elder. Is this how you speak to your elders?" The moment the Lan Family Patriarch finished speaking, a wild laugh erupted from within the ancestral hall. Then, the great doors swung open, and Han Feng emerged, leading his people out.

Seeing Han Feng emerge, a cold smirk played on the lips of the Lan Family Patriarch—the man Han Feng had called Lan Quetian. "Mr. Han," he said coolly, "the fact that I’m even calling you ’Mister’ is a sign of respect. In my eyes, there is only one rule: the victor is king, and the loser is scum. So don’t bother lecturing me about your so-called universal morals, old man. It’s useless!"

Hearing this, Han Feng sneered and shot back, "So, is that your excuse for patricide?"

BOOM!

The instant Han Feng’s words fell, Lan Quetian’s eyes turned crimson. A formidable aura erupted from his body, forcing everyone present back. The terrifying pressure made everyone’s heart tremble.

"A Spirit Emperor Powerhouse! Lan Quetian has actually reached the Spirit Emperor Level!" Sensing the aura coming from Lan Quetian, Han Feng, Elder Li, and Elder Zhang all shuddered, staring in utter shock at the enraged man.

However, the aura around Lan Quetian vanished as quickly as it had appeared. He casually tossed aside the crushed lion-head baubles in his hand and said coolly, "That old fool refused to hand over the Patriarch’s seat, so I had no choice but to take it myself." He was so casual, it was as if he hadn’t killed his own father, but some insignificant stranger.

"Hmph. Worse than an animal," Han Feng snorted.

But Lan Quetian was completely unfazed by Han Feng’s insults. Instead, a cold smirk returned to his lips. "Mr. Han, don’t forget that your own son was the same kind of person. Though you’ve already killed him, he was still the good son you raised! Haha!"

At these words, Han Feng’s face instantly darkened. He knew Lan Quetian was talking about Han Ding. A few days ago, it was Han Ding who had acted as a mole for the Lan Family, letting them into the Han estate. That was how the Lan Family had so easily and thoroughly destroyed them. In a fit of rage, Han Feng had executed Han Ding on the spot!

"Haha, Mr. Han, I won’t waste any more words with you. If the Han Family submits to my Lan Family today, I’ll let you live. If not, then you can all just disappear from this world!" Lan Quetian said, his face twisting into a savage grin.

"Hmph! You want the Han Family to surrender? In your dreams!" Han Feng snorted, rejecting the offer without a second thought.

"Then there’s only one path for you: death! Get them! Leave no one alive!" Lan Quetian’s face turned frigid as he ordered the Martial Artists behind him.

"Kill!" Instantly, another bloody battle erupted within the Han Family’s estate...