From the fake emperor to the concubine

"Since that's the case, I'll teach you an even more profound lesson."

With a slight exertion of his right hand, Han Tie felt the pressure on his neck increasing, making it harder and harder to breathe.

"What...what do you want to do?" Han Tie asked in a panic.

"I'll cripple your cultivation," Zheng Yi said calmly.

"No! You can't do this!" Han Tie struggled desperately. "I'm a member of the Han family! If you dare cripple me, the Han family will not let you get away with it!"

"The Han family?" Zheng Yi sneered. "If the Han family has any ability, let them come find me. I want to see what kind of experts they can send."

His left hand pressed on Han Tie's dantian, and spiritual energy surged.

A violent force surged into Han Tie's body, rampaging through his meridians and completely destroying his dantian and meridians.

"Ah!!!" Han Tie let out a shrill scream.

He felt a sharp pain throughout his body, as if it were tearing him apart. His dantian was shattered, his meridians were broken, and decades of cultivation vanished in an instant.

Zheng Yi released his grip, causing Han Tie to fall to the ground.

Han Tie lay on the ground, trembling all over, his face as pale as paper. He tried to stand up, but found he had no strength left. His cultivation was completely ruined.

“No, it’s impossible,” he murmured, his eyes filled with despair and fear.

Zheng Yi looked down at him. "Go back and tell Han Feiyang this is his last chance. If he dares to cause me trouble again, next time, I won't cripple you, but him."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards Su Wanqing.

"Wanqing, let's go."

Su Wanqing looked at the wailing men in black and the distraught Han Tie on the ground, feeling both shocked and moved.

What was shocking was Zheng Yi's incredible strength; more than a dozen experts couldn't even withstand a single move from him. What moved her was that Zheng Yi was willing to offend a behemoth like the Han family to protect her.

“Yes, Master.” She followed Zheng Yi.

The two left the alley and headed towards the house.

Behind him, Han Tie lay on the ground, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness.

"Dark Night, I will not let you go. The Han family will not let you go," he murmured.

The news quickly reached the Han family.

In the Han family mansion in the east of the city, Han Feiyang was reading a book in his study.

He'd been very agitated these past few days. Ever since the five men he'd sent were injured, he'd been looking for an opportunity to retaliate. He'd ordered Uncle Zhang to send men to keep an eye on Dark Night's movements, waiting for the right moment.

Today, he finally received news that Dark Night had returned to Tianyuan City. So he immediately dispatched Han Tie with a dozen elite troops to teach Dark Night a lesson.

Han Tie is the commander of the Han family's guards, a peak-level expert in the Integration Realm, and a prominent figure within the Han family. With him involved, Han Feiyang was confident of success.

But the result was beyond his expectations.

"What did you say?" Han Fei jumped to his feet, his expression changing drastically. "Han Tie's cultivation has been crippled?"

"Yes, Third Young Master." The guard who brought the news knelt on the ground, trembling all over. "Commander Han led a dozen men to find Dark Night, but...they were all wiped out. Dark Night crippled Commander Han's cultivation, and the rest were also seriously injured."

"How is this possible?" Han Feiyang couldn't believe it. "Han Tie is a peak-stage Integration Realm expert, how could he lose to that Dark Night?"

"According to Commander Han, that Dark Night has already broken through to the late stage of the Great Ascension Realm," the guard said in a trembling voice.

"Late stage of Mahayana Realm?" Han Feiyang's expression changed completely.

The late stage of the Mahayana Realm already represents the pinnacle of strength in the Tianyuan Domain. Even within the Han family, experts at the late stage of the Mahayana Realm are few and far between.

That dark night actually possesses such power?
"Third Young Master, that Dark Night also asked Commander Han to deliver a message to you," the guard said.

“What?”

"He said this is your last chance. If you dare to cause him trouble again, next time, he won't be crippling Commander Han, but you."

Han Feiyang's face turned ashen.

How dare this dark night threaten him like this?
“Fine, very well,” he said through gritted teeth. “This Dark Night is getting more and more arrogant.”

He turned and walked to his desk, picked up his pen, and began to write a letter.

"Third Young Master, what is this?" the guard asked.

"I need to write to the patriarch," Han Feiyang said coldly. "This Dark Night is too arrogant; I can't handle him alone. I must ask the patriarch to intervene and send someone stronger."

"But Third Young Master, will the Patriarch agree?" the guard asked worriedly. "After all, this is just your personal matter; the Patriarch might not interfere."

“He will take care of it,” Han Feiyang said. “That Dark Night not only offended me, but also crippled Han Tie’s cultivation. Han Tie is the Han family’s guard commander; crippling him is a slap in the face to the Han family. The patriarch will definitely not stand idly by.”

He quickly finished writing the letter, sealed it, and handed it to the guard.

"Send it to the Han family headquarters immediately and hand it over to the family head personally."

"Yes!" The guard took the letter and turned to leave.

Han Feiyang stood in the study, a gloomy smile on his face.

“Dark Night, you just wait,” he muttered. “Once the patriarch sends people, let’s see how long you can remain arrogant.”

Meanwhile, Zheng Yi and Su Wanqing returned to the mansion.

When everyone saw them return, they quickly went to greet them.

“Master, you’re back,” Zheng Bowen said.

"Yes." Zheng Yi nodded.

"Master, what's wrong?" Zheng Bowen noticed that Zheng Yi's clothes were dusty, as if he had been in a battle.

"We encountered some trouble on the way," Zheng Yi said. "The Han family has sent people again."

"The Han family?" Everyone's expression changed.

"Don't worry, it's been resolved," Zheng Yi said. "The people who came this time were stronger than last time; they were the commander of the Han family's guards, a peak-stage Nascent Soul Realm expert. But they were still no match for me; I crippled their cultivation."

"His cultivation has been crippled?" Zheng Bowen exclaimed in shock. "Patriarch, you've crippled the Han family's guard commander?"

“Yes,” Zheng Yi nodded. “I want the Han family to know what happens when they offend me.”

The group exchanged glances, a hint of worry flashing in their eyes.

The Han family is one of the nine great families, possessing immense power and numerous experts. Zheng Yi crippled their guard commander; the Han family certainly wouldn't let it go easily.

"Master, will the Han family retaliate?" Zheng Hongzhi asked.

“Yes,” Zheng Yi said, “but I’m not afraid. If the Han family dares to come, I’ll fight them back.”

“But Patriarch, the Han family is one of the nine great families after all,” Zheng Bowen said worriedly.

“I know,” Zheng Yi said, “but some things cannot be backed down from. If I back down this time, the Han family will think I’m easy to bully, and they’ll become even more aggressive in the future. Only by making them feel bad and letting them know that I’m not someone to be trifled with will they restrain themselves.” After listening, everyone felt that what Zheng Yi said made sense.

"The patriarch is right," Zheng Hongzhi nodded. "Faced with a powerful enemy, retreating will only embolden them. Only by demonstrating sufficient strength can we deter them."

“But we also need to be prepared,” Zheng Yi said. “The Han family won’t let this go easily; they’ll definitely send even stronger people. We need to strengthen the defenses of the residence, just in case.”

"Yes," everyone responded in unison.

"Hongzhi, how are the preparations for the Heavenly Thunder Formation going?" Zheng Yi asked.

"Preparations are almost complete," Zheng Hongzhi said. "All the materials are ready, and it will only take two or three days to set up."

“Alright, let’s hurry,” Zheng Yi said. “This formation is very important; it will be extremely useful in crucial moments.”

“Yes, Master.” Zheng Hongzhi replied.

After explaining things to everyone, Zheng Yi returned to his room and continued his cultivation.

Although he has already broken through to the late stage of the Mahayana realm, his cultivation still needs to be consolidated. Moreover, the Han family will definitely send someone even stronger, so he must be prepared.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, holding the purple lightning stone in his hand, and began to absorb the remaining lightning power within it.

He had absorbed most of the lightning power within the purple lightning stone, but some residual power remained. Although this power was not abundant, it was of extremely high quality and could help him better consolidate his cultivation.

He closed his eyes and guided the power of lightning into his body, circulating it along his meridians.

That power, like a gentle electric dragon, slowly flowed through his meridians, condensing and purifying his spiritual energy bit by bit.

Time passed bit by bit.

After an unknown amount of time, Zheng Yi finally absorbed all the remaining lightning power in the Purple Lightning Stone.

He opened his eyes and looked at the purple lightning stone in his hand.

The stone, which had once shimmered with purple light, had now become dull and lifeless, just an ordinary stone. All the lightning power it contained had been absorbed by Zheng Yi.

"The power of the Purple Lightning Stone is exhausted." Zheng Yi placed the stone aside. "However, my gains were not small."

He felt that his spiritual power was more condensed and purer than before. Although his cultivation level was still in the late stage of the Mahayana realm, his strength had significantly improved.

"If I have the right opportunity again, I might be able to break through to the peak of the Mahayana realm soon," he thought to himself.

He stood up, stretched his limbs, and then walked out of the room.

In the courtyard, Zheng Hongzhi was busy setting up a Heavenly Thunder Array. He held an array flag in his hand and inserted it into the ground in various corners of the courtyard, chanting incantations as if he were reciting some kind of spell.

"Hongzhi, how's the formation going?" Zheng Yi asked as he walked over.

"Master, it's almost done," Zheng Hongzhi said. "The Heavenly Thunder Formation will be completed in another day."

“Okay.” Zheng Yi nodded. “How powerful is this formation?”

“Extremely powerful,” Zheng Hongzhi said. “Once triggered, it will unleash a powerful lightning attack, enough to severely injure a master of the Integration Realm. Even a master in the early stages of the Great Ascension Realm would have to think twice.”

"Capable of threatening a master at the early stage of the Mahayana realm?" Zheng Yi was somewhat surprised. "That powerful?"

"The quality of the purple lightning stone is exceptionally good," Zheng Hongzhi explained. "Ordinary purple lightning stones can only be used to set up ordinary lightning-based formations. But the purple lightning stone that the patriarch bought is of the highest grade, containing extremely pure lightning power, so the formation set up with it will naturally be much more powerful."

Zheng Yi nodded, his anticipation for the formation growing even stronger.

With the protection of the Heavenly Thunder Formation, the defenses of the residence will be greatly enhanced. Even if the Han family sends someone, they will have to get past this first.

"By the way, Hongzhi, after the formation is set up, you should also take a rest," Zheng Yi said. "Don't overwork yourself."

"Don't worry, Master, I know what I'm doing," Zheng Hongzhi said.

Zheng Yi walked around the courtyard to check on everyone's condition, then returned to his room to continue his cultivation.

The courtyard was bustling with activity for the next few days.

Zheng Hongzhi completed the Heavenly Thunder Formation and began setting up other defensive formations. Su Wanqing diligently cultivated every day, and her strength steadily improved. Zheng Bowen and Xiao Tianxing were responsible for gathering information and keeping a close eye on the Han family's movements. Liu Ruyan and Chen Feng were in charge of logistics, keeping the residence in perfect order.

Zheng Yi, on the other hand, cultivated every day to consolidate his cultivation and prepare for the upcoming battle.

That evening, Zheng Bowen rushed into the yard.

"Master, there's news!" he said, his face showing some tension.

"What news?" Zheng Yi asked.

"There's been some movement from the Han family," Zheng Bowen said. "It's said that Han Feiyang wrote a letter to the Han family headquarters, requesting the patriarch to send someone to deal with you. The Han family headquarters has agreed and sent a top expert."

"An expert?" Zheng Yi raised an eyebrow. "What level?"

"He's said to be in the mid-stage of the Mahayana Realm," Zheng Bowen said. "He's an elder of the Han family named Han Tianxiong. He's Han Feiyang's uncle, very powerful, and a prominent figure in the Han family."

"Mid-stage Mahayana Realm?" Zheng Yi frowned slightly.

Although Han Tianxiong was a mid-stage Mahayana Realm cultivator, a level lower than him, he was not weak. Moreover, Han Tianxiong was an elder of the Han family, so his combat experience was definitely extensive.

"When will he arrive?" Zheng Yi asked.

"They've reportedly arrived in Tianyuan City," Zheng Bowen said. "They entered the city this afternoon and should be at the Han family residence now."

"So fast?" Zheng Yi was somewhat surprised.

It seems the Han family is determined to teach him a lesson this time.

"Patriarch, please be careful," Zheng Bowen said worriedly. "Han Tianxiong is an elder of the Han family, and his strength should not be underestimated."

“I know.” Zheng Yi nodded. “Continue to gather information, and let me know immediately if anything comes up.”

"Yes," Zheng Bowen replied, then turned and left.

Zheng Yi stood in the courtyard, gazing at the sunset on the horizon, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Han Tianxiong," he murmured, "good timing. Let me see just how powerful the Han family elders really are."

As night fell, Tianyuan City was enveloped in a sea of ​​lights.

The Han family mansion in the east of the city was brightly lit.

Han Feiyang stood in the hall, looking respectfully at a middle-aged man sitting in the main seat.

The middle-aged man was about fifty years old, with a dignified appearance and extraordinary bearing. He wore a magnificent brocade robe and held a folding fan in his hand, which he gently waved. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's, as if they could see through everything.

This is Han Tianxiong, an elder of the Han family and Han Feiyang's uncle.

"Uncle, you've finally arrived," Han Feiyang said. "That Dark Night was too arrogant. Not only did he injure my men, but he also crippled Han Tie's cultivation. I simply can't swallow this insult."

“I know,” Han Tianxiong nodded. “You said it all in your letter.”

"Uncle, what are your plans to do against that Dark Night?" Han Feiyang asked. (End of Chapter)