Back on Earth, I am the only cultivator.

……

Meanwhile, in the provincial capital of Jiangnan, hundreds of kilometers away from the city gate.

The Zhou Family Mansion.

The atmosphere inside this sprawling manor, filled with luxurious Chinese style, was oppressive at this moment.

"The Li family of Mencheng! They're nothing but lapdogs who've lain in the mud, yet they dare to cripple my only son, Zhou Zhentian!"

Zhou Zhentian's face was ashen, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

He received the devastating news as soon as the auction ended that night.

He is the head of the Zhou family, and his successor, Zhou Yuan, the future hope of the Zhou family, not only had his limbs crippled in the gate city, but even his genitals were destroyed on the spot, making him a completely useless person who was neither male nor female!

"Brother Zhou, calm down. Getting angry is bad for your health."

Beside him, a burly, white-bearded old man slowly opened his eyes and said calmly...

This person is none other than Duan Hong, the renowned near-grandmaster-level rogue cultivator in the provincial capital, also known as "Fiery Vajra"!

That night, Zhou Yuan got into trouble, and Zhou Zhentian was furious. He planned to take revenge immediately.

However, he was well aware of the strange situation in the city recently, with even the old Zhao family being inexplicably destroyed. Being cautious, he suppressed his anger and visited Duan Hong, who had a deep friendship with the Zhou family, that very night.

After several conversations in the secret room, the two confirmed the details of the Li family's background and finally set the date for taking action as the eighth day of the first lunar month, which is today.

"Mr. Duan, how can I tolerate this?"

"Yuan'er is lying in the hospital now, suffering a fate worse than death!"

Zhou Zhentian said it through gritted teeth.

"What's most hateful is that the bastard who crippled my son was Li Jing, the second young lady of the Li family in Mencheng, who stayed by his side the whole time."

"Then it's inextricably linked to the Li family!"

Duan Hong stroked his gray beard and sneered:

"Brother Zhou is right. They are nothing more than a lowly, insignificant family from Mencheng."

"That old bastard Li Zhenyue, I haven't seen him for ten years, I don't think he'll be able to make any waves."

"Don't worry, Patriarch Zhou, I will accompany you today."

"With Elder Duan's words, I, Zhou Zhentian, can rest assured!"

Zhou Zhentian grinned maliciously, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"This afternoon, I'll wipe out the entire Li family of Mencheng!"

……

That afternoon.

Gate City, Li Family Manor.

The afternoon sun was gentle, shining on the rustic pavilion in the manor.

On the stone table, black and white stones were intertwined, and Li Zhenyue and Lin Jingde sat facing each other, intently playing chess.

Not far away, Li Tiancheng, Han Zhen, Lin Tianrong, Li Wen, and Li Jing sat around, brewing tea and chatting in a harmonious yet subtle atmosphere.

"Brother Lin, Minister Han, now that the Zhao family has been destroyed and various forces have surrendered, the three of us must work together to ensure the future martial arts order and industrial planning of Mencheng."

Li Tiancheng picked up his teacup and said with a smile.

Han Zhen nodded and said with emotion:

"Patriarch Li is right. As long as we cling to our predecessors, how can Mencheng not prosper?"

"What does Patriarch Lin think?"

Lin Tianrong respectfully said from the side:

"Minister Han's opinion is excellent. The Lin family will naturally follow the lead of the Li family and our predecessors."

"Young Master Li, I've heard that the Li Group has expanded its businesses in the secular world quite a bit these past few days?"

Li Wen adjusted his glasses and smiled refinedly:

"It's all thanks to our predecessors; the various prominent families in the city have voluntarily conceded profits."

"Xiao Jing, stop peeling oranges and take them to Patriarch Lin."

"Okay, bro!"

Li Jing, dressed in a refreshing casual outfit, cheerfully handed the peeled oranges to Lin Tianrong.

"Master Lin, please try this. It's a fresh tribute orange."

"Haha, Xiaojing is so sensible."

Lin Tianrong stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

Suddenly, a loud bang was heard, and the magnificent gate of the Li family manor was blown open.

Several guards flew in, spitting blood, and fell to the ground, dead.

"Who goes there?!"

Li Zhenyue and Lin Jingde's expressions changed drastically. They suddenly stood up, their internal energy exploding instantly.

"Old Li, today is the anniversary of your Li family's death!"

Zhou Zhentian laughed wildly and led dozens of elite Zhou family warriors into the courtyard.

Beside him, Duan Hong stood with his hands behind his back like a god of fire.

"Zhou Zhentian?!"

Li Zhenyue recognized the person who had come and shouted angrily.

"Has your Zhou family lost your minds? How dare you break into my Li family manor and kill my clansmen!"

"Force your way in? I'll not only force my way in, I'll raze your Li family to the ground!"

Zhou Zhentian pointed at Li Jing, his face contorted with rage.

"You little bitch, and that bastard behind you, nobody can save you today!"

"Old Duan, make your move!"

"Hmph, a bunch of ants, daring to try and stop a chariot?"

Duan Hong sneered and unleashed a palm strike, the wind from which transformed into a wave of fire that swept towards the Li family members.

The sheer power of this aura is almost equivalent to the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining in the cultivation world!

"Late-stage Heavenly Realm?! No, this is definitely a near-Grandmaster!"

Lin Jingde cried out in alarm.

"Prepare for the enemy!!"

Li Zhenyue roared angrily.

Under Wu Fan's guidance, Li Zhenyue broke through to the late stage of the Heavenly Realm, while Lin Jingde also reached the peak of the mid-stage of the Heavenly Realm.

The two held nothing back, their inner strength transforming into a sky full of fist shadows, joining forces to meet the overwhelming raging fire.

However, the strength of a quasi-grandmaster is terrifying; it has already touched the realm of a grandmaster!

The fire wave and the shadow of the fist collided violently in the air, and the violent shockwave spread in all directions, turning the flowers and plants in the courtyard into dust.

"Pfft!"

"Pfft!"

Li Zhenyue and Lin Jingde were both sent flying backwards and crashed to the ground, spitting out blood as they lay limply in pools of blood.

With just one palm strike, two Heavenly-level experts were defeated and rendered powerless!

"grandfather!!"

Li Jing's pretty face turned pale, and tears welled up in her eyes. She rushed over to help Li Zhenyue up.

"Father!"

Lin Tianrong's eyes were bloodshot.

"Old Li, weren't you so arrogant?"

"Why are you lying here like a dead dog?"

"And Lin Jingde, since the Lin family wants to be buried with us, then I'll grant your wish today!"

Zhou Zhentian laughed triumphantly, pointing at the crowd and mocking them wantonly.

"Zhou Zhentian, how dare you wreak havoc right in front of the Martial Arts Alliance and attack its officials? Do you disregard the rules of the Martial Arts Alliance?!"

Enraged, Han Zhen channeled his early-stage Heavenly Realm internal energy, attempting to rush forward to help, but was relentlessly entangled by three late-stage Earthly Realm martial artists from the Zhou family, instantly falling into a disadvantageous position and facing imminent danger.

"Han Zhen, run!"

With Li Jing's support, Li Zhenyue struggled to lift his head, his face covered in blood.

"Brother Jingde, let's stop him, let's fight!"

"Alright! Let's fight them!"

Lin Jingde also looked resolute.

The two patriarchs knew they were doomed to die today, and Zhou Zhentian, having brought quasi-grandmasters with him, had no intention of leaving any survivors.

Their only hope was to help Han Zhen break through the encirclement and seek help from Senior Wu Fan!

Only if the seniors intervene will there be a glimmer of hope!

"Han Zhen! Break through quickly! Go find Senior Wu Fan!!"

Li Zhenyue roared and unleashed his final, terrifying power.

Lin Jingde's face was also contorted with rage, disregarding his severely injured body.

Two top-tier experts forcibly burned their vital energy to tightly entangle Duan Hong.

"You're courting death, trying to run away?"

A cold glint flashed in Duan Hong's eyes, and he unleashed a series of palm strikes, the blazing palms slamming into the chests of the two men.

"Bang! Bang!"

Li Zhenyue and Lin Jingde were thrown out like broken sacks, coughing up blood and falling into a near-death state.

"Old Lin! Old Li!"

Han Zhen's eyes were bloodshot. He used all his internal energy to shake off the several Earth-level martial artists who were attacking him. His figure turned into a streak of light and he fled frantically towards the outside of the Li Family Manor.

"Can they escape?"

Zhou Zhentian grinned maliciously.

As expected, several Earth-level martial artists from the Zhou family had already blocked the retreat route.

Although these Earth-level martial artists were no match for Han Zhen, a Heaven-level early-stage martial artist, their goal was achieved as long as they could keep him occupied.

The Li family manor was now a ruin.

"Grandpa... Waaah... Grandpa, please don't die!"

Li Jing lay on Li Zhenyue's body, crying her heart out.

"Alright, that's enough of that pointless act."

Holding a steel knife and grinning maliciously, Zhou Zhentian walked step by step to Li Zhenyue, who was slumped on the ground.

"Old Li, and you bastard, die! Go and repent for my Yuan'er! Execute!!"