604: Chapter 600: Another Massacre of an Entire Family

Burning his Divine Soul, Xuanyuan Hong's face was as pale as paper, and his breathing was somewhat erratic. However, upon hearing the words "vile spawn," a towering rage instantly ignited in his eyes, and the years of accumulated endurance and grievances erupted completely at this moment.

He slowly stood straight, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and his laughter, though raspy, carried an unprecedented toughness as it echoed through the night: "Xuanyuan Dachan, do not dare insult my son! He is the one chosen by destiny, possessing the Aura of an emperor and a Heaven-chosen Divine Soul. You are now acting against the heavens, attempting to kill and destroy fate. One day, you will face retribution, hahaha!"

"Hahaha?" Xuanyuan Dachan's face darkened, and the pressure around him became increasingly terrifying. "Death is at your doorstep, yet you still dare to be stubborn! Do you think the so-called destiny can do anything to me? Cultivation is inherently an act of going against the heavens. I was able to take the position of Family Head and push the Xuanyuan Family to its Peak, never relying on destiny, but on my own power! Why should I fear this heaven? Die for me!"

Before his voice had even faded, Xuanyuan Dachan's figure flashed, appearing instantly in front of Xuanyuan Hong. A more powerful surge of energy condensed in his palm, carrying the momentum of destroying heaven and earth as he struck toward Xuanyuan Hong's chest.

"Stop!"

Just then, a chorus of orderly shouts rang out. Hundreds of guards from Xuanyuan Hong's branch line, holding weapons, rushed out from every corner of the courtyard. Each of them had determined eyes and was brimming with Killing Intent. They were all loyal servants personally trained by Xuanyuan Hong. Knowing that the Family Head intended to kill their master, not a single one retreated, even though they knew the disparity in strength was vast. They blocked the way in front of Xuanyuan Hong, forming a human wall.

"A bunch of ants dare to block my path?" Xuanyuan Dachan's eyes were violent. Without any hesitation, he waved his hand, and several sharp energy blasts shot out simultaneously, hurtling toward the guards like a rainstorm.

"Pfft— Pfft— Pfft—"

Screams rose one after another. Most of those guards only had Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivation. Before Xuanyuan Dachan, who was at the Peak of Tribulation Transcendence, they were like lambs to the slaughter, having no power to resist at all. Wherever the energy blasts passed, the guards' bodies exploded one after another. Blood and severed limbs splashed, staining the entire courtyard red. In just a short moment, hundreds of guards were easily slaughtered by Xuanyuan Dachan; not a single person could survive even one Move.

Looking at the corpses littering the ground before him, Xuanyuan Hong's eyes nearly split from rage. Tears mixed with blood slid down from the corners of his eyes, and the sorrow and anger in his heart reached a Peak. He knew he had no way out. Today, his only option was to show his resolve through death. Even if he had to exhaust his last bit of strength, he would make Xuanyuan Dachan pay a price.

"Xuanyuan Dachan, I will take you down with me!"

Xuanyuan Hong let out a heart-wrenching roar, and his burning Divine Soul surged once more. The pale golden Spiritual Qi around him converged into a massive longsword. Atop the longsword, dense Divine Soul flames swirled, and four vigorous and powerful characters were engraved on the blade—"Xuanyuan Heart-Protecting"! This was the strongest Move of his lifelong bitter cultivation, using his Divine Soul as a guide and his heart's blood as a blade. It condensed his protection of his family and his loyalty to the branch line; it was his final trump card.

"Xuanyuan Heart-Protecting Sword, Break!"

Xuanyuan Hong gripped the hilt with both hands and used his last bit of strength to slash the longsword fiercely toward Xuanyuan Dachan. The pale golden sword light cut through the night sky, accompanied by a piercing sound of breaking air. Its Aura was majestic, as if it were going to split heaven and earth apart. This strike condensed all his power, all his resentment, and all his protection.

But Xuanyuan Dachan only gave a disdainful glance, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth: "Overestimating yourself."

He slowly raised his hand, and a black energy blast condensed at his fingertip. With a light flick, the black energy collided with the pale golden sword light. There was no world-shaking explosion as imagined; the black energy instantly pierced through the sword light, completely dismantling Xuanyuan Hong's Move. Its remaining force undiminished, it shot straight toward Xuanyuan Hong's chest.

"Pfft—"

The black energy blast pierced through Xuanyuan Hong's chest, and blood instantly gushed out, staining his battle armor red.

Xuanyuan Hong's body suddenly stiffened, and the longsword in his hand fell to the ground with a "clang." He looked at the bloody hole in his chest in disbelief, then slowly raised his head. His eyes were full of resentment, yet they also carried a hint of relief—he had given his all. At least he had bought enough time for the guards. Yao'er should be safe now.

"Die." Xuanyuan Dachan's voice was cold. He raised his hand for another energy blast, which struck Xuanyuan Hong's forehead.

Xuanyuan Hong's eyes instantly lost their luster, and his body slumped down softly, his breath completely gone. His burning Divine Soul also dissipated into the world, leaving only a faint scent of blood lingering in the air.

After dealing with Xuanyuan Hong, Xuanyuan Dachan's cold gaze swept over the corpses on the ground. He shouted sternly, "Pass down my command! Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall are to immediately search Xuanyuan Hong's entire branch line. Regardless of whether they are men or women, young or old, Cultivators or Mortals, kill them all. Leave no one alive!"

"Yes! Family Head!" In the distance, the arriving Law Enforcement Disciples responded in unison and surged into Xuanyuan Hong's branch line with Killing Intent. A brutal and inhumane massacre began.

At the same time, in the delivery room, Li Zhen was holding the fake baby girl, sitting quietly by the bed.

She could clearly hear the sounds of fighting and screaming outside. She knew that Xuanyuan Hong had met with misfortune and that her branch line was finished.

But she didn't cry or run away. She only held the baby girl tightly in her arms and gazed tenderly toward the north—the direction in which Xuanyuan Yao had escaped.

She slowly took out a pre-prepared poison from her bosom. She had prepared it for herself long ago; if things failed, she would follow Xuanyuan Hong and would never live on in dishonor, nor would she ever become a bargaining chip for Xuanyuan Dachan to manipulate.

Li Zhen gently stroked the baby girl's cheek, and as if seeing Xuanyuan Yao in the distance through her, a gentle smile curled on her lips. Her voice was soft yet firm as she whispered silently, "Yao'er, my child, you must live on. You must grow up safely, carrying your father's expectations and the hope of the entire branch line. Live well... Mother is going to accompany your father."

After speaking, Li Zhen put the poison in her mouth and swallowed it in one gulp.

The poison took effect extremely quickly. Her face instantly turned purple, and her breathing gradually weakened. Yet she still held the baby girl tightly, her gaze always fixed toward the north until her last breath faded, her eyes still filled with expectation and concern.

A moment later, the Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall burst into the delivery room, only to see Li Zhen holding the baby girl, already dead.

The baby girl had also long since stopped breathing. Presumably, Li Zhen had also fed the baby girl poison before taking it herself. She did not want this innocent child to fall into Xuanyuan Dachan's hands and suffer torture.

Seeing this, the Law Enforcement Disciples quickly stepped forward to check. After confirming that both were dead, they turned and left to continue searching other corners of the branch line. The bloodbath intensified in the night.

Meanwhile, the guards carrying Xuanyuan Yao had already long since left the Xuanyuan Family and were racing toward the Far North. They carried Xuanyuan Hong's entrustment and the hope of the entire branch line.