Wang Xianxian struggled desperately, trying to channel the spiritual energy within him, but no matter how hard he fought, he couldn't break free from Wang Jiannian's grip.
The gap in strength was too overwhelming!
As time passed, the bloodline power within Wang Xianxian was completely depleted. The ancestral protection that had shielded him also vanished entirely.
At that exact moment, Wang Jiannian struck Wang Xianxian's throat with force.
The boy's frail body was flung backward, crashing heavily against the wall.
Wang Xianxian clutched his throat in agony, unable to speak. The exhaustion of his bloodline power left him utterly drained of strength.
He lay on the ground like a lifeless corpse, his eyes filled with a fierce rage as he glared at Wang Jiannian.
But Wang Jiannian paid no mind to the boy crumpled on the floor. He turned, knelt before the clan leader, and declared, "Clan leader, Wang Xianxian has disrespected his elders, insulted them at will, and even attacked one of us. According to the clan rules, his spiritual veins should be abolished, followed by a flogging, and he should be exiled from the family!"
The other elders exchanged uneasy glances. None dared speak up for the boy under Wang Jiannian's threatening gaze.
The clan leader, Wang Xiao, also stared fiercely at the boy on the ground. "Approved. As his father, you will personally carry out the punishment."
Upon hearing this, the crowd looked at Wang Xianxian with pity. In his current state, falling into Wang Jiannian's hands would surely lead to unspeakable torment.
At that moment, the elder seated at the highest position slammed his hand on the table. "Who gave you permission to act in the ancestral hall?"
The sudden reprimand caused Wang Jiannian to kneel quickly, bowing low. "Forgive me, Elder. I was only concerned that this rebellious son would speak nonsense and offend you."
"Are you truly concerned about offending me, or are you afraid of what the boy might say?" the elder sneered.
After that, the elder glanced around the room and noticed that no one dared meet his gaze.
"It seems this disrespectful youth may not be speaking nonsense after all," the elder scoffed before walking over to Wang Xianxian.
He looked down at the boy, who was still struggling to rise, and with one hand, lifted him up. A surge of spiritual energy flowed from the elder, crashing directly into Wang Xianxian's spiritual veins.
In an instant, the boy's spiritual veins were shattered by the elder's overwhelming force.
The excruciating pain nearly caused Wang Xianxian to faint.
The elder spoke coldly, "I don't care what has happened between you all, but violating the clan rules cannot be tolerated."
"As an elder, it is my right to enforce clan law. Wang Xianxian's spiritual veins have now been destroyed. Does anyone object?"
The room remained silent, with even Wang Jiannian not daring to utter a word in protest.
The elder gazed down at Wang Xianxian, who lay on the ground convulsing in pain, lost in thought.
After a long moment, the elder spoke in a low voice. "Wang Xianxian, I will give you a chance. If you can walk out of the ancestral home's gates before the sun fully sets, you will be spared the flogging."
Upon hearing the elder's words, Wang Xianxian's rage-fueled mind cleared slightly.
His blood-red eyes locked onto Wang Jiannian, but he said nothing further.
Slowly and with great difficulty, the boy forced himself up from the ground. Each step he took toward the exit felt as heavy as a mountain pressing down on him.
He knew that with his current strength, revenge was impossible—and perhaps even in the future, he might never have the power to avenge himself.
But no matter what, he had to survive!
No matter what, he had to live!
Only by living could there be hope!
Wang Jiannian had said one thing correctly. Compared to his younger brother Wang Beichen, Wang Xianxian was worthless.
"You have about three hours left," came the elder's reminder as Wang Xianxian painfully continued his slow march toward the ancestral hall's exit.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sound of his heavy footsteps echoed through the hall.
With his spiritual veins shattered, bright red blood oozed from his pores.
Blood flowed down his body, and with each step he took, crimson footprints were left behind, staining the ground. The sight made everyone feel a chill down their spine.
---
Meanwhile, outside the Wang family's ancestral hall, a small white beast was eavesdropping. Its eyes blinked before it dashed off into the depths of the Wang family estate.
At the core of the Wang family's ancestral home was a luxurious courtyard.
At a stone table, an old man and a young girl sat across from each other.
The white-haired elder, brewing tea, glanced at the panicked little white beast rushing in and shook his head with a sigh. "How many times have I told you to be more composed? This isn't Kunlun Ruins…"
But the white beast ignored its master's words and leapt onto the stone table, speaking in a clear voice. "Master, Your Highness, there's big news!"
The pink-haired girl, seated across from the elder, gently stroked the white beast's back with a smile. "Di Ting, don't rush, tell us slowly."
The little Di Ting quickly gathered its thoughts and recounted everything it had overheard.
"That's how it is, Master, Your Highness. Humans are truly terrifying."
After hearing the story, the pink-haired girl frowned. "Shallow… you're telling me that boy's mother chose to end her life for the sake of her child?"
Little Di Ting shook its ears, still trembling with fear.
"Yes, Your Highness, that Wang Xianxian had completely lost hope and was ready to die, but when he learned of this, he went mad."
"You have no idea how terrifying the hatred in his heart is. Just listening to it almost damaged my spirit."
The pink-haired girl fell into silence after hearing this.
After a brief pause, she looked at the elder across from her.
"Emperor Baize, can we save that boy?"
The white-haired elder, referred to as Emperor Baize, shook his head.
"Princess Xian'er, this is the Wang family's internal matter; we have no right to interfere."
"I understand why you want to save him, but we came to the Wang family to investigate the disappearance of the Sword Emperor."
"Our identities are special. Any action we take could easily be misinterpreted."
"The Wang family has intricate relationships with other powerful families. If we interfere in their family affairs, it may arouse suspicion among the various clans, creating unnecessary complications."
Upon hearing this, Yun Xian'er lowered her head, lost in thought.
"If my mother were still here, she would have done the same. Please forgive my stubbornness..." she whispered.
After finishing, Yun Xian'er bowed to the white-haired elder and left the small courtyard without looking back.
The elder remained where he stood, sighing deeply.
"Ah... foolish child..."
---
The main road of the Wang family's ancestral home.
As one of the imperial clans, the Wang family's ancestral estate was enormous—larger even than ancient imperial palaces.
Normally, the Wang clan members would not linger in the front courtyard for long.
But today was different.
The vast courtyard was filled with spectators, all gathering for one reason—spectacle.
Wang Xianxian had lost count of how many times he had fallen.
He stared at the setting sun, struggling over and over again to stand.
"Hey, isn't that Wang Xianxian? What happened to him?"
"Shh, keep it down. I heard he insulted and attacked the elders in the ancestral hall and had his spiritual veins abolished."
"The Tenth Elder took pity on him and agreed that if he could walk out of the ancestral gates before sunset, he would be spared the whipping."
"No wonder he's trying so hard. At his age, with his veins shattered, if he takes a beating from the family whip, he's finished."
"Serves him right. Insulting the elders—he deserves divine punishment!"
"Exactly. And he awakened as a brewer, completely shaming the family!"
The jeers and insults from the crowd didn't disturb Wang Xianxian's focus.
Honor, insults, dignity—none of it mattered anymore. All that was left in his mind was one thought:
Revenge!!!
As he thought of his mother's death, a final shred of strength was squeezed from his broken and nearly depleted body.
He stood up again!
The sight of the blood-soaked boy, still resolutely moving forward, silenced the once-rowdy crowd.
Even the spectators, who had gathered for entertainment, began to regard the scene with seriousness and a newfound respect.
The perseverance Wang Xianxian displayed moved those watching.
Yun Xian'er, hidden among the crowd, gazed at the blood-drenched boy, his steps faltering yet determined. Her clear eyes trembled slightly.
She could sense the intense pain within him and see the overwhelming rage buried deep in his heart, along with a frighteningly violent aura.
Wang Xianxian, soaked in blood and reeking of iron, struggled his way toward the gates.
The final obstacle before him—five steps—became his last hurdle.
By now, most of the sun had disappeared behind the mountains.
He was running out of time.
As he finally stepped onto the fifth stair, a cold and emotionless voice echoed in his ear.
"The sun has set. You've failed."
The Tenth Elder's words were a death sentence for the boy.
The surrounding clan members sighed, but none stepped forward to plead on his behalf.
Wang Xianxian stared at the gates, so close yet out of reach, his face full of despair.
Just as he was about to accept his fate, a crisp voice rang out beside him.
"He hasn't failed yet."