That elder from the Mixed Element Sect, a master at the True Qi Third Layer, had been beaten into a coma by a single palm strike from this man...

Their Patriarch was no match for him whatsoever.

"I am Bai Canglan, Patriarch of the Bai family. Greetings, Little Brother Chen..."

Bai Canglan’s expression was grave as he stepped forward and clasped his fists.

A testament to his many years leading the Bai family.

He knew the art of forbearance and when to back down.

"May I ask what business brings Little Brother Chen to my Bai family?"

Bai Canglan said, bracing himself.

"You’re the Patriarch of the Bai family?"

Chen Xuan fixed his gaze on him and said, "It’s nothing, really. I just came to clear something up. A while ago, your family members—Bai Qianli, Bai Ling’er, and an elder named Bai Shihong—were all killed by me. You don’t have to waste time investigating. I’m admitting to it all. If you want revenge, now’s your chance. Go ahead."

What?

The faces of the crowd changed drastically.

Bai Canglan’s heart leaped in surprise. "Young Friend Chen, surely this is some kind of misunderstanding?"

"It’s no misunderstanding. I did kill them. There was also an azure demon beast that I struck dead. Now, take your revenge!"

Chen Xuan said.

"A misunderstanding! This is definitely a misunderstanding!"

Bai Canglan said hastily.

"Yes, this is absolutely a misunderstanding!"

Second Elder Bai Yuanfeng immediately chimed in.

"No. There is no misunderstanding. I’m the one who killed your family members!"

Chen Xuan admitted grimly.

"No. They must have been out of line and provoked you, sir. Otherwise, I refuse to believe you would do such a thing."

Bai Canglan’s expression turned solemn. "Young Friend Chen, please, rest assured. From this day forward, I will keep all my family members on a tight leash. I will absolutely ensure they don’t cause this sort of trouble again. If anyone does, you have my permission to kill them on the spot. I won’t have a single complaint!"

"Yes, yes! If that happens, by all means, kill them as you see fit!"

Second Elder Bai Yuanfeng hastily added. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Oh?"

Chen Xuan frowned, looking suspiciously at the two of them.

The other family members were also stunned, looking at the Patriarch and Second Elder in disbelief.

’Did they really just say that?’

’Are these the same Patriarch and Second Elder we know?’

’Their own family members were killed!’

’And not only are they not holding him accountable, they’re saying it’s a good thing they were killed?’

’Are they offering to send more to their deaths?’

’Have the Patriarch and Second Elder gone insane?’

"You’re not going to seek revenge?"

Chen Xuan asked suspiciously.

"Revenge? What revenge? Their behavior was improper, and they seriously tainted the honor of the Bai family. In my capacity as Patriarch, I hereby expel them from the family, effective immediately!"

Bai Canglan said sternly.

"Yes! Expel them from the family immediately!"

Bai Yuanfeng followed up with a nod.

This made Chen Xuan frown.

’Damn it.’

’I’ve run into a real master.’

’It’s like punching cotton.’

’What am I supposed to do now?’

"Fine. I also took down your Bai family’s ’Prince Xia’s Mansion’ plaque. Surely you’ll want revenge for that?"

Chen Xuan looked at him.

"It’s merely a plaque, a symbol of past glory. This old man has wanted to take it down for a long time. As the saying goes, one cannot build anew without first destroying the old. If Young Friend Chen fancies it, you are welcome to take it!"

Bai Canglan said in a deep voice.

"Is that so?"

Chen Xuan frowned. "Then what if I smash it?"

"An excellent idea! Please, Young Friend Chen, do it at once!"

Bai Canglan immediately said with great solemnity.

BANG!

With a jolt of his palm, Chen Xuan’s True Qi surged forth, instantly blasting the plaque to pieces.

"It’s shattered!"

"Thank you, Young Friend Chen, for removing this burden from the Bai family! On behalf of all of us, I thank you!"

Bai Canglan clasped his fists and said with a deep bow.

"Yes, I thank you as well, Young Friend Chen!"

Second Elder Bai Yuanfeng also clasped his fists.

Chen Xuan was now completely speechless.

He’d never met anyone so skilled at sidestepping an issue.

[You have smashed the Bai family’s Prince Xia’s Mansion plaque in front of them. Retribution points +5000!]

"But I’ve been traumatized,"

Chen Xuan said suddenly.

"Traumatized?"

Bai Canglan’s expression froze, not understanding his meaning. "What do you mean, traumatized?"

"After killing your family’s Bai Qianli, Bai Ling’er, and Bai Shihong, I’ve been having nightmares every night... They’ve terrified me... So what are you going to do about it?"

Chen Xuan said.

"Compensation! We will compensate you immediately!"

Bai Canglan replied instantly. "What does Young Friend Chen require? Anything we have, we will give."

"Mm, I need some medicinal herbs."

Chen Xuan casually pulled a slip of paper from his robes. "Everything on this list!"

Bai Canglan immediately took it in his hand, his eyes scanning it.

Iron-thread Grass, Barbarian Bear Bone, Earth Dragon Blood...

"Alright. I will have someone check the warehouse at once..."

He handed the list to the Second Elder, who went to check personally.

The Second Elder took the slip and rushed out.

A few moments later, he hurried back out carrying a package. "Mission accomplished, Young Friend Chen! We found quite a few of these items in the Bai family’s storerooms!"

"Oh?"

Chen Xuan’s eyes lit up. He immediately took the package and began to inspect its contents, inwardly pleased.

’This trip wasn’t a total waste!’

’Even though I couldn’t shear the sheep!’

’Getting the medicinal herbs is just as good.’

"Patriarch of the Bai family, I don’t care whether you’re truly letting this go or just faking it. In any case, I’ll be around. If you decide you want revenge, I’ll be waiting."

Chen Xuan’s tone was flat as he looked at Bai Canglan.

"You jest, Young Friend Chen. I haven’t even had the chance to thank you properly. How could I possibly seek revenge?"

Bai Canglan said immediately.

"Fine, then I won’t stay any longer."

Chen Xuan shook his head lightly, picked up the herbs, turned, and left.

"Allow me to see you out personally, Young Friend Chen."

Bai Canglan led a group of elders and immediately followed, watching as Chen Xuan disappeared into the distance.

It wasn’t until Chen Xuan had vanished completely that an elder, his face a mask of indignation, asked in a low voice, "Patriarch, why did we treat him with such deference?"

"He is a True Qi Realm master!"

Bai Canglan’s eyes were icy as he looked at that elder. "True Qi Third Layer!"

"Wh... What?"

That elder’s eyes widened as if he’d been struck by lightning.

The other elders were horrified as well. Their blood ran cold, and their hearts pounded in shock.

’True Qi Third Layer?’

’True Qi Third Layer in his early twenties?’

’What kind of joke is this?’

"Listen to me, all of you. From this day forward, no one is to provoke anyone from the Twelve Alliances. If you see them, you are to back down and give way immediately. If any of you causes trouble out there, don’t blame me for personally handing you over to the Twelve Alliance headquarters!"

Bai Canglan said in a cold voice.

A chill ran down their spines, and the hairs on their arms stood on end.

...

「Far away.」

Chen Xuan carried the medicinal herbs, heading toward the Twelve Alliance headquarters.

His gaze fell once again upon the panel before his eyes.

Name: Chen Xuan

Heart Method: Molten Fire Gold Forging Skill (Fourth Layer)

Martial Arts: Thunder-Fire Vajra Skill [(Perfected) Three Thousand Thunder Movements, Inner Blazing Sun, Mountain-Splitting Earth-Shaker, Soul-Severing Palm], Shattering Star Finger (Seventh Layer), Flame Heaven-Burning Palm (Seventh Layer)

Cultivation: True Qi Fourth Layer

Talents: Innate Divine Strength, Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, Indestructible Fist Intent (Level 1), Thunder Dharma King (Level 1), Innate Tyrant Body (Fame Level-Up unlocks a new talent. Current Fame: Renowned in the Region)

Retribution Points: 17,300 (Can be used to advance Martial Arts)

...

’Excellent. Once I get back, I can try the medicinal bath and start cultivating the Iron Wall Dragon-Elephant Skill and the Heavy Mountain Palm...’

He sped up and quickly disappeared.

...

「Inside the Twelve Alliance Headquarters.」

As soon as Chen Xuan returned, he saw Alliance Leader Luo Hongtian, who had been waiting at the main gate for some time.

"Chen Xuan, hurry over here!"

Luo Hongtian said with delight.

"Alliance Leader? What is it?"

Chen Xuan showed a puzzled expression and walked over at once.

"Good news, great news!"

Luo Hongtian’s face was beaming. "I’ve found a powerful backer for you. With their help, you might not have to worry about threats from the Celestial Sword Sect and the Mixed Element Sect anymore."

"Oh? What kind of backer?"

Chen Xuan’s eyes flashed slightly.

"You’ll know once you come with me!"

Luo Hongtian delightedly led Chen Xuan toward the main hall.

...