Meanwhile, back Han Family residence. Han Cui's forehead was pressed hard against the cold marble floor of the great hall.

The heavy scent of incense filled the air, but it couldn't cover the stench of panic and guilt that clung to him. His voice trembled as he bowed deeper, his old bones creaking beneath the weight of his fear.

"This lowly one… has failed to protect the Sword Shandian Sect's representatives. I beg the elders' forgiveness. Please… spare my family's name from ruin."

Behind him, servants and disciples knelt with their heads lowered, shivering. No one dared breathe too loudly.

The room was filled with men in long white and gold robes, their presence sharp and cold.

Every one of them radiated the faint hum of powerful spiritual energy.

These were not simple cultivators — they were immortals who had already stepped far beyond the reach of ordinary men.

Yet, despite the tension in the air, the group from Sword Shandian Sect stood calm. Their expressions didn't even waver.

The one who appeared to be the leader, a tall man with a calm face and narrow eyes, folded his hands behind his back. His aura was light, yet it pressed against the room like a heavy fog.

"You may rise," he said softly, his tone neither kind nor cruel. "We understand your concern, Patriarch Han. But panic won't help anyone."

Han Cui slowly lifted his head, his hands shaking. "Elder… my son… and the two honored representatives… they vanished before our eyes. Please tell me, how could such a thing happen within my own estate?"

The leader didn't answer right away. He took a slow breath and turned his gaze toward the open doors of the hall. His eyes seemed to pierce through walls and distance, seeing what no mortal could. "I can sense it still," he said finally. "The spiritual Qi that took them was faint. Whoever did this was weak — perhaps only between the fifth and eighth stage of Qi Infusion."

The words struck Han Cui like a slap. "Qi Infusion?" he repeated in disbelief. "Then… then they were no match for the sect's representatives! Why didn't they fight back?"

"They likely did not resist on purpose," the leader replied evenly. "If they were captured, it's possible they allowed it — to draw out the real enemy. A diversion."

The hall was silent. Every servant stared at the ground, afraid to move. Han Cui's lips parted, but no sound came out. He looked utterly lost.

"And the… foul odor," another cultivator added casually, glancing at the nearby window as if bored. "That chemical you spoke of — the cause of their… unfortunate accident."

Han Cui blushed red, remembering how the three had collapsed and, embarrassingly, soiled themselves in front of everyone.

The leader continued, unfazed. "That was likely their own doing. To mislead whoever attacked them into thinking they had been severely affected. A tactic to make the enemy underestimate them."

"I… I see," Han Cui murmured. He didn't, but he dared not question them further.

Then, voice trembling, he asked, "But my son, Han Zukong… he was taken with them. He has never cultivated. Why would they take him? He's just a boy."

The calm leader turned his gaze toward Han Cui, his expression unreadable. "Because your son's presence may have served as a shield. A cover. The enemy would hesitate to attack if they believed no mortal was involved. They must have planned it that way — to make sure their mission remained hidden."

Han Cui's eyes widened. "So… they took him as cover to let the enemy be convinced that they are all affected?"

"Perhaps," the leader said simply. "Or perhaps he was simply caught in the web of a greater plan. Either way, there's no need for alarm."

Han Cui opened his mouth again, but no words came. He stared blankly at the floor. A few servants exchanged confused looks.

Then, from the side of the hall, a groan broke the silence.

Han Zhanjian, pale and weak, was being supported by a maid. His body trembled, but his eyes were full of fear. "Father… it's not what you think," he said hoarsely. "It's eldest brother. You must stop him. Please, stop him before it's too late."

"Zhanjian?" Han Cui gasped, rushing to his side. "You're awake! What nonsense are you saying?"

"I saw it!" Han Zhanjian shouted, his voice cracking. "He's too strong, Father! Eldest brother's already at the fourth stage of Qi Infusion! He's not the same anymore. You must stop him before he kills them all!"

The cultivators turned their heads toward him. Some raised their brows. One of them even snorted softly, unable to hide his amusement.

The leader regarded the young man for a moment, then spoke calmly. "Fourth stage of Qi Infusion, you say? That's impressive for someone of his age, but you overestimate him. My fellow disciples are far beyond that level."

Han Zhanjian's face turned pale. "No, you don't understand! He—"

But before he could finish, one of the cultivators laughed. "Boy, you think a mere Qi Infusion cultivator could harm even the weakest of our sect?"

Another joined in, smirking. "Maybe he saw his brother fight a few bandits and thought he was invincible."

Laughter rippled through the group.

Han Cui, however, looked torn. He knew his eldest son had changed — that strange incident in the forest, the mysterious strength he showed afterward — but to claim he could defeat Sword Shandian sect representatives? That was unthinkable. Although he had seen Han Ji dealt with a Qi Condensation stage demonic cultivator, that was an injured one.

The leader raised a hand, silencing the laughter. "You are the youngest, Han Zhanjian, correct? The one our sect noted as a High-Class talent?"

Han Zhanjian nodded weakly. "Yes… the sect once sent people to test me."

The leader's eyes flickered with interest but quickly softened. "Then you must calm yourself. Your brother's cultivation is too low to pose any threat. The ones who took your sect's representatives were likely others. Maybe they knew we were searching for something… valuable. To cover their tracks, they faked weakness and illness, left this residence, and acted first."

Han Zhanjian's lips parted. "Something valuable? What are you talking about?"

The leader did not answer. He simply smiled faintly and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Do not trouble yourself with such matters. Our elders will arrive soon. When they do, they'll test your potential again. You might even join our sect formally as a core disciple, if fate allows."

Han Cui's heart swelled with pride at those words, but it was cut short when the entire hall shook.

BOOM!

A massive burst of spiritual Qi erupted from the distance. It was faint to normal eyes, but every cultivator in the hall turned sharply toward it. The pressure rolled through the air like thunder.

Han Cui felt only a weak breeze and blinked in confusion. "What… was that?"

But Han Zhanjian and the Sword Shandian cultivators all stiffened. Their eyes glowed faintly as they sensed the violent energy tearing through the horizon.

The leader's expression darkened. "That spiritual signature… it's close."

Another cultivator frowned. "It came from the direction of the southern forest."

"The same direction where they vanished," another whispered.

The leader nodded once. "I must inspect it. Stay here and wait for the others. Protect the young master."

He vanished, his figure turning into a blur of golden light that cut across the courtyard and disappeared into the night.

The others followed soon after, leaving only Han Cui, his servants, and Han Zhanjian standing in the great hall, faces pale and uncertain.

…

Far away, at the Vermilion Savannah courtyard, the air smelled of flowers and dew. The once empty place had been transformed into a breathtaking sea of colors. Roses climbed the walls, lilies opened under the sun, and the air shimmered with gentle spiritual energy.

In the middle of the blooming courtyard stood Lu Shaohua, her long black hair flowing down her back, her hands clasped before her chest. Her eyes were wide with delight as she admired the sight.

Beside her, the Wolf Chariot — a massive beast with golden fur and eyes like molten amber — lay lazily on the grass, enjoying the sweet fragrance.

Lu Shaohua spun in a small circle, laughing softly. "It's beautiful! The whole courtyard bloomed!"

The Wolf Chariot yawned, its deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "Rawrawrawrarararaw"

"Yeah, I think I overdid it. I didn't mean to," Lu Shaohua said quickly, crouching beside a bed of glowing tulips. "I was only practicing the flower growth technique Young Master Han Ji taught me. I didn't think it would… spread this far."

The Wolf Chariot tilted its head. "Raw-rararaw-rarawawa!"

Lu Shaohua froze, looking around in shock. The vines had indeed climbed up every surface, covering the courtyard completely. "Oh no, you're right. I filled the entire courtyard, the walls, the roof, and even the gate. I've turned it into a forest." she whispered. "I covered everything!"

She stood up, flustered, her hands waving in panic. "What do I do now? If he sees this, he'll think I didn't listen again!"

The Wolf Chariot chuckled. "Rarawur."

Lu Shaohua pouted, "No idea?" staring at the thick curtain of flowers around her. "Young Master Han Ji's techniques are too good," she murmured softly. "Now I can't undo it."

She sighed and sat down among the blossoms, surrounded by their soft glow. "I just hope… he won't get angry when he sees it."

Her voice was small, but the courtyard remained silent — peaceful, unaware of the storm of power and death raging far beyond its walls.

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