Chapter 11

The morning light struggled to pierce the fog of Luo Bay County, slowly shining on the Wang Family Old Residence.

Inside the courtyard, unlike the outside quiet, the Misty Spirit Gathering Array was still operating.

A thin mist, like gauze, wrapped around the courtyard, making the view a little blurry while slowly gathering the surrounding spirit qi.

After a night, the atmosphere of the Wang Family had become somewhat special.

Worry weighed on everyone's hearts like a stone, always present, but more so were tension and anticipation.

Wang Shan arranged everything, so things were still going smoothly.

The eldest son, Wang Zhize, brought his brothers Wang Zhitao, Wang Zhiche, and Wang Zhihai to practice the Basic Fist Technique taught by Wang Shan earnestly on the open ground in the middle of the courtyard.

The fist wind whooshed, carrying the feeling of novices, yet also bearing a strength; this strength was different from what they had before.

Sweat soaked their clothes, but their eyes were focused; they strove to familiarize themselves with the power within their bodies, feeling the change each time they threw a punch.

Wang Shan sat alone on the stone bench in the courtyard.

He closed his eyes, appearing to rest, but his mind was actually connected to the Misty Spirit Gathering Array.

He knew clearly every part of the array and every point of spirit qi's flow.

Because yesterday he placed ten low-grade spirit stones, the array's effect had indeed improved greatly.

The Misty Array's range had expanded, almost enveloping the entire courtyard.

More importantly, the speed of gathering spirit qi had also increased.

Although the spirit qi was still thin, it was already quite helpful for Wang Shan, who was healing his injuries.

Spirit qi entered his body bit by bit, nourishing the wounded spots.

He could feel that his wounds were healing quickly.

Originally, stabilizing the Body Refining Fifth Layer would take several days, but now it seemed ready to break through, possibly soon reaching Body Refining Sixth Layer.

This made Wang Shan feel somewhat more at ease.

Strength is what matters most.

Suddenly, Wang Shan opened his eyes and furrowed his brow slightly.

His spirit, linked with the array, sensed some abnormal fluctuations.

Near the edge of the array, close to the courtyard wall, several shadows were sneaking about.

Their aura was weak; they were not cultivators, merely ordinary people who hadn't even reached the Body Refining realm.

They moved cautiously, eyes fixed on the courtyard, hoping to see what was inside.

Were they from the Chen family? Or sent by the Wan family?

Wang Shan smirked coldly in his heart.

No matter who they were, such people were not enough for him to act against.

He curled the corner of his mouth, a bit cold.

Perfect, let these people see that the Wang Family is no longer the same.

Also let the sons try it, to train their courage.

He communicated with his mind to Wang Zhize: 'Zhize.'

Wang Shan's voice was calm but carried a command: 'There are a few flies outside, making a lot of noise.'

'Take your brothers to "entertain" them.'

'Remember, things are different now; don't be heavy-handed as before. Just give them a lesson, drive them away, and let them know the Wang Family is not something just anyone can look at.'

Wang Zhize stopped his movement.

He was first surprised, then became excited; he had long wanted to vent his anger!

He had also had enough of those bullying fellows!

'Yes, Father!' Wang Zhize shouted loudly, his voice full of excitement.

He stopped practicing the fist technique and said to Wang Zhitao, Wang Zhiche, and Wang Zhihai: 'Come with me!'

Having said that, he walked toward the main gate and picked up a wooden stick from beside the wall.

Wang Zhitao and the others didn't know what had happened, but seeing their eldest brother's demeanor and their father's order, they followed.

They picked up whatever was at hand—there were axes and wooden sticks.

During this time following their father's cultivation, their realm hadn't increased much; they were still at Body Refining First and Second Layers, but their bodies and strength were completely different from before.

More importantly, their spirit had changed.

The four of them walked to behind the gate.

Wang Zhize took a breath, and the power within his body stirred slightly.

He was now at Body Refining Second Layer, which is nothing to cultivators, but enough to deal with ordinary people.

He flung the door open!

'Creak—' the door made a sound.

Outside the door, several Chen family servants were secretly peeking inside, and they were startled.

Before they could react, Wang Zhize roared: 'Who are you! Sneaking around! Dare to look at the Wang Family!'

He stepped forward, releasing the aura of Body Refining Second Layer, pressing toward those servants.

The Chen family servants were used to bullying people.

When had they ever seen such a scene?

Wang Zhize exuded a pressure from his body.

Behind him, three sturdy youths also held 'weapons,' with unfriendly eyes.

Seeing this formation, the Chen family servants were so frightened their souls almost left them.

'Run… run quickly!'

Someone shouted.

Several people immediately fell into chaos.

They no longer dared to peek; they turned and ran, not even bothering to choose a path.

Seeing this, Wang Zhitao and the others grew bolder.

Their cultivation couldn't compare to that of their elder brother Wang Zhe.

But they had recently practiced the Body Tempering Method.

Their bodies were far more agile and strong than those of the servants who hadn't trained.

A few people shouted strangely as they charged forward.

The wooden sticks were swung, and the short axes (using the back of the blade) chopped down.

Fists and feet also joined in.

Remembering their father's words, they didn't strike a killing blow.

It was mainly to scare them off and drive them away.

Even so, those few Chen Family servants were beaten until they screamed.

Their bodies were covered in many bruises as they ran, holding their heads.

They scrambled out of the Wang Family Courtyard, rolling and crawling, and soon disappeared around the street corner.

Wang Zhe and the others didn't pursue.

Four people stood at the gate holding weapons.

They watched those people's retreating backs as they ran away.

They were panting, their faces showing a joy and confidence they had never felt before.

Wang Zhe threw his head back and let out a loud shout.

His voice carried far, filled with power and intimidation.

At this moment, they felt they were no longer the Wang Family youths who could be bullied at will.

They used their actions to tell those who wanted to peek: the Wang Family is no longer the same!

The commotion here was seen by someone in the distance.

At the end of the street, beneath an inconspicuous eave.

Two people in black robes stood in the shadows.

They were Heipao Jia and Heipao Yi, sent by the Wan Family.

Heipao Yi watched as the Wang brothers easily drove off the Chen Family's scouts.

He curled the corner of his mouth, full of disdain.

"Hmph, I thought there was something remarkable."

He gave a low chuckle, his words full of contempt.

"Just a few juniors who've barely touched the Body Refining threshold, beating up a couple of lowly mortal servants— is that really worth showing off like that?"

He felt this rebellion was no different from children squabbling.

But Heipao Jia beside him narrowed his eyes.

This man spoke little, and his aura was deeper.

His eyes first glanced at the mist over the Wang Family Courtyard.

Then he swept his gaze over Wang Zhe and his brothers.

Their qi and blood were far more vigorous than that of ordinary farm youths.

"This Wang Family is somewhat strange."

Heipao Jia's voice was low and somewhat solemn.

"That array, though crude, seems to have some genuine skill; at least its illusion and qi-gathering effects couldn't be set up by an ordinary rural household."

"Moreover, look at those juniors," he pointed at Wang Zhe and the others showing off at the gate, "their qi and blood are abundant, their foundations seem solid— far stronger than ordinary farm youths. It seems that old fellow who slipped from our grasp last night wasn't all bluster."

Last night there was an accident, and now we're seeing this again.

Heipao Jia dared not underestimate the Wang Family too much in his heart.

Of course, he only gave them a little more attention.

He is at the eighth layer of Body Refining.

This "strangeness" is, in his eyes, hardly a threat.

At most, it's just making this ant a bit troublesome.

Just like that.

"Hmph, even if it's a bit strange, so what?" Heipao Yi remained unconvinced, "Soon we'll personally strike— no matter what array, what old or young fool, we'll smash them all with a single palm, and see how they can still cause trouble!"

Heipao Jia didn't speak.

He thought the same in his heart.

To them, the Wang Family was nothing at all.

Their goal was to ensure the Wan Family's plan in Luo Bay County went smoothly.

The Wang Family was merely a minor obstacle in the plan.

Removing this obstacle was their task.

The sun slowly rose higher.

The mist in Luo Bay County dissipated.

The two Body Refining Eighth Layer experts sent by the Wan Family were ready to act against the Wang Family.

A storm that would decide the Wang Family's fate was about to come.