Chapter 13: Old Farmer Breaks Through, Vows to Slay the Wan Family

Heipao Jia's "Black Fiend Palm", bearing heavy force, struck the light shield of the Misty Spirit Gathering Array with a crushing blow.

"Buzz—!"

A deafening crash shook the Wang Family Courtyard, nearly blowing the roof off.

The light shield had been fairly solid, with some light flowing over it.

Now, after that hit, it twisted violently, deforming, with ripples flailing all over its surface.

The brilliance flickered rapidly, alternating bright and dim, and it seemed about to collapse and shatter.

The air in the courtyard became unbearably hot; the natural Spiritual Power that had been flowing gently turned chaotic in an instant, surging everywhere.

At the center of the Array, the ten Lower Grade spirit stones dimmed considerably all at once.

Their Spiritual Power was almost drained by that palm, and tiny cracks appeared on the stones.

"Puff!"

Wang Shan sat in the middle of the Array, his body trembling.

A metallic taste rose in his throat; he clenched his teeth and forced the blood down.

Even so, his face turned considerably paler.

Through the Array, the full-force strike of the Body Refining Eightfold Peak master still penetrated.

It rattled his blood and Qi, making his internal organs ache.

So strong!

Wang Shan was startled in his heart.

This Heipao Jia is far more formidable than the impulsive Heipao Yi just now.

Just one palm strike almost finished him off and also shattered the spirit stone's Misty Spirit Gathering Array!

He understood; the opponent truly intended to kill, so there would be no more probing.

The real life‑or‑death moment is only just beginning!

Wang Shan dared not be careless.

He endured the discomfort within his body and quickly activated the Duant Body Art to regulate his breathing.

At the same time, he continuously sent his limited Spiritual Power into the Array Eye.

He fought desperately to preserve the light shield that was about to break.

His thoughts were linked with the entire Array, feeling each strand of energy fading away.

"Everyone, hide! I didn't order you, and no one may come out! Remember, survival is paramount!"

He transmitted the command to his sons with his thoughts.

The sons had already followed his words, clutching broken weapons and hiding in the courtyard corners, their palms sweating with tension.

Wang Shan's voice was steady, calming them a little and easing their fear.

Having done that, Wang Shan pressed one hand firmly onto the ground beside the Array Eye, straining to hold the last protection.

His other hand slipped quietly into the pocket of his coarse short robe.

There lay two Talismans, emitting faint Spiritual Energy Fluctuations.

One was earth‑colored, thick to the touch, a life‑saving trump card he bought with a thousand Spirit Plant Points — the "Thick Earth Talisman."

The other glimmered with a hint of gold, feeling sharp, his weapon for a counterattack — the "Sharp Gold Talisman."

Holding the Talismans in his chest, Wang Shan felt steadier.

He inhaled deeply.

His eyes, weary from injury and pressure, suddenly flashed with a fierce light.

What's wrong with the Body Refining Eightfold?

If they think they can wipe out my Wang family, it won't be that easy!

Today, let those Wan family dogs see that my Wang's territory isn't a place anyone can mess with!

Even if you're Body Refining Eightfold, I'll make you die here today!

The great battle is about to begin!

The air outside the courtyard seemed to freeze, filled with suffocating killing intent, even the wind dared not blow.

When Heipao Jia shattered the Array's light shield, the dense fog that had trapped Heipao Yi also quivered and thinned.

Heipao Yi seized the chance and finally emerged from the uncomfortable Misty Array.

He staggered a few steps before steadied, his face so black it seemed it could squeeze out water.

He felt mortified for having been dizzy in the Array earlier and flailing at empty air.

He is a Body Refining Eightfold cultivator, yet a rustic old man's broken Array trapped him—what a colossal disgrace!

"Brother!" he shouted, stepping a few paces to Heipao Jia, his gaze on the Wang Family Courtyard brimming with killing intent.

"This Array feels off; that old bastard is hiding, so there must be something wrong! Let's act quickly, don't let him cause more trouble, to avoid hassle!"

He now wants to rush in, seize that old guy who set up the Array, and kill him to settle his grudge.

Heipao Jia gave a expressionless nod, the cold glint in his eyes growing harsher.

He also felt they could not delay any longer.

Everything about this Wang Family seems strange.

First, someone managed to escape from under them; now they've produced such a formidable Misty Array.

Even the Wang Family's few good‑for‑nothing sons dare to strike people.

Something abnormal surely has a cause!

Although he doesn't think a tiny Luo Bay County native could do much.

But to be safe, it's best to finish it quickly.

The two stopped holding back, and the Spiritual Power inside their bodies spun wildly.

The overwhelming aura of Body Refining Eighth Layer was unleashed in full.

That aura pressed toward the Wang Family Courtyard!

Boom!

The invisible pressure slammed into the nearly shattered array light shield, emitting a muffled thud.

The shield flashed even faster, about to vanish.

In the courtyard, Wang Zhize, Wang Zhitao and the others hiding everywhere felt as if a huge stone pressed on their chests, making breathing difficult.

That terrifying pressure emanating from the high‑rank cultivator made these low‑level Body Refining practitioners feel an indescribable fear and helplessness.

They clutched their wooden staffs, axes, and machetes tightly.

Their fingers turned white from the strain, and sweat soaked the rough weapon handles.

Their hearts were terrified.

But thinking of their father still alone in the courtyard facing a powerful foe,

and fearing the house might be ruined, a fearless surge rose in their hearts.

All or nothing!

Even if they die, they'll stand with dad and fight these villains to the end!

At that moment, the Wang Family's hearts rose to their throats.

They felt the array would break in the next instant, and they would die.

Wang Shan, seated in the middle of the array, suddenly had a flash of brilliance in his eyes!

He had been training hard before.

The medicinal potency of Xisui Flower and many Spiritual Blood branches had accumulated in his body.

Just now, to hold the array, he passively absorbed a great amount of Heaven‑and‑Earth Spiritual Energy, cleansing his body.

More crucially, this massive pressure at the life‑or‑death brink became the final straw.

The pressure completely shattered the barrier within his body!

The bottleneck at the peak of Body Refining Fifth Layer was finally broken by his Qi and Spiritual Power!

Breakthrough!

Wang Shan let out a low shout in his heart.

He no longer suppressed himself.

He actively guided the chaotic surge of Qi and Spiritual Power within his body.

Following exactly the path of Duant Body Art Sixth Layer, he struck toward a higher realm!

Bang!

A breath several times stronger than that of Body Refining Fifth Layer erupted violently from his body!

The breath was both strong and steady, carrying a newly‑born, powerful sharpness that instantly filled the entire Wang Family Courtyard!

Body Refining Sixth Layer!

Achieved!

There are many benefits to the breakthrough.

Not only have strength and speed noticeably increased.

More importantly, the total amount and purity of Spiritual Energy in his body have risen.

This shows that when he uses Pishan Palm, his sole offensive technique, its power will be far greater!

At the same time, his body's hardness, ability to withstand hits, and post‑injury recovery speed have all become much stronger.

He even faintly feels his lifespan has lengthened a bit.

Though slight, that feeling of revitalized life force is real.

The suddenly erupting breakthrough breath, like firelight in darkness, instantly pierced the nearly broken array.

Heipao Jia and Heipao Yi were about to act together to smash the array completely.

They clearly sensed the change in that breath.

The expressions on both their faces froze instantly.

Both displayed astonished expressions they could hardly believe.

"A breakthrough in the midst of battle?!"

"Body Refining Sixth Layer?!"

They looked at each other and saw the shock in each other's eyes.

Based on the information they had gathered and last night's assessment, Wang Shan could at most have reached the pinnacle of Body Refining Fifth Layer.

They originally thought Wang Shan's endurance so far was solely thanks to that bizarre array.

But they never imagined that this seemingly ordinary countryside old man would… would directly breakthrough right before the two Body Refining Eighth Layer masters, at such a deadly moment?!

And he instantly reached Body Refining Sixth Layer!

Was this old fellow hiding his strength all along?

No, that's not right!

Although this breath has grown stronger, its foundation is still a bit floating, clearly the look of a fresh breakthrough!

It's a breakthrough in the midst of battle!

This discovery made both Heipao Jia and Heipao Yi feel a tinge of fear.

Achieving a breakthrough under such massive pressure is certainly beyond ordinary people!

This Wang Shan is even more formidable than they imagined!

For a moment, the two of them looked at the Wang Family Courtyard with not just killing intent but also a heightened seriousness.

Wang Shan felt a powerful force in his body like never before, along with a vigorous vitality as if reborn.

He only felt a surge of Qi rushing up in his heart!

It seemed the wounds had healed more than half under the vitality brought by this breakthrough!

He sprang up from the ground, his body standing as straight as a pine, showing no trace of old, feeble demeanor.

As he rose, he actively controlled the surroundings, dispersing most of the courtyard's mist.

The courtyard's appearance was revealed, as was his face, lined with wrinkles yet with eagle‑sharp eyes.

He said nothing, but the meaning was clear: a provocation, a fight to the death!

You two Wan Family lackeys!

Wang Shan's voice rang like a great bell, clearly echoing throughout inside and outside the courtyard.

The voice carried the powerful momentum of his recent breakthrough and an uncompromising killing intent.

Since you're here, don't leave! Leave your life here forever!

As he spoke, he swiftly formed a few strange hand gestures with both hands.

The operation of the Misty Spirit Gathering Array changed accordingly.

The effects originally used for "confusing" and "trapping" quickly weakened.

The Array began to focus on "gathering Qi" and "protection".

In an instant, the ambient spiritual energy of several miles seemed to be pulled by something.

It rushed toward the Wang Family Courtyard even faster, continuously replenishing the Array's consumption.

Another portion of the spiritual energy was guided by Wang Shan, slowly entering his body to solidify his newly broken realm.

At the same time, his thoughts had already shifted to the interface of the Spirit Plant System.

The remaining over a thousand Spirit Plant Points were flashing.

The Thick Earth Talisman and Sharp Gold Talisman in his bosom were also ready.

All his trump cards were ready!

Wang Shan's eyes gleamed as he stared at the two intimidating Heipao Ren outside the courtyard.

His aged face showed a near‑mad determination.

Old man, today I'll also indulge in youthful recklessness, defy the heavens once, and cut you down here!