Chapter 4 - Inhaling the blood essence

Shen Yuxian, with a firm step and an increasingly terrifying aura, left the blood-filled hall. In his heart, the newly awakened power made him more resilient than before. Each step he took felt stronger, and each breath he took merged with the dark power he had just acquired from the blood pooling around the hall. However, he was unaware that a greater threat was lurking. Without Yuxian's knowledge, an informant sent by one of the prominent families involved in the Shen Clan's marriage was tracking his footsteps. The informant's task was clear: find the remaining survivors of the Shen Clan and ensure they wouldn't become a threat in the future. He was ordered to erase all traces of the Shen Clan, especially Yuxian, who was considered a potential major threat in the future.

As Yuxian stepped out of the ruined hall, he didn't realize someone was waiting for him behind the dense tree shadows. A man dressed in all black, with his face hidden behind his hood, stood upright. From his sharp eyes, Yuxian could sense that this man was not someone to be underestimated.

The man, a Patriarch from one of the prominent families involved in the Shen Clan's marriage, raised his voice calmly yet with pressure, "Shen Yuxian... I've heard a lot about you. I didn't expect you to survive this far."

Yuxian halted his steps for a moment. A sharp gaze immediately fell upon the man, and a deep flash of hatred appeared in his eyes. "You, who have slaughtered the Shen Clan, I'll make sure you regret it. There will be no safe place for you," Yuxian said with a voice that was calmer yet carried a real threat.

The Patriarch smiled, seemingly unaffected by Yuxian's threat. "Don't talk like that. We wouldn't let you live just like that. Right now, you're just a threat that needs to be eliminated."

Without warning, the Patriarch activated his auras. He entered the Nescent Soul Realm, Initial Stage. A bright blue aura enveloped his body, a frightening energy flowing from his body like a massive wave crashing onto Yuxian. His body radiated an extraordinary power that seemed capable of destroying anyone who dared to oppose him.

However, Yuxian, who had recently undergone a significant transformation, was not intimidated. He could feel the significant change in his power after absorbing the essence of life from the hall earlier. He was now at the Foundation Establishment Early-stage, and the newly awakened ancient demon aura felt incredibly strong, even more terrifying than before.

"So quickly you've stepped into this realm, yet you still don't know what's to come," Yuxian said, his voice deeper and more trembling, as if his words held the power to shake the world.

The Patriarch, with a mocking smile, launched the first attack. He raised his hand and created a massive energy that flew towards Yuxian. The attack burst forth like a waterfall that destroyed everything in its path. However, Yuxian quickly dodged and leaped to the side, his body moving with extremely high speed.

Yuxian prepared a counterattack, releasing the power of the life essence he had absorbed. However, the Patriarch was faster and stronger than he had anticipated. With a single hand movement, the Patriarch summoned a massive force that pushed Yuxian back several steps. Each of the Patriarch's attacks felt like a stormy punch that destroyed everything.

Yuxian gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with determination. He knew he couldn't back down now. The battle had just begun, and only one of them would emerge victorious.

"My attacks are far stronger than yours, young one," the Patriarch said with contempt. "You can only dodge for so long, but that won't change anything." Yuxian felt his body stumble from the relentless strong attacks. Every movement he made felt heavier, and the Patriarch's aura increasingly suppressed his power. Although he was in the Foundation Establishment stage, he realized that the Patriarch, with his Nescent Soul Initial Stage power, was more experienced and stronger than him.

However, Yuxian didn't give up. With all his remaining strength, he summoned his flying sword, which seemed to respond to his call. The sword gleamed, appearing from the empty space in front of Yuxian. With a quick and precise movement, Yuxian launched his flying sword towards the Patriarch.

But the Patriarch easily dodged and launched a more devastating counterattack. At that moment, Yuxian felt an unbearable pressure. The Patriarch's attack was too strong. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't withstand it any longer.

"Damn it!" Yuxian cursed in his heart. He knew that if he continued to resist, he would die at the Patriarch's hands. In a desperate situation, Yuxian suddenly decided to retreat. Using all his strength, he ordered his flying sword to pull him back, hoping to escape and survive.

The sword flew quickly, lifting Yuxian's body and carrying him out of the Patriarch's attack range. Yuxian felt his body flying fast, and in an instant, he was far away from the battlefield. The Patriarch could only watch him with disappointment.

"You want to run, Yuxian? You won't be able to escape me forever!" he shouted in anger, but Yuxian had already flown far into the sky.

In the dark sky, Yuxian could only feel deep pain and anger. He hadn't lost yet, but he hadn't won either. However, one thing was certain - today's lesson taught him that he needed to become stronger. If he wanted to survive and avenge his clan, he had to reach the pinnacle of power that couldn't be shaken.

Yuxian flew through the air, his body feeling heavy and exhausted after the intense battle with Patriarch Zhao Wudi from the prominent Zhao family. His heart pounded fiercely, as if it wanted to burst out of his chest. An overwhelming fatigue burdened his body, but he couldn't stop. Patriarch Zhao Wudi's angry shouts, filled with rage, continued to echo in his ears, accelerating his heartbeat.

"Where do you think you can escape, Shen Yuxian?! Don't expect to find a safe place!" Patriarch Zhao Wudi's voice boomed through the dark sky. Every word that came out of his mouth was like thunder that shook the air.

Yuxian bit his lip, his body trembling as the energetic attacks continued to hit the air behind him. Each approaching attack created a shockwave that shattered the clouds and shook the sky.