"What... what?"

  "Lingchen, you've already reached... the Dao Palace Realm???"

  "How is this possible??"

  "I must be dreaming, I must be dreaming."

  Everyone present was utterly shocked!

  It's well known how difficult the path of cultivation is. Xiao Dan, as the strongest in the Xiao Family, is also the most talented in three generations.

  Yet, even so, it took him a full fifty years to reach the fifth level of the Spirit Platform Realm!

  And what about Xiao Lingchen?

  Three months ago, he was just an ordinary boy.

  In just three months, he surpassed his father and reached the Dao Palace Realm!

  What kind of terrifying talent is this?

  Even the prodigies in the capital city of the Celestial Star Kingdom might not compare!

  Xiao Dan's eyes were as wide as an ox's, gripping Xiao Lingchen's shoulders.

  At this moment, he could hardly believe that this genius youth in front of him was his own son!

  "Chen, you... you really... reached the Dao Palace Realm?"

  Xiao Lingchen nodded nonchalantly:

  "Yes, Father!"

  Upon receiving Xiao Lingchen's confirmation, Xiao Dan couldn't help but burst into laughter again.

  "Hahaha!"

  "Good! Very good! Hahaha!"

  "Chen, this time, you've truly brought honor to your father and glory to our Xiao Family!"

  "If we can overcome this calamity, our Xiao Family's genealogy will have a special page just for you!"

  And just at that moment.

  A voice suddenly came from outside the door:

  "Xiao Lingchen, come out and face your death!!!"

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  The voice, mixed with overwhelming spiritual power, was as deafening as a great bell, causing everyone's expressions inside to change.

  "They came so quickly!"

  Xiao Huan looked out the window, his expression extremely grave.

  Xiao Lingchen said:

  "Father, Second Uncle, don't worry, leave everything to me."

  Xiao Lingchen's tone was very relaxed, filled with immense confidence.

  This instantly dispelled the worry in the hearts of Xiao Dan, Xiao Huan, and the others.

  Coupled with his solid Dao Palace Realm cultivation, they had complete confidence in Xiao Lingchen!

  Then, under Xiao Lingchen's lead, the Xiao Family members headed towards the door.

  "Senior Brothers and Sisters, thank you for your hard work during this time. Once this matter is over, Lingchen will surely express his gratitude!"

  At the door, Xiao Lingchen immediately saw the disciples of the Supreme Mystical Sect standing guard.

  These disciples were sent by the elders and high-ranking members of the sect to protect the Xiao Family when Xiao Lingchen first joined the sect three months ago.

  If it weren't for them, the Xiao Family might not exist today.

  Therefore, Xiao Lingchen was genuinely grateful to them.

  The disciples eagerly said:

  "Junior Brother Lingchen, no need to be polite. We're all from the same sect and should help each other!"

  Of course, these were just polite words!

  Cultivators value their time, and if Xiao Lingchen were just an average talent, they wouldn't waste their time here.

  It was precisely because of Xiao Lingchen's astonishing talent that even the elders of the Supreme Mystical Sect were vying to take him as a disciple.

  They were willing to protect his family wholeheartedly, hoping to form a bond with him.

  Today's cause, tomorrow's effect.

  Perhaps by protecting Xiao Lingchen's family today, they might receive his protection in the future!

  And indeed, their thoughts were correct!

  In just three months, Xiao Lingchen transformed from an ordinary person into a Dao Palace Realm powerhouse.

  His cultivation even surpassed theirs!

  It's unimaginable how much more he could grow if given more time!

  Perhaps in the near future, Xiao Lingchen might become the strongest ally they could ever have!

  Thus, facing Xiao Lingchen's courtesy, they were exceedingly attentive.

  "Yes! Junior Brother Lingchen, your family is our family, and we will do everything to ensure their safety!"

  "Enemies surround us outside, but Junior Brother need not worry. We, your Senior Brothers and Sisters, will stand with you through thick and thin!"

  "If we are outmatched, we will protect your family to the death. Rest assured, Junior Brother Lingchen!"

  Regardless of their inner thoughts, they were indeed standing on the same front line as him at this moment.

  Xiao Lingchen remembered this kindness in his heart.

  "Thank you, Senior Brothers and Sisters. I will remember this kindness!"

  Then, he moved past them and stepped outside.

  At this moment, the Xiao Family's surroundings were already heavily surrounded!

  The intruders were all the various forces of Azure Cloud City.

  Leading them were three of the twenty-five instructors from the City Lord's Mansion.

  "Zhuang Ping, Xie Tu, Yu Qilin! Even they came!"

  Xiao Huan whispered an introduction.

  "Lingchen, we must be careful. Those family forces are not to be feared; it's mainly these three."

  "Zhuang Ping and Xie Tu are the strongest among the twenty-five instructors of the City Lord's Mansion, both at the sixth level of the Spirit Platform Realm!"

  "And Yu Qilin is the strongest among the three, having reached the seventh level of the Spirit Platform Realm, and he's the only one who has cultivated an Earth Grade Divine Power. You must be extremely careful!"

  At this moment, Zhuang Ping, Xie Tu, and Yu Qilin each led five thousand city guards, along with the various forces of Azure Cloud City.

  A total of over a hundred thousand people densely surrounded the Xiao Mansion!

  Xie Tu stepped forward, his sixth level Spirit Platform Realm cultivation rushing forth.

  "Xiao Lingchen, you finally came out!"

  "Today, you committed a massacre at the Ye Family, an unforgivable crime, intolerable by the Heavenly Way!"

  "By the City Lord's order, I lead the army to execute you on the spot and exterminate your entire clan!"

  "However, since this matter is solely your doing, if you are willing to end your life and compensate the families of those you killed with all your wealth, we can spare your family!"

  "Make your choice!"

  "Heh... these two choices are both vicious!" Xiao Huan sneered quietly:

  "Exterminating the clan is self-explanatory. The second choice seems to spare our Xiao Family, but in reality, it's to incite internal strife, aiming to force Lingchen to end his life for self-preservation. Once we exhaust our wealth, how could they possibly spare us?"

  Xiao Huan's cultivation might not match his brother Xiao Dan's, but his mind was exceptionally sharp and calm. In the past, Xiao Dan would often consult him on major family decisions.

  After hearing Xiao Huan's analysis, the Xiao Family members nodded, inwardly cursing Xie Tu's treachery.

  "So what do we do now?" Xiao Dan asked.

  Clearly, neither of Xie Tu's options was acceptable to them!

  This time, Xiao Lingchen spoke:

  "It's simple! We don't want to die, nor do we want to compensate."

  "So we just have to kill them all, then we won't have to die or compensate!"

  If they observed closely, they would notice that Xiao Lingchen maintained a calm demeanor from start to finish.

  As if he didn't take these people outside seriously at all.

  "Second Uncle, didn't you tell me to be careful?"

  Xiao Lingchen chuckled:

  "Well, I want to tell you now, beneath the Dao Palace, all are ants!"

  As his words fell, Xiao Lingchen had already summoned the Phoenix Emperor Sword and charged into the crowd with the Divine Movement Step!