Location: Qin Estate – Strategy Hall
The evening sky above the Qin estate had turned deep orange as the sun slowly descended beyond the mountains.
Inside the strategy hall, the important members of the Qin family had gathered.
At the center of the hall stood Qin Huaian, calm as ever, while the elders discussed the information that Qin Xiaoxiao had just revealed.
The atmosphere was heavy.
If the ruins truly belonged to the First Void Emperor, Xuanyuan Wudi, then they could contain knowledge powerful enough to change the entire cultivation world.
But such a place would never be safe.
The Elders' Concerns
One of the senior elders spoke first.
"Ancient ruins are rarely simple opportunities."
"They are usually traps left by history itself."
Another elder nodded.
"If the ruin truly contains secrets of the Twelfth Void Realm, other families will certainly be searching for it as well."
Qin Yong, the patriarch, looked toward Huaian.
"What do you intend to do?"
Huaian answered without hesitation.
"We will investigate the ruins."
The elders exchanged worried looks.
"You plan to go personally?"
Huaian nodded calmly.
"Yes."
The Twins Volunteer
Fenglan immediately stepped forward.
"Then we're coming too."
Meiyue nodded beside him.
"If the ruins belong to the Void Emperor, they might help us understand our cultivation."
Several elders immediately protested.
"Absolutely not!"
"The ruins could contain dangers even Huaian cannot predict."
But Huaian simply looked at the twins.
He could see the determination in their eyes.
After a moment, he nodded slightly.
"You may come."
The elders were shocked.
"Huaian!"
But he continued calmly.
"They are Void cultivators. If they wish to grow stronger, they must face real dangers."
Fenglan grinned slightly.
Meiyue simply looked relieved.
Qin Xiaoxiao Joins the Expedition
Xiaoxiao crossed her arms.
"I suppose I'm coming too."
Huaian looked at her.
"You discovered the ruins, so your knowledge will be useful."
She smiled slightly.
"Good answer."
For a brief moment, the atmosphere in the hall felt lighter.
But Qin Yong still looked uneasy.
"Even if you investigate the ruins…"
"You should not underestimate the other families."
He paused before continuing.
"Especially the Shaw clan."
A Disturbing Message
At that moment, a guard suddenly rushed into the hall.
He knelt immediately.
"Urgent report!"
Everyone turned toward him.
"A powerful cultivator has entered Qin territory."
The guard's voice trembled slightly.
"Every spiritual beast in the mountains has fled… and several patrol teams have already retreated."
Qin Yong frowned.
"Did they identify the cultivator?"
The guard swallowed nervously.
"Yes."
"It is… Shaw Huangdi."
The room instantly became silent.
Even the elders looked shocked.
Huaian's Reaction
The infamous Butcher of the Eastern Continent had arrived.
An 11th Realm Half-Saint.
One of the most terrifying warriors the Shaw clan possessed.
Fenglan looked toward his father.
"So he finally came."
Meiyue's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Do we fight him now?"
Huaian walked toward the open window of the hall.
The distant mountains were barely visible under the fading sunlight.
Through the Void, he could already sense a violent aura approaching slowly.
After a moment, he spoke calmly.
"Not yet."
The others looked confused.
Huaian continued.
"Our priority is the ruin."
"If Shaw Huangdi wishes to find us… he will."
His voice remained completely steady.
"And when he does…"
A faint ripple of Void energy spread around him.
"Then we will deal with him."
Meanwhile – The Butcher Advances
Far away in the mountain forests, Shaw Huangdi walked calmly along a narrow path.
Dead trees and cracked stones surrounded the area.
His aura alone had already destroyed the balance of nature nearby.
Suddenly he stopped.
His eyes slowly looked toward the distant Qin estate.
He could feel a powerful presence there.
A presence that did not fear him.
His grin widened.
"Good…"
He whispered quietly.
"This hunt might actually be interesting."
Then he began walking again.
Step by step.
Closing the distance between them.