C2 Nineheaven Divine Dragon Tower!

Zhen Gui said, "Now that you're aware of the situation, I see no need to keep it from you any longer. The Qiao Main Family's influence in Martial Sun City has waned. To preserve our family's standing within the city, your father agreed to venture into Fallen Cloud Valley in search of a lost relic of our clan."

Qiao Mao understood the gravity of the situation and its connection to the Qiao Main Family. The revelation struck him hard, as he knew that once Qiao Dou had set out for Fallen Cloud Valley, the Qiao Main Family had turned against him, leading to the downfall of the Qiao family in Martial Sun City.

"We are part of the clan too," Qiao Mao declared. "There are those within our ranks who are merciless. They even seek our destruction. If I don't eliminate this threat, I don't deserve the title of Feather Devil Imperial Sovereign."

In his past life, Qiao Mao was renowned for his formidable combat prowess. He vanquished the Nether Clan, earning the moniker Feather Devil Imperial Sovereign. His reputation was illustrious.

"Mother, please be at ease. Father will be safe," Qiao Mao reassured her.

With Qiao Mao appearing unharmed, Zhen Gui's anxiety dissipated, leaving her feeling exhausted. After a brief conversation, she retired to her room to rest.

Alone with his thoughts, Qiao Mao resolved, "I must alter the destiny that befell me in my past life. I refuse to witness my mother's suffering and the annihilation of my family again. I need to amass sufficient power to prevent it."

Once Zhen Gui had departed, Qiao Mao straightened his posture and began to regulate his breathing, entering a meditative state for cultivation.

The initial phase of cultivation was the Mortality Transcending Stage, succeeded by the Spirit Wheel Stage, Divine Pill Stage, True Spirit Stage, Earth Spring Stage, Celestial River Stage, Wheel Sea Stage, Sovereign Stage, and finally, the Heaven Connecting Stage.

This time, Qiao Mao's injuries had eradicated all traces of his cultivation. He was compelled to start anew from the Mortality Transcending Stage. His primary focus was to fortify his body and cast off his mortal coil.

Qiao Mao vowed, "Once I master the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique to its pinnacle, I'll be capable of grasping the stars and moon. With a mere gesture, I could shatter the heavens, obliterate worlds, and subdue deities."

Qiao Mao gazed at the sprawling text of the cultivation incantation, his heart thrumming with excitement. Despite having attained the Celestial River Stage in his past life, he harbored an intense yearning to master the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique.

Typically, the more formidable the cultivation technique, the greater the demands on the cultivator's realm. Yet, the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique required the complete dissolution of Qiao Mao's cultivation base before he could embark on its practice.

In his former life, Qiao Mao had achieved the Heaven Connecting Stage. If his cultivation base were to be nullified, he would revert to the Mortality Transcending Stage—a daunting prospect for his past self.

But now, with his cultivation base entirely erased, Qiao Mao faced no such choice and his resolve was unshakable.

"Channel the Spiritual Energy into my body, fortify my physique, and begin anew from the Mortality Transcending Stage," Qiao Mao recited from the incantation. Familiar with the process, he commenced the circulation of the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique. Spiritual Energy surged through his limbs and veins, permeating every inch of his being.

However, merely two cycles in, Qiao Mao reached his limit. The Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique was overwhelmingly brutal, nearly rending his physique asunder.

"It's never easy for a martial artist to transcend mortality and cast off the mortal coil," Qiao Mao reflected. "I never experienced such intense agony in my previous life. I almost couldn't withstand it."

Gasping for breath, Qiao Mao, with his acute sense of smell, suddenly detected a nauseating odor. It was emanating from him—a strange scent indeed.

An unexpected layer of black, sticky liquid coated Qiao Mao's skin, a byproduct of purged bodily impurities. Remarkably, he had expelled an extraordinary amount of such waste.

Although now devoid of cultivation, Qiao Mao had once been a Mortality Transcending Level Three Heaven warrior. He had already rid himself of many impurities. Logically, there should not have been so many left within him.

"This Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique truly possesses extraordinary powers," Qiao Mao mused. "Should I cultivate the Mortality Transcending Stage to Level Ten Heaven, my body will surely be cleansed of all impurities, achieving the Perfect Physique."

Within the Heaven Earth Rule, nine was the pinnacle, symbolizing the ultimate boundary of a realm that could not be exceeded. Yet, the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique enabled a cultivator to reach Level Ten Heaven, shattering this limit and attaining the Perfect Physique.

The concept of a Perfect Physique was unheard of. At least, before Qiao Mao's time, no one was known to have broken the Mortality Transcending Level Nine barrier to reach Mortality Transcending Level Ten Heaven.

The existence of Level Ten Heaven appeared to postpone a cultivator's progression to the subsequent realm. However, it also established a robust foundation for future unparalleled combat prowess.

Qiao Mao exhaled deeply and resumed his cultivation. The Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique lived up to his expectations. In just one night, Qiao Mao's cultivation had advanced to Mortality Transcending Level One Heaven.

"In my past life, it took me three months to reach Mortality Transcending Level One Heaven. Now, with the aid of the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique, I've achieved it in a single night. The purity of my body is likely comparable to that of a Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven warrior."

After a full night of cultivation, Qiao Mao felt the pangs of hunger. As he was about to stand and stretch his limbs, an arrogant voice echoed from outside.

The Qiao family's branch in Martial Sun City may have waned, but the local dynamics remained intricate.

Previously, Qiao Dou, as the most influential member of the Qiao family in Martial Sun City, meant that no one dared cross Qiao Mao. However, once Qiao Dou had committed to joining the Qiao Main Family in the Fallen Cloud Valley, the true colors of these individuals began to surface.

"Mao sold this house to you? I've never heard him mention such a thing. Nephews, could there be some misunderstanding here?" Zhen Gui asked with a hint of urgency.

Although Zhen Gui was a Mortality Transcending Level Six Heaven practitioner, within the Martial Sun City branch of the Qiao family, there were two experts at the Mortality Transcending Level Nine. One of them was Qiao Hee's grandfather, against whom Zhen Gui stood no chance.

"I have an IOU," Qiao Hee retorted with a cold snort, tossing a promissory note to the ground, marked with a stark, bloody handprint.

Zhen Gui picked up the IOU, feeling somewhat bewildered. The bloody handprint on it unmistakably belonged to Qiao Mao. Yet, Zhen Gui was certain that Qiao Mao hadn't willingly left that mark.

Upon examining the IOU, Zhen Gui implored, "Please, for my sake, could you reconsider? You're aware that your uncle ventured into Fallen Cloud Valley. It's been half a year with no word from him. All our money has been spent on trying to get news about your uncle. If we hand over this house to you, we..."

At the mention of Qiao Dou, a flicker of fear crossed Qiao Hee's face, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

"Don't try to frighten me. It's common knowledge that no one survives Fallen Cloud Valley. For all we know, Qiao Dou is already dead. You don't need to waste so much money searching for him," Qiao Hee said with a malicious grin. "And without Qiao Dou, you and your mother are at our mercy."

A barely perceptible glint of murderous intent flashed in Zhen Gui's eyes. If it weren't for Qiao Mao's presence, she would have certainly slain these two.

"So, my mother and I are just to be bullied?"

Before Qiao Hee's laughter subsided, the door to Qiao Mao's room burst open. Qiao Mao stood before them, his voice chilling as he spoke.