C38 The Qin Family Was Destroyed!

The Martial Dao Aura might seem enigmatic on the surface, yet it's actually quite straightforward. Encased within a hemispherical glass, the aura is naturally suppressed. But if the glass is shattered, the aura will dissipate on its own.

The more advanced a person's cultivation, the more formidable their Martial Dao Aura becomes. And the more powerful the aura, the more difficult it is to break.

Qin Hu had only recently ascended to the Mortality Transcending Level Nine Heaven. To Qiao Mao, Qin Hu's aura seemed feeble, something he could easily shatter.

Having disrupted Qin Hu's aura, Qiao Mao became the focus of his wrath. Qin Hu was intent on eliminating Qiao Mao first.

Qin Hu also sensed something odd about Qiao Mao, who appeared to him like an Old Monster, a being who had lived for ages and posed the greatest threat among those present.

"If you're after Qiao Mao, you'll have to get through me first," declared Qiao Shen, stepping forward to shield Qiao Mao from Qin Hu's onslaught.

Qiao Mao didn't interfere. His current level of power was insufficient to directly confront an adversary of the Mortality Transcending Level Nine Heaven. He communicated telepathically to Qiao Shen, "Uncle, Patriarch Zhang, the two of you take him down. I'll provide support."

Without a moment's hesitation, they consented. With Qin Hu in their midst, they were not about to let him slip away.

The battle recommenced with all four combatants, including Qiao Mao, channeling their fury into their attacks, sparing no effort.

Qiao Mao, positioned to the side, wielded his Profound Iron Bow and executed the Army Breaking Archery technique, seizing the moment to release an arrow.

Ke Shan had employed the same formidable Army Breaking Archery when he dispatched the turncoats of Fire Crow Country. Its potency was on par with the Yellow Rank High Grade Martial Skill, posing a significant threat to Qin Hu.

Blessed with exceptional eyesight, Qiao Mao's arrow struck true, eliciting a series of enraged roars from the wounded Qin Hu.

Despite his fury, Qin Hu found no opportunity to retaliate against Qiao Mao.

Qiao Mao loosed three more arrows in quick succession, each varying in speed but equally devastating, effectively thwarting Qin Hu's attempts to flee.

Qin Hu found himself trapped on all sides, with no escape from the incoming arrow. His fate was sealed; he was destined to die.

"This is our chance." Qiao Shen and Zhang Tianbei were formidable fighters, but Qin Hu, who was a level above them, had them at a disadvantage. Without Qiao Mao's assistance, they would have been defeated long ago.

Witnessing Qiao Mao's ingenious strategy filled them with elation. They unleashed their most powerful techniques in a relentless assault on Qin Hu.

Qin Hu let out a furious roar as he was cornered into the Death Realm, an arrow piercing his chest and drawing blood.

"Little bastard, I will kill you," he seethed with murderous intent toward Qiao Mao. Had it not been for Qiao Mao, Qin Hu would have easily bested Qiao Shen and Zhang Tianbei. He wouldn't be in this dire predicament.

Despite their efforts, Qiao Shen and Zhang Tianbei couldn't fend off Qin Hu's onslaught. Blown back by his power, they each coughed up blood. Yet, Qin Hu didn't pursue them; his focus was solely on Qiao Mao.

He saw this as his final opportunity. Even if it meant his death, he was determined to take Qiao Mao down with him.

"Mao!" Qiao Shen cried out.

"Qiao Mao!" Zhang Tianbei called out in warning.

Their urgent shouts filled the air, but they were powerless to intervene. If Qin Hu's strike landed, Qiao Mao's life would be at grave risk.

Qin Hu charged with a savage look in his eyes, resembling a wild beast in the throes of rage.

Qiao Mao didn't flinch; instead, he smiled, the picture of serenity.

Qin Hu concentrated all his energy into his palm, vowing to annihilate Qiao Mao.

Without Qiao Mao's interference, Qin Hu's plan would have been flawless. Qiao Guang would have taken his place in the clan, and Martial Sun City would have been his domain.

But Qiao Mao's actions had thwarted all his schemes, leaving Qin Hu filled with resentment and fury.

Qiao Mao's palm strike came with a surge of energy, the air bursting around them. The sheer force was terrifying, akin to an earth-shattering, mountain-crumbling catastrophe.

Qiao Shen and Zhang Tianbei watched on, fraught with anxiety. They knew that if Qin Hu succeeded in killing Qiao Mao, he would likely succumb to his own exhaustion, securing their victory. Yet, in that moment, their concern for Qiao Mao overshadowed everything else.

In a split second, Qiao Mao activated the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique. Power surged within him, converging into his palm before he struck Qin Hu.

A figure was sent flying, crashing heavily into the ground and stirring up a cloud of dust that enveloped him.

"I regret not protecting Mao better. Big brother, sister-in-law, I'm so sorry," Qiao Shen said, his face etched with remorse. He pounded the ground with his fist, the earth echoing his frustration.

"If only I had stopped Qiao Mao, none of this would have happened," Zhang Tianbei muttered in vexation. Had he gathered the intelligence beforehand and known that Qin Hu had reached Mortality Transcending Level Nine Heaven, Qiao Mao wouldn't have met his end today.

"Why has Qin Hu's presence vanished?" Qiao Shen wondered aloud.

He sensed something amiss and was taken aback. Qiao Mao's presence lingered, yet Qin Hu's had just disappeared.

"Could it be that Mao has triumphed?" Qiao Shen whispered to himself. He hurriedly looked up, only to see Qiao Mao standing upright, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Mao has won!" Qiao Shen exclaimed. He rose to his feet, gazing at Qiao Mao in astonishment, his heart swelling with happiness.

Zhang Tianbei turned his attention to Qiao Mao as well. The regret that once filled his eyes vanished, replaced by sheer amazement.

Moments before, they had all thought Qiao Mao was gone, but there he was, standing tall with a faint smile on his face.

"I was nearly scared to death," Qiao Shen admitted, his voice tinged with anger, tears glistening in his eyes.

"You've lived for over forty years, and yet you weep like a child," Zhang Tianbei teased, rolling his eyes.

Despite his words, Zhang Tianbei understood that Qiao Shen's tears were of sheer relief and joy. He wasn't mocking him; he shared the same happiness for Qiao Mao's survival.

"Seeing him alive fills me with joy!" Qiao Shen declared, smiling.

When Zhang Tianbei turned back, the dust had settled, revealing Qin Hu's body lying still in a crimson pool.

As the sun rose in the eastern sky, its rays soon bathed the land, the blood-soaked earth glistening in the light.

Zhang Tianbei and Qiao Shen were deeply moved. Tonight's battle, though initiated by them, was fraught with peril. It was Qiao Mao who had snatched them from the jaws of death.

"I've lived for so many years, and this is the first time I've truly felt how wonderful it is to be alive," Zhang Tianbei said with a gentle smile. He then turned to Qiao Mao and added, "What's your plan now? We'll follow your lead."

Qiao Mao paused for a moment before responding, "I've dealt with those who needed to be dealt with. Now it's time to seize their assets."