C13 [zhao Family]

Deep into the night, the streets of Liu City were deserted, save for the monotonous chirping of a few bored crickets.

Out of the blue, a shadowy figure clad in black disrupted the pitch-dark tranquility, materializing on the streets.

"This must be the Zhao Family estate," Qin Ming whispered to himself as he gazed upon a grand manor.

With a light tap of his toe, a small hole formed in the earth. Reaching into his backpack, Qin Ming retrieved a Spirit Stone and deftly tossed it into the opening.

He then took off running around the perimeter of the Zhao Family Manor, strategically planting Spirit Stones in the ground as he went.

In no time, Qin Ming had encircled the entire estate and found himself back at the manor's main gate, his bag now empty.

"One hundred and eight middle-grade Spirit Stones, the perfect number to set up a third-grade Confusion Formation."

The Confusion Formation was purely defensive, designed to prevent escape and muffle sound. Using only middle-grade Spirit Stones, the formation would hold for a mere four hours. But four hours was all Qin Ming needed to bring down the Zhao Family.

"Activate, Confusion Formation."

With a flick of his fingers, Qin Ming activated the spell, instantly segregating the world inside the formation from the one outside.

"Pill God Body, engage."

A spectral figure emerged behind Qin Ming, and his presence intensified, swiftly ascending to the second tier of the Martial Sect.

"Zhao Family, the time has come to settle scores."

Qin Ming's voice boomed, reverberating throughout the Zhao estate.

"Enemy attack!"

"Who goes there?"

The once serene Zhao Family compound erupted into chaos at the sound of Qin Ming's challenge.

The Zhao's formidable iron gate was blasted to smithereens by Qin Ming's might.

Resolved to exact his vengeance, Qin Ming was determined to annihilate every member of the Zhao Family that night, repaying the cruelty they had shown his own family in his past life.

Several Zhao Family servants, clad in white, confronted the intruding Qin Ming. They unleashed a battle cry, drawing their Azure Swords and lunging at him.

With a mere flick of his wrist, Qin Ming sent the servants hurtling through the air, crashing into the stone walls, their breaths ceasing in an instant.

The commotion drew an increasing number of Zhao Family members, including several elders. Among them was the same old man who had confronted the Qin Family that very morning, now standing before Qin Ming.

"It's you!" the elder exclaimed upon recognizing Qin Ming, his voice laden with contempt. "You were lucky to escape yesterday. You've got some nerve showing up again!"

"Who is this man?" inquired Elder Hongmei, his red eyebrows furrowing. A fellow elder of the Zhao Family, he wielded the power of a third-level Martial Master.

"He's the son of the Qin Family patriarch, the one who clashed with Zhao Er today."

"So, it's him," Elder Hongmei remarked with disdain. "He dares to trespass on our grounds? Does he take us for fools?"

With that, Elder Hongmei extended his hand, making a grab for Qin Ming.

"Sky Eagle Arts."

The other elders murmured among themselves, impressed by the vivid talons of Elder Hongmei's technique.

"Elder Hongmei's Sky Eagle Arts have clearly advanced," they commented. "But is it really necessary to employ such formidable power against a mere Qin upstart?"

"This Qin brat's audacity knows no bounds. It's about time we taught him a lesson on his father's behalf."

Unfazed by the approaching talons, Qin Ming remained motionless, his expression stoic. He clenched his fist, summoning a shadowy tiger that surged forth with his punch, colliding with the claw.