C14 [restriction]

"You're asking for it!" Elder Hongmei couldn't help but exert more force when he saw Qin Ming stand his ground, brazenly ready to clash with his eagle claw.

Their fists met in a collision of tender flesh against iron-like talons, yet it was the seemingly indestructible claw that shattered. A series of "ka ka" sounds echoed, followed by Elder Hongmei's agonized screams.

"My claw!" Elder Hongmei wailed in despair as his once rock-hard claw crumbled into a mess of mangled flesh and blood.

"Spiritual Energy transformation! You're a Martial Sect expert!" Several Zhao Family elders watched Qin Ming, their disbelief palpable.

Were the heavens mocking them?

Qin Ming was still so youthful, barely an adult.

To think that a young man, fresh into adulthood, was a Martial Sect expert, it was a humbling realization for them all. In Liu City, the most formidable were merely at the Martial Grand Master Stage, not even the City Lord had surpassed the peak of that realm. The Martial Sect was a whole level above, their powers incomparable, as distant as the earth from the sky.

Unconcerned with the Zhao Family's astonishment, Qin Ming delivered a punch straight through Elder Hongmei's chest.

"Martial Sect!" Elder Hongmei, recognizing the anomaly in Qin Ming, coughed up blood and collapsed.

"What's wrong? Too scared to come forward? Weren't you eager to kill me? Bring it on!" Qin Ming's challenge sent the elders stumbling back.

"Don't get ahead of yourself!" A middle-aged man in opulent attire stepped forward.

"Patriarch!"

The Zhao Family members rallied at the sight of their leader.

"You little cur, you must have stumbled upon some forbidden technique, allowing you to temporarily elevate your stage to that of the Martial Sect. Hand over the technique, and I'll let you live," the Zhao Family patriarch declared with unwavering confidence.

It was inconceivable for someone to naturally reach the Martial Sect Stage so young. He knew Qin Ming's capabilities well; he was merely a Martial Warrior. How could he have vaulted to the Martial Sect Stage so suddenly? He must have resorted to a forbidden technique.

The strength gained from such methods paled in comparison to that earned through true cultivation. Confident in his own Martial Grand Master Stage prowess, he was sure he could withstand Qin Ming's artificially enhanced Martial Sect strength. His fearlessness stemmed from this belief.

Once the forbidden technique's effects wore off, Qin Ming would be defenseless.

"I want your life!" Qin Ming bellowed, charging at the Zhao Family patriarch.

This patriarch was the murderer of Qin Ming's parents in his past life, the man who had slain them before his very eyes.

Time and again, in his dreams, Qin Ming had yearned for vengeance. Now, with the patriarch before him, he lunged without hesitation.

"Die!" Qin Ming's sneer was cold as his fist hurtled towards the patriarch's face.

The patriarch scoffed, drawing his treasured sword to intercept Qin Ming's blow.

Alas, the patriarch had greatly miscalculated. Qin Ming's strength was not the product of a forbidden technique; he wielded the innate power of the Pill God Body, far beyond the patriarch's wildest estimations.

Armed with the Spiritual Energy of a Martial Sect and the experience of a Martial Emperor, Qin Ming could effortlessly vanquish even a true Martial Sect expert, let alone the Zhao Family patriarch, who was merely at the Martial Grand Master Stage.

The sword managed to intercept Qin Ming's punch, but sadly, the Zhao Family patriarch's strength was sorely lacking. To Qin Ming, the patriarch might as well have been an infant; his head was swiftly severed, leaving his body motionless on the ground.

"The patriarch is dead! He's a demon—everyone, run for your lives!"

The Zhao Family members were in disbelief. Their once invincible patriarch had fallen without parrying even a single blow. Panic-stricken, they scattered in all directions.

Hadn't a Restriction enhanced Qin Ming's power?

How could the patriarch have been defeated so swiftly?

With their unbeatable patriarch gone, how could they possibly stand against Qin Ming? Their only option was to flee as quickly as possible.

But alas, Qin Ming had foreseen this and had already laid out a trap—a formation from which there was no escape.