"After today, there is no Duan family in Half Moon City!" Xuan Yi's voice cut through the stillness, each word like a death knell for the Duan family.
For many in the arena, the events that had unfolded seemed more like a fantastical dream than reality. It all happened so quickly—Gui Yiyi's sword intent, the obliteration of the black-robed elder, Duan Li's defeat, and Xuan Yi's overwhelming power—all in the span of mere breaths. It was as if time itself had bent under the weight of the moment, leaving everyone to grasp at fleeting fragments of understanding.
When the haze cleared and the dust settled, the once-invincible black-robed elder, a senior of the Witherwood Gate, was gone—reduced to nothing more than a bloody mist that vanished into the air. His form, so formidable moments before, was now nothing more than a memory in the minds of the shocked onlookers.
That was a cultivator at the peak of the eighth level of the Soul Condensation Realm—an existence feared by many—and yet, he had died, so easily.
A cold shiver ran down the spines of those who had witnessed the spectacle. The scale of what had happened was beyond comprehension. Duan Li, who had once stood as the undisputed pride of the Duan family, had been shattered by a mere girl's sword intent, and his master, the black-robed elder, had been obliterated with a single strike.
It wasn't just defeat. It was an annihilation.
The gaze of the crowd shifted to Xuan Yi, who stood calmly in the center of it all, an overwhelming presence that radiated authority. There was no mistaking it—he was a Nascent Soul expert, and his mastery of power left the spectators with a deep, almost reverential awe. The very air seemed to grow heavier around him, and they could not help but feel the crushing weight of his strength.
Xuan Yi's words had made it clear: The Gui family was no longer just a contender in Half Moon City. They were the undisputed rulers.
Gui Yiyi, his disciple, had now received the protection of a Nascent Soul powerhouse. This was more than just a personal triumph for her—it marked the rise of the entire Gui family.
The implications were undeniable. With Xuan Yi's presence, the Gui family now stood at the pinnacle, not just in Half Moon City, but in the entire Zhennan Province. Few dared to challenge them. Even the mighty Wang family, who had long been a force to be reckoned with, now had to watch as the balance of power shifted dramatically.
Without a word, Liao Tianxiong and his daughter, Liao Xiaoyue, quietly made their departure. The Liao family, who had once been on edge and uncertain, now realized there was no need for them to stay. The game had changed, and there was nothing left for them here.
As they walked away, Liao Xiaoyue's gaze lingered on Xuan Yi, her eyes filled with admiration. She had seen countless talented young men in the Dazzling Province, but none could compare to Xuan Yi. His calm demeanor, coupled with his extraordinary power, left an indelible mark on her.
The next day, Half Moon City saw the fall of the Duan Clan, its long-standing prominence now reduced to rubble. From that moment onward, there would be only two great families in the city: the Wang family and the Gui family. The Duan family, once one of the three pillars of the city, had ceased to exist.
But the Gui family's rise was not just a local affair. It was a signal to the entire Zhennan Province that their influence would no longer be ignored. The entire region buzzed with whispers of the Gui family's newfound strength, and the Gui family's dominance was solidified.
As for Xuan Yi, though the Purple Moon Secret Realm's opening loomed ever closer, he did not rush to depart. He remained in Half Moon City, his presence now firmly rooted within the walls of the Gui family. During this time, he continued to guide Gui Yiyi, teaching her martial arts techniques, strengthening her resolve, and refining her skills. His efforts were directed toward ensuring that she would be as prepared as possible when the secret realm finally opened.
Initially, Xuan Yi had not intended for Gui Yiyi to accompany him into the Purple Moon Secret Realm. However, as she progressed and began to grasp the embryonic form of sword intent, Xuan Yi reconsidered. The fifth level of Qi Condensation might have been a bit low, but the sword intent she wielded, even in its nascent form, had elevated her strength far beyond her peers. She had reached the first level of the Qi Foundation Realm, a level of power that was sufficient to enter the Purple Moon Secret Realm.
The time was drawing near. The air in Half Moon City, once subdued, now crackled with anticipation. It was as if the city itself could sense the approaching storm. And beyond the city, the entire Zhennan Province was beginning to stir.
As more and more experts poured into the region, the province descended into chaos. Some of the outsiders, unchecked by any local authority, wreaked havoc across the land. In areas that were unprotected by strong forces, lawlessness spread like wildfire. Even those factions that were usually strong enough to maintain order had been overwhelmed by the sheer influx of powerful cultivators from other regions.
Zhennan Province, ranked at the very bottom among the Heavenly Wind Kingdom's 108 provinces, was seen by many outsiders as a backward and weak region. To these experts from stronger provinces, Zhennan was little more than a playground. They took what they wanted, disregarding any semblance of civility or order.
But in the face of this turmoil, Xuan Yi was not one to sit idly by.
He had sensed the growing unrest in Half Moon City. It was time for him to act.
After stepping out of seclusion, Xuan Yi immediately felt the turbulence in the air, the dissonance in the once-stable environment of the city. A frown crossed his face, his brow furrowing in disapproval.
Without missing a beat, his voice rang out, amplified by the power of his spiritual energy, reaching every corner of Half Moon City.
"I don't care where you come from. From today onwards, you cannot cause any disturbances in Half Moon City. Fighting is prohibited. Those who disobey will be killed!" His words echoed across the city, a proclamation of unassailable authority.
The effect was immediate.
Locals and outsiders alike turned their heads, eyes drawn toward the Gui family's estate. Even those who had been reckless before, thinking they could escape unscathed, now found themselves contemplating the gravity of their situation.
These were not just idle words. This was the decree of a Nascent Soul expert.
The few outsiders who had been causing trouble felt a chill run down their spines. They had underestimated the city, its people, and the power that now watched over it. This Nascent Soul expert—Xuan Yi—was not someone who would be easily ignored. His words were not a mere warning; they were a threat, and one that would not be taken lightly.
In an instant, the chaos that had been creeping into Half Moon City came to a halt. The bustling streets grew quiet as the foreign experts, once brash and unrestrained, suddenly reevaluated their position.
The Wang Clan head and Gui Tiancheng, the patriarch of the Gui family, exchanged looks of quiet relief. They had tried to maintain order in the city, but their efforts had often been met with resistance from the stronger outsiders. Now, Xuan Yi's decisive command had restored stability to the city in a way they could never have achieved on their own.
The message was clear to all: strength was the ultimate authority.
Xuan Yi had not simply spoken as a mentor to Gui Yiyi. He had spoken as a Nascent Soul expert, a being whose power left no room for dispute.
In Half Moon City, no one dared defy the words of a Nascent Soul cultivator. No one dared challenge the new order.
And from that moment forward, the city—and the entire Zhennan Province—knew one thing for certain:
The Gui family's time had come.