He fell off a cliff but unexpectedly gained a cultivation inheritance.

As night deepened and the horrific scene of the Red Leaf Mountains remained unilluminated by dawn, news of the Xiao family's annihilation—after their assassination attempt on a core disciple of the Immortal Sword Sect was exposed—spread like a thunderclap, accompanied by the communication jade talismans and divine senses of cultivators, sweeping across the entire cultivation world of the Pangu Realm with astonishing speed. In a single night, whether it was the major and minor families or the alliances of independent cultivators in the mortal cultivation world, or the various secret sects hidden in famous mountains and rivers, everyone knew of this earth-shattering event that was poised to reshape the landscape of the mortal cultivation world.

In the heart of the mortal cultivation world, nestled in the water towns of Suzhou, the ancestral home of the Murong family, was ablaze with candlelight in its ancestral hall. The family patriarch, Murong Jin, dressed in a brocade robe, held a warm communication jade talisman, his face ashen. Below him, more than ten core elders of the family sat solemnly on either side, the air thick with a stifling silence. The message from the jade talisman was crystal clear, recounting the entire process of the Xiao family's provocation and subsequent destruction—Xiao Jiulang, accompanied by two mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators, launched a night raid on Zhang Bufan, a core disciple of the Immortal Sword Sect, only to have both of them killed and their cultivation crippled. Enraged, Yue Buwei, the Nascent Soul patriarch of the Immortal Sword Sect, personally led his disciples to besiege the Xiao family, stripping all core disciples of their cultivation, emptying their treasury, and draining their spiritual veins, thus completely erasing the three-thousand-year-old Xiao family from the cultivation world.

"Smack!" Murong Jin slammed the communication jade talisman heavily onto the table, instantly cracking a fine line across the solid wood surface. "Foolish! Utterly stupid!" he roared, his voice filled with lingering fear and relief. "A mere mortal cultivation family dared to provoke a reclusive sect, the Immortal Sword Sect, which even possesses a Nascent Soul cultivator! That old bastard Xiao Changfeng, cautious his whole life, how could he have raised such an arrogant and ignorant brat!"

An elder with white hair and beard on the left spoke with deep concern: "Patriarch, this matter is far more than just a tragedy for the Xiao family. The Immortal Sword Sect's actions are clearly a warning to the entire mortal cultivation world! In recent centuries, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has become scarce, and disciples of secret realm sects rarely set foot in the mortal realm. The young scions of us mortal families have long forgotten who the true masters are, and our actions have become increasingly arrogant and domineering. The Xiao family is merely the first to run into trouble. If we do not learn from this, the next to be destroyed might very well be our Murong family!"

These words struck like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly resonating with all the elders. "Elder Hai is absolutely right!" another middle-aged elder echoed. "Our Murong family and the Xiao family have a long-standing business relationship, and last year we even arranged a marriage between members of a collateral branch. Now that the Xiao family has fallen, the Immortal Sword Sect will undoubtedly investigate any forces connected to them. We must immediately sever all ties with the Xiao family and destroy all related documents and contracts to avoid being implicated!"

Murong Jin took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "Immediately issue the following orders: First, immediately terminate all cooperative projects with the Xiao family, recall all personnel stationed in the Xiao family's industries, seal all accounts and documents related to the Xiao family, and destroy them overnight; Second, notify all collateral descendants that anyone holding a government position or having any connection with the Xiao family's collateral branches must immediately sever all ties, and if necessary, resign voluntarily, without harboring any illusions; Third, restrain all disciples in the clan, prohibiting them from causing trouble in the near future, and strictly forbidding them from discussing matters concerning the Immortal Sword Sect and the Xiao family, with severe punishment for violators!"

Similar scenes unfolded simultaneously in dozens of top families across the mortal cultivation world. The Wen family of the capital, the Tang family of Sichuan, the Zhao family of Lingnan… these families, whether previously allied with the Xiao family or harboring contempt for the Immortal Sword Sect, were all thrown into a panic upon learning the news. They held emergency meetings overnight, issuing a series of harsh orders. The Wen family even forcibly annulled the engagements of their daughters to the Xiao family and publicly destroyed all the treasures gifted to them by the Xiao family. The Tang family dispatched people overnight to various locations to dispose of assets related to the Xiao family, even at the cost of significant losses. The entire mortal cultivation world felt as if a boulder had been thrown at it; all the families restrained their former arrogance and became extremely cautious, fearing they would become the next target of the Immortal Sword Sect's purge.

Unlike the panic of the aristocratic families, the rogue cultivators and small clans who were usually oppressed and bullied by the Xiao family were filled with nothing but ecstatic joy and a thirst for revenge upon learning of the Xiao family's annihilation. The next day, at the crack of dawn, the first wave of rogue cultivators, like sharks smelling blood, surged towards the Red Leaf Mountains where the Xiao family was located. In the past, the Red Leaf Mountains were a forbidden area for the mortal cultivation world, heavily patrolled by Xiao family disciples; even Foundation Establishment stage rogue cultivators dared not approach it lightly. But now, the former grandeur was gone. After the Immortal Sword Sect disciples left, only devastation remained, along with a group of Xiao family disciples whose cultivation had been crippled.

"Charge! The Xiao family has fallen! Take whatever treasures are inside!" A burly rogue cultivator, brandishing a rusty longsword, led the charge into the Xiao family ancestral home. Following closely behind were a relentless stream of rogue cultivators and small family forces, like locusts swarming across the land, leaving nothing but desolation in their wake. The Immortal Sword Sect disciples only looted the treasure vault for cultivation resources and spirit stones from the spiritual veins—things useful to cultivators. They utterly disdained the worldly gold, silver, jewels, rosewood furniture, and jade ornaments. But these things were rare treasures in the eyes of the rogue cultivators and small families.

Inside the ancestral home, the once magnificent main hall was ransacked, its walls torn down with calligraphy and paintings by famous figures, and antique porcelain scattered haphazardly on the tables, shattered on the floor. The rogue cultivators rushed into each room, taking everything they could carry. Some even went so far as to unleash their magical artifacts and begin demolishing the house—the redwood beams of the main hall were sawed off, the jade floor tiles were pried up, and even the artificial rocks and ornamental plants in the courtyard were dug up and sold. The entire Red Leaf Mountain Range was filled with the clanging of demolition, arguments, and cheers; the once sacred place of cultivation had become a playground for plunder.

Those core members of the Xiao family whose cultivation had been crippled became the targets of revenge from independent cultivators and smaller clans. For three thousand years, the Xiao family had dominated the mortal cultivation world, oppressing countless independent cultivators and destroying countless smaller clans with their power. In the past, these victims could only swallow their anger and dare not speak out. Now, the Xiao family members had become mortals, losing all protection, and the flames of revenge were instantly ignited.

As the leaders of the Xiao family, Xiao Changfeng and Xiao Feng became the target of everyone's hatred. After their cultivation was crippled, they collapsed to the ground, unable to move. When a group of disciples from smaller families wiped out by the Xiao family found them, the hatred in their eyes was almost tangible. "Xiao Changfeng! You old dog! When you annihilated my entire clan, didn't you ever think of this fate!" "And you, Xiao Feng! You stole my sect's secret manual and killed my master! Today, I will make you pay for your crimes in blood!"

Amidst angry curses, countless fists and clubs rained down on the two men. Xiao Changfeng and Xiao Feng wanted to beg for mercy, but they didn't even have the strength to speak, and could only watch helplessly as they were beaten. In a short time, the once high and mighty Xiao family patriarch and patriarch were beaten into a bloody pulp by the enraged rogue cultivators, their deaths gruesome and tragic. Other core members of the Xiao family also couldn't escape the wrath of revenge. Some had their limbs broken and were thrown into the mountains to be fed to wild beasts; some were repeatedly bullied by passing rogue cultivators and eventually died from blood loss; and some female disciples were reduced to playthings of rogue cultivators, their fates unimaginable. As the saying goes, when a wall falls, everyone pushes it down; the Xiao family's three thousand years of dominance ultimately resulted in such a horrific end.

The downfall of the Xiao family not only shook the mortal cultivation world but also triggered an unprecedented earthquake within the mortal government. As the most prestigious cultivation family in the mortal world, the Xiao family's influence had long since penetrated every corner of the mortal government. In the capital, the Xiao family's stronghold, nearly 20% of the high-ranking officials were either collateral relatives of the Xiao family or long-time confidants who had relied on them. These individuals, leveraging the Xiao family's power, engaged in factionalism, corruption, bribery, and oppression of the people, earning widespread resentment and anger.

Other cultivation families naturally wouldn't miss such a good opportunity and divided up the key positions that were originally controlled by the Xiao family.

Overnight, the political landscape of Beijing shifted dramatically. Police cars roared through the streets and alleys, and batches of officials were taken away for investigation. From powerful ministers to high-ranking local officials, and even lower-ranking clerks, no one connected to the Xiao family escaped unscathed. Embezzlement, bribery, abuse of power, and disregard for human life… a series of shocking crimes were exposed, causing a massive uproar.

Unaware of the truth, the common people only knew that the imperial court had suddenly intensified its anti-corruption efforts, bringing a large number of corrupt officials to justice, and they were all applauding. Online, there were countless voices praising the government's decisive action against corruption. "Finally, they're getting serious! These corrupt officials should have been arrested long ago!" "Thumbs up for the government! Hopefully, they can thoroughly clean up the corruption in officialdom!" "Support the anti-corruption campaign, and give the people a bright and just world!" The people were immersed in the joy of the successful anti-corruption campaign, unaware that the root of this storm sweeping through officialdom was actually a feud between cultivators.

Unlike the turbulent events in the mortal world, the secret realm sects on par with the Immortal Sword Sect remained calm upon learning of the Xiao family's annihilation. The Myriad Laws Immortal Sect of the Kunlun Secret Realm, the Penglai Immortal Sect of the Penglai Secret Realm, the Taiqing Immortal Sect of the Wudang Secret Realm… these top sects, with their millennia-long traditions, each resided in their own secret realm, possessing strength no less than that of the Immortal Sword Sect, and each had a Nascent Soul stage cultivator residing within their ranks.

Inside the secluded cultivation chamber of the Myriad Laws Immortal Sect in the Kunlun Secret Realm, Ancestor Ling Xuzi slowly opened his eyes after listening to his disciple's report, his gaze devoid of any emotion. "That old bastard Yue Buwei has actually lost his temper for once," he said with a faint smile, his tone carrying a hint of understanding. "In recent centuries, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has become increasingly scarce. To conserve spiritual energy, disciples of these secret realm sects rarely venture into the mortal world unless there are special circumstances. But the young scions of those mortal families, having never witnessed our methods, have grown increasingly arrogant, believing themselves to be the masters of the mortal realm. The Xiao family has run into the line of fire, which serves as a warning to other mortal families."

The Supreme Elder beside him echoed, "The Ancestor is absolutely right. If these mortal families become too presumptuous, they will inevitably provoke us in the future. The Immortal Sword Sect's actions this time, though seemingly ruthless, have actually saved all the secret realm sects a lot of trouble. Letting those mortal families recognize their own position and know who the true ruler of the Pangu Realm is will also bring us a lot of peace and quiet."

The patriarch of Penglai Pavilion also sent a message of condolence to Yue Buwei via a communication jade talisman: "Brother Yue, you handled the Xiao family matter extremely well this time. The arrogance of mortal families deserves a good scolding. If you need any help, just ask; Penglai Pavilion is always ready to lend a hand." The patriarchs of other secret realm sects also sent similar messages, ostensibly as expressions of condolence, but in reality, to express their support for the Immortal Sword Sect's actions. For them, the Immortal Sword Sect's actions not only did not harm their interests but also helped them deter the mortal cultivation world, so they naturally welcomed it.

Zhang Bufan, the instigator of all this, had already returned to the Huashan Secret Realm. After dealing with the Xiao family's affairs with Yue Buwei, he couldn't wait to rush back to Anhe City. When he saw that his parents were properly settled in a magnificent three-courtyard mansion, with ten specially trained maids taking care of them, and were safe and sound with no worries about food or clothing, the last trace of concern in Zhang Bufan's heart completely disappeared.

"Dad, Mom, are you getting used to the environment here?" Zhang Bufan walked into the courtyard and saw his parents sitting on the stone bench in the garden, admiring the rockery and stream in the courtyard. He quickly went up to them and asked.

Zhang Guoqiang smiled and nodded, "I'm used to it, I'm used to it! The environment here is good, the air is fresh, much more comfortable than back home. And these maids are all very sensible and take good care of us, so don't worry." Xie Fenglian also held Zhang Bufan's hand, her eyes slightly red, and said, "Bufan, we're relieved to see you're alright. You must focus on your cultivation and don't worry about us."

"I understand, Dad, Mom." Zhang Bufan felt a warmth in his heart and nodded solemnly to his parents. "I'm very relieved that my master and the sect are taking care of you. I'll come to see you often in the future." He chatted with his parents for a while, gave them some instructions on living in Anhe City, and then got up to take his leave. He knew that only by improving his cultivation as soon as possible could he truly protect his parents and live up to his master's expectations.

After leaving Anhe City, Zhang Bufan returned directly to his Qinglan Peak. Qinglan Peak is located on one side of the main peak of the Huashan Secret Realm. The mountain is steep, shrouded in clouds and mist, and the spiritual energy is so dense that it almost solidifies. At the top of the mountain is an exquisite cave dwelling, which contains several rooms such as a cultivation room, an alchemy room, and a weapon-forging room.

Entering the cultivation room, Zhang Bufan sat cross-legged on the futon, closed his eyes, and calmed his mind. Having experienced the Xiao family's ordeal, he realized even more deeply that cultivation was the foundation of survival. If it weren't for his superior spiritual power compared to others of his level, allowing him to detect Xiao Jiulang's sneak attack beforehand, he would likely be dead long ago. The path of cultivation is a dog-eat-dog world; only by constantly improving one's strength can one gain a foothold in this cruel world.

He slowly circulated the "Mysterious Purity Dao Inquiry Technique," and the spiritual energy within his body began to flow along a specific trajectory. The spiritual energy of Qinglan Peak was extremely dense. As the technique was practiced, the surrounding spiritual energy surged in like a tide, entering his body through the pores of his skin, where it was continuously refined, absorbed, and integrated into the vortex of energy in his dantian. Zhang Bufan could clearly feel that his spiritual energy was gradually growing stronger, and he was getting closer and closer to the bottleneck of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

At the same time, his sea of ​​consciousness was also constantly growing. The legacy left behind by Daoist Xuanqing contained endless insights and knowledge about cultivation, and as his cultivation level improved, more and more sealed information was unlocked. While cultivating, he sorted through the information in his mind, and his understanding of the path of cultivation became clearer and clearer.

As night deepened, only a faint spiritual light emanated from the cave on Qinglan Peak. Zhang Bufan was immersed in cultivation, oblivious to the disturbances of the outside world. He knew the turmoil in the mortal world had subsided, but his path of cultivation had only just begun. The road ahead was long, filled with unknowns and challenges, but he felt no fear, only boundless determination and anticipation. He wanted to improve his cultivation as quickly as possible, break through the Foundation Establishment stage, and advance towards higher realms. One day, he would use his own strength to protect those he cared about and carve out a place for himself in this vast Pangu Realm.