Gao Wu: Oh no! Young Master Zhen is a cultivator!

After traveling hundreds of kilometers and completely escaping the pressure of the Martial Saint, Lin Ran finally retracted his escape technique and revealed his true form, landing on the outskirts of a large city.

He found a secluded corner and summoned the severely injured and weakened Black Serpent.

Dozens of healing spells were cast in succession, and layers of shimmering white healing light enveloped the dragon's body. It took a great deal of spiritual energy to save the dying dragon from its dire situation.

The black serpent's aura gradually calmed down, and it circled affectionately once before obediently coiling around Lin Ran's wrist to lie dormant.

After confirming that the Xuan Snake was unharmed, Lin Ran raised his hand and formed a hand seal, casting several Rejuvenation Techniques on himself to soothe his injuries and repair the meridians damaged by the Martial Saint.

"That was close." The voice of the Lord of Xuan Chen, heavy with exhaustion, echoed in Lin Ran's mind: "I almost died just now."

"A great reputation is well-deserved." Lin Ran stood straight against the cold wall, his eyes calm: "The Martial Saint of Zhenyue truly possesses the strength to shake mountains and shake the heavens."

"We failed to eliminate the problem completely this time, and there will likely be many more troubles in the future," Lord Xuanchen warned in a deep voice.

Lin Ran shook his head slightly, his tone firm and calm: "What trouble could there be? Without the Martial Venerable Ancestor, it's uncertain whether the Wang family can withstand the infighting among aristocratic families and survive."

At the same time, at the entrance to a secret realm a hundred miles away from Kyoto.

Three tall, handsome young men walked out side by side, their bodies shrouded in a faint aura of menace.

"Brother Wei, Brother Xie, let's part ways here." The leading youth raised his hand in a cupped-hand salute, his posture carefree.

"Brother Wang, goodbye."

The three said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

The young man, addressed as Brother Wang, leaped into the air and headed straight for the Wang family manor in the western suburbs of Kyoto.

Half an hour later, he landed in front of the Prince's Mansion, looked up, and his face turned deathly pale.

The once magnificent and grand mansion has been reduced to ruins.

The ruins stood in disarray, and dark, dried bloodstains were scattered in the cracks in the ground, making the entire Wang family estate desolate.

"Who! Who destroyed my Wang family's foundation!" The young man's eyes were bloodshot, his heart burning with rage, and he roared in a low voice.

A haggard, trembling woman stumbled out from a distance, threw herself into his arms, and wept uncontrollably.

"Chen'er, you're finally back!"

Wang Chen quickly helped his mother up, his brow furrowed, and asked anxiously, "Mom, what happened? How did the house become like this?"

The woman trembled, tears welling in her eyes, and choked out, "It was a white-haired young man who, accompanied by a black dragon, broke into the Wang family and slaughtered them. Your father and grandfather both died at his hands!"

"A white-haired youth? A black dragon?" Wang Chen's face was filled with disbelief, his expression trembling. "Why did he specifically target our Wang family?"

"We don't know why either. He didn't explain, he just came to our door and started killing us!" The woman cried out in despair.

In reality, those who knew the truth had already been killed by Lin Ran. The others had no idea what they had said, let alone why Lin Ran had taken action.

In short, I felt very confused and wronged.

"No, that's not right." Wang Chen forcibly suppressed his raging anger and forced himself to calm down.

"Grandpa possesses a mysterious summoning technique, allowing him to borrow divine power comparable to a top-tier martial saint. How could a mere youth possibly have the ability to kill Grandpa?"

The woman's face showed terror, and she recalled in a trembling voice: "That man seemed to only have the cultivation of the Profound Realm, but he was able to fight your grandfather for hundreds of rounds without being at a disadvantage. When your grandfather's divine power was exhausted and his cultivation level dropped, he took the opportunity to launch a sneak attack and kill him."

"Where are the Chinese Martial Saint and the Special Affairs Bureau? Did no one intervene?" Wang Chen's eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, and his voice was hoarse.

"The Martial Saint of Zhenyue has indeed come," the woman cried. "But that villain was determined to kill them all. Even though Martial Saint Shen tried to stop him, he couldn't save your grandfather and he still managed to escape."

Unaware that blood was seeping from Wang Chen's palm, he was filled with astonishment and doubt.

"A white-haired youth... with only the cultivation of the Profound Realm, yet he can contend with a Martial Saint... Could he be an old monster with the art of preserving his youth?"

At this very moment, Lin Ran, whom Wang Chen regarded as an old monster, had quietly returned to Xinhai City.

The atmosphere in the living room of the Lin family villa was oppressive.

Lin Haozhe is currently in an extremely awkward situation.

After his identity was completely exposed, he could no longer maintain the obedient and sensible adopted son he used to be.

Lin Zhiyao, who once trusted him the most, now despises him and avoids him at all costs, leaving him completely isolated and helpless in this family.

"What are you still doing here? This home no longer welcomes you!" Lin Zhiyao said coldly, her tone full of resentment.

Lin Haozhe knelt before Song Yishu, then turned to look at Lin Zhiyao, his expression anxious: "Third Sister, I also have my reasons..."

"A reason?" Lin Zhiyao remained unmoved: "When you colluded with outsiders to scheme against us, you didn't seem to have any reason at all!"

Lin Haozhe hurriedly explained, "That was just acting."

"Yeah, acting." Lin Zhiyao scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "You've been acting for over a decade, you're really professional!"

Lin Haozhe hurriedly defended himself, his eyes sincere: "I only learned my true identity three years ago. Before that, I was always sincere and never lied to anyone! The later concealment was all for self-protection, not for intentionally acting."

These words only fueled Lin Zhiyao's anger, and with tears welling in her eyes, she roared, "Get out!"

Lin Haozhe lowered his head, but his attitude was unusually firm: "I have to wait for Ran-ge to come back. I absolutely cannot leave before then!"

The soul imprint left by Lin Ran still lingers in his mind; whether it stays or goes is not up to him.

Otherwise, leaving the Lin family directly might not be a bad choice.

Lin Zhiyao coldly retorted, "Do you still expect him to forgive you?"

"Whether the final result is leaving or staying, I must wait for him to come back and make the decision himself." Lin Haozhe's eyes were stubborn, and he refused to back down.

Lin Hongbo frowned and spoke up to break the stalemate: "Alright, everyone calm down first, let's talk when Lin Ran comes back."

"Dad!" Lin Zhiyao cried out indignantly, "Do you also want to forgive this liar?"

"Calm down!" Lin Hongbo reassured him in a deep voice.

Lin Zhiwan, who was standing nearby, also gently advised, "Alright, Zhiyao, stop being so temperamental."

Lin Zhiyao was filled with resentment and wanted to say something more, but then she saw Lin Ran step in.

"Oh, everyone's here?" He glanced at the crowd, a smile playing on his lips.

Lin Zhiyao immediately looked at him, her tone filled with anger: "Lin Ran, tell me, shouldn't Lin Haozhe get out of here?"

In her view, Lin Ran and Lin Haozhe were not on good terms to begin with, so they would definitely support her decision.

However, Lin Ran simply walked over to the empty seat on the sofa and sat down casually.

"You don't need to ask me that; it's up to you. I'm just a tenant; who knows, maybe one day you'll get unhappy and kick me out?"

Lin Zhiyao immediately deflated and stammered, "I...I didn't, I won't do it again."

"The tenant's statement was just to reassure you to stay, so you don't need to take it too seriously," Lin Zhixia quickly said, trying to smooth things over.

Lin Ran glanced at her sideways, a half-smile on his face: "So, you with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, you've learned to go back on your word?"

"I'm your second sister!" Lin Zhixia said confidently.

"Alright, let's start talking." Lin Ran leaned back slightly on the sofa, his tone indifferent.

"Lin Haozhe is no longer of any use to me. If it weren't for your feelings, I would kill him right now!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Haozhe was terrified and hurriedly begged for mercy: "Brother Ran, please don't! I am completely loyal to you now, and I have no other intentions!"

Lin Hongbo frowned slightly and spoke up to dissuade them: "Don't resort to fighting all the time. You're not mortal enemies."

"Strictly speaking, he and I are indeed enemies," Lin Ran said with an indifferent attitude.

Song Yishu paused slightly, then gently advised, "He was just a child back then; he had no right to choose."

"I'm not talking about back then, I'm talking about now!" Lin Ran corrected earnestly.

Lin Hongbo looked puzzled: "What do you mean?"