Seeing Nan Rou siding with Qin Guan, Nan Yunqi pointed furiously at a pile of rubble and roared, "Look what your husband has done!"

Nan Rou looked into the distance. When she saw the Training Room reduced to ruins, she was stunned speechless.

The Training Room was the heart of the Nan Family, a crucial place for training their clansmen. And Qin Guan had destroyed it?

Nan Rou looked at Qin Guan in a panic. He was in big trouble now!

Qin Guan gave an awkward smile, a little embarrassed. "I really didn't mean to break it."

He had just been too excited after successfully mastering the power of that white gas in his body. Infusing it into his punches had tripled his strength!

At his current realm, even the slightest increase in strength was exceptionally difficult. Martial artists, unlike cultivators, couldn't rely on powerful techniques or talismans to boost their power; they could only grow stronger by advancing their realm.

To triple his strength in an instant was just too exhilarating. Even his master would have been shocked speechless. That white gas was simply terrifying.

"Family Head, bad news!"

Just then, Jia Quan came running over.

"What is it?" Nan Yunqi asked, looking at Jia Quan.

Jia Quan said urgently, "Reporting to the Family Head, the Great Elder and Second Elder have taken more than twenty of our family members and defected to the Xiao Family!"

"What!"

Hearing this, Nan Yunqi staggered back a few steps. He was already reeling from Qin Guan destroying the Training Room, but now, hearing that two elders had defected with over twenty people, he nearly fainted.

The other Nan Family members nearby were also stunned. The Nan Family had just over thirty members in total. For the Great Elder and Second Elder to take more than twenty with them... the Nan Family was likely finished.

"Father!" Nan Rou hurried forward to support Nan Yunqi, using a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his face.

"Family Head, Yang Ao also defected to the Xiao Family yesterday!" Jia Quan added.

His meaning was clear: the Great Elder and Second Elder must have defected to the Xiao Family through Yang Ao.

"Yes, this is likely connected to Yang Ao. But the Great Elder and Second Elder have never accepted me as the Family Head. It was only a matter of time before they made a move."

Nan Yunqi, having calmed down slightly, nodded. He seemed to have aged a great deal in that moment. Was the Nan Family truly going to fall under his leadership?

"The Secret Realm opens in two days. They chose this moment to defect to the Xiao Family. What a calculated move!" a Nan Family disciple said grimly.

Hearing this, the surrounding Nan clansmen nodded in agreement. Once the Secret Realm opened, its treasures would naturally go to the strong, and the Xiao Family was a top power in Luyun City.

"Jia Quan, gather all the remaining clan members. I have something to say," Nan Yunqi said with a grave expression.

"Yes, sir!" Jia Quan turned and left.

"Father, what happened?" Just then, Nan Qiao hurried over from a distance, with Yang Hongmei beside her.

After yesterday's events, Yang Hongmei was clearly not as boisterous as before. She was now silent as a wooden doll.

"The Great Elder and Second Elder have defected, taking more than twenty Nan Family members with them," Nan Yunqi said grimly.

"I knew they were trouble," Nan Qiao said, not looking too surprised.

Seeing Nan Yunqi's worried expression, Yang Hongmei felt a pang of sympathy. She suddenly moved to his side and said softly, "My lord, yesterday was my fault. You must take care of yourself."

Last night, Nan Qiao had talked with her all night. Nan Qiao had said that she was always disrespectful to her father, never considered his dignity, and never treated him as the head of the family, which was why he had finally lost his temper.

Nan Qiao had urged her to be the first to bow her head, saying there was still room to smooth things over.

After a night of reflection, Yang Hongmei had come to a realization.

Seeing Yang Hongmei take the initiative to yield, Nan Yunqi was quite surprised. However, he paid her no mind; he didn't have the heart to deal with it.

A short while later, Jia Quan had gathered the dozen or so remaining members of the Nan Family.

Nan Yunqi looked at the crowd and said in a heavy voice, "Everyone, I'm sure you've heard the rumors about the Great Elder and Second Elder defecting with our people. First, I must tell you that it is true!"

At his words, everyone looked at each other and began to murmur among themselves.

"Everyone, quiet down and listen to me!" Nan Yunqi waved his hand and continued, "Ever since the Old Ancestor passed away, our Nan Family has been in decline. Our strength has waned, and we have fallen from a second-rate family to a third-rate one.

"Over the years, I know many of you have not been satisfied with me as your Family Head. To be honest, my abilities are indeed lacking in many ways, and I have not always been thorough enough in my considerations.

"But please believe me, I have never acted out of selfishness. Every moment, I am thinking of how to restore the Nan Family, how to revive its glory!

"I believe a family's strength is not determined by its numbers, but by its unity. If our hearts are not one, if we do not pull in the same direction, we are but scattered sand, easily crushed by our enemies!

"Those of you who have remained, I believe you are the ones who truly love this family and want to see it thrive. So do not panic over the defection of the Great Elder and Second Elder. From now on, if we stand united, twisted together like a single rope, we will still have a place in Luyun City!"

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"The Family Head is right! For years, our Nan Family has been like scattered sand. From now on, we will advance and retreat as one. We can definitely revive the Nan Family!"

Nan Yunqi's words immediately resonated with one of the disciples.

"That's right! United as one, we advance and retreat together!"

"Unity is strength!"

In an instant, everyone was filled with renewed spirit, raising their fists in the air.

"Jia Quan, give each of our remaining brothers four bottles of Qi Refining Powder!" Seeing that morale was stabilized, Nan Yunqi immediately took out a Storage Bag and tossed it to Jia Quan.

Hearing that each of them would receive four bottles of Qi Refining Powder, the dozen or so remaining disciples beamed with joy, their grins stretching from ear to ear. They were so excited they even forgave Qin Guan for destroying the Training Room, since he was the one who had earned them the powder in the first place.

Nan Yunqi waved his hand grandly and encouraged them, "The Secret Realm opens in two days. Everyone, seize this time to train! You are all vital members of this family. When the Nan Family grows strong in the future, you will be its greatest contributors, its founding elders!"

"Yes, Family Head!"

The crowd took their Qi Refining Powder and left excitedly.

"Father! Where's the Training Room?!"

After everyone had left, Nan Qiao stared at the ruins in sudden shock.

Nan Yunqi sighed. "Your brother-in-law was training inside and... accidentally broke it."

"Brother-in-law?" Nan Qiao frowned, then a moment later, realization dawned. "Qin Guan! He destroyed the Training Room..."

Nan Qiao was about to curse Qin Guan, but she realized he and Nan Rou had disappeared at some point.

"Father, the Training Room is a core part of the family! Now that it's gone, where are we supposed to train?!" Nan Qiao stomped her foot in anger.

The Training Room contained various devices for testing strength and sparring. It also had another important function: its sealed environment allowed one to accumulate spiritual qi before a breakthrough. Without it, they would have to spend a vast amount of resources.

The Training Room was incredibly important to the family's disciples. The fact that Qin Guan had destroyed it nearly made Nan Qiao die of anger.

Yang Hongmei, standing to the side, also let out a cold snort, but this time she didn't start shouting or scolding.

"He didn't do it on purpose. The family's morale is unstable right now, Qiao'er. If you can bear it, just bear it. Don't cause a scene. Besides, no matter what, he is your brother-in-law, a member of our Nan Family!" Nan Yunqi pleaded earnestly.

"Hmph!" Nan Qiao stormed off in a huff.

With Nan Qiao gone, only Yang Hongmei and Nan Yunqi remained. Yang Hongmei hurried to Nan Yunqi's side and said with a beaming smile, "My lord, I've made your favorite white fungus and bird's nest porridge. It's still warm in the pot. Go have some!"

"Do you think I'm in any mood to eat right now?" Nan Yunqi retorted irritably before striding away.

Although morale was now stable, Nan Yunqi knew in his heart that no matter how united the family was, a lack of real power was a fatal flaw.

The Great Elder and Second Elder may have disagreed with him, but when it came to the Nan Family's interests, they would naturally stand with the family. Losing so many people at once was a devastating blow.

"Well, aren't you a tough one, Nan Yunqi! I've already bowed my head and admitted I was wrong, and you still put on airs!" Left standing there by Nan Yunqi, Yang Hongmei gritted her teeth in fury.

Meanwhile, Qin Guan and Nan Rou returned to the East Courtyard.

"Husband, can you be a little more careful in the future? Our Nan Family is already in a precarious situation, and Father is facing immense difficulties. I'm afraid he won't be able to take another crisis," Nan Rou whispered, massaging Qin Guan's shoulders in the courtyard.

"Mm, I'll be more careful from now on."

Qin Guan nodded. He felt a bit helpless himself. With power at his level, a single moment of carelessness could cause immense destruction. That was why he often had to restrain and control himself.

His master had often warned him that even if he possessed the power to destroy heaven and earth, he must maintain a compassionate heart. He should protect the weak and innocent whenever possible, and never harm them.

Thinking of this, Qin Guan couldn't help but recall his master mentioning that he had accidentally killed the Nan Family's Old Ancestor. Given his master's level, the Old Ancestor was likely just collateral damage.

His master owed the Nan Family, and his wife was from the Nan Family. It seemed he would have to give his father-in-law some proper support!

At the same time, in the Xiao Family residence, the number one family of Luyun City.

"In just one day, Young Hero Yang has broken through a realm in his Way of the Sword to become a Sword Apprentice. Truly, the younger generation is formidable!"

(Ordinary Sword, Sword Apprentice, Sword Practitioner, Sword Master, Great Sword Master, Sword King, Sword Sovereign, Sword Emperor, Sword Saint, Sword Immortal, Great Sword Immortal.)

Inside the Training Room, the Xiao Family's Old Ancestor, Xiao Yun, was full of praise.

"Senior Xiao, you flatter me. Without your careful guidance, I would never have progressed so quickly!" Yang Ao said, bowing respectfully to Xiao Yun.

Xiao Yun stroked his long beard and waved his hand. "Young Hero Yang, you are too modest. To be honest, with your talent, staying in my Xiao Family would be a waste. You should be developing at a higher level."

Yang Ao frowned slightly. "Senior Xiao, what you mean is...?"

"Have you heard of the Spirit Sword Academy, Young Hero Yang?" Xiao Yun asked with a smile.

Hearing this, Yang Ao nodded eagerly. "Of course! The Spirit Sword Academy is the top academy in Qingzhou, a sacred place that countless sword cultivators dream of entering!"

At this, Yang Ao's expression suddenly dimmed. "I've heard that the Spirit Sword Academy only recruits disciples no older than sixteen, and they must be at least a Sword Practitioner in the Way of the Sword. Not one of these two conditions can be missed."

Yang Ao could naturally tell that Xiao Yun wanted him to join the Spirit Sword Academy, but he didn't meet either of the recruitment standards. Not only was he a year too old, but his Way of the Sword was also one level short.

"No matter. My senior brother, Cang Yuan, is an elder at the Spirit Sword Academy. He should be arriving in Luyun City tomorrow for the Secret Realm. I can recommend you to him then. Since you've awakened the True Dragon Sword Intent, making an exception for you shouldn't be a problem!"

"Senior Xiao, I will never forget your kindness!"

Yang Ao was overjoyed. He never expected Xiao Yun to have connections to the famous Spirit Sword Academy. As expected of Luyun City's number one family, their foundation was truly profound.

Xiao Yun clapped Yang Ao on the shoulder. "I'm doing this for two reasons. First, I don't want to see a talent like you go to waste. Second, I do have a selfish motive. I hope that in the future, Young Hero Yang will not forget the Xiao Family and will lend us a hand when necessary!"

"Senior Xiao, what are you saying? From now on, the Xiao Family's business is my business!" Yang Ao declared, patting his chest.

"Haha, I knew I wasn't mistaken about you!" Xiao Yun laughed, tilting his head back.

A moment later, Xiao Yun added, "I hear you've had some trouble with that live-in son-in-law of the Nan Family?"

At these words, Yang Ao's face turned cold. "That's right. He's a 3rd Realm Warrior who killed my cousin. And yesterday, the Nan Family chose him over me!"

Xiao Yun sneered. "How shortsighted. That Nan Yunqi is a far cry from his father. To abandon a sword cultivator who has awakened the True Dragon Sword Intent for a mere 3rd Realm Warrior... utterly foolish!"

At this, Xiao Yun's expression darkened. "A sword cultivator would rather break than bend, and they must vent their anger. Rest assured, Young Hero Yang. If the Nan Family dares to go to the Wanyao Valley Secret Realm, we will drag that son-in-law out and kill him. And if the Nan Family dares to say a word against it, my Xiao Family wouldn't mind wiping them out."