Chapter 178: Reinforcements from the Heavens
Xue Shenjiang, together with the two other Peak Saint Monarchs of the Xue Family, slammed their palms forward. The combined blow interrupted Zhao Wuji's breakthrough and sent him hurtling through the air.
At the sight, the Zhao Family clansmen erupted with panic.
"Clan Chief!"
Though they desperately wanted to break free and help Zhao Wuji, every one of them was already struggling to survive their own fights. All they could do was watch in helpless anguish.
Lying on the ground, a wave of bitter sorrow washed over Zhao Wuji.
Was the heavens truly set on destroying the Zhao Family?
At least his wife, his elder brother, and Xiaoyi were not in the estate. With Xiaoyi's talent, all she needed was time. She would grow strong enough to avenge the Zhao Family, without a doubt.
In the distance, Xue Shenjiang advanced on Zhao Wuji with a great saber in hand, each footfall tolling like a funeral bell, driving terror deeper into Zhao Wuji's heart.
Before long, Xue Shenjiang stood over him, a savage grin splitting his face.
"Time to go."
Zhao Wuji's features twisted with venom as he snarled back.
"Even if you want to kill me, I'll make damn sure you don't walk away unscathed!"
With that, Zhao Wuji prepared to self-destruct, intending to drag Xue Shenjiang down with him.
But just then, high above, Xue Annian — who had been locked in combat with Zhao Tianqian — froze mid-attack.
Everyone heard a crisp, unmistakable sound.
Following the sound to its source, they saw cracks spider-webbing across the Lockdown Grand Formation that the Xue Family Patriarch had deployed around the estate.
With a resounding boom, the entire formation shattered.
"Who goes there?!"
Xue Annian's expression turned grave as he stared outward.
His attainments in the Dao of formations ran exceptionally deep. To ensure the Zhao Family's complete annihilation, the formation he had laid was incredibly robust — utterly impossible for anyone below the Saint Emperor Realm to breach.
The fact that it had been shattered could only mean the intruder commanded power at the Saint Emperor level.
Zhao Wuji, who had been on the verge of self-destructing, witnessed the scene with his own eyes. What followed was a sight he would never forget for as long as he lived.
Zhao Xiaoyi descended through the breach in the formation like reinforcements from the heavens themselves. Beside her stood Fu Qitian.
"Is that... Xiaoyi?"
Even after seeing her, Zhao Wuji could scarcely believe it. He never imagined his daughter could be this powerful.
No — on closer look, it hadn't been his daughter who struck. It was the middle-aged man beside her.
Sure enough, in the next moment, Zhao Xiaoyi's eyes were brimming red with emotion as she clasped her fists toward Fu Qitian.
"Please, Uncle Fu — slay every last one of the Xue Family."
"Very well."
Fu Qitian gave a gentle nod.
With Lu Xunxian's help, he had already reached the Peak of the Saint Emperor Realm. He was simply waiting for the Tiansheng Grand Tournament to conclude so he could break through to the Immortal Realm and ascend alongside Lu Xiaoyao and the others.
The instant Xue Annian laid eyes on Fu Qitian, he felt a wave of absolutely terrifying aura radiating from the man.
Every instinct screamed that this person was a walking catastrophe — an opponent he could never hope to overcome.
Just as Xue Annian was about to say something conciliatory, Fu Qitian vanished. A split second later, everything went black before Xue Annian's eyes, and his consciousness plunged into an abyss of darkness.
To the onlookers, the display was nothing short of astonishing.
Fu Qitian disappeared, reappeared before Xue Annian, and killed him with a single punch.
After witnessing Fu Qitian obliterate their Patriarch in one blow, the Xue Family clansmen below needed no further convincing — this man was here for the Zhao Family. Faces twisted with terror, they scrambled to flee in every direction.
But clearly, Fu Qitian had no intention of letting them escape.
He produced a single flower and blew on it gently. The petals scattered, becoming countless fragments that shot toward the Xue Family clansmen. Every strike landed with unerring precision, killing them where they stood.
Xue Shenjiang witnessed the carnage and whipped toward Zhao Wuji, his face contorted with rage.
"Zhao Wuji, even in death I'll—"
Before he could finish, Fu Qitian snuffed him out.
With that, every last Xue Family member who had invaded the Zhao estate lay dead at Fu Qitian's hand.
Casting everything else aside, Zhao Xiaoyi rushed to Zhao Wuji's side and helped him to his feet.
"Father, are you alright?"
But Zhao Wuji's expression was deeply conflicted. After sensing the aura of the Mid Saint Monarch Realm emanating from his daughter, he spoke.
"I'm fine. But your cultivation... and that senior up there?"
Hearing her father's questions, Zhao Xiaoyi's expression grew complicated. After a long pause, she told him everything that had happened in the Tiannan Secret Realm.
When he heard that his daughter had entered a senior's service as a handmaiden, Zhao Wuji was on the verge of exploding with rage.
No father could accept his daughter serving as someone else's maid — least of all Zhao Wuji.
But when he heard that this senior was even more powerful than an Immortal King, Zhao Wuji fell silent. After a long moment, he raised his head and spoke with the utmost seriousness.
"Daughter, this handmaiden position is a fine thing. You absolutely must keep it."
"Alright, Father. As long as you're safe, that's all that matters. But there's something else I came back to tell you."
Zhao Xiaoyi wasn't surprised by her father's change of heart. After all, anyone who learned of her master's strength would consider serving as his handmaiden an honor.
Before long, Zhao Xiaoyi revealed that after the Tiansheng Grand Tournament, she would be accompanying Lu Xunxian to the Immortal Realm.
Hearing this, Zhao Wuji rose to his feet. After swallowing a healing pill, his expression turned solemn.
"If this is your choice, then your father supports you. Once you reach the Immortal Realm, be careful in all things. The Immortal Realm is far more dangerous than the Tiansheng Continent."
"And of course — if the day comes when you no longer wish to serve that senior, come home to the Zhao Family. Your father will take care of you for the rest of your life."
"Father..."
Hearing those words, Zhao Xiaoyi could no longer hold back. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Fu Qitian's voice echoed in Zhao Xiaoyi's mind.
"I'll head back first. Mind your time."
Up above, Zhao Tianqian was about to approach Fu Qitian to offer his thanks, but Fu Qitian gave him no chance, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
Just then, Li Xianling and Zhao Wutian rushed back as well.
Seeing the devastation wrought upon the Zhao Family, Zhao Wutian's eyes went crimson and his fury erupted skyward.
"Damn them! The Xue Family — I'll make them pay for every drop of blood!"
Li Xianling, meanwhile, searched frantically through the crowd. Only after spotting Zhao Wuji safe and sound did she finally exhale.
Before long, Li Xianling learned the full truth from Zhao Wuji.
Her eyes brimming with reluctance, she turned to Zhao Xiaoyi and pleaded.
"Daughter, can't you just... not go?"
But Zhao Xiaoyi shook her head.
"Mother, this is my choice. Can you please respect it?"
Seeing that this was what her daughter truly wanted, Li Xianling could only choose to accept.
The Tiansheng Grand Tournament still had two days remaining, which meant Zhao Xiaoyi could spend one day with the Zhao Family before using the final day to travel to Chengtian Mountain and ascend to the Immortal Realm alongside Lu Xunxian and the others.