In the rush of the night, the person who arrived at the chaotic Black Mountain City hailed from Wutong Mansion, the current patriarch of the Xie family—Xie Bridge.

Xie Bridge was of the same generation as Song Chai Xin.

At that time, besides Song Chai Xin, Xie Bridge was the most outstanding Celestial Pride in the vast Xie family, in terms of age and martial arts cultivation.

If not for Song Chai Xin, Xie Bridge back then might have been the candidate for the Xie family's participation in the 'Wutong Prefecture Examination', potentially securing a spot in the top ten, becoming a character second only to 'Xu Zuorong' and 'Jiang Yi'.

But as the saying goes, misfortune may stem from fortune, and fortune lies in misfortune.

Xie Bridge's failure in competition, losing to Song Chai Xin in the clan ceremony, left him dejected but sparked the determination to 'travel ten thousand miles'.

He then headed north to the Demon-Suppressing Great Wall, starting as a humble soldier, apprenticed under a Primordial Pill Realm Demon Suppression Commander, where he diligently honed his sword skills.

Coincidentally, at that time, the first 'Baoping Turmoil' broke out.

After enduring a life-and-death struggle that lasted four years, Xie Bridge slew countless demons, solidifying his martial dao foundation. From then on, in just over a decade, he made rapid progress, forming into a 'Primordial Pill' master, becoming the pillar of the Xie family second only to Xie Qiaoxuan.

One could say,

if not for Song Chai Xin having been buried in Black Mountain, dragging nearly half of Wutong Prefecture's Primordial Pill experts, along with several fourth-step astonishing powers, to sink into the Celestial Abyss, causing the Xie family to be implicated, with their reputation plummeting, nearly becoming the target of public criticism.

With his 'prowess of the Mansion',

he could have supported the resurgence of the Xie family, at least not inferior to Xie Qiaoxuan in his prime, establishing a solid foundation.

With the advent of the second 'Baoping Turmoil', Gua Hua, once a problem in Wutong Mansion and the three-hundred-mile Xuanqing Lake under Xuanqing City, accomplished Demon Monarch, returned with dominance, penetrating into the Prefecture City.

The contemporary Prefecture Venerable, Lord Zheng Zizhen, who hailed from Black Mountain City, was the first to be put into the 'Government Prison', along with those martial artists, orthodox and noble clans who opposed demon indoctrination.

The remaining were either the ones who surrendered to the demons, becoming 'lackeys'.

Or, like Xie Bridge, taking advantage of the chaotic situation, with his Primordial Pill cultivation, leading some fellow clansmen to flee, breaking through the entrapment.

After fleeing the Prefecture City, due to Elder Xie Qiaoxuan at that time leaving a message, he hurriedly rushed to Black Mountain.

Moreover, his daughter 'Xie Wutong', was also in Black Mountain City, serving as a 'Demon Hunter Patrol'.

Thus, Xie Bridge without delay came to Black Mountain Xiefu, wanting to gather his entire family and escape before the Xuanqing Demon Vein's demons could sweep over the entire Wutong Mansion.

Although doing so would certainly endanger the foundation, compared to becoming a demon's lackey, begging for mercy under others' command, the Xie family would rather migrate and live in exile!

Xie Bridge set foot in Black Mountain.

Passing through areas where black smoke occasionally soared and flames curled around, he had raised his sword and beheaded many demons.

He instructed several Great Innate experts of the Xie family, who fled with him, to attack the demons in Black Mountain City.

Afterward, he entered the inner city alone, not heading to the main battlefield of 'Black Mountain Army' and 'hordes of demons', but first choosing to go to the Xie family's residence.

By sheer chance,

he was met with an entire mansion in mourning, his heart sinking suddenly.

Who has passed away?

Due to the turmoil in Black Mountain City, the Xie family's entire mansion was on high alert.

Almost at the moment Xie Bridge arrived at the door, the mansion master Xie Ke of Black Mountain Xiefu, came as if facing a great enemy, but upon seeing the wind and frost covered Xie Bridge, he was overjoyed:

"Patriarch!"

Black Mountain Xie family is but a branch.

While the main lineage of Wutong Xie Family...

Patriarch Xie Bridge, who is a Primordial Pill master in his prime, stronger than the late Elder Xie Qiaoxuan!

At such a time when hearts are uneasy, having such a master stationed here is like a greatly powerful tonic.

"Who has passed away?"

Xie Bridge's tone was slightly grim, his hand gripping the sword tightened slightly.

Making Xie Ke's originally joyful expression fade immediately, as his gaze darkened quickly:

"Elder Xie..."

"Deceased from old age."

With that, he led Xie Bridge to the temporarily erected spirit hall.

Along the way, Xie Bridge remained rather dazed.

Especially, when he heard the course of events recounted by Xie Ke, his teeth gritted in anger:

"Xuanqing Demon Vein, Demon Monarch Gua Hua..."

"If I ever get the chance to reach the fourth step, I will surely kill them!"

Upon finishing, he heard that before Xie Qiaoxuan passed away, he had even taken in an 'adopted son', and gifted him the essence of the Primordial Pill, which puzzled him greatly:

"Elder Xie wasn't the charitable type, in his youth, his methods were ruthless and decisive."

"What is this young man's background?"

Xie Ke shook his head:

"Apparently, he's a native of this Black Mountain City, but his background is somewhat mysterious, with ties involving the Guardian Mansion."

"It's rumored that even Chen Zhao, the Black Mountain Guardian, regards him as a guest of honor and once contemplated passing the position of Guardian to him."

"Additionally, the young lady seems to have quite a good rapport with him."

Xie Bridge froze for a moment:

"Wutong?"

As they were conversing, they entered the spirit hall one after another.

Inside, the candlelight flickered gently, white banners on both sides swayed and fluttered in the wind, and a sandalwood coffin stood in the center, exuding a chilly silence.

Witnessing this scene, Xie Bridge's face revealed grief, finally realizing that the elder ancestor who had supported the Xie family for so many years... had truly fallen this time.

And below.

Was Xie Wutong, whose body was brilliantly radiant, breaking through nine orifices, preparing to unleash forcefully stepping into the 'Great Innate', about to reach the second step.