As the secret of the Young Master was exposed, Wen Buhuo followed the clues and finally uncovered the heinous dealings of the Chen Estate: utilizing their clan's power, they had been secretly kidnapping helpless rogue cultivators with spiritual roots to use them as "Human Cauldrons" (Human Elixirs) to be offered to the current Emperor, who craved longevity.

On this day, the inner courtyard of the Chen Estate was filled with a murderous aura.

The Reckoning

Facing the wicked butler and the patriarch of the Chen family, Wen Buhuo showed no mercy.

• Slaying the Butler: The butler utilized a sinister technique called "Bone-Withered Claws," his poison-tipped fingers aiming for Wen Buhuo’s throat with every move. Wen Buhuo snorted coldly as his Gold-Flicker Mother-and-Son Blades wove a dense golden net in the air. The Son Blades blocked the butler's retreat like a swarm of locusts, while the Mother Blade shot out like a dragon emerging from water, piercing the butler’s heart under his terrified gaze.

• Executing the Patriarch: Seeing his certain defeat, Master Chen frantically sacrificed a blood-red long saber in a desperate final stand. Wen Buhuo’s footwork remained light, evading the frenzied saber Qi as if strolling through a garden. At the moment his opponent’s strength faltered, the nine blades merged into one, transforming into a massive golden sword that cleaved downward. Master Chen and his saber were sliced in two by the staggering spiritual power. The sins accumulated by the Chen Estate over the years vanished into ash under this single strike.

Wen Buhuo shattered the locks of the dungeon, rescuing the gaunt rogue cultivators. Seeing several sisters who had been close to Mo Caihuan among them, the heavy debt in his heart finally lightened—this battle had finally avenged the Mo family.

Sudden Assault: The Blood-Red Bull

Just as the group prepared to evacuate, a terrifying, overwhelming aura erupted from the depths of the estate.

"Who dares destroy my offerings!"

With a roar like muffled thunder, a giant man nearly ten feet tall, with muscles coiling like dragons, smashed through a pavilion and crashed to the ground. His eyes were like copper bells, and a pair of blood-red bull horns grew from his head. Demonic Qi surged around him; his cultivation had reached the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Wen Buhuo’s expression grew more solemn than ever. He could feel that this "Bull Demon-Man" was on a completely different level compared to the previous Young Master Chen.

• Physical Confrontation: Wen Buhuo made a probing strike, sending three Gold-Flicker Son Blades whistling toward the Bull Demon-Man's chest. With several metallic clangs, the blades were actually bounced off by his skin—as hard as gold and stone—without leaving even a faint bloodstain.

• Overwhelming Strength: The Bull Demon-Man roared and charged, his speed leaving blurred afterimages. With no room to dodge, Wen Buhuo was forced to sacrifice his trump card defensive treasure—the Dark Iron Shield.

• Shield Destroyed, Man Injured: A massive blood-colored fist slammed heavily into the shield. With a heartbreaking crack, the incredibly sturdy Dark Iron Shield shattered on the spot. The terrifying shockwave sent Wen Buhuo flying dozens of yards; he coughed up a mouthful of blood in mid-air, several ribs snapping in his chest.

A Narrow Escape: Golden Cicada Shedding its Shell

"What terrifying demonic power, to be able to strengthen the physical body to such an extent!"

Wen Buhuo endured the agonizing pain as he saw the Bull Demon-Man shatter the ground once more to charge. He knew that trying to clash head-on with a Middle Foundation Establishment demonic body while only at the Early Stage was suicide. He forcibly suppressed his roiling blood, flicking several smoke bombs from his sleeve while simultaneously grabbing a piece of Invisibility Gauze he had looted from Master Chen's secret room.

1. Distraction: Using the smoke as cover, Wen Buhuo retreated rapidly while recalling the Gold-Flicker Blades for a feint.

2. Hiding: The moment the Bull Demon-Man dispersed the smoke with a punch, Wen Buhuo draped the Invisibility Gauze over himself, his aura vanishing instantly.

3. Breath Suppression: He frantically circulated the Breath-Restraining Technique, suppressing his spiritual fluctuations to the absolute limit until he seemed like a lifeless stone.

The Bull Demon-Man trampled the ruins in a rage, his blood-red pupils searching everywhere, yet he could never capture the vanished shadow.

Much later, Wen Buhuo emerged from a hidden cave on the back mountain of the estate. He was covered in blood, clutching the broken shards of his shield. He looked at the distant Chen Estate, still swirling with demonic Qi, his eyes reflecting a newfound vigilance: "The demonic arts in this world are myriad and strange. If not for this Invisibility Gauze today, I would have met my end there. I cannot act so rashly next time; I must be even more cautious."