"Meow..." The animal in Lady Xu's arms was struck by severe pain, instantly letting out a miserable cry, and then, like its tail was on fire, it leaped out forcefully.

Coincidentally, the white **fox was aiming directly at Zhu Bufan.

The white **fox was incredibly swift, and while jumping through the air, its four paws continuously danced, bringing forth a sharp and intense sound that split the air.

Faced with the fox charging at him, Zhu Bufan was slightly startled and just about to dodge when his thoughts moved, yet he did not evade; instead, with a wave of his large hand, he concealed but did not reveal the Inner Qi in his palm, then fiercely struck down on the fox!

"Wow..."

The fox let out a strange, tragic cry, trailing a shocking spurt of blood. It crashed onto the ground, bounced twice, and without another whimper, it lay motionless.

"Dead! It's dead!"

"It's actually dead!"

"You... you..." The pretty maid's finger pointed at Zhu Bufan, trembling constantly. She hadn't expected that Zhu Bufan would actually dare to kill!

And he killed her master's favorite pet!

"You! Such bravery!" This scene left not only Lady Xu and the pretty maid, but also Du Er and the rest, including several of the Black Armored Guards drawn by the commotion, in utter shock.

If there was anyone in the Zhou Family who mustn't be offended, Lady Xu was undoubtedly one of them.

Because Lady Xu was not only Zhou Xiaotian's main wife, but also her maternal family was a formidable presence, the wealthy and powerful Magnolia Family from Li Chu Country.

This dual identity made Lady Xu highly prestigious and powerful within the Zhou Family, with few daring to provoke her.

Yet now, in front of so many people, she was unexpectedly insulted by a junior, filling the onlookers with a secret thrill despite the chaos.

Lady Xu was slightly taken aback by the scene, but a subtle smile of success flitted through her eyes.

"Good boy, no matter what, I'm your elder. Such disrespect, I shall help Xiaotian teach you a proper lesson!" She finished with a chilly gaze, "Capture him, fifty lashes!"

"Fifty lashes? Hmph..." Hearing this, everyone gasped.

It must be known, the Zhou Family's lashes weren't ordinary whips; they were covered with barbs all over, soaked with something like saltwater, but a hundred times more potent than saltwater.

Such a punishment, even one lash would strip deep blood and flesh while injecting medicine into the wound—a brutal ordeal. Not to mention fifty lashes; even just one would be unbearable for most people.

Some Iron Blood Warriors could endure perhaps ten lashes, but Lady Xu's order of fifty lashes was not punishment; it was intent on taking Zhu Bufan's life!

Despite knowing this, the crowd made no move beyond astonishment, for who would stand against the overwhelmingly powerful Lady Xu over a stranger, even a rival?

As soon as Lady Xu finished speaking, a shadow flashed from behind her, flying directly at Zhu Bufan.

"Such powerful cultivation!" An intense sense of crisis surged in Zhu Bufan's heart, and he was shocked to find this person was like Zheng Changde; even his Sensing Crystal couldn't perceive her—clearly a Pseudo Innate existence, above the Postnatal peak.

"Retreat!" Without further contemplation, Zhu Bufan could only exhaust all effort to retreat.

However, just as his body was about to move, a gale had already entwined his neck, causing Zhu Bufan's pupils to shrink instantly. Before his eyes was a pair of dry and skeletal yet exceptionally wide hands, closely pressed to his neck, less than half an inch away, making his skin gooseflesh under the gale.

Even now, though Zhu Bufan was shocked, he remained calm, knowing there was someone here who wouldn't let him get hurt!

If everything was as Zhu Bufan imagined, just then a melodies voice like a warbler's rang out: "How majestic!"

With the voice falling, Zhu Bufan suddenly felt his body tighten, as an unseen force abruptly acted upon him. He couldn't sense from where this force came; he only felt his body tighten and then return to normal.

As the warbler-like voice sounded, somehow a figure appeared in the arena, clad in a goose-yellow robe, pure and immaculate, like a celestial maiden. As she emerged, everyone present was captivated, and the world seemed to transform into a utopia, with ethereal aura drifting everywhere.

"Such powerful presence, Xiaofeng, this person's presence is truly formidable!" The mind-stored Lan Lao suddenly exclaimed in Zhu Bufan's mind.

Upon hearing, Zhu Bufan's heart stirred. Although this woman looked infinitely ethereal, he felt no Martial Artist's aura from her.

Instinctively, Zhu Bufan checked the Sensing Crystal in his arms but found, strangely, it showed no change or reaction.

"Could she truly be a master of the Innate Realm?" Zhu Bufan thought, shocked in his heart.

"Indeed!" Lan Lao muttered softly, "She's a master of the Second Layer Innate Realm!" Of course, now wasn't the time to reveal this to Zhu Bufan, so he only whispered it to himself.

"Sister-in-law is truly majestic!" The stunning beauty gave a serene smile, and with that smile, all the tension and murderous intent in the space vanished without a trace.

Following her, Zheng Changde was right behind the lady.

"Sister-in-law, rumors outside all say stepmothers are venomous; at first, I didn't believe it, but now it seems there's truth in it?" The lady's smile was like a blossoming flower, yet her words hid blades and needles.

"You..." Lady Xu's face darkened when Zhou Mengjie appeared; she realized all her plans for today wouldn't come to fruition. "Didn't expect this girl would arrive so quickly!"

"You must be Zhu Bufan?" Zhou Mengjie smiled gently at Zhu Bufan.

Zhu Bufan's eyes slightly furrowed, looking puzzled as he nodded.

"I am your aunt; you may address me as Aunt Mengjie!" Zhou Mengjie warmly said to Zhu Bufan.

"Indeed, Young Master Feng, this is your paternal aunt!" Zheng Changde also smiled as he spoke, bearing no Elder's airs before Zhou Mengjie, rather like a servant or guard.

"Xiaofeng, rest assured, with Aunt taking care of you, no one will ever bully you!" Zhou Mengjie smiled as she took Zhu Bufan's hand, casting a glance at Lady Xu, her voice clearly reaching everyone's ears.

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