Marquis Harden, within the Dark Forces, was unmatched—be it the influence he held or his personal power—and it had been this way for hundreds of years.

As early as three or four hundred years ago, Marquis Harden's strength had already reached an unfathomable level, and he personally created a clone to cultivate in isolation.

After centuries of honing, the clone finally reached the Peak Baron level, and what delighted Baron Harden even more was that the clone actually comprehended the power of the Domain!

Although it was only a mere fraction, it was an exceptionally auspicious beginning.

It was almost certain that, after waiting a few more centuries for the clone to fully comprehend the Domain, it would be time to advance to Marquis, by which time, Marquis Harden would effectively have an additional title.

Ambitions could thus be further realized.

However, today, even the clone, a top-tier strength among Barons, had died! And it died here in the West, in the stronghold of the Dark Forces!

How could Marquis Harden possibly stay calm?

As orders were issued and messages returned, Harden was soon in possession of the news about the clone's demise.

In pursuit of a young man at the Late Stage of Entering Dao Realm and another monk with similar strength, not only did the clone perish, but Baron As and Baron Kuhn also fell.

If not for the messengers' assuredness and the critical timing, Harden might have suspected his subordinates of playing tricks on him.

Two mere youngsters at the Entering Dao Realm, even with a missionary akin to a natural enemy, couldn't possibly kill three Barons! Especially since his own clone had even begun to grasp the power of the Domain!

Baron Harden furrowed his brows, sensing the scent of conspiracy.

The matter of Baron Nash being his clone was known to very few within the Dark Forces, and those aware were all significant figures of the Marquis or Duke level. When the world's major Cultivation Forces were entering the West, they would surely not act in such a way!

Involuntarily, Marquis Harden thought of the matter regarding the Key.

Could it be that someone learned of the Key's existence and intended to target Baron Nash, who was going to the Huang Family to retrieve it, to get the Key?

At this thought, Marquis Harden took a deep breath.

The matter of the Key concerned the future of the entire Dark Forces; should anything go wrong, even he, Marquis Harden, would be doomed!

Originally taking this task of retrieving the Key was meant to earn some merit for his clone, preparing for a future Marquis title, but now the clone was dead, and someone was eyeing the Key...

Marquis Harden never imagined that someone would dare to have such audacious designs on the Key right within the territory of the Dark Forces!

This, this was simply seeking death!

After calming his emotions, Marquis Harden coldly ordered a few trembling Barons below, "Follow the clues, investigate! You have three days, if you find nothing, offer your hearts!"

The heart of the Blood Clan contained all their Essence Blood, offering it would mean offering their life.

The Barons shivered, respectfully saluted, and then hurriedly drove their Viscounts and Earls forward to where Baron Nash was killed.

They didn't want to become the tools of Harden's anger, just as Marquis Harden didn't want to become the tool of a Duke's anger due to an accident involving the Key.

"Another cultivator from the East? It really is a headache!"

On his throne, Marquis Harden rubbed his temples, staring at a report handed up by his subordinates, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

...

In a building with a Chinese style in Luocheng, Xu Fan and Xia Hengzhou sat facing each other, with a wisp of white smoke rising from the table between them.

Xia Hengzhou was brewing tea.

Gongsun Qin and Avril had been arranged by Xia Hengzhou into a room, and someone checked their pulses, finding nothing wrong except for excessive physical exhaustion, which had led them into a coma.

At this moment, the boiling water on the table shrieked, making a gurgling sound, yet neither of the two facing each other glanced at the kettle.

"Xu kid, over the years, I've made some arrangements in various corners of the world, though none are significant, and exposure could easily lead to ruin."

"Today, for you, I've even put myself at stake!"

Xia Hengzhou crossed his arms, looked at Xu Fan, his lips slightly curled, almost smiling.

Xu Fan inwardly cursed the old fox and yet smiled, giving Xia Hengzhou a thumbs-up, "Father-in-law's loyalty! To make such a tremendous sacrifice for the sake of enhancing the reputation of our Eastern cultivators is truly a model for us to follow!"

Xia Hengzhou nearly lunged at Xu Fan to fight, having endured for decades and now risking exposure to save Xu Fan at the brink of life and death, all for what crap loyalty?

At this moment, Xia Hengzhou forcibly took a breath, suppressing the urge to thrash Xu Fan violently, and spoke, "You're really fearless, causing all sorts of trouble!"

"The Huang Family, the cultivators at the Huang Family gathering, and even the Dark Forces, you've only been in the West for a few days, and you've managed to offend them all!"

Xu Fan pondered for a moment and realized it seemed to be true...

Most of the time, Xu Fan didn't intend to cause trouble, but problems always lined up to find him. Xu Fan had no choice but to resist to avoid being bullied, yet even though his opponents weren't as strong as he was, their identities and backgrounds were endless.

Ultimately, Xu Fan felt that the reason for everything was simply because he was not strong enough!

If he were strong enough to make everyone tremble, who would dare to trouble him? Who would dare to target Xia Xiaodie?

At this moment, looking at Xu Fan, who had his fists clenched tightly, Xia Hengzhou couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration in his eyes.

To become strong, one must have a heart of strength.

No strong person was made in a single step; the road to becoming strong was fraught with endless troubles and setbacks. Only with sufficient resilience, steel-like determination, and a bit of luck could one grow to become strong, step by step.

Currently, Xu Fan lacks only two things: enough good luck and enough growth time.

Xia Hengzhou knew that Xu Fan had to attend the Huang Family wedding in three days. He wasn't optimistic about the outcome of Xu Fan's journey, but he was deeply moved by Xu Fan's determination.

This was also why Xia Hengzhou risked exposure to save him.

At this moment, Xu Fan spoke to Xia Hengzhou, "Father-in-law, I want to know the strength of the Huang Family."

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