Never had he imagined that his punch could be so swift. In the air, he left behind a series of afterimages, and in the blink of an eye, the punch collided with the stone couch, its speed no less than that of the formidable Pang Guan on the day in the Azure Cloud Hall. The force within the punch surpassed even Shuro's imagination.

Crack! Shuro had already retracted his fist just as it touched the stone couch, yet a crack appeared on the side of the couch, rapidly expanding in all directions.

"Boom!" A thunderous sound echoed as the one-foot-thick stone couch split into pieces.

Although mentally prepared, witnessing the fragmented stones strewn across the ground left Shuro in astonishment.

Swiftly, surprise transformed into a joy that filled Shuro's heart like a brimming lake.

The act of breaking stone tablets is indeed the symbol of the Small Ethereal Realm! Shuro had just stepped into the first stage of Foundation Building, and his strength already rivaled that of practitioners in the Small Ethereal Realm of the martial world. The Small Ethereal Realm was the standard of top-notch experts in the Tera Dynasty, possessing a strength equivalent to five thousand kilograms. Compared to Shuro's previous Small Elixir Realm, he had surpassed two realms, saving him at least thirty years of arduous cultivation.

"This marks the genuine distinction between the arts of the immortals and the martial studies of alchemy!" Shuro murmured, his gaze falling upon the scattered food containers and dishes, warmth reflecting in his eyes.

Since being confined in the secret chamber, he had not consumed a meal for a full ten days. Only now did he feel hunger.

Thankfully, due to the frigid weather, the rice, noodles, and dishes delivered by Xiao Jieba had not spoiled after being left for several days.

Shuro's eyes gleamed green as he lunged toward the food containers.

Outside the secret chamber, stars and the moon were absent. Unbeknownst to when, the sky had begun to drizzle snow.

A not particularly tall figure stealthily entered the small courtyard, quietly approaching the secret chamber.

Ten steps away from the secret chamber, in front of a withered tree, Lewis suddenly halted. Holding a key, he fixed his gaze on the iron door of the secret chamber, hesitating.

He had already decided that if Shuro was still alive, he would secretly release him.

Although Shuro had a notorious reputation within the Second Mansion, in Lewis's heart, he would forever be the person who emerged from the crowd on a winter day, silently pulling out all his money to help him—an unforgettable benefactor.

Lewis, born in an ordinary family, was simple and straightforward in temperament. The more straightforward a person, the more they understood the importance of gratitude.

When he reached the front of the secret chamber, a sudden recollection of Lee's words echoed in his mind. He could disregard himself, but he couldn't ignore his sister. If he released Shuro, it would undoubtedly lead to enormous trouble. He didn't care about his own life, but if he died, how would his ten-year-old sister survive alone?

Lewis didn't notice that not far behind him, someone was crouching against the wall, coldly watching him.

Seeing Lewis come to a stop, Lee inwardly sighed in relief.

He had a soft rope concealed in his sleeve, prepared for Lewis. He quite liked this straightforward and somewhat taciturn youth; he could see his own shadow from his younger days in Lewis. They shared the same straightforward simplicity. Therefore, Lee occasionally looked out for Lewis. However, if Lewis didn't know what was good for him and insisted on rescuing Shuro, Lee would unhesitatingly bind him and present him to the mansion lord.

Retreating, Lee thought Lewis was giving up, but suddenly, Lewis briskly resumed his steps, heading toward the secret chamber.

Lee's eyes revealed regret and ruthlessness, holding the soft rope, preparing to step forward. Just then, a thought struck him, and he abruptly turned his gaze to the side.

A peculiar flame descended from the sky, transforming into a humanoid figure upon landing.

"Looks like I guessed right. This little waste wants to secretly release a repeat offender!" Lewis's body trembled violently when he saw Pang Guan. As he turned his head in fear, his face turned ashen, and cold sweat poured down, his legs shaking.

In the York family, almost everyone knew Pang Guan. Not because of his title as a cultivator of the Tianxuan Hand or his status as a lackey under the Third Young Master but because of his extreme cruelty. Before submitting to the Third Young Master, he was the leader of the Yanshan Thirteen Bandits, committing all kinds of atrocities. Although he restrained himself after surrendering to the York family, the leopard can't change its spots easily. Who would believe that he could truly reform?

"It seems you also know who I am." Pang Guan's eyes revealed a hint of interest.

During his time as a notorious bandit, what he enjoyed most was watching others tremble with fear in front of him. Each time, he felt an indescribable excitement. He liked to slowly torment these weak "lambs" until they begged for mercy and trembled with fear from beginning to end. This was the greatest pleasure of his life.

After submitting to the Third Young Master, he rarely had the chance to indulge in such pleasure. Therefore, when he saw the stuttering youth exuding fear from every pore, Pang Guan began to feel excited.

"Pang Guan will give you a chance. As long as you swallow this key, Pang Guan will no longer pursue the matter." Towering over the pale-faced Lewis, Pang Guan's lips curled upwards.

Lewis was dumbfounded. He lowered his head, looking at the key the size of a fist in his hand. His body suddenly shivered, and tears streamed down his face.

"Hahaha..." Pang Guan enjoyed the expression of terror on the young man's face, tilting his head back in hearty laughter.

"If you are unwilling to swallow it, I'll have to resort to other means. Do you prefer being skinned, flattened like a pancake, and slowly dried, or would you rather have me tear your flesh into pieces, pull apart your intestines, and throw them to the wilderness for the dogs?"

"Humph! Who allowed you to oppose the Third Young Master? At such a young age, with a promising future, you dare to go against my family's young master for a hopeless fellow. Ignorant!"

Pang Guan laughed brazenly. Before him, the young man had already sat on the ground, tears streaming down his face, immersed in despair.

Pang Guan lifted Lewis with a smirk, closely admiring the terrified youth. He grinned maliciously, "By the way, I wonder if you have any other siblings. It's better if you don't. Otherwise... hehe, I guarantee their fate will be a hundred times worse than yours. Of course, if you're willing to swallow the key, I might consider showing mercy."

Lewis shuddered, his face filled with despair. After a moment, he closed his eyes and raised the key to his mouth.

The key was as long as an adult's fist. Swallowing it would only result in piercing the trachea, leading to a painful death.

Lee sighed from behind the wall. Truly foolish! For a hopeless illegitimate son, he offended the most promising genius of a prestigious family. In the end, he not only gained nothing but also ended up ruining himself. You, young man, are truly the biggest fool in the entire capital!

After giving Lewis a final glance, Lee suppressed his emotions and stealthily began to retreat.

Just two steps away, Lee inexplicably stopped.

Although he had greatly declined in cultivation and had been hiding in the York family for many years, his intuition from the days of being in the Small Ethereal Realm remained. His heart raced as Lee suddenly turned around, gazing at a figure that had quietly entered the courtyard.

A half-naked young man, with fair and radiant skin emitting a jade-like luster, appeared. Despite being slightly shorter and leaner than Pang Guan, his body exuded well-defined muscles, suggesting extraordinary explosive power. His temperament was peculiar, ethereal yet brimming with vitality.

The youth raised his head, his gaze icy. "Release him, you dog slave!"

Lee trembled all over, wearing an expression as if he had seen a ghost.

Lewis, on the other hand, was somewhat bewildered, feeling as if he were in a dream.

Amidst the falling snow, Shuro stood tall. He was half a head shorter than Pang Guan, and his figure appeared somewhat slender. When he silently appeared by Pang Guan's side, no one noticed.

Shuro... How did he come out? Could it be that the door to the secret chamber wasn't locked?

For a moment, the same thought crossed the minds of Lee and the others.

Pang Guan was the first to come to his senses. He sneered disdainfully, casually releasing Lewis. Frictioning his fists, he said, "Oh, it turns out to be Young Master Shuro. What wind has blown you here? I forgot; you live here. Humph! Instead of obediently staying inside and waiting to die, you actually ran out to seek death!"

Lee looked at Shuro with mixed feelings, realizing that something was amiss.

"Hahaha, tonight is truly interesting. I never expected to encounter a master of the Great Elixir Realm in the inner guard. How amusing," Pang Guan burst into prolonged laughter, casting a glance towards Lee with a hint of murderous intent.

Lee's face changed drastically. After a moment of hesitation, he stepped out from behind the wall, carefully watching Pang Guan beneath the withered tree.

Once a top-notch expert in the Small Ethereal Realm, Lee was now far from being Pang Guan's match, who had descended to the Great Elixir Realm. Pang Guan's strange temperament, mercilessness, and joy in killing were well-known to Lee. Sensing the unreserved cruelty in Pang Guan's eyes, Lee regretted and, in his frustration, even blamed Shuro.

But at this moment, Lee was taken aback and shook his head with a wry smile.

He saw Shuro suddenly take a step forward, extending his fist towards Pang Guan.

"Take this punch!"

His punch was weak and lacked strength, appearing sluggish. To Lewis's eyes, it was full of flaws. Moreover, before Shuro started, he even issued a warning, sounding so inexperienced that it was laughable.

Pang Guan was also stunned. From his elevated position, he looked at Shuro with disdain, his mouth curving into a cruel smile. He leisurely extended his hand toward Shuro's fist, not bothering to pay close attention.

In the midst of the snowfall, with the night veiled in mist, Pang Guan failed to perceive the fleeting electric spark in Shuro's eyes.

At the moment of the impending collision between their fists, Shuro no longer concealed his strength. His face remained calm as water, yet his eyes seemed to burn with a fierce fire.

The vortex of water and fire within his body accelerated, and an unparalleled force surged through his meridians towards his fist.

At the moment of impact, Shuro heard a buzzing resonance within his body. Qi and blood surged like dragons, and the blood seemed to boil, attempting to break free from the constraints of the blood vessels. This made Shuro's already powerful punch even more explosive.

Crack!

The sound of bones shattering echoed.

In an instant, Pang Guan's right arm shortened at a speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye, from palm to elbow and then to shoulder, all crushed into pieces!

Blood sprayed high into the air, staining the white snow beneath.

Lewis rubbed his eyes, unable to believe it.

Lee took two steps back, gaping. His already prominent cheekbones became even more protruded, resembling a fat stork choking on something.

Pang Guan stood still, staring blankly at his shoulder covered in bloody flesh. Only when the overwhelming pain engulfed him did he come to grips with reality.

With a strange cry, beads of sweat formed on Pang Guan's forehead. He looked at Shuro with a gaze filled with fear, while staggering backward. His shoulders twitched, his face devoid of any trace of color.