The setting sun dipped below the horizon, casting the last rays of dusk upon Southern Hills City. The city walls stood tall, covered in green moss at the corners, while citizens, merchants, and carriages queued to enter the gates. Inside, the streets were a spider's web of activity with inns. shops, and willow-lined alleys bustling with life. Children frolicked in the lanes, while hawkers shouted to sell their crafts on the street corners Jianghu drifters drew crowds with their gong and drum performances, their feats of skill captivating the onlookers. Wisps of cooking smoke rose from households, blurring the twilight.

At sixteen, Fang Wang stepped through the gates of the Fang State Duke's Mansion. Clothed in a white garment that clung to his body, his bearing was both scholarly and heroically youthful. The servants at the gate greeted him with smiling faces, and he nodded back without any hint of pretension.

"Shadowless Step really is extraordinary. From now on, nobody can harm me within five steps."

A smile spread across Fang Wang's face as his Inner Strength reached a legendary realm in the martial world. With proficiency in first-class swordsmanship, palm techniques, and footwork of the present age, he felt invincible

After all, he was only sixteen!

Sixteen years after his reincarnation, he had reached the pinnacle that many strive for their entire lives, and now he could truly enjoy life.

Full of anticipation for the future, Fang Wang walked on. The servants he passed greeted him, calling him by his title, the Thirteenth Young Master.

Fang Wang's grandfather, Fang Meng Was a founding hero of the Da Qi Dynasty, holding the noble rank of a second-grade duke, while his father Fang Yin was the youngest son of Fang Meng. Among the third generation, Fang Wang was the thirteenth in age, hence his title.

In this ancient-like dynasty, the atmosphere within the Fang State Duke's Mansion was harmonious, without much deception or treachery, perhaps due to Fang Meng's powerful influence.

With the connections and prestige of the Duke's Mansion, Fang Wang started to collect martial arts secrets since the age of twelve. After four years of training, he managed to emit Inner Strength from his body, strong as an elephant. but no one knew this; they merely thought he was another young master of Fang Residence dreaming of the jianghu.

Entering a garden, Fang Wang saw a group of maids huddled together, no doubt gossiping about trivial Fang Residence affairs. With his exceptional hearing, he could make out their conversations despite being ten yards away.

"Zhou Xue has gone mad. Today, she's been warning all the young masters around that Fang Residence is about to be annihilated."

"I heard it too. She's got guts, visiting all the masters in the mansion. Now, her father, the Fourth Master, has locked her in her room."

"Who dares to annihilate our Fang Residence? Even the current emperor wouldn't dare!"

"Shush, don't say such things."

'Fourth Master is so fond of his adopted daughter Zhou Xue, she'll likely be released in a few days."

At the mention of 'annihilation,' Fang Wang's heart skipped a beat.