The Shane Family Is Exterminated

However, this kind of barrier is similar to the Sevenfold Venom—there are billions of possible combinations.

Unless you know the exact sequence, you can't break it.

He tried to recall... but couldn't remember a thing.

He pulled her a little closer and tried a few more times, but still couldn't take it off.

Then he realized there was actually a much simpler solution.

If he just twisted her head off, wouldn't that work?

But His Highness the Crown Prince isn't the type to kill innocent people.

So he said, "I'll leave the Heartscale with you for now. Once I figure out how to take it off, I'll come back for it."

Grace nodded.

Evan Xiao turned into a streak of dark light and vanished in an instant.

Grace walked over and stood where he had just disappeared, not moving for a long time.

......

Just as the New Year was approaching, a heartbreaking tragedy struck Yan City.

The Shane Family was wiped out!

Over a hundred members of the Shane Family—none survived.

The patrolling flying cavalry sensed something was wrong and rushed over, only to find everyone already dead. A mysterious figure, cloaked in black, took Samuel Summers and escaped toward the Eastern Luo Empire on a flying beast.

In the Eastern Luo Empire, there are checkpoints not only on the ground, but also in the sky, marked by boundaries of spiritual power.

The cloaked figure broke straight through the defenses and vanished into the distance.

The flying cavalry of the Eastern Luo Empire gave chase, but the Vermilion Kingdom's riders were stopped in midair and forced to show a travel permit.

So, they lost the trail just like that.

Later, the flying cavalry of the Eastern Luo Empire reported that the figure landed near Sigil City and then vanished without a trace.

......

Grace and Maya Summers walked through the Shane Family's mansion, surrounded by bodies everywhere.

But the front yard was filled with servants.

The masters of the Shane Family all lay in the backyard.

Lucas Shane died with his eyes wide open.

The eldest and second young masters of the Shane Family died in a truly gruesome way.

All the women of the Shane Family were huddled together, each with a short arrow in her chest, as if killed by a mob attack.

Even little Emily Shane, whom Grace had once held, lay in a pool of blood—her tiny body too heartbreaking to look at.

Sensing movement behind her, Grace turned around and saw Maya Summers in tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

Zhu Estate.

Grace looked at Maya Summers, who was squatting on the ground in a daze. "Auntie, you've been squatting there all day. Aren't your legs numb?"

Maya Summers lifted her head, her voice hoarse. "If I'd known, I would've treated him better..."

Grace sighed gently, went over and helped her up. "It's not your fault..."

"Any clues?"

"No. The Shane Family always had good relations with everyone, never made enemies—let alone something this extreme. Even tracing back three generations, there's no sign of a grudge this deep."

"Then who could've done this?"

"Ah!" Suddenly, a sigh sounded behind them.

They turned around—it was General Lawrence.

"Maybe it has something to do with that forbidden technique the Shane Family practiced," General Lawrence said.

"Dad, do you know something about this?" Maya Summers asked anxiously.

"The Shane Family is actually an old, declining noble house," General Lawrence said. "Once, when Lucas Shane was drunk, he mentioned to me that their family hid a Forbidden Technique."

"Forbidden Technique?" Grace asked. "What kind of Forbidden Technique?"

"Any technique that's forbidden doesn't follow the rules of regular cultivation," General Lawrence said. "Such techniques either harm others for one's own gain, or are downright evil."

After a pause, General Lawrence added, "But without exception, they're all incredibly powerful."