Lei Xingjun's blade energy layered densely, completely sealing and protecting his form.
This blade technique was called Blade Shield, a Bronze-tier blade art he had chanced upon, possessing astonishing defense.
Combined with the Yuan energy shield on his body, it was equivalent to having double insurance, capable of withstanding attacks from Grandmasters in the middle or even late stages.
Just as Lei Xingjun unleashed Blade Shield, his blade energy transforming into a blade curtain to envelop him, Ye Ningze's attack arrived.
Although Lei Xingjun's defensive blade technique was formidable, it still couldn't block Ye Ningze's offensive.
Ye Ningze swung his black blade. This strike directly cleaved onto Lei Xingjun's blade curtain.
*Crack!*
Accompanied by the sound of a Yuan artifact shattering, Ye Ningze's black blade splintered inch by inch.
It wasn't that Ye Ningze couldn't break Lei Xingjun's blade technique, but rather that the quality of his black blade couldn't keep up.
This black blade, forged from the tailbone of a ferocious beast, was Ye Ningze's first Yuan artifact. It had accompanied him for a long time, and now its mission was finally over.
Although the black blade in Ye Ningze's hand shattered, the residual blade fragments continued to advance along the original attack trajectory.
Lei Xingjun's treasured blade still danced wildly, but the black blade's fragments had already pierced through his body.
"Transcendent!"
Feeling his life force gradually fading, Lei Xingjun uttered these two words, filled with regret.
Had he known Ye Ningze possessed strength comparable to a Transcendent martial artist, he would never have come, even if it meant sacrificing his own son.
But it was too late for regrets now. Offending Ye Ningze, a martial artist with Transcendent strength, meant the entire Lei family would have to accompany him to the grave!
He, Lei Xingjun, would be the sinner of the Lei family!
With no more time for words, Lei Xingjun's pierced body drained of blood and fell heavily to the ground.
It could be seen that until the moment of his death, his eyes were not closed, a true death with unfulfilled grievances.
"My black blade actually broke. It seems it can no longer keep up with my strength. It's time to get a suitable weapon!"
Ye Ningze dropped the hilt of his blade, walked directly to Lei Xingjun's side, and picked up his weapon.
Lei Xingjun's weapon was also a Yuan artifact, appearing to be of better quality than the black blade.
*Zing!*
Ye Ningze flicked the treasured blade in his hand, and it immediately emitted a metallic clang, its sound deep and resonant.
"Not bad, this should be a B-grade Yuan artifact weapon. Just right for use!"
In addition to this mid-grade Yuan artifact weapon, Ye Ningze also found a blade technique on Lei Xingjun.
It was the Bronze-tier defensive blade technique he had just used, Blade Shield.
Ye Ningze found this secret manual intact, undamaged in the recent battle.
Most crucially, Ye Ningze was currently in dire need of a defensive blade technique. Not long ago, he had been contemplating finding a defensive talent or blade technique, and now it had arrived at his doorstep so quickly!
Ye Ningze was delighted to obtain the defensive blade technique, and he couldn't help but sigh, "Are the Lei family father and son both patrons of wealth? The son provided me with high-grade cultivation talent and offensive blade techniques, while the father provided me with a mid-grade Yuan artifact weapon and a defensive blade technique!"
For the Lei family father and son's actions, Ye Ningze could only bestow upon them the title of "good people."
Although Lei Xingjun was dead, the matter was far from over.
"The Lei family dared to openly deal with me. It seems the Sun family has no influence at all!" Ye Ningze mused inwardly.
However, the current situation was not surprising.
The Lei family's strength was originally superior to the Sun family's. In terms of top-tier combat power like Grandmasters alone, the Sun family was no match for the Lei family.
Coupled with the Lei family's operations during this period, their businesses now spanned the entire Qingcheng Base, and they had firmly established their foothold within the base.
Under such circumstances, even the Sun family might be struggling to protect themselves.
"But this is good. Since the Lei family has openly declared war on me, I no longer need to hide."
A flame flickered in Ye Ningze's eyes.
The two peak Grandmaster martial artists of the Lei family were no match for Ye Ningze. If he wished, the Lei family could be wiped out in minutes.
Even the two Transcendent martial artists from the Wolf Lord Base were no longer a concern for Ye Ningze.
According to his investigations during this period, those two Transcendent martial artists were only at the initial stage. It was uncertain if they possessed any special talents, as special talents were inherently rare, occurring perhaps once in ten thousand times.
"If these two Transcendent martial artists do not have special talents, with their initial Transcendent strength, they probably wouldn't even be able to withstand a single move from me!"
If even Transcendent martial artists couldn't stop Ye Ningze, then he was already invincible in Qingcheng Base.
With no further worries, Ye Ningze picked up Lei Xingjun's mid-grade Yuan artifact and headed towards the Lei family.
This time, Ye Ningze decided to make a grand spectacle at the Lei family.
...
After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.
At the entrance of the Lei family residential area.
Ye Ningze held his treasured blade, releasing his aura without reservation. The presence, comparable to that of a Transcendent martial artist, left the guards at the entrance struggling to breathe.
"Stop! This is the Lei family residence, leave immediately!"
The guards, forcing down their fear, shouted at Ye Ningze.
"The Lei family will cease to exist today!"
Ye Ningze's killing intent-filled tone made the two guards at the entrance sense that something was amiss.
"The intruder is very strong, beyond our ability to resist. Quickly call for reinforcements!"
As the guards were about to flee, Ye Ningze's treasured blade moved. Blade energy quickly filled the entire space.
The two guards, with no time to escape, were instantly reduced to two clouds of bloody mist.
The commotion at the entrance also alerted the guards within the Lei mansion.
The Lei family residential area was not large, and soon all the guards inside emerged.
These guards were meticulously trained by the Lei family. All of them were at the level of elite martial artists, with their captain possessing the strength of a Grandmaster.
A total of over two hundred guards formed an indispensable combat force for the Lei family. They quickly surrounded Ye Ningze.
*Boom!!*
The two hundred guards, holding their Yuan artifacts, formed a battle formation. The aura they released was already comparable to that of a Grandmaster.
But at this moment, a silver sword light tore through the air, directly ripping the battle formation apart from the center.
Then, this sword light spread along the ground, directly splitting the Lei family in two.
This was a Transcendent strike!
The Lei family's houses continuously shattered, and even the ground cracked, as if experiencing an earthquake of magnitude eight.
The two hundred guards of the Lei family suffered heavy casualties under Ye Ningze's unparalleled strike. Those who narrowly survived were completely devoid of fighting spirit, fleeing in terror in all directions.
At this moment, the high-ranking members of the Lei family also appeared, looking at Ye Ningze with expressions of panic.
"Transcendent attack!"
Lei Tian, the patriarch of the Lei family and a peak Grandmaster martial artist, said nervously.
Such a terrifying attack could only be produced by a Transcendent martial artist, but Ye Ningze was clearly not a Transcendent.
Yet, even if he wasn't Transcendent, Ye Ningze had achieved the attack power of a Transcendent martial artist.