In the courtyard of the lakeside villa, Xiao Tiance hung up the phone, his body naturally exuding a chilling aura of murderous intent. The rain continued to pour down, and Zhou Jie was still struggling in the mud-filled pigsty.

Tian Qi curled his lips into a cold smile and said, "Heh, Lord, it's been a long time since our Heavenly Palace has fully assembled. Honestly, I can’t even remember the last time we all gathered together. Even when we eliminated the Black Sky Organization last time, we only used half of our strength. And Lord, isn't it too much to gather everyone just for the Zhou family? Such a small and insignificant family isn't worthy of our full assembly."

Xiao Tiance chuckled and replied, "Of course, a trashy little family like this isn't worth the full assembly of the Heavenly Palace. This time, the gathering is meant to show some people in the Longguo War Department. Even without this incident, I should have returned by now. I have a lot to take care of in Longguo. This full assembly is to avoid some trouble in the future. By the way, after we finish things here, I need to return to Beijiang immediately. Is everything arranged there?"

Xiao Tiance spoke calmly, clearly not concerned about the Zhou family. In his mind, the Zhou family, a minor clan in a second-tier city within Longguo, was nothing more than an ant that could be crushed at will. The full assembly of the Heavenly Palace this time was more about announcing his return as a king. After all, he carried too much hatred, and with this return, he planned to settle many old scores from six years ago.

Tian Qi quickly responded, "Big Brother, Tian Yi has already started handling things in Beijiang. It's expected to be completed by this afternoon. The largest group there, Beijiang Group, has already been fully acquired and is now under our control."

Xiao Tiance nodded and said, "Hmm, but remember one thing: warn Tian Yi to keep everything he does confidential. Do not let my wife and daughter know anything. They have suffered far too much, and this time I want to make it up to them, to fulfill my responsibilities as a husband and a father."

Tian Qi nodded in agreement and then added, "Lord, there's another matter. The Four Heavenly Kings of the Heavenly Palace—Destruction, Battle, Slaughter, and Darkness—have already arrived in Longguo and will reach Qianjiang in two hours. How should we arrange for them? Should they come directly, or...?"

Xiao Tiance narrowed his eyes and said, "Tell the four of them not to enter the city directly. Spread out to block any hidden masters from entering."

"Yes, Lord!" Tian Qi received the order and immediately began to make arrangements.

Xiao Tiance glanced at an anthill on the ground that had been washed away by the rain, and a cold smile curved on his lips. To him, the Zhou family was no different from the ants being washed away.

While Xiao Tiance was making his plans, the Zhou family, known as the top power in Qianjiang, was also quickly making arrangements. In the Zhou family’s conference hall, Zhou Zhenghao began giving direct orders.

Zhou Zhenghao said to Zhou Zhenglong, "Zhenglong, gather all the Zhou family forces immediately! Casinos, clubs—mobilize everyone we can!"

"Yes, Big Brother!" Zhou Zhenglong quickly nodded and rushed out. It had been a long time since he had seen his elder brother personally arranging and commanding. Even he wasn't fully aware of the Zhou family’s current strength, but tonight, the power of the Zhou family would once again be displayed to the world, especially to everyone in Qianjiang City.

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After Zhou Zhenglong left, Zhou Zhenghao looked at an elder seated at the back and said, "Seventh Uncle, you need to visit the Xuntian Division and inform them about tonight's matter between our Zhou family and Xiao Tiance!"

"Yes, don't worry, Patriarch, I'll handle it!" An old man with a sinister expression seated at the back of the hall stood up and left.

Zhou Zhenghao nodded again and then addressed another elder with a fierce aura, "Fifth Uncle, can you contact your well-informed acquaintances and have them investigate the background of this Xiao Tiance?"

The elder rose and said, "Yes, Patriarch! Should we call Fei'er back? He has now reached the five-star level, becoming a top expert."

Zhou Zhenghao initially wanted to refuse, but after a moment of thought, he said, "It’s fine. As Zhenglong mentioned, it’s been a long time since our Zhou family has shown its claws to the world. Even Shen Qingtian, that worthless man, thinks he can challenge us now? Let Fei'er come back. He is the leader of his generation. After this matter is settled, have Fei'er take Xiao Jie with him for some proper training."

"Yes, Patriarch, I’ll arrange it now!" The Zhou family's Fifth Elder nodded and left.

Zhou Zhenghao then looked at the three elders sitting in front and said, "Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle! You have a heavy task. According to Zhenglong, Xiao Tiance is very skilled, likely from the War Department, and he has several experts by his side. Those individuals will require your intervention. Can you handle it?"

However, the three most powerful elders of the Zhou family, who had been named by Zhou Zhenghao, did not show full confidence. Instead, they furrowed their brows slightly, a hint of apprehension in their eyes.

After a long pause, the Zhou family's Second Elder slowly said, "Patriarch, we don’t have enough information on the other side. We can’t be sure of victory. We’ve reviewed the surveillance footage, and Xiao Tiance's subordinates are very strong, possibly close to my level. But don't worry, Patriarch. I’ve already contacted two old friends. They are on their way from Tianhai, both five-star experts. As long as the opponent isn’t at the War God level, they can kill him! Of course, it will cost more. But as you know, Xiao Tiance can’t be a War God of the Longguo War Department! Over the years, the nine War Departments in Longguo have accumulated dozens of War Gods, but Xiao Tiance isn't one of them!"

Zhou Zhenghao smiled, fiddled with the ring on his hand, and slowly said, "Second Uncle, you’ve been thoughtful. Actually, even if you didn’t seek outside help, it would be fine. Have you forgotten about me?"

The Zhou family's Second Elder looked at Zhou Zhenghao in surprise. The next moment, he sensed an aura from Zhou Zhenghao that was not inferior to his own. He asked in shock, "Zhenghao, have you broken through to the five-star level?"

Zhou Zhenghao smiled and shook his head, "Not yet. A five-star expert—advancing one more step is the War God level. In this era, War Gods don’t emerge, and five-stars dominate the world. It’s not easy to achieve. Even after enduring for more than a decade, I haven’t reached it. But I’m close. I feel that in another year or so, I’ll break through to that level. I originally planned to do something big for our Zhou family after my breakthrough, but now it doesn’t matter. Since Xiao Tiance wants to die, we’ll grant him his wish."

Zhou Zhenghao exuded absolute confidence, not just in the power of the Zhou family, but also in his own strength. The fact that Xiao Tiance dared to provoke the Zhou family meant he would be crushed. Moreover, in Zhou Zhenghao’s mind, Xiao Tiance wasn't even the main target this time. He intended to eliminate his arch-enemy, Shen Qingtian, directly!

"Our Zhou family hasn’t taken big actions in a long time. The forces in Qianjiang City might have forgotten about us. This is a good opportunity to let Xiao Jie suffer a bit and change his attitude. It will also remind the world of our Zhou family!" A trace of cruelty flashed in Zhou Zhenghao’s eyes as he looked at the increasingly heavy rain outside. The blood in his heart surged. This time, the Zhou family would undoubtedly regain its reputation in Qianjiang City and even the entire Zhongyu region of Daxia, officially rising to become a first-rate family!

At this moment, not only was the atmosphere in Qianjiang City growing more intense, but even 3,000 miles away in Xiadu, the capital of Daxia, the mood was equally oppressive. A few of the highest-ranking elders in Daxia were sitting in a closed conference room, where they had been deliberating for over a day and night.