Seeing Shi Ziling and his wife break through the Duke's Mansion's seal, causing a stir in the Imperial Capital, several old ancestors were shocked and enraged.
If others found out what had happened at the Duke's Mansion, it was hard to imagine the damage it would do to the Duke's Mansion's reputation.
Shi Yi would inevitably be labeled as "cruel" and "vicious," which would be extremely detrimental to his future.
Even more terrifying was that the Duke's Mansion's protection of Shi Yi's lineage would lead to universal scorn... such a scandal could not be allowed to spread!
Thinking of this, the four old ancestors didn't hesitate and utilized a portion of the Duke's Mansion's foundation to reseal the area.
Although powerful individuals from the outside had already arrived, they didn't dare to enter without the Duke's Mansion's permission.
Inside the mansion, the old ancestors knew they couldn't delay any longer. If it drew the attention of a king or marquis who inquired personally, then they wouldn't be able to contain this matter.
"Ziling, since you are so stubborn, then don't blame us for being heavy-handed."
With those words, the old ancestors no longer held back, unleashing one terrifying treasure after another, including beast bones covered in runes. This was an ancestral artifact passed down through the Duke's Mansion, which, when used with formations, possessed immense power.
After a fierce exchange, although Shi Ziling and his wife were at a disadvantage, they didn't appear to be losing. Instead, fueled by youthful vigor, they managed to inflict mutual damage on the four elders.
Boom!
Following a loud explosion, both sides were sent flying.
The faces of the several old ancestors, once ruddy, were now as pale as paper, each with significant injuries.
Shi Ziling's situation wasn't much better. His tall frame swayed, and crimson blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Qin Yining, in protecting the baby Shi Hao in her arms, had also sustained considerable injuries, her dress stained with blood.
"Ziling, call it off. At this point, if you continue fighting and cross the Duke's Mansion's bottom line, I won't be able to protect you.
Even if you don't consider others, think about Hao'er. He desperately needs rescuing right now. Besides you two, no one can save him." A voice sounded in Shi Ziling's ear. It was from the elder who leaned towards his faction.
Hearing this, Shi Ziling looked at Shi Hao, who was sound asleep in Qin Yining's arms, and sighed softly. He knew it was time to end this. Continuing the fight wouldn't bring any good results, nor would it bring the so-called justice. Instead, it would delay the time to save Shi Hao.
Qin Yining shared the same thought.
Subsequently, the couple no longer insisted on killing Shi Yi and reclaiming the Supreme Bone that should have belonged to Shi Hao. That was already impossible.
The elders also didn't want to continue fighting, only wanting to quickly quell this matter to avoid any accidents. Therefore, they took a step back and made a promise: If Shi Hao could survive and regain his vitality, they would return the Supreme Bone.
Even though they knew this was likely a temporary measure and not genuine, Shi Ziling and his wife could only accept it.
"Your hands are stained with the blood of many clan members, and Shi Yi's birth mother also died at your hands. She was from the Yu Clan, and her father's status is extraordinary. Her death won't be easily forgiven by the Yu Clan.
How about this? You two should temporarily go to the Western Frontier, and reside in the Second Ancestral Land, the place where our Shi Kingdom will rise again, and let Little Hao recuperate." An elder sighed and spoke.
Shi Ziling said nothing, only nodded silently. He believed that with the elders' promise to return the bone, Shi Yi's faction and the Yu Clan would inevitably try to find ways to kill Shi Hao, rendering the promise void.
For them, the Duke's Mansion was no longer a place they could stay. It would be better to go to the Western Frontier.
"Let's leave now. The news of what happened here has already spread," another old ancestor said.
Shi Ziling and his wife had nothing to stay for and immediately left, carrying the weak and unconscious Shi Hao.
Before leaving, Shi Ziling glanced at Shi Yi. The latter, with the help of many elders, had stabilized the Supreme Bone in his chest. He was enveloped in divine light, as if an ancient god had been reincarnated.
One after another, the Shi Clan elders were filled with worry, surrounding Shi Yi like stars around the moon. In contrast, Shi Hao's situation seemed rather bleak, as no one paid him any attention.
Seeing this, Shi Ziling's eyes revealed a deep hatred. His own son was born a natural Supreme Being and should have been treated the same way. But now, everything was ruined.
Shi Yi sensed this predatory gaze. His eyes flickered, meeting Shi Ziling's.
Shi Hao's birth father was indeed a genius of the Imperial Capital, even his gaze held such a strong pressure, making Shi Yi struggle to breathe.
However, he was not afraid. Because his own talent far surpassed the other, he would surpass him in a few years, so what was there to fear?
In this silent gaze, Shi Ziling and his wife took Shi Hao and departed, leaving the Duke's Mansion.
The commotion subsided, and the crowd gathered outside the Duke's Mansion dispersed. Although they were very curious about the battle's aftershocks within the Duke's Mansion, they could do nothing against its impenetrable defenses and had to give up.
The Yu Clan knew about Shi Hao's bone being dug out; it was no secret, at least not among the upper echelons.
Information about Shi Yi's mother being killed, Shi Yi's injuries, and the agreement between the Duke's Mansion's ancestor and Shi Ziling and his wife to return the bone, also reached the ears of the Yu Clan's high-ranking members.
Soon, a series of plans targeting Shi Ziling and his wife emerged. Several powerful figures set out, intending to strike while the iron was hot. They planned to intercept the couple mid-journey, taking advantage of their injuries, and prevent them and Little Hao from reaching the Western Frontier.
Even though Shi Yi hadn't witnessed what happened in the Yu Clan firsthand, he had anticipated it.
He remained calm. After all, he was just a child, not yet four years old. Many things were beyond his control.
Becoming stronger was Shi Yi's only goal. In this world of gods and demons, only with supreme martial power could one control their own destiny.
The battle at the Duke's Mansion ended. The clansmen dispersed, and many Shi Clan artisans arrived to repair the damage. Regarding the battle, the ancestor himself ordered the clansmen to remain silent, forbidding anyone from divulging any details or mentioning Shi Hao's bone being taken.
Being born with the Supreme Bone was in the past. Now, Shi Yi, with his Double Pupils and Supreme Bone, was the future of the Duke's Mansion. Anything that wasn't beneficial to him had to be eliminated.
Shi Yi was also surrounded by a group of elders and ancestors. Everyone was concerned about his injuries, offering help in their own ways. From afar, it looked like he was being held up by the stars and the moon.
This was an unprecedented experience for Shi Yi, who had always been treated specially in his previous life.
However, he was extremely calm and was not swayed by the feeling of being surrounded by a halo.
He clearly knew that all the glory he possessed at the moment was built upon the foundation of the Double Pupils and Supreme Bone. If he were to lose these two supports, the people around him would scatter in an instant, abandoning him like discarded shoes.