I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

The night was as dark as ink, the moon was hidden and the stars were few.

At this moment, a somber atmosphere filled the "Tianxiong Peak," where the Lu family resided within the inner sect of the Qingyun Sect.

The Lu residence, once brightly lit and bustling with people, now appears somewhat deserted. Guards dressed in black patrol the area around the mansion, their faces showing solemnity and vigilance.

A dark figure, like a ghost, slipped through layers of defenses and easily infiltrated the core area of ​​the Lu residence. These defenses, so formidable even to ordinary disciples, were utterly ineffective against Lu Zhao's current strength.

Inside the study, Lu Tianxiong sat at his desk, his brows furrowed. He looked much older than he had a few months ago, with noticeable gray hairs at his temples.

"Master." An elderly man entered; it was Lu Fu, the Lu family's head steward. "The Zhao family has sent people again, demanding that we hand over the spirit mine in the west of the city."

"This is outrageous!" Lu Tianxiong slammed his palm on the desk, cracking the sturdy ironwood. "That spirit mine is the foundation of my Lu family, and they dare to covet it?"

"But..." Lu Fu looked troubled. "The Zhao family is powerful, and they said... said that Young Master Zhao has already..." He didn't finish his sentence.

"Zhao'er will be fine!" Lu Tianxiong said firmly, but deep in his eyes, there was a trace of worry that he could not hide.

"Yes, yes, Young Master Zhao is very lucky, he'll be alright," Lu Fu quickly reassured him. "However, the Zhao family's pressure is getting increasingly intense, what should we do?"

"Delay it!" Lu Tianxiong said in a deep voice, "Delay it as long as we can. As long as Zhao'er comes back..." His words carried a kind of expectation that even he himself didn't quite believe.

"Heh, Patriarch Lu seems to have a lot of confidence in your son." A sinister voice suddenly came from outside the window.

"Who?!" Lu Tianxiong and Lu Fu were both startled and immediately went on high alert.

The study window moved automatically without any wind, and a young man dressed in black with a sallow complexion had somehow appeared in front of it.

"Who are you? How dare you break into the Lu residence at night!" Lu Tianxiong unleashed a powerful aura of late-stage Foundation Establishment as he locked onto the intruder.

The person who arrived was none other than Lu Zhao, now in disguise. Looking at his father's haggard face and the gray hair at his temples, he felt a pang of sorrow.

"Patriarch Lu, there's no need to be nervous." V Zhao changed his voice, speaking hoarsely, "I am Lu Zhao's friend."

"Zhao'er's friend?" A hint of doubt flashed in Lu Tianxiong's eyes, but he didn't lower his guard. "I've never heard Zhao'er mention you."

"We met in the Sword Tomb," V Zhao said.

"Sword Tomb!" Lu Tianxiong's body trembled. "You...you know Zhao'er's whereabouts?"

"Yes." V Zhao nodded. "Lu Zhao asked me to pass on a message to you: He's still alive, and he'll be back soon."

"Really?!" Lu Tianxiong's voice trembled with excitement. "Where...where is he now? Why doesn't he come back on his own?"

"He's in a bit of a bind right now," V Zhao said. "The Zhao family is powerful; he needs to operate in the shadows."

"I see..." Lu Tianxiong breathed a long sigh of relief, a flame of hope rekindling in his eyes. "As long as Zhao'er is alive! Alive is enough!"

"Patriarch Lu, Lu Zhao asked me to tell you not to confront the Zhao family head-on," V Zhao said. "We'll discuss everything when he returns."

"I understand." Lu Tianxiong nodded. "However, the Zhao family's pressure is intensifying, and I'm afraid..."

"Don't worry." A cold glint flashed in V Zhao's eyes. "The Zhao family's good days are coming to an end."

He flipped his hand, revealing a storage bag, which he handed to Lu Tianxiong: "Lu Zhao asked me to bring this to you. It contains some cultivation resources; it should help the Lu family get through this difficult time for now."

Lu Tianxiong took the storage bag, scanned it with his divine sense, and immediately gasped in shock.

Inside, tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones and hundreds of mid-grade spirit stones were neatly stacked! In addition, there were several bottles of pills, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance, which were obviously not ordinary.

"This...this is too valuable!" Lu Tianxiong exclaimed.

"This is Lu Zhao's gesture," V Zhao said. "He said he would make up for the Lu family's losses a hundredfold!"

Lu Tianxiong gripped the storage bag tightly, a tear of excitement glistening in his eyes: "Good! Good! With a son like this, what more could a husband ask for!"

"In addition, there's one more thing," V Zhao said. "Lu Zhao asked me to remind you to be careful of people within the Lu family."

"Inside?" Lu Tianxiong frowned. "You mean... there's a mole?"

"That's right." V Zhao nodded. "The Zhao family's ability to so clearly grasp the Lu family's movements must mean they have an inside man."

"I understand." Lu Tianxiong's face darkened. "I'll keep an eye on it."

"It's getting late, I should go," V Zhao said. "Take care, Patriarch Lu."

"Wait!" Lu Tianxiong called out to him, "May I ask your esteemed name?"

After a moment's thought, V Zhao said, "My name is Huang Zhao."

"Huang Zhao..." Lu Tianxiong repeated, cupping his hands in thanks, "Thank you for your righteous help, Brother Huang! The Lu family will never forget this kindness!"

V Zhao nodded, and with a flash, disappeared into the night.

After leaving the Lu residence, V Zhao did not leave the Qingyun Sect immediately, but quietly went to the "Tianji Peak" where the Zhao family was located.

Now that we're here, how can we not collect some interest to repay the Zhao family's "kindness"?

The Zhao family's defenses were far more stringent than the Lu family's. They had not only patrolling guards but also various array formations and restrictions.

However, for Lu Zhao, who had already mastered the first level of the "Silent Extinction Sword Scripture," these array formations and restrictions were not insurmountable obstacles.

His annihilating sword intent can disrupt the flow of spiritual energy in an array within a short period of time, thereby finding a weakness.

It took V Zhao the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before he silently infiltrated the core area of ​​the Zhao family.

"I heard that the Zhao family has a 'treasure pavilion' that houses many good things..." A cold smile appeared on V Zhao's lips.

He evaded several patrolling guards and arrived at a three-story pavilion. The pavilion's doors were tightly shut, and they were covered with intricate array patterns.

"A third-tier defensive formation..." V Zhao sensed the strength of the formation and made a decision in his mind.

He sat cross-legged, his hands forming a hand seal. A thin, gray sword aura, as fine as a hair, shot from his fingertips and gently touched a node in the formation.

"Buzz—" The array's light screen trembled slightly, showing a brief fluctuation.

"Now!" V Zhao's figure flashed, like a wisp of green smoke, passing through the gaps in the formation and entering the treasure pavilion.

Inside the treasure pavilion, there was a dazzling array of items. Rows of shelves displayed various elixirs, magical artifacts, and materials.

V Zhao didn't stand on ceremony; with a wave of his hand, he put everything he saw into his storage bag. Anyway, his storage bag was spacious enough, so why not take it?

He quickly emptied the first and second floors of everything.

"The third floor... there should be something good there." V Zhao looked up at the staircase.

He went up to the third floor and found only a single crystal cabinet. Inside the cabinet was an antique jade box.

"What's this?" V Zhao asked curiously, opening the crystal cabinet and taking out the jade box.

Upon opening the jade box, one finds a fist-sized piece of golden metal, radiating a scorching heat.

"Solar Essence Gold!" A hint of surprise appeared in V's eyes.

Solar Refined Gold is a top-grade material for crafting fire-attribute magical artifacts, and it is extremely rare. This piece of Solar Refined Gold is worth at least 100,000 low-grade spirit stones!

"Not bad, this trip was worthwhile." V Zhao put the jade box away with satisfaction.

Just then, a powerful aura suddenly emanated from outside.

"Oh no! We've been discovered!" V Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

"Who goes there? How dare you trespass into the Zhao family's treasure pavilion!" A furious shout rang out like a thunderclap.

A golden light flashed, and an old man dressed in a golden robe appeared outside the treasure pavilion. He exuded a powerful spiritual pressure befitting an early-stage Golden Core cultivator!

"An elder of the Zhao family!" V Zhao's eyes narrowed.

"You little thief, come out and face your death!" the old man in the golden robe shouted, slamming his palm down on the treasure pavilion.

"Boom!" The roof of the treasure pavilion was blown off, revealing Lu Zhao inside.

"Where do you think you're going!" The old man in the golden robe saw Lu Zhao and his eyes flashed with murderous intent. A giant golden palm slammed down on his head!

"Well done!" V Zhao advanced instead of retreating, and the broken sword "Gui Xu" appeared in his hand, slashing out with a single strike!

"Annihilation—Slay!**"

A gray arc of sword light met the giant golden palm.

There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a chilling dissolution.

The incredibly powerful golden palm disintegrated and vanished into nothingness the instant it touched the gray sword arc!

"What?!" The old man in the golden robe's expression changed drastically. "What kind of sword technique is this?"

"Old dog, today I'll test my sword on you!" V Zhao shouted, his figure moving like lightning as he launched an attack on the golden-robed elder!

He knew that the commotion here would definitely attract more experts from the Zhao family, so he had to finish the fight quickly!

"Insolent brat!" The golden-robed elder was furious. A golden longsword appeared in his hand, its sword energy as dazzling as the sun.

"Golden Sun Sword Technique!"

The two engaged in a fierce battle in the night sky, their sword energy crisscrossing and radiating light.

The rest of the Zhao family were also alerted and rushed over.

"Who is fighting with the Third Elder?"

"I don't know, what amazing swordsmanship!"

"Quick! Activate the mountain-protecting formation! Don't let him escape!"

More and more experts from the Zhao family joined the battle, and V Zhao was immediately surrounded and attacked.

"We can't linger in the fight!" V Zhao thought to himself.

He suddenly forced the golden-robed elder back with a sword strike, then flashed away and rushed out of Tianji Peak.

"Where do you think you're going!" The old man in the golden robe and the other experts from the Zhao family gave chase.

Just then, a powerful light screen rose up, enveloping the entire Tianji Peak—the mountain-protecting formation had been activated!

"Hahaha! You little thief, where do you think you're going to run to!" the old man in the golden robe laughed loudly.

V Zhao looked at the light screen in front of him and a cold smile appeared on his face.

"A mere third-tier formation thinks it can trap me?"

The broken sword in his hand emitted a blinding gray light.

"Return to the Void—Break!**"

With a single sword strike, the very space seemed to freeze in that instant.

The incredibly sturdy protective array's light barrier was like fragile glass before this sword strike, and a huge crack was forcibly cleaved through it!

"What?!" Everyone was stunned.

V Zhao flashed out of the crack and quickly disappeared into the night.

"Chase them! Chase them!" the old man in the golden robe shouted angrily.

However, by the time they repaired the formation and gave chase, Lu Zhao was nowhere to be found.

Half an hour later, in the main hall of the Zhao family.

"Useless! All of you are useless!" Zhao Tianba, the head of the Zhao family, smashed the table in front of him to pieces with a single blow. "Someone broke into the treasure pavilion, stole the Solar Essence Gold, and got away scot-free! What are you all good for?!"

"Master, please calm your anger," said the golden-robed elder—Zhao Wuhai, the third elder of the Zhao family—in a low voice. "That little thief's swordsmanship is truly bizarre; he was actually able to break through the mountain-protecting formation..."

"Uncanny swordsmanship?" A cold glint flashed in Zhao Tianba's eyes. "Could it be... the legacy of the Sword Tomb?"

"The legacy of the Sword Tomb?" Everyone was shocked.

"That's right," Zhao Tianba said in a deep voice. "Wuji said that Lu Zhao obtained the Sword Tomb's inheritance. Although he's dead, it's possible that someone else obtained his relics."

"But...Lu Zhao has already..." Zhao Wuhai said in confusion.

"I want to see his body!" Zhao Tianba said coldly. "Until we see Lu Zhao's corpse, anything is possible!"

"Pass on my orders!" Zhao Tianba shouted, "Search for the assassins of tonight with all your might! At the same time, intensify the crackdown on the Lu family! I want to see who's behind this!"

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

**…

Meanwhile, in an inn in Qingyunfang City.

V Zhao has reverted to her "Huang Zhao" appearance and is taking stock of tonight's gains.

"Sun Essence Gold...not bad." He nodded in satisfaction. "The Zhao family must be heartbroken to have lost so many treasures, right?"

"However, tonight's commotion was quite significant; the Zhao family will definitely be on high alert," he muttered to himself. "Looks like I'll have to find a different way to play with them."

"Since the Zhao family thinks I'm dead, then I'll play with them properly as 'Huang Zhao'."

"Tomorrow, I'll register for the inner disciple assessment." A sly glint flashed in V Zhao's eyes.

"Zhao Wuji, I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of expression you'll have when you encounter me during the assessment..."