Tens of thousands crowded around the king in their hearts, gazing at Charles Bennett with hope, their voices filled with hatred and anger, surging skyward, clearing the skies for dozens of miles around.

　　“The patriarch is here, everyone make way.”

　　At that moment, a shout came from the back of the crowd. Upon hearing this, everyone quickly stepped aside, and soon a narrow path just wide enough for one person appeared. At the end of the path, an elderly man, hunched and leaning on a cane, shuffled toward Charles Bennett. Though his steps were labored, he did not allow anyone to support him, instead moving forward slowly but resolutely.

　　Emily Wood, who had been holding onto Charles Bennett's arm, let go when she saw the old man arrive and rushed to his side, supporting him with both hands regardless of what others thought.

　　Although he was the clan chief, Charles Bennett did not put on airs when the elder arrived. Instead, he bowed respectfully, for both public and private reasons, the elder was more than worthy of such respect.

　　“Ancestor, I have successfully broken through to the Blood Refining Realm.”

　　When the old man reached him, Charles Bennett leaned close to his ear and whispered so that only the two of them could hear.

　　Upon hearing Charles Bennett's words, the old man trembled all over. A sharp gleam flashed in his once-cloudy eyes, then vanished. In the next instant, his face returned to its calm expression, but the trace of worry that had lingered in his eyes disappeared completely after hearing Charles Bennett's words. All of this happened in a split second, unnoticed by anyone else.

　　The old man stood among the clansmen, not voicing his opinion immediately, but instead took a step behind Charles Bennett, adopting a posture of following the clan chief's lead.

　　“Chief, just give the order. I, George Bull, will definitely slaughter that brat Xiong Yu and bring our sisters back.”

　　“That's right! The Heishan Tribe has gone too far. Let's fight them!”

　　...

　　“Whoever offends Guyuan, no matter how far, must be punished!”

　　With both hands gently pressing down to calm the crowd, Charles Bennett faced everyone and shouted resolutely.

　　If you want war, then war it is!

　　If we cannot keep a low profile, then let us make a grand stand!

　　“Whoever offends Guyuan, no matter how far, must be punished!”

　　“Whoever offends Guyuan, no matter how far, must be punished!”

　　...

　　Charles Bennett's words made his stance unmistakably clear. The tens of thousands of clansmen were boiling with excitement. Ever since the old chief left, they had been oppressed by other tribes, and over time, their hearts had filled with anger with nowhere to vent.

　　Charles Bennett's domineering declaration seemed to give them an outlet, and they vented their emotions without restraint.

　　Watching his clansmen release their pent-up feelings, Charles Bennett did not stop them. He understood that they had been suppressed for too long and needed to let it out. So he stood there motionless, watching them.

　　After a long while, the shouting finally ceased, but Charles Bennett's words—whoever offends Guyuan, no matter how far, must be punished—were deeply imprinted in their minds, impossible to forget.

　　Glancing back at the old man and receiving his signal, Charles Bennett spoke: “Commander David Wood, select several dozen elite warriors from the clan guards to accompany me to the Heishan Tribe. The rest of the clansmen, return to your posts. We must not let the clan fall into chaos, in case of an attack from outsiders.”

　　“I disagree. The chief is the backbone of our Guyuan Tribe and cannot be put at risk. I think I should lead the warriors to the Heishan Tribe. Even if something happens, the tribe can still function.”

　　Upon hearing Charles Bennett's words, everyone instinctively wanted to object, but David Wood was the first to voice what was on their minds.

　　The previous agreement between Charles Bennett and the two of them had not been taken seriously by David Wood. Now, three days had passed without an answer from Charles Bennett, and he had already dismissed the agreement as a casual remark.

　　Boom!

　　Just as David Wood was about to once again urge Charles Bennett to give up his decision, a loud sound exploded above the crowd. The deafening noise forced him to swallow his words.

　　It turned out that Charles Bennett had raised his right hand, holding a spear aloft toward the sky. A stream of blue light flowed along the spear, the tip shining with a blue glow, crackling as if it could tear the heavens apart!

　　Seeing this, everyone was stunned. The external release of true energy was something only those who had opened their meridians in the Blood Refining Realm could achieve. In the entire Luan Shi Plain, only clan chief-level figures from each tribe could do this.

　　Now that their own chief could release true energy externally, it was clear that Charles Bennett had broken through to the Blood Refining Realm and become a true clan chief-level figure.

　　Since the old chief disappeared, the Guyuan Tribe once again had a warrior in the Blood Refining Realm—and this time, it was their newly appointed chief, who had just turned twenty. In the eight-hundred-year history of the tribe, never before had someone so young reached the Blood Refining Realm. How could this not excite them?

Chapter 6: Vengeance Must Not Wait Until Morning

　　“Is this true? Haha, heaven blesses Guyuan, the heavens have eyes!”

　　Seeing this, the crowd's once-repressed emotions turned to excitement and joy. Some clansmen were so happy they wept, quietly wiping the tears from the corners of their eyes.

　　“So this was the chief's promise for these past few days. He really kept us in the dark.”