# Chapter 4: Annihilate the Enemy Family
Su Xiao stood in the center of the battlefield, his blade dripping with fresh blood. Around him lay the scattered corpses of Dukain Family members, their expressions frozen in terror and disbelief.
The battle had been swift and brutal. What remained of the Dukain Family's forces had been completely wiped out, their once-proud lineage reduced to nothing more than bloodstains on the ground.
"Done," Su Xiao said calmly, sheathing his Dragon-Slaying Flash.
Bubu Wang trotted over from the side, sniffing at a few of the corpses before letting out a satisfied bark. Baha circled overhead, keeping watch for any stragglers.
"Master, that's the last of them," Baha reported, landing on a nearby ruined wall. "The Dukain Family's main base has been completely cleared."
Su Xiao nodded, his expression unchanged. He had faced far more formidable enemies than this. The Dukain Family, for all their bluster and influence in this region, were merely ants compared to the threats he had encountered in the Reincarnation Paradise.
"Check for any valuable loot," Su Xiao instructed. "We're not leaving anything useful behind."
Amu, the silent bull-headed giant, began methodically searching through the bodies and the family's treasury room. Within minutes, he had gathered a respectable pile of resources.
"Master, there are several Soul Crystals here, some Paradise Coins, and..." Amu paused, holding up a small, ornate box. "This seems important."
Su Xiao took the box, examining it carefully. The container was made of a dark, metallic material, etched with intricate runes that pulsed with faint energy. He pried it open, revealing a single item inside.
It was a Soul Crystal Core, but unlike any he had seen before. This one radiated a deep, crimson light, pulsing like a heartbeat.
"Interesting," Su Xiao murmured, pocketing the item. This would fetch a good price in the Trade Market, or perhaps be useful for something else entirely.
Suddenly, a notification appeared before him, projected by the Reincarnation Paradise system.
[Notification: You have completed the annihilation of the Dukain Family.]
[Reward: 15,000 Paradise Coins, 3 Soul Crystals (Large), 1 Golden Skill Point.]
[Reputation with Don Quixote Family: +500.]
[Reputation with Whitebeard Pirates: +200.]
[Reputation with various factions in the region: Variable changes.]
Su Xiao glanced at the rewards, then dismissed the notification. The Golden Skill Point was the most valuable prize here. Such items were rare and could only be obtained through significant achievements.
"Let's move out," Su Xiao said, turning to leave the ruined compound. "We still have other matters to attend to."
As they departed, the flames from the burning Dukain Family estate cast long shadows across the landscape. The news of their destruction would spread quickly, sending ripples through the power structures of this world.
But for Su Xiao, this was merely another step in his journey. The path of a Hunter was never-ending, and there would always be new enemies to face, new challenges to overcome.
"Master," Bubu Wang suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of concern. "I sense something. There's a presence watching us from the shadows."
Su Xiao's hand moved to his blade, his eyes scanning the darkness. His perception, honed through countless battles, detected nothing immediately threatening.
"Show yourself," Su Xiao said coldly, his voice carrying through the night air.
For a long moment, there was only silence. Then, from the darkness, a figure emerged.
It was a woman, tall and elegant, dressed in robes that seemed to shimmer with starlight. Her eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and she carried an aura of immense power.
"Mage Sage Seraphilia," Su Xiao said, recognizing her immediately. "What brings you here?"
Seraphilia smiled, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I was curious, Kukulin Bai Ye. The destruction of the Dukain Family is no small matter. I wanted to see the one responsible for myself."
"And now that you've seen me?" Su Xiao asked, his tone neutral but watchful.
"Now I understand why the Don Quixote Family hired you," Seraphilia replied. "You are... efficient. But be careful, Hunter. The Dukain Family had connections that extend far beyond this region. Their allies may not take kindly to their annihilation."
"I'll handle them the same way," Su Xiao said simply.
Seraphilia laughed, a melodic sound that seemed out of place in the blood-soaked battlefield. "I don't doubt that. Very well, I'll take my leave. But remember this, Kukulin Bai Ye — in this world, power is everything. And those who possess it must always be wary of those who seek to take it."
With those words, she vanished, dissolving into motes of light that scattered on the wind.
Su Xiao watched her go, his expression unreadable. He knew that Seraphilia was not someone to be trifled with. As a Mage Sage of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization, her power was on an entirely different level.
But that didn't matter. Su Xiao had faced beings far more powerful than her and had emerged victorious. He would continue on his path, regardless of who stood in his way.
"Let's go," he said to his companions. "We have work to do."
As they disappeared into the night, the flames of the Dukain Family estate continued to burn, a testament to the fall of yet another family in the endless struggle for power in this world.