Chapter 201: No Way Back

Watching his so-called brothers and nephews threaten and pressure him with words, all for the sake of the family’s resources, Xia Shangwen felt utterly disheartened—even heartbroken.

“Shangwen, hand over the key to them,” an elderly man seated in a wooden wheelchair sighed softly from the side.

“But Sixth Uncle…”

“Do as I say.”

“…I understand.”

Though Xia Shangwen didn’t understand why his Sixth Uncle wanted him to hand over the key to the resource vault, he chose to obey. After all, it was this uncle who had cared for him when he lost his parents at a young age.

“Here’s the key!”

With a flick of his wrist, Xia Shangwen produced a jade key and tossed it into the air.

Whoosh!

Xia Changfei was the first to move, snatching the key from midair.

“Hand over the key!”

Xia Changyue narrowed her eyes, her sword leaping from its sheath. She gripped it firmly and pointed it at Xia Chang Fei from a distance.

Around them, several other younger members of the Xia family also fixed their cold gazes on Xia Changfei, gradually encircling him in a semi-circle.

The hall became tense, the oppressive atmosphere thick with the threat of violence.

“And if I refuse to hand it over?” Xia Changfei sneered.

“Then you’ll die!” Xia Changyue shouted, stepping forward with her sword poised to strike.

“Changyue, don’t act rashly.”
“Changfei, stand down.”

Just as the two were about to clash, their fathers intervened to stop them.

With the family’s most promising talents all eyeing the treasures of the resource vault, a direct confrontation between their children could leave both sides wounded, giving others the upper hand.

“Brother Shangyun, why don’t we visit the resource vault together?” Xia Shangyun glanced at the man standing beside Xia Changyue, a cold smile on his lips.

“I was just thinking the same,” Xia Shangyu replied with an icy grin.

With that, the group left the hall in haste.

“Sixth Uncle, handing over the key will only escalate the conflict between Xia Changyue, Xia Changfei, and the other family members vying for resources.

“Now, with the other three families and six clans targeting the Tongshan Xia family, we need unity more than ever to face this crisis.

“Why would you…?”

After Xia Changyue and the others had left, Xia Shangwen turned to his Sixth Uncle, his voice tinged with confusion and frustration.

“Our family no longer has anyone capable of leading. At this point, it’s beyond saving,” the old man murmured, his gaze distant and his tone filled with despair.

“Pack your things, Shangwen. Find a way to leave the family as soon as possible,” he added with a heavy sigh.

He had never imagined that the once-prestigious Tongshan Xia family, one of the three great families and seven prominent clans, would fall to such a state.

“But how can I do that? I swore to share in the family’s struggles and stand with it until the end!” Xia Shangwen declared resolutely, his eyes burning with determination.

“It’s enough that you have the will,” the old man replied.
“But the family’s current plight is not something you alone can turn around.

“If you insist on staying, I won’t stop you. But I suggest you focus on preserving your own safety. Perhaps I’ll try to talk sense into Changyue and the others, see if they can work together to defend against external threats.”

As Xia Shangwen spoke, he turned to leave for the resource vault.

“If they were open to being persuaded, they wouldn’t have treated you the way they did earlier,” the old man interjected.

“Right now, everyone in the family is consumed by selfish ambitions, trying to grab as many resources as they can before the family collapses completely.

“Shangwen, it’s futile. This family has already fallen apart.”

“But as your Sixth Uncle, I still hope you can escape before the three families and six clans come knocking.

“If you have the chance, rebuild the glory of the Tongshan Xia family.

“If not, then find a quiet place to live out the rest of your days in peace. Our family’s lineage must not be extinguished.”

The old man’s voice was earnest and heavy with emotion as he looked at Xia Shangwen.

“But, Sixth Uncle…”

“No more words. Just do as I say.”

“Then… will you come with me, Sixth Uncle?”

“I’m an old, frail man. I have no use left in me. I was born and raised in Tongshan, and I’ll remain here.”

The old man smiled faintly.

“Understood, Uncle,” Xia Shangwen replied, his voice trembling as he bowed deeply.

Clenching his teeth, Xia Shangwen felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness and despair, despite his reluctance.

Perhaps, as his Sixth Uncle had said, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn.

If he could lead some of the Xia family’s loyal members to leave early, perhaps one day, they might restore the former glory of the Tongshan Xia family.

With this thought in mind, Xia Shangwen gave his Sixth Uncle a deep bow and hurriedly left the main hall.

His immediate task was to gather those in the Xia family who remained loyal to him. Before the three families, six clans, and the rogue cultivators descended upon them, he needed to lead these people away from Tongshan County. They had to find a safe place to retreat, where they could secretly plan for the future.

At the Tongshan County government office:

“An imperial envoy has delivered a decree. The county must immediately evacuate its people.”

“Evacuate? Where are we supposed to go?” County Magistrate Xu Changzai asked in shock.

“Lead everyone to Yuncang County!”

“Why would His Majesty suddenly issue such an order?” Xu Changzai furrowed his brows, unable to fathom the reasoning behind this command.

“My lord, you may not know, but the situation of the Tongshan Xia family is precarious.

“In recent days, the three families and six clans have already seized much of the Xia family’s resources and properties in secret.

“Now, they are no longer satisfied with just the scraps—they plan to openly move against the Xia family.

“When the forces of the three families and six clans arrive in Tongshan County, the fighting among the immortals will bring devastating aftershocks that will reduce the entire county to rubble and kill countless innocent lives.”

“I see,” Xu Changzai said, nodding in realization. He had been preoccupied with managing the myriad affairs of the county office and was unaware of the escalating conflict between the Tongshan Xia family and the three families and six clans.

“If we abruptly evacuate the people to Yuncang County, has anyone there been arranged to receive them?”

“Lord Lu, the Magistrate of Yuncang County, and Captain Chang have both received His Majesty’s orders. When the people from Tongshan County arrive, they will personally oversee their reception.

“Once the battle between the Tongshan Xia family and the three families and six clans concludes, we will escort the townspeople back to Tongshan County.”

“Understood. Publish a proclamation immediately and notify the townspeople to evacuate Tongshan County and head to Yuncang County for safety.”

“Yes, my lord. I will handle it right away.”

That day, proclamations were posted throughout the streets and alleys of Tongshan County by the government office.

The townspeople soon learned that a great battle was brewing between immortals in the area, and if they didn’t evacuate, they would inevitably be caught in the deadly aftermath.

Fear spread like wildfire. Families quickly packed their belongings and made their way to the city gates.

Before long, long lines formed at each of the four gates. The scene was chaotic, with people shouting and bustling as they prepared to leave.

Government soldiers worked to maintain order, inspecting each group and ensuring that the townspeople left the city safely.

“It seems the rumors are true. The three families and six clans are really going to make a move against the Tongshan Xia family.”

In a tavern near a window overlooking the street, a rogue cultivator dressed in green robes sipped his wine as he watched the townspeople carrying bundles and leading their families toward the city gates. He chuckled softly.

“When the three families and six clans act, it’ll be the perfect chance for us to take advantage of the chaos.”

“Exactly. The Tongshan Xia family was once one of the three great families and seven prominent clans. Even a fraction of the fortune they’ve accumulated over the years would be enough to benefit us for decades,” another agreed.

“But we’re not the only ones with this idea. Look around—disciples from various cultivation families and rogue cultivators from all over Yue Kingdom have gathered here,” the green-robed cultivator said, his gaze sweeping over the tavern.

Unlike the panicked townspeople fleeing the city, several figures in the tavern remained calm and unhurried. These individuals, like him, were rogue cultivators or disciples from other cultivation families, all of whom had arrived in Tongshan County over the past few days.

“I wonder how many people have infiltrated Tongshan County recently, all waiting for the battle between the three families, six clans, and the Tongshan Xia family to begin?”

“The competition for the Xia family’s accumulated treasures won’t be easy,” the rogue cultivator said with a smirk.

“What’s there to fear? Once you step onto this path of no return, it’s either kill or be killed. If I die, it’ll just leave a scar the size of a bowl on my body.

“Without courage, who would dare tread the path to immortality?

“This time, no matter what, I’m going to seize a share of the Xia family’s fortune. Then, I’ll retreat to a secluded cave for ten or twenty years and emerge only after I’ve broken through in cultivation!”

 

Chapter 202: Human Heart is Like Beast

“Father, are we really going to leave the family?”

Inside the carriage, Xia Changsheng sat beside her mother, looking across at Xia Shangwen with a face full of worry and reluctance.

Although she was only a mortal, she was well aware of the escalating internal conflicts within the family since the patriarch’s death, as well as the predatory gazes of the other three families and six clans and the deliberate suppression from the royal court.

But she couldn’t accept it.

Once, her family was a source of pride. Now, watching it teeter on the brink of collapse, she was overwhelmed by an unbearable sense of helplessness.

It was especially painful to see the uncles and siblings she once shared close bonds with now embroiled in internal strife. The feeling was like a heavy stone pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

“Sigh… it’s fate, Changsheng. All we can hope for is that someday we’ll find a way to reclaim what we’ve lost,” Xia Shangwen said bitterly, lifting the curtain to take one last look at the family he had known for decades.

“I just don’t know if we’ll ever have the chance to return, or if the Xia family will ever rise to its former glory.”

“Wen Ruoli of the Qishan Wen family greets Uncle Shangwen!”

As the carriage neared the city gates, it suddenly stopped. Outside, a cold voice rang out.

Xia Changsheng and her mother both paled and clung to each other in fear.

The Qishan Wen family—one of the other three families and six clans.

“So, the three families and six clans have acted this quickly?”

Xia Shangwen furrowed his brows, his heart heavy.

After calming his daughter and wife, he slowly stepped out of the carriage and onto the street.

The Xia family guards accompanying him, along with three Xia family cultivators, immediately stepped forward, glaring coldly at Wen Ruoli—the Wen family’s spiritual root talent—standing opposite them.

“Ruoli, my dear nephew, I trust you’ve been well,” Xia Shangwen said with a clasped hand.

“May I ask where Uncle Shangwen is taking his wife, daughter, and so many family members?” Wen Ruoli asked with a faint smile.

Behind him stood more than ten rogue cultivators affiliated with the Wen family, their cultivation levels ranging from the Fifth to Sixth Stage of Embryo Breathing.

“To avoid the conflict, I’m leading my people to find a peaceful place to live out the rest of our days,” Xia Shangwen replied.

“Ruoli, my dear nephew, might I trouble you to let us pass?”

“I’m afraid I can’t, Uncle Shangwen,” Wen Ruoli said, shaking his head.

“I’ve been ordered by the family elders to guard this area and prevent any Xia family members from leaving the city.”

“Wen Ruoli, your mother was a direct descendant of the Xia family. Though she’s passed on, half your blood still comes from our Xia family. Can’t you grant us a path to survival?” Xia Shangwen asked calmly, his gaze steady.

He hoped Wen Ruoli would show mercy for the sake of his late mother and allow the remaining Xia family members to escape, preserving a thread of their bloodline.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Shangwen. I can’t disobey the elders’ orders,” Wen Ruoli said with a sigh.

“But out of respect for my late mother, I won’t make the first move. You can end this yourselves.”

“Is there truly no room for negotiation?” Xia Shangwen asked, his fists clenched tightly as he stared at Wen Ruoli.

“None at all. I’m sorry.”

“Shangwen, why waste your breath? That boy is heartless. Even with Xia family blood running through his veins, he’s never shown us an ounce of regard!”

“That’s right! If we’re going to be forced to take our own lives, I’d rather die fighting for the family!”

Behind Xia Shangwen, three Xia family cultivators stepped forward, their faces filled with indignation.

Before Xia Shangwen could stop them, they rushed toward Wen Ruoli, attacking decisively.

“Hmph! Ignorant fools!”

As the three Xia family cultivators charged, Wen Ruoli snorted coldly.

The rogue cultivators under the Wen family’s banner immediately stepped forward to intercept them, and a fierce battle erupted.

Blinding flashes of light from mystical techniques filled the air, and waves of energy surged outward, scattering in all directions.

The townspeople waiting in long lines at the city gates to evacuate were terrified as they watched the battle unfold.

Chaos erupted among the crowd as people feared being caught in the crossfire of the “immortals.”

Fortunately, the battle didn’t last long.

The three Xia family cultivators, lacking both strength and numbers, were no match for the Wen family’s rogue cultivators.

In just over a dozen exchanges, the heads of the three Xia family cultivators were severed and sent flying by the Wen family’s men.

“Uncle Shangwen, will you choose to end your own life, or shall we do it for you? The choice is yours,” Wen Ruoli said coldly.

“This time… I, Xia Shangwen, admit defeat.”

Staring at the gruesome sight of his fallen comrades, Xia Shangwen’s eyes welled with bloodied tears. With a bitter smile, he exuded a sorrowful, desolate air.

Slowly, he drew the sword from his waist and pressed it against his neck, gazing indifferently at Wen Ruoli.

“The Wen family will one day face the same fate as my Xia family. Ruoli, my dear nephew, I will be waiting for you—and the rest of the Wen family—on the other side.”

With those final words—

Swish!

The blade flashed, and Xia Shangwen decisively severed his own head. His lifeless body collapsed heavily into a pool of blood.

“Father!”
“Shangwen!”

From within the carriage, Xia Changsheng and her mother saw Xia Shangwen forced to take his own life by Wen Ruoli and his men. They rushed out in anguish.

Seeing Xia Shangwen’s headless body lying in blood, the mother and daughter felt their world shatter. They threw themselves onto his corpse, wailing in despair.

“Kill them all,” Wen Ruoli ordered coldly, unmoved by their grief.

The rogue cultivators under the Wen family’s command pounced like hungry wolves.

One by one, the Xia family’s mortals, hoping to escape and find peace, were mercilessly slaughtered. Their bodies fell in droves, staining the street red with blood.

In mere moments, dozens of Xia family members who had followed Xia Shangwen, hoping to leave the city, lay dead.

The stench of blood filled the air, permeating the streets.

In the end, even Xia Changsheng and her mother, unable to bear the torment, issued their final, venomous curses before taking up swords and ending their own lives.

Around the city gates, many townspeople who had lined up to evacuate witnessed the scene of carnage. They trembled with fear, their hearts pounding as the brutality of the “immortals” etched itself into their memories.

No one had been spared—not pregnant women, infants in swaddling clothes, nor frail elders who could barely move.

“Isn’t the Qishan Wen family’s cruelty excessive?”

In the tavern, a rogue cultivator sipping wine by the window furrowed his brow at the horrific scene on the street.

“Excessive? The struggles between clans have seen far worse—cruelty a hundred or even a thousand times worse than this. You just haven’t witnessed it yet,” someone retorted.

“In the world of cultivation, it’s a constant battle of take or be taken. Who can claim their hands are free of blood?”

“Even so, as cultivators, shouldn’t we uphold at least some baseline of decency?” the first cultivator argued.

“Haha! A baseline? Don’t make me laugh. Human nature is like that of beasts—who truly upholds any so-called baseline? Do you think everyone in the world is a saint?”

“Weren’t you, Mu Sanren, the one who once killed your own brother with your own hands? And now you want to act all righteous about maintaining some baseline? Spare me!”

“Say that again, I dare you!”

“What if I do? Do you want a fight? My hands are itching for a good match!”

Tension flared among the rogue cultivators in the tavern, as their arguments nearly led to blows.

Among them, a disguised Yun Wenxuan silently watched the scene on the street, his brow deeply furrowed.

“The Xia family… they’re so pitiful,” he murmured.

“Wenxuan, kindness is important, but don’t be overly kind to outsiders,” Yun Yantian said, standing beside him.

“The Tongshan Xia family, once one of the three great families and seven prominent clans, rose by trampling over others’ corpses.

“Their current plight is simply karma.”

“That said, the Qishan Wen family’s merciless slaughter of defenseless women, children, and the elderly is truly excessive,” Yun Yantian added.

“Uncle Yantian, I understand,” Yun Wenxuan nodded, though a trace of hesitation lingered in his voice.

“But…”

“But what?”

“I’m scared,” Yun Wenxuan admitted.

“Scared?”

“I’m scared for my parents, my grandfather, and our family…”

Having witnessed the savage conflict between the cultivator clans for the first time, Yun Wenxuan couldn’t hide his fear.

Watching the Xia family, led by Xia Shangwen, fall victim to Wen Ruoli’s brutal slaughter, he couldn’t help but worry that one day, his own family might face the same fate.

“That’s why we must work even harder on our cultivation,” Yun Yantian said gently.

“Only by becoming stronger can our family have the strength to protect its people.

“If you aren’t strong, all that awaits you is humiliation, suppression, and slaughter at the hands of others.”

 

Chapter 203 Different Standpoints

“Patriarch, the Wen family has begun attacking the Xia family members!”

In a pavilion in Tongshan County, a rogue cultivator from the Yulin Wang family knelt respectfully before Wang Qinglin.

“I know,” Wang Qinglin replied, hands clasped behind his back, gazing out toward the distant Xia family ancestral land.

In the distance, he could faintly make out the figures of experts from the Upper Three Families and other cultivation clans storming the Xia family’s stronghold.

Even within the city, rogue cultivators had begun moving toward Xia family properties and cultivation marketplaces, preparing to plunder them.

“The Xia family’s marketplaces include some shops owned by our Wang family. Now, many rogue cultivators are targeting Xia family-owned businesses.

“Should we send someone to keep an eye on things to prevent any reckless behavior?” Wang Liyuan asked as he stood beside Wang Qinglin.

“Don’t worry. Days ago, our family already closed the shops and brought the resources back to our clan,” Wang Qinglin replied.

“I see,” Wang Liyuan nodded.

“The Xia family has fallen beyond recovery,” Wang Qinglin murmured, gazing toward the Xia family’s ancestral land, where a fierce battle was already underway.

“To think, one of the Seven Great Clans is now facing extinction.”

Wang Liyuan watched as rogue cultivators under the Wang family’s banner joined the Upper Three Families and other cultivation clans in attacking the Xia family. He couldn’t help but sigh.

“This has all been sanctioned by His Majesty,” Wang Qinglin remarked.

“Sanctioned by His Majesty?” Wang Liyuan asked, startled.

“Yes. The Xia family is part of the imperial lineage. Even though their patriarch is dead and the Eastern Palace Consort has been relegated to the Cold Palace, their royal status has not been formally revoked.

“If His Majesty had wanted to protect the Xia family, do you think we of the Three Families and Six Clans would dare risk offending the royal court to attack them?”

Wang Qinglin’s words sent a chill through Wang Liyuan’s heart.

Since their own patriarch’s death, the Wang family’s influence had waned significantly.

Although they hadn’t fallen to the same dire straits as the Xia family, their decline was still apparent.

This wasn’t just true for the Wang family. The deaths of the patriarchs of the Upper Three Families and several other clans had dealt severe blows to their respective houses.

In the past, each of the Three Families and Seven Clans had a patriarch to oversee their affairs. Their strength was at its peak, and they feared neither the imperial court nor His Majesty.

But now, with the patriarchs gone, all the clans felt the looming threat of the royal court—particularly His Majesty’s.

Without His Majesty’s tacit approval, the Three Families and Six Clans wouldn’t have dared to unite and strike against the Xia family.

“To think His Majesty could be so ruthless,” Wang Liyuan said bitterly.

“If you were in his position, you’d do the same,” Wang Qinglin replied with a wry smile.

“From different positions come different priorities. It’s not about ruthlessness—it’s about pursuing one’s own interests.”

Hearing this, Wang Liyuan nodded in agreement.

Indeed.

For years, the Three Families and Seven Clans had posed a significant threat to the imperial court.

To protect his dynasty, His Majesty had made several attempts to suppress the clans, but he had been unable to act decisively while the patriarchs were still alive.

Now that the patriarchs were gone, the ten great mountains weighing on His Majesty had disappeared.

If Wang Liyuan were in His Majesty’s position, he too would have taken decisive measures to ensure the stability of his reign.

By targeting the Xia family—the weakest of the Seven Clans—His Majesty could send a powerful message to the others.

“Our Emperor is no ordinary man,” Wang Qinglin remarked.

“By orchestrating the Xia family’s downfall, he removes a thorn in his side, sends a warning to the other clans, and secretly supports the Yun Cang Yun family to take the Xia family’s place.

“This allows him to balance the power of the Yulin Wang family, the Upper Three Families, and other clans.

“And given our current situation, we have no choice but to covet the Xia family’s accumulated resources to stabilize our own standing, lest we become the next target of His Majesty’s blade.

“Such a deep and intricate plan!

“Ever since the Hundred Clans Assembly, when my elder brother and the patriarchs of other clans mysteriously died, the tide has turned against us.”

“To this day, I still suspect that my elder brother’s death is tied to the imperial court,” Wang Qinglin added, his tone dark.

“But we have no evidence. No truth to uncover.”

“Even if we knew the truth, our clans can now only bow their heads and endure. None of us dares to defy the royal court lightly.”

The death of Wang Qingshan and the patriarchs of other clans had always been shrouded in mystery.

Wang Qinglin had long suspected that the royal court was behind it, but he had no evidence and couldn’t uncover the truth.

As events unfolded, culminating in witnessing the impending destruction of the Tongshan Xia family, his suspicions only grew stronger.

He was now almost certain that the deaths of his elder brother and the others during the Hundred Clans Assembly were part of the imperial court’s machinations.

But what could they do, even if they guessed the truth?

With the patriarchs gone, who would dare oppose the imperial court?

Since the Hundred Clans Assembly, the once-mighty Three Families and Seven Clans were no longer what they used to be.

“When our family grows stronger, when my grandson grows more powerful, I will one day march on the imperial court and demand the truth from that despicable emperor!”

Wang Liyuan shared this sentiment. He too believed the royal court had orchestrated his patriarch’s death.

Even though the royal family’s own patriarch, Baili Qingsun, had also died in that so-called accident, it all felt too calculated.

If the truth couldn’t be found, then he would seek justice himself.

But before that could happen, his family needed to grow stronger—he needed to grow stronger.

In this cruel world, without strength, there could be no justice.

“I am pleased to hear such resolve,” Wang Qinglin said with a faint smile.

“Surely, others among the clans feel the same. For now, patience and quiet development are the wisest course.”

Tongshan County, Xia Family Marketplaces

The Xia family marketplaces were in chaos. Rogue cultivators had broken in, looting, burning, and destroying everything in sight. Cultivation resources were stolen indiscriminately.

Shops under the Xia family banner were particularly targeted, becoming prime marks for the marauding rogue cultivators.

Among the looters, conflicts quickly arose as they grew envious of each other’s gains, leading to violent clashes.

In a secluded alley, Yun Yanshui, clad in a black robe and wide-brimmed hat, stood with one foot on the chest of a Wang family rogue cultivator.

The immense pressure of his foot caused the man’s ribs to snap one by one. Blood gushed from his mouth, and after a few futile struggles, his body went limp.

Crouching, Yun Yanshui stripped the man of his clothing and took the storage pouch from his waist.

Summoning the Golden-Eyed Beast, he fed it the rogue cultivator’s corpse.

He then donned the rogue’s clothes, swallowed a Disguise Pill, and transformed himself into the dead man’s likeness.

“Shuang’er, Brother Yantian, and Xuan’er are still safe,” Yun Yanshui muttered, sensing the three soul imprints in his sea of consciousness.

“With their abilities, most of these rogue cultivators wouldn’t pose much of a threat,” he said to himself, glancing toward the alley’s entrance, where rogue cultivators were still fighting viciously.

“I should deal with Wang Liyuan first.”

Regaining his focus, Yun Yanshui prepared to leave.

“According to that rogue cultivator, Wang Liyuan and his patriarch, Wang Qinglin, are at the Ascending Moon Pavilion. The direction should be…”

Emerging from the alley, Yun Yanshui scanned his surroundings, looking for the pavilion’s location.

Whoosh!

A rogue cultivator, hiding in the shadows, suddenly launched an attack, using a Daoist technique to strike him.

Unfazed, Yun Yanshui released a burst of aura that effortlessly neutralized the attack.

With a flash of light, a short blade appeared in his hand.

Swish!

The rogue cultivator’s head flew off in an instant, rolling far down the alley before coming to a stop.

Even in death, his eyes were wide with disbelief at Yun Yanshui’s overwhelming strength.

“That should be the direction,” Yun Yanshui murmured, stepping over the body and identifying the pavilion’s location.

With a flick of his hand, he summoned his dark green battle bow.

Spreading his divine sense outward, he calculated the distance to the Ascending Moon Pavilion and confirmed Wang Liyuan’s position.

From his dantian, the Yin-Yang Diagram rotated, releasing a surge of spiritual energy. Drawing the bowstring, he formed an arrow imbued with the energy of yin and yang.

The oppressive aura radiating from Yun Yanshui surged outward, sweeping through the area.

In the marketplace, many rogue cultivators who had been engaged in combat suddenly froze, their attention drawn to Yun Yanshui. Fear filled their eyes.

“What an overwhelming presence… is that… a Qi Refinement cultivator?”

“Who is that man?”

“Judging by his attire, he looks like a Wang family rogue cultivator!”

“When did the Wang family produce another Qi Refinement cultivator?”

“Wasn’t Wang Qinglin supposed to be their only Qi Refinement expert left?”

Chapter 204 Who is here?

Whoosh!

An arrow imbued with the energy of yin and yang soared through the sky, carrying a destructive force as it sped toward the Ascending Moon Pavilion a thousand meters away.

The arrow’s power and momentum left the rogue cultivators in the marketplace trembling with fear.

“Looks like the Xia family’s cultivators and clansmen are nearly wiped out,” Wang Qinglin remarked as he stood atop the Ascending Moon Pavilion, his hands clasped behind his back. He gazed into the distance, watching as the combined forces of the Three Families and Six Clans broke through the Xia family’s layers of mountain-protecting formations.

By now, these powerful attackers had already breached the core of the Xia family’s ancestral land.

“Patriarch, should I take a team to join them?” Wang Liyuan suggested.

“Even though the Xia family is on the brink of destruction, they still have significant resources, including powerful spiritual tools and talismans.

“Additionally, the battle is happening on their home turf. Even with the combined forces, it won’t be easy to completely annihilate the Xia family.”

“There’s no need for you to take such risks,” Wang Qinglin said, waving off the suggestion.

“I’ve already assigned members of the family to handle it. The reason I brought you here is to show you the brutal reality of conflicts between clans.

“It’s crucial for you to understand that developing a family is never easy. Everything must be approached with caution, as if walking on thin ice.”

He turned to Wang Liyuan with a serious expression, emphasizing his words.

Wang Qinglin was well aware that the Upper Three Families were keeping a close watch on his grandson. If Wang Liyuan left his side, there was no guarantee that someone wouldn’t take the opportunity to strike.

His elder brother’s death had destabilized the Wang family, but Wang Qinglin had managed to maintain internal stability.

If Wang Liyuan were to die, the family would face a devastating talent gap among its younger generation, weakening them for years to come.

Whoosh!

As Wang Qinglin spoke, a piercing sound broke through the air, accompanied by a wave of powerful energy.

His expression changed as he swiftly pulled Wang Liyuan behind him. Channeling his spiritual energy, he manifested a blue, water-like radiance in his palm and caught the incoming arrow mid-flight.

Crack!

With a forceful squeeze, the arrow shattered in his hand.

“Who dares target my Wang family descendants?!” Wang Qinglin roared in the direction the arrow had come from. His voice, like thunder, echoed throughout Tongshan County.

The deafening roar left ordinary townsfolk scrambling to flee. Some fell to the ground, clutching their heads in agony, while others bled from their ears or fainted on the spot.

Even rogue cultivators and descendants of various clans hidden in the city were shaken to their core, some nearly collapsing to their knees from the oppressive force of Wang Qinglin’s voice.

“Patriarch!” Wang Liyuan gasped after regaining his composure.

The arrow had been terrifyingly powerful, stopping just a finger’s breadth from his forehead.

Had his grandfather not acted in time, it would have pierced his skull, leaving him a lifeless corpse.

“Do not fear. As long as I am here, even the strongest among the Upper Three Families cannot harm you,” Wang Qinglin said reassuringly, his gaze fixed in the direction the arrow had come from.

Grasping Wang Liyuan, he leaped from the pavilion and flew toward the marketplace.

“Tch! That Wang Liyuan has an old monster protecting him!”

Yun Yanshui clicked his tongue in frustration as he observed the situation from afar.

He had intended to kill Wang Liyuan with one decisive arrow, but Wang Qinglin’s overwhelming strength had thwarted his plan.

“I’ll have to retreat for now and figure out a way to separate that old man from Wang Liyuan,” he muttered, putting away his dark green battle bow.

With a swift movement, Yun Yanshui disappeared from the spot, leaving no trace.

Moments later, Wang Qinglin landed in the Xia family marketplace with Wang Liyuan.

With a wave of his hand, a powerful suction force pulled a rogue cultivator from a corner of the marketplace into Wang Qinglin’s grasp.

Gripping the rogue by the neck, Wang Qinglin coldly demanded, “Who was here earlier?”

“It… it was one of your Wang family’s rogue cultivators!” the man stammered, choking under the crushing grip.

“Lies!” Wang Qinglin roared in fury.

Spiritual energy erupted from his palm, shattering the rogue’s skull into fragments. Blood and brain matter splattered onto the ground.

As Wang Qinglin released his grip, the lifeless body crumpled into the growing pool of blood.

Scanning the area, Wang Qinglin spotted another rogue cultivator trying to flee. With a flick of his hand, he captured the man and asked coldly, “Who fired that arrow?”

“Don’t kill me! Please don’t kill me!” the man begged, trembling in terror.

“Answer me, and I’ll spare your life,” Wang Qinglin replied.

“It… it was one of your Wang family’s rogue cultivators!”

“Do you take me for a fool?”

“I’m not lying! I swear it’s true!”

Sensing the icy killing intent in Wang Qinglin’s gaze, the rogue cultivator turned pale, his terror so overwhelming that he soiled himself.

Recalling the earlier scene of the rogue cultivator being effortlessly killed by Wang Qinglin, with no chance to resist, the remaining rogue cultivator felt an overwhelming fear toward the old patriarch standing before him.

“Patriarch, could it really have been one of our Wang family’s rogue cultivators?” Wang Liyuan asked hesitantly. Both captives had given the same answer, and the consistency was hard to ignore.

“That arrow was the work of a Qi Refinement cultivator.

“As of now, I am the only one in the Wang family who has reached the Qi Refinement stage.

“The rogue cultivators we’ve recruited were all carefully vetted by the family. There’s no possibility of a Qi Refinement cultivator hiding among them,” Wang Qinglin said as he snapped the rogue cultivator’s neck with ease, as if crushing an insect.

“Could it be someone from the Upper Three Families, secretly sent to infiltrate the ranks of our rogue cultivators?” Wang Liyuan suggested.

“It’s not impossible. Send someone to investigate discreetly,” Wang Qinglin said, his brows furrowing deeply.

The Upper Three Families had long sought to eliminate Wang Liyuan, so sending a Qi Refinement cultivator to infiltrate the Wang family wasn’t out of the question.

Tongshan County

The city was in chaos. Rogue cultivators and scions of various cultivation families fought fiercely, scrambling to seize cultivation resources.

In the midst of the carnage, many townspeople who had failed to evacuate in time were caught in the crossfire of the battles. The aftershocks of the skirmishes left countless innocents dead in the streets.

Yun Wenxuan walked through the war-torn city alongside his aunt Yun Yanshuang and uncle Yun Yantian. The sight of widespread destruction, severed limbs, and lifeless bodies scattered about left his face pale and his heart heavy.

He had often heard the elders in his family talk about how brutal the battles between cultivators could be, but he had never witnessed it himself—until now.

This firsthand experience gave him a deep understanding of how hard-won the peace his family enjoyed truly was. It also made him realize just how much bloodshed and treachery his aunt and uncle had endured to secure resources for their family.

Glancing up at their calm expressions, Yun Wenxuan saw that they seemed entirely accustomed to the carnage. He sighed inwardly, recalling his uncle Yun Yantian’s words:

“Kindness is important, but don’t show too much of it to outsiders.”

“Perhaps Uncle Yantian’s advice came from witnessing too much of this bloodshed,” Yun Wenxuan thought to himself as he walked silently.

“Help… help my child, please!”

A faint cry reached Yun Wenxuan’s ears. Turning toward a small alley, he saw a bloodied woman cradling an infant, crying out for help.

Without hesitation, Yun Wenxuan rushed toward her.

“Wenxuan! Don’t go!” Yun Yantian shouted, noticing his nephew’s movements too late.

By the time Yun Yantian’s warning reached him, Yun Wenxuan was already close to the woman. Just as he reached out to help, the infant in her arms suddenly transformed into a hideous serpent.

With a gaping maw full of sharp fangs, the serpent lunged for Yun Wenxuan’s neck.

The creature was incredibly fast, and it seemed certain that Yun Wenxuan would be bitten.

Slash!

Before the serpent could strike, Yun Yanshuang intervened, her sword flashing with a streak of moonlight.

The blade cleaved through the serpent in mid-air, reducing it to ashes that scattered into the wind.

“Wenxuan, are you hurt?” Yun Yanshuang asked, hurrying to her nephew’s side.

“No… I’m fine. Thank you, Aunt Yanshuang. If it weren’t for you…” Yun Wenxuan trailed off, his face still pale as he thought back to the harrowing moment.

Looking back toward the alley, he realized the bloodied woman was gone. All that remained was a long, shed snakeskin.

“It seems the city isn’t just full of treacherous rogue cultivators. There are also demons and other malevolent entities lurking here, likely drawn by the Xia family’s accumulated wealth,” Yun Yantian said, his gaze fixed on the discarded snakeskin.

He turned to Yun Wenxuan with a stern expression.

“From now on, no matter what you see or hear, don’t act impulsively. Understood?”

“I… I understand, Uncle Yantian,” Yun Wenxuan replied, his voice tinged with guilt and fear.

“Consider this a lesson,” Yun Yantian said.

“Experience is the best teacher. When you’re on your own in the future, you’ll need to be more cautious. Always keep your guard up.”

 

Chapter 205 Seeking Cooperation

“Senior!”

Yun Yanshui crouched in a dim alleyway in Tongshan County, deep in thought about how to lure Wang Qinglin away from Wang Liyuan.

Without separating the two, he couldn’t make his move.

As he struggled with his plan, several figures appeared at the entrance of the alley and bowed respectfully toward him.

Looking up, Yun Yanshui saw that they were members of the Qishan Wen family. Leading them was Wen Ruoli, whom he recognized from the Hundred Clans Assembly.

“What? You’re here to rob me?” Yun Yanshui asked, his expression blank.

“Senior, you misunderstand. I’ve come to pay my respects and hope to establish a connection with you,” Wen Ruoli said politely.

Earlier, in the Xia family marketplace, Wen Ruoli had witnessed Yun Yanshui’s overwhelming power. He knew that this man was not only a Qi Refinement cultivator but one who was far stronger than most at the same stage.

Although Yun Yanshui was dressed in the attire of a Wang family rogue cultivator, Wen Ruoli had observed him targeting Wang Liyuan with his arrow.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

With this logic, Wen Ruoli hoped to ally with Yun Yanshui and possibly bring him into the Qishan Wen family’s fold.

“An alliance? Not interested. I don’t care about your Qishan Wen family,” Yun Yanshui said flatly, standing up and brushing off his clothes as he prepared to leave.

“Senior, you were targeting Wang Liyuan earlier, weren’t you?” Wen Ruoli asked quickly as Yun Yanshui turned to go.

“What, are you planning to snitch on me?” Yun Yanshui asked, his tone icy.

“Not at all. What I mean is, we could work together,” Wen Ruoli said with a sly smile.

“Work together?”

“Precisely. If you need, we can find a way to distract Wang Qinglin. That way, you’ll have the opportunity to…” Wen Ruoli left the suggestion hanging, his intent clear.

After the Hundred Clans Assembly, the deaths of the patriarchs from the Three Families and Seven Clans had left them greatly weakened, and the Qishan Wen family was no exception.

With the Tongshan Xia family on the brink of destruction, Wen Ruoli feared that his family might be next.

But if Wang Liyuan—the most promising talent of the Yulin Wang family—were eliminated, the Wang family’s younger generation would face a long drought of talent.

Without a successor of Wang Liyuan’s caliber, the Yulin Wang family would naturally become the next target for the other clans.

“And what’s in it for you? Your eagerness to help makes me suspicious,” Yun Yanshui said, narrowing his eyes.

One couldn’t be too careful when dealing with the Three Families and Six Clans, who were notoriously cunning and treacherous.

“Senior, I assure you, we have no ulterior motives. We simply share a common goal: eliminating Wang Liyuan.”

“Fine. I’ll stay in the shadows and act when the opportunity arises. But if your people fail or try to pull any tricks, don’t blame me for taking action against you,” Yun Yanshui said, nodding at last.

Before leaving, he issued a cold warning to Wen Ruoli and his group.

“Master Ruoli, distracting Wang Qinglin won’t be easy. We may…”

After Yun Yanshui disappeared, one of Wen Ruoli’s rogue cultivators stepped forward, his expression grim.

“It’s impossible for us to do it alone. But if we enlist the help of the Upper Three Families?”

“The Upper Three Families have always seen Wang Liyuan as a thorn in their side.

“Especially now, with Wang Liyuan nearing a breakthrough into the Qi Refinement stage. Once he succeeds, his talent and luck will make him nearly impossible to kill.

“The Upper Three Families won’t let this opportunity slip by,” Wen Ruoli said with a cold smile, his eyes flashing with ruthless determination.

With that, he led his men to approach the Upper Three Families for cooperation.

“Seems like they aren’t planning to double-cross me,” Yun Yanshui muttered, reappearing in the alley after Wen Ruoli and his group left.

He had listened closely to their conversation from the shadows, ready to strike if he detected any ill intent toward him.

But now, it was clear that Wen Ruoli and his people were genuinely focused on eliminating Wang Liyuan.

“This works in my favor. If the Qishan Wen family and the Upper Three Families join forces, they should be able to distract Wang Qinglin.

“As long as Wang Qinglin is preoccupied, I’ll have my chance to strike at Wang Liyuan,” Yun Yanshui thought, a faint smile playing on his lips.

A Teahouse

In a quiet teahouse, Ye Xiaolin, Ye Xiaomo, and Lu Shanglin sat across from Wen Ruoli, their expressions mildly surprised.

“An alliance?”

“Yes,” Wen Ruoli said with a sly grin. “We’ll handle distracting Wang Qinglin. As for killing Wang Liyuan, we already have someone lined up to do the job.

“The question is, are you interested in helping?”

Wen Ruoli leaned back, looking at the spiritual root talents of the Upper Three Families, a faint smirk curling his lips.

“Wen Ruoli, what exactly are you plotting?”

Lu Shanglin glared coldly at Wen Ruoli.

The relationship between the Upper Three Families and the Seven Clans had never been harmonious. He couldn’t believe that Wen Ruoli’s visit was purely to propose an alliance.

“What could I be plotting? Don’t you Upper Three Families want to get rid of Wang Liyuan? Well, it just so happens that my Wen family wants the same thing!”

“And you expect us to believe that?” Lu Shanglin retorted icily.

“If you want an alliance, fine,” Ye Xiaolin suddenly said, lifting his teacup and taking a sip with a faint smile.

“Brother Xiaolin!” Lu Shanglin exclaimed in shock, unable to understand why Ye Xiaolin would agree to such a partnership.

Ye Xiaolin raised his hand, signaling Lu Shanglin to stay silent. Left with no choice, Lu Shanglin reluctantly fell quiet, though his face was full of frustration.

“Since Brother Xiaolin has agreed, let’s work well together. We’ll deal with Wang Liyuan and rid ourselves of a mutual threat,” Wen Ruoli said with a smile, standing up and leaving with his group of Wen family rogue cultivators.

“Brother Xiaolin, why did you agree to work with them? The Seven Clans and the Upper Three Families have always been at odds.

“It’s possible that Wen Ruoli has ulterior motives and is scheming against us!” Lu Shanglin asked as soon as Wen Ruoli was out of earshot, his tone filled with confusion.

“I believe the Wen family truly wants to eliminate Wang Liyuan,” Ye Xiaolin said with a faint smile.

“What makes you so sure, Brother Xiaolin?”

“Among the Seven Clans, which one is at the bottom?”

“The Tongshan Xia family, of course.”

“And now that the Tongshan Xia family is on the verge of extinction, who will be next?”

“The Qishan Wen family!”

With this reminder, Lu Shanglin’s eyes lit up with understanding.

“Exactly. Once the Xia family is wiped out, the Qishan Wen family will be the next weakest link.

“If their patriarch were still alive, they might not have anything to fear. But with their patriarch gone, and no particularly talented individuals among their younger generation, the Wen family is an easy target for the other clans.

“This is why Wen Ruoli is targeting Wang Liyuan. If Wang Liyuan is eliminated, the Wang family’s situation will worsen dramatically. The attention of the other clans will naturally shift to the Wang family instead,” Ye Xiaomo added thoughtfully.

“Exactly!” Ye Xiaolin nodded.

“But why would the Wen family choose the Wang family as their target instead of another clan?” Lu Shanglin asked, still puzzled.

“Who knows?” Ye Xiaolin shrugged.

“However, since the Wen family wants to deal with Wang Liyuan, they can serve as an ally to the Upper Three Families in this matter.

“Wang Qinglin is no ordinary man. Although he was gravely injured by a master from the Gu God Cult and had his cultivation level reduced, his strength remains among the best of the older generation in all the clans.

“Distracting him won’t be easy. If the Upper Three Families take action, we will likely suffer heavy casualties.”

“Our family’s patriarch is already dead. We cannot afford further losses that would deplete the family’s foundation,” Ye Xiaomo said solemnly.

“I’ve considered this issue,” Ye Xiaolin said.

“My plan is to secretly hire rogue cultivators with some spiritual stones to act on our behalf. There are plenty of rogue cultivators gathered in Tongshan County right now.”

“Understood! I’ll handle it right away,” Ye Xiaomo said, his eyes lighting up as he stood and left quickly.

The spiritual root talents from the Lin family and Lu Shanglin also departed to gather rogue cultivators from the city. Their goal was to distract Wang Qinglin and draw him away from Wang Liyuan.

Ascending Moon Pavilion

“Have your men uncovered anything?” Wang Qinglin asked calmly.

“Nothing, Patriarch,” Wang Liyuan replied respectfully.

He had secretly sent people to investigate the Wang family’s rogue cultivators but found no evidence linking them to the Upper Three Families.

“Then who could be impersonating one of our rogue cultivators and infiltrating the Wang family’s ranks?” Wang Qinglin muttered, his tone filled with suspicion.

 

Chapter 206: Quick Decision

“That’s Wang Qinglin?”

The Moon Pavilion stood at the center of crisscrossing streets lined with tightly packed buildings. In the alleyways and on the rooftops surrounding it, over fifty rogue cultivators lay in wait, some crouched in the shadows, others standing openly.

Their cultivation levels ranged from Embryo Breath Stage 2 to Embryo Breath Stage 6, with a few at Embryo Breath Stage 7 and even Embryo Breath Stage 9 peak.

The speaker was Daoist Mu.

“Indeed,” someone confirmed.

“A Qi Refinement cultivator… not an easy foe to handle,” Daoist Mu said, frowning. He had done his research and knew that Wang Qinglin, the strongest cultivator in the Yulin Wang family, was currently at the Qi Refinement Stage 6 peak after having his cultivation suppressed.

Even so, a Qi Refinement cultivator was far beyond the capabilities of these rogue cultivators at the Embryo Breath stage.

“The Upper Three Families and the Qishan Wen family only tasked us with distracting Wang Qinglin and separating him from Wang Liyuan. They never said we had to face him directly.

“If they’d asked us to duel Wang Qinglin, none of us would’ve dared accept this job. But when it comes to diversion… we have plenty of tricks up our sleeves,” said a beautiful female cultivator in a red dress, covering her mouth as she chuckled softly.

As she spoke, wisps of dark red poisonous mist began to emanate from her body, spreading rapidly toward the Moon Pavilion under her control.

“Others are already starting to act,” Daoist Mu said, noticing his companion’s subtle movements.

Scanning his surroundings, he saw other rogue cultivators using their respective Daoist arts to attack the pavilion.

One was commanding zombie-like puppets, sending them lurching toward the building.

Another controlled a swarm of venomous snakes that slithered into the pavilion.

Others unleashed ghostly apparitions, which transformed into eerie black mist and charged at the pavilion with terrifying speed.

“Who dares launch a sneak attack on this old man?!”

Inside the pavilion, Wang Qinglin sensed the approaching threats and the poisonous mist creeping closer.

With a dramatic sweep of his sleeve, he conjured a gale-force wind that scattered the mist in an instant.

Whoooosh!

The mist dispersed, but no sooner had it vanished than dark, sinister black energy surged from beneath the pavilion.

The black energy coalesced into malevolent ghosts that howled as they lunged toward Wang Qinglin and Wang Liyuan.

“Petty tricks!” Wang Qinglin muttered, his gaze turning cold.

With a surge of spiritual power, his aura erupted outward, obliterating the ghostly figures in an instant. The ghosts, which were as strong as Embryo Breath Stage 3 cultivators, disintegrated with anguished wails.

Meanwhile, Wang Liyuan had unsheathed his spiritual sword and was slashing through a seemingly endless wave of charging puppets.

Despite his strength, the sheer number of enemies—puppets, venomous creatures, and other summoned monstrosities—made it difficult to cut them all down quickly.

“Begone!”

With a thunderous shout, Wang Qinglin unleashed a devastating shockwave.

The pavilion collapsed in a cascade of rubble, and the puppets, snakes, and other summoned beasts within it were obliterated instantly.

Thump!

A rogue cultivator controlling the puppets spat out a mouthful of blood as his connection to them was violently severed.

“That old monster Wang Qinglin is too powerful!” he gasped, trembling with fear.

Another rogue cultivator, who had been controlling the venomous snakes, wiped the blood from his mouth, his face pale. The memories transmitted by his dying snakes replayed in his mind, and he shivered.

The gap between Embryo Breath and Qi Refinement cultivators was truly insurmountable.

“Retreat!”

Seeing the pavilion reduced to rubble and their combined assault thwarted in an instant, Daoist Mu knew they stood no chance against Wang Qinglin.

He quickly signaled his companions, including the female cultivator in red, and they fled the scene without hesitation.

Better to escape now than risk Wang Qinglin discovering them and hunting them down.

Not just Daoist Mu and his group, but all the rogue cultivators in the vicinity who had participated in the attack began retreating rapidly, their spirits crushed by Wang Qinglin’s overwhelming power.

The many Embryo Breath rogue cultivators lurking in the shadows, after realizing they could gain nothing from Wang Qinglin, quickly used their Daoist arts to retreat as fast as possible.

“Patriarch!”

Amidst the swirling dust and debris, Wang Liyuan emerged, his expression tense as he noticed the fleeing rogue cultivators. Turning to the somber-faced Wang Qinglin, he said, “These rogue cultivators must have been hired by those plotting against us!”

“What do you plan to do?”

“Take care of yourself. I’ll catch one and get some answers,” Wang Qinglin said firmly. With a powerful leap, he pursued Daoist Mu and the others who were fleeing in panic.

“Here’s my chance!”

“Those Upper Three Families and the Wen family really know how to stir things up,” Yun Yanshui muttered.

Disguised as a Wang family rogue cultivator, Yun Yanshui had been suppressing his aura while hiding near the Moon Pavilion, closely monitoring Wang Qinglin’s every move.

Now that Wang Qinglin had been successfully drawn away, it was time for Yun Yanshui to act.

With a flick of his hand, he summoned the Wuqing War Bow. As spiritual energy surged within him, the Yin-Yang diagram in his dantian began to spin wildly, channeling power into the bow.

Drawing the bowstring, he formed a devastating arrow of concentrated spiritual energy.

Extending his divine sense, he locked onto Wang Liyuan, who was still near the ruins of the Moon Pavilion, seemingly preparing to leave.

“This has to be quick,” Yun Yanshui thought, tightening his grip. “Wang Qinglin will be back soon. If I miss this chance, there won’t be another.”

As Wang Liyuan was about to move away from the ruins, Yun Yanshui released the arrow.

Whoosh!

The arrow tore through the air with terrifying speed, carrying an aura of unstoppable destruction as it raced toward Wang Liyuan.

“This aura…”

At the ruins, Wang Liyuan had been on edge, wary of an ambush. The moment he sensed the overwhelming killing intent, he acted decisively, summoning three high-grade defensive artifacts: a copper bell, an iron fan, and an iron shield, all Grade 9 Yellow Tier.

The three defensive artifacts formed a protective barrier around him, capable of withstanding the full-force attack of a typical Qi Refinement cultivator.

However, this arrow was no ordinary attack.

The arrow pierced through the iron shield with ease, followed by the iron fan. Finally, it struck the copper bell, tearing through it as though it were paper.

“Damn it!”

Seeing all three of his defensive artifacts fail to stop the arrow, Wang Liyuan’s face turned pale. As the arrow neared him, he cursed under his breath and desperately dodged using his family’s advanced movement technique.

Though he narrowly avoided a fatal strike, the arrow was too fast. It ripped through his left arm, leaving it a bloody mess.

Boom!

The arrow detonated, scattering the remnants of his arm in a shower of flesh and blood.

“The archer must still be hiding nearby. They’ll strike again if I stay here. I need to get to the patriarch for protection!”

Ignoring the searing pain of his missing arm, Wang Liyuan immediately activated his movement technique, preparing to flee.

But just as he moved, a shadow appeared before him like a phantom.

A glint of cold steel flashed.

Slash!

The blade sliced cleanly through Wang Liyuan’s neck, severing his head in an instant.

In his final moments, Wang Liyuan caught a glimpse of his attacker’s face: a rugged man in Wang family rogue cultivator attire with a square jaw and a stern expression.

After slaying Wang Liyuan, Yun Yanshui quickly retrieved the storage pouch from his corpse. Without hesitation, he vanished into the shadows, fully aware that Wang Qinglin was racing back toward the scene.

If he lingered, he would undoubtedly be caught by the enraged patriarch.

As Yun Yanshui disappeared, Wang Qinglin arrived mere moments later. He was holding a bloodied Daoist Mu, who had been captured during the pursuit.

Wang Qinglin had planned to interrogate Daoist Mu about who had sent him and his accomplices.

However, sensing that Wang Liyuan was in grave danger, Wang Qinglin had abandoned the interrogation and rushed back.

But even with his swift return, he was too late.

All that awaited him was the sight of Wang Liyuan’s lifeless, headless corpse sprawled on the ground.

“Liyuan… Liyuan!”

Wang Qinglin’s voice trembled with grief and fury as he stared at the mutilated body of his grandson.

The once-mighty patriarch of the Yulin Wang family, known for his composure and strength, now stood paralyzed, overwhelmed by the loss of his most promising heir.

His sorrow quickly turned to rage, and his piercing gaze swept the surroundings.

“Whoever did this… I will find you! And I will make you pay!” Wang Qinglin roared, his voice shaking the heavens.

 

Chapter 207: Talking Nonsense

“Hurry! Run! That old man Wang Qinglin has gone mad and is killing everyone in the city!”

“Gone mad? What happened?”

“I heard someone killed Wang Liyuan.

Wang Qinglin can’t find the murderer, so he’s lost his mind. He’s killing indiscriminately, anyone he sees—no exceptions!

Even some rogue cultivators and spiritual root talents from the Upper Three Families have been killed by him!”

“Wang Qinglin is one of the few Qi Refinement stage experts left. If he goes on a rampage, there’s hardly anyone in this city who can stop him!”

“Exactly! Run now! If that madman Wang Qinglin finds us, we’re as good as dead!”

In Tongshan County, news of Wang Liyuan’s death and Wang Qinglin’s murderous rampage spread quickly.

Terrified by the reports that he was killing everyone he encountered, many rogue cultivators abandoned their search for the treasures and legacies left by the Xia family. They fled the city in droves, prioritizing their lives over potential gains.

“Wang Liyuan is dead?”

In a nearby pavilion, Yun Yantian, Yun Yanshuang, and Yun Wenxuan were sorting through the treasures they had managed to scavenge.

Hearing the fleeing rogue cultivators talking about Wang Liyuan’s death and Wang Qinglin’s rampage, Yun Yantian furrowed his brows.

“It seems my brother might have succeeded,” Yun Yanshuang thought silently, a glimmer of understanding flashing in her eyes.

“Wang Liyuan, a man blessed with incredible fortune, survived an ambush by the spiritual root talents of the Upper Three Families during the Hundred Clans Assembly.

“And yet, he’s now dead in Tongshan County? I wonder who could have pulled it off?” Yun Yantian murmured, his voice tinged with amazement.

“Yes! And wasn’t Wang Qinglin said to have been guarding Wang Liyuan closely?

For someone to kill Wang Liyuan right under Wang Qinglin’s nose, they must be incredibly skilled. I wonder which senior cultivator could have accomplished such a feat!” Yun Wenxuan exclaimed, equally astonished.

Yun Yanshuang, however, remained calm and silent, methodically packing away their haul of spiritual treasures.

“Yantian, we should leave as soon as possible! Those rogue cultivators said Wang Qinglin is on a rampage, killing indiscriminately.

If we stay here, we could end up being collateral damage!”

Having packed their spoils, Yun Yanshuang voiced her concern.

“Shuang’er is right. Preserving our lives is the most important thing. We’ve already gained a lot this time—enough to be satisfied,” Yun Yantian agreed. He knew the city’s current chaos made staying dangerous, and leaving quickly was the wisest choice.

Splurt!

Ye Xiaolin spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flung through the air like a broken kite.

Around him lay the corpses of several Ye family rogue cultivators. Even his cousin Ye Xiaomo had been killed earlier by a single palm strike from Wang Qinglin.

“You’ve harmed my Liyuan… all of you from the Upper Three Families must die!”

Wang Qinglin’s bloodshot eyes radiated unrelenting fury, his entire being emanating murderous intent.

Since Wang Liyuan’s death, he had been unable to uncover the killer. Enraged, he began slaughtering anyone in sight, sparing no one.

His fury was particularly directed at members of the Upper Three Families.

Before his death, Daoist Mu had claimed that the Upper Three Families had secretly orchestrated the distraction that lured Wang Qinglin away from Wang Liyuan’s side.

“Wang Qinglin! Are you really going to lose all control?!”

“Lose control? When my elder brother was alive, he may have shown restraint and avoided conflict with you Upper Three Families. But I am not so patient!”

“For years, you’ve schemed against the Yulin Wang family, and now you’ve conspired to kill my grandson Wang Liyuan.

I swear, I will see your Upper Three Families destroyed!” Wang Qinglin roared, his voice shaking the very earth.

The force of his anger caused the nearby buildings to collapse, and Ye Xiaolin, already severely injured, was sent flying again. His chest caved in as ribs snapped like dry twigs.

“Wang Qinglin, cease this madness!”

A streak of light shot from the Xia family’s ancestral grounds and descended in front of Ye Xiaolin.

The newcomer was none other than the Ye family patriarch, Ye Wansheng, a Qi Refinement Stage 6 cultivator.

“Ye Wansheng, do you truly think you can stand against me?”

Wang Qinglin’s icy gaze fixed on the Ye patriarch, his tone dripping with disdain.

“And what if I’m not alone?”

From the Xia family’s ancestral grounds, another streak of light shot into the air, quickly heading toward Tongshan County. It was Lin Chuqiu, the current patriarch of the Lin family, also at the Qi Refinement Stage 6.

“And me!”

Moments later, yet another figure descended—it was Lu Yurong, the current patriarch of the Lu family, also at the Qi Refinement Stage 6.

The three had originally been leading their family forces to lay siege to the Xia family’s ancestral grounds, and victory had seemed imminent.

However, news of Wang Qinglin’s rampage in Tongshan County, especially his targeted slaughter of members of the Upper Three Families, had forced their hand.

The three patriarchs hastily left their forces behind, instructing them to continue the assault on the Xia family, and rushed to Tongshan County to confront Wang Qinglin.

“Excellent! You’re all here,” Wang Qinglin said, his face contorted in rage. “Perfect. We’ll settle all our old and new grudges today!”

“If I have to, I’ll drag my Yulin Wang family down with your Upper Three Families. Let’s see who loses more!”

Behind Wang Qinglin, a large contingent of Wang family cultivators and spiritual root talents had gathered, including Wang Lilong.

“Wang Qinglin, are you truly determined to act recklessly?” Ye Wansheng frowned deeply.

He had assumed that Wang Qinglin would hesitate when faced with the combined presence of three patriarchs, reigning in his rage.

Yet it was becoming clear that Wang Qinglin was entirely beyond reason.

“Hmph! Haven’t your Upper Three Families always wanted to destroy the Yulin Wang family?

“Well, here I am, standing before you with my people. Today, let’s fulfill your wish!

“If you want a war, we can start right now!

“Unlike my brother, Wang Qingshan, I don’t waste time overthinking!”

As Wang Qinglin finished speaking, he prepared to launch an attack, and the killing intent emanating from him made the air feel heavy.

Ye Wansheng, Lin Chuqiu, and Lu Yurong immediately tensed, their expressions grim as they braced for a potential clash.

“Senior Qinglin, please, calm yourself!”

A calm voice rang out from the skies, and a streak of light descended between the two opposing sides.

The newcomer was Li Qing, one of the imperial court’s revered cultivators.

“Oh? The imperial court wishes to play peacemaker now?” Wang Qinglin sneered coldly upon seeing Li Qing.

“Senior Qinglin, surely we can discuss this calmly? Is there truly a need for such a violent confrontation?” Li Qing asked gently, his demeanor serene and composed.

“Discuss calmly? The Upper Three Families have gone too far. How do you expect me to discuss this calmly?”

Wang Qinglin’s voice was filled with rage, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Li Qing.

He had long suspected that the imperial court’s cultivators, including Li Qing, had been secretly observing the events in Tongshan County.

This confirmed his belief that the assault on the Xia family by the Upper Three Families and the Six Clans had been tacitly approved by the imperial court.

Now, with the Yulin Wang family on the brink of war with the Upper Three Families, the imperial court was stepping in as a supposed mediator.

Wang Qinglin scoffed at their hypocrisy. He understood that the imperial court’s true aim was to prevent large-scale conflict between major clans, which could weaken the nation and invite foreign threats.

“Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding?” Li Qing suggested, his voice calm and measured.

“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?

“I was protecting my grandson Wang Liyuan, but these scoundrels hired rogue cultivators to lure me away. Because of their schemes, my grandson was brutally murdered!”

The image of Wang Liyuan’s lifeless, decapitated body flashed in Wang Qinglin’s mind, and his grief and fury surged anew.

“Senior Wansheng, would you allow one of your family’s disciples to clarify the situation?” Li Qing turned to Ye Wansheng.

“Xiaolin, step forward and explain the matter to Lord Li,” Ye Wansheng ordered.

“Yes, Patriarch.”

Suppressing the pain from his injuries, Ye Xiaolin staggered to his feet and respectfully saluted Li Qing.

“We did hire those rogue cultivators,” Ye Xiaolin admitted. “However, it was not the Upper Three Families who proposed targeting Wang Liyuan. The instigator was Wen Ruli of the Qishan Wen family!”

“Ye brat, don’t you dare spout nonsense!”

A thunderous voice boomed from above, and another figure descended—it was the current patriarch of the Wen family.

Having overheard Ye Xiaolin’s accusation, Wen Ruli’s face darkened.

The Qishan Wen family was already weakened, and they could not afford to provoke the wrath of the Yulin Wang family.

Especially not Wang Qinglin, whose temper and impulsive actions were infamous. Unlike his brother Wang Qingshan, who had been cautious and calculating, Wang Qinglin was unpredictable and prone to violent outbursts.

His willingness to lead the Yulin Wang family into direct conflict with the Upper Three Families was evidence enough of his recklessness.

“Wen Ruli, don’t think you can get away with this!” Wang Qinglin’s eyes burned with rage as he fixed his gaze on the Wen patriarch.

“Lord Li, this is slander! My Wen family had no part in this!” Wen Ruli protested, his voice quaking slightly under Wang Qinglin’s intense scrutiny.

“Enough! All of you think you can push the blame around? Do you take me for a fool?!”

Wang Qinglin’s aura surged violently, causing the ground beneath him to tremble.

“If you think I’ll let this go, you’re sorely mistaken. Today, none of you will leave this place unscathed!”

 

Chapter 208: A Bad Death

“Senior, I am not lying. I swear on my Dao heart—if I’ve spoken a single falsehood, may I die a miserable death!”

Ye Xiaolin was painfully aware of the chaos he had caused by plotting to target Wang Liyuan.

Initially, his plan had been simple: if Wang Liyuan died, the Wang family would crumble, much like the Xia family, and become the next target for the combined forces of other clans.

But Wang Qinglin, that madman, was far more ruthless than his brother Wang Qingshan. Unlike his cautious predecessor, Wang Qinglin showed no hesitation in facing the Upper Three Families head-on.

Indeed, while the combined strength of the Upper Three Families could easily defeat the Wang family, such a victory would come at a significant cost. Even if they won, their respective clans would be left severely weakened.

It was this very reality that had caused Ye Wansheng, the patriarch of the Ye family, to tread carefully around Wang Qinglin. Ye Wansheng had no desire to engage in a costly battle that would drain his clan’s resources.

With all this in mind, Ye Xiaolin had no choice but to shift the blame onto the Qishan Wen family.

“You brat from the Ye family, dare to spout lies again, and I’ll crush you with a single palm!”

The Wen family patriarch, his face dark with rage, stepped forward as if preparing to strike Ye Xiaolin down.

“Old Wen, don’t think you can act recklessly while I’m here!”

Ye Wansheng’s voice boomed, his own anger flaring.

While he might fear Wang Qinglin and his Wang family, the same could not be said for the Wen patriarch.

“Elder Wen, I kindly ask you to summon your clan member Wen Ruli and have him explain the matter.

“Otherwise, it will be difficult to provide a satisfactory explanation to His Majesty,” said Li Qing, his tone polite but laced with an unmistakable edge.

With the fall of the Xia family, the Qishan Wen family had become the weakest among the Six Clans.

If the emperor decided he was displeased, the Wen family could very well be the next target.

“Ruli!”

The Wen patriarch, reluctant but aware of his precarious position, called out to his clan member.

He understood that, in their current weakened state, the Wen family could not afford to antagonize either the other clans or the imperial court.

They could only endure humiliation and bide their time until they regained their former strength.

“L-Lord Patriarch!”

Shaking with fear, Wen Ruli, who had been hiding in the shadows, stepped forward reluctantly.

“Speak! Did you have a hand in this?”

“Patriarch, I had nothing to do with it!” Wen Ruli stammered.

“Then explain yourself! If you don’t, don’t blame me for taking action against you!”

“It… it was a rogue cultivator affiliated with the Wang family!” Wen Ruli blurted out hastily, desperate to distance himself from the situation.

“You’re spouting nonsense!”

Wang Qinglin’s eyes flared with rage as he prepared to strike Wen Ruli down.

“Senior Wang, I swear it’s true!”

“That rogue cultivator coerced me into helping him distract you. He threatened to kill me if I refused, so I had no choice but to agree.

“It was only then that I sought assistance from Ye Xiaolin and his group.

“I swear, Senior Wang, I had no other intention!

“If you don’t believe me, I am willing to swear on my Dao heart—may I suffer eternal damnation if I have uttered a single lie!”

Wen Ruli’s voice trembled as he spoke, carefully omitting his personal schemes and placing the blame squarely on the disguised Yun Yanshui, who had posed as a Wang family rogue cultivator.

“Senior Wang, it seems Wen Ruli is telling the truth.

“Perhaps you should conduct an internal investigation of your Wang family to uncover any infiltrators,” Li Qing suggested calmly, his gaze steady.

“Even if this so-called rogue cultivator was part of my Wang family, they were undoubtedly planted by the Upper Three Families!

“I will see this matter settled with both the Upper Three Families and the Wen family!”

Wang Qinglin’s tone was icy, his intent unmistakable. “Li Qing, if you intend to stand in my way, don’t think I’ll show you any courtesy!”

“Senior Wang, I urge you to reconsider. Cooler heads must prevail,” Li Qing said evenly, his demeanor unshaken by the threat.

As he spoke, more figures began to appear.

Daoist Lu, Fairy Yu, Daoist Tu, and a host of imperial cultivators materialized from the void.

Their numbers were astonishing—over fifty in total, with several Qi Refinement stage cultivators among them.

The confrontation in Tongshan County reached its breaking point, with Wang Qinglin reluctantly retreating alongside the Wang family cultivators. However, the tension remained palpable, a prelude to inevitable future conflicts.

Leading his bruised but unbroken group of family members, Wang Qinglin turned toward the horizon, his heart heavy with both sorrow and rage.

“Elder Wang, what now?” asked a junior member of the Wang family, her voice trembling.

Wang Qinglin took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as his resolve hardened. “For now, we retreat and bide our time. But hear me clearly: this is not over. The debts owed by the Upper Three Families and the Wen clan will be paid in full. One day, the heavens will witness their downfall, and the name of the Wang family will strike fear once again!”

The group nodded solemnly, their determination etched across their faces. Though bloodied and humiliated, they followed their leader into the unknown, their minds already planning their rise from the ashes.

Back at the ruined marketplace, Wen Tianchong, the Wen family patriarch, held the severed head of Wen Ruli, his expression dark and unreadable.

“You’re a ruthless one, Tianchong,” sneered Lin Chuqiu, the Lin patriarch, his tone a mix of amusement and mild disapproval.

“It’s not ruthlessness; it’s necessity,” Wen Tianchong replied coldly, throwing the head to the ground. “Ruli’s foolishness nearly brought disaster upon the Wen family. His life is a small price to pay to secure our survival.”

“Will it be enough?” asked Lu Yurong, the Lu patriarch, his brows furrowed.

Wen Tianchong paused, staring off into the distance. “Perhaps not. Wang Qinglin is not one to forgive and forget. But offering Ruli’s life shows our sincerity. It’s a gamble, but one I’m willing to take.”

The three exchanged knowing glances. Despite their outward confidence, a shared unease lingered in the air.

As the Wen patriarch departed, Lin Chuqiu and Lu Yurong turned to Ye Wansheng, the Ye family patriarch.

“This has been a costly ordeal,” Lin Chuqiu said, his tone laced with bitterness. “We’ve lost valuable disciples and resources. And for what? To further stoke the wrath of the Wang family?”

“We must remember the greater goal,” Ye Wansheng replied. “The annihilation of the Tongshan Xia clan marks a turning point. With their resources in our hands, our clans will rise even stronger.”

Lu Yurong nodded but added grimly, “Yet, Wang Qinglin’s vengeance looms like a storm on the horizon. He has made it clear that this is far from over. And the court’s intervention has only delayed the inevitable.”

Ye Wansheng’s gaze darkened. “Let him come. We will rebuild, strengthen, and when the time is right, Wang Qinglin will regret ever challenging the Upper Three Families.”

In the smoldering ruins of the Tongshan Xia estate, surviving Xia family members huddled together, their expressions a mixture of grief and despair. Their once-mighty clan was now reduced to little more than ashes.

Among the survivors was Xia Shang, a younger member of the family whose face bore a scar from the recent battles.

“We may be beaten, but we are not broken,” Xia Shang declared, his voice steady despite the pain in his eyes. “The Xia bloodline endures, and one day, we will reclaim what has been taken from us.”

His words were met with silence, but the flicker of determination in the eyes of his fellow survivors hinted that the Xia clan’s story was far from over.

Li Qing’s Quiet Observation

Watching the unfolding drama from a distance, Li Qing stood with his fellow imperial cultivators.

“Are you satisfied?” asked Daoist Lu, one of the emperor’s trusted advisors.

Li Qing sighed. “Satisfied? Hardly. But this chaos serves a purpose. With the Xia clan gone and the Upper Three Families distracted by the Wang family, His Majesty’s plan is proceeding perfectly. Balance has been restored—for now.”

“And the Wen family?” Fairy Yu inquired.

“They will survive—for now. But their days of unchecked power are over. His Majesty will see to that.”

As the imperial cultivators began to disperse, Li Qing glanced at the horizon, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Let them fight among themselves. It only strengthens the emperor’s hand. The true power of the empire lies not in bloodlines or grudges but in control.”

With that, Li Qing vanished into the ether, leaving the fractured remnants of Tongshan County to face an uncertain future.

 

Chapter 209 Resurrection

“You’re in a dire situation within Yue Kingdom’s borders, aren’t you?”

In a secluded area of Tongshan County, a young man clad in luxurious robes stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze was fixed on the infighting among the three clans and six families as they joined forces to attack the Tongshan Xia Clan, stripping it of its foundation and dividing its wealth. Unable to contain his disdain, he let out a mocking laugh.

“We beseech the Third Prince to take us under your protection!
We vow to pledge ourselves to the Third Prince’s service, swearing on our Dao hearts never to betray you!”
“If the Third Prince could aid us in rebuilding the Tongshan Xia Clan in secret, we would pledge eternal loyalty to you, serving as a sharp blade at your command!”

The speaker was Xia Shangyun.

At this moment, he was bloodied and battered, having fought fiercely to seize resources from the family’s treasury while fending off his own kin. Later, he barely escaped the relentless pursuit of the other three clans and six families.
Now, thanks to the protection of his son, Xia Changfei, and a few loyal followers, he had managed to flee with his life. His heart seethed with unrelenting anger, his only hope resting on the Third Prince of Wu Kingdom standing before him. If this prince would support him in secret, the Xia Clan of Tongshan could rise from the ashes.

“We’ve been in contact privately for years now. Given your current plight, how could I, the Third Prince, not extend a helping hand in secret?”
The young man turned to face Xia Shangyun and the remaining Xia Clan cultivators who had survived the massacre, their number reduced to just over a dozen. Kneeling before him in respect, they looked up in desperate hope. With a warm smile, the prince stepped forward, helping each one to their feet.

“Thank you, Third Prince!”
Upon hearing these words, Xia Shangyun’s heart leapt with joy. He hurriedly expressed his gratitude and rose to his feet.

“Quietly build up your strength. All that your Xia Clan has lost today, I promise, the Wu Kingdom will help you reclaim, piece by piece.”
The young prince placed a reassuring hand on Xia Shangyun’s shoulder, his tone firm yet patient.

“I am at your command!”
With these words, Xia Shangyun’s intent to swear fealty was clear. Even if it meant becoming someone’s hound, he was determined to lead his people in rebuilding their strength and reclaiming all that had been taken from them.
When the day of reckoning arrived, he vowed, not only would the three clans and six families be obliterated, but the Yue Kingdom’s royal family would fall as well!

“Come. With this matter settled, return to Wu Kingdom with me.”
With a casual order, the young prince began to lead Xia Shangyun, Xia Changfei, and the remaining Xia Clan members away. At his side were two rogue cultivators from Wu Kingdom’s royal family, appointed as his personal guards by the Wu King himself. Both were at the first stage of Qi Refinement, their silent presence a testament to their prowess.

“Is it truly wise to take in Xia Shangyun and his group?”
On his right, a burly middle-aged man frowned as he glanced at the Third Prince.

“They still have their uses. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“But supporting their rise will cost our royal family a great deal of resources,” the woman on his left interjected softly. She was a graceful figure, her tone calm and measured.

“An investment is always required in the beginning. As long as the returns outweigh the costs, what does it matter?”
The Third Prince’s lips curled into a confident smile.
“Helping Xia Shangyun and his kin regain power will turn them into a sharp blade for Wu Kingdom to drive into Yue Kingdom, tearing through their border defenses.
Moreover, don’t forget—the Xia Clan of Tongshan knows Yue Kingdom’s inner workings intimately. To waste such talent would be a grave mistake.”

Hearing this, the two rogue cultivators exchanged subtle nods of agreement.

“Let us hope Xia Shangyun doesn’t disappoint the Wu Kingdom. If Yue Kingdom’s three clans and the Qishan Wen Clan could destroy the Xia Clan of Tongshan, Wu Kingdom won’t hesitate to deliver the final blow if needed,” the graceful woman murmured, glancing coldly at the Xia Clan cultivators trailing behind them.

“We’ll see when the time comes.”

At the Wang Clan ancestral land in Yulin County, grief reigned.

“Who… who did this?! Ancestor, tell me, who killed him?!”
Wang Zhongtian’s furious voice echoed across the hall as he stood over the cold, lifeless body of his son. His eyes were bloodshot, his face contorted with anguish, as though his entire world had collapsed.

“It was the Upper Three Clans and the Qishan Wen Clan,” the elder replied solemnly.

“Why doesn’t the ancestor declare war on them?! This hatred burns in my chest—I cannot rest until it’s avenged!”
Wang Zhongtian’s voice trembled with rage, his teeth clenched tightly. He had only one son, Wang Liyuan, who had always been the source of his pride. Now, that son lay dead, murdered by their enemies. How could he simply let it go?

“The royal family has intervened, forbidding us from engaging in a direct conflict with those four clans. Without their interference, the Wang Clan might suffer the same fate as the Xia Clan of Tongshan.
Do you want to see our family wiped out as well?”
Wang Qinglin’s gaze bore into Wang Zhongtian as he sighed heavily.

He understood that Wang Liyuan’s death was a devastating blow, not just to Wang Zhongtian, but to the entire Wang Clan.

“Are you telling me my son’s death is to go unanswered?!”

Wang Zhongtian was filled with unwillingness.

“Let it go? How could I possibly let it go?! Our Wang Clan must secretly bide its time, amassing strength until the day comes when we have the power to exact vengeance for Yuan’er!

Remember, as long as the green hills remain, there’s no fear of running out of firewood. If the family is wiped out, it will all be over—our revenge will remain an unreachable dream!”

Wang Qinglin sighed deeply, unsure how to comfort the grief-stricken Wang Zhongtian. He could only try his best to persuade him with patience.

Hearing the elder’s words, Wang Zhongtian fell silent. His fists clenched and unclenched several times, his emotions a tumultuous storm.

As the two conversed, something unexpected began to happen.

On the stretcher, within Wang Liyuan’s lifeless body, a golden, radiant seed began to emit a soft glow.

To call it a seed was not entirely accurate—it more closely resembled a strange, golden insect shaped like a cicada.

As the faint golden light blossomed, the cicada embedded within Wang Liyuan’s body let out a piercing, otherworldly cry.

This astonishing sight immediately drew Wang Qinglin’s attention.

Wang Zhongtian, too, stared at his son’s corpse in stunned disbelief.

“Ancestor… what is happening?”

Wang Zhongtian’s voice trembled as he pointed to the golden glow radiating from his son’s chest, the faint chirping of the cicada echoing eerily.

“Step back!”

Wang Qinglin grabbed Wang Zhongtian by the arm and swiftly retreated, summoning a flurry of talismans that formed a protective barrier before them, wary of any unseen danger.

He feared that some insidious trick had been left behind by those who killed Wang Liyuan, and that this golden light and the cicada’s cry might foretell disaster.

But moments passed, and the anticipated calamity never came.

Instead, under Wang Qinglin’s astonished gaze, Wang Liyuan’s severed head, recently reattached to his body, began to mend. The torn flesh and bone knitted together at an astonishing rate, as did the arm that had been severed and reconnected.

“This… how could this be possible?!”

Wang Qinglin’s voice quivered with disbelief as he watched the miraculous transformation.

Zheng!

Suddenly, Wang Liyuan’s eyes flew open, gleaming with a spark of vitality.

His mouth parted, and the golden cicada darted out, its brilliance fading instantly. With a dull thud, the now ash-gray insect fell lifelessly onto Wang Liyuan’s chest.

“What… what is happening to me?”

Wang Liyuan’s voice was weak and bewildered as clarity returned to his gaze.

“Yuan… Yuan’er?!”

Seeing Wang Liyuan return to life, both Wang Qinglin and Wang Zhongtian felt an icy chill run down their spines. The scene before them was so bizarre, so beyond comprehension, that it defied belief.

Even Wang Qinglin, with over a century of cultivation and extensive experience, had never witnessed anyone come back from the dead.

“Ancestor… Father!”

Wang Liyuan struggled to sit up, his movements unsteady. His hand instinctively touched his neck, feeling the spot where it had once been severed. He then glanced at his arm, equally restored.

“Wasn’t I… killed?”

“It was that cicada in your chest that saved you!”

Wang Qinglin suppressed the shock and joy in his heart, his gaze falling on the now lifeless, ash-colored cicada lying on Wang Liyuan’s chest. Deep within, he marveled at the miraculous object capable of bringing someone back from the dead.

“So, it was that…”

Wang Liyuan picked up the gray, lifeless cicada, murmuring softly as he examined it.

“Yuan’er, what is that cicada? How could it possess such divine power, even bringing you back to life?”

Wang Zhongtian’s voice wavered as he stared at the cicada, a mix of curiosity and astonishment in his eyes.

“This is something I discovered during the Hundred Clans Assembly, within the depths of the Myriad Mountain. It must have been a relic left behind by some ancient senior, known as the ‘Cicada of Life and Death.’

At the time, I didn’t know its purpose, so I fused it with my body to study it later.

Now, it seems its ability is to bring someone back to life… though it appears this power can only be used once.”

“Haha! That’s my son, truly extraordinary! Yuan’er, you are a child of destiny—who could possibly stand against you?”

“It was merely luck,” Wang Liyuan replied with a bitter smile, his mind flashing back to the moment when he had been slain by the rogue cultivators serving his family.

“Ancestor, where is Master Huang?”

“Why are you asking about Master Huang?”

“He was the one who killed me!”

 

Chapter 210: Fleeing for fear of crime

“This…”

Wang Qinglin frowned deeply, his brows knit in thought. Until now, he had assumed Wen Ruli’s claims were nothing more than falsehoods—mere excuses crafted to deflect blame. Yet, the truth was undeniable: the one who had slain Wang Liyuan truly came from within their own ranks.

“To think that my Wang Clan raised him for so many years… only to nurture a wolf in our midst, one who dares to bite the hand that feeds him!”

His expression darkened further as he immediately instructed Wang Zhongtian to summon Huang, the rogue cultivator in question, for questioning.

“Ancestor, I fear there’s no need to summon Huang anymore,” Wang Zhongtian interjected.

“Oh? And why not?”

“Truthfully, Huang has vanished without a trace. None of our men have seen him. It’s likely he has fled in fear of retribution.”

“Fled out of guilt, has he? I refuse to believe he would abandon his family entirely! Dispatch men immediately to apprehend his kin. At the same time, investigate who Huang has been close to over the years and uncover why he conspired with the Upper Three Clans and the Qishan Wen Clan to harm Yuan’er!”

Wang Qinglin’s orders were swift and decisive.

“I will see it done!”

“Furthermore, the matter of Yuan’er’s death and miraculous resurrection is to remain known only to the three of us. Under no circumstances should this information be leaked. If word spreads, disaster will surely follow!
From this day forward, Yuan’er is to remain within the family grounds, focusing solely on cultivation. Should the time come when the family has need of you, I will summon you personally.”

The thought of Wang Liyuan’s return to life made Wang Qinglin’s heart sink with unease. Such an event, if discovered, would draw countless opportunists seeking the mystical artifact that resurrected him. The Wang Clan would inevitably face calamity.

Thus, secrecy was paramount.

“As the ancestor commands!”
Both Wang Liyuan and Wang Zhongtian responded with utmost deference.

“Ancestor, the patriarch of the Qishan Wen Clan, Wen Tianchong, has arrived outside, leading a delegation requesting an audience,” came the voice of a Wang Clan disciple from beyond the hall.

“Have Wen Tianchong and his group wait in the side hall. I’ll see them when I feel like it!” Wang Qinglin ordered coldly.

“As you wish!”

“Ancestor,” Wang Liyuan asked curiously, “why has the Qishan Wen Clan come here today?”

“Do you know who orchestrated the ploy to lure me away, leading to your death?”

“I do not.”

“It was Wen Ruli of the Wen Clan!”

Now, with Wen Tianchong visiting their home, it was all but certain that he had come to offer apologies and plead for mercy, hoping to prevent the Wang Clan’s wrath from descending upon the Wen Clan in the future.

“What does the ancestor plan to do next?”

“If you had not returned to life, I would have ensured that none of Wen Tianchong’s party left this hall alive. Their corpses would have been displayed outside our gates for three days and nights as a warning to the entire Qishan Wen Clan, showing them that the Wang Clan of Yulin is not to be trifled with!”

“But now that you have returned, I must reconsider my course of action. The family is in a precarious position. Above us, the royal court under the Sacred Emperor watches closely. Below us, the Upper Three Clans and other factions eye us hungrily. And then there’s the ever-expanding Yuncang Yun Clan.”

“Hardening our stance against the Qishan Wen Clan would only bring unnecessary trouble. The family needs time—time to grow, to cultivate our younger generation, and to rebuild the foundation of our strength.

From now on, your elder brother’s cultivation grounds will be yours. All your daily needs will be attended to by dedicated servants. Your only focus should be on refining your skills and ascending in power. The future of this family depends on you and the younger generation!”

Having laid bare his thoughts, Wang Qinglin placed a reassuring hand on Wang Liyuan’s shoulder, speaking with deliberate care.

“Now then, it is time for me to meet Wen Tianchong.”

With a flick of his sleeve, Wang Qinglin turned and strode out of the main hall, his hands clasped behind his back as he made his way toward the side hall.

In the side hall of the Wang Clan estate, Wen Tianchong sat with several members of the Wen Clan. Their unease was palpable, each person fidgeting as though sitting on needles.

On a nearby table rested a black wooden box. Within it lay the severed, bloodied head of Wen Ruli, her lifeless eyes frozen in a haunting stare.

“Brother Qinglin!”

Just as Wen Tianchong deliberated over how best to appease the Wang Clan’s fury, a figure entered the hall with measured steps.

Wen Tianchong immediately rose, leading his clan members in a respectful bow.

Wang Qinglin ignored the gesture, moving directly to the head seat. Taking his time, he poured himself tea, sipping leisurely while leaving the Wen Clan in an awkward silence.

After an excruciatingly long pause, he finally spoke:

“What brings the Wen Clan to my Wang Clan?”

“Brother Qinglin, it is regarding the reckless actions of a member of my clan, Wen Ruli, which led to the unfortunate death of your talented young master, Wang Liyuan…” Wen Tianchong began cautiously, his tone laden with regret.

“Brother Qinglin, I have already exacted punishment upon him. I hope this will help ease your anger!”

“Remember, the Seven Clans… no, the Six Clans now, must stand united. Otherwise, neither the court nor the Upper Three Clans will be easy to contend with.

It would be a great loss if the mistakes of a junior were to sow discord between our two families.”

As Wang Qinglin had predicted, Wen Tianchong had come to apologize and make amends.

While speaking, he presented the black wooden box containing Wen Ruli’s severed head, placing it before Wang Qinglin.

“Well, Brother Tianchong, I must say you act with remarkable decisiveness.”

Casting a cold glance at the box and the gruesome contents within, Wang Qinglin smirked faintly, his expression unreadable.

“Ah, what else could I do? It was the recklessness of a disciple who brought disaster upon us all. I had no choice but to resort to this.”

“So, tell me, Brother Qinglin, has your anger subsided?” Wen Tianchong asked with a strained smile.

“With you taking such measures, what else is there for me to say?”

“Haha! Brother Qinglin, your understanding is truly admirable.”

Hearing Wang Qinglin’s response, Wen Tianchong exhaled in relief. The heavy stone weighing on his heart finally lifted.

“Brother Qinglin, there are still many matters in my clan that require my attention. When time permits, let us sit down and reminisce in private.”

“Zhongtian, see our guests out.”

“Brother Qinglin, there’s no need to be so formal!” Wen Tianchong quickly interjected, waving his hand.

“Well then, Brother Tianchong and your companions, take care.”

“Brother Qinglin, we bid you farewell!”

Yuncang County

In a small courtyard shaded by willows, Yun Yantian lay leisurely beneath the trees, toying with a jade pendant in his hands. The pendant had been taken from Wang Liyuan’s storage pouch, though its true nature remained a mystery.

The jade felt warm and smooth to the touch, faintly exuding spiritual energy. When worn, it seemed to invigorate the mind, improve clarity of vision, and subtly nourish the body.

“Brother.”

Yun Yanshuang entered the courtyard and spotted her elder brother reclining on a chair, absently fiddling with the pendant. She greeted him with a playful smile.

“Why are you back so late?”

Yun Yantian rose, pouring a cup of hot tea for his sister.

“I got held up on the way back—I heard some interesting news.”

As she took a seat and sipped the tea, Yun Yanshuang’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

“What news?”

“Wang Liyuan is dead.”

“Hah! That’s what you call news?”

Yun Yantian’s interest visibly waned as he lazily reclined back into his chair.

“I know you killed him. But do you know what happened in Tongshan County after you killed Wang Liyuan?”

Her tone carried a mysterious edge as she looked at her brother.

“What happened? Don’t tell me Wang Liyuan isn’t dead after all.”

Yun Yantian dismissed her words with an indifferent wave.

“Not quite. After Wang Liyuan’s death, Wang Qinglin, the Wang Clan’s patriarch, went on a rampage. He unleashed chaos throughout Tongshan County, slaughtering rogue cultivators left and right. Many perished in the bloodbath.

Even among the Upper Three Clans and the other six families, several gifted cultivators with spiritual roots lost their lives.

I’ve heard that Ye Xiaomo and Wen Ruli were among the dead as well.

This incident has further deepened the animosity between the Three Clans and the Six Families. Their ongoing feuds will likely persist, giving our Yun Clan plenty of opportunities to grow amidst their turmoil.”

“Hah! Now that’s unexpected.”

“Wasn’t this all part of your plan, Brother?”

“What plan? I simply wanted to kill Wang Liyuan because his luck was too strong. He would have become a serious obstacle to our clan’s growth and development in the future.

As for what happened after his death, I hadn’t thought much about it.”

“But I must admit, Wang Qinglin is far more ruthless and decisive than Wang Qingshan ever was. To recklessly slaughter so many rogue cultivators and even kill the spiritual-rooted disciples of the Three Clans… he’s made quite the enemy for himself!”

“Indeed.”

“So, did the Upper Three Clans retaliate against Wang Qinglin?”

“They didn’t. I’ve heard that Master Li and others intervened to mediate, temporarily defusing the conflict.

But it’s only a temporary truce.

Right now, neither the Three Clans nor the Seven Families are as strong as they once were. Neither side wants to continue the fight and risk further depleting their luck and foundations.

For now, they’ll quietly bide their time, building their strength. When the day comes, they’ll settle accounts with each other once and for all.”