Destroy Their Heritage, Seize Their Wealth!

The Luotian Association had moved swiftly. Yet someone had moved even faster. Namely, the Li family of the Qinhua River! By the break of dawn, Mount Tanqiu was already in ruins, enveloped in blood and flames. Sword in hand, Li Yingzhang let his aura of Qi Refining Great Perfection radiate outward without restraint. Facing the cultivators gathering from all directions as news spread, he showed no fear, leveling his blade across. "A debt of vengeance repaid, an old grudge settled!" "Today, our Qinhua Li clan obliterates the Hu family on Mount Tanqiu." "From this day forth, all enmities and grievances are wiped clean!" The onlookers were all stunned. When everyone was dead, of course all enmities were wiped clean. Yet no one voiced any protest. The Qinhua River Li family was already wealthy and powerful; even with Li Jinhuang's passing, their clan still numbered over a hundred Qi Refining cultivators. Li Yingzhang himself had been at Qi Refining Perfection for years, his battle prowess formidable. Now they had even allied with Danxia Peak's Luotian Association! Moreover, they marched under a justified banner, so this could hardly be called indiscriminate slaughter. Who would bother to intervene? Naturally, no one dared to meddle or speak out. As the crowd remained silent, a shout suddenly came from the rear: "The Luotian Association has launched a counteroffensive!" "What?" The crowd was astonished. A loose cultivator immediately asked in haste, "What counteroffensive? Against whom? Who made a move?" The Qi Refining loose cultivator who brought the news had not even caught his breath before shouting with wild excitement: "Against the factions of those Foundation Establishment cultivators who targeted the Luotian Association yesterday, of course!" "Early this morning, large numbers of cultivators mobilized at Danxia Peak. Right at dawn, over two hundred men set out, splitting into two routes heading toward the Danyuan Sect and Tianying Peak!" "I don't know who is leading each force, but there are definitely Foundation Establishment True Cultivators from the Luotian Association among them!" Having rattled off this long string of words in one breath, he gasped heavily for air. The loose cultivators exchanged glances in disbelief. "Was it not enough for the Fire Spirit Lord to kill their Foundation Establishment ancestors? He wants to wipe them out down to the last root?" "What Fire Spirit Lord? Senior Luo Chen ought to be called by that refined Daoist title, Loose Cultivator Qinhua!" "That's not the point!" A loose cultivator glared sideways and gasped in shock. "If the Fire Spirit Lord acts like this, isn't he afraid of punishment from the immortal city's law enforcement squad?" "It's Loose Cultivator Qinhua!" Someone nearby explained, "Now that the immortal city has changed hands, the law enforcement squad does nothing. Besides, this isn't causing trouble inside the city. One can only say that Senior Fire Spirit Lord tolerates no grit in his eyes; if someone infringes upon him, he naturally pays them back ten- or a hundredfold." "It's Loose Cultivator Qinhua!" "Shut your mouth! He has a whole sect and faction—what kind of loose cultivator is he?!" The late Qi Refining loose cultivator who spoke earlier cursed, and the other, limited by a lower cultivation level, could only shrink back. The loose cultivator's eyes shone with excitement. "A single association launching an offensive against two great factions simultaneously—now that's a grand spectacle! I must go witness it." "The Danyuan Sect isn't far from here, just a few dozen li away. We'll be there in no time. Let's head there first!" "Let's go together! Together!" Losing all interest in Mount Tanqiu, the loose cultivators immediately set off toward the closest Danyuan Sect. On Mount Tanqiu, Li Yingjun walked over to her elder brother, sword in hand. "Big Brother, should we go help the Luotian Association?" Li Yingzhang shook his head, looking calm and steady. "No need." "But Senior Luo helped us so much." Li Yingzhang said coolly, "Going there would only get in the way. Senior Luo has his own calculations. Besides, when he needs help, he will notify me, and I certainly will not refuse!" At this point, his gaze fell on Yuan Dongsheng in the distance, who was directing people in seizing the Hu family's assets. "Little Sister, later take seventy percent of all the resources we've seized, along with every book related to the Dao of Alchemy, and give them to your husband. Have him take them back to present to Senior Luo." Li Yingjun said in surprise, "Seventy percent? That much?" "You should be complaining that it's too little!" Li Yingzhang said mildly. Li Yingjun froze, then suddenly understood. She was already married to Yuan Dongsheng, which meant she stood on the side of the Luotian Association. In whatever she did and said, she should consider the Luotian Association's interests. Moreover, the more wealth she brought back, the higher Yuan Dongsheng's standing within the Luotian Association would become, which would in turn bind the Li family, as their in-laws, even closer to the association. Her elder brother was giving her a subtle pointer. Taking a deep breath, she nodded firmly. "Thank you for the guidance, Big Brother. I understand." Li Yingzhang managed a faint smile and looked back at the devastated Mount Tanqiu. A fine mountain of fragrant sandalwood—how had it been run into such ruins? Three Foundation Establishment cultivators in a single clan? In the end, it was nothing more than fuel on a roaring fire, brocade embroidered with blossoms—a brittle illusion of prosperity. In contrast, an organization like the Luotian Association was on the true path! Powerhouses kept emerging within its ranks, and its external business grew ever more flourishing. If the Luotian Association's campaign succeeded this time and they seized and digested the wealth left behind by their enemies, their strength would undoubtedly soar once again. 'Our Li family must cling tightly to this thigh!' ... Mount Yuanhe. It could hardly be called a lofty peak, rising only about a thousand meters, far from comparable to Danxia Peak. Yet because the Danyuan Sect was situated here, the mountain had gained a modest renown. Over the years, countless cultivators had come and gone. Dan Yuanzi had formed wide connections, and Foundation Establishment True Cultivators frequently visited. Since Dan Yuanzi was personally slain by Li Jinhuang yesterday and perished at the Qinhua River, panic had gripped the Danyuan Sect. Still, as a minor sect that had endured for over two hundred years, it was not without seasoned, prudent figures. Early this morning, they had invited a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator who had shared a good rapport with Dan Yuanzi in life. "Senior Shen, we must rely on you this time." The speaker was the Danyuan Sect's Elder of Instruction. Over a hundred years old and possessing deep cultivation, he stood at the Qi Refining Great Perfection. Yet due to his advanced age, his vitality and blood had long since decayed. Forcing an attempt at Foundation Establishment would very likely result in his death during the breakthrough, which was why he had hesitated for years, remaining trapped at this bottleneck. His only remaining hope was to nurture enough disciples to repay the minor sect that had raised and nurtured him. Now, the Danyuan Sect had offended the Luotian Association. To protect their heritage, he had paid a hefty price to invite a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator—Shen Gongyi! Shen Gongyi stroked his beard and smiled slightly. "Rest easy, rest easy!" "Ever since that Luotian Association arrived in Tianlan, they have offended countless fellows in order to seize the pill market." "They can barely protect themselves as it is, so how would they dare attack the Danyuan Sect?" The Elder of Instruction offered a strained smile. "Let us hope so!" Just as the two were speaking, a disciple rushed inside in a panic. "Disaster! It's a disaster!" The Elder of Instruction's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly asked, "What is it?" With a tearful face, the disciple cried, "Ten li away, a large force is flying toward our Danyuan Sect! Someone saw that the leading flying boat is flying the banner of the Luotian Association!" They had come! The Elder of Instruction's face drained of color. Instinctively, he looked toward Shen Gongyi with pleading eyes. "Senior..." "No need to panic!" Shen Gongyi raised a hand and said with a smile, "Do you know who leads the force? Is it that Fire Spirit Lord?" In just a day and a night, Luo Chen's new Daoist titles had spread throughout Tianlan through the mouths of countless loose cultivators. Among those many titles, "Fire Spirit Lord" had won the recognition of the majority. Superb Daoist arts, vast spiritual energy far exceeding cultivators of the same realm, and a mastery of fire-attribute spells of unmatched might! Furthermore, Luo Chen honored his promises and upheld righteousness, forcefully shielding the Qinhua Li family while surrounded by powerful foes. He carried the noble demeanor of ancient gentlemen! Thus, to his "Fire Spirit," meddlesome cultivators had appended "Lord" to express their respect. Hearing Shen Gongyi's question, the disciple was momentarily stunned. He quickly realized that Fire Spirit Lord referred to Luo Chen. He shook his head at once. "No, the Foundation Establishment cultivator leading them is Wang Yuan. It's said he was the former master of the Luotian Association's War Hall, exceptionally skilled in combat!" As long as it wasn't the Fire Spirit Lord! "Tch, what use is being good at fighting?" Shen Gongyi scoffed. Amid their panic, he said with supreme confidence, "I have heard of this man. He achieved Foundation Establishment barely two years ago—hardly a true powerhouse." The Elder of Instruction said worriedly, "Yet rumors say he slew Cao Yunchun and Lu Rong in head-on battle!" "Cao Yunchun was nothing more than a loose cultivator; I too could wipe him out with ease!" Shen Gongyi snorted lightly. "As for that Lu Rong, he was a disgrace to our kind. Instead of practicing proper Daoist arts, he greedily sought the rapid progress of body refinement, only to end up neither fish nor fowl. He can hardly be considered formidable." Hearing him speak so dismissively, the Elder of Instruction could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. Cupping his hands, he said, "In that case, I must ask Senior Shen to block the invading enemy on our Danyuan Sect's behalf." "Naturally! I, Shen Gongyi, am known for my devotion to righteousness. If that Fire Spirit Lord could protect a friend's family, then I, Shen Gongyi, can certainly protect the legacy of my dear friend Dan Yuanzi!" His words were impassioned and exceedingly generous. Yet under the Elder of Instruction's expectant gaze, he looked down with a half-smile. "Once I repel the invading foe, your previous promise had better not be empty words!" The Elder of Instruction's expression turned solemn. "We will not disappoint Senior." "Our Danyuan Sect has two first-rank alchemists, both personally trained by our sect master and deeply accomplished." "With them here, the Danyuan Sect will surely refine pills for Senior's clan free of charge for ten years!" Shen Gongyi nodded in satisfaction. His demands were not excessive. All he wanted was for those two alchemists, backed by the Danyuan Sect's resources, to refine pills for his clan free of charge for ten years. As for ten years later? By then, the Danyuan Sect would likely have withered under the drain and fallen into ruin! When that time came, he could swallow up their alchemy heritage fair and square. For now, he did not possess the appetite or means to support so many mouths. Just as they finished speaking, an uproar rose from outside. Under the direction of the Danyuan Sect's stalwarts, the mountain-protecting grand array was already rising. The enemy had arrived! Shen Gongyi exited the hall and immediately turned his gaze beyond the mountain. In an instant, his expression froze. "So many people?" Someone beside him hurriedly explained, "It's not as many as it looks. The main force of the Luotian Association is only around a hundred cultivators; the rest are loose cultivators who rushed over to watch." Hearing this, Shen Gongyi let out a sigh of relief. He glanced around and still cautioned, "With so many onlookers, beware of opportunists trying to loot a burning house. Do not lower your guard on the grand array. Wait until I send that Wang Yuan packing." "Understood, Senior!" Having received a satisfactory response, he rode a cloud and stepped outside Mount Yuanhe. As he flew, his eyes remained fixed on the seven-foot-tall man standing atop the flying boat. Clad in coarse hemp clothes, his hands clasped behind his back, he appeared to carry the air of a grandmaster. Yet his gleaming bald head added a touch of fierce brutality. 'Wang Yuan, newly entered Foundation Establishment, specialized in body refinement.' 'His slaying of Cao Yunchun was only after the Fire Spirit Lord heavily wounded the man.' 'His slaying of Lu Rong occurred because Lu Rong's body refinement was flawed, allowing Wang Yuan to suppress him at his own game.' 'In yesterday's battle, his spiritual energy was heavily depleted. Even with an abundance of second-rank Qi-Recuperating Pills, he could have recovered at most ten percent of his spiritual energy.' 'Furthermore, I happen to have a supreme-grade Tianluo Net in hand. Overcoming hardness with softness, he is no match for me!' Numerous thoughts flickered through his mind. Shen Gongyi came to a halt a hundred zhang from Wang Yuan. Cupping his hands in a bow, he said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, I am Shen Gongyi. Greetings." Wang Yuan stared at him coldly, uttering just two words: "Step aside!" Shen Gongyi's expression shifted slightly. In front of so many spectators, the man had treated him with such blunt disrespect. Suppressing the rage in his chest, he said in a deep voice, "Dan Yuanzi was indeed in the wrong originally, but he is already dead. Why must you press for total extermination?" Even as he spoke, Wang Yuan raised his hand. "I will say this one last time." "Step aside!" A perilous aura gradually permeated the air. Shen Gongyi's eyelids twitched violently. Opening his mouth, he said, "In all my years of cultivating in Tianlan Immortal City, I have never seen anyone as overbearing as you!" "Do you truly believe that lucking into killing two Foundation Establishment cultivators allows you to swagger wherever you please?" "Today, this old man shall teach you a lesson!" As he spoke, he flung out a fishing net from his hand. Initially minuscule, the net expanded against the wind, swelling to a dozen meters across in the blink of an eye. It was none other than his signature dharma artifact, the Tianluo Net! Facing this move, Wang Yuan's expression did not change in the slightest. Of his raised right hand, four fingers curled inward, leaving a single finger pointing obliquely from afar. Vaguely, Wang Yuan seemed to have grasped an insight. Blood and vitality surged throughout his body, finally condensing into a terrifying force. Blood God Tribulation Finger! "Go!" Under the watchful eyes of the multitude, a blood-colored star tore through the void. A hundred zhang away, Shen Gongyi scoffed. A body cultivator attacking from such distance—did he take him for a stationary target? Mobilizing his spiritual energy, he maneuvered his flying sword. Just as that blood-red star was about to pierce between his brows, he dodged by the narrowest of margins. A strand of hair drifted lightly downward. 'I was careless—nearly caught by that! Who would have thought it could be so fast?' 'Still, does this Wang Yuan know nothing of combat?' 'Who opens an engagement with a finishing move?' 'Had he unleashed this in the midst of intense combat, at such speed, I would have ended up dead or heavily wounded!' Having dodged that blood light, Shen Gongyi felt a lingering dread. Yet a smile immediately surfaced on his face. Because right before his eyes, the Tianluo Net had already engulfed Wang Yuan. Trapped within the net, the man was a turtle caught in a jar! Shen Gongyi brought his fingers together like a sword, preparing to direct his flying sword to severely wound Wang Yuan. Kill him? He dared not. Since that Fire Spirit Lord Luo Chen dared send his men on a counteroffensive against the Danyuan Sect, he was clearly a man of tooth for tooth, blood for blood. If he merely wounded Wang Yuan heavily, there would still be room to maneuver. Yet before the flying sword could launch, he caught sight of the sneer playing across Wang Yuan's lips. "Hm?" In the next instant! *Chhh!* Shen Gongyi's expression twisted violently as a gleam of blood light pierced through his body from behind. The horrific force tore a gaping hole through his lung. "Urgh..." Looking down, he stared in disbelief at the puncture through his body. His dharma robe had failed to provide the slightest defense. If this strike had hit his heart, or his head... Seeing Wang Yuan raise his right hand once more, without another word, he leaped onto his flying sword and fled for his life. He did not even pause to retrieve his Tianluo Net. "Senior Shen!" "Senior Shen!" Within Mount Yuanhe, the Danyuan Sect's stalwarts looked on in utter bewilderment. By the time they came to their senses and cried out desperately, the man paid them no heed, intent only on flight. Wang Yuan casually ripped off the Tianluo Net draped over him. "A fine dharma artifact indeed, possessing the miraculous effect of binding the body and sealing spiritual energy. Yet I rely on the power of qi and blood; against me, its efficacy is greatly reduced." Stowing the Tianluo Net, Wang Yuan walked step by step toward Mount Yuanhe. Under the terrified gazes of countless onlookers, he slowly drew back his right elbow, boundless qi and blood gathering in his palm, which was as broad as a cattail-leaf fan. Luo Chen had commanded: Destroy their heritage, seize their wealth! Under the rapt attention of all, Wang Yuan exhaled sharply, unleashing a titanic palm force that blasted through the air. "Break!"