347: Chapter 341, however, became his death warrant.

Wan Leixiong spoke slowly.

His voice was hoarse, carrying a magnetic quality like metal rubbing against metal.

"Our Family was fortunate enough to obtain a piece of 'Mystic Ice Soul Iron' and a piece of 'Red Flame Flowing Gold,' both of which are rare fourth-grade treasure materials in this world."

"I thought that since Xingwang, that child, was idle all day, it wasn't a sustainable way to live."

"So, I had him take these two pieces of Ore and go on a trip to the Artifact Refining Alliance."

"Firstly, it was to broaden his horizons, and secondly, I wanted to ask the experts at the Artifact Refining Alliance to forge another fourth-grade Magic Treasure to protect our Wan Family."

"Who would have thought..."

"This was originally a wonderful Opportunity, but in the end, it became his death warrant."

At this point.

The corner of Wan Leixiong's eye twitched slightly.

It was a sign of extreme, suppressed pain.

Although he was strict with that disappointing grandson, it was, after all, a bond of blood thicker than water.

Now that the white-haired was sending off the black-haired, this feeling was difficult for even a Nascent Soul Old Monster to let go of.

Standing opposite him, Wan Shun.

At this moment, he looked grim.

Although he appeared to be only in his twenties, the Evil Qi on him was so thick it was almost tangible.

The surrounding lightning did not dare to come anywhere near him.

"Old Ancestor, this matter reeks of suspicion."

Wan Shun said, gritting his teeth.

Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a biting murderous intent.

"Although Xingwang's cultivation was piled up with Medicinal Pills, he was, after all, at the Late Golden Core Stage."

"Moreover, he had that servant, Ugly One, protecting him."

"Ordinary Cultivators wouldn't be able to get close to him at all."

"I suspect..."

Wan Shun paused.

The purple light in his eyes surged, like two sharp swords piercing the Void Realm.

"Could the murderer be that group of evil Cultivators from 'Yinfeng Mountain'?"

"Those things that are neither human nor ghost love to intercept and kill lone scions of noble families, killing for treasure and committing every evil deed."

"Furthermore, their methods are vicious, and they are extremely skilled at destroying corpses and erasing traces."

Wan Xingwang was Wan Shun's only nephew.

Although their seniority was different, their age gap was not that large.

Before Wan Shun had formed his Nascent Soul, the uncle and nephew had an excellent relationship.

Wan Xingwang often collected all sorts of strange and curious things to honor him.

Wan Shun had always kept this friendship in his heart.

Now that his nephew had died tragically and their Family treasure had been stolen, he could not swallow this anger no matter what.

However.

Upon hearing this speculation.

Wan Leixiong shook his head slightly.

He denied this seemingly reasonable conjecture.

"It cannot be Yinfeng Mountain."

Wan Leixiong said with a firm tone.

His gaze revealed a hint of the wisdom of an old schemer.

"Yinfeng Mountain is fully eighty thousand li away from here."

"Those old Devil Heads are currently busy refining the 'Ten Thousand Soul Banner' and have no time to come to this sea area."

"More importantly..."

Wan Leixiong turned around.

Looking at Wan Shun, his eyes became exceptionally sharp.

"You know about the trump cards Xingwang had for saving his life."

"In addition to those two top-grade defensive Magic Treasures, he also carried a 'Life-Substitution Thunder Talisman' that I personally refined."

"Even if he encountered a Half-Step Nascent Soul expert, even if he couldn't win, escaping would not have been a problem."

"To want to kill him in a short time, to even silence Ugly One as well, without even being able to send out a complete distress signal..."

"This is definitely not something a Half-Step Nascent Soul can do."

"Even if three or five Half-Step Nascent Soul experts joined forces, they might not be able to do it so cleanly."

Hearing this.

Wan Shun's pupils shrank violently.

A chill shot straight from the soles of his feet to his skull.

"Old Ancestor, what do you mean..."

Wan Shun's voice was a bit dry.

He had already guessed the answer, but he was unwilling to believe it.

Wan Leixiong nodded.

His expression was so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

"The murderer..."

"Is in all likelihood a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator."

"Moreover, it is very likely an old-school Nascent Soul who specializes in concealment and explosive power."

Once this conclusion was reached.

The atmosphere between the two became even more oppressive.

A Nascent Soul Cultivator.

That is an existence standing at the pinnacle of the cultivation world.

Each one is a famous hegemon of a region.

If a Nascent Soul Cultivator had made the move, then the matter would become extremely complex.

This was not just a simple case of killing for treasure.

It could very likely involve a contest between forces, or even a conspiracy targeting the Wan Family.

"How hateful!"

Wan Leixiong smashed his fist into the Void Realm.

"Bang!"

The air was compressed to the extreme, emitting a deafening explosion.

"There are too few clues now."

"The image sent back by that 'Image-Transmitting Soul Eye' is simply a fake."

"We don't even know the specific location where Xingwang fell."

"In the vast ocean, trying to find a Nascent Soul Cultivator who is intentionally hiding is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

He took a deep breath.

Forcing himself to calm down.

As the helm of the Family, he could not let anger cloud his judgment.

"We must start the investigation from the source."

Wan Leixiong said in a deep voice.

His eyes flashing with calculation.

"Besides going to the Artifact Refining Alliance, where else did Xingwang go on this trip?"

"Who did he meet?"

"Where did he stop?"

"These traces must be pieced together, bit by bit."

"The Xia Family is a Breakthrough point."

"Although Xingwang was unreliable, he had some friendship with a few of the younger generation of the Xia Family."

"Go check if he showed his face on the Xia Family's territory."

Wan Shun nodded in agreement.

But then, as if remembering something, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Old Ancestor, my eldest sister and brother-in-law have already set off."

Wan Shun said in a low voice.

His tone filled with some worry.

"I just received a transmission that the two of them have already taken a group of the Family's elites and headed straight for the Artifact Refining Alliance."

"You know my eldest sister's temper."

"Xingwang is the apple of her eye."

"Now that Xingwang is dead, she will probably tear down the Artifact Refining Alliance."

Upon hearing this.

Wan Leixiong's brows furrowed even tighter.

A hint of displeasure appeared on his face, but it was mostly a deep worry.

"How foolish!"

Wan Leixiong scolded, but his tone was not harsh.

"Although the two of them are both at the Late Golden Core Stage and can defeat ordinary Half-Step Nascent Soul experts when they work together, and could even retreat unscathed against three Half-Step Nascent Soul experts..."

"But..."

"This time the opponent is very likely a Nascent Soul Old Monster!!"

"If they really run into the murderer, are they going to throw their lives away?!"

Wan Leixiong felt a bit of frustration at their lack of success.

Although the Wan Family was large and wealthy, it could not withstand such losses.

If two more Late Golden Core Stage Cultivators were lost, the backbone of the Wan Family would be broken.

"Let's do this."

Wan Leixiong pondered for a moment and made a decision.

"You go too."

"Leave immediately and catch up with them."

"With you, a Nascent Soul Cultivator, there to oversee things, I can be more at ease."

"Remember, after you arrive at the Artifact Refining Alliance, be courteous before resorting to force."

"Do not rush into action; you must first investigate the matter clearly."

"If it really is the Artifact Refining Alliance colluding with outsiders to harm Xingwang..."

A murderous glint flashed in Wan Leixiong's eyes.

"Then don't hold back, just slaughter the Artifact Refining Alliance!"

Upon hearing this.

Wan Shun did not hesitate.

He immediately clasped his hands and accepted the order.

"Yes! Old Ancestor!"

"Shun'er will go now!"

"If that murderer dares to show his face, I will definitely make him taste my 'Purple Firmament Divine Thunder'!"

Actually.

Even if Wan Leixiong hadn't said it, Wan Shun had intended to go himself.

He would not be able to sleep or eat in peace until he caught the murderer with his own hands.

However.

Before leaving.

Wan Shun did not turn around immediately.

His gaze drifted, seemingly unintentionally, towards the core of the sea of lightning a thousand zhang away.

There.

Cyan lightning was surging crazily.

An extremely special thunder fluctuation was looming.

It was a destructive force carrying vibrant vitality.

Extremely rare.

What kind of person was Wan Leixiong?

An old fox who had lived for hundreds of years, how could he not see through Wan Shun's little scheme?

Looking at Wan Shun's eager little gaze, he couldn't help but find it amusing.

His originally heavy mood eased slightly.

"Alright, stop looking."

Wan Leixiong waved his hand, a faint smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.

"Do you think I don't know what you're thinking?"

"That's 'Green Bamboo Divine Thunder,' right?"

"For us Thunder Cultivators, this thing is a great tonic."

"Not only can it temper the Physical Body, but it can also purify Thunder Qi."

"Its efficacy is comparable to a fourth-grade top-grade Medicinal Pill."

"If this celestial phenomenon triggered by the Purple Thunder of Delusion can nurture the Green Bamboo Divine Thunder, it would be quite an Opportunity."

Hearing the Old Ancestor point it out.

A look of embarrassment appeared on Wan Shun's face.

But the yearning in his eyes could not be hidden at all.

"Old Ancestor's Wisdom Eye is like a torch."

Wan Shun said respectfully.

"Shun'er does indeed have some thoughts about this item."

"It's just that the core of the lightning sea is too violent. With Shun'er's current cultivation, if I were to forcefully break in to collect it, I fear there would be significant risks."

"So..."

He did not continue speaking, but the meaning was already very clear.

He was asking for the Old Ancestor's help.

Wan Leixiong laughed heartily, a sense of heroism rising.

"Fine, fine."

"Since you are going to handle affairs for the Family, I cannot let you run this errand for nothing."

"This natural disaster lightning storm looks like it will last at least a month before dissipating."

"There is plenty of time."

"You go and handle your business with peace of mind."

"After I rest here for a few days and recover my magic power."

"I will personally enter that lightning sea and fetch this 'Green Bamboo Divine Thunder' for you!"

"By then, even if I cannot collect the complete lightning source, getting three or five lightning beads will be a simple matter."

This was equivalent to a promise.

A promise from a great Mid Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator.

For Wan Shun, this was simply huge news.

With the Green Bamboo Divine Thunder, his cultivation would certainly be able to advance further.

There was even hope of making a Breakthrough to the Mid Nascent Soul Stage within fifty years!

"Thank you, Old Ancestor!"

Wan Shun was overjoyed.

The gloom on his face was swept away.

He bowed deeply to Wan Leixiong.

This bow was one of sincere gratitude.

"Shun'er will definitely live up to the Old Ancestor's heavy trust!"

"Not only will I find out the truth, but I will also bring back the murderer's head for the Old Ancestor to kick like a ball!"

After finishing.

Wan Shun did not linger.

His figure flickered, turning into a dazzling bolt of lightning.

Like a shooting star chasing the moon, he sped towards the direction of the Artifact Refining Alliance.

Watching Wan Shun's departing back.

The smile on Wan Leixiong's face gradually faded.

He looked back at the churning sea of lightning.

His eyes became deep and cold once again.

"An eventful autumn..."

"I hope this time, it won't drag the entire Wan Family down with it."

Five days later.

In a remote sea area less than ten thousand li away from the Wan Family.

There were no large Spiritual Veins here.

Only a few scattered small islands.

On one of the unremarkable, desolate islands.

A cyan escape light landed quietly.

The light dissipated, revealing Chen Zhiwen's plain, disguised face.

He did not immediately go deep into the island.

Instead, he hovered in mid-air, his powerful Divine Sense pouring down like mercury, instantly covering the entire small island.

"Hmm..."

Chen Zhiwen nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"There are only a few hundred Mortal fishermen on the island."

"There is no aura of any Cultivator."

"Not even a trace of weak Spiritual Qi fluctuation."

"Very good."

This is what is called "darkness under the lamp."

The most dangerous place is often the safest place.

Who would have thought that the murderer who killed the Wan Family's Young Lord would dare to hide under the very eyelids of the Wan Family's base, less than ten thousand li away?

Chen Zhiwen's figure flashed.

He flew directly into the highest peak in the center of the island.

Here, the rocks were jagged, and the vegetation was sparse.

It was rarely visited by humans.

"Zheng—"

A crisp sword hum sounded.

In Chen Zhiwen's hand appeared a long sword that looked simple and unadorned, but was actually peerlessly sharp—hidden edge.

He flicked his wrist lightly.

The sword light was like a weave, cutting through metal and jade.

The hard granite rock wall in front of him was sliced open as easily as tofu.

In just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

A temporary Immortal Cave, dozens of zhang deep with a spacious and dry interior, was carved out.

Chen Zhiwen put away his long sword.

His movements were smooth and flowing, without any hesitation.

Immediately after.

He took out a dozen Formation Flags from his storage ring.

His hands flew, casting complex incantations.

"Rise!"

With a low shout, the dozen or so Formation Flags sank into the ground according to specific positions.

A layer of faint white mist rose up, instantly enveloping the entire entrance of the Immortal Cave.

Looking from the outside, this place still looked like an ordinary rock wall, blending in with the surrounding environment.

Even if a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator scanned it with their Divine Sense, they would not be able to discover any clues.

This was a set of second-grade illusion and defensive Formations.

Although it could not block the fierce attacks of high-level Cultivators, it was more than enough for early warning and masking one's aura.

After doing all this.

Chen Zhiwen did not lower his guard.

He took out a large Puppet from his Spirit Beast bag.

It was a Demonic Arm Ice Spider, pitch-black all over, with eight ferocious walking legs.

This was a fourth-grade Puppet he had spent a large sum of money to refine.

Although its attack power was not as good as a Cultivator of the same rank, it excelled in having keen perception and not knowing fatigue.

"Go."

Chen Zhiwen gently patted the spider's cold carapace.

"Guard the entrance. If there is any movement, warn me immediately."

The Demonic Arm Ice Spider let out a low hiss.

Its eight legs moved quickly, and it silently climbed into a rock crevice above the Immortal Cave, lying in wait.

Its eight compound eyes flickered with a faint red light, staring fixedly at the surroundings.

Although maintaining this Puppet's operation required consuming several Mid-Grade Spirit Stones every day.

For ordinary Cultivators, this was definitely an unbearable amount of money.

But Chen Zhiwen did not care at all.