363: Chapter 357 concealed all the evil and conspiracy.

He seemed a bit unfamiliar with the name, yet it also sounded somewhat familiar.

“The guy who just reached the Nascent Soul Stage six months ago?”

“Precisely him.”

Wan Shun nodded.

His expression grew increasingly solemn.

“According to the monitoring Formations of the Artifact Refining Alliance.”

“After the auction ended that day,”

“Brother Xia Yu left with Wan Xingwang's group.”

“However, that Chen Zhiwen did not leave immediately.”

“He lingered within the Artifact Refining Alliance for a long time, as if waiting for something.”

“Until Brother Xia Yu and the others had completely left the market area...”

“He disappeared as well.”

“Furthermore, the direction was exactly the same.”

Hearing this.

The teacup in Old Ghost Xia's hand shattered with a “crack.”

Tea splashed everywhere, soaking his sleeves.

But he was completely oblivious to it.

“What a Chen Zhiwen!”

“What a Ten Thousand Swords Sect!”

“So it was him!”

Seeing this, Wan Shun continued to add:

“Our people also discovered a detail.”

“At the auction, that traitorous slave of the Wan Family named Ugly One,”

“seemed to have piqued Chen Zhiwen's great interest.”

“He once tried to contact Ugly One, wanting to take him by force.”

“But he was sternly refused by Wan Xingwang.”

“At that time, Wan Xingwang even seemed to have invoked Brother Xia Yu's name to pressure him.”

“Perhaps it was precisely because of this that a grudge was formed.”

This speculation was reasonable.

The logic was sound.

Everyone nodded repeatedly as they listened.

Some even began to imagine the scene in their minds.

“Not only that.”

A sharp glint flashed in Wan Shun's eyes.

“We also found out that the final buyer of that fourth-grade ore Brother Xia Yu put up for consignment at the auction...”

“...was None other than Chen Zhiwen!”

“And he paid a high price for it.”

“Therefore, we have reason to suspect.”

“This person had long since set his sights on Brother Xia Yu's wealth.”

“Murdering for treasure and taking the opportunity to loot.”

“Both for the resources behind that Ore and to vent his anger, he took the opportunity to eliminate Wan Xingwang and his servant.”

“It was killing two birds with one stone!”

“Bang!”

Old Ghost Xia finally reached the end of his patience.

He slammed his palm onto the side table next to him.

The hard pearwood instantly turned to powder.

“This is going too far!”

“This is simply pushing it too far!”

“A mere newly Advanced Nascent Soul, yet he dares to be so audacious!”

“Do you really think my Xia Family has no one left?!”

His chest heaved violently.

He was clearly enraged to the extreme.

However.

Just as everyone was filled with righteous indignation and itching to charge at the Ten Thousand Swords Sect immediately.

Wan Leixiong, sitting in the main seat, suddenly raised his hand.

Signaling for everyone to be quiet.

His face remained gloomy.

But in those eyes, sharp as a hawk's, there was a trace of deep suspicion.

“Wait.”

Wan Leixiong said in a deep voice.

His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

“This speculation seems perfect.”

“But... there are too many loopholes.”

As soon as these words were spoken.

Everyone was stunned.

Wan Shun also looked at his elder brother in confusion.

“Brother, the evidence is conclusive. What loopholes could there be?”

Wan Leixiong gave a cold laugh.

He stood up from his chair.

He paced back and forth in the hall.

With every step, the floor trembled slightly.

“First.”

“Are you not clear about the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's true nature?”

“For hundreds of years, they've been suppressed by us.”

“Barely surviving, cautious and timid.”

“Even if that Chen Zhiwen just reached the Nascent Soul Stage and gained some confidence.”

“But he hasn't lost his mind, has he?”

“For a servant, or for a few pieces of Ore.”

“He would dare to provoke both our Wan Family and the Xia Family at the same time?”

“This is not just seeking death; it's inviting a clan-exterminating disaster for the Ten Thousand Swords Sect!”

“If it were you, with your Foundation unstable after just reaching the Nascent Soul Stage, would you dare do such a stupid thing?”

Hearing this, everyone looked at each other.

Indeed.

It was too crazy.

It completely defied common sense.

Unless Chen Zhiwen was a madman.

“Second.”

Wan Leixiong stopped his pacing.

His gaze swept over the entire room.

“If he really did it.”

“Then why didn't he clean up his trail?”

“Leaving behind so many obvious clues.”

“Lingering at the Artifact Refining Alliance, bidding for Ore, fighting over a servant...”

“This is practically like intentionally dumping a bucket of filth on his own head.”

“Would a Cultivator who could reach the Nascent Soul Stage be so simple-minded?”

“Would they be so... stupid?”

This series of rhetorical questions.

Caused the atmosphere in the hall to fall into silence once more.

Wan Shun frowned and thought for a moment.

Suddenly, his eyes widened abruptly.

As if he had thought of something extremely terrifying.

His face instantly turned pale.

Even his voice trembled slightly.

“B-Brother.”

“If it wasn't Chen Zhiwen acting alone...”

“Then could it be...”

He swallowed hard.

He forced out three words.

“Crow Ridge?”

“Boom!”

As soon as those three words came out.

The entire hall instantly erupted.

A look of deep fear appeared on everyone's faces.

Even more fearful than when they heard Wan Xingwang had died.

Crow Ridge.

In this Shuangcheng Sea Region, and even within a radius of ten thousand miles,

that was the most terrifying name.

It was a Holy Land for evil Cultivators.

A den of iniquity.

Ranked among the top ten evil forces in the Shuangcheng Sea Region, their methods were cruel and their strength formidable.

Every evil Cultivator within was a monster that had crawled out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

“Crow Ridge...”

Old Ghost Xia's mouth twitched.

A hint of wariness flashed in his eyes.

“If it's them...”

“Then things are going to be troublesome.”

“If the Ten Thousand Swords Sect really colluded with those lunatics...”

The Wan Family and Crow Ridge had a blood feud.

Decades ago.

A merchant ship of the Wan Family, fully loaded with resources, was hijacked at sea.

Over three hundred people on board, None survived.

Wan Leixiong's most beloved young daughter was also on that ship.

It was said she died a horrific death, her soul extracted and her spirit refined.

This incident had always been a permanent pain in Wan Leixiong's heart,

and the Wan Family's greatest shame.

“Impossible!”

Just as everyone was terrified.

Wan Leixiong suddenly waved his hand.

Directly dismissing the speculation.

His tone was categorical.

“It absolutely cannot be Crow Ridge.”

“Why?”

Wan Shun asked, puzzled.

“Because the timing is wrong.”

Wan Leixiong narrowed his eyes.

He looked toward the north, in the direction of the Tianyang Sect.

“Don't forget.”

“The Tianyang Sect's newly Advanced Fourth-rank Great Demon was just recently invested.”

“It's exactly the time for a new official to make their mark.”

“At this time, anyone who dares to collude with evil Cultivators would be slapping the Tianyang Sect in the face.”

“That would be handing achievements to that great demon on a silver platter.”

“The old Devil Heads of Crow Ridge may be crazy, but they aren't stupid.”

“They are sharper than anyone.”

“They would never dare to show their heads at this critical juncture.”

“And they certainly wouldn't dare to cross the Tianyang Sect for the sake of a minor Ten Thousand Swords Sect.”

This analysis.

Was extremely calm and thorough.

Instantly dispelling the fear in everyone's hearts.

But at the same time, it brought new doubts.

“If it's not Crow Ridge,”

“then on what basis does Chen Zhiwen dare to do such a thing?”

“And how could he possibly kill Brother Xia Yu and Yuanhao?”

Old Ghost Xia asked with a frown.

Wan Leixiong sat back down in his chair.

His fingers lightly tapped the tabletop.

His eyes sparkled with the light of wisdom.

“Brother Xia, though your kinsman Xia Yu was not skilled in combat, his escape techniques were peerless.”

“In particular, his ‘Water Cloud Escape’ was outstanding even among those in the Early Nascent Soul Stage.”

“Killing him might not be difficult.”

“But intercepting him and giving him no chance to even flee,”

“or even send out a distress signal,”

“is absolutely not something Chen Zhiwen could do alone.”

“No matter how much of a Genius he is, it's impossible.”

Wan Leixiong held up three fingers.

And waved them in front of everyone.

“At least.”

“At least three Nascent Soul Cultivators would have to join forces and set an inescapable trap.”

“To be able to achieve this.”

“Three Nascent Souls?!”

Everyone gasped.

Where would the Ten Thousand Swords Sect get three Nascent Souls?

Counting Chen Zhiwen, there's only one... no, at most counting that Sect Master who is always elusive, there are only two.

Moreover, the Sect Master is still in seclusion attempting to break through to the Mid Nascent Soul Stage; it's impossible for him to come out.

“Brother, do you mean...”

Wan Shun seemed to understand something.

“The Ten Thousand Swords Sect... colluded with outside help?”

“Exactly.”

Wan Leixiong nodded.

His gaze became incredibly cold.

“In these nearby waters, there aren't many Nascent Soul forces.”

“Besides our two families, there's only the Wuzhen Sect, Snow Fox Island, and those few Loose Cultivator Alliances.”

“Chen Zhiwen must have used immense benefits to bribe one or two old monsters from those Nascent Soul forces.”

“It might even be that Liu Shengli from the Artifact Refining Alliance!”

“They joined forces to set a trap, and what they're plotting for isn't just those resources.”

“But rather...”

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

Wan Leixiong slowly stood up.

A majestic Aura erupted from his body.

"It is our Wan Family and the Xia Family's ten-thousand-year Foundation!"

"They want to swallow us whole!"

At this moment.

All the fog seemed to be cleared away.

The outline of a massive conspiracy emerged before everyone's eyes.

It was not a simple vendetta.

Instead, it was a long-planned reshuffling of power.

"What a huge appetite!"

Old Ghost Xia felt cold sweat running down his back, but a raging fire of anger ignited in his heart.

"Since they want to play."

"Then we will play with them to the end!"

He slammed his hand on the table.

"Brother Wan!"

"How should we fight?"

"Although my Xia Family lost a Nascent Soul Cultivator and suffered a great loss of Origin Qi."

"But our Foundation is still there!"

"As long as you say the word, my Xia Family will definitely go all out!"

"I do not believe that with the strength of our two families, we cannot crush a tiny Ten Thousand Swords Sect!"

Wan Leixiong looked at Old Ghost Xia's excited appearance.

He nodded inwardly.

This was exactly the effect he wanted.

To bind the Xia Family completely to his war chariot.

"Since Brother Xia has such determination, then it is easy to handle."

Wan Leixiong strode to a huge sea chart hanging in the center of the main hall.

He pointed heavily at it.

It was the exact location of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

"This time, we will not play any tricks."

"We will send the army to press down on the border directly!"

"With the momentum of thunder, we will crush them!"

"No matter who they have colluded with, no matter what schemes they have."

"In front of absolute power, they are all nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs!"

"Good!"

Wan Shun also shouted excitedly.

"Send the army to the border and test their true strength!"

"If they really only have Chen Zhiwen alone, then we will wipe them out directly!"

"If they truly have helpers, then we will kill the helpers along with them!"

Wan Leixiong turned around.

He looked at Old Ghost Xia with burning eyes.

"Brother Xia."

"For this operation, my Wan Family will be the main force."

"I will dispatch two Thunder Light Warships, three hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators, as well as myself and my second brother, the two Nascent Soul Cultivators."

"As for the Xia Family..."

He paused.

He seemed to be calculating the remaining combat power of the Xia Family.

"I hope you can send one small warship."

"And ten Golden Core Cultivators to assist."

"In addition, I want you to coordinate the supplies in the rear to ensure the front line's replenishment."

This request was not excessive.

One could even say it was very considerate of the Xia Family.

After all, the Xia Family had just lost a Nascent Soul Cultivator and was in a period of turmoil.

Letting Old Ghost Xia stay in the rear was also to put his mind at ease.

"No problem!"

Old Ghost Xia agreed extremely readily.

He was even somewhat impatient.

"Xia Yu was the next Family Head successor I had chosen."

"He died unclearly, and I must give him an explanation."

"I must also give the whole Family an explanation."

"If this breath is not vented, I, Old Ghost Xia, will not be able to die in peace!"

"Brother Wan, rest assured, regarding the supplies, I will definitely prepare them fully for you!"

"Even if it means emptying the Xia Family's treasury, I will not hesitate!"

"Good!"

Wan Leixiong laughed loudly.

He extended his palm.

"It is a deal!"

"In the middle of next month."

"We will set off from Kongming Island."

"We will charge straight at the Ten Thousand Swords Sect!"

"Let them know the price of angering us!"

"Clap!"

Two palms struck heavily together.

The crisp sound echoed in the main hall.

That was the horn of war.

It was also the turning point of countless people's destinies.

...

Old Ghost Xia left in a hurry.

Carrying his full fury and determination for revenge, he hurriedly left the Wan Family's station.

He rushed back to prepare supplies and mobilize manpower.

Inside the main hall.

Only the Wan Family members remained.

With the departure of the outsiders, the blood-boiling atmosphere from just a moment ago gradually cooled down.

The fanaticism on Wan Leixiong's face also disappeared.

Replacing it was deep calmness and calculation.

He sat back in his chair.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his somewhat throbbing temples.

"Family Head."

Just at this moment.

The young man who had been standing in the corner, with an imposing manner and eyes as sharp as an eagle, walked out slowly.

It was the Great Perfection Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had appeared on the mountaintop earlier.

The pride of the Wan Family's younger generation, Wan Tianying.

"What is it?"

Wan Leixiong opened his eyes.

Looking at this junior he valued the most, his eyes softened a little.

"Tianying, do you have something to say?"

Wan Tianying bowed slightly.

He performed a salute.

But his expression carried a trace of depth and doubt that did not match his age.

"Old Ancestor."

"This grandson has one thing I do not understand."

"And even... a great hidden worry."

"Speak."

Wan Leixiong waved his hand.

"There are no outsiders here, so speak freely."

Wan Tianying straightened his body.

His gaze looked directly at Wan Leixiong.

He said slowly:

"Old Ancestor analyzed everything logically just now."

"You ruled out the possibility of Chen Zhiwen acting alone, and also ruled out the Crow Ridge."

"Finally, you locked onto the Ten Thousand Swords Sect colluding with outside help."

"Everything seems seamless."

"However..."

He changed the subject.

His tone became somewhat cold.

"The premise of all these deductions is based on the Foundation that 'Xia Yu is truly dead'."

Once these words were spoken.

The expressions of Wan Shun and his wife Wan Xingyan in the main hall both changed.

Wan Leixiong's eyes also narrowed slightly.

A cold light flashed across them.

"Continue."

Wan Tianying took a deep breath.

"This grandson is thinking."

"Although we saw the soul lamp of our cousin Wan Xingwang shatter."

"But what about Xia Yu?"

"We did not see his corpse with our own eyes."

"Even whether his soul lamp shattered or not, we only heard it from Old Ghost Xia's one-sided story."

"If..."

Wan Tianying's voice lowered a few degrees.

Like the whisper of a devil.

"What if Xia Yu is not dead?"

"What if this is also part of that trap?"

"The Ten Thousand Swords Sect, the Artifact Refining Alliance... plus the Xia Family who should be the 'victim'."

"The three parties joined forces."

"To stage this bitter trick."

"The purpose is to make our Wan Family relax our vigilance, and even jump into that pit that was dug long ago."

"This..."

Wan Shun gasped.

He only felt his scalp go numb.

If this were true, then this would not be a conspiracy.

This is a chain scheme!

This is a fatal blow intended to uproot the Wan Family!

"After all, although the Xia Family has appeared to be attached to us all these years."

"But in secret, they have done plenty of small actions."

"They have been coveting our Wan Family's resources for a long time."

Wan Tianying continued to twist the knife.

Every word struck the heart.

In the main hall, silence fell once again, dead and heavy.

It was even more oppressive than before.

Even more terrifying.

After a long while.

Wan Leixiong finally spoke slowly.

His voice was very light, but it carried a bone-chilling coldness.

"Tianying, your suspicion is very reasonable."

"Old man, I have not failed to think of this point either."

"One must have a heart to guard against others."

"Especially for such a major matter concerning the survival of the Family."

He stood up.

He walked to Wan Tianying's side.

He patted his shoulder heavily.

"Therefore."

"This expedition."

"We are not just going to fight the Ten Thousand Swords Sect."

"We are also going to test the Xia Family."

"If Xia Yu is truly dead, and if the Xia Family truly exerts their full strength."

"Then naturally, everyone will be happy, and we will share the Ten Thousand Swords Sect together."

"But if..."

Killing intent flashed in Wan Leixiong's eyes.

"If the Xia Family dares to stab us in the back."

"Or if they do not put in the effort."

"Then this old man would not mind..."

"After wiping out the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, dealing with the Xia Family as well!"

"Second Brother!"

He turned his head abruptly to look at Wan Shun.

"Here!"

Wan Shun responded quickly.

"Pass down the order."

"Activate the Family's highest level of combat readiness."

"In addition, bring that 'thing' along as well."

"I want to ensure there are absolutely no mistakes!"

When Wan Shun heard this, his pupils shrank violently.

That thing?

That is the Wan Family's treasure of the clan, the trump card that must not be used unless absolutely necessary!

But he did not ask more.

He just nodded heavily.

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

Wan Leixiong stood with his hands behind his back.

He looked at the night sky outside the hall.

A cruel smile curled up at the corner of his mouth.

"Middle of next month..."

"What a truly good day for killing."

"Chen Zhiwen, Old Ghost Xia, and those rats hiding in the dark."

"Who is the hunter and who is the prey."

"Let us... wait and see!"

The night grew deeper.

Covering up all the sins and conspiracies.