53: Chapter 53 The Death of Jiang Wenzhou

Xie Wantang supported her fragrant cheek, pondering for a moment before agreeing: "Since Husband Xu feels there is danger, then there is no reason for Tanger not to believe you. We will return immediately."

"This place is too conspicuous. Let's go elsewhere. Without the Talisman Explosion River Roar, we can just use the light-crossing boat to cross the river."

"Everything shall be as Husband Xu says."

Fifteen minutes later, at a remote riverbank, a light-crossing boat slowly set off.

"Damn it!"

Ding Zhengxiang, monitoring the two from a great distance, cursed under his breath.

He had been eyeing Xu Changsheng from the moment the latter returned to the ningguang boat.

However, because there were many Loose Cultivators present, it was difficult to strike.

Later, Xie Wantang arrived.

"It's hard to move. I still have to pick up Fellow Daoist Jiang. Forget it, I can't handle this myself. I must go back and discuss it further with Fellow Daoist Chen."

Meanwhile.

Deep within the dense forest.

A haggard figure stood in confrontation with the Loose Cultivators who had just come from the ningguang boat.

The Loose Cultivators, who had been arrogant and unruly just a moment ago, were now terrified out of their wits.

"What is this thing? How terrifying!"

"It's a Foundation Establishment Stage evil Cultivator. Why wasn't he noticed by the Seniors?"

"Don't kill me! I worked so hard to save up a few Spirit Stones to come here for treasure. I'll go back right now!"

The haggard figure emitted Death Qi from its entire body; it was actually a white bone skeleton.

Yet, it could produce a raspy voice.

"Jie jie jie."

"Your Divine Soul and flesh all belong to this seat."

"Ah!"

"No!"

Following several screams, a few Loose Cultivators fell to the ground.

With its bone hand placed on their foreheads, their expressions instantly shifted from extreme terror to extreme agony, their faces contorted hideously.

"Jie jie, an Earth-grade Spiritual Root Cultivator has actually come. That's a great tonic; one is worth dozens."

In the distance.

Xu Changsheng looked back.

"What's wrong, Husband Xu?"

"There seems to be some movement over there."

"Yes, I seem to have heard it too. Fortunately, Husband Xu was alert and saved Tanger's life once again."

Xu Changsheng patted her shoulder and walked to the stern of the boat: "Between us, there is no need for such words."

He looked toward the mountains with a hint of hope.

"I hope it can take out Jiang Wenzhou."

...

Half an hour later.

Xiao Tongguang was dozing in a temporary camp.

He suddenly woke up with a start and picked up a Recording Stone.

"Sect Head Junior Martial Uncle, what's wrong?"

The Recording Stone displayed a grand hall, where an old man sat on a high platform, utterly furious: "Nephew Jiang is dead!"

"How can that be?"

Xiao Tongguang turned pale with fright and stood up abruptly.

"It shouldn't be. According to calculations, he shouldn't have reached the other side long ago."

"What do you mean 'shouldn't be'? His Life Tablet in the Sect has already shattered!"

"Ah!"

The thing Xiao Tongguang feared most had finally happened. He quickly called over the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Upon hearing the bad news.

Xie Chengming knelt halfway on the ground in disbelief, his arms trembling involuntarily.

Xiao Tongguang shifted all the blame onto him.

"Fellow Daoist Xie, Nephew Jiang was originally coming back. It's all because you urged him to go over again. It's all your fault!"

"What? Fellow Daoist Xie did it?"

Xie Chengming was horrified: "Fellow Daoist Xiao, how can you slander me like this!"

Xiao Tongguang brought up the matter of the River Roar.

At that time, he had tried to dissuade Jiang Wenzhou, who had just made a perilous return, from crossing the river again, but Xie Chengming had spoken up to support the latter's stubbornness.

"Is that not the case? Was what I said wrong?"

Hearing this, Xie Chengming collapsed to the ground, muttering to himself: "I didn't... I was just following Nephew Jiang's wishes. I had no intention of urging him."

Seeing this scene.

Fourth Disciple and Lai Mingyuan also put on expressions of grief at the appropriate time, but inwardly they were secretly delighted.

The latter went without saying; Jiang Wenzhou had already become a heavy mountain pressing on the Lai Family's heart.

The former's Yellow Ox Immortal City, although on decent terms with the Chixiao Sect, was ultimately one of two giants in competition; the weakening of the other's strength was always a good thing for them.

The Golden Core Elder of the Chixiao Sect heard them shifting responsibility to each other and couldn't help but rebuke them:

"Shut up! Elder Xiao, do not try to shift the blame here. If you don't find the killer, then prepare to face Junior Brother Jiang's wrath!"

Jiang Junjie was indeed Jiang Wenzhou's master. He had an extremely fiery temper and had picked the latter up from the Beggar Gang, treating him like his own son.

Xiao Tongguang was at a loss for words: "I... fine."

"And you, Fellow Daoist Xie, if this matter isn't handled well, your Xie Family will be removed from the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

The light screen seemed to have exhausted its spiritual energy, and the image vanished abruptly.

"Ah!"

Xie Chengming could no longer even stay seated; he slumped backward, paralyzed on the ground.

He had thought he would rise to greatness with the winner, but he never expected to fall to the bottom of the valley in just a few short hours.

"I'm back! Is there anyone else who wants to cross the river?"

A shout came; it turned out the Ferryman had returned.

Xiao Tongguang and Fourth Disciple glanced at each other and stepped forward in tacit agreement.

Recalling the ningguang boat they had seen in the mirage, and the fact that even a top-tier Qi Refining Disciple like Jiang Wenzhou had fallen.

"Something must have changed on the other side. There is Foundation Establishment level combat power!"

Both boarded the boat.

One wanted to seek the truth behind Jiang Wenzhou's death.

The other was going to the opposite bank to protect his two Disciples.

Within a short while.

Only the two Clan Chiefs of the Xie and Lai families remained in place.

"Pfft!"

A sudden burst of laughter rang out.

Xie Chengming shouted angrily: "Fellow Daoist Lai, what are you laughing at?"

Lai Mingyuan couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth: "Nothing, I just thought of something happy."

"No! You're just gloating! I'm going to report this to the upper Sect."

Lai Mingyuan completely lost his composure: "Go ahead and say it! See if they believe your one-sided story or the fact that Jiang Wenzhou has fallen!"

"Hahaha!"

Arrogant laughter echoed incessantly.

At this moment, Xie Chengming finally received a message from Xie Wantang: "Uncle, I have already started the return journey with Guest Official Xu."

His expression jolted.

"Why aren't you with Nephew Jiang?"

"Tanger hasn't seen him!"

"Nonsense! Instead of being with your fiancé, why are you always bringing this deadweight along?"

"He is not a deadweight; he is the mainstay of the Xie Family."

"You brat, you're getting more and more insolent. I'm telling you, Jiang Wenzhou, whom you rely on, has just fallen!"

"..."

"Why aren't you speaking? Sigh, you've experienced too little. Don't be afraid, Uncle will handle this well."

There was still no reply, so he had to end the communication.

Then he looked fiercely at Lai Mingyuan, who was clutching his stomach and laughing nearby.

Without using any magic power, he lunged forward.

Not sensing any spiritual fluctuations, Lai Mingyuan was caught off guard and allowed him to close in.

"Clan Chief, watch out!"

The Lai Family Disciples nearby noticed something was wrong.

But it was too late.

"Crack!"

His hands and feet were firmly pinned.

"What are you doing?"

There was no reply. Xie Chengming's skin turned red and suddenly swelled, his entire body becoming scalding hot!

"No, you're going to self-detonate!"