44: Chapter 44 The fish has taken the bait, and the two sides are locked in a standoff.

Sure enough, just as Sect Master Qiu Changtian of the Yuheng Sect was preparing to head to the Wusheng Sect to demand an explanation, he received another piece of news.

“You're saying that fellow Xiao Fubai has already left the Wusheng Sect for Lingtian City?” He looked down at Grand Elder Xu Shan, his brow suddenly furrowing.

Xu Shan nodded and said in a heavy voice, “Sect Master, according to the news sent back by our hidden mole within the Wusheng Sect, that is indeed the case.”

Qiu Changtian fell silent for a moment, and then a cold light flashed in his eyes.

“It seems Xiao Fubai is afraid that I would directly go after their Fourth Elder, Liu Yan, and cause the Wusheng Sect to lose a major general, so he intentionally moved a step ahead of me! Humph, he certainly planned it well.”

“However, this is also fine! Since he has personally come to Lingtian City, I shall see in front of his very face whether it is true, as rumored in Lingtian City, that Liu Yan killed Elder Yue Qianfeng!”

At this moment, Grand Elder Xu Shan looked somewhat hesitant, his lips moving as if he wanted to speak but stopped himself.

“What is it, Grand Elder? Do you have something else to say?” Qiu Changtian's gaze fell upon Xu Shan.

Xu Shan pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, “Sect Master, as far as I know, Liu Yan is only at the fourth level of the Xiaoyao Heavenly Realm, while Junior Brother Yue had already stepped into the fifth level many years ago. By common logic, it is absolutely impossible for Liu Yan to be Junior Brother Yue's opponent, let alone... kill him.”

“I feel this matter is quite suspicious. Could this be someone secretly setting a trap, wanting our Yuheng Sect and the Wusheng Sect to completely tear each other apart?”

“You suspect the Beiji Royal Family is behind this?” Qiu Changtian's eyes narrowed slightly, flashing with a cold light.

Xu Shan nodded. “Exactly. It is not impossible. If they can incite a bloody war between our two Sects, the Beiji Royal Family can sit back and reap the rewards.”

To his surprise, after Grand Elder Xu Shan finished sharing his view, Qiu Changtian actually laughed instead.

A trace of mockery appeared on his face.

“Grand Elder! In truth, regardless of whether the Beiji Royal Family is behind it, Elder Yue Qianfeng ultimately died at the hands of Liu Yan. Since that's the case, Liu Yan must pay with his life! As for the Beiji Royal Family...”

Qiu Changtian slowly stood up, and the majestic aura of a ninth-level Xiaoyao Heavenly Realm expert filled the entire Sect Master's Hall.

“Do you really think the Beiji Royal Family has the courage to intentionally provoke an irreconcilable conflict between my Yuheng Sect and the Wusheng Sect?”

“Hmph! They don't have the guts!”

“Lest you forget, that Old Ancestor of their royal lineage failed to force a breakthrough half a year ago and suffered a backlash. It's uncertain if he can even survive this year. Under such conditions, it's already good enough if they can preserve themselves; would they still think of plotting against our two Sects?”

“This...” Hearing this, Xu Shan opened his mouth but ultimately did not continue speaking.

He naturally knew a thing or two about the serious injury of the royal Old Ancestor that Qiu Changtian mentioned, even though the Beiji Royal Family had been keeping it a secret.

But for some reason, he always had a faint sense of unease in his heart.

Qiu Changtian was clearly somewhat impatient and waved his hand. “Enough! As for other doubts, I will ask that fellow Xiao Fubai face-to-face and clarify everything! You stay and guard the Sect, keep the Disciples in check. Without my command, no one is to move!”

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished from outside the Yuheng Sect's main peak hall, heading straight toward Lingtian City.

...

At this time, in Lingtian City, not far from the Zuixiang Building, inside a very ordinary-looking small courtyard.

Xia Jin lay lazily on a grand armchair, playing with a coarse porcelain teacup in his hand, seemingly enjoying the sun leisurely.

But using his Spiritual Perception, he was observing every move of Liu Yan.

Suddenly, the hand that was holding the teacup paused.

A powerful aura descended upon the Zuixiang Building!

He 'saw' the figure of a burly middle-aged man appear out of thin air inside Liu Yan's room.

Liu Yan, who had been restless in the room, trembled all over the moment this man appeared and bowed without hesitation.

Xia Jin's eyes narrowed, and he thought to himself, “This person is likely the Sect Leader of the Wusheng Sect, Xiao Fubai, isn't he? He certainly came quickly.”

Then, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

The fish has taken the bait.

But Xia Jin soon frowned again because the other protagonist had not yet appeared.

“The timing... is still missing that last bit of heat.”

However, his worry did not last long.

Just an hour later, another figure appeared in the sky above Lingtian City!

An aura no less powerful than Xiao Fubai's descended before the gates of the Zuixiang Building.

Before the newcomer's figure even fully appeared, an angry roar exploded over the entire street: “Xiao Fubai! Get the hell out here!”

Countless cracks appeared on the glazed tiles of the Zuixiang Building, and some even fell directly from the eaves.

Seeing several people injured by the falling debris, the commoners and street vendors on the street immediately fled the area.

Xia Jin stood up directly from the armchair, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

They're here! Both protagonists of his plan have finally arrived!

“Sect Master Qiu, what a great temper you have.” Xiao Fubai led Liu Yan out of the Zuixiang Building, facing the bristling Qiu Changtian from a distance.

Qiu Changtian didn't bother with nonsense, his gaze falling on Liu Yan. “Was it you who killed Elder Yue Qianfeng?”

The terrifying pressure of the ninth-level Xiaoyao Heavenly Realm crushed directly toward Liu Yan!

Liu Yan instantly felt a chill.

“Hmph!” Xiao Fubai snorted coldly and casually flicked his sleeve. A surge of immense Qi gushed out, easily dispersing the pressure applied by Qiu Changtian into nothingness.

“Qiu Changtian, if you have something to say, say it. Don't start throwing your weight around. Do you take me, this Sect Leader, for a non-entity?”

He stood in front of Liu Yan, a hint of mockery on his face. “I have already clarified the reason. It was your Yuheng Sect's Yue Qianfeng who first slaughtered twenty-three members of my Wusheng Sect's Elder Liu's clan. Elder Liu came seeking revenge; a life for a life is only natural and right! What is improper about it?”

“What, as the grand Sect Master of a Sect, are you also so unreasonable?”

“Natural and right?”

Qiu Changtian acted as if he had heard a massive joke, his eyes becoming incredibly cold.

“Hmph! Xiao Fubai, do you think the lowly lives of those ants are worthy of being compared to the life of an Elder of my Yuheng Sect? Today, hand this Liu Yan over to me to pay with his life, and this matter shall be settled!”

“Settled?” Xiao Fubai looked at him as if he were an idiot. “Qiu Changtian, has your brain gone muddled? To demand the life of an Elder of my Wusheng Sect right in front of me? Do you think you can touch even a hair on his head?”

Qiu Changtian's face turned completely grim. “Xiao Fubai, are you going to start a war with my Yuheng Sect for the sake of a mere Elder?”

“Hahahaha! Start a war?” Xiao Fubai grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. “Stop trying to scare me with that. If you want a war, come! My Wusheng Sect will accompany you to the end!”

“Good! Good! Good! So you intend to protect him today, but can you?” Qiu Changtian's expression instantly darkened.

He moved without any warning!

His right index finger suddenly pointed forward!

A beam of finger light shot straight toward the space between Liu Yan's eyebrows!

This finger strike was fast, ruthless, and absolute, without the slightest hesitation, clearly showing his intent to kill Liu Yan on the spot.

“You really dare to strike!” Xiao Fubai's figure blurred as he blocked the way in front of Liu Yan. His right hand formed a claw, and he fiercely grabbed at the finger light in mid-air!

“Crack!”

That terrifying finger light, which was enough to instantly kill an ordinary Xiaoyao Heavenly Realm Cultivator, was actually crushed by Xiao Fubai's bare hand!

“Come on, you old geezer, I've wanted to have a go at you for a long time!” A cruel smile appeared on Xiao Fubai's face.

As he spoke, his extremely burly body had already charged forward.

It was simple—just a single punch!

The wind from the punch caused the wall of the Zuixiang Building facing the street to explode!

Large sections of the bluestone slabs on the street were flipped into the air!

Even the outer wall of the small courtyard where Xia Jin was located collapsed in a large section instantly.