Chapter 4362: Reactions from All Sides

This was Xu Feng's plan, but events unfolded differently. Wang Changsheng did not accompany Qin Zhaoming to mine the Chaotic Primordial Stone. Instead, Qin Zhaoming went with other Golden Immortal cultivators and successfully discovered Murong Yilong in contact with chaotic beasts.

They rushed back to report. On his way back, Murong Yilong was ambushed by Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. They promptly reported this to the Cao family.

The Cao family swiftly dispatched forces to eliminate the Murong family. Meanwhile, Qin Zhaoming also reported to the Jinchen Clan, who then reported to the Nangong Immortal Clan.

Qin Man was quite displeased about this incident, but since she needed Xu Feng's help, she did not pursue the matter further.

“Yanluo Palace actually has Grand Unity Golden Immortals! No wonder they are capable of cultivating Zenith Golden Immortals.”

Wang Ruyan's expression was grave.

Immortal Lord Yanluo, the master of Yanluo Palace, is a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Xu Feng, however, was unaware of how many other Grand Unity Golden Immortals the palace possessed.

Xu Feng had interacted with Immortal Lord Yanluo, but the Immortal Lord had never instructed him to engage with chaotic beasts. His tasks were limited to gathering cultivation resources and intelligence. Thus, any contact with chaotic beasts could only be attributed to Xu Feng's personal actions.

The Nangong Immortal Clan, with its long heritage, had also previously seen individuals who collaborated with chaotic beasts. However, these traitors were swiftly purged by the clan. The Kunlun Dao Ancestor had not called for the destruction of the entire Nangong Immortal Clan, as with so many junior members, the higher echelons might not have been aware of every specific action.

Consequently, even if Wang Changsheng were to leak news of Xu Feng's contact with chaotic beasts, it would have little impact on Yanluo Palace. There was, after all, no concrete evidence to prove that any Grand Unity Golden Immortal from Yanluo Palace had authorized Xu Feng to make such contact. Spreading the news might even cause Yanluo Palace to harbor resentment towards the Wang family.

The best course of action was to feign complete ignorance.

The disappearance of Xu Feng and Immortal Maiden Luoshui wasn't necessarily the Wang family's doing; Wang Changsheng had not appeared publicly. Furthermore, Wang Ruyan was ostensibly there to investigate the killer of her own descendant.

Of course, this was their personal perspective; the Grand Unity Golden Immortals of Yanluo Palace might not see it that way.

“We can only keep this a secret and hope Yanluo Palace doesn't come looking for us,” Wang Changsheng said.

Indeed, the Wang family faced numerous formidable potential adversaries, including Haotian Palace, Yanluo Palace, and the Chahar Tribe, presenting both internal and external threats.

The Chahar Tribe posed the greatest threat to the Wang family, followed by Yanluo Palace and Haotian Palace.

For the Wang family to develop and prosper, they were bound to make powerful enemies. Many events did not bend to their personal will; for instance, this time, having decided to kill Immortal Maiden Luoshui, they could not possibly have let Xu Feng escape.

Had Xu Feng been released, he would undoubtedly have reported their actions. Furthermore, Immortal Maiden Luoshui was already affiliated with Yanluo Palace and had long sought revenge against the Wang family. The Wang family could not afford to let her live, and if Yanluo Palace discovered she had been killed by them, they certainly would not tolerate it.

Regardless of the faction, Zenith Golden Immortals represented elite combat power. What's more, Immortal Maiden Luoshui was a diviner, highly skilled in the art of divination.

“To complete the act, husband, you should return first! I will continue my investigation here and personally visit the Immortal Spirit Tomb to dispel any suspicions others might have,” Wang Ruyan suggested.

If their highly nurtured descendant had indeed died in the Immortal Spirit Tomb, it would be entirely logical for Wang Ruyan to make the trip there.

Having already cultivated an immortal body, she would face no significant danger if she proceeded cautiously.

Wang Changsheng nodded, altered his appearance, and departed.

More than half a month later, news rapidly circulated throughout the Immortal Spirit Tomb: a descendant of the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple had perished there. The Wang family subsequently issued a substantial bounty, appealing to all cultivators for clues, with the highest reward being a top-grade immortal artifact.

Upon the announcement, the news quickly garnered attention, and the Su family dispatched a large number of personnel to assist in the search for clues.

Tianhe Island, Tianhe Peak.

In a secluded manor, Sword Lord Tianhe and Xu Shuo sat within a stone pavilion, leisurely sipping tea and chatting.

“What? Their descendant was murdered?” Sword Lord Tianhe asked with a frown.

“Immortal Maiden Tianqin said so. It was very sudden, with no prior warning. Reportedly, that Wang family junior hired a Zenith Golden Immortal diviner to consult on a great opportunity, and after calculating a significant fortune, he privately entered the Immortal Spirit Tomb to seek treasure, where he ultimately perished,” Xu Shuo explained.

They had been searching for Chen Ying and her two companions, but had found no trace of them.

They had considered capturing several Wang family Golden Immortals for a direct soul search but, wary of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's formidable strength, ultimately refrained from acting.

“It couldn't be that our subordinates acted without authorization and killed a core member of the Wang family, could it?” Sword Lord Tianhe mused.

“That seems unlikely! Only a select few high-ranking individuals are aware of this matter, and I've already issued a gag order to the knowing Golden Immortals. Furthermore, they've been cultivating in seclusion at the main headquarters; our subordinates would have no reason to do such a thing,” Xu Shuo stated, adding that without concrete evidence, they naturally wouldn't seek retaliation.

“If Immortal Maiden Tianqin’s descendant was indeed murdered, and it wasn’t our doing, then our enemies must be responsible. They might have learned of our suspicions about the Wang family and deliberately killed a core member to frame us. Alternatively, someone might want us to confront the Wang family, so they murdered a key member and then tried to pin the blame on us,” Sword Lord Tianhe said, his brow furrowed.

If Qin Man had been present, she would have been utterly astonished, as Sword Lord Tianhe had, in fact, deduced her plan.

“We can’t rule out that possibility; it seems plausible. If Immortal Maiden Tianqin specifically came to the Immortal Spirit Sea Region not to investigate the murder of her descendant, then she might be targeting us. But we haven't taken any action against the Wang family! Why would she come seeking us out?” Xu Shuo wondered, confused.

If Wang Ruyan was indeed lying, they couldn't possibly fathom her motive. They would never suspect that her true purpose was to deal with Immortal Maiden Luoshui, as very few people knew Immortal Maiden Luoshui was in the Immortal Spirit Sea Region.

“If it wasn’t us, it’s highly probable Yang Qing was responsible. Here’s what we’ll do: you personally travel to the Chaos Continent, find Yang Qing, and inform her of Immortal Maiden Tianqin’s purpose in coming to the Immortal Spirit Sea Region. See what she says; if it turns out she did it, we’ll have to help her clean up the mess,” Sword Lord Tianhe instructed.

Xu Shuo assented and departed to carry out the order.

The Tianhe Sword Sect dispatched numerous scouts to investigate the truth behind the Wang family junior's murder.

Chaos Continent, Chahar Mountain Range.

In a secluded underground cave, Qin Man was reporting to Qu.

“Our people have already provided clues to the disciples of both the Wang family and the Tianhe Sword Sect. Neither of them could break the formation, so they went back to find reinforcements. I estimate they are now fiercely clashing near the Seated Meditation Cave,” Qin Man said excitedly.

“Did you not send anyone to continue observing near the Seated Meditation Cave?” Qu asked.

“If our observers were discovered, the entire plan would be ruined. In any case, they’ve all gone to breach the restrictions, but couldn’t break them and have returned for reinforcements. Even if six or seven Golden Immortal cultivators join forces, they won’t be able to break the restrictions quickly. This will certainly delay things until both parties collide. Even if the high-ranking officials try to exercise restraint, I refuse to believe that Golden Immortal cultivators wouldn't be tempted by a Zenith Golden Immortal’s Seated Meditation Cave. They will definitely fight fiercely, and the more who die, the greater the conflict between the Tianhe Sword Sect and the Wang family will become.” Qin Man was beaming with confidence, a smile spread across her face.

Had she known that her plan had unexpectedly helped Wang Changsheng locate Immortal Maiden Luoshui, enabling him to eliminate a potential threat, her smile would have vanished.

“Excellent. We will simply wait and watch how this unfolds. Inform me immediately of any new developments,” Qu instructed.

“Understood, Lord Qu.”

Qin Man assented and departed to carry out the order.