Chapter 23: Diao Rongqi's Choice

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Diao Rongqi sat there blankly, tears streaming down her face.

"Xiao Qi, what's wrong?" Moli Feiyun saw her friend crying, immediately sobered up completely, and quickly pressed, "What happened?"

"My father is dead," Diao Rongqi said woodenly.

When her father was alive, she was a noble lady from a prominent family, befriending only the children of other great families in Huyang City. She even disdained ordinary Eternal True Gods as masters, aspiring instead to study under 'Commander Moli Xiao,' the most powerful figure in Huyang City. As a second choice, she would have considered 'Divine Lord Luohe,' who had the power to suppress dark forces.

Diao Rongqi had been reluctant to choose her father, an ordinary Eternal True God skilled in alchemy, as a mentor.

But now that her father was dead, and had even secured a contingency plan for her in his final message, she found herself overwhelmed with grief.

"Father!" Diao Rongqi realized clearly that her father was the one who loved her most in this world, the closest relative willing to sacrifice everything for her.

"Uncle Yan is dead?" Moli Feiyun couldn't believe it. "How is that possible? Uncle Yan was an Eternal True God. Who killed him?"

"He was indeed killed."

A sigh echoed, coming from Moli Meng, the current leader of the Moli clan. Commander Moli Xiao, for his part, had no energy to manage family trifles.

"Father," Moli Feiyun said, looking at her own father.

"Just now, all living beings in the Diao Rong clan's main branch cave dwelling were killed, not a single one spared," Moli Meng stated. "Now, only a few remaining Diao Rong sub-branches still exist."

Cave dwellings had limited space, so large clans had to spread out, with peripheral branches often residing in ordinary cave dwellings. This time, it was the core of the Diao Rong clan that had been annihilated.

"Father, who is the murderer?" Moli Feiyun asked.

Diao Rongqi also looked at Moli Meng.

Moli Meng replied, "Before his death, Diao Rong Yan should have contacted many friends through a karmic message token, stating that the murderer was Blood Python Guild Master Muyang."

"My father also sent me a message, saying the murderer was the Blood Python Guild Master," Diao Rongqi said hoarsely. "Tens of thousands of beings in the entire cave dwelling, including my father, from Eternal True Gods down to the clan's young children, were all killed. With such conclusive evidence from my father's personal message, the City Lord's Mansion should take action, shouldn't it?"

Moli Meng shook his head. "The Blood Python Guild Master is not an ordinary Eternal True God. He commands a significant force, and killing him is no easy task; it requires deliberation and a decision from the Five Great Families. Furthermore, your father's message before death isn't considered conclusive evidence. The killer could very well have disguised himself as the Blood Python Guild Master."

"Disguise?" Diao Rongqi asked anxiously, "My father's message before he died, can't it be trusted?"

"Some secret art disguises are difficult even for Eternal True Gods to see through," Moli Meng explained. "In short, definitively identifying the murderer and getting the City Lord's Mansion to act... will be very difficult."

Diao Rongqi fell silent.

"After your father's death, it will be very difficult for you, a Void True God, to manage his many properties, including numerous alchemy cave dwellings and shops," Moli Meng said, shaking his head. "My Moli clan can help take them over."

"Father!" Moli Feiyun exclaimed anxiously.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't stoop to taking advantage of this. These properties are valued at 20,000 Cosmos Sand and will be deposited at the Blazing Wind Guild Hall in your name, Diao Rongqi," Moli Meng stated. "It's not suitable for you to carry too much Cosmos Sand."

"Thank you, Uncle Meng," Diao Rongqi said gratefully. She knew herself that this price was certainly not low.

"In all of Huyang City, only a handful of individuals are confident in killing the Blood Python Guild Master," Moli Meng said. "Therefore, to kill him, you'll need great patience to wait for the opportune moment."

Diao Rongqi asked, "Can Commander Moli act? I don't even need these 20,000 Cosmos Sand."

"It's not as simple as you think," Moli Meng said, turning to leave.

"Xiao Qi, you can stay with me here. No one will be able to threaten you," Moli Feiyun said.

Diao Rongqi softly said, "Feiyun, I need some quiet time."

"Alright, I won't disturb you," Moli Feiyun said, getting up and leaving.

Diao Rongqi sat alone, gazing blankly at the night sky, at the countless twinkling stars. Just now, her father's star must have completely dimmed.

"Father..." At this moment, Diao Rongqi missed her father immensely, and then her eyes grew wild.

Diao Rongqi used her communication token to remotely contact the Dark Hall of the Blazing Wind Guild Hall.

"Diao Rongqi, your father, Diao Rong Yan, has died. He left 30,000 Cosmos Sand for you in the Dark Hall. Furthermore, Moli Meng has deposited 20,000 Cosmos Sand for you, so you now have 50,000 Cosmos Sand under your name," the Dark Hall replied.

"I want to offer 40,000 Cosmos Sand from that amount as a bounty for Blood Python Guild Master Muyang," Diao Rongqi messaged. She trusted her father's judgment regarding the killer's identity in his final moments.

"Understood. The bounty for the Blood Python Guild Master has now increased to 160,000 Cosmos Sand! You still have 10,000 Cosmos Sand under your name," the Dark Hall responded.

After increasing the bounty, Diao Rongqi could only wait in silence. She hoped that a powerful individual would accept the bounty and kill the Blood Python Guild Master!

Blood Python Guild Headquarters.

"Moli Meng, what brings you here?" the Blood Python Guild Master asked with a smile, looking at Moli Meng.

Moli Meng's face was grim. "Are you insane? Diao Rong Yan focused on alchemy, contributing to all of Huyang City, and he didn't meddle in your dark forces' conflicts. Why did you attack him? Such reckless actions will only cause panic among many families in Huyang City! If the Five Great Families decide you're destabilizing Huyang City, then you're finished!"

"It wasn't me who killed him; the murderer was disguised as me!" the Blood Python Guild Master said urgently. "Blood Cloud, the leader of the Devourer Kingdom's forces, is very skilled at disguise. I suspect he impersonated me."

"Diao Rong Yan identified you as the murderer before he died," Moli Meng sneered. "If you act in a way that allows your identity to be recognized, you are truly incompetent."

"It truly wasn't me," the Blood Python Guild Master insisted.

"Within Huyang City, everyone must abide by the rules!" Moli Meng glanced at him, then turned and walked away. "If you don't follow the rules, the consequences might be more than you can bear."

With that, Moli Meng vanished.

Blood Python Guild Master Muyang watched the scene, his expression settling.

"What if I don't follow the rules? Humph, in this world, strength ultimately reigns supreme," Blood Python Guild Master Muyang scoffed. "So what if I kill one person? What can the many families in Huyang City do? Anyone who dares to attack me must be prepared to die!"

"It's just a pity that Diao Rong Yan was such a waste. After killing him and ransacking his entire cave dwelling, I only got 220,000 Cosmos Sand in total," the Blood Python Guild Master said, shaking his head. "Among the top three Eternal True Gods in alchemy in Huyang City, I judged him to be quite wealthy. Too bad it was so little."

"If all else fails, I'll just have to use my armor treasures as collateral," the Blood Python Guild Master thought to himself. "I must acquire the lower volume of the 'Bloodiron Sands Technique' as soon as possible. If I delay too long, I'll be completely ensnared by the Devourer Kingdom, and then I won't even be able to save my life."

He was well aware of how dangerous the conflict between the Five Great Families and the Devourer Kingdom's forces was. Having been drawn in for a legacy, he only wanted to obtain it quickly and then flee far away.

The longer he delayed, the more dangerous it would become!

"I must gather 1,000,000 Cosmos Sand as quickly as possible!" the Blood Python Guild Master's eyes turned cold.

Time flowed slowly on the Origin Continent. Night passed, and day arrived.

All major factions in Huyang City learned of Diao Rong Yan's death and heard that the murderer might be Blood Python Guild Master Muyang. The bounty for Blood Python Guild Master Muyang in the Blazing Wind Guild Hall's Dark Hall had already reached 160,000 Cosmos Sand!

"My father had some friends, but now that he's dead, none of them will help with the bounty," Diao Rongqi, who was staying with the Moli family, kept checking the bounties. The reward hadn't changed, and no one had completed the bounty mission.

"The fourth bounty target, also a dark force leader named 'Chun Yu Yi,' has a bounty of 180,000 Cosmos Sand. He's been living well for a very long time. The Blood Python Guild Master's bounty is now 160,000 Cosmos Sand, placing him fifth. Who would bother to kill him?" Diao Rongqi repeatedly checked the bounty mission board, hoping for a change.

But after a long night, no changes appeared.

Diao Rongqi felt only powerlessness. After her father's death, there was nothing she could do.

"Miss, Venerable Luohe has arrived at the Fiery Realm Eatery," Suo Yun, who had been guarding the Fiery Realm Eatery, sent a message.

"Luohe?" Diao Rongqi's heart stirred. "Venerable Luohe, having just arrived in Huyang City, didn't even acknowledge the Blood Python Guild. He certainly wouldn't fear the Blood Python Guild Master."

The Blood Python Guild Master was infamous, making many factions wary. But Divine Lord Luohe clearly didn't care, which was why Diao Rongqi had immediately wanted to become his disciple at the time.

Diao Rongqi immediately stood up.

"Xiao Qi," Moli Feiyun, who had been worried about her friend, said.

"I need to go out right away," Diao Rongqi said.

"It's not safe for you to go out now," Moli Feiyun worried.

"It's daytime now, and True Gods are everywhere, so it's quite safe. Besides, I must go out!" Diao Rongqi insisted.

Moli Feiyun thought for a moment. "I'll arrange a guard escort to take you there. You can ride in my Moli family's flying vessel."

"Thank you," Diao Rongqi said gratefully, not bothering with further pleasantries, and hurried out immediately.

Fiery Realm Eatery.

"Venerable Lord, my young lady has instructed me. All your expenses at the Fiery Realm Eatery will be covered by her," Suo Yun said with utmost respect.

Luo Feng arrived with Molosat and Moyu Qingyan.

"You've been guarding this place ever since I left the Fiery Realm Eatery last time?" Luo Feng asked, looking at Suo Yun.

"Yes, as my young lady instructed," the guard Suo Yun replied.

"Please thank your young lady for me," Luo Feng said, walking directly inside. The Fiery Realm Eatery's proprietor, 'Black Butcher,' immediately greeted him with enthusiasm.

Inside the small building.

Luo Feng and Molosat enjoyed food and fine wine together, while their servant, Moyu Qingyan, could only stand guard outside the small building. Moyu Qingyan guarded with utmost diligence.

"It seems that young lady from the Diao Rong family really wants to become a disciple," Molosat remarked.

"Her father died last night," Luo Feng said.

"Died?" Molosat was surprised.

"I heard it from some friends," Luo Feng replied. After all, many factions had visited him, and he had made some acquaintances. Several Eternal True Gods, including Entropy Tianyan, had informed him of this news.

Luo Feng suddenly said, "The leader of the Devourer Kingdom's lurking forces in Huyang City is named Blood Cloud. His bounty is a staggering 1,200,000 Cosmos Sand."

"Let's eliminate him!" Molosat's eyes lit up.

"But we can't find him," Luo Feng thought. "Do you have any way to locate him?" Molosat inherently controlled the Great Dao of Destruction. Luo Feng questioned if he could even defeat Molosat without relying on the will secret art, 'Elemental Art'.

Since he couldn't find Blood Cloud, Molosat might have a chance.

"I haven't seen him," Molosat frowned. "If I had seen him once, I'd have some methods to find him."

"What a pity," Luo Feng shook his head.

If he could kill Blood Cloud, the spoils from him, combined with the immense bounty, would be equivalent to those from an entire group of dark force leaders. He estimated it would be enough resources for his three body refinements.

Unfortunately, he couldn't be found!

"Master," Moyu Qingyan's voice came from outside. "Diao Rongqi is here to visit."

"She's here?" Luo Feng said, looking at the Fiery Realm banquet before him. "Let her in."

Only then did Moyu Qingyan, who had been diligently guarding the door, step aside and say, "The Master bids you enter."