Translator: Silavin
The Xing Family Residence emanated an atmosphere of crushing oppression throughout its entirety.
Within the Xing Family’s main hall, several figures sat amongst themselves, the atmosphere heavy with gravity.
“Brother Xing, calling us here this time. There must be some urgent matter, right?”
Beside Xing Yuhuan, Ye Liangchen’s expression carried visible tension. Though he had remained within the Xing Family’s protection without venturing outside, anyone with half a brain could easily imagine that the outside world was applying tremendous pressure upon the Xing Family.
“This matter is rather troublesome. I’m thinking of arranging for you all to temporarily leave Heavenly Dragon Imperial City.”
As if contemplating some vexing concern, Xing Yuhuan furrowed his brow and spoke.
“Leave Heavenly Dragon Imperial City?” Upon hearing this, Ye Liangchen’s brow creased. For Xing Yuhuan to suggest such a thing meant that external pressure had reached the point where he lacked confidence in protecting them all!
“Brother Xing, if it’s too much of a burden, why not hand me over instead? As long as I don’t reveal the Pill Formula, they wouldn’t dare kill me outright.” After a pause, Ye Liangchen said contemplatively.
“Brother Ye, am I, Xing Yuhuan, the type to forget kindness and betray righteousness?!”
Hearing these words, Xing Yuhuan’s brow furrowed as he replied. “Your departure would only be temporary. After all, too many Forces currently covet the Pill Formulas in your possession. Once you leave Heavenly Dragon Imperial City, they absolutely won’t dare rashly attack our Xing Family.”
“Brother Xing, we appreciate your kind intentions…” Though Xing Yuhuan spoke as if it were a simple matter, Ye Liangchen knew the current situation was far from as straightforward as Xing Yuhuan made it sound.
While the Xing Family possessed deep foundations, four Forces equal to them, plus numerous First and Second Tier Forces seeking to profit from the chaos, even with the Xing Family’s formidable strength, they would struggle to handle such pressure.
“Our Xing Family has been passed down for countless years. Those rabble couldn’t possibly—”
Speaking to this point, meeting Ye Liangchen’s gaze, Xing Yuhuan suddenly found himself at a loss for words. Finally, he sighed lightly and said. “I promised Qin Yichen that his Brothers are my Brothers.”
“I believe he will return!” Ye Liangchen’s eyes flickered with resolute determination.
Xing Yuhuan nodded similarly and said. “I also believe he will return. However, for now, you should still temporarily leave Heavenly Dragon Imperial City.”
“Leave? Hmph, no one is permitted to leave!” Just as Xing Yuhuan’s words fell, an angry voice suddenly rang out.
Immediately after, four slightly aged figures walked directly into the hall from outside. The guards stationed at the entrance all bowed respectfully upon seeing these four Elders.
These four Elders were unmistakably the Xing Family’s four Elders!
“Xing Yuhuan, at this point, are you truly willing to sacrifice our entire Xing Family before you’re satisfied?”
Upon entering the hall, one Elder furrowed his brow and loudly questioned Xing Yuhuan at the head seat, his dissatisfaction evident without concealment.
“Yuhuan, quickly hand over those people from Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce. You’ve already done your best!”
Beside this Elder, another Elder spoke.
One playing the harsh role, the other the sympathetic. Both clearly meant for Xing Yuhuan to surrender Ye Liangchen and the others.
Faced with the four Elders’ aggressive pressure, Xing Yuhuan’s expression gradually darkened. He knew that despite becoming the Xing Family’s Patriarch, these old fellows had never truly acknowledged him. They even secretly spread rumors that his cultivation was entirely supported by Pills.
“What if I refuse!?” Xing Yuhuan slowly rose from his chair. As his voice echoed forth, a terrifying aura faintly emanated from his body.
“If you persist in your delusion, then as Elders, we have the responsibility not to stand idly by while you lead the Xing Family toward destruction!” Facing this aura, the four Elders had their expressions shifted slightly, but such pressure alone was not enough to intimidate them!
A thick atmosphere of confrontation spread throughout, and the hall’s atmosphere became extremely oppressive.
“Enough!” Just as the hall’s atmosphere reached its breaking point, an aged voice suddenly resonated throughout.
At some unknown moment, a white-haired Elder had already appeared within the hall.
“Great Elder…”
Seeing the Great Elder, the previously taut atmosphere suddenly dissipated. The four and Xing Yuhuan all bowed slightly to the Great Elder in respect.
This Great Elder was Xing Tianxiong!
No one dared underestimate him.
Legend had it that in his youth, none within the Imperial Dynasty could withstand his power. Though he had now retreated behind the scenes, his position within the Xing Family remained unmatched.
“Summon all our people. I’d like to see who dares force their way into our Xing Family!”
Xing Tianxiong’s gaze swept across the entire gathering as he spoke calmly. “We’ve been silent for too long, letting others think our Xing Family is easy to bully.”
Hearing his stance, the four expressions all changed, but they dared not question the decision of this spiritual pillar of the Xing Family!
…
While tension reached its peak in Heavenly Dragon Imperial City, elsewhere, within the Fallen God Abyss, Qin Yichen continued striving for that glimmer of hope in his heart.
In the dark Fallen God Abyss, relying on the Jade Pendant’s faint glow, he walked forward step by step.
Protected by the Jade Pendant, though the journey proved difficult, he had not encountered any fatal threats.
After walking for an unknown duration, Qin Yichen’s form suddenly halted, his pupils contracting sharply as he stared ahead intensely.
In this darkness, even with the Jade Pendant ‘s illumination, his visual range extended only several meters.
At this moment, approximately two meters ahead, chains thick as bowls stretched before him. These chains resembled those on the iron bridge spanning above Fallen God Abyss.
“These chains…” Qin Yichen furrowed his brow, stepping forward several paces. Upon seeing these bowl-thick chains, his eyes filled with gravity.
Because on these chains, mystical patterns constantly emerged.
These patterns were all not familiar, something Qin Yichen had never encountered before.
These mystical patterns were carved upon the chains. Whenever the chains stirred, these patterns would glow, and then the disturbance would subside.
“Could Fallen God Abyss be sealing something?”
Qin Yichen gazed at these chains with grave expression, one hand unconsciously gripping the protective charm given by that nameless Elder before entering.
Then, taking a deep breath, he lifted his foot and proceeded along where these chains extended. Even knowing great danger might lie ahead, he showed not the slightest hesitation.
Because time was already running short for him. If delayed by several more days, even obtaining the Amplifying Bodhi Fruit would likely prove futile.
Moreover, he had no idea how long the Jade Pendant given by that nameless Elder could help him.
Should this Jade Pendant fail, he had no doubt that the curse power being held at bay could reduce his body to ash within an extremely short time! Furthermore, above his head, within those endless dark clouds, faint shadows continued their ominous movements.