The entire Ling Family was plunged into chaos at this moment.

No one knew from where a large number of experts from the Witch Fiend Sect emerged and attacked the Ling Family.

Among them, many had long been infiltrated within the Ling Family, some staying for years, even decades, fully earning the trust of the Ling Family, blending in, and achieving ranks such as Deacon or external Elder. Some had even adopted the Ling surname. Unexpectedly, these people suddenly erupted, attacking their former masters and kin, causing great chaos.

Aside from the internal turmoil, outside was also in disarray, the entire Yanjing City was struck by a surprise attack from the Witch Fiend Sect, amidst chaos and panic.

Ling Tingfeng, Ling Lie, and others were gathered outside the Ancestor Pavilion—a crucial place for the Ling Family, that must not be lost. The Ling Family's high-level members also suspected the Witch Fiend Sect would target this location, thus they all assembled here.

"I didn't expect the Witch Fiend Sect to launch an attack at this critical juncture; such an assault won't benefit them much."

Ling Lie was looking at the chaos across the Ling Family, quite baffled. The Witch Fiend Sect's tactics, killing a thousand enemies at the cost of two thousand, even three thousand losses, seemed even more damaging to themselves.

Why would the Witch Fiend Sect do something so detrimental to themselves?

"Perhaps the demons of the Witch Fiend Sect have gone utterly mad."

Said a hook-nosed elder with gray hair, a cold smile playing at his lips. This was the Great Elder of the Ling Family Main Branch, Ling Ba.

"Insane? I think it's unlikely. They weren't insane for such a long time, why would they suddenly go mad now? Could there be such a coincidence?"

Ling Tingfeng was somewhat dismissive, seeing the Witch Fiend Sect's formation, it couldn't be a spur-of-the-moment decision, it's evidently premeditated.

"I think so too."

Ling Zhen nodded beside him, "We have to be cautious in dealing with the Witch Fiend Sect. Let's wait until Ling Yu and the others come out of the Ancestor Pavilion, then immediately seal it."

"Indeed, Fifth Brother is right, the Ancestor Pavilion is the foundation of our Ling Family and must not be compromised."

The one who spoke was the Fourth Elder of Ling Family.

"I've already sent someone to inform Ling Yu, they should be coming out soon," Ling Tingfeng said.

As the Ling Family high-ranking members were discussing, suddenly a Deacon from the Ling Family appeared ahead, followed by someone—it's Ling Xue.

"They're here."

Ling Tingfeng's eyes slightly brightened, but in the next moment, he couldn't help but frown, because both had somber expressions, and behind them, no one else was present.

"What happened? Where are the others?"

Ling Tingfeng's expression turned grave.

"Except for Ling Yu, all the others are dead."

Ling Xue bit her silver tooth, seeming to struggle but ultimately speaking the truth.

"What, dead? How did this happen!"

Almost simultaneously, the faces of all Ling Family higher-ups changed dramatically, turning extremely grim.

Except for Ling Yu, all others were dead, meaning Ling Yuxuan, Ling Hai, Ling Feng, and Ling Han Ye were all dead?

These individuals were top talents of the Ling Family!

"It was Ling Yu who killed them."

Ling Xue sighed, at a time like this, she couldn't hide it for Ling Chen any longer, she could only reveal the truth, and as for how the Family Head and Elders would deal with Ling Chen, that's their concern.

"Ling Yu? Why would he do such a thing?"

Ling Tingfeng was stunned, wearing an expression of disbelief. He knew Ling Chen's nature very well; he appreciated the other's temperament and character, how could he possibly do such a thing?

"It was Ling Yuxuan who first ambushed Ling Yu, though the ambush failed, and Ling Yu killed them instead."

Ling Xue continued, "Ling Yuxuan, Ling Hai, Ling Feng, and Ling Han Ye were all killed by Ling Yu. I was knocked out by him, and when I woke up, Ling Yu was no longer in the Ancestor Pavilion."

"Clearly he fled to escape punishment!"

Ling Ba's face turned sullen, his eyes almost spewing fire, "This brat must be a spy sent by the Witch Fiend Sect!"

"Great Elder, didn't you hear Ling Xue saying it was Ling Yuxuan who first ambushed Ling Yu, Ling Yu was merely defending himself. Although killing Ling Yuxuan is wrong, branding him as a spy from the Witch Fiend Sect is baseless!"

Ling Lie also frowned, speaking coldly.

"This matter cannot be concluded rashly; we must find Ling Yu and question him thoroughly."

Ling Tingfeng's expression swiftly turned grave, this matter was too serious, after all, killing one's kin is a grave offense, regardless of reason, especially when the ones killed were Ling Yuxuan and other members of the elder branch, how could Ling Ba let it go?

"There's one more thing."

Ling Xue hesitated but finally spoke, "When I woke up, I found that the Ancestor Qingye's stone statue had been vandalized, the Black Box in its hand seemed to have been taken."

"What did you say?"

If Ling Xue's previous words hadn't shocked Ling Tingfeng too much, this time, Ling Tingfeng trembled, and the expressions of Ling Lie, Ling Zhen, including Ling Ba and other Ling Family high-ranking members changed drastically.

Not to mention the vandalized ancestor statue, the Black Box in the ancestor's hand also stolen? That Black Box is the Ling Family's treasured relic, the Saint's Soul Niche, and now it's been stolen?

Ling Tingfeng suddenly recalled, a few days ago didn't Ling Chen inquire about the Saint's Soul Niche? Afterwards, Ling Chen also proposed to enter the Ancestor Pavilion—could it be, was it really done by him?

Though he was unwilling to believe it, the current evidence all pointed towards Ling Chen, undoubtedly, it was mostly likely Ling Chen who did it.

"Haha, now what do you have left to say!"

Ling Ba suddenly laughed wildly, his eyes full of madness, "That boy is definitely a spy of the Witch Fiend Sect, sent to infiltrate the Ling Family for sure! Killing our core disciples, vandalizing the ancestor statue, and stealing the treasured relic—every act is a capital offense, even if Ling Yu is sentenced to death by dismemberment, it wouldn't be too much!"

"Family Head, we must urgently seal the Ling Family and capture Ling Yu with all our might. Should he leave with the Saint's Soul Niche, the consequences are unimaginable!"

The Fourth Elder also spoke solemnly.

"The theft of the Saint's Soul Niche, shakes the foundation of our thousand-year Ling Family—this Ling Chen, his crimes are unforgivable!"

"Please, Family Head, quickly give the order!"

Calls for action echoed one after another, even Ling Lie and Ling Zhen fell silent, smiling bitterly. Originally, they could advocate for Ling Chen, but given Ling Chen stole the Saint's Soul Niche and committed such acts, even their attempts to defend him would be futile now.

"All members of the Ling Family, heed!"

Ling Tingfeng's eyes flashed, his aura suddenly fierce, his voice icy to the extreme resounded across the sky, trembling outward, "Activate all protective array formations, and the City-Protection Array in Yanjing City, exert all efforts to capture Ling Yu. If found, show no mercy, slay him on sight!"