"Heh heh. I had no idea our Song Family had become so popular with everyone that you would all rush over together. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were here to rob us!"

Song Huai stared at the He Family Master with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, his gaze then sweeping over the crowd.

Many Nascent Soul Cultivators met his gaze and silently looked away, feeling both guilty and fearful of his power.

’The Song Family is a far cry from what it used to be. If we fail to gain any benefits today and end up offending them instead, that would be a real problem.’

’But the allure of wealth was too tempting, and their greed was unbearable.’

’Besides, if everyone strikes it rich, who would still be afraid of the Song Family?’

At this thought, many of them straightened their backs. With so many people taking action this time, they were certain they could get to the bottom of things. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Ancestor Song, we won’t beat around the bush any longer. Why did that Nine Heavens Divine Thunder just fall?"

A cold sneer played on the Mu Family Patriarch’s lips. Unlike the He Family Master, he wasn’t one for hypocrisy, and the malice in his eyes was barely concealed.

In the previous negotiations, their three families had suffered a great loss. They had originally planned to cause some trouble for the Song Family, but the Songs acted with swift and decisive force, using strong-arm tactics to take back all the territory.

This matter had been festering in their hearts ever since.

"That’s right, Ancestor Song! We came here for the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder. We hope you’ll step aside at once and let us in to investigate!"

The Sui Family Head flicked a lock of long hair that had fallen across his chest, a similar glint of mockery in his eyes.

’So what if the Song Family has gotten back on its feet?’

’As long as we all work together, however the Song Family rose, that’s how they’ll fall!’

Although the Ning Family Patriarch remained silent, the oppressive look in his eyes was enough to infuriate the Song Family disciples.

’Especially since they brought several Divinity Transformation Stage cultivators with them for support. Are they trying to start a clan war?’

’If it comes to that, we’ll fight to the death to keep these families from succeeding!’

Song Huai hadn’t expected these families to be so shameless. Fortunately, they had already taken precautions. Even with several Divinity Transformation cultivators present, there was no need to worry.

An Array had been set up in the courtyard long ago. Even a Divinity Transformation cultivator who entered it would be unable to find the exit.

It would be even more impossible for them to enter the rockery’s restricted area.

’These people want treasure?’

’Heh.’

A glint of mockery flashed in Song Huai’s eyes. As long as they couldn’t see any treasure, these people would have no excuse to attack.

’Because casually starting a clan war would bring judgment down upon them!’

’It could incite backlash from their own clans, who might even turn around and carve up their territories.’

’Superior numbers weren’t an excuse to attack wantonly.’

Thus, Song Huai wasn’t flustered. He was more concerned about whether Wan Ning was safe.

’It didn’t matter if the Dragon Vein wasn’t awakened, but nothing could happen to Wan Ning.’

"The Nine Heavens Divine Thunder struck, and you all don’t know why? I thought everyone was already aware..."

Song Huai’s eyes shifted, and his gaze landed pointedly on the He Family Master.

Seeing this, everyone furrowed their brows.

The He Family Master felt an instinctual sense of unease. ’This damn old man is giving me a strange look. Is he trying to set me up?’

His heart lurched. "Ancestor Song, what do you mean by looking at me like that? I only just heard the news and contacted everyone to come over..."

The implication was that this matter had nothing to do with him; he was the one who had brought everyone here to strike it rich.

Sure enough, the suspicious looks from the others faded considerably.

"Ancestor Song, stop keeping us in suspense. Just let us in to have a look."

The crowd’s patience was nearly exhausted.

’If there are any more delays, the treasure will be taken by someone else. Won’t we have come all this way for nothing?’

"That’s right, let us go in and see. If there’s real danger, we can help the Song Family resolve it together, can’t we?"

"..."

The group, all acting under the banner of helping the Song Family, looked as if they were itching to charge directly into the courtyard.

Song Huai grew angrier, but the angrier he became, the calmer he grew.

He raised an eyebrow, sighed, and said to the He Family Master, "He Family Master, considering the many years of friendship between our two families, I was originally going to cover for you a little."

"But it seems that’s no longer possible."

He put on a troubled expression, then said after a moment’s hesitation, "The monster that has been forcefully abducting people recently... it was meticulously raised by your He Family. Do you dare admit it?"

"Just now, that monster came to my Song Family’s territory again, attempting to abduct one of our disciples. When we intercepted it, it actually tried to forcibly rip out our disciple’s heart."

"Perhaps its actions displeased the Heavenly Dao, which is why it sent down the Heavenly Punishment..."

"Never mind all of you; even I was given a good scare by that Nine Heavens Divine Thunder."

Some days ago, he had heard Song Qingyun mention this matter.

Wan Ning had discovered this in an abandoned mine belonging to the He Family. Regardless of the truth, he had to pin this on them.

’The He Family wanted to cause trouble for them, didn’t they?’

’Well, they should be prepared to face the Song Family’s counterattack!’

The moment his voice fell, the clamorous street fell silent. Even the many cultivators who had gathered to watch the spectacle quieted down instantly.

Angry, uncomprehending, and shocked gazes all fell upon the He Family Master.

’That monster has harmed who knows how many people lately, plunging everyone into a state of panic. And it turns out it was the He Family’s doing?’

The crowd immediately erupted in anger.

"Did the He Family really create that monster?"

"Son of a bitch! My nephew was taken by that monster! His soul lamp went out a few days ago! If the He Family really did this, they’d better give me an explanation!!!"

"Right! If the He Family is behind this, they have to give everyone an explanation! What the hell are they trying to do, raising a monster like that?"

"To think a great, respected family would do something like this behind everyone’s back..."

Nearly everyone’s gaze was fixed on the He Family Master, including the members of the other great families. Their expressions had all turned hostile.

’Song Huai is a Divinity Transformation cultivator. He definitely wouldn’t spout nonsense without evidence. Could it be that the monster really is connected to the He Family?’

"He Family Master, did your He Family really raise that monster?"

The Mu Family Patriarch’s face was as black as thunder, because an outstanding junior from one of his clan’s side branches had also been taken!

The clan had intended to focus on his development, but he had met a cruel fate instead. Everyone in the clan was heartbroken and filled with regret.

The Mu Family’s Divinity Transformation Ancestor was also burning with rage and, without another word, began to exert pressure on the He Family Master.

The glares from the crowd looked sharp enough to carve flesh from his bones.

Stared at so intensely, the He Family Master frantically shook his head.

"This has nothing to do with my He Family! Don’t be fooled by him! That monster is in no way connected to the He Family!!!"

He Xiao, who had been silent until now, also rushed to explain, his sharp, radical gaze fixed on Song Huai. "Sect Leader Song, aren’t you just trying to stall for time by baselessly implicating our He Family?"

"Do you have any idea how much of an impact this kind of speculation will have on the He Family?"

"How can your Song Family be so unscrupulous, dragging the innocent He Family into this for your own selfish gain?"

"Or are you hiding something in your courtyard that can’t see the light of day...?"