Brothers Stab Each Other, Li Family Mobilizes

Outside the valley.

Two people fled for their lives, running for an unknown distance until they could no longer run and finally stopped.

A Liang, who had escaped death, finally broke down. He collapsed onto the ground and wailed, "Brother Jin, Third Brother, they're all dead."

Brother Jin, panting heavily, comforted him, "A Liang, don't be sad. This is the fate of us herb gatherers."

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't discovered that cursed place, they wouldn't have died! I killed them."

A Liang looked self-blaming and regretful.

As he spoke, his eyes turned red. The more he thought about it, the more he hated.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Jin, I'm going to kill that big snake and avenge them!"

"I think you're crazy. That big snake is not something ordinary people like us can deal with."

Brother Jin shook his head and refused.

"I'm not crazy. Just because we can't, doesn't mean others can't."

A Liang clenched his fists.

Brother Jin's expression changed, "What do you want to do?"

"You said that the Blood Spirit Fruit is a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure. If we spread the news of the Blood Spirit Fruit, it will definitely attract many powerful cultivators. By then, that big snake will be dead."

A Liang's eyes were filled with hatred.

He didn't notice that Brother Jin's gaze behind him had become incredibly dark.

"This way, we can avenge Third Brother and the others."

As if picturing the snake being killed, A Liang said excitedly.

"This idea is indeed good."

Brother Jin lowered his head, deep in thought.

"Brother Jin, you also think it's feasible? That's great!"

Hearing Brother Jin's agreement, A Liang said happily.

"Let's go down the mountain now and spread this news..."

Behind him, Brother Jin suddenly stood up and covered A Liang's mouth from behind.

Under the latter's disbelieving gaze, he plunged a dagger fiercely into his chest.

"A Liang, in your next life, don't be so stupid."

Brother Jin sneered, the coldness in his eyes making A Liang feel utterly unfamiliar.

"Wh-why?"

A Liang's breathing grew weaker.

"The Blood Spirit Fruit can only be mine alone!"

He pushed A Liang down, squatted, and pulled the dagger from A Liang's corpse.

He wiped the blood off the dagger with A Liang's clothes and casually cut some branches to cover A Liang's body.

After finishing everything, Brother Jin's figure quickly disappeared into the mountain forest.

However, he didn't notice that not long after he left.

A Liang, whose heart had clearly been pierced, strangely got up from the ground.

He looked in the direction Brother Jin had disappeared.

A Liang's expression was extremely ferocious.

Outer area of the Qinghe Mountain Range.

A staggering, blood-soaked figure struggled to walk to the Li Family's pharmacy.

Seeing the pharmacy attendant approaching, he stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Save... save me, I found... the Blood Spirit Fruit."

After saying that, his head tilted.

He fainted.

Green Maple Valley.

Li Family ancestral grounds.

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

The solemn and powerful sound of a bell rang out from the attic, echoing endlessly.

Upon hearing the bell, the elders all wore grave expressions. They put down their tasks and rushed to the family's council hall.

When they arrived at the council hall, Li Xinge was already seated at the head of the table, having waited for a long time.

As the last elder arrived, the doors of the council hall slowly closed.

"Elders, this is an urgent matter. We cannot afford to waste a single moment, so I had to ring the bell to gather you all!"

Li Xinge said with a serious expression.

"Just now, a message came from our Li Family's market: someone discovered the existence of Blood Spirit Fruits in the Qinghe Mountain Range!"

These words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

The elders were so shocked that they all stood up simultaneously.

"Could it be the legendary third-tier spirit fruit, the Blood Spirit Fruit?"

The Third Elder said, his breathing rapid. The other elders also stared intently at Li Xinge.

"That's correct!"

Li Xinge nodded.

The Third Elder took a deep breath. "Patriarch, this Blood Spirit Fruit Tree flowers once every ten years, bears fruit once every ten years, and ripens once every ten years. The Blood Spirit Fruits it produces contain immense Qi and Blood power."

"For cultivators in the Qi and Blood Realm, consuming it can enhance their cultivation. For cultivators in the Body Realm, it can greatly increase their chances of breaking through to the Qi and Blood Realm."

"It is a rare treasure that our Li Family absolutely cannot miss!"

The other elders also nodded in agreement.

The First Elder added, "Patriarch, we should make preparations as soon as possible. Otherwise, if the news gets out, it will be troublesome for us to obtain the Blood Spirit Fruit."

"The First Elder is right. At that time, it's likely that not only local forces but even external forces will come to get a share."

Li Xinge pondered for a moment. "According to the herb gatherer who discovered the Blood Spirit Fruit, only he and another herb gatherer know about it."

"The other herb gatherer wanted to monopolize the Blood Spirit Fruit and attacked him. Fortunately, he was lucky and didn't die."

"Since that herb gatherer wanted to monopolize the Blood Spirit Fruit, the news shouldn't spread for the time being."

"However, even so, we should act immediately."

"Please give your orders, Patriarch!"

The elders cupped their fists.

"The matter of the Blood Spirit Fruit is of great importance and requires absolute certainty. I will personally handle it. First Elder, Fourth Elder, Sixth Elder, accompany me!"

"Yes!"

"Second Elder, you will remain to guard the family and select forty elites from the Hall of Law Enforcement to accompany us!"

"I will attend to it immediately!"

"Elders, there is no time to delay. Make your preparations and we depart in fifteen minutes!"

"Yes!"

Fifteen minutes later, dozens of riders, under the cover of night, disappeared into the darkness.

More than an hour later.

Dusty and travel-worn, Li Xinge and his group arrived at the Li Family's herb shop outside the Qinghe Mountain Range.

The shopkeeper had been waiting for a long time.

"Greetings, Patriarch!"

"No need for formalities. Where is he?"

Li Xinge waved his hand and asked directly.

"He's in the backyard receiving treatment for his injuries!"

The shopkeeper replied respectfully.

"How many people know about the Blood Spirit Fruit?"

"Two apprentices and one shop assistant!"

The shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his forehead and answered.

"Execute them all!"

Li Xinge's expression turned cold.

"Yes, Patriarch."

Entering the backyard, they saw A Liang lying on the bed, his face pale.

Beside him, a doctor was treating his injuries.

"Doctor, you are no longer needed here. You may leave."

"But he…"

Seeing Li Xinge's somber expression, the doctor swallowed the words he was about to say.

He left the room in three quick strides.

After the doctor left…

Li Xinge, dressed in black, looked down at A Liang.

He asked, "Did you personally see the Blood Spirit Fruit?"

Looking at the young man before him, who exuded a majestic aura that brooked no questioning, A Liang quickly replied, "Y-yes!"

"Where is the Blood Spirit Fruit?"

Li Xinge pressed.

"In the Qinghe Mountain Range… deep inside, behind the waterfall… in a valley."

"Do you remember the way?"

"I… I don't remember very well."

A Liang said fearfully.

Li Xinge frowned. Behind him, an elite member of the Li Family drew his saber.

"My lord, I know… that person definitely remembers!"

A Liang said hurriedly.

"The one who ambushed you?"

"Yes, my lord, he's the one who led us into the mountains, he knows the terrain like the back of his hand!"

"Very good."

"Do you know his name and where he lives?"

"I know everything, my lord."

A Liang's eyes were filled with hatred. His mind was now consumed by only one thought: revenge!

"Lead the way for us!" Li Xinge commanded.

"Y-yes… my lord."

A Liang struggled to get up from the bed, but accidentally aggravated his wound.

The bleeding, which had just stopped, gushed out again. The intense pain in his chest made A Liang break out in a cold sweat.

Behind him, the Sixth Elder took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, stepped forward, and sprinkled powder onto A Liang's chest.

A miraculous scene unfolded. A Liang's wound began to scab and heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.

A Liang stared, dumbfounded. He touched his chest in disbelief; it didn't hurt at all anymore.

This made A Liang even more awestruck and reverent of Li Xinge.

"If you dare to play me, I will show you what it means to wish you were dead."

Li Xinge said expressionlessly.

A Liang shivered and quickly replied, "I wouldn't dare, my lord. I can guarantee that everything I've said is true."

"I hope so. Now, immediately, take us to find this 'Brother Jin' you mentioned!"