Great Chaos Lightning Method, Flame Ancestral Talisman

Cao Ying's analysis was clear and straightforward, expressing her stance that everything should be decided according to Shen Wen's will.

She also pointed out the stakes: the Luo Family was worth more alive than dead.

Shen Wen nodded slightly. Cao Ying's thoughts aligned perfectly with his own.

His original target had been the Sixth-Order Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast's Demonic Core.

Now, there was also the practical need to maintain the Space Wormhole.

Perhaps he could use this opportunity to make the Luo Family bleed heavily as well.

He turned his gaze back to the uneasy Luo Cheng in the air. That icy look made Luo Cheng's heart tighten.

"Luo Cheng." Shen Wen spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying immense pressure. "For the sake of your knowing when to yield, and because my wife has ties to the Cao Family.

For the Cao Family's sake, I can spare your Luo Family from extermination today."

Hearing this, the massive weight in Luo Cheng's heart eased somewhat. He hurriedly bowed. "Thank you for your magnanimity, sir!"

"However," Shen Wen's tone abruptly sharpened, "while death may be spared, punishment cannot!"

He pointed at Luo Xiaoyao, who lay limp on the ground. "This woman will have her cultivation crippled and be confined to reflect on her sins. She is never to take a single step outside the Luo Family for the rest of her life!

If I ever hear that she has left the Luo Family, or that your Luo Family has once again bullied others by relying on your power.

I will personally return and flatten the Luo Family of Tianya City! Not a blade of grass will be left behind!"

"Yes! Yes! This old man obeys! I will certainly discipline her strictly!" Cold sweat poured down Luo Cheng's face as he hurriedly agreed.

Crippling her cultivation was cruel, but it was still better than losing her life—or even dragging the entire clan down with her.

"Second, I want the Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast Demonic Core!"

"Third, I require three Demonic Cores from seventh-rank dragon-type Demonic Beasts!"

"Fourth, compensate me with fifty million Gold Coins for the emotional distress caused to my wife and me!"

"If you refuse even one of these conditions, then there will be no Luo Family left in Tianya City by the end of today!"

Cao Ying was secretly delighted. He called me his wife, hehe!

[The favorability between the master and mistress has surpassed 20%. Congratulations, the bond between the master and mistress has deepened. May you remain united forever.]

[Reward obtained: Great Chaos Lightning Method, Flame Ancestral Talisman]

[Accept reward?]

Shen Wen froze for a moment and glanced at Cao Ying, who had lowered her head. What was going on with her this time?

Still, one of the rewards was actually the Flame Ancestral Talisman. This gave him greater confidence in helping Cao Ying collect Heavenly Flames.

[No!]

He should deal with the Luo Family first.

Yet while Shen Wen and Cao Ying were pleased.

On the other side.

With every condition Shen Wen stated, Luo Cheng's face turned a shade paler.

His mouth especially twitched violently when he heard that Luo Xiaoyao's Dou Qi was to be crippled and that three seventh-rank dragon-type Demonic Beast Magic Cores were demanded.

Seventh-Rank Demonic Cores could only be produced by experts equivalent to Dou Zong, and every one of them was priceless. The Luo Family certainly did not have many in reserve!

Fifty million Gold Coins would nearly empty most of the Luo Family's liquid funds!

But circumstances were stronger than people. Facing this terrifying figure, Shen Wen, and the possibly colossal Pill Pagoda behind him, Luo Cheng had no room to bargain.

Being able to preserve the family's inheritance was already a blessing.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the agony and humiliation in his heart, then gritted his teeth. "Fine! My Luo Family... accepts all of your conditions!"

Shen Wen nodded slightly, unsurprised by the outcome. "Lead the way. Take me to your Luo Family.

Before I leave Tianya City, I hope to see everything prepared."

"Yes, yes, yes! Please follow me, sir!"

Luo Cheng did not dare delay. He hastily made an inviting gesture and, despite his wounded soul, personally led the way.

He was not the least bit worried that Shen Wen would encounter any danger at the Luo Family's headquarters.

Before absolute strength and background, any little scheme was simply courting death.

Shen Wen turned around, naturally took Cao Ying's hand, and nodded at Dan Chen.

Cao Ying's cheeks flushed beneath her hood when he took her hand, but she did not pull away. She merely gave a soft "Mm."

The Luo Family's main hall was so tense that the air seemed ready to drip with water.

Shen Wen sat calmly in the seat of honor, while Cao Ying and Dan Chen sat on either side.

Luo Cheng personally served Spirit Tea, keeping an exceedingly humble posture. The smile forced onto his face looked worse than crying.

His soul had been injured, and his head still throbbed in waves. But what hurt even more was his heart at the thought of the coming loss.

"Please have some tea, the three of you. The compensation is being counted and will be ready shortly, very shortly," Luo Cheng said with a bow, his manner cautious.

Cao Ying seemed to find the hood stuffy. Since there was no longer any need to conceal herself here, she raised a hand and pulled it down.

At once.

A peerlessly beautiful, bewitchingly captivating face was revealed. Her breathtaking radiance seemed to brighten even the somewhat dim hall.

Luo Cheng subconsciously looked up.

When his gaze fell upon Cao Ying's face, it first seemed incredibly familiar. Then, his mind exploded with a boom, like thunder crashing down!

"C-Cao Ying, Miss?!"

Luo Cheng cried out in shock, his eyes widening round as his body swayed uncontrollably.

As the head of the Luo Family of Tianya City, he did have some minor business dealings with the Cao Family, one of the Five Great Families of the Pill Pagoda in Central Continent.

He had seen this Cao Family Demoness, renowned throughout Central Continent, from afar several times, and her appearance had left an extremely deep impression on him!

Why was the Cao Family's Eldest Miss here?!

And why was she so intimate with this terrifying young man?!

In a flash, a piece of news that had shaken Central Continent not long ago surged into Luo Cheng's mind.

The Cao Family Demoness, Cao Ying, had married Shen Wen—the Final Disciple of Old Monster Lin, the Great Elder of the Pill Pagoda, a peerless genius who had reached the Dou Huang Peak and become a Seventh-Grade Alchemist at only Eighteen Years Old!

It was said that Shen Wen kept a low profile, rarely showed his true face, and was extraordinarily mysterious.

Luo Cheng's gaze slowly shifted toward the handsome young man seated in the place of honor.

His throat bobbed with difficulty as a chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, instantly turning his limbs icy cold.

He... could he be...

A young man who could walk beside Cao Ying in such intimacy, while possessing such terrifying strength and a profound background.

Who else could he be but the legendary Shen Wen?!

He had actually provoked Old Monster Lin's disciple, a future core figure of the Pill Pagoda!

And Luo Xiaoyao had even threatened to kill his wife, Cao Ying?!

This was no longer merely kicking an iron plate. This was punching a hole through the heavens!

Thud!

Luo Cheng could no longer remain standing. His knees buckled, and he fell directly to the ground.

His voice carried a sob and utter terror. "Young Master Shen! Miss Cao! This old fool had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I have offended your esteemed presence and deserve ten thousand deaths!

I deserve ten thousand deaths!"

As he spoke, he repeatedly slammed his head against the floor, and his forehead immediately swelled red.

At this moment, the dignity of a Five-Star Dou Zong and the pride of being the Luo Family's head were all worthless nonsense before the looming threat of extermination!

"Quick! Go to the treasury! Replace those three seventh-rank dragon-type Magic Cores with four of the finest quality! And bring the Medicinal herbs for two batches of Pills to Break Dou Zong as well! Hurry!!"

Luo Cheng nearly roared the order at the equally terrified steward beside him, his voice trembling.

At this moment, he only hated that the compensation he had offered was not generous enough. All he wanted was to soothe this terrifying figure's anger.

The steward scrambled away in a panic.

Shen Wen lifted his teacup and gently blew away the foam. He did not look at Luo Cheng, who was kowtowing frantically, and merely said indifferently, "Now you know fear?"

Tears and snot streamed down Luo Cheng's face as he prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to raise his head. "This lowly one knows his mistake! This lowly one knows his mistake! It was all because this lowly one failed in discipline and indulged that wretch until she became lawless, offending Young Master Shen and Madam!

This lowly one is willing to pay any price, so long as Young Master Shen grants the Luo Family a way to survive!"

Very soon, the steward returned trembling with several guards, carrying several jade boxes and a Storage Ring.

Luo Cheng received them with shaking hands and respectfully raised them above his head. "Young Master Shen, this is the Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast Demonic Core you requested, four seventh-rank dragon-type Magic Cores.

Fifty million Gold Coins, as well as... as well as the Medicinal herbs for two batches of Pills to Break Dou Zong. They are a small token of apology. I hope you will graciously accept them!"