Divine Miracle Descends!

Visibly, above the Ten-Acre Spirit Field, the dense Medicinal Fragrance was so concentrated that it had condensed into a thin layer of Colored Spirit Mist, swirling endlessly under the moonlight, like a celestial realm.

"It's done."

Zhang Chen plucked a ripe Heavenly Spirit Fruit, took a gentle bite, and juice overflowed.

The Spiritual Energy was so abundant it made his entire body feel comfortable.

He looked at this wealth, enough to drive any Golden Core family mad, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

With this, forget equipping ten Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Even ten more would be more than enough.

Under the same night sky, hundreds of miles away on Black Reef Island, the Wang Family's meeting hall presented a different scene.

The hall was brightly lit, the atmosphere lively.

Yet it carried a sinister, calculating undertone.

Wang Teng was vividly describing his various "exploits" at the Zhang Family to his father, Wang Lie, who sat in the main seat.

When he got to the part about that fool Zhang Chen signing the Three Million Spirit Stone Bet.

He laughed so hard he doubled over.

"Father, you should have seen it. That Old Ghost from the Zhang Family was sitting in his chair, barely able to catch his breath. He just closed his eyes and played dead, saying something like 'let it be.'"

Wang Teng raised his cup and drained it in one gulp, his face full of disdain: "I think the Zhang Family really has no one left. Signing a ruinous contract like that? They're just giving up!"

Wang Lie listened to his son's report, idly rolling two Iron Gallbladders in his hand.

A smile hung on his face.

But his hawk-like eyes gleamed with contemplation.

"You're saying that woman, Lin Qingxue, really recovered her cultivation?"

Wang Lie suddenly asked.

"Recovered, she did. It's even a bit eerie."

Wang Teng recalled the bone-chilling Sword Qi from earlier that day and frowned: "But that's all. No matter how strong she is alone, she's just Foundation Establishment Early Stage. Can she turn the world upside down?"

"We have ten people!"

"Family Head, this old man finds this matter somewhat suspicious."

A Goatee Old Man sitting at the head of the left side set down his teacup. This man was Wang Lie's Clan Brother.

And also Wang Lie's Strategist.

He stroked his beard, brow deeply furrowed: "The Zhang Family has stood firm in the East Mountain Islands for a thousand years. As they say, 'A Centipede Dies but Never Falls.' Although Zhang Chen has no reputation, since he was appointed Young Master, he cannot be a true fool."

"Three million Spirit Stones, plus a Second-Rank Spirit Vein—that's almost the Zhang Family's entire fortune."

"If they weren't confident of victory, how would they dare make such a bet?"

"Strategist, you worry too much."

Wang Teng waved his hand dismissively: "He's just a Waste drained dry by a beautiful woman, trying to show off in front of his Wife."

"Besides, that Old Ghost Zhang Tianzheng is already halfway into the grave. The Zhang Family is nothing but Loose Sand now. What hidden cards could they possibly have?"

The Goatee Old Man still shook his head: "What if Zhang Tianzheng is putting on an act? What if he isn't really sick, or it's a final rally before death?"

"An act?"

Wang Lie's Iron Gallbladders suddenly stopped, letting out a sharp crack.

He narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke: "The chance of it being an act is slim."

"I have reliable information. That Old Ghost's old injuries have indeed flared up. He's been relying on medicine to cling to life these past few years."

"Even if he came out of seclusion today as a bluff, his broken body won't last much longer."

At this, Wang Lie gave a sinister smile: "Besides, even if that Old Ghost really has one more fight in him, so what?"

He lowered his voice, his gaze sweeping over the trusted men present, his tone icy: "Don't forget who stands behind us."

Hearing this, the faces of everyone in the room changed.

Fear and greed flickered in their eyes.

The Demonic Path!

That behemoth lurking in the Outer Sea, striking terror into the hearts of Righteous Path Cultivators.

"The Demon Envoy has already sent word."

Wang Lie pulled a black jade slip from his sleeve and tapped it lightly: "He is very interested in that Secret Realm. For this Arena Competition, the Demon Envoy will secretly send two Undercover Agents to blend into our team."

"With the Demon Envoy's Undercover Agents helping us, plus the Wang Family's accumulated resources over the years, our chances of victory are at least seventy percent!"

Wang Lie suddenly stood up, a Golden Core Great Perfection aura exploding forth: "Seventy percent is enough for us to take this gamble!"

"The arrow is nocked and must be loosed! This time, I will have the Zhang Family completely erased from the East Mountain Islands!"

He looked at his eldest son, Wang Long, who had been standing silently to the side. "Eldest Son, make the arrangements."

"Call out those old bastards in secluded death meditation from the family, and gather all those Desperados we hired at heavy cost."

"This year, even if we have to pile it on with Spirit Stones, force their combat power up for me!"

"Yes, Father!"

Wang Long cupped his fists and accepted the order.

The next morning, the eastern sky had just begun to show a pale fish-belly white.

At the Zhang family's Back Mountain medicinal garden, Old Man Zhang Tong, tasked with guarding it, went about his routine as usual.

Stretching lazily, he pushed open the wooden door of the small hut.

That bottle of Spirit Wine from last night had been strong, making this sleep especially sweet.

"I wonder when the Young Master left last night..."

Zhang Tong muttered to himself as he picked up a bucket, preparing to water those precious spirit herbs.

However, when he rounded the hedge that blocked his view and took in the scene before him, the bucket in his hand crashed to the ground with a clatter, spilling the Spirit Spring Water everywhere.