Netherworld Sect Arrivals

The shadow's attack, long premeditated, failed to kill its target, thus failing to instill fear. Instead, the delay allowed the pursuers to catch up. Escape was now impossible; a fierce battle was the only option, followed by a search for an opportunity to flee.

Seeing the shadow cease its flight, the pursuers didn't rush forward. They surrounded the shadow, and a cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage stepped forward to persuade him. "Fellow Daoist, you are at the end of your rope. We pursued you for a thousand miles only for wealth; your head holds no interest for us. Hand over the Clear River Carp, and we will let you go. Please do not make a mistake."

This shadow, having survived to the Foundation Establishment stage in the treacherous cultivation world, was no fool and wouldn't believe his words. Even if he handed over the Clear River Carp, the outcome would be a beating to death. It was better not to hand it over. These people were hesitant, afraid of harming the Clear River Carp, and wouldn't fight with full force, giving him a chance to escape.

The shadow directly attacked a cultivator at the early Foundation Establishment stage. That person resisted with all their might, while the others stood by, offering no assistance.

The shadow let out a cold laugh. He had anticipated this. These people wished for others to be killed so they could claim the Clear River Carp for themselves. Cooperation was impossible, and this provided an opportunity to escape.

A moment later, the early Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn't resist and fled on his sword. The shadow didn't pursue him, instead focusing on the next target, fighting them to the death.

This repeated itself. Five or six cultivators at the early and middle Foundation Establishment stages were injured and left. Two who refused to yield were killed.

The remaining cultivators at the early and middle Foundation Establishment stages dared not get too close, and the encirclement became very loose.

The shadow again chose an early Foundation Establishment cultivator as his target. After repelling him, he didn't pick another opponent but instead plunged downwards with all his might.

This scene baffled the surrounding attackers. According to the usual pattern, the shadow should have chosen the next target and fought them to the death. Everyone was focused on defending themselves, avoiding becoming a target. Who knew this person would deviate from the script? They were unable to react and intercept him in time.

By the time they reacted, the shadow had already descended over ten zhang. The crowd immediately pursued him downwards. The shadow threw a magical artifact sword. As the crowd neared the sword, it instantly self-destructed. The pursuers' momentum was halted. The shadow seized the opportunity and plunged into the Clear Stream.

Although the Clear Stream was named a "stream," its volume was considerable. The river was two to three li wide and four to five zhang deep. With such a volume of water, it was impossible for cultivators of the same level to find a Foundation Establishment cultivator hiding within.

Most of the pursuers angrily unleashed several spells into the Clear Stream. Seeing no effect, they sighed and departed on their swords. A few remained unwilling to give up, continuing to search the water, but it was all in vain. Unless a Violet Mansion cultivator was present and the shadow hadn't gone far, finding him would be impossible.

As the sun rose, painting the sky with morning glow, a cultivator flew on his sword towards the old market. He landed in the backyard of the Jade Spring General Store. The arrival was none other than the Wang family patriarch, Wang Zhian.

Yesterday, Wang Zhide had relayed the news of Wang Daoyuan catching the Clear River Carp back to the family. Wang Zhian immediately convened a meeting with the family elders to discuss how to handle the matter.

The elders debated heatedly, bickering for a long time without reaching a conclusion.

Time was of the essence. The patriarch would not allow the elders to waste any more time and decisively decreed that the Clear River Carp would be presented to the Netherworld Sect.

After making the decision, Wang Zhian sent a message to Old Ancestor Yang Yong of the Yang family, intending to convey the intention to offer the Clear River Carp to the Netherworld Sect through Yang Yong.

Yang Yong was the Wang family's backing within the Netherworld Sect. He was over three hundred and fifty years old and had a mid-stage Violet Mansion cultivation.

The Wang family had been suppressed by the direct lineage families of the Netherworld Sect for three hundred years. Their ability to remain standing owed a great deal to this elder.

The Wang family's ability to climb onto this big tree was also due to the blessings of their ancestors. Over three hundred years ago, Yang Yong had a fortuitous encounter and successfully reached Foundation Establishment at a young age.

At that time, the vast majority of rogue cultivators idolized Wang Chengzhu, and Yang Yong was no exception. He also planned to follow Wang Chengzhu's path to success: killing demonic beasts, gaining fame, and earning the appreciation of the Zhao family, the imperial clan.

While hunting demonic beasts in the Skyrend Mountain Range, he inadvertently provoked a pack of Black Cloud Wolves.

Adult Black Cloud Wolves were peak-tier one demonic beasts, while the Wolf King was an early-tier two demonic beast.

A pack of Black Cloud Wolves led by a Wolf King was enough to make even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators retreat, let alone Yang Yong, who had just reached Foundation Establishment. He was surrounded by the wolf pack and was about to be overwhelmed when Wang Chengzhu happened to pass by while hunting in the mountains and saved Yang Yong.

Wang Chengzhu had saved Yang Yong's life, and Yang Yong, remembering this kindness, actively mediated for the Wang family when they fell into hardship, thus preserving the family.

For three hundred years, the Wang family sent elders annually to pay their respects to Yang Yong, offering continuous generous gifts. The Yang and Wang families, from cultivators to mortals, were constantly intermarrying. Even Wang Daoyuan's mother was from the Yang family.

Upon receiving Wang Zhian's message, Yang Yong immediately reported it to the Sect Master of the Netherworld Sect. The Sect Master did not pay much attention to the matter, as the Clear River Carp's practical value was not great; it was merely worth some spirit stones. As the incident occurred in the Qingli Market, the matter was fully delegated to Elder Zhou, who was stationed in Qingli Market by the Netherworld Sect to handle it.

However, Elder Zhou was in seclusion for cultivation and did not receive the message. Wang Zhian had arrived at Qingli Market early to visit Elder Zhou, but was turned away. It wasn't until Yang Yong arrived and called Elder Zhou out of his seclusion that Wang Zhian was able to meet him.

By the time he had finalized the matter of presenting the Clear River Carp, it was already the next morning when he arrived at the Jade Spring General Store.

Wang Zhian was greatly startled upon learning what had happened the previous night from Wang Zhide. If the Clear River Carp had truly been stolen, the Netherworld Sect's wrath would have brought immense misfortune upon the Wang family.

Fortunately, Wang Daoyuan and Wang Zhide had used a trick to divert the attention of the treasure-seeking cultivators, shifting the blame. Otherwise, both the Jade Spring General Store and the Pill Talisman Pavilion would have been ruined.

Just as Wang Zhian was recovering from his shock, Elder Zhou and Yang Yong arrived at the Jade Spring General Store with several Netherworld Sect disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage.

At this moment, the Liang family patriarch, Liang Jiaxing, also arrived uninvited. However, his expression was unusual, as if he had suffered a rather serious internal injury.

Wang Zhian and Wang Zhide paid their respects to Elder Zhou and Yang Yong. After the formalities, Elder Zhou said, "The Wang family has shown great understanding and proactively offered the Clear River Carp. The Sect Master is very pleased and has ordered me to handle this matter fully. He also said that the Wang family will be handsomely rewarded."

Wang Zhian quickly expressed his gratitude, "As a subordinate family of the Netherworld Sect, offering the Clear River Carp is our duty. We dare not expect any reward."

Liang Jiaxing interjected sarcastically, "How is it that I heard a Foundation Establishment cultivator broke into the Pill Talisman Pavilion last night, injured the young man who caught the fish, and stole the Clear River Carp? The Wang family lost the Clear River Carp but shamelessly claims to offer it to the Netherworld Sect to gain rewards. What crime should they be punished with?"

Wang Zhide retorted, "May I ask how the Liang family head knew that someone had stolen the Clear River Carp?"

Liang Jiaxing said dismissively, "With such a huge commotion last night, how could I not know?"

"Since you knew, why didn't you intervene?" Wang Zhide asked again. "Could it be that the Liang family head wished for the Clear River Carp to be stolen by others, or to claim it for yourself, and did not want our Wang family to hand it over to the Netherworld Sect?"

Liang Jiaxing was speechless. Wang Zhide had spoken his mind. After a long pause, he finally replied weakly, "How would I know the Wang family intended to hand over the Clear River Carp to the Netherworld Sect?"

Having gained the upper hand, Wang Zhide did not press further, lest he annoy Elder Zhou.

Elder Zhou was somewhat aware of the animosity between the Wang and Liang families but, as an outsider, saw no need to get involved. However, he was tired of listening to their squabble and asked, "Is the Clear River Carp still in the Wang family's possession?"