Treasures (Part 2)

Chapter 49: Treasures (Part II)

An excellent strategist is not only capable of formulating a sound plan but must also possess the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Though a plan may be ingenious, it can never keep pace with the speed of change; the ability to improvise is a trait that anyone destined for greatness must carry with them.

Cai Di was precisely such a man. He was capable of devising a perfect plan the moment he entered the Nangong Mansion and grasped its inner workings, and he was equally capable of altering that plan as the situation within the mansion shifted.

Although Cai Di's cultivation was only at the Body Integration Realm, under the protection of the Heaven-Concealing Talisman, the Geng Metal Killing Array could not harm him for the time being.

Originally, Cai Di had intended to use his toxins to scramble the minds of the three Tribulation Transcendence Realm powerhouses of the Nangong Family, forcing them into a killing frenzy until they finally detonated their Nascent Souls and perished, making it appear as though they had died while guarding certain secrets.

But looking at the current situation, there was indeed a major secret within the Nangong Family, one that Nangong Xiangque was willing to slaughter every cultivator here to protect.

Cai Di had not expected this place to be guarded by an immortal-grade array. Even though it was only overseen by a cultivator at the Tribulation Transcendence Realm who could not unleash the array's full potential, it was more than enough to annihilate two hundred cultivators at or below the Body Integration Realm.

Cai Di would not allow such a thing to happen. Once these two hundred cultivators were dead, the Nangong Clan would only need to use their silver tongues to subtly misdirect the blame, and the entire crime would inevitably be pinned on the Chen Clan.

In just a moment, a new plan took shape in his mind.

Shadow had already been relaying everything happening here to Chen Xiao as if it were a live broadcast.

Chen Xiao was in the Heavenly Abode, locked in a standoff with Nangong Wenyang, but his mind was constantly focused on the situation there. Upon hearing Shadow's report, Chen Xiao made a prompt decision: at any cost, he had to find out exactly what existed within the Nangong Family's treasury.

At this moment, nearly a hundred cultivators were locked in a fierce battle within the Heavenly Abode. No matter how powerful the defensive arrays of the Heavenly Abode were, they had been blasted into ruins, and the crowd was now standing in a standoff amidst the debris, looking disheveled and covered in dust.

Those foreign cultivators and disciples of noble clans out for experience had been caught off guard and left in a sorry state; naturally, they attributed all of this to Nangong Wenyang.

By now, the two sides had fought until their eyes were bloodshot. Where they had previously held back slightly, they were now unleashing lethal blows. After all, the Nangong Family had the numbers and held the absolute advantage.

Chen Xiao stood to the side, not leaving. Although his face was ferocious and his eyes brimmed with Killing Intent, his heart was strangely calm.

Now, that Innate Kui Water Talisman should be fully triggered, and Nangong Wenyue should be dead. If I were to finish off Nangong Wenyang at this moment, would Nangong Shenhe be absolutely furious?

Chen Xiao pondered continuously, wondering how he could inflict the greatest possible loss on the Nangong Family while maintaining a low profile and avoiding notice.

BOOM!!!

Just then, a thunderous explosion erupted in the northwest. The Nangong Family's residence had been blown sky-high, and the surrounding buildings were razed to the ground.

"Not good!"

Xia Rende, who had been fighting with bloodshot eyes, suddenly shuddered. He let out a shrill scream: "Everyone, return to the family immediately! Anyone who dares to block our path, kill them without mercy!"

Pfft!

As Xia Rende opened his mouth, a hammer-like magical treasure was released, smashing a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator from the Beiyu Family—along with his Nascent Soul—into a pulp.

Seeing Xia Rende unleash his power, the three confidants of Bei Yu Xian and the others felt a tremor in their hearts and subconsciously slowed their attacks.

Xia Rende seized the opportunity, grabbed Nangong Wenyang, and led his men in a frantic charge toward the Nangong Family residence. Although he did not know the core secrets of the Nangong Family, it was still his duty to protect the family's interests.

"Ling Jian, Huan Sha, you two look after the Seventh Young Master. The rest of you, follow me to take a look."

Upon hearing the massive commotion from the direction of the Nangong Family, Fifth Brother felt his heart tremble and hurriedly gave orders to his subordinates.

"Little Seven, stay here and don't move. Be careful with everything."

Fifth Brother called out, then led his remaining dozen or so followers as they soared into the sky toward the Nangong Family.

It was not just them; other foreign cultivators also took corresponding actions. With such a massive disturbance at the Nangong Family, they naturally had to go and investigate.

Chen Xiao watched their retreating figures, a cold sneer playing on his lips.

"Third Brother, the city is in chaos now. Father wants you to return immediately."

At this moment, Chen Xiao's eldest brother, Chen Yuan, approached him and spoke, then turned to warn the three of them, including Bei Yu Xian: "And the three of you, return to your respective families at once. Do not stir up trouble."

Chen Yuan's face was full of gravity. Although the incident occurred at the Nangong Family, the Nangong Family was, after all, a part of Moon-Gazing City; if it came to an investigation, the Chen Clan would not be able to escape responsibility.

Chen Xiao nodded helplessly. In truth, he wanted to go to the Nangong Family to watch the show; after all, he had directed this entire scene himself, and he felt somewhat unwilling to leave without being there to witness the aftermath.

But since Chen Yuan had come in person, he knew that Chen Tiannan must have been worried about Chen Xiao's safety and had sent Chen Yuan to summon him back.

Knowing this was his father's good intention, Chen Xiao exchanged a few words with Bei Yu Xian and the others before following Chen Yuan back to the mansion.

The moment Chen Xiao and Mengmeng returned, the Golden Light Demon-Defending Array was fully activated, for fear that the chaos would spill over into the City Lord's Mansion. By now, Chen Fengyang had refined the City-Suppressing Seal to a great extent, and with the two combined, the power of the Golden Light Demon-Defending Array had increased several times over.

The Chen Clan had now made its stance clear: they would look out only for themselves. No matter how chaotic Moon-Gazing City became, it had nothing to do with the Chen Clan.

When Chen Xiao returned to his courtyard with Mengmeng, he found Cai Di, Shadow, and Ao Xie discussing something.

Cai Di's expression was extremely grim, Ao Xie looked indifferent, and as for Shadow, no expression could be discerned on his face.

In front of Shadow lay a cyan stone tablet. It was a grayish-blue color and covered in dense cracks, appearing as if it might shatter at any moment.

In fact, this was only half a tablet, split down the middle; what lay before Shadow was the upper portion. On this half-tablet, an ancient character was carved, though Chen Xiao did not recognize what it was.

"What is this?"

Chen Xiao looked at the nearly shattered half-tablet and asked with some hesitation.

"This is the treasure taken from the Nangong Family's treasury." Seeing Chen Xiao speak, Shadow hurriedly replied: "At the time, the cultivator named Nangong Xiangluan was clutching this half-tablet while fleeing. I punched his Nascent Soul to pieces, and this is his ring."

Shadow then presented the storage ring of the unfortunate Nangong Xiangluan to Chen Xiao.

Once the master was dead, the storage ring became an ownerless object. Chen Xiao took the ring without much concern and asked: "You're saying this thing is the treasure that the Nangong Family elder was willing to trigger the array and slaughter all those cultivators just to keep hidden?"

Chen Xiao blinked, asking curiously.

Although this half-tablet looked ancient, there was no spiritual energy fluctuation on its surface. If it were left on the side of the road, no one would even spare it a second glance.

Ladies and gentlemen, I've come to beg for votes again...