Chapter 13

After Jia Lie Bi finished speaking, the smile on his face became increasingly obvious.

That was because, after Jia Lie Bi and Ao Bapa's instigation, the leaders of several smaller clans nearby had begun to question Xiao Ming's actions as well.

Although the Xiao Clan had always conducted itself with extreme restraint, its overall strength had long since vaguely become the greatest in all of Wu Tan City.

Now, with the army beneath the city walls added to the equation, Wu Tan City might well become the Xiao Clan's private backyard from now on.

Moreover, some of these smaller clans had spent years secretly following the Jia Lie Clan and Ao Ba Clan in undermining the Xiao Clan.

Naturally, their thoughts were now the same as those of the two major clans.

All these factors had led to the Xiao Clan being surrounded by the various clan factions.

As the saying went, one could never know what lay in another's heart. No one could guarantee that, after Xiao Ming led such an army into Wu Tan City, the Xiao Clan would not move to unify the city.

The situation in Wu Tan City had remained stable for many years. If the Xiao Clan's sudden change caused that stability to collapse into turmoil once more, it would certainly not be something anyone present would be pleased about.

But everyone atop the city walls had forgotten one extremely important matter.

Where Xiao Ming and his group went had never been something they could casually decide with just a few words from atop the wall.

After seeing Xiao Zhan and the others being targeted on the wall, Xiao Ming came beneath it and shouted up at them.

"Everyone, I am a member of the Xiao Clan. Some mishaps occurred while I was traveling some time ago, which is why it took me so long to return. As for these brothers behind me, I merely happened to meet them along the way. They absolutely will not cause any trouble for any of you."

It had to be said that Xiao Ming had underestimated the pettiness of the people atop the wall.

Faced with Xiao Ming's explanation, none of them were moved.

At that moment, after seeing everyone's reactions atop the wall, Jia Lie Bi's lips gradually curled into a strange smile.

Because Jia Lie Bi knew that everyone present had now become suspicious of the Xiao Clan and Xiao Ming below.

Once a person's suspicions arose, then no matter what happened afterward, that distrust between people would never truly disappear.

Therefore, Jia Lie Bi knew that as long as he and Ao Bapa refused to relent, Xiao Ming and his group could forget about taking even a single step into Wu Tan City.

With that thought, Jia Lie Bi put on a worried expression and walked to the edge of the wall. Looking down at Xiao Ming from above, he said, "Nephew Xiao Ming, of course we know that you are a member of the Xiao Clan. But you vanished for so long and suddenly returned with such a large force. Everyone in Wu Tan City has struggled to build what they have. We truly cannot feel at ease letting you bring so many brothers into the city."

"However..."

At this point, Jia Lie Bi deliberately—or perhaps casually—glanced at Xiao Zhan beside him before continuing.

"If you are willing to hand over some resources as a security deposit, we can consider allowing you and your men into the city."

Jia Lie Bi's words sounded lofty and righteous, but the eyes of the smaller clan leaders present gleamed with mockery.

The Xiao Clan's foundation might be formidable, but in their view, the Jia Lie Clan was clearly using this opportunity to extort the Xiao Clan mercilessly.

After all, this was far from the first time they had done such a thing.

Whether it had been against the Ao Ba Clan and certain smaller clans in the past, or against the Xiao Clan now, the Jia Lie Clan had gained plenty of benefits from it all.

If not for the Jia Lie Clan, their own interests within Wu Tan City would certainly not have suffered losses.

Thus, upon hearing Jia Lie Bi's words, every smaller clan leader on the wall wore a cold sneer.

It had to be said that the Jia Lie Clan had played this hand well. Their move struck right at the root of the problem.

If the Xiao Clan did not hand over a batch of cultivation resources now, the people present would likely join forces and bar the large group below from entering Wu Tan City.

After all, Wu Tan City's situation had been stable for many years. If any change occurred now, the entire city could be plunged into misery and chaos.

Yet at that moment, Xiao Ming beneath the city wall suddenly threw back his head and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha... Hahaha..."

Hearing Xiao Ming's wild laughter, Jia Lie Bi frowned slightly and could not help glancing at Ao Bapa beside him.

Had this brat gone mad? He was actually laughing at a time like this.

"Old Jia Lie, I think you should stop wasting words on them. Just make your move!"

Seeing Jia Lie Bi look at him, Ao Bapa, who had always been at odds with Xiao Zhan, decisively spoke up.

He showed no concern whatsoever for how Xiao Zhan and the others beside him might react.

"Make your move!"

The instant Ao Bapa finished speaking, several guards at his side appeared in a flash and surrounded Xiao Zhan and the others.

It had to be said that these guards were quite powerful. With the support of the Ao Ba Clan over the years, every one of them had reached the Dou Shi realm.

"You..."

Seeing the guards surrounding him, Xiao Zhan erupted with rage.

Although the four guards were indeed strong, Xiao Zhan was confident that he could hold them off with his own strength.

But Jia Lie Bi and Ao Bapa, whose strength was not much different from his own, were also nearby.

For a moment, the Xiao Clan's situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

Seeing this, Xiao Ming knew that today's matter had reached the point where it could no longer be resolved with a few words.

He no longer intended to continue playing along with them.

Xiao Ming slowly raised one arm into the air. Then, with a flash of silver light, Gungnir appeared out of thin air in his hand.

At the sight, the auras of Seven Baleful Intents and the others surged explosively. With furious roars, they charged toward Wu Tan City.

As the vast sea of troops launched their charge toward them, the people atop the wall immediately began to meet the attack at Jia Lie Bi's signal.

The remaining members of the Ao Ba Clan were responsible for holding Xiao Zhan and the others in check.

A great chaos immediately erupted atop the city walls.