Charge into the Zhang Household, Rob and Kill at Will

"What kind of power is the Yang Household of Cloudmoor City?"

"Never heard of them. Any of you know?"

"I do. My distant cousin lives in Cloudmoor City. She told me the Yang Household is the city's foremost lineage!"

"Cloudmoor City's foremost lineage? Why have they come to Clearwind Town dressed like Martial Warriors and spoiling for a fight?"

"Huh? Aren't they heading toward... the Zhang Household?!"

"Quick, let's see what's going on!"

"Come on, come on!"

A large crowd from Clearwind Town quickly followed Yang Piyuan and his people, though none dared get too close for fear of angering them.

They were Martial Warriors. Though no match for cultivators, they were stronger than ordinary people.

Before long.

The Zhang Household.

Outside its ancestral grounds.

Whoosh!

Yang Piyuan and a hundred elite Yang Household Martial Warriors dismounted in unison, their presence overwhelming.

At the sight, the onlookers' hearts quailed. They backed away several yards, privately fearing that calamity had come for the Zhang Household today.

"Lü Qiaogu, Lin Xingqi, you two stay here and lend Elder Yang and his men your presence."

"The rest of you, onto my Long Robe. We're going to the Cloud Offering Sect!"

Yan Qiuhua, the core disciple sent by the Cangri Sect, issued his instructions from atop the Long Robe.

"Yes, Senior Brother Yan!"

The ten Cangri Sect disciples answered in unison.

"Thank you, Young Hero Yan!"

Seeing that Yan Qiuhua had thoughtfully left fellow disciples to back him up, Yang Piyuan hurriedly thanked him.

"Settle things here quickly. We'll wipe out the Cloud Offering Sect soon enough, so don't waste everyone's time!"

Yan Qiuhua spoke with icy arrogance. At the third level of the Foundation Establishment Realm, he naturally thought nothing of the Cloud Offering Sect.

"Understood, Young Hero Yan!"

Yang Piyuan answered solemnly.

Whoosh!

Yan Qiuhua had no interest in saying more. He channeled his Source Power and flew away in a streak of light with eight disciples.

"Yang Household Martial Warriors, charge into the Zhang Household! Rob and kill as you please!"

Seeing them leave, Yang Piyuan gave the order.

"Yes, Great Elder!"

"Kill!"

A hundred Yang Household Martial Warriors gripped their weapons and charged into the Zhang Household's ancestral grounds.

Lü Qiaogu and Lin Xingqi, however, remained where they stood, as immovable as mountains.

For cultivators to attack mortals, especially to kill them, went against the Heavenly Dao and could harm their own cultivation.

At best, their cultivation would stagnate and their path forward be severed; at worst, inner demons would take root and drag them onto the demonic path.

Thus, unless they had no other choice, cultivators did not attack mortals. Besides, Lü Qiaogu and Lin Xingqi were only there to protect the Yang Household.

The Zhang Household.

The council chamber.

"Patriarch, terrible news!"

"A band of Martial Warriors suddenly charged into our ancestral grounds, shouting the Yang Household's name!"

"Our Martial Warriors are fighting desperately to hold them back, but these men are too strong. I'm afraid they won't last long!"

Zhang Hengbai, a Zhang Household steward, burst into the council chamber and delivered his report in a panic.

"Hm? Yang Household Martial Warriors? Could they be from the Yang Household of Cloudmoor City?"

Zhang Qingping's brows shot up.

"I believe so. We started selling Communication Talismans in Cloudmoor City four days ago. Perhaps that angered the Yang Household!"

"Patriarch, what should we do?"

Zhang Hengbai asked, frantic with worry.

The people of Clearwind Town might not know of Cloudmoor City's Yang Household, but how could Zhang Qingping and Zhang Hengbai, who managed the Zhang Household's Communication Talisman sales there, not have heard its name?

"Have our Martial Warriors hold them off with everything they have. I'll contact Xingfeng and ask the Heavenly Mist Sect to send help!"

After a moment's thought, Zhang Qingping answered calmly.

"The Heavenly Mist Sect?"

"What sort of sect is that? Why haven't I heard of it?"

"Isn't Xingfeng a disciple of the Cloud Offering Sect?"

Zhang Hengbai looked utterly confused.

"Never mind those questions for now. Do as I say!"

Zhang Qingping had no patience to explain. His voice was stern.

"Oh, and Patriarch, our people also saw cultivators arrive with the Yang Household Martial Warriors."

"They flew toward the Cloud Offering Sect. I fear they mean the sect harm!"

Zhang Hengbai added.

"Very well. I'll tell Xingfeng that too, and warn Sect Master Lin to be careful!"

"First, gather our people and focus on resisting those Yang Household warriors outside!"

Zhang Qingping took out a Communication Talisman and gave the order.

"Yes, Patriarch!"

Zhang Hengbai hurried away.

The Heavenly Mist Sect.

Within the sect.

The Sect Discussion Hall.

"Master, something terrible has happened!"

"The Yang Household of Cloudmoor City sent warriors into the Zhang Household, and cultivators have flown toward the Cloud Offering Sect!"

Zhang Xingfeng extinguished the Communication Talisman, his brow tightly furrowed and his face anxious, and spoke.

"Elder Mo, go to the Cloud Offering Sect at once and help them fend off the invading cultivators!"

Li Moqing turned to Mo Lingyuan and issued the order immediately.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Mo Lingyuan knew that clashes between cultivators were unlike fights between mortals, with blows traded back and forth. They were often decided in an instant.

Not daring to waste a moment, he hurried off in a streak of light.

"Xingfeng, return to your family at once and protect them!"

Li Moqing gave Zhang Xingfeng a solemn order as well.

"Yes, Master!"

Zhang Xingfeng dared not delay either. He swiftly channeled his Source Power, stepped onto Ink Edge, and sped away.

"Master, I want to help Senior Brother!"

"Master, so do I!"

Dongfang Muxue and Chen Guyu made their request together.

"Go!"

Li Moqing nodded.

Whoosh!

Before his words had faded, Dongfang Muxue and Chen Guyu mounted their respective weapons and raced after Zhang Xingfeng.

"Senior Brother, wait for us!"

They called out.

"Thank you, Junior Sister and Junior Brother!"

Warmth spread through Zhang Xingfeng, but he did not slow down.

Cloud Offering Sect.

Boom!

Without warning, a thunderous crash sounded, and the Cloud Offering Sect's gates shattered into pieces.

Whoosh!

Qin Tingjian and Huang Yanyu, who usually guarded the sect, flew back into its grounds like meteors.

They slammed into the ground, gouging out a huge crater.

"Cough!"

Both spat mouthfuls of blood and felt as though all their organs had ruptured.

Hearing the commotion, the Cloud Offering Sect's members streamed out and gathered around the crater.

“Tingjian! Yan Yu!”

They called out urgently.

"Sect Master, everyone, we're... cough... fine."

Qin Tingjian and Huang Yanyu were pale and terribly weak, but forced out the words.

Whoosh!

Just then, a streak of light swept into the Cloud Offering Sect. It was Yan Qiuhua and his party.

Seated on the Long Robe, they looked down at the Cloud Offering Sect's members with disdain, as though gazing upon the dead.

And in their eyes, the Cloud Offering Sect's members were already dead!

"Who are you? Why have you hurt my disciples?"

Grief and fury filled Lin Shanghai's face, but he met Yan Qiuhua's gaze without fear and demanded an answer in a cold voice.

Patriarch Zhang only just warned me. I never thought they'd arrive so quickly. The third level of the Foundation Establishment Realm? Heh...

He gave a bitter laugh to himself.

“Who are we?” A cold smile touched Yan Qiuhua's lips. He shouted, “The people who will kill you all!”

"Die!"

His eyes turned icy. With a shout, he drove his Source Power into a ball of light and hurled it at Lin Shanghai.

Boom!

The force of the descending light ball shattered countless buildings in an instant!

"Hm?!"

Lin Shanghai dared not take it lightly. His expression turned grave, his robe billowed, and he furiously channeled his Source Power into a giant palm that struck back.

"Die!" "Come and die!"

At the same time, the eight disciples behind Yan Qiuhua leaped off the Long Robe. Their Source Power surged as they attacked the remaining Cloud Offering Sect members.

The others of the Cloud Offering Sect showed no fear. They channeled their Source Power and met the assault head-on.

In an instant, figures blurred throughout the Cloud Offering Sect, streaks of light flashed, and strange phenomena filled the air.

Power poured across the grounds and dust billowed. Caught in the upheaval, the badly wounded Qin Tingjian and Huang Yanyu fell unconscious!