"All right, I'll grab him first!" Fang Qing lunged at Zhang Hu, who was close at hand.
Just as Perfected Person Deqing had guessed, Fang Qing had come thoroughly prepared this time. The family head, Fang Ketian, had even bestowed upon him an exceedingly precious Lineage Forbidden Pill. Taking it would greatly increase his power, enough to raise him an entire realm. Of course, the price was extraordinarily severe: at best, his cultivation would fall several realms afterward; at worst, he might lose all his power and become a cripple. But the Fang Family was determined to obtain the Heavenly Demon Canon. Moreover, even if he sacrificed himself, the younger generations of his branch would receive special nurturing from the Fang Family's direct line. The family head and the elders of the lineage had already promised him that.
Thus, as long as he captured Zhang Hu, he could rely on this forbidden pill to escape the others. Even Deqing probably would not be able to stop him. Of course, nothing was certain. If Deqing also possessed such a self-destructive forbidden pill, Fang Qing would not be able to get away. That would depend on his luck. Nothing was absolute; wealth and honor had to be sought amid danger.
Just as Zhang Hu was about to fall into Fang Qing's hands, a thrum suddenly rang out across the grounds-a note from a zither.
Everyone felt their hearts tighten, but Fang Qing's figure abruptly halted. He slammed his left hand against his chest. His heart had clenched, as though someone were squeezing it fiercely, leaving him unable to breathe. Waves of agony struck him, making his body tremble beyond his control.
Thrum~~ A second zither note sounded. Fang Qing's face turned ashen, drained of all color. His body, still in midair, could