Translator: AnubisTL
Three more cultivators emerged from the dense forest, all at the Late Qi Refining Realm. Two were Clan Elders from the Liu Clan, while the third was Shi Nantian's secret protector, dispatched by the Shi Clan to ensure his safety.
Upon seeing them, Liu Bailin immediately burst into tears and cried out, "Father!"
In stark contrast to Liu Bailin's desperate plea, Shi Nantian merely pursed his lips and said dismissively, "Third Uncle, what are you doing here? I told you I wanted to train alone this time!"
"Hmph! You reckless brat never thinks before acting. How could your father possibly let you venture out alone?" Shi Zhen retorted, his voice laced with exasperation. "If I hadn't arrived in time, you'd be dead here, and no one would even know!"
Shi Zhen continued to scold his nephew, his frustration evident in his stern demeanor. Hearing his third uncle's reprimand, Shi Nantian sheepishly lowered his head, daring not to argue further.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere among the Liu Clan members had turned murderous. The two Clan Elders closed in menacingly, their faces grim. Liu Santong, Liu Bailin's father, couldn't suppress the burning fury in his eyes.
"Hongyuan, the clan has treated you well. Why betray us?" Liu Zhan demanded coldly.
Liu Hongyuan clenched his fists, a sneer twisting his lips. "Treated me well? If the clan truly valued me, I would have achieved Foundation Establishment twenty-two years ago!"
"The only reason Liu Haide received that Foundation Establishment Pill was because of my lineage."
It turned out that Liu Hongyuan wasn't a direct descendant of the Liu Clan. His father was a cultivator from another clan who had married into the family. While half of his bloodline was indeed from the Liu Clan, his claim to the Foundation Establishment Pill paled in comparison to Liu Haide, who was a direct descendant.
The other two Liu Clan Elders remained silent, neither confirming nor denying this established truth.
At the time, three members of the Liu Clan were qualified to consume a Foundation Establishment Pill, including Liu Haide and Liu Hongyuan. In terms of cultivation progress, Liu Hongyuan had even reached the Late Qi Refining Realm sooner and possessed a more solid foundation.
However, the authority to allocate the Foundation Establishment Pills rested with the previous Clan Head—Liu Haide's great-uncle—due to their closer familial ties.
Seeing that the two Elders remained silent, Liu Hongyuan continued with a cold sneer:
"If that were all, I could have endured it. But later, during the fierce battles with the cultivators of Liang Country, I repeatedly performed extraordinary feats, only to lose my sole heir, who possessed a Spiritual Root, on the battlefield."
"At the time, Liu Haide, who had stolen my chance at a Foundation Establishment Pill, repeatedly promised that the clan would find a way to secure another one for me."
"And what was the result? Twenty years of empty promises, without even a glimpse of a Foundation Establishment Pill!"
"Now, after finally obtaining an Essence Fusion Fruit, the clan secretly sent my niece, Bai Lin, to the Heavenly River Market with it, keeping it from me. I'm truly curious—what was their reason for this?"
As he spoke, Liu Hongyuan's fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked.
The mere mention of the Essence Fusion Fruit caused a slight reaction even from the two members of the Shi Clan standing nearby.
In the modern cultivation world, most Foundation Establishment Pills were crafted using the demonic cores of Second-Tier Demonic Beasts. However, the original pill formula had specified the Essence Fusion Fruit as its primary ingredient.
Shi Zhen glanced at the Liu Clan members in astonishment. He hadn't expected the Liu Clan to still possess such a nearly extinct treasure.
It was clear that what followed was a private matter for the Liu Clan, and as an outsider, Shi Zhen felt it was best not to intrude any further.
"Nantian, let's go!" Shi Zhen called out to his reluctant nephew, pulling him away.
Shi Nantian, eager to eavesdrop on the family's secrets, hesitated. But when his Third Uncle spoke, he had no choice but to obey.
"Fellow Daoists, I won't intrude on your family affairs any longer. I'll visit the Liu Clan again when the opportunity arises. Farewell!" Shi Zhen clasped his hands in a parting salute to the Liu Clan members and hastily departed with his nephew.
After all, the matter concerned a crucial ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill. Even though Shi Zhen wasn't particularly interested, he couldn't rule out the possibility that the Liu Clan's two Late Qi Refining Realm cultivators might resort to drastic measures to protect their secret.
As Shi Zhen left, Liu Zhan and Liu Santong exchanged grateful glances.
Then, they turned their deadly gazes back to Liu Hongyuan, their eyes burning with murderous intent.
"Brother Hongyuan," Liu Zhan said coldly, "you must understand that every decision the clan makes is for its own betterment!"
Liu Hongyuan burst into scornful laughter. "Hahaha! Bullshit about what's best for the family! Even if the family thrives, will I benefit?!"
"Don't think I'm ignorant! My niece Hanyue faced significant setbacks when trying to acquire Foundation Establishment Pills at the Heavenly River Sect. That Foundation Establishment Pill crafted from the Essence Fusion Fruit? It'll probably never end up in my hands, will it?!"
"Hahaha! It's truly laughable! I, Liu Hongyuan, have sacrificed so much for the family, accumulating countless merits and enduring endless hardships—yet this is my reward?!"
"Heartless! Truly heartless!"
As his words faded, Liu Hongyuan's eyes blazed with fury and murderous intent.
With a sudden, violent gesture, he unleashed the full power of the Jade Magic Seal, his high-grade magical artifact!
Hum!
Waves of emerald-green energy rippled outward, each capable of draining a cultivator's mana. These waves were far more potent than the ones he had just unleashed against Shi Nantian and Liu Bailin!
Liu Zhan and Liu Santong's expressions tightened slightly, but they showed no panic. Clearly, they had prepared thoroughly for Liu Hongyuan's betrayal.
In the next instant, both men activated their personal protective magical artifacts!
To their surprise, Liu Hongyuan, who had been brimming with murderous intent and seemingly determined to take them down with him, abruptly retracted his Magic Artifact without hesitation.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished from his spot!
"Wood Shadow Escape?!" Liu Zhan's gaze darkened. He realized it had all been a bluff to cover his escape.
"Hmph, don't think you're the only one who knows Wood Shadow Escape!"
"Lin'er, give your storage pouch to Uncle Zhan, then quickly replenish your spiritual energy and return to the clan." Liu Santong's eyes turned icy. His daughter had nearly lost her life at Liu Hongyuan's hands, and he clearly had no intention of letting the traitor slip away so easily.
As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Santong's figure also disappeared.
Suddenly, some trees in the forest began to sway unnaturally.
Anyone who observed closely would have noticed their shadows shifting strangely, sometimes resembling human figures, sometimes retaining their arboreal forms.
Wood Shadow Escape, the Liu Clan's signature technique, was perfectly suited to this terrain, allowing them to move as effortlessly as fish in water.
The elder Liu Zhan hadn't mastered this escape art, but after receiving the storage pouch from Liu Bailin, he immediately gave chase.
The Liu Clan was determined to eliminate this traitor at all costs. Allowing him to betray the family and live in comfort would utterly disgrace the clan's reputation.
Watching this unfold, Liu Bailin finally felt the tension in her spirit ease.
Meanwhile, Li Qing, who had long since lost interest in the drama, had already fled far away.
Once he was certain he was a safe distance from the Liu Clan's battlefield, Li Qing released Fan Tong from his spirit beast pouch again, mounted the tiger, and raced toward the Heavenly River Market.
(End of the Chapter)
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