: Soul-Snatching Concealed Light

Ning Jiufan rushed over with all his might. Seeing that Ning Zhuo was still in one piece, he finally breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Ning Zhuo quickly scurried over to Ning Jiufan, his face still pale. "Ancestor, Yang Chanyu attacked us! Luckily, I had the Slick and Shiny Talisman you gave me and managed to escape. But... but Zheng Jian, he..."

Before he could finish, another Golden Core cultivator descended from above. "Zheng Jian!" the man roared, his voice filled with profound grief. It was Zheng Danlian, one of the two Zheng Family Ancestors. He scanned Zheng Jian's body with his spiritual sense, confirming the young man was utterly dead. His sorrowful expression was instantly replaced by fury and hatred. "Who? Who killed our clan's talented junior?!" he snarled, glaring fiercely at Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo hastily retreated behind Ning Jiufan, peeking out with just his head. "I-It was Yang Chanyu from the Bukong Sect!"

Ning Jiufan stepped forward, shielding Ning Zhuo from Zheng Danlian's oppressive aura. "Brother Zheng," he said coldly, "the priority now is to find the murderer and take revenge. You, a dignified Golden Core cultivator and elder of a great clan, surely wouldn't bully a mere Qi Refining junior, would you?"

Zheng Danlian gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead as a violent urge to kill surged within him.

At that moment, Zheng Shuangguo also arrived at the scene. He landed directly, crouched down, and began examining Zheng Jian's body in detail. "His soul is gone, only his physical body remains," he reported. "As for the body... his heart is destroyed, all vitality extinguished." Zheng Shuangguo shook his head slightly and let out a long sigh.

Zheng Danlian barked, "Boy Ning Zhuo! Speak! What exactly happened just now? Don't leave out a single detail, or I'll hold you responsible!"

Ning Jiufan's mana surged around him. "Brother Zheng, I understand your grief," he said. "But didn't our own Ning Xiaohui also fall just days ago? Our two families are in the same situation! Ning Zhuo is not a criminal. He only survived this time thanks to a precious talisman I gave him."

Zheng Shuangguo interjected, addressing Zheng Danlian, "Elder Brother, please restrain your thunderous wrath. We and the Ning Family are allies, not enemies."

Zheng Danlian breathed heavily, his eyes bloodshot, struggling to suppress his anger.

Only then did Ning Jiufan shift slightly aside. He turned slightly and spoke to Ning Zhuo in a gentle tone, "Go on, Little Zhuo. Try not to miss any details."

"Yes, Ancestor," Ning Zhuo replied promptly and began recounting the events.

Zheng Danlian's brow furrowed deeply, while Zheng Shuangguo remained expressionless.

As Ning Zhuo was nearing the end of his account, a streak of rainbow light flew from the distance, landing nearby and transforming into another Golden Core cultivator—Zhu Xuanji.

"Lord Zhu, you've finally arrived!" Zheng Danlian exclaimed; he had sent a message earlier.

Zheng Shuangguo added, "Chief Inspector, our clan's talented junior has been killed. We need your expertise to apprehend the true culprit!"

Zhu Xuanji quickly scanned the scene, glanced at Zheng Danlian, and then looked at Zheng Shuangguo. "I just came from another crime scene," he said. "Something happened at the Zhou Family as well. Sun Lingtong suddenly appeared and attacked Zhou Zhu and Zhou Zeshen."

Zheng Shuangguo raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Zheng Danlian demanded, "Did the Zhou Family's two talented juniors also perish?"

Zhu Xuanji shook his head. "It would be more accurate to say the Molten Rock Immortal Palace saved them. Although Sun Lingtong is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she was suppressed by the Immortal Palace's environment. Zhou Zeshen suffered minor injuries, but Zhou Zhu is critically wounded and near death. The situation was truly precarious at the time."

Zheng Danlian snorted coldly. "The Zhou Family didn't lose anyone, but our Zheng Family has lost a talented junior!"

Zhu Xuanji frowned slightly, attributing Zheng Danlian's harsh tone to grief and anger. He ignored him and instead surveyed the surroundings, walking around the scene. As he did, golden light flashed in his eyes as he employed a technique to trace the origins of the event.

In an instant, he witnessed the moment Zheng Jian's heart was pierced. The bloody blade became a close-up in Zhu Xuanji's vision. He sighed. "This should be Yang Chanyu's weapon—the Soul-Snatching Concealed Light Blade. When used, its aura is extremely restrained, and its power can accumulate continuously. Combined with Yang Chanyu's Old Cicada Art, if it accumulates for a long time before being unleashed, the force is tremendous! Those struck by the blade often have part of their soul torn away and seized by the blade itself—a very insidious effect. Zheng Jian was only at the Qi Refining stage; after being struck, his entire soul was taken."

After this analysis, Zheng Danlian roared, "Yang Chanyu! You, a dignified Golden Core cultivator, ambushing a Qi Refining junior? You have no shame! I will kill you! Kill you! Lord Zhu, quickly track them down, find the murderer! Let me taste the enemy's blood with my sickle!"

However, Zhu Xuanji shook his head. "The methods of the Bukong Sect are extraordinary. Like Sun Lingtong, Yang Chanyu acted swiftly, seizing the moment. Once their time limit was up, regardless of the situation, they withdrew decisively, leaving no clues behind. How can I possibly track them?"

"Ah!" Zheng Danlian bellowed in frustration.

Zheng Shuangguo's brow furrowed deeply. He faintly sensed something amiss with Zheng Danlian's emotional state and hurried to his side to calm him. "Elder Brother, I beg you, remain calm! Even if Lord Zhu had clues, they might have been deliberately left by the enemy to lure us into a trap. The Bukong Sect is a major evil faction that has been lurking in our Fire Persimmon Immortal City for years. We must not underestimate them." Lowering his voice, he added via secret transmission, "Elder Brother, if we confront Yang Chanyu head-on, our Zheng Family would simultaneously provoke two super sects. I implore you, stay calm! Calm!"

After Zheng Shuangguo's earnest persuasion, Zheng Danlian finally reined in his anger. He looked at Zhu Xuanji and asked bitterly, "Lord Zhu, given the circumstances, will the Royal Family not act? Our Zheng Family, since forming the alliance, has willingly followed your lead and obeyed commands. Previously, our Zheng Family mistakenly killed a Golden Core true disciple of the Taiqing Palace. Now, our talented junior has been tragically killed by the Bukong Sect... Thinking about it now, that so-called 'Shadow Demonic Cultivator' was surely also from the Bukong Sect! How long will the Southern Bean Royal Family tolerate such evil villains and murderers? If there is no assistance forthcoming, our clan might as well defect to Meng Kui and see how this City Lord performs!"

Zhu Xuanji's expression immediately turned stern, his brows deeply furrowed.

"Elder Brother!!" Zheng Shuangguo shouted angrily, glaring at Zheng Danlian. He then bowed to Zhu Xuanji, excusing Zheng Danlian's words as being spoken in the heat of anger and not reflecting his true intent, hoping Zhu Xuanji would be understanding and forgiving.

After this outburst, Zheng Danlian also realized his mistake. Breaking out in a cold sweat, he fell silent.

While he remained quiet, Ning Zhuo spoke up. He looked at Zhu Xuanji and said, "Lord Zhu, I beg you, you must take action. This Bukong Sect is truly vicious and ruthless! I was lucky to escape with my life this time, thanks to the Ancestor's Slick and Shiny Talisman. But this information is already leaked. The Bukong Sect possesses Treasure Nullification Techniques! The next time they strike, they will likely first seize the talisman and then take my life! Even if they don't target me, targeting other members of the Modification Team would be like picking fruit from a tree! Under such circumstances, how can we actively work to secure positions within the Immortal Palace? I believe the Bukong Sect is acting this way because they've seen our movements and don't want us to obtain various positions within the Molten Rock Immortal Palace! Because doing so would undoubtedly weaken their control over it!"

Ning Zhuo's words caused the four Golden Core cultivators present to frown in consternation.

From their perspective: City Lord Meng Kui had launched a transparent stratagem, setting generous rewards for those who maintained their positions. Under this stratagem, cultivators would be compelled to strive wholeheartedly for these positions to control the Immortal Palace, which was beneficial overall. Moreover, this plan killed two birds with one stone, potentially splitting the three-family alliance. The conflict earlier between the Zheng and Ning Families, sparked by Zheng Jian's ultimatum to Ning Zhuo, was a direct result of this stratagem.

Clearly, the Bukong Sect was unwilling to let the Southern Bean faction gain control of the Immortal Palace positions and had immediately counteracted by assassinating members of the Modification Team.

The members of the Modification Team all held trial disciple status, giving them an advantage in competing for Immortal Palace positions. Yet, their cultivation was only at the Qi Refining stage, making them weak and easy targets—literally like picking fruit.

What troubled the Golden Core cultivators was their passive position. If they protected the Modification Team, their own energy and resources would be tied down. Even if they used the team as bait, if the Bukong Sect chose not to attack, they would still be expending manpower and resources. But if they left the team unprotected, how could they justify it to their respective clan members? They were, after all, part of the righteous path.

The Golden Core cultivators' dilemma did not hinder the handling of Zheng Jian's remains.

Not long after, Zheng Hua, an elder of the Zheng Family, personally came forward to manage the situation and stabilize morale. His first action was to hold a simple memorial service for Zheng Jian.

The entire Zheng Family Modification Team attended the funeral.

"Boss!"

"Leader!!"

Many looked at Zheng Jian's body, their eyes red, calling out mournfully as if their cries could bring him back to life. Someone wanted to wail but clenched their teeth, forcibly holding back the sobs.

Zheng Hua stood beside the coffin, his face dark and somber. The loss was agonizing. Zheng Jian... this outstanding junior of the family possessed not only talent but also, more importantly, excellent character, leadership abilities, and keen judgment. He was highly respected, and in the eyes of the Zheng main lineage, Zheng Jian's future was at least that of a ruling elder! But now, he had fallen, his potential unfulfilled. Immense regret and pain filled Zheng Hua's heart. As a senior clansman, he had always held high hopes for Zheng Jian, looking forward to his future. But now, Zheng Jian lying in the coffin had no future left!

A Zheng Family cultivator suddenly approached Zheng Hua and reported, "Sir, Ning Zhuo from the Ning Family requests an audience. He says he also wishes to pay his respects to Leader Zheng Jian."

Hearing this, the nearby Modification Team members burst into angry murmurs.

"How dare he show his face?! If not for needing to negotiate with him, why would Leader Zheng Jian have gone out?"

"Why did that bitch Yang Chanyu only kill the Leader and not him?!"

"This guy collaborated with the Bukong Sect before, and now he's been pardoned by Zhu Xuanji and successfully 'cleaned.' Abandoning darkness for light? Hah! It's possible he's still secretly plotting with the Bukong Sect. This time, he conspired to harm our brother Zheng Jian!"

(End of )