Starting as a Grandmaster, all of my cultivation techniques are at max level.

Sure enough, just as Qiu Changtian, the sect leader of Yuheng Sect, was preparing to rush to Wusheng Sect to demand an explanation, he received another message.

"You mean, Xiao Fubai has already headed from Wushengmen to Lingtian City?" He looked down at Elder Xu Shan and suddenly frowned.

Xu Shan nodded and said in a deep voice, "Sect Master, according to the information relayed back by our informants within the Wusheng Sect, that is indeed the case."

Qiu Changtian remained silent for a moment, then a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"It seems that Xiao Fubai was afraid that I would directly confront their Fourth Elder, Liu Yan, and cause his Wusheng Sect to lose a great general, so he deliberately acted first! Hmph, he's quite clever."

"However, this is for the best! Since he has come to Lingtian City in person, I will see for myself whether it is true, as the rumors in Lingtian City say, that Liu Yan killed Elder Yue!"

At this moment, Elder Xu Shan hesitated, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"What's wrong, Elder? Is there something else you want to say?" Qiu Changtian's gaze fell on Xu Shan.

Xu Shan pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "Sect Master, as far as I know, Liu Yan is only at the fourth level of the Free and Unfettered Heaven Realm, while Junior Brother Yue has already entered the fifth level for many years. Logically speaking, Liu Yan has no chance against Junior Brother Yue, let alone... kill him."

"I find this matter quite suspicious. Could it be that someone is secretly plotting to completely sever ties between my Jade Balance Sect and the Lifeless Sect?"

"You suspect that the Northern Hebei royal family is behind this?" Qiu Changtian's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing in them.

Xu Shan nodded: "That's right, it's not impossible. If we can provoke a bloody battle between our two sects, the Northern Hebei royal family can reap the benefits."

Unexpectedly, after Elder Xu Shan finished expressing his opinion, Qiu Changtian laughed instead.

A hint of mockery appeared on his face.

"Elder! Regardless of whether it was the Northern Ji royal family who was behind it, Elder Yue ultimately died at the hands of Liu Yan. Since that's the case, Liu Yan should pay with his life! As for the Northern Ji royal family..."

Qiu Changtian slowly stood up, and a powerful aura of the ninth level of the Free and Unfettered Heaven Realm permeated the entire sect hall.

"Do you really think the Northern Hebei royal family has the guts to deliberately provoke a life-or-death conflict between my Jade Balance Sect and the Lifeless Sect?"

"Hmph! They don't have the guts!"

"Don't forget, their royal lineage's ancestor failed in his attempt to break through to the next level half a year ago and suffered a backlash. It's uncertain whether he'll even survive this year. Under these circumstances, it's a miracle they can even protect themselves, let alone try to scheme against our two sects?"

"This..." Xu Shan opened his mouth upon hearing this, but ultimately did not continue speaking.

He naturally knew something about the serious injury of the royal ancestor that Qiu Changtian mentioned, even though the Northern Hebei royal family had always kept it a secret.

But for some reason, he always had a vague sense of unease in his heart.

Qiu Changtian was clearly impatient, waving his hand dismissively: "Alright! Any other doubts can wait until I see that scoundrel Xiao Fubai and ask him directly! You are in charge of the sect, responsible for restraining our disciples. Without my orders, you are not to act rashly!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared outside the main hall of the Jade Balance Sect, heading straight towards Lingtian City.

……

At this moment, in Lingtian City, not far from Zuixiang Tower, in a small courtyard with an extremely ordinary appearance.

Xia Jin lay lazily on a grand chair, toying with a rough porcelain teacup in her hand, seemingly basking in the sun leisurely.

But using his divine sense to probe, he was observing Liu Yan's every move.

Suddenly, his hand, which was holding the teacup, paused.

A powerful aura descended upon Zuixianglou!

He "saw" a burly middle-aged man appear out of thin air in Liu Yan's room.

Liu Yan, who had been restless in the room, trembled the moment the man appeared and bowed without hesitation.

Xia Jin's eyes narrowed, and she thought to herself, "This must be Xiao Fubai, the sect leader of the Wusheng Sect, right? He's arrived really quickly."

Then, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

The fish has taken the bait.

However, Xia Jin quickly frowned again, because the other main character had not yet appeared.

"The timing... is just a little bit off."

However, his worries did not last long.

Just an hour later, another figure appeared in the sky above Lingtian City!

An aura no less powerful than Xiao Fubai's descended upon the entrance of Zuixianglou.

Before the newcomer even appeared, a furious roar echoed through the entire street: "Xiao Fubai! Get out here for me!"

The glazed tiles of Zuixianglou have developed numerous cracks, and some have even fallen off the eaves.

After seeing that several people had been injured, all the civilians and vendors on the street immediately fled the scene.

Xia Jin stood up abruptly from the armchair, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.

They're here! The two main characters he planned to have finally arrived!

"Sect Leader Qiu, you're in a bad mood." Xiao Fubai led Liu Yan out of Zuixiang Tower and faced Qiu Changtian, whose beard and hair were all standing on end.

Qiu Changtian didn't bother with any nonsense and fixed his gaze on Liu Yan. "So, it was you who killed Elder Yue?"

The terrifying pressure of the ninth level of the Free and Unfettered Heaven Realm directly crushed down on Liu Yan!

Liu Yan suddenly felt a chill.

"Hmph!" Xiao Fubai snorted coldly, casually flicking his sleeves, and a surge of powerful energy burst forth, easily dispelling the oppressive aura exerted by Qiu Changtian.

"Qiu Changtian, speak up if you have something to say, don't resort to violence. Do you think I, the sect leader, don't exist?"

He stepped in front of Liu Yan, a mocking smile on his face: "I have already ascertained the cause of the matter. It was Yue Qianfeng of your Jade Balance Sect who first massacred twenty-three members of Elder Liu's clan from my Wusheng Sect. Elder Liu came seeking revenge, and it is only right that a life be paid for a life! What is wrong with that?"

"What? You, the dignified leader of a sect, are so unreasonable?"

"It's only natural?"

Qiu Changtian looked as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world; his eyes turned icy cold.

"Hmph! Xiao Fubai, do you think the lowly lives of those ants are worthy of being compared to the lives of my Jade Balance Sect elders? Today, hand over Liu Yan to me, and we'll settle this matter with a life for a life!"

"Just let this go?" Xiao Fubai looked at him as if he were a fool. "Qiu Changtian, have you lost your mind? In front of me, the sect leader, you want an elder of my Wusheng Sect to pay with his life? Do you think you can do anything to him?"

Qiu Changtian's face darkened completely. "Xiao Fubai, are you going to start a war with my Yuheng Sect for the sake of a mere elder?"

"Hahahaha! War?" Xiao Fubai grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "Don't try to scare me with that. If you want war, come on! My Wusheng Sect is ready to fight to the bitter end!"

"Fine! Fine! Fine! You're going to protect him today, but can you?" Qiu Changtian's face immediately darkened.

He moved without warning!

Suddenly point your right index finger forward!

A beam of light shot straight at Liu Yan's brow!

This finger strike was swift, ruthless, and decisive, without the slightest hesitation, clearly indicating a determination to kill Liu Yan on the spot.

"You actually dare to make a move!" Xiao Fubai swayed and stood in front of Liu Yan, his right hand forming a claw, and fiercely grabbed at the finger beam in mid-air!

"Snap!"

That terrifying finger beam, powerful enough to instantly kill an ordinary cultivator in the Free and Unfettered Heaven Realm, was actually crushed by Xiao Fubai!

"Come on, you old scoundrel, I've wanted to have a go at you for a long time!" Xiao Fubai said with a cruel smile.

As he spoke, his extremely burly body charged forward.

It's incredibly simple, just one punch!

The force of the punch blew the wall of Zuixianglou facing the street open!

Large sections of the bluestone slabs on the street were blown away!

Even the small courtyard where Xia Jin was located had a large section of the wall collapse instantly.