After descending the mountain, my aloof fiancée became completely devoted to me.

The people who kidnapped Shen Aoxue were not from the Ma family at all.

This group of people were just cowards and fearful, mistakenly believing that he had come to eliminate the root of the problem and settle old scores with the Ma family.

Lin Ping's eyes grew colder. Without uttering a single word, and without even glancing at the Ma family members kneeling and begging for mercy, he turned and left, his posture resolute and without the slightest trace of lingering affection.

He didn't utter a single word from beginning to end, yet he brought an overwhelming sense of oppression to everyone in the Ma family.

Even after Lin Ping's figure completely disappeared, the Ma family members were still lying on the ground, their faces full of shock, completely unaware of how they had managed to escape with their lives from Lin Ping's clutches.

Lin Ping returned to the Shen family, his aura growing increasingly cold and indifferent.

Excluding the Ma family, the real culprit behind this is someone else entirely.

In the living room, Chen Jinmei was restless, her eyes red and swollen. Seeing Lin Ping return, she rushed forward, her voice trembling, "Mr. Lin, how is it? Have you found any clues about Aoxue?"

Lin Ping raised his eyes, looking directly at Chen Jinmei. His tone was calm and he got straight to the point: "If it's not the Ma family, tell me, besides the Ma family, who else is there that covets the Shen family's land and has been pursuing and targeting Shen Aoxue?"

His words were clear and concise, getting straight to the point without any hesitation.

Chen Jinmei frowned, her panicked thoughts instantly clearing. She shuddered, and blurted out, her voice utterly grave:

"The Feng family of Chengnan!"

"The hidden martial arts family of Jiangcheng is far stronger than the Ma family. They are secretive and never show themselves easily. Feng Haochen, the young master of the Feng family, is infatuated with Ao Xue and has repeatedly come to propose marriage, but Ao Xue has always refused him and he has held a grudge ever since!"

"Moreover, the Feng family has a deep foundation, secretly cultivating countless top-tier martial artists. Their power is shrouded in mystery, and for so many years they have been keeping a close eye on the Shen family's land veins, showing their immense ambition!"

Before he finished speaking, Lin Ping's killing intent surged suddenly, and the air around him almost froze.

The mastermind behind it all has finally come to light.

Meanwhile, in a secluded dungeon in the south of the city, the unconscious Shen Aoxue slowly opened her eyes. A man dressed in brocade robes with a sinister face leaned closer, a sickly smile playing on his lips, and spoke softly:

"Shen Aoxue, when Lin Ping comes to his death, do you think he'll obediently hand over the earth veins for your sake, letting me slaughter him?"

In the dark and damp dungeon, there was a strong smell of mildew and a faint scent of sleeping pills. Cold iron chains tightly locked Shen Aoxue's wrists, imprisoning her against the hard stone wall.

She slowly opened her eyes. Her once clear eyes held no trace of fear, only a chilling coldness and pride. Even though she was imprisoned and her clothes were slightly disheveled, she still stood tall with her back straight. Her brows and eyes revealed the unique tenacity of a young lady from the Shen family, without the slightest hint of servility.

Before him, a young man dressed in brocade robes slowly approached. His face was effeminate, and his eyes were full of obsession and greed. This man was Feng Chengye, the second grandson of the Feng family.

He has an older brother, Feng Jiye, who is highly capable and deeply valued by the Feng family patriarch. He has lived in his brother's shadow since childhood, and has been suppressed in every way. He is obsessed with quick success and instant benefits, and desperately wants to do something great, surpass his older brother, and gain a firm foothold in the Feng family.

This risky move, using Shen Qianxue to intercept Shen Aoxue, was all calculated and orchestrated for the sake of the Shen family's land resources, in order to seize complete control of the family through this achievement.

Feng Chengye leaned down, his fingertips almost touching Shen Aoxue's beautiful face. A sinister and smug smile curled at the corner of his mouth, and his tone was extremely provocative: "Shen Aoxue, you're quite tough. When Lin Ping arrives later, I want to see whether he will obediently hand over the earth veins and cripple his cultivation for you, or just watch you die a violent death in this dungeon."

He became more and more excited as he spoke, his eyes filled with a morbid obsession, his heart filled with dreams of achieving success and instant fame.

Upon hearing this, Shen Aoxue's expression suddenly turned cold. With all her might, she spat at Feng Chengye's face, her eyes filled with disdain, her tone firm and resolute, showing no fear whatsoever: "Wishful thinking!"

"Lin Ping is not someone you can control. The Feng family is ambitious and covetous of the Shen family's land. Their methods are despicable and vile. You will never be as good as Feng Jiye. You will only live in the shadow of others your whole life, doing these vile things. In the end, you will only die without a burial place!"

She was proud and unyielding, and even when she was in danger, she would never bow her head. Every word she uttered hit Feng Chengye's most sensitive spot.

Feng Chengye's face turned ashen instantly, his anger rising to the top of his head. He raised his hand to slap Shen Aoxue hard, but his palm stopped abruptly in mid-air.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, forcibly suppressing the violence in his heart. He withdrew his hand, let out a cold sneer at Shen Aoxue, and his eyes were full of malice.

"Ha, you certainly have a sharp tongue."

"I won't stoop to your level. You still have some use. Once I've used Lin Ping and obtained the ley lines, I'll have plenty of time to settle things with you."

He knew all too well that Shen Aoxue was his only bargaining chip to control Lin Ping. If he hurt her, Lin Ping would be enraged and he would surely die, and all his schemes would be in vain.

He only needed to wait a little longer, until Lin Ping stepped into the dungeon, to take control of the entire situation, wipe away his shame, completely overwhelm Feng Jiye, and reach the pinnacle of his life.

Just as Feng Chengye was suppressing his anger and secretly plotting, a terrifying and destructive pressure swept in from outside the dungeon without warning!

That oppressive aura originated from an ancient emperor, domineering, fierce, and inviolable. Like a thunderclap from the heavens, it instantly enveloped the entire Feng family's hidden dungeon. The thick stone walls trembled violently, and rubble fell from the ground. The guards inside the dungeon had their blood surging, their faces were deathly pale, and their legs trembled uncontrollably, making it difficult for them to even stand.

Feng Chengye's expression changed drastically, his heart sank, and a fear originating from his very bones instantly spread throughout his body.

boom--!

A deafening explosion!

The heavy, sturdy iron dungeon door was kicked open and smashed, sending iron fragments flying everywhere. The broken iron door flew straight back and crashed heavily into the stone wall, completely deformed.

A tall, aloof figure slowly stepped into the dungeon.

The man, dressed in plain clothes, with indifferent eyes and a chilling aura emanating from him, was none other than Lin Ping, who had come alone.

He came alone, without any help, breaking through layers of defenses, and went straight to the Feng family's secret dungeon. His eyes were cold, and his gaze immediately fell on Shen Aoxue, who was chained up. A trace of heartache flashed in his eyes, and his killing intent grew stronger.

Upon seeing Lin Pingzhen arrive alone, Feng Chengye was initially taken aback. Then, looking down at the ordinary-looking young man before him, he couldn't help but sneer, his face full of disdain and mockery.

He had thought that Lin Ping, who could intimidate the entire Jiangcheng and crush the Zhenshan King, must be a top-notch expert. He never expected that Lin Ping was just an ordinary-looking kid of similar age who dared to venture into his territory alone. It was as if he had walked into a trap!

"You are Lin Ping?" Feng Chengye immediately took a half step back and waved to signal the two top martial artists beside him to hold Shen Aoxue back tightly. A sharp short blade was pressed against Shen Aoxue's neck. With just a little force, it could instantly slit her throat.