Chapter 68

Tian Bai chose the timing of his attack with extreme viciousness, striking precisely when everyone relaxed their guard and stopped paying attention to him.

Even Song Tianhao, who was at the peak of the Tongmai Realm, failed to react in time, and the three poisoned needles laced with deadly poison had already shot toward Qin Shuo's face.

"Qin Shuo, be careful!" Song Tianhao's expression changed drastically as he shouted a warning.

He was too far from the two of them to do anything at this moment, and could only watch helplessly as the poisoned needles flew toward Qin Shuo's face.

"Tian Bai, you despicable wretch!"

Song Yan panicked, never expecting Tian Bai to be so reckless as to dare attempt to kill Qin Shuo openly in front of everyone.

Second Elder Song Ci merely raised an eyebrow, his expression deep and inscrutable, giving no hint of his thoughts.

However, if Tian Bai truly succeeded in assassinating Qin Shuo and eliminating this major threat to their branch, he would be pleased to see it happen.

As for the Earth Cave dispute.

Although without Qin Shuo, the Song Family would surely lose, compared to killing Qin Shuo, this loss remained within an acceptable range.

At worst, before Tian Bai reached the Tongmai Realm, the Song Family would keep a low profile and try not to provoke the Fang Family.

Even if conflict truly erupted, wasn't there still Family Head Song Tianhao leading the charge?

If Song Tianhao also died in battle, then the entire Song Family would be theirs to command.

Of course, the premise was that they could withstand the Fang Family's fierce assault and ensure their own survival.

"It's over! This time it's truly over!"

At this moment, the one closest to Qin Shuo was Song Xuan, who stared at the poisoned needles now within arm's reach, and only one thought surged in his mind: Qin Shuo was doomed!

Blue Scorpion Needle!

The Tian Family's secret concealed weapon—ordinary people die upon contact, and only Tian Family members who take the antidote daily can use it.

Who would have thought that in a sparring match, Tian Bai would actually deploy such a vicious concealed weapon?

"Now let's see if you die or not!"

After a brief moment of shock, Song Shan's eyes flashed with a murderous gleam.

Tian Bai had been his idol since childhood, but now Qin Shuo had crippled one of his arms; even if he killed him, it would be hard to atone for his sin.

Amidst the gazes of the Song Family members—some angry, some shocked, some expectant—the three poisoned needles struck Qin Shuo's face squarely.

It wasn't that Qin Shuo didn't want to dodge, but that he simply didn't have time.

The two were only five or six meters apart; caught off guard, even if he reacted as fast as possible, he couldn't possibly dodge.

Ding!

However, the scene everyone expected—of the poisoned needles piercing through his head—did not occur.

At the exact moment the three poisoned needles struck Qin Shuo's face, a sudden golden light burst from his body, forming a thin golden film on his surface.

This golden film was as thin as a cicada's wing, yet blades could not cut through it, and axes could not damage it.

Even though the three poisoned needles had gathered all of Tian Bai's remaining strength, they still could not break through his defense, and were violently bounced off by the golden film.

Speaking slowly, it happened quickly!

Almost at the instant the needles struck.

Qin Shuo leapt like a white ape, lunging forward to appear before Tian Bai, his palm blade-like as he chopped downward.

If this chop landed, given his opponent's half-crippled state, death would be certain.

However, unlike Tian Bai's earlier sneak attack, now everyone's attention was focused on Qin Shuo.

As Qin Shuo moved, Song Tianlin, who was closest to Tian Bai, immediately moved to block this strike.

But just as Song Tianlin acted, Song Tianhao also moved, his target being precisely the one trying to intercept Qin Shuo—Song Tianlin.

Thus, Song Tianlin was forced to retreat into defense.

Because he had no doubt that if given the chance, Song Tianhao would surely inflict serious harm upon him, possibly even kill him.

Although Song Tianlin's intervention did not truly block Qin Shuo's attack on Tian Bai, it did buy him a chance to dodge.

Pfft!

A cold gleam flashed across the blade of the palm.

Originally aimed at Tian Bai's head, the chop, due to Song Tianlin's interference, landed on Tian Bai's left shoulder.

Three Elements Return to One, power transformed into edge!

This supreme killing technique, displayed at this moment, revealed its ultimate sharpness, cleanly severing Tian Bai's left arm at the root.

After one failed attempt, Qin Shuo retreated at extreme speed.

Because he sensed an intense killing intent so strong it made his hairs stand on end and nearly caused all his pores to explode.

It was the Second Elder.

He had locked onto Qin Shuo.

If Qin Shuo continued his attack, the other would unhesitatingly strike him down, so he abandoned the idea of pursuing Tian Bai and retreated at extreme speed.

"Hmph! What a cunning and sharp-witted brat."

Song Ci snorted coldly in his heart, but ultimately did not act.

For if he acted, it would mean declaring war on the main line, inevitably resulting in mutual destruction.

Nowadays, the Fang Family has always watched the Song Family with tiger-like eyes.

Once the Song Family descended into internal strife, the Fang Family would certainly not miss the opportunity, and would annihilate them in one fell swoop.

Such a situation is not what Song Ci desires.

"Enough!"

Song Ci shouted angrily, the aura of his Half-step Condensing Truth Realm overwhelming the entire scene, forcibly stopping Song Tianhao and the others who were about to clash.

He glared at Qin Shuo and said angrily: "Boy, you dare to kill someone in my Song Family?"

"He dared to kill me, so how could I not dare to kill him?" Qin Shuo replied in an icy tone, having prepared himself to withdraw from the Song Family at any moment.

Song Yan was even more furious, shouting: "Such a despicable, shameless wretch—death is too good for him! Second Elder, as a Clan Elder of the Song Family, you tolerate Tian Bai's assassination attempt on my junior brother—what is your true intention?"

"Outrageous!"

Song Ci narrowed his eyes, his voice icy: "If I want to kill someone, why would I need to borrow another's hand?"

"Song Yan, I tolerate you again and again because your father rendered meritorious service to the family—do you really think I dare not move against you?"

"Then try it."

Song Yan, who had been gentle and mild at the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall, showed nothing but rigidity upon returning to the Song Mansion.

She was like a keg of gunpowder—ignite at the slightest spark, utterly unafraid of Song Ci's threats.

"Alright, alright, everyone stop arguing!"

Third Elder Song Chun, seeing both sides drawn swords and nocked arrows, immediately rushed out to mediate,

"Tian Bai acted in a moment of anger, not from his true heart—this is understandable.

Besides, he has already lost an arm; that is punishment enough. Let this matter end here!"

Having said that, Third Elder Song Chun paused, then looked toward Qin Shuo and said: "Qin Xiaoxiong, what do you say?"

Qin Shuo said nothing.

Although he also wanted to settle Tian Bai's score here, it was clear the Song family would not agree.

Not only would the Second Elder not agree, but even Song Tianhao would not agree.

After all, Tian Bai still had the Tian Family behind him, and a father at the Tongmai Realm.

If Tian Bai truly died in the Song Mansion, the Tian Family might defect overnight and join the Fang faction—then the Song Family would be in grave danger.

"Qin Xiaoxiong's silence means agreement."

Third Elder Song Chun, seeing Qin Shuo delay in expressing his stance, found himself an excuse.

Afterwards, he called out to those outside the door: "Come here, quickly take Young Master Tian to Huichun Hall and summon the finest physician to reattach his severed arm."

Having done all this, he then turned to Song Tianhao and said: "Family Head, it is getting late—we should depart for the Western Suburbs!"

"Good! Set out!"

Song Tianhao's face was ashen with anger, clearly displeased that Song Tianlin dared to strike him openly.

But for now, seizing the Yuan Magnetic Grotto is the paramount matter.

Only if we win this time can Qin Shuo and Song Xuan enter the Earth Cave to cultivate.

Then, not long from now, our lineage will gain two more Tongmai Realm experts.

By then, if the collateral branch wishes to act so arrogantly again, they will have to weigh the consequences.

Especially Qin Shuo—I have no doubt that, given time, reaching the Condensing Truth Realm is merely a matter of time.

And when that day comes, even if the Second Elder is unwilling, he will have no choice but to relinquish authority.

Of course, the precondition is that Qin Shuo lives until that time.

I will not naively assume that Song Ci and the others will stand by and watch Qin Shuo grow—they will surely interfere midway.

Now, because of the Tian Bai incident, both the collateral branch and the Tian Family bear grudges against Qin Shuo—he must steel himself and protect him fully.

For now, Qin Shuo and our Song Family's direct line are like grasshoppers on the same rope—share weal and woe.

Moreover, in Song Tianhao's view, Qin Shuo is the hope for our direct line to fully regain control of the Song Family.

This is also why, just now, he was willing to risk breaking with the Second Elder and others to truly protect Qin Shuo.

With Qin Shuo's rate of growth, achieving Condensing Truth is within two years.

By then, whether it is the Second Elder, the Tian Family, or the Fang Family, none will be anything to fear.