Chapter 1596

One of the senior elders said he came from Xizhou to Dongzhou, for he was a transcendent, and thus pursued by some factions in Dongzhou, eventually fleeing to our Dongzhou; but because he could never break through, he remained hidden within the Zhao residence.

He dared not show his face, but recently he seemed ready to return to Dongzhou, which is why he chose to come back—I suspect he's after that divine artifact, one of our Zhao family's greatest treasures.

It is said to be an ancient divine sword passed down from antiquity, a god-grade immortal artifact, while the jade pendant is rumored to be a jade talisman, a fragment of an immortal's lingering consciousness left behind in Dongzhou; within such an immortal relic, perhaps some miraculous treasure will emerge.

1321 Ximen Wudi was also very courteous.

"Ximen Wudi is indeed a troublesome figure, but I have a plan to help him—yet his origins must be investigated thoroughly. This matter must not disturb the Sect Master, so you must take charge and find out the truth!" Zhao Peng said.

"Rest assured, leave this to me," Zhao Hu said.

They departed shortly after.

Of course.

During this time, Zhao Hu was also very courteous to Ximen Wudi.

……

"Tian'er, my dear grandson, what's wrong? You haven't come to see Grandma all this time—I've missed you so much! Come here, let Grandma look at you—what happened to you? How did you end up like this? Who did this to you? Don't worry, Grandma will avenge you right away," the Zhao family's matriarch said, her face filled with worry as she looked at Zhao Tianlong.

Zhao Tianlong opened his eyes and said to his grandmother, "Grandma, I'm fine."

"Tian'er, you're making me worry to death! Tell Grandma right away—what really happened?" the Zhao family matriarch said.

Zhao Tianlong said, "Grandma, I'm fine."

"Fine."

The matriarch said, "If you're fine, how did you pass out? Luckily I arrived in time—if I'd come a moment later, you might already be dead."

"He? Who's he?" Zhao Tianlong frowned and asked.

The Zhao family matriarch said, "Who else could it be? Of course it's Ximen Wudi."

After hearing this, Zhao Tianlong exclaimed in surprise, "That man named Ximen Wudi?"

"Exactly!" the Zhao family matriarch nodded.

Zhao Tianlong fell silent, then after a while said, "Grandma, don't act rashly. His origins are mysterious and he's extremely powerful—don't provoke him."

"Tian'er, how did you offend him?" the Zhao family matriarch asked.

Zhao Tianlong said, "I don't know—I just didn't like the look of him, so I wanted to teach him a lesson, but I accidentally got injured by him. His strength is terrifying—I feel intense pain all over my body and I'm completely drained. I suspect my dantian has been destroyed."

The matriarch drew in a sharp breath.

She knew Zhao Tianlong would not lie to her, and there was no reason for him to fabricate such a story.

……

"Tian'er, rest for now—I'll avenge you," the Zhao family matriarch said after a moment of thought.

"Thank you, Grandma!" Zhao Tianlong said gratefully.

……

The next morning.

Zhao Tianlong awoke from his cultivation.

He had just gotten up.

Outside, a guard reported, "Young Master Zhao, someone is here to see you."

"Oh, let him in," Zhao Tianlong said.

Soon after,

Ximen Wudi walked in.

"Are you Young Master Lin?" Zhao Tianlong said.

Ximen Wudi smiled and said, "Correct, I am Ximen Wudi."

Zhao Tianlong said, "Young Master Lin, are you here to seek revenge?"

Ximen Wudi said, "Of course. I said last night that once I returned to Xizhou, I'd come for you."

"Good!" Zhao Tianlong said.

Zhao Tianlong stood up, took out a ring, and handed it to Ximen Wudi, saying, "This was left to me by my father—I found it in his treasure vault. Inside is a ring containing a cultivation technique, along with some of my cultivation resources: two hundred supreme-grade spirit stones, five hundred spirit herbs, and several spirit talismans—all of it is yours. I hope Young Master Lin will keep your promise and not cause trouble in my courtyard—I don't want to die in your hands."

Ximen Wudi said, "Don't worry—I'm no fool. I don't want these things. I only want your head!"

"Good, then thank you."

After Zhao Tianlong finished speaking, he turned and left.

Ximen Wudi put Zhao Tianlong's belongings into his storage ring and then left the Zhao family's villa.

He arrived at the Chengzhufu Sect entrance.

At that moment, many cultivators had gathered at the Chengzhufu Sect entrance.

These cultivators were extremely powerful—all were Jin Dan cultivators, and even one Nascent Soul cultivator was present.

They were all talking among themselves.

"Is that the Zhao family's third young master? I heard his cultivation talent is extraordinary—he reached the Spirit Transformation realm at such a young age!"

"That's right—it's Zhao Tianlong, the Zhao family's third young master. This journey to the Dark Demon Realm will surely grant him many opportunities."

"Zhao Tianlong's luck is simply outrageous—he was defeated by Ximen Wudi…"

"Ah… Brother Zhao, your words are biased. Zhao Tianlong may have lost to Ximen Wudi, but that doesn't mean Ximen Wudi is the victor. Who among us is a match for Ximen Wudi? Besides, Zhao Tianlong has powerful backing—if Ximen Wudi kills him, the Zhao family's Laozu Sect will never let it go…"

"That's true…"

Many around them began murmuring, clearly tending to believe Ximen Wudi was the loser.

After all, Zhao Tianlong's cultivation talent was undeniable.

And Ximen Wudi? His track record was far from illustrious.

Under such a contrast, Ximen Wudi clearly could not be compared to Zhao Tianlong.

……

At that moment, Ximen Wudi walked over and arrived at the place where Zhao's elderly matriarch resided.

Zhao's elderly matriarch sat on a chair, looked at Ximen Wudi, and said, "Young Master Lin, why have you come to our Zhao family today?"

Ximen Wudi said, "I heard Lady Zhao is here, so I came to pay a visit; I hope Lady Zhao will grace me with your presence!"

Zhao's elderly matriarch said, "What do you want? Just say it outright."

Ximen Wudi said, "If that's the case, I won't beat around the bush—I came here solely for Zhao Tianlong's life!"

Upon hearing Ximen Wudi's words, Zhao's elderly matriarch's expression darkened slightly and she said, "Zhao Tianlong is my grandson, and my favorite grandson. You say you want to take his life—do you expect me to agree?"

Ximen Wudi said coolly, "Lady Zhao, you misunderstand me. I merely wish to reclaim what is rightfully mine. If you are willing to have Zhao Tianlong hand over the wealth within his storage ring, I, Ximen, am willing to spare Zhao Tianlong's life!"

Zhao's elderly matriarch's face instantly turned icy. She coldly said, "You little beast, don't push too far! I warn you—the Zhao family's influence runs deep, far beyond your imagination. Even if you are a prodigy of the Southern Immortal Isle, dare you kill my grandson?"

Ximen Wudi said, "Lady Zhao, you overestimate the Zhao family too much. What is Zhao Tianlong to me? In my eyes, he's less than an ant. If you do not hand over the wealth within the storage ring, tomorrow I will take Zhao Tianlong's head."

"You are utterly lawless!"

Zhao's elderly matriarch roared in fury.

"I am lawless—what will you do about it? Lady Zhao, out of respect for your status as an elder, I give you one chance to live: hand over the wealth within the storage ring now, or I guarantee Zhao Tianlong will die!"

Ximen Wudi gazed coldly at Zhao's elderly matriarch.

"Hahaha, little beast, do you think you can take Zhao Tianlong's life? You've got too high an opinion of yourself! I now declare this: if you leave this city immediately, perhaps my Zhao family will spare you. Otherwise, next year today will be your death anniversary!"

A deadly killing intent flashed in Zhao's elderly matriarch's eyes.

Ximen Wudi said coolly, "Since you refuse to see reason, don't blame me for crushing the flower!"

As his words ended, Ximen Wudi reached out a hand toward Zhao's elderly matriarch.

That grab.

Covered the sky and blotted out the sun.

Zhao's elderly matriarch felt the power of Ximen Wudi's claw.

Her countenance turned solemn; she immediately summoned a flying sword.

She sought to block Ximen Wudi's attack.