«Haha, it’s done! My Ma and Li families have waited a full five hundred years for this day,» the head of the Ma family exclaimed in excitement at the sight of the now-open entrance, running inside first.
Right behind him, the head of the Li family and Chu Feng, along with the others, quickly followed.
Once inside, Chu Feng noticed that the Spirit Vein was surrounded by ordinary stone. Even when he probed carefully with his Mental Power, he found nothing unusual. Yet, when he tried to strike it, he discovered this seemingly normal stone was indestructible, nearly impossible to move.
This fully proved the special nature of the place where worldly spiritual energy converged. Unless Chu Feng’s Mental Power reached an extremely powerful level, only by using the Heaven’s Eye could he locate the Spirit Vein’s position.
These stones were so special precisely because of the influence of this concentrated worldly energy. According to the Vein-Finding Method, Chu Feng knew this was normal. Furthermore, based on how long the worldly energy had been condensing here, the Spirit Vein would contain things of varying mystery and danger.
However, judging by the characteristics of these stones and the age of this energy convergence, this particular Spirit Vein shouldn’t hold too much danger. The only threat, he reasoned, would be spirit consciousnesses possessing intelligence.
«Wuqing, how did you manage to open this place?» After following the Spirit Vein for a stretch and finding nothing amiss, the Li family head approached Chu Feng and asked with a smile.
«Those two light bodies were the key. After entering my body, they not only granted me the power to open this place but also showed me how to do it,» Chu Feng replied with a smile.
«Oh? Did those two light bodies hint at anything else?» the Li family head continued.
«No, that was all. But don’t worry, Family Head, this path leads directly to the treasure with no traps or difficulties along the way. However, the treasure is a living creature with a certain level of cultivation. While your cultivation is sufficient to handle it, you should still exercise caution,» Chu Feng answered.
«Is that so? Wuqing, this trip has truly been hard work for you,» the Li family head said, nodding with satisfaction. However, as he spoke, a cold, sinister smile flashed across his lips.
*Swish!* Seeing that sinister smile, Chu Feng’s heart clenched instinctively. He immediately executed a movement technique, leaping backward.
«Die!» True to his expectation, just as Chu Feng dodged, the Li family head launched a sudden palm strike. A terrifying wave of combat power slammed down precisely where Chu Feng had been standing. Fortunately, Chu Feng had evaded; otherwise, that single blow would have left him severely injured.
«Family Head, what are you doing?!» Although Chu Feng had sensed the Li family head’s ill intentions, the actual attack still startled and enraged him.
«Father, what are you doing?!» At the same time, Li Chan cried out in confusion, spreading her arms to shield Chu Feng, fearing her father would attack again.
«Chan’er, don’t be deceived by him! I already asked your Uncle Ma. He never used any demon beast to deal with you, nor did he ever plan to attack my Li family. Everything was a lie fabricated by this Wuqing! He was trying to use you and me, pitting my Li family against the Ma family to wipe each other out so he could reap the benefits without effort!» The Li family head pointed at Chu Feng, his voice furious.
«Father, what are you talking about? I don’t understand! How could Wuqing harm our Li family? He saved my life! He was going to help us!» Li Chan stammered, bewildered.
«Ah, Chan’er, how can you be so foolish? That demon beast was never bound by any barrier, and Sha Bi and his wife never betrayed our Li family. It was all arranged by this Wuqing! That beast is his accomplice. He was using you!» the Li family head explained helplessly.
«Impossible, Father! You must be mistaken. Wuqing would never use me, much less harm our family. I believe he’s innocent!» Li Chan continued to defend Chu Feng.
«Silly niece, would you rather believe an outsider than your own Uncle Ma? Do you really think I would harm your Li family?» the Ma family head interjected, his expression one of pure innocence.
«Miss, please wake up! Don’t let this outsider keep fooling you,» Sha Bi and his wife added, trying to persuade her.
«You… you all!!» Taking in the group before her, Li Chan stumbled back two steps, completely overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. She nearly collapsed but was steadied by Chu Feng behind her.
Chu Feng, however, remained calm. He had seen through everything. Li Chan’s father, the Li family head, was indeed as he’d thought—a man of supreme stupidity. It was obvious he had been secretly meeting with the Ma family head these past few days, confronting him about controlling the demon beast to attack Li Chan and plotting against the Li family.
The result was simple: the Ma family head had woven a web of lies, pinning all the blame on Chu Feng. The most exasperating part was that this fool, the Li family head, had believed every word.
«Li Chan, you truly have a wonderful father. It’s nothing short of a miracle that your Li family has survived until now,» Chu Feng said with a resigned laugh. He pulled Li Chan behind him, then looked at both the Li and Ma family heads. «From the looks of it, you two have decided I’m no longer useful and want to get rid of me, is that right?»
«It’s not that you’re useless—you simply deserve to die!» the Ma family head snarled, as if Chu Feng had truly wronged him and was the real culprit.
«Heh, you want to kill me? Fine. But let’s see if you have the ability to do it,» Chu Feng scoffed. He launched himself into the air, and a massive azure dragon appeared beneath his feet. In a flash of light, he shot deep into the Spirit Vein.
«Hmph, courting death!» Seeing Chu Feng flee, the Ma family head stepped forward and vanished instantly in pursuit.
«Brother, let me help you!» Right behind him, the Li family head also gave chase, his killing intent fully revealed.
«Father, don’t go! You can’t hurt Wuqing! Don’t let Ma Yukun deceive you!» At the sight, Li Chan’s face changed drastically. She tried to follow, but two figures blocked her path—it was Sha Bi and his wife.
«Get out of my way! Don’t block the young miss!» Li Chan snapped angrily.
«Miss, stop being stubborn. Don’t let that pretty boy bewitch you. Stay here with us. We’ll protect you,» Sha Bi and his wife sneered, each grabbing one of Li Chan’s arms.
«Ugh!» Suddenly, two powerful streams of force surged into Li Chan’s body, rendering her limp and robbing her of the ability to move.