Within a serene chamber.
Zhou Yihe's disfigured body lay in a crystal coffin, his appearance nearly unrecognizable.
The true perpetrator remained undiscovered.
Zhou Yihe's body could not yet be interred.
For there was still the possibility that crucial evidence lingered upon his corpse.
"My dear grandson."
"Though your aptitude was lacking, and your temperament peculiar, you are still my grandson!"
"I, Zhou Ruiyu, shall certainly uncover the malefactor and exact vengeance for you!"
"Be it one year or ten years, I shall never relent!"
With a mournful expression, Zhou Ruiyu cast a final glance at Zhou Yihe's body before turning to depart.
At that very moment.
"Report!"
"Lord Patriarch!"
"The true perpetrator has been discovered, the true perpetrator has been discovered!"
"Young master's vengeance can be attained now!"
Urgent cries resounded from outside.
Immediately thereafter.
A Zhou Clan Spiritual Awakening cultivator hastened to Zhou Ruiyu's side, his countenance a blend of fury and a hint of exhilaration.
"What!?"
"The true perpetrator has been discovered!?"
"Who is this culprit, and where are they!?"
Zhou Ruiyu's initial shock gave way to a dramatic shift in his expression as he seized the other person's collar, demanding answers with a thunderous roar!
His emotions surged uncontrollably!
"It's Lin Feng!"
"It's that very Lin Feng, the one Jiang Chen protected—Lin Feng!"
"He is the one who murdered Young Master Zhou Yihe!"
The Zhou Clan cultivator hastily exclaimed, his voice laced with incredulity, yet he was absolutely certain.
"What did you say?"
"The Lin Feng whom Jiang Chen protected?"
"Hasn't he already been exonerated?"
"How could he, a mere Soul Refining realm cultivator, manage to slay two of our Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators!?"
Zhou Ruiyu bellowed in disbelief.
Lin Feng.
He was the one who had personally investigated the matter!
It was he who had declared Lin Feng innocent!
Now, the Zhou Clan cultivator standing before him claimed that the perpetrator was Lin Feng. Was this not a slap to his face?
"It truly was Lin Feng!"
"Lord Patriarch, we have just received the news!"
"A group of unidentified cultivators assaulted Vast Spirit Residence. Lin Feng was confronted by one of them, leading to an intense battle!"
"During the skirmish, Lin Feng..."
The Zhou Clan cultivator hastily relayed the recent events.
"A member of our clan witnessed Lin Feng wielding fearsome flames with their own eyes!?"
"Furthermore, upon examining the scene, it was verified that the flame-inflicted wounds on my grandson's body matched those discovered there!?"
"Curse it! It indeed was Lin Feng! I've been duped!!"
"This Lin Feng must have employed some method to obscure his true power!"
"Lin Feng, as well as Jiang Chen! I cannot coexist with you!!"
"..."
Zhou Ruiyu bellowed with tremendous fury.
Anger, disgrace, humiliation, and loathing had completely consumed his heart!
"Patriarch!"
"There's more news!"
"Jiang Chen has stepped forward to protect the Vast Spirit Residence!"
"Now, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, master and disciple, are being escorted to the Jiang Clan's estate!"
The Zhou Clan cultivator reported furiously, "Lin Feng, that despicable man, is also following at a close distance!"
Boom!
Zhou Ruiyu stomped his foot, causing the stone slab beneath him to shatter into a massive pit!
In an instant, he transformed into a residual image and charged directly towards the Jiang Clan's estate!
Lin Feng was the genuine culprit behind Zhou Yihe's death.
Naturally, Zhou Ruiyu harbored resentment towards Jiang Chen for shielding Lin Feng.
He was en route to the Jiang Clan to demand justice!
As a Mysterious Platform realm expert, Zhou Ruiyu's speed was incredibly swift, and he rapidly approached the Jiang Clan's domain.
Nevertheless, his conspicuous movements were detected by the scouts arranged by Jiang Chen in advance, who promptly relayed the information to him.
'Zhou Ruiyu is coming to seek vengeance?'
'It appears that Lin Feng's true capabilities and combat style have been revealed!'
'His identity as the killer has been uncovered!'
'This is an excellent opportunity to strike at Lin Feng!'
'If successful, his Heavenly Fate Value will be forfeited!'
'...'
Within the opulent carriage, on the lavishly adorned seat, Jiang Chen, with a 'pale' complexion, finished reading the message on the transmission token through his divine sense.
After a moment of contemplation,
A subtle smile graced his lips.
"Things have reached this point, and yet you still smile?"
Ning Xian, standing by his side, was somewhat perplexed upon witnessing Jiang Chen's smile.
"Sharing a carriage with you is undeniably delightful."
Jiang Chen's eyebrows rose, and his smile broadened.
Between him and Lin Feng, Ning Xian had already made her choice.
Thus, there was no longer any need for restraint in her presence.
"Jiang Chen, you..."
Ning Xian's lovely eyes widened marginally, not anticipating Jiang Chen's playful demeanor.
In her perception,
Jiang Chen had consistently been polite and respectful, a solemn and dignified young master.
This was the first instance in which she had glimpsed his more spirited side.
At that moment.
"Halt right there!"
A livid roar abruptly reverberated throughout the entire street.
So intense that,
The formidable sound waves toppled a considerable number of weaker cultivators.
"A master of the Mysterious Platform realm!"
"It's Zhou Ruiyu, the patriarch of the Zhou Clan!"
"Good heavens, why is Zhou Ruiyu so incensed? He's obstructing the Jiang Clan's procession!"
"Though the Zhou and Jiang Clans are rivals, they still maintain some contact. How did things escalate to this point?"
"..."
Onlookers in the vicinity gazed at Zhou Ruiyu, who was blocking the path, with apprehension etched on their faces, as they whispered amongst themselves about the unfolding situation.
'Finally arrived, have you? Zhou Ruiyu!'
Jiang Chen inwardly sneered, yet on the surface, he feigned surprise. "Patriarch Zhou? Why would Patriarch Zhou obstruct our path?"
"What!"
Ning Xian was equally astonished, "What is happening here?"
"Zhou Ruiyu is blocking the Jiang Clan's procession?"
"Could he be here for me?"
Lin Feng's face transformed as he stood dozens or hundreds of meters away from the Jiang Clan's procession.
He recognized that he had revealed his true strength and combat style during the previous encounter.
By now, Zhou Ruiyu most likely deduced that he, Lin Feng, was the assassin responsible for Zhou Yihe's death!
In that instant,
"Zhou Ruiyu!"
"What is your purpose?"
Jiang Xingtai emerged from the procession and approached Zhou Ruiyu, his expression dark and bewildered.
"Hmph!"
"I have already discovered that Lin Feng is the culprit who murdered my grandson, Zhou Yihe!"
"Jiang Chen even harbored Lin Feng, hindering me from avenging my grandson in a timely fashion! Had Lin Feng not been exposed as a despicable scoundrel today, I can't imagine how long I would have been kept in the dark!"
Zhou Ruiyu declared in an icy tone, his eyes even turning slightly red.
"What did you say?"
"Lin Feng is the murderer who killed your grandson, and my nephew protected him?"
"But weren't we all present at that time? Lin Feng's suspicion was dismissed!"
Jiang Xingtai feigned ignorance, his face filled with astonishment and skepticism.
"Hmph!"
Zhou Ruiyu released a cold, disdainful snort. "Lin Feng, this contemptible scoundrel, recently engaged in a fierce battle..."
As he narrated,
Jiang Xingtai's expression gradually shifted to one of comprehension and disbelief.
The surrounding onlookers were also taken aback!
Meanwhile.
Within a serene chamber.
Zhou Yihe's disfigured body lay in a crystal coffin, his appearance nearly unrecognizable.
The true perpetrator remained undiscovered.
Zhou Yihe's body could not yet be interred.
For there was still the possibility that crucial evidence lingered upon his corpse.
"My dear grandson."
"Though your aptitude was lacking, and your temperament peculiar, you are still my grandson!"
"I, Zhou Ruiyu, shall certainly uncover the malefactor and exact vengeance for you!"
"Be it one year or ten years, I shall never relent!"
With a mournful expression, Zhou Ruiyu cast a final glance at Zhou Yihe's body before turning to depart.
At that very moment.
"Report!"
"Lord Patriarch!"
"The true perpetrator has been discovered, the true perpetrator has been discovered!"
"Young master's vengeance can be attained now!"
Urgent cries resounded from outside.
Immediately thereafter.
A Zhou Clan Spiritual Awakening cultivator hastened to Zhou Ruiyu's side, his countenance a blend of fury and a hint of exhilaration.
"What!?"
"The true perpetrator has been discovered!?"
"Who is this culprit, and where are they!?"
Zhou Ruiyu's initial shock gave way to a dramatic shift in his expression as he seized the other person's collar, demanding answers with a thunderous roar!
His emotions surged uncontrollably!
"It's Lin Feng!"
"It's that very Lin Feng, the one Jiang Chen protected—Lin Feng!"
"He is the one who murdered Young Master Zhou Yihe!"
The Zhou Clan cultivator hastily exclaimed, his voice laced with incredulity, yet he was absolutely certain.
"What did you say?"
"The Lin Feng whom Jiang Chen protected?"
"Hasn't he already been exonerated?"
"How could he, a mere Soul Refining realm cultivator, manage to slay two of our Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators!?"
Zhou Ruiyu bellowed in disbelief.
Lin Feng.
He was the one who had personally investigated the matter!
It was he who had declared Lin Feng innocent!
Now, the Zhou Clan cultivator standing before him claimed that the perpetrator was Lin Feng. Was this not a slap to his face?
"It truly was Lin Feng!"
"Lord Patriarch, we have just received the news!"
"A group of unidentified cultivators assaulted Vast Spirit Residence. Lin Feng was confronted by one of them, leading to an intense battle!"
"During the skirmish, Lin Feng..."
The Zhou Clan cultivator hastily relayed the recent events.
"A member of our clan witnessed Lin Feng wielding fearsome flames with their own eyes!?"
"Furthermore, upon examining the scene, it was verified that the flame-inflicted wounds on my grandson's body matched those discovered there!?"
"Curse it! It indeed was Lin Feng! I've been duped!!"
"This Lin Feng must have employed some method to obscure his true power!"
"Lin Feng, as well as Jiang Chen! I cannot coexist with you!!"
"..."
Zhou Ruiyu bellowed with tremendous fury.
Anger, disgrace, humiliation, and loathing had completely consumed his heart!
"Patriarch!"
"There's more news!"
"Jiang Chen has stepped forward to protect the Vast Spirit Residence!"
"Now, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, master and disciple, are being escorted to the Jiang Clan's estate!"
The Zhou Clan cultivator reported furiously, "Lin Feng, that despicable man, is also following at a close distance!"
Boom!
Zhou Ruiyu stomped his foot, causing the stone slab beneath him to shatter into a massive pit!
In an instant, he transformed into a residual image and charged directly towards the Jiang Clan's estate!
Lin Feng was the genuine culprit behind Zhou Yihe's death.
Naturally, Zhou Ruiyu harbored resentment towards Jiang Chen for shielding Lin Feng.
He was en route to the Jiang Clan to demand justice!
As a Mysterious Platform realm expert, Zhou Ruiyu's speed was incredibly swift, and he rapidly approached the Jiang Clan's domain.
Nevertheless, his conspicuous movements were detected by the scouts arranged by Jiang Chen in advance, who promptly relayed the information to him.
'Zhou Ruiyu is coming to seek vengeance?'
'It appears that Lin Feng's true capabilities and combat style have been revealed!'
'His identity as the killer has been uncovered!'
'This is an excellent opportunity to strike at Lin Feng!'
'If successful, his Heavenly Fate Value will be forfeited!'
'...'
Within the opulent carriage, on the lavishly adorned seat, Jiang Chen, with a 'pale' complexion, finished reading the message on the transmission token through his divine sense.
After a moment of contemplation,
A subtle smile graced his lips.
"Things have reached this point, and yet you still smile?"
Ning Xian, standing by his side, was somewhat perplexed upon witnessing Jiang Chen's smile.
"Sharing a carriage with you is undeniably delightful."
Jiang Chen's eyebrows rose, and his smile broadened.
Between him and Lin Feng, Ning Xian had already made her choice.
Thus, there was no longer any need for restraint in her presence.
"Jiang Chen, you..."
Ning Xian's lovely eyes widened marginally, not anticipating Jiang Chen's playful demeanor.
In her perception,
Jiang Chen had consistently been polite and respectful, a solemn and dignified young master.
This was the first instance in which she had glimpsed his more spirited side.
At that moment.
"Halt right there!"
A livid roar abruptly reverberated throughout the entire street.
So intense that,
The formidable sound waves toppled a considerable number of weaker cultivators.
"A master of the Mysterious Platform realm!"
"It's Zhou Ruiyu, the patriarch of the Zhou Clan!"
"Good heavens, why is Zhou Ruiyu so incensed? He's obstructing the Jiang Clan's procession!"
"Though the Zhou and Jiang Clans are rivals, they still maintain some contact. How did things escalate to this point?"
"..."
Onlookers in the vicinity gazed at Zhou Ruiyu, who was blocking the path, with apprehension etched on their faces, as they whispered amongst themselves about the unfolding situation.
'Finally arrived, have you? Zhou Ruiyu!'
Jiang Chen inwardly sneered, yet on the surface, he feigned surprise. "Patriarch Zhou? Why would Patriarch Zhou obstruct our path?"
"What!"
Ning Xian was equally astonished, "What is happening here?"
"Zhou Ruiyu is blocking the Jiang Clan's procession?"
"Could he be here for me?"
Lin Feng's face transformed as he stood dozens or hundreds of meters away from the Jiang Clan's procession.
He recognized that he had revealed his true strength and combat style during the previous encounter.
By now, Zhou Ruiyu most likely deduced that he, Lin Feng, was the assassin responsible for Zhou Yihe's death!
In that instant,
"Zhou Ruiyu!"
"What is your purpose?"
Jiang Xingtai emerged from the procession and approached Zhou Ruiyu, his expression dark and bewildered.
"Hmph!"
"I have already discovered that Lin Feng is the culprit who murdered my grandson, Zhou Yihe!"
"Jiang Chen even harbored Lin Feng, hindering me from avenging my grandson in a timely fashion! Had Lin Feng not been exposed as a despicable scoundrel today, I can't imagine how long I would have been kept in the dark!"
Zhou Ruiyu declared in an icy tone, his eyes even turning slightly red.
"What did you say?"
"Lin Feng is the murderer who killed your grandson, and my nephew protected him?"
"But weren't we all present at that time? Lin Feng's suspicion was dismissed!"
Jiang Xingtai feigned ignorance, his face filled with astonishment and skepticism.
"Hmph!"
Zhou Ruiyu released a cold, disdainful snort. "Lin Feng, this contemptible scoundrel, recently engaged in a fierce battle..."
As he narrated,
Jiang Xingtai's expression gradually shifted to one of comprehension and disbelief.
The surrounding onlookers were also taken aback!
Meanwhile.
