"The Yuan Clan's previous retaliation shows that Yuan Qishan is dissatisfied with Fang Hongchang's actions," Xu Mingxian deduced.
He immediately grasped the situation. "Now that Yuan Qishan has obtained most of the Fang Clan's support, Fang Hongchang is no longer of any use to him.
"However, he was once the head of the Fang Clan. Here in Cloudstream Town, right under the nose of the Fang Clan's master family, the Yuan Clan will have their reservations.
"If he leaves, the Yuan Clan will undoubtedly send people to hunt him down!
"If he dies outside, even if the Yuan Clan is suspected, they will have dozens of excuses to brush it off."
After saying this, he sighed. "Based on his previous actions, I actually thought he was a wise man. It seems he will play a significant part in the future downfall of the Fang Clan."
"Therefore, for any clan, the leader is of the utmost importance. If a poor choice is made, the decline of the family business is to be expected, and it might even bring about a catastrophic disaster."
Xu Mingxian lamented the thought.
"Let us not talk about him," Xu Chuan said calmly. "I estimate that Yuan Qishan wants Fang Hongchang dead more than anything right now, but it is hard to guarantee he will not make a move against our Xu Family as well.
"The trading company will open as usual. As for the demon-hunting teams, have the Huang Family remind the squads on good terms with us not to leave Cloudstream Town for the next month."
"Yes, Father," Xu Mingxian replied. "On the surface, the trading company is protected by a Tier 2 High-Grade defensive great formation, but hidden beneath is a Tier 2 Peak-Grade formation integrating offense and defense.
"If they come, we can definitely make them pay a heavy price.
"As for our Xu Residence, no matter how much they attack the Tier 3 Low-Grade great formation, they will not be able to breach it in the slightest."
He was full of confidence in the grand arrays he had set up.
Xu Chuan also smiled faintly.
Half a month later.
Fang Hongchang led his people out of Cloudstream Town, only to be ambushed halfway by a group of masked individuals.
"Yuan Qishan, I know it is you! Why bother hiding your face!"
Seeing his clan members being slaughtered one by one and their blood dyeing the earth red, Fang Hongchang's eyes turned crimson as he roared furiously at the leading masked man.
"So what if you know? Their deaths today are entirely due to your stupidity!"
"Because of my stupidity?!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Perhaps I really am stupid and lack a firm stance, but how are you any better? You are overbearing, greedy, and selfish.
"Compared to Xu Chuan, you fall far short.
"In the near future, I will be waiting in hell for the entire Yuan Clan to join me!"
As he spoke, Fang Hongchang's aura rapidly surged, and crimson cracks appeared across his skin.
"Retreat quickly!"
The next moment.
Fang Hongchang exploded violently. The frenzied shockwave swept in all directions, ripping nearly a meter of topsoil from the ground and sending weeds, trees, and jagged rocks flying everywhere.
Three or four Yuan Clan Foundation Establishment Cultivators, along with over a dozen Late-Stage Qi Condensation cultivators, died in the blast.
The rest all suffered varying degrees of injuries.
Yuan Qishan was the closest. Facing the self-destruction of a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator, had it not been for a Tier 2 High-Grade Talisman and a Top-Grade Defensive Magical Artifact protecting him, he would have been left clinging to life with severe injuries, if not outright killed.
As it stood, he only sustained minor injuries and a disrupted internal breath.
"Damn it! Even in death, he took so many of my Yuan Clan with him, wasting one of my Tier 2 High-Grade Talismans and a Top-Grade Defensive Magical Artifact."
Yuan Qishan cursed bitterly. "Let us go, back to Cloudstream!"
At the Fang Clan.
"First Elder, this is bad! The Life Lamps of Fang Hongchang and his group just extinguished one after another."
A Fang Clan disciple reported the dire news to the Fang Clan's First Elder.
The First Elder's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. His eyes flickered, as if he had already guessed what had happened.
He closed his eyes and let out a faint sigh. The next moment, he opened them, a sharp glint bursting forth as he looked at the disciple. "This matter is strictly forbidden from being leaked. Quickly dispose of the Life Lamps belonging to Fang Hongchang and the others.
"If anyone asks, just say they have already been taken away."
"This..." The disciple hesitated slightly.
"Do you have a problem with that?" the First Elder asked in a deep voice.
"No, this disciple will handle it immediately."
After the disciple left, the First Elder muttered, "Hongchang, it was you who chose the wrong path, leading to such an end.
"Rest assured, I will lead the Fang Clan through this chaos and even take us a step further!"
Several days later.
The Yuan and Fang Clans first sent people to attack the Xu Family's Spirit Fields and spirit lake properties.
However, no one was tending to these two properties at the moment, and they were protected by Tier 2 Mid-Grade formations.
They had not sent many men, and seeing that they could not breach the defenses after a prolonged attack, they simply gave up.
Subsequently, they also dispatched people to attack the Xu Clan Trading Company and the Xu Residence. Yet, even with six or seven Foundation Establishment Cultivators and over a dozen Peak Qi Condensation cultivators striking together, they could not shake the grand arrays.
As for Huang Tianba and the other demon-hunting teams, the Yuan and Fang Clans had people keeping an eye on them. Unfortunately, for the past month, they had obediently stayed at home, cultivating in seclusion.
The Xu Family was like an impenetrable turtle shell. They had absolutely no way to deal with them.
Meanwhile, in the study of the Yuan Clan Head.
"Yuan Clan Head, over the past few days, none of our measures against the Xu Family seem to have succeeded. It appears the Xu Family intends to abandon their Spirit Fields and spirit lake.
"There has been no contact with the demon-hunting teams.
"The trading company and the Xu Residence are guarded by powerful grand arrays.
"Those formations are incredibly formidable. If we send too few people, we simply cannot make a dent.
"What should we do now?"
Yuan Qishan glanced at the Fang Clan's First Elder, pondering for a moment before saying, "The main targets are still the trading company and the Xu Residence. The rest do not matter."
"Since things have come to this, there is no need to hold back. Let us try an all-out attack first. If that fails, we will request the Golden Core elders behind our respective clans to intervene.
"I believe that if we promise heavy profits, they will be tempted."
"An all-out attack?"
"That is right. Every immortal cultivator in our clans at the Late-Stage Qi Condensation and above, including our recruited guest elders, will strike. My Yuan Clan will attack the Xu Residence.
"Your Fang Clan will assault the Xu Clan Trading Company."
Doing this would inevitably cause a massive commotion known to everyone.
It would cause immense damage to the future reputations of both clans.
After all, the Xu Family had simply been conducting their business as usual and had never provoked either of their clans.
Public sympathy was on the Xu Family's side.
The Fang Clan's First Elder wore a gloomy expression, hesitating to make a decision.
"What is it, First Elder? Do you want to waver back and forth like Brother Hongchang? That is not the temperament of someone meant for great things!"
At the mention of Fang Hongchang, the First Elder's heart skipped a beat. He forced a smile and said, "Then we will do as the Yuan Clan Head says."
"When do we strike?"
"Tomorrow at nine in the evening!"
"Interesting. The Yuan Clan is quite decisive, but it is a pity their strength is a bit lacking."
Xu Chuan sensed Moyue's condition. The flood dragon had completely sealed off its senses and was putting all its effort into recovering. In about ten more days, it should succeed.
"Although they cannot break the grand array, I still have to collect the interest owed to me."
Xu Chuan patted his Storage Pouch, and a Communication Talisman flew out. Infusing it with his mana, he whispered a few words into the talisman before it shot off toward the Xu Clan Trading Company.
It landed in Ye Fan's hands.
"A message from Honored Master?"
Ye Fan checked it immediately, and Xu Chuan's voice echoed in his ears.
"Tonight at nine, the entire Fang Clan will attack the trading company. Teach them a severe lesson."
Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Ye Fan's eyes. "The Fang Clan is truly courting death!" he said coldly.
"What happened?"
Sitting across from him, Xu Deyue opened her eyes.
"Honored Master sent a message saying the Fang Clan is attacking tonight at nine, and he wants us to teach them a severe lesson."
"They are just seeking their own doom."
The two of them were cultivating in the same quiet room primarily because they had accidentally discovered that when their respective Cultivation Methods blended together, it seemed to accelerate their cultivation speed.
Currently, Ye Fan was only one step away from entering the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment.
They spent most of their time cultivating, only appearing in public when a situation required their intervention.
At the Xu Residence.
"Ye Fan and Deyue—one of extreme yang and the other of extreme cold. With them presiding over it, they can draw out one hundred and twenty percent of the power from the Tier 2 Peak-Grade Cold Yang Ancient Formation.
"If both of them reach Foundation Establishment Perfection, they could manipulate the grand array and exchange blows with a Golden Core expert for a short time without issue."
This formation was something Xu Mingxian had deduced over his years in Cloudstream Town, combining various Array Dao ancient classics and building upon a set of Tier 2 High-Grade formations.
As for the grand array protecting the Xu Residence, it was the Tier 3 Low-Grade Azure Nether Great Formation, which specialized in defense.
Currently, his Array Dao was stuck at a bottleneck. If he had a complete grand array to comprehend, he was confident he could set up a Tier 3 Low-Grade great formation that integrated offense and defense.
Unfortunately, such Formation Inheritances were quite rare.
Ordinary Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Families simply wouldn't possess such deep foundations.
The best approach would be to follow Xu Deling's example and become the apprentice of a Grandmaster Formation Master, or perhaps join a sect.
With the deep reserves of a sect, there would definitely be numerous Tier 3 Formations recorded.
Relying solely on Xu Mingxian to deduce a Tier 3 composite grand array was genuinely difficult. It wasn't impossible, but the time and energy required were immense.
Spending at least five or six years, or perhaps over a decade on deductions, simply wasn't worth the loss.
Of course, if his divine sense could break through to the Golden Core level, it would be much easier.
"However, when I use One Divination Per Day while practicing the Lesser Star Divination Art, it feels like I have divine assistance. My proficiency in the Way of Deduction skyrockets.
"Does this count as cheating?"
Xu Chuan broke into a grin.
If he managed to grasp the basics of this Cultivation Method, Xu Chuan felt he could rely on his own abilities to deduce simple matters. For instance, determining the location of a Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment Cultivator, or predicting someone's fortune and misfortune.
If he reached the minor success stage, he should be able to deduce matters concerning the Golden Core stage.
Although the Way of Deduction was powerful, seemingly omnipotent, if one accidentally deduced something far beyond their own realm, they would suffer a backlash.
In severe cases, this could even trigger a backlash from the Heavenly Dao, which was nearly impossible to heal.
But Xu Chuan figured that when he needed to deduce crucial matters in the future, he could combine it with his One Divination Per Day, transferring the backlash for the Clan Genealogy to bear.
It was essentially a once-a-day immunity.
'I really am a little genius!' Xu Chuan boasted inwardly.
The Lesser Star Divination Art also contained a Heaven's Eye Divine Ability for observing providence.
There was no need to practice it right now because it was simply too difficult, unless one had a matching physique to boost their progress.
He planned to wait until the Golden Core Stage and rely on Heaven Rewards Diligence to grind it out.
Since even major realm bottlenecks could be ground away, cultivating a Divine Ability would naturally be much easier.
Theoretically, there were no Magical Arts or Divine Abilities that Xu Chuan could not successfully master. The only difference was the time it would cost.
At nine in the evening, the night was thick.
The moonlight was mostly obscured by the clouds.
The surroundings of the Xu Residence were so quiet that only the faint sound of the wind sweeping across dry leaves could be heard.
Suddenly, shadowy figures emerged one after another from street corners, behind trees, and on rooftops. There were fully over a hundred of them.
They were all draped in dark cloaks, their hoods pulled low to conceal their faces, revealing only pairs of eyes gleaming with a cold light.
Even the weakest among them was at the Late-Stage Qi Condensation, with spirit power condensing around their bodies without dispersing.
Standing at the forefront of the crowd were twenty-one figures with even more formidable auras. They were clearly Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
The man leading them was Yuan Qishan. He gave a simple, cold order: "Attack!"
The moment his voice fell, the hundred-plus immortal cultivators behind him moved as one.
They simultaneously formed hand seals to cast spells or activated their Dharma Tools.
Various elemental spells and Dharma Tools, trailing multi-colored brilliant lights, bombarded the Xu Residence in a flurry.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A barrage of explosive sounds echoed through the air.
A pale azure light barrier materialized in the sky above the Xu Residence, fully enveloping the entire estate.
"A Tier 2 High-Grade formation?" Yuan Qishan muttered to himself, before waving his hand again. "Everyone, attack with all your might! We must breach this grand array in the shortest time possible!"
With that said, he and the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators also launched their attacks.
The destructive power of Foundation Establishment Cultivators was several times greater than that of those in the Qi Refining Stage, not to mention there were quite a few mid-stage, late-stage, and even Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators among them.
Even a Tier 2 High-Grade great formation began to shake violently under this torrential storm of attacks.
Such an astonishing commotion naturally could not be hidden from those nearby.
Many took to the skies to observe, while others sent out spiritual sense probing.
"Someone is actually besieging the Xu Family! What a massive lineup! Who could it be?"
"Who else could it be?" a cold sneer rang out from mid-air, though the speaker remained hidden. "Aside from one of the Yuan, Fang, or Hua Clans, who else has this kind of strength and foundation?"
"Exactly. Covering their faces like that is just plugging one's ears while stealing a bell."
The defensive power of a Tier 2 High-Grade great formation was indeed robust.
But this time, the Yuan Clan had turned out in full force, and their determination was not to be underestimated.
More than an hour later.
Cracks began to appear on the pale azure light screen above the Xu Residence.
"Keep going!"
Seeing this, Yuan Qishan was elated. He waved his hand and shouted loudly.
The crowd once again summoned their mana to launch a fierce assault, sending their Dharma Tools and spells flying together.
"Don't you guys find it strange? The attacks outside are so intense, yet the Xu Family seems to have no reaction whatsoever. Could the place be empty?"
Just a moment later.
Someone exclaimed, "The formation outside the Xu Residence is about to break!"
The fissures grew larger and larger. Finally, everyone concentrated their attacks on the cracks, accelerating its collapse.
At this time.
Inside the Xu Residence.
The patrolling disciples of the Yan Clan and Wu Clan continued their rounds as usual.
They had long been instructed to ignore matters outside and just go about their duties.
Xu Mingxian sat cross-legged at the core of the array, a cold smile tugging at his lips as his hands rapidly formed seals.
Just as the pale azure light screen shattered and the grand array dissipated—and right as joy surfaced on the faces of the Yuan Clan members—another cyan-gray light screen seamlessly materialized over the Xu Residence.
"Clan Head, look! Another grand array light screen has appeared!"
A Yuan Clan disciple suddenly cried out.
Yuan Qishan looked over in disbelief, and sure enough, a cyan-gray light screen had taken the place of the pale azure one.
He gritted his teeth, saying incredulously, "How can this be?"
"The Xu Family actually hired a Grandmaster Formation Master to set up two defensive formations?!"
The onlookers around them were all dumbfounded.
"Using a Tier 2 High-Grade formation as a disguise... Could this newly appeared cyan-gray great formation be at the Tier 2 Peak-Grade?"
Many were bewildered, but soon smiles crept onto their faces.
There was going to be a good show to watch now.
"Everyone, swallow your mana-restoring pills and continue the attack!"
"Yes!"
The Yuan Clan disciples shouted in unison.
This was no small expenditure of pill resources.
For this surprise attack, the Yuan Clan had emptied out their entire inventory of mana-restoring pills.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the blink of an eye.
The people of the Yuan Clan assaulted the barrier for nearly another half hour.
"Clan Head, something is wrong," a Yuan Clan elder beside Yuan Qishan transmitted his voice. "This grand array's defense is far too strong. It feels like even if we attack for another six or eight hours, we might not be able to force a crack.
"This is at least a Tier 2 Peak-Grade formation.
"Such formations can mostly only be set up by an Array Grandmaster; only a very select few Grandmaster Formation Masters can pull this off.
"The Xu Family's connections are truly unfathomable. Should we..."
"Keep attacking!" Yuan Qishan ground his teeth. "If this grand array remains impenetrable after four hours, we will fall back and reconsider our plan!"
"Understood, Clan Head." The Yuan Clan elder let out a faint sigh.
While the Yuan Clan was attacking the Xu Residence...
The Fang Clan's First Elder led his clan's elites outside the Xu Clan Trading Company. They didn't have as many men as the Yuan Clan, but they still had over eighty people, including thirteen or fourteen Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Their combined assault also drew a considerable crowd of onlookers watching from a distance.
After nearly two hours, the Fang Clan members finally shattered the Xu Family's surface Tier 2 High-Grade formation, and joy swept across their faces.
But the very next moment.
A massive disc bearing a crimson and blue Taiji pattern appeared above the Xu Clan Trading Company. Immediately after, a red and blue light screen surfaced precisely where the pale azure one had been.
"This..."
Seeing this scene, the Fang Clan's First Elder didn't know what to say.
'Son of a bitch!'
At that moment, two figures flew out from the trading company. It was Ye Fan and Xu Deyue.
Ye Fan stood beneath the crimson light screen on the left, while Xu Deyue stood under the blue light screen.
"The Fang Clan, right? I've been waiting for you for a long time. It took you two hours just to break the outer array. You've worked hard.
"Next, it is my turn to entertain you all."
He exchanged a glance with Xu Deyue. A Jade Tablet materialized in front of both of them. Forming hand seals, they poured their mana into the tablets.
The crimson Jade Tablet instantly flared with a faint red glow, while the blue Jade Tablet was wreathed in profound blue Cold Qi. The two starkly contrasting auras intertwined, miraculously forming a Taiji-like halo in mid-air.
The crimson light on the left side of the Cold Yang Ancient Formation surged wildly. Searing flames erupted, condensing into a massive crimson fire dragon over three meters long.
Its dragon scales were vividly clear. Opening its maw, it spewed forth extreme yang fire. Wherever the tongues of flame passed, the very air seemed to ignite, emitting crackling sounds.
On the other side, a profound blue glow flickered as the Cold Qi suddenly intensified, forming an ice-blue cold phoenix. Its feathers were as translucent as ice crystals. As it spread its wings, extreme yin frost scattered down, freezing whatever it touched.
The fire dragon spiraled and the cold phoenix spread its wings. One blazing, one freezing, they danced through the sky above the trading company.
Suddenly, dozens of red and blue streaks of light shot out from the dragon and phoenix, transforming into three-inch Flying Swords. The crimson swords were wrapped in flames, and the blue swords condensed with frost. Densely packed like a torrential downpour, they rained down on the Fang Clan cultivators.
"A Tier 2 Peak-Grade slaughter grand array?!" The Fang Clan's First Elder was experienced. His pupils constricted, flashing with terror, as he hurriedly shouted, "Retreat quickly! Everyone, fall back!"
"Too late!"
The Fang Clan cultivators were caught completely off guard.
The Qi Refining Stage Cultivators could not resist at all. The crimson flame Flying Swords ignited upon contact, and screams echoed one after another.
The extreme yin Flying Swords froze upon touching their bodies. Many were instantly turned into ice sculptures that shattered into pieces upon crashing to the ground.
Only those at the Foundation Establishment Stage managed to put up some resistance.
A brief moment later.
The fire dragon abruptly dove down. Wherever the yang flames swept past, three Late-Stage Qi Condensation cultivators from the Fang Clan had no time to dodge and were instantly incinerated to ash.
The cold phoenix flapped its wings, fanning out a wave of Cold Qi that froze five cultivators on the spot, before their bodies were pierced straight through by crimson flame Flying Swords.
In just a dozen breaths of time, over ten Fang Clan cultivators had fallen.
Three Early Foundation Establishment cultivators were also injured, suffering the agony of flames burning their bodies or cold invading their systems.
They had no choice but to divert their mana to resist; otherwise, their lives would be in peril.
But by doing so, they lost much of their combat power. If they didn't escape the attack range of the grand array in time, they would be pierced through and killed by the crimson or extreme yin Flying Swords in the blink of an eye.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, only half of the Fang Clan's forces managed to flee the array's attack range. One by one, they stared in sheer terror at the fire dragon and cold phoenix coiled in the sky above the Xu Clan Trading Company.
If a Tier 2 Peak-Grade slaughter grand array focused all its power on a single person, even a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator would not last more than a few exchanges.
Those who perished this time were the weaker Early Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining Stage immortal cultivators.
Under the assault of such a grand array, Qi Refining cultivators were nothing more than cannon fodder.
"First Elder, what do we do now? Are we still going to attack?" An elder swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing.
The Fang Clan's First Elder turned to look at him, his eyes brimming with fury. "Attack? Didn't you see that the Qi Refining disciples are just marching to their deaths in front of it?
"With just over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators left, do you really think we can break through that grand array?
"That is not merely a slaughter grand array!
"It is a Tier 2 Peak-Grade grand array integrating offense and defense!"
After carefully observing it, the First Elder realized it was more than just an offensive array.
Earlier, when he had counterattacked, a strike had landed on the red and blue light screen but only caused an imperceptible ripple.
Hence, he surmised that its defensive capabilities absolutely reached the Tier 2 Peak-Grade as well.
"Then we..."
"Let's go. We're heading back. The Xu Family's foundations are truly unimaginable. We need to discuss this further with the Yuan Clan."
The Fang Clan's forces departed into the distance.
Ye Fan let out a long breath and immediately consumed a Truth Condensing Pill.
Xu Deyue was at the Late Foundation Establishment stage, so she fared better; only fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead.
He collected all the Storage Pouches and Dharma Tools from the deceased Fang Clan cultivators, leaving nothing useful behind. As for their corpses, Ye Fan completely incinerated them to ash.
The previous Tier 2 High-Grade great formation could not be restored right away; it would require Xu Mingxian to inspect it personally.
"With the Cold Yang Ancient Formation in place, they cannot break in. Let us head down to regulate our breathing and recuperate first," Ye Fan said.
Xu Deyue gave a slight nod.
On the other side.
The Yuan Clan had attacked for nearly four more hours, but they could do absolutely nothing against the grand array.
"Yuan Clan Head, bringing your entire clan to assault my Xu Family's grand array in the middle of the night... The Yuan Clan certainly is in high spirits."
Xu Chuan's mocking voice suddenly rang out in the night sky, echoing for miles around.
Many onlookers secretly chuckled.
"If you want to launch a surprise attack on my Xu Family, you had better clean out the spies in your own ranks first."
Yuan Qishan's heart skipped a beat, half-believing and half-doubting the claim.
This single sentence from Xu Chuan was enough to sow seeds of suspicion between the Yuan and Fang Clans, ensuring they wouldn't have any time to bother with the Xu Family for the next few days.
In matters like this, it was better to believe it true than to assume it false.
In battles between clans, failing to thoroughly investigate the presence of spies would only lead to a complete collapse of their efforts.
Just like how the Fang Clan was infiltrated by the Yuan Clan—leaked intelligence had left them completely on the defensive.
Yuan Qishan cast another look at the cyan-gray light screen, a look of helplessness flashing in his eyes. Then he shouted, "We're leaving!"
The Yuan Clan members did not linger. They immediately departed, vanishing into the night sky.
The war of annihilation that the Yuan and Fang Clans had initiated with full confidence came to an end in such a comical manner.
The next day.
News of the event spread throughout all of Cloudstream Town.
Countless people discussed the overbearing nature of the Yuan and Fang Clans, while marveling at the sheer depth of the Xu Family's foundations.
Others enthusiastically recounted how Ye Fan and Xu Deyue had manipulated the grand array to slaughter the Fang Clan forces, forcing them to abandon their armor and flee in panic.
For a time.
The two clans became the laughingstock of all Cloudstream Town.
When Hua Yunfei, the head of the Hua Clan, heard the news, he immediately informed Hua Qingxue.
"Were the Yuan and Fang Clans really in such a rush? A Tier 2 Peak-Grade grand array integrating offense and defense... The Xu Family's foundations are truly unfathomable."
Hua Qingxue's eyes sparkled with brilliant light. Parting her red lips, she said, "Even some Golden Core Aristocratic Families with shallower roots might only use an array of this grade as their clan protection grand array."
"The Xu Family is indeed full of surprises. They have hidden themselves far too deeply," Hua Yunfei remarked. "The Yuan Clan made out fine, but I heard that nearly half of the Qi Refining disciples the Fang Clan sent were killed, and they lost three Foundation Establishment cultivators as well."
"Short-sighted fools. They deserved their deaths," Hua Qingxue replied dismissively.
"Great-Aunt, what should our Hua Clan do next? If the Xu Family wipes out the Yuan and Fang Clans, will they tolerate our Hua Clan's existence?"
If it were up to Hua Yunfei, and he possessed the power to monopolize Cloudstream Town, he certainly wouldn't give any other clans a chance.
Powerful families, in particular, would definitely need to be purged.
Only then could one rest easy without worries.
"It is hard to say. But given the Xu Family's character, they should be open to negotiation. As for the final result, we can only take it one step at a time."
Hua Yunfei sighed softly. "Previously, I thought the Xu Family could become an ally for our Hua Clan. Yet, in just a few short years, the Xu Family has reached such heights. Fate is truly fickle and unpredictable."
"Perhaps from the moment the Xu Family arrived in Cloudstream Town, they had been plotting to become the sole overlord here. They kept a low profile, not showing their strength or revealing their intentions.
"They simply didn't want to expose their trump cards too early and end up clashing with our three clans.
"It might actually be as the rumors say: before the Xu Family came here, they were a Golden Core Aristocratic Family from somewhere in the Heavenly South. Even if they suffered heavy losses, their foundations still exceed those of ordinary Foundation Establishment families."
Pausing for a moment, Hua Qingxue looked at Hua Yunfei. "There's no need to interfere in the conflict between the Xu Family and the Yuan and Fang Clans. Our Hua Clan just needs to maintain the status quo."
"Understood, Great-Aunt."
Hua Yunfei bowed respectfully and took his leave, exiting the room.
At the Yuan Clan.
The Fang Clan's First Elder came to air his grievances and managed to squeeze out some compensation from the Yuan Clan.
"Yuan Clan Head, regarding the claim of spies... while the truth is hard to determine, when our Fang Clan went to the Xu Clan Trading Company earlier, that Ye Fan said he had been waiting for us for a long time.
"Do you think it's possible that someone in our two clans was truly compromised?"
Yuan Qishan was slightly alarmed by the words. After careful thought, he replied, "Both of our clans need to focus on investigating the external cultivators we've recruited into our ranks."
"Then what about the matter with the Xu Family?"
"First, we must confirm the authenticity of the spies. Otherwise, even if we request a Golden Core Perfected Person to intervene, if the news leaks, the Xu Family can simply invite Perfected Person Fire Cloud and Perfected Person Changge to assist them.
"Wouldn't that be a futile effort?
"And we would still have to hand over a massive sum of remuneration for those two to take action for nothing."
The Fang Clan's First Elder nodded slightly at his reasoning.
"Then we will discuss it later."
Four or five days later.
Neither clan could find a single spy. They concluded that it was highly likely Xu Chuan had deliberately laid a smokescreen.
However, even if there were none internally, there could be people externally monitoring their clans' movements. Therefore, they spent another two days meticulously investigating everyone living near their estates.
Still, they found absolutely nothing.
"Brother Fang, tomorrow, you and I will each go visit our respective Golden Core Perfected Persons. We must persuade them to make a move," Yuan Qishan said, looking at the Fang Clan's First Elder.
"Understood," the First Elder replied with a nod.
Unable to deal with the Xu Family with their own strength, they had no choice but to invite Golden Core reinforcements.
But this matter was not going to be that simple.
If the Xu Family didn't have the protection of the Heavenly Azure Sect, the two figures behind them might have agreed for the sake of a massive amount of Spirit Stones.
But with that protection in place, knowingly committing an offense could lead to severe punishment from the Heavenly Azure Sect afterward.
Even if they acted stealthily, an investigation into the Yuan and Fang Clans would still lead back to them.
That day, both Yuan Qishan and the Fang Clan's First Elder returned empty-handed.
That very night.
Moyue finally awakened. Flying out of the Spirit Beast Pouch, his eyes gleamed with extreme excitement.
"This seat has finally recovered to peak strength!"
"Roar!"
Dragon roars echoed in waves.
Fortunately, Xu Chuan's quiet room isolated soundwaves, otherwise, it would have undoubtedly caused widespread panic.
"Moyue, you're finally awake."
"Indeed! This seat has finally returned to the peak. Little Chuanzi, from now on, this seat will cover you!"
Moyue parted his jaws, revealing rows of pristine white dragon teeth. The exhaled Cold Qi caused the temperature in the quiet room to plummet rapidly.
"There's no need for that. I'm not a flashy person," Xu Chuan chuckled faintly.
"Fair enough." Moyue nodded. His dark golden dragon eyes looked toward Xu Chuan as he smiled. "Now that I've recovered, isn't it time you handed over that Dragon Origin Pill to this seat?
"This seat has never tasted such a medicinal pill before."
"There's no rush. It wouldn't be good if you went into closed-door slumber again after eating it. Let's wait until we've completely taken over Cloudstream Town."
"Oh? You've finally made up your mind?" Moyue slithered through the air, flashing a very human-like smile.
"The Yuan Clan's style of doing things is a bit overbearing. I had intended to plan things out slowly, but they were determined to destroy my Xu Family in the short term. Not long ago, they and the entire Fang Clan attacked our residence and trading company.
"Our grand array foundations have already been exposed.
"Since that's the case, I won't indulge them anymore. The Annual Sacrifice is in half a month, which is the perfect time to settle everything once and for all.
"A new year needs a fresh atmosphere. Don't you agree?"
"A blood sacrifice... This seat quite likes this fresh atmosphere! Kekeke!"
"Stop doing that weird villain laugh, it's bad luck."
"Oh."
That very night.
Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian concealed their auras and arrived in the sky above the Yuan Clan estate.
Shortly after, Ye Fan, Xu Deyue, and Huang Tianba led a group of allied demon-hunting teams to the various properties of the Yuan and Fang Clans to eliminate their stationed personnel.
With six or seven Foundation Establishment cultivators and over a dozen Peak Qi Condensation cultivators, they crushed dry stems and rotten wood, easily slaughtering the disciples of the Yuan and Fang Clans.
"Brother Ye, are you certain we won't face retaliation from the two clans?" Huang Tianba asked. "It doesn't matter for the three of us brothers, seeing as we've already joined the Xu Family.
"But the other demon-hunting teams..."
Ye Fan smiled faintly. "Rest assured. After tonight, the Yuan and Fang Clans will no longer exist in Cloudstream Town."
"Understood."
With Ye Fan speaking with such certainty, Huang Tianba and the others could only trust him, and trust the Xu Family.
Over at the Yuan Clan.
Xu Chuan stood in the void. With a flick of his Sleeve Robe, six streaks of azure light shot out and vanished into the six cardinal directions. Soon after, a light screen rose, completely enveloping the entire Yuan Clan within.
This sight was quickly noticed by people nearby.
However, the grand array completely sealed off the energy signatures and isolated the space. Not a single sound could transmit from inside.
Immediately following that, Xu Mingxian flipped his palm. Seven inch-long Formation Flags materialized, swirling around his palm, with wisps of cloud and mist permeating the air around them.
"Go!"
He formed a one-handed seal and pointed with his sword fingers.
The Formation Flags shot forward, rapidly expanding in the wind before vanishing into the void.
In an instant.
Countless clouds and mist billowed out, blanketing the outside of the Six Harmonies Absolute Sealing Formation's light screen.
Then, a phantom illusion of the Yuan Clan estate descended over it.
This formation was named the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array. It was a Tier 2 Peak-Grade illusionary killing array. Using clouds to manifest illusions of estates, mountains, and rivers was merely an ordinary technique. For anyone trapped within this array, it would conjure up the people, objects, and scenarios that invoked their deepest inner fears.
It would trigger their inner demons.
Those whose will wasn't firm would face Nine Deaths, One Life.
Even for those with firm resolve, if their strength was insufficient, breaking the formation would still be tremendously difficult.
Because the clouds gathered and dispersed unpredictably, they could solidify into tangible, lethal strikes. Unlike an ordinary illusion array that only dealt psychological torment and could be broken simply by having a fearless heart, this array demanded actual power to shatter.
As for the grand array's weakness, it was the Formation Flags hidden in the void.
If no one was controlling it, the level of danger within this array was considered standard.
But if someone manipulated it—constantly changing the positions of the flags and shifting the illusions between ethereal and corporeal—the danger level would instantly multiply several times over.
After Xu Mingxian set up the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array, anyone passing by the Yuan Clan estate would simply feel that everything was normal. They would notice nothing amiss.
The same held true even if they used spiritual sense probing.
Unless the visitor was at the Golden Core Stage...
Afterwards.
Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian flew into the Six Harmonies Absolute Sealing Formation.
"Break the formation," Xu Chuan said calmly, looking at the pale yellow light screen of the Yuan Clan's protection grand array.