Chapter 156: The Killing Intent Behind

Fierce light flickered in Zhao Po's eyes, and the more he looked at Lu Yan, the more displeased he became.

During the internal competition for the slots within the Zhao family, Zhao Po had ranked sixteenth, narrowly missing out on a spot to enter Mount Kunwu. Originally, the Zhao family had eighteen slots, but because three were given away, he was left empty-handed. In his view, it was Lu Yan who had snatched his slot.

Of the three given slots, the other two had been secured by two other grandmaster-level aristocratic families, which he naturally could not target, leaving him with no choice but to focus his sights on Lu Yan.

"I can offer one hundred thousand liang of silver to buy your slot. Don't be too greedy; one hundred thousand liang is not a small sum. You should understand the danger of holding a treasure of which others are jealous," Zhao Po said with a sunken face.

"Did you not hear me tell you to leave? What, the slot granted by the Zhao family is now being reclaimed? I wouldn't mind having a word with the grandmasters of the Zhao family about this," Lu Yan replied.

Zhao Po's expression turned gloomy as he stared fixedly at Lu Yan. "Greed will only lead a man into the abyss. You'd better think carefully—is it really worth offending me over a slot that brings you more harm than good? I'll give you three days to think it over. If you come to your senses after three days, find me at Liufeng Manor."

With that, Zhao Po turned and left.

"Ignorant and clueless."

Lu Yan couldn't be bothered to deal with the fellow. He closed the door and continued to advance his martial arts.

Threaten him?

By him alone?

As Lu Yan's cultivation realm crossed into the fourth stage of the Martial Marquis level, his confidence had grown substantially. He was convinced that barring the intervention of grandmasters, he should have very few opponents left. And how many grandmasters could there possibly be? Moreover, he was no fool; naturally, he wouldn't go out of his way to provoke a grandmaster. As for those below the grandmaster level, if they wished to provoke him, he would certainly show them the true meaning of a heavy blow.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed in a flash.

Liufeng Manor.

"Lu Ren, you are truly something else, very good indeed."

Zhao Po's gaze was cold and severe. An impulse surged within him to launch a night raid on the inn, kill Lu Ren, and seize the token. But in the end, he reined himself in. He had secretly inquired and learned that aside from obtaining a grandmaster-level fiend crystal, Lu Ren had also acquired numerous other fiend crystals. He was suspected of possessing a congenital martial physique, possessed formidable strength, and was not easy to deal with. He lacked certainty. If he failed to kill Lu Yan and the matter came to light, the Zhao family would surely impose a heavy punishment upon him to save face.

"I heard that this Lu Ren even exchanged for the Phoenix Incense, which has caused quite a bit of discontent among some experts within the clan. Perhaps I can use this to my advantage. Lu Ren, even if you enter Mount Kunwu, I will not let you have an easy time of it," Zhao Po muttered under his breath. Then, he pushed open the door and headed toward the Blood Vein.

In a courtyard within the Blood Vein district, a robust man in his forties, stripped to the waist, was exchanging blows with two elderly men.

With the collision of iron fists, fierce qi surged in all directions. The two elders, both at the fifth stage of the Martial Marquis level, were suppressed by the robust man, retreating step by step.

Thud! Thud!

After a few moves, the two elders leaped backward abruptly, their faces flushed, blood qi surging within them, sweat pouring from their bodies as a cloud of white mist drifted around them.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

Zhao Po walked over, applauding. "My cousin's strength grows ever more profound, and your Mountain-Suppressing Fist is increasingly refined. Your ranking on the Martial Marquis Roll will surely rise once again. Congratulations, cousin."

The robust man gave Zhao Po a cold, indifferent glance. "Zhao Po, spare me the flattery. What business brings you here?"

"It's nothing much. I heard that cousin was planning to exchange for the Phoenix Incense. Did you succeed?" Zhao Po asked.

The robust man's expression darkened slightly. "It was exchanged away by those other two fellows. What? Did you come to laugh at my misfortune?"

Zhao Po waved his hands repeatedly. "How could your younger brother dare? Cousin misunderstands."

Pausing for a moment, Zhao Po continued, "Actually, not managing to exchange for it might not be a bad thing after all. After all, exchanging for the Phoenix Incense requires a massive amount of clan contribution points. But I have a scheme whereby you can obtain the Phoenix Blood Insects even without the Phoenix Incense."

The robust man, named Zhao Yongan, maintained a calm expression throughout. "Oh? Such a good thing. Let's hear it."

"Does cousin know of that Lu Ren?" Zhao Po asked.

"Naturally, I know of him. During the fiend-suppression battle, he acquired a grandmaster-level fiend crystal and earned a slot to enter Mount Kunwu. I've heard he has already arrived at Lingwang City and will be entering Mount Kunwu together with our Zhao family," Zhao Yongan nodded and said.

"Then cousin should also know that Lu Ren exchanged for a stick of Phoenix Incense. When we enter Mount Kunwu, cousin only needs to secretly shadow Lu Ren—why worry about lacking Phoenix Blood Insects?" Zhao Po said.

A cold sneer tugged at the corner of Zhao Yongan's mouth. "You must have gone to find Lu Ren to purchase his slot and been rejected, which is why you want to use a borrowed knife to kill someone, using my hands to deal with Lu Ren."

At this, Zhao Yongan's gaze turned chillingly cold. "Zhao Po, you dare to try and manipulate me? You've got some nerve."

Zhao Po's face paled, and he said in a panic, "Cousin misunderstands! Your younger brother is genuinely considering this for cousin's benefit, with no other motives."

"Is that so? It had better be. I have matters to attend to. Please leave," Zhao Yongan said coldly.

Just at that moment, a middle-aged man dressed as a guard hurried over.

"My lords, a notice has been passed down from the clan elders. The rules for this trip to Mount Kunwu have changed somewhat compared to the past. Please take a look."

The guard handed an envelope to Zhao Yongan. Zhao Yongan opened the envelope and pulled out the letter to read it.

"There is still a letter in your hand. Who is it for?" Zhao Po asked, looking at the guard.

"This one is for that Lu Ren. The clan elders instructed me to notify him as well," the guard replied.

"Let me take a look at it first," Zhao Po said.

The guard hesitated for a moment, then nodded and handed the envelope to Zhao Po. Zhao Po opened it and began to read.

The content of the letter was very simple. The Beast Kings within Mount Kunwu this time had issued a notice to all major aristocratic families: other rules remained unchanged, but the interior of the Vermilion Jade Flower Sea was strictly off-limits.

Previously, aside from the core area of Mount Kunwu which was forbidden, all other areas could be explored freely. This time, an additional restriction had been added: the interior of the Vermilion Jade Flower Sea could not be entered. Once inside, if discovered by the Beast Kings, execution without mercy would follow.

Although the major aristocratic families were puzzled, they had no choice but to comply.

The letter also depicted a flower with petals resembling vermilion jade. As long as one remembered it, it would be easy to identify.

"Leave this letter with me. I happen to be acquainted with Lu Ren; I will deliver it to him on your behalf," Zhao Po said, putting the letter away.

Not daring to defy him, the guard replied, "Then I must trouble milord." With that, he bowed and took his leave.

"Cousin, I am going to deliver the letter to Lu Ren, so I won't disturb you any further," Zhao Po said, cupping his fists and taking his leave.

Naturally, he had no intention of actually delivering the letter to Lu Ren. Upon returning home, he took out the envelope and crushed it between his palms, reducing it to powder.

"Young master, although Zhao Po has ulterior motives, what he said is not entirely unreasonable," an elder who had been sparring with Zhao Yongan stepped forward and said after Zhao Po left.

"I have my own plans regarding this matter," Zhao Yongan said, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

Night fell upon a luxurious mansion in Lingwang City.

A man and a woman sat facing each other.

The man was a lean-bodied middle-aged man in his forties. He was a top-tier martial marquis of the Zhao family, a rare expert among martial marquis who had forged a congenital martial physique with three bone-strength achievements—Zhao Kuo.

The woman was a middle-aged matron, though exceptionally well-maintained, looking to be only in her thirties, retaining her charm with a plump and alluring figure. This woman was none other than the biological mother of Zhao Hao, and the wife of Zhao Yi—Zhang Fengzhi.

"Sister-in-law, seeking me out so late at night—must there be a matter? Could it be that you are feeling lonely and empty all by yourself?" Zhao Kuo poured a cup of wine for Zhang Fengzhi, letting out a chuckle as his seductive, narrow eyes swept up and down her full figure.

Zhang Fengzhi's eyes shimmered with watery depths as she chuckled lightly, "Brother Kuo, sister-in-law has come today because there is a matter I wish to ask for your help with."

"Sister-in-law, if you have a matter, speak freely," Zhao Kuo said.

"Brother Kuo should know of that Lu Ren, shouldn't he? Your nephew Zhao Hao was killed by him, and your cousin Zhao Yi was single-mindedly bent on avenging him. But ever since the fiend siege battle, your cousin went missing, and later his corpse was discovered in the Blood Vein district. Everyone says he died at the hands of malevolent spirits, but I don't believe it. Why would malevolent spirits kill someone and then bury them? Most likely, it was that Lu Ren who secretly murdered your cousin, leaving me alone in this world. Therefore, upon entering Mount Kunwu this time, sister-in-law wishes to entrust you with killing that Lu Ren to avenge Hao'er and your cousin," Zhang Fengzhi said, her eyes flashing with a venomous light as she reached the end of her words.

"Lu Ren's strength is not weak; rumors say he possesses the strength of the Martial Marquis Roll. To kill him is no easy task," Zhao Kuo shook his head slightly.

"Brother Kuo, as long as you can kill Lu Ren, the assets left behind by your cousin—including clan contribution points, silver, gold, and so on—can all be yours," Zhang Fengzhi said.

Though tempted, Zhao Kuo maintained his silence on the surface.

"Brother Kuo, as long as you can kill Lu Ren, sister-in-law can satisfy any condition you have, can give you everything—including myself."

Zhang Fengzhi swayed her body and threw herself into Zhao Kuo's arms.

A raging fire flickered in Zhao Kuo's eyes. Given his status, he was hardly lacking in beauties on ordinary days, not to mention Zhang Fengzhi was no longer young. Yet Zhang Fengzhi carried the prestige of her status, making her incomparable to other women and stirring a unique excitement within him.

He scooped Zhang Fengzhi up in his arms and strode into the bedroom. Before long, rhythmic sounds echoed from within.

One minute later, the sounds abruptly ceased.

Zhao Kuo walked out of the bedroom, looking thoroughly satisfied. "Sister-in-law, your matter—I've accepted it."

In a flash, the day of departure arrived.

Lu Yan packed the Phoenix Incense and fire starter, purchased a few extra boxes, bundled them together in a cloth bag, and headed to the administrative office, where the white-haired elder led him to a martial practice ground.

By the time Lu Yan arrived, fifteen people were already gathered at the practice ground. The Zhao family had eighteen slots, three of which were given away, with another two given to other grandmaster-level aristocratic families. Naturally, the others set off together with their respective family clans.

"These fifteen people are those from our Zhao family who are entering Mount Kunwu. You will go along with them," the white-haired elder instructed before leaving.

Lu Yan walked over toward the fifteen people, stood off to one side, and secretly appraised the members of the Zhao family.

None of them were young. The older ones had hair as white as snow, and even the younger ones were in their thirties. This was only their apparent age; their actual ages were most likely greater than they appeared. To be able to enter Mount Kunwu, one's cultivation realm had to be at least the fifth stage of the Martial Marquis level. To cultivate to the fifth stage of the Martial Marquis required a considerable amount of time. Moreover, those with congenital or acquired martial physiques required more resources and time due to cultivating a greater number of bone-strengths.

The fifteen members of the Zhao family were likewise secretly sizing up Lu Yan.

Moments after Lu Yan arrived, two figures walked over—an elder and a middle-aged robust man.

"Greetings, clan elders." The fifteen members of the Zhao family bowed in unison. Lu Yan also cupped his fists and bowed. These two were clearly the grandmasters of the Zhao family.

"This time, we two will lead the team. Let's set off," the elderly grandmaster announced.

Mount Kunwu was located within Qingfeng Commandery. Qingfeng Commandery possessed a vast territory, ranking near the top among the six commanderies of Lingdong. Within its borders were three grandmaster-level aristocratic families, and Mount Kunwu itself was situated right there.

The scale of a tertiary blood vein was extremely vast, far incomparable to a secondary blood vein. A large secondary blood vein might measure twenty or thirty miles in length and no more than ten miles in width. But a tertiary blood vein spanned a radius of a hundred miles within its blood vein domain, saturated with bloody earth-qi that nurtured a vast quantity of exotic beasts and medicinal herbs.

Nine days later, Lu Yan and his party arrived at the outer perimeter of Mount Kunwu. Traveling just a few miles further would officially bring them within the bounds of Mount Kunwu.

Looking ahead, reddish earth-blood qi misted the air, stretching out as far as the eye could see. The vegetation inside Mount Kunwu was completely blood-red, resembling an ocean of blood. Occasionally, large birds could be seen soaring into the air, plunging back into the dense mountain forests. These large birds were also a kind of exotic beast.

All around, six grandmaster-level aristocratic families had already arrived. Lu Yan spotted the Li family. Led by a grandmaster, five members of the Li family had come, with Li Wenxin and Li Wenxuan notably among their ranks.

Following that, grandmaster-level aristocratic families continuously arrived.

Half a day later, all thirteen grandmaster-level aristocratic families of the six commanderies of Lingdong were present. The thirteen families each stood in their respective territories, remaining silent as they waited quietly.

Another half-day passed, and the sky grew bright.

"The time has come, you may enter the mountain. You already know the rules, so this old man will not repeat them. Remember, you only have five days. After five days, you must come out; otherwise, you will incur the attacks of the tertiary Beast Kings of Mount Kunwu."

The elderly grandmaster of the Zhao family gave his final admonition.

"Understood!"

Everyone cupped their fists in acknowledgement, then rushed forward toward Mount Kunwu in unison. Seventy-two figures vanished into Mount Kunwu in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, the grandmasters of the thirteen aristocratic families sat cross-legged right where they were; they would wait here for five days, serving simultaneously as a deterrent to keep the Beast Kings of Mount Kunwu from acting rashly.

Upon entering Mount Kunwu, Lu Yan parted ways with the Zhao family members and dashed off alone in a specific direction. In fact, most members of the major aristocratic families split up to act independently upon entering Mount Kunwu, with very few traveling in groups unless they enjoyed exceptionally close ties in daily life.

"Lu Ren."

A gaze stared fixedly at the direction Lu Yan had departed in. Once Lu Yan had gone some distance away, the figure flashed and trailed far behind him.

"Could this be... a Blood Ganoderma?"

Before traveling very far, Lu Yan spotted a blood-red glossy ganoderma. This was a medicinal herb that could be paired with secondary exotic beast meat to cook secondary martial provisions. Its market price was by no means low.

Lu Yan harvested it, stuffed it into his cloth bag, and slung it over his back as he pressed onward.

New discoveries kept coming. True to being a tertiary blood vein, there was an abundance of various medicinal herbs. In less than an hour, Lu Yan had discovered eight kinds of herbs, packing his cloth bag until it bulged.

With no other choice, Lu Yan had to discard some of the less valuable herbs, keeping only a few of the more precious ones. The primary purpose of his trip was not medicinal herbs, but rather the Phoenix Blood Insects, or the core beads of secondary mutated beast kings. He needed to find a suitable location to ignite the Phoenix Incense and lure out the Phoenix Blood Insects.

This search lasted for two full hours.

"Oh, this place looks good."

Lu Yan discovered a patch of soil that was exceptionally crimson, as if fresh blood had just been splashed across it.

According to historical records, Phoenix Blood Insects favored hiding beneath this specific type of soil above all else. Lu Yan drove the Phoenix Incense into the crimson soil, took out his fire starter, and ignited the incense. Immediately, a peculiar fragrance permeated the air—a scent that could even seep down into the soil.