Qin Nie glanced at Langya Yu. “I’ve never met Young Lady Yu, so how would I know her current situation?”

“Say what you want. It’s my fault, my foolishness,” Qin Feng said with a bitter smile. “You, my dear brother, I truly hoped you were my brother. Too bad.…”

“Ancestor, aside from Qin Feng, this person might also be involved.” Qin Nie pointed at Fang Chen and then glanced at Chu Lan. “As for the First Lady…”

The Immortal Qin Clan family head’s expression darkened. “Nie’er, do not speak recklessly.”

Qin Nie fell silent. He had said enough, leaving it for others to interpret.

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The crowd exchanged glances in silence.

The Immortal Qin Clan ancestor looked at Qin Feng, then at Qin Nie, and finally cast a brief look at Fang Chen before lightly waving his sleeve.

Bang!

Langya Yu was instantly reduced to a mist of blood, vanishing from existence. Qin Feng watched this scene with a self-deprecating smile that gradually faded.

“The family matters have been resolved. Do not spread this outside. The next issue is between the Immortal Qin Clan and Langya Clan. Understand what is important and what is not,” the Immortal Qin Clan ancestor said before turning and leaving.

The other ancestors also stood up and followed him out.

With the ancestors gone, the pressure in the ancestral hall eased immediately, but the atmosphere remained tense. The ancestors' words indicated that they would no longer concern themselves with the petty details of this matter, directing everyone's focus on the impending conflict between the Immortal Qin and Langya Clans.

The crowd also noticed the underlying issue: the ancestor seemed more inclined to wage war against the Langya Clan rather than to focus on the matter of the Three Solar Fruit. Perhaps, this whole situation was merely a pretext.

“Chu Lan, don’t misunderstand Nie’er. He’s just considering the family’s interests. I believe Feng’er wouldn’t do something so foolish. It must be that woman’s scheme,” Wu Wan spoke up in defense of Qin Nie.

A smile suddenly played on Chu Lan’s lips. “Listen here, you bitch; take your bastard son and get out of here. I don’t want to see the two of you again.”

Wu Wan was taken aback.

Qin Nie was surprised by Chu Lan’s direct insult, as the confrontation was now fully out in the open.

Qin Nie’s tone turned cold. “How dare you insult my mother…”

Chu Lan wore a bright smile, but her eyes were icy. “If you want to harm Feng’er, not only will I insult your mother, but I’ll also crush you with my own hands, you little bastard.”

The crowd, displaying their politeness, chose to stay out of the matter, preferring to watch the spectacle unfold. It was rare to witness such a scene, even in a hundred years.

“Enough!” the Immortal Qin Clan family head shouted sternly. “Isn’t it humiliating enough already? All of you, get out!”

“Then I’ll leave first,” Chu Lan said, bowing gracefully.

She didn’t forget to take Fang Chen, Qin Xuan, and Qin Feng with her as they departed from the ancestral hall.

The Immortal Qin Clan family head’s expression shifted between dark and uncertain as he watched them leave. He turned to Wu Wan and Qin Nie. “You two should leave as well.”

“Mother, let’s go,” Qin Nie said, pulling Wu Wan away.

“Everyone, since the situation is already so tense today, let’s proceed to discuss the next matter.”

The head of the Immortal Qin Clan looked at everyone. “In the struggle against the Langya Clan, I hope the Immortal Qin Clan's casualties can be minimized. We cannot control how and when the fight will start, but the details need to be worked out below.”

The heads of the various houses nodded in agreement and began offering their suggestions.

Surpassing Dragon Battle General showed a subtle smile in his eyes. Despite the small disruptions, they were insignificant; the Spirit Blood Sect's plan had succeeded.

***

Chu Lan remained silent as she returned to the private residence. After entering, she looked at Qin Feng. “Feng'er, can you finally see it clearly now?”

“Mother, I was wrong.” Qin Feng nodded. “I won’t do such foolish things in the future and make you worry.”

“Go. Kowtow nine times to thank Young Master Fang. He saved your life; otherwise, you wouldn’t even have a chance at reincarnation,” Chu Lan said.

“Young Master Fang, please receive my bow.”

Qin Feng immediately knelt down and performed nine prostrations.

Fang Chen did not stop him; this was the proper way to show gratitude.

Qin Xuan was beet red with shame. Her expression looked a little unnatural. “Young Master Fang, I misunderstood you….”

“

Heeh

, what is it? Do you also want to kowtow nine times?” Fang Chen joked.

Qin Xuan was momentarily taken aback.

Chu Lan smiled. “Young Master Fang is joking with you.”

Qin Xuan sighed in relief.

“Three will be enough,” Chu Lan continued.

“Really?! I… I have to?”

Qin Xuan seemed reluctant.

Fang Chen smiled. “Is it so difficult? Then just get it over with quickly.”

Seeing that her mother wasn’t joking, Qin Xuan knelt down and kowtowed three times to Fang Chen.

After that, Chu Lan waved her hand, signaling the two to leave. "Please leave."

Qin Xuan had many questions she wanted to ask. However, now that her mother had dismissed her, she had to swallow them back.

At that moment, however, Qin Feng asked, "Mother, was that Three Solar Fruit the one I gave to Langya Yu?"

Chu Lan did not answer but looked at Fang Chen.

Fang Chen smiled lightly and said, "Yup. I retrieved it from Qin Nie. Are you at ease now?"

Qin Feng's expression shifted slightly. He slowly cupped his fist and turned to leave.

Qin Xuan's face showed astonishment as she suddenly realized and exclaimed, "You’re the one who took our storage rings…!"

She quickly shut her mouth. However, she added in a low voice, "Young Master Fang, there are some personal items in there. Could you..."

"We'll discuss it later," Fang Chen said.

Satisfied, Qin Xuan nodded and left.

After Qin Xuan left, Chu Lan's expression turned grim. "Young Master Fang, now that the ancestor is unwilling to cease hostilities, how do you plan to deal with the Spirit Blood Sect's cultivators?"

"First Lady, weren’t you trying to avoid getting involved?" Fang Chen asked with a smile.

Chu Lan smiled back. "I didn’t want to get involved before, but since Qin Nie’s scheming to harm my son, I have to take action. If it were just the Spirit Blood Sect using my son as a pawn, I might have been able to endure it, but as you just saw...."

She paused. “Qin Nie wants my son to be utterly crushed."

"This matter... we need to observe the situation further," Fang Chen said thoughtfully. "If a war between the Immortal Qin Clan and Langya Clan is inevitable, Qin Nie might still look for opportunities to deal with you and your son."

He paused. "And me. I have probably become a thorn in his side. He might be more eager to kill me than Qin Feng."

Chu Lan’s eyes showed a hint of contemplation.

"First Lady, take a few days to rest. Try to find some peace of mind and don't dwell on these matters. I must take my leave," Fang Chen said, cupping his fist and turning to leave.

Once he returned to his quiet room, his soul immediately left his body and sped toward where the Immortal Qin Clan ancestor was.

He wanted to investigate whether there was any connection between him and the Spirit Blood Sect.

If there was, he couldn’t intervene directly and would have to report it to the Killing Spiritual Division. This would also involve the risk of being discovered by the Spirit Blood Sect's spies within the division. Though the risk was not high, it was not negligible either.

In a secluded courtyard, Qin Nie stood with his head bowed before the Immortal Qin Clan ancestor.

Seeing Qin Nie present, Fang Chen frowned. Was the ancestor actually the Spirit Blood Sect's most significant pawn in the Immortal Qin Clan?