Bang!
The heavy doors of the Wei family ancestral mansion were slammed shut.
Wei Qian stood at the entrance, bewildered.
Was she just kicked out like this?
Was the Wei family gone just like that?
No, that couldn't be!
Wei Qian jolted awake, spun around, and threw herself at the door, pounding with all her might, "Fan De! You colluded with others to harm my Wei family, you'll face retribution! You will surely face re... pfft!"
Before she could finish speaking, Wei Qian was struck in the chest by a powerful spiritual energy, rolling unceremoniously from the doorway onto the street.
Cultivators in Azure Flower City, witnessing this, dared not approach. Instead, they stood at a distance, chattering amongst themselves, their words filled with mockery and feigned pity for Wei Qian.
Those words, like small insects, burrowed into Wei Qian's ears, causing her to spit out another mouthful of blood.
She fell onto the ground, looking up at the clear blue sky, and suddenly burst into wild laughter, "Hahahaha, hahahaha, cough cough..."
Her ambitions, her aspirations, all turned to dust today.
She would never have a chance to surpass Wei Qing Shan in this lifetime.
Inside the Wei family ancestral mansion, Fan De fawned, "Congratulations, Family Head Fang, your wish is granted."
Family Head Fang returned the salute with cupped fists, "It is all thanks to Brother Fan's assistance that I was able to take down the Wei family without a single soldier."
The two exchanged a look and burst into laughter again.
When the laughter subsided, a hint of emotion crossed Fan De's face, "After all, the old man Wei and I were friends for many years. If Family Head Fang doesn't mind, I'd like to see him off on his final journey."
"Brother Fan is loyal and righteous, I admire that," Family Head Fang said solemnly, "Please, Brother Fan."
"Thank you."
Fan De cupped his fists and walked towards the rear courtyard of the Wei family. The moment he stepped through the doorway, a venomous glint flashed through his eyes.
As soon as he left, the smile on Family Head Fang's face immediately faded.
A figure silently knelt before him, "Family Head."
Family Head Fang said indifferently, "Within three days, eliminate Fan De."
"Yes!"
Fan De possessed a potent poison that even cultivators in the Tribulation Transcension stage could not resist. Cooperating with such a person offered no peace of mind; the best course of action was to eliminate him completely.
Once Fan De was dead, he would have no further worries.
The two parties who had joined forces were now once again facing each other as adversaries, and it remained to be seen who would emerge victorious.
Xu Yi knew nothing of the grievances between the two factions. She had just bid farewell to Wei Qing Shan and Wei Jiu and was preparing to use the teleportation array to return to the Giant Realm.
As soon as she stepped onto the teleportation array, before she could activate it, she heard a voice, ecstatic and bordering on madness, calling out to her as if seeking her.
She looked up and was quite surprised, "Wang Yang?"
"Senior!"
Wang Yang had already run from a nearby street to Xu Yi's side, his face full of pleasant surprise, "Senior, it really is you! I thought I was mistaken. Are you looking for me?"
Xu Yi then remembered that during the exchange conference held by the Formation Heaven Alliance, Wang Yang had mentioned that his sect, the Fire Talisman Sect, was located near Firestone City in Ang State.
And the teleportation array Xu Yi and Wei Qing Shan were using to leave Azure Flower City was precisely the one heading to Firestone City.
Therefore, meeting Wang Yang in Firestone City was not too surprising.
"I..." Xu Yi hesitated, unsure of what to say.
She felt the name Firestone City sounded familiar, but due to the events at the Wei family, she hadn't bothered to recall it, leading to this awkward situation.
Wang Yang, observing her expression, immediately understood Xu Yi's unspoken intention. He felt a moment of disappointment but quickly regained his composure.
"Senior, since you are already in Firestone City, why not come and visit my Fire Talisman Sect? My master has long wished to meet you."
"Alright, I shall impose upon you then."
Since she had been unexpectedly encountered by Wang Yang, Xu Yi found it difficult to refuse his invitation and simply agreed.
After all, she wouldn't be staying at the Fire Talisman Sect for too long; leaving after three to five days would still be fine.
With that thought, Xu Yi was no longer in a hurry.
She stepped out of the teleportation array and, looking at the items in Wang Yang's hand, asked curiously, "Are you out on business this time?"
Wang Yang blinked at Xu Yi's question. He abruptly raised his hand, saw the gift box in it, and then realized, "If Senior hadn't asked, I would have almost forgotten. I'm here to attend the birthday banquet of the Elder Ancestor of the Jian family in Firestone City on behalf of my master."
He had been too overjoyed to see Xu Yi just now and was about to lead her directly back to the Fire Talisman Sect, almost forgetting something important.
"Senior, why don't you accompany me to the Elder Ancestor Jian's birthday banquet, and then we can return to the Fire Talisman Sect together?" Wang Yang asked expectantly.
"That would be fine, except I haven't prepared a birthday gift."
Xu Yi wondered if she should rummage through her storage bag for something to make up the numbers, as arriving empty-handed was not proper etiquette.
"No need, Senior. You can attend as an honored guest elder of the Fire Talisman Sect."
Since Wang Yang was the one inviting Xu Yi to the banquet, he would not dare ask Xu Yi to present a gift.
Moreover, this arrangement carried his own ulterior motive: if Xu Yi agreed, her relationship with the Fire Talisman Sect would undoubtedly be strengthened.
Xu Yi gave him a half-smile and did not refuse.
An honored guest elder was equivalent to an honorary elder; they typically did not interfere in sect affairs but served as a deterrent.
Xu Yi felt a good impression of Wang Yang and therefore was not overly averse to this title.
Wang Yang beamed with delight, his mouth wide open, revealing a row of pearly white teeth.
Along the way, Wang Yang briefly introduced the Jian family of Firestone City to Xu Yi.
The Jian family of Firestone City was an inconspicuous minor family a few hundred years ago. However, their family later produced a talented individual, Jian Xiao Qian, who was the elder ancestor celebrating his birthday this time.
This Elder Ancestor Jian was not only gifted in cultivation but also possessed a sharp mind and was adept at navigating social circles, maintaining friendships with many families and sects in Firestone City.
Therefore, for his birthday celebration, almost all influential figures in Firestone City would be attending.
The reason the Fire Talisman Sect sent Wang Yang to the banquet was because he had recently been designated as the successor sect leader of the Fire Talisman Sect, and his master happened to be in seclusion, unable to attend, so this task fell to him.
Xu Yi understood.
As they conversed, the imposing gates of the Jian family mansion appeared before them.
Outside the Jian family gates, people were already coming and going.
Many meticulously dressed cultivators, carrying congratulatory gifts, entered the Jian family gates with smiles on their faces. Some with lower cultivation levels couldn't even enter and could only leave their gifts before quickly departing.
Xu Yi and Wang Yang arrived at the Jian family gates and saw four men with joyful expressions guarding the entrance, with servants behind them responsible for recording the guest list.
Wang Yang casually handed a gift box to one of them and introduced himself, "Congratulations on Elder Ancestor Jian's birthday. I am Wang Yang, disciple of the Fire Talisman Sect's sect leader. This is Xu Yi, honored guest elder of our Fire Talisman Sect."
"Fire Talisman Sect?"
The person was taken aback for a moment, then accessed information about the Fire Talisman Sect from his memory. The smile on his face immediately became perfunctory.
He tossed the gift box to someone behind him, saying, "From the Fire Talisman Sect," before turning to Wang Yang and saying, "You may enter. Find any seats towards the back, and do not wander around, lest you disturb other distinguished guests."
Xu Yi and Wang Yang were both stunned.