Chapter 488 - 340: The Storm Dies Down (Part 2)

Chapter 488: Chapter 340: The Storm Dies Down (Part 2)

Turf wars, assassinations, violent clashes... All sorts of tactics, both overt and covert, were being used relentlessly.

For a time, the entire city of Qing Province descended into chaos.

However, in this feeding frenzy over the spoils, the Tian family—long prepared and armed with crucial information—undoubtedly emerged as the biggest winner.

Under Tian Zhong Mountain’s command, the Tian family moved with lightning speed, devouring nearly seventy percent of the Sun family’s assets—specifically, the most central and valuable portions.

Thanks to this series of decisive and clean maneuvers, Tian Zhong Mountain’s own status skyrocketed, making him the most sought-after figure among the second-generation scions of Qing Province.

「Three days later, the dust had settled.」

The new power structure had begun to take shape. Though minor frictions still sparked in some areas, the bloodiest phase was over.

The Sun family’s foundations ran deep. Even after the Tian family had carved off the choicest cut, the remaining scraps were more than enough for the other major families to feast on until they were full and content.

Meanwhile, inside the study at the Tian family estate.

Tian Kun sat in a large, ornate armchair, rolling two gleaming iron balls in his hand.

Tian Zhong Mountain stood respectfully to one side, giving his report.

"Father, we’ve taken over seventy percent of the Sun family’s assets. The remaining thirty percent is just less valuable resources, so we let the other major families have it."

"Mm," Tian Kun nodded, a satisfied smile gracing his lips.

"Well done. You know what to take and what to leave behind, and you didn’t push things to the extreme. That is the mark of someone destined for great things."

"It’s all thanks to your teachings, Father," Tian Zhong Mountain replied, offering a shameless bit of flattery.

Tian Kun laughed heartily but didn’t dwell on the topic. Instead, his voice grew serious. "The matter of the Sun family is settled, but there is one more thing I need you to do."

"Please give me your orders, Father."

"I want to meet this Wu Liangchen," Tian Kun said, his tone earnest.

Tian Zhong Mountain’s expression flickered. "You mean..."

"This young man is like a dragon, his potential is limitless. It would be best if we could bring him into the Tian family’s service," Tian Kun stated frankly. "But even if we can’t, forging a friendly connection is the next best thing."

"I understand. I’ll contact him right away," Tian Zhong Mountain nodded.

He understood his father’s meaning. With a man like Wu Liangchen, you either make him a friend... or you absolutely cannot afford to make him an enemy.

Soon, back in the abandoned factory, Wu Liangchen received an email from Tian Zhong Mountain.

’An invitation from the Tian family Patriarch?’

Wu Liangchen was surprised for a moment, but he quickly deduced Tian Kun’s intentions. A smile touched his lips, and he replied with a single word: "Okay."

"Big Brother Wu, who was that?" Song Ling’Er asked.

After surviving that night’s life-and-death ordeal and successfully awakening her affinity for Magic, Song Ling’Er had undergone a dramatic transformation.

Her gaze had sharpened, and her entire aura had become more refined and distinct.

"It’s nothing. The Tian family just wants to meet with me," Wu Liangchen said without hiding anything.

"Are you going to go?"

"There’s no harm in checking it out," Wu Liangchen said calmly, rising to his feet.

"There are some matters that need to be settled."

Before long, Wu Liangchen arrived alone at a high-end club in the main city district.

This was the location Tian Zhong Mountain had arranged. Presumably, to allay any of Wu Liangchen’s suspicions, he had chosen this spot in the bustling downtown area rather than the Tian family estate.

Tian Zhong Mountain was waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Wu Liangchen, he hurried forward and bowed deeply.

"Mr. Wu, please follow me."

His attitude was nothing short of deferential.

Wu Liangchen gave a slight nod and followed Tian Zhong Mountain into the club.

The interior had already been cleared; there was no one else around.

When they reached a tea room deep inside, Tian Zhong Mountain stepped aside and said in a low voice, "Mr. Wu, my father is waiting for you inside. Please, go in."

Wu Liangchen pushed the door open and entered. He saw an imposing-looking man sitting behind a tea table, preparing tea.

Upon seeing Wu Liangchen, the man stood up and said with a smile, "Young Friend Wu, please sit."

Looking at Tian Kun, with his broad smile and gentle demeanor, Wu Liangchen had to admit that the Tian family Patriarch had the air of a true power player.

After all, he had just annihilated the Sun family, yet this man dared to be alone in a room with him, without even a single bodyguard, projecting an attitude of being completely unguarded.

If nothing else, that level of courage alone was beyond that of an ordinary person.

Wu Liangchen didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down directly.

"Young Friend Wu, to have annihilated the Sun family single-handedly... you are truly a hero of your generation. I am deeply impressed," Tian Kun began, his tone filled with sincere admiration.

Wu Liangchen lifted his cup and took a sip. The tea had a crisp, refreshing aroma.

"You flatter me, Patriarch Tian. My business with the Sun family was merely a personal grudge."

"Heh," Tian Kun chuckled. "A personal grudge that causes such a massive uproar... Your ’grudges’ are certainly not ordinary, young friend."

He carefully sized up the young man before him, growing more and more inwardly shocked as he looked.

This Wu Liangchen before him had his aura restrained to an absolute extreme, like a bottomless ancient well. Yet, the occasional shift of his gaze revealed a sharpness that could make one’s heart skip a beat.

’This is definitely not the presence someone in the Vein Opening Realm could possess!’

And this confirmed his prior speculation: Wu Liangchen had very likely already broken through to the Divine Sight Realm.

At this realization, Tian Kun’s eagerness burned even hotter.

After all, the value of a Martial Artist who had reached the Divine Sight Realm at such a young age was simply immeasurable.

With this in mind, Tian Kun set down his teacup, his expression turning serious.

"Young Friend Wu, the Sun family is gone, and the landscape of Qing Province has changed. What do you plan to do next?"

Wu Liangchen’s gaze was placid. "I haven’t thought that far ahead."

"I have a proposal," Tian Kun said, leaning forward slightly. "You are exceptionally talented and immensely powerful. Why not stay with the Tian family?"

"You only need to say the word, and you will have a status equal to my own, with all our resources at your disposal."

The terms Tian Kun offered were incredibly generous; he was essentially leveraging the full might of the Tian family to recruit him.

Wu Liangchen, however, remained perfectly calm. He even took a light sip of tea before saying nonchalantly, "Thank you for your kind offer, Patriarch Tian, but I’m used to a life of freedom and cannot bear to be tied down."

His refusal was swift and decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

Although he had expected as much, a flicker of disappointment still crossed Tian Kun’s face before he quickly resumed his smile.

"Very well. Since you are unwilling, Young Friend Wu, I won’t insist. However..."

Tian Kun changed his tack. "There is something I wish to say, though I’m not sure if it is my place."

"Please, speak freely, Patriarch Tian," Wu Liangchen said, setting down his cup and raising his eyes.

"Your methods in destroying the Sun family were indeed decisive, but you’ve also completely shattered the balance that has existed in Qing Province for many years."

"The Sun family may have deserved their fate, but the other families might not see it that way."

"In their eyes, you are an uncontrollable variable—a massive potential threat."

Tian Kun’s tone grew heavy with meaning.

"A tall tree in the forest is the first to be broken by the wind. You are powerful, young friend, but you are still just one man."

"The waters of Qing Province are murky and deep right now. If you continue to stay here, I fear you will attract endless trouble."

"An open attack is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to defend against. Even a tiger has to sleep sometime, does it not?"

Wu Liangchen listened quietly. He knew Tian Kun was speaking the truth.

His actions had been too shocking, too world-shaking. They would inevitably provoke the fear and hostility of the other powers.

"So, your point is?" Wu Liangchen asked.

"My meaning is that it would be best for you to leave Qing Province for a while, young friend. Lay low and let things blow over," Tian Kun said earnestly.

"Once the storm passes, or when you have grown even stronger, it will not be too late to return."

As he spoke, he retrieved an exquisite metal box from his side and slid it across the table to Wu Liangchen.

"Inside is a sum of untraceable Credit Points. Consider it a small token of my gratitude for helping the Tian family rid ourselves of the great nuisance that was the Sun family."

Wu Liangchen opened the box and glanced inside. It contained a chip card that glowed with a faint blue light, representing an astronomical sum of wealth.

He accepted it without any pretense.

"My thanks, Patriarch Tian."

He genuinely needed the money. Whether for his own future cultivation resources or for settling Song Ling’Er, he required substantial funds.

"It is the Tian family that should be thanking you," Tian Kun said with a smile. "You cleared our greatest obstacle for us. The Tian family will not forget this favor."

He paused, then urged once more, "Qing Province is a fine city, but it is ultimately a place of conflict. I urge you to think carefully, young friend."

"I will keep your warning in mind, Patriarch Tian. Farewell."

With that, Wu Liangchen stood up, turned, and left.

He knew that Tian Kun held no malice. The earlier recruitment attempt had been a way of making his stance clear.

If he had agreed, the Tian family would have shielded him from the wariness of the other major families.

But Wu Liangchen’s ambitions lay elsewhere. He wanted to uncover the secrets of this world—especially the origin of the mists that isolated the different realms from one another, and the source of an unnatural entity like the Alliance.

’He wanted to know everything.’