Vol. 1 - Ch. 312 - "Are You Blind?"

Back then, the family had also purchased this type of rice. They soon discovered, however, that it could only help ordinary people increase their vitality and lay the foundation for body tempering. However, for martial artists who had already undergone tempering, it was of little use.

Therefore, there was no follow-up.

According to clan reports, the Zhang family had a person like that.

After pondering for a moment, the man refrained from striking again. Instead, he announced his identity:

"Yunmeng City, Zhao Clan, Zhao Si!"

"So it's the Zhao Clan of Yunmeng City. It seems there may have been some misunderstanding just now. Why don’t we go down and talk about it?”

A delighted voice came from the other side. Hearing this, the man nodded.

“Alright!”

On the ground, the two who had just clashed met face-to-face quickly. After confirming each other’s identities, Zhang Huaicai seemed excited and hurriedly spoke.

"Brother Zhao, you've also come to investigate the Chen Clan's strength, haven't you?"

Seeing his enthusiasm, Zhao Si remained cautious and did not answer.

But Zhang Huaicai’s eyes showed no less warmth. He simply continued,

“Brother Zhao Si, you may not know, The clan elder ordered me to investigate the Chen Clan. I’ve been trapped in this white mist for more than two days. During that time, I tried countless methods, yet I still haven’t managed to escape.”

"While scouting from the treetop just now, I sensed something unusual here, so I came to investigate. That’s how I accidentally ran into you, Brother Zhao Si.”

Upon hearing Zhang Huaicai’s words, Zhao Si’s expression became even more cautious.

Although Zhang Huaicai’s cultivation level was lower than his own, he was still strong enough to reach the Innate Realm. Yet, he had already been trapped here for two days.

No wonder he was so excited to meet me.

"To be honest, I myself have been traveling through this white mist for more than half a day."

Zhang Huaicai was momentarily stunned but quickly spoke again.

"This place is extremely strange. It’s likely the work of the Chen Clan. To guard against ambushes, why don't the two of us travel together? What do you think, Brother Zhao Si?”

"Agreed!"

Facing this boundless white mist, Zhao Si did not argue. The two of them decided to work together to find a way out.

…

“Zhao Si still hasn’t returned. Has there been any word?”

"Reporting to Elder Qimeng, not yet!"

Upon hearing the clansman’s report, Zhao Qimeng frowned. At Zhao Si’s speed, he should have already returned. Even if something unusual had occurred, he should have used the clan’s secret technique to send word. Could he have encountered danger in Chaotic Burial Mountains?

“Wait a little longer. What progress has been made in the investigation over the past two days?”

Zhao Qimeng didn’t dwell on it for long. Instead, he turned to one of the clansmen beside him and asked a question.

A few days earlier, after entering Yong’an City, they found an inn and quietly began gathering information.

“Clan Elder, we’ve already gathered most of the details.

"The Chen family rose from that Chaotic Burial Mountain. Three years ago, many things happened here in Yong’an City. Originally, the city was dominated by four great families...”

The more Zhao Qimeng listened, the more solemn his expression became.

Three years ago, the clan knows well what happened. That was when the Zhou family perished and the Zhao family rose to prominence.

Yet, for the minor Chen family to rise within the tangled web of powers in Yong’an City and seize control of it, they must be strong. There must surely be a Qi Manipulation Realm martial artist within their ranks.

If so, the clan's previous plans would be difficult to carry out.

When Zhao Qimeng heard mention of the Shi family, he suddenly recalled that the Shi family of Yunmeng City was the same as the Shi family of Yong’an City.

If so, it wouldn't hurt to have the clan investigate further.

As for the information he had just received, he couldn’t trust it blindly. If the Chen family truly had a Qi Manipulation Realm martial artist, they wouldn’t have remained so obscure. Why would they remain silent for three years after seizing Yong’an City?

Perhaps the Chen family suffered heavy losses when they first seized Yong’an City.

With that thought in mind, Zhao Qimeng no longer hesitated. He turned to the few people behind him and said,

"Let's go. We'll take a walk outside."

This time, not all of the clansmen he brought were high-level martial artists. Among them was a young man, a clan prodigy barely twenty years old, yet already in the early stage of the Blood Coagulation Realm.

Bringing this young man along was no accident—it was meant to test the Chen family's strength.

Originally, Zhao Qimeng had planned to wait until Zhao Si finished gathering information. But now, impatience gnawed at him. Why not probe the Chen family’s true power first?

Upon hearing the elder’s words, the young man’s eyes gleamed with fervor. The Zhao clan had just taken Yunmeng City, and they had not yet displayed their strength. With so many neighboring families present, now was the perfect time to show off.

The four of them immediately left the inn and stepped onto the bustling street, intent on finding members of the Chen family.

“Clan Elder, look at those people—aren’t they from the Chen family?”

They hadn’t walked far when one of the clansmen pointed toward Chen Qingcheng and his companions, who were enjoying themselves nearby.

"Yes, the totem insignia leaves no doubt. But their cultivation is rather low. Among them, only one is at the early stage of the Body Tempering Realm. They don't seem to be much!"

Zhao Qimeng did not respond. Instead, a trace of doubt flickered in his eyes. They looked around ten years old, yet he felt that these youngsters seemed even younger.

Moreover, one of the slightly older children had already reached the early stage of the Body Tempering Realm. Though his cultivation level wasn’t high, it demonstrated that the Chen family was not weak.

Typically, ordinary clan children, even those with considerable talent, begin tempering their bodies only after the age of ten. By that age, their bodies have begun to develop, but have not yet reached their limits, making it the ideal time to start Body Tempering.

Starting too young is excessive, and starting too late leaves little room for growth because the bones are already set.

Only great clans or truly elite families could rely on rare treasures to allow their youths to temper their bodies before the age of ten, thereby gaining an advantage over their peers.

However, the Chen family shouldn’t possess such resources. Have I misjudged them?

Still, appearances alone could not confirm the truth. Only by testing their bone age could one know their actual age.

Zhao Qimeng's doubt made it difficult for him to suppress the urge to act. Just as he was about to step closer for a better look, a brash voice suddenly rang out beside him:

“Are you blind? Don’t you watch where you’re walking?”

“You bumped into me, so how are you going to pay for it?”

Zhao Qimeng froze for a moment. He had been too focused on observing the youths ahead and hadn’t noticed what was happening nearby. When he turned his head, he saw two boys, about seventeen or eighteen years old, standing there with dissatisfaction written all over their faces. In front of them was a young clansman who looked flustered and at a loss.

Seeing Zhao Qimeng glance over, the young man's face showed grievance.

“Clan Elder, I didn’t bump into them! I didn’t even move!”

"Oh? So you're saying we're deliberately picking a fight?"

"Exactly. We're standing here just fine. What, do you think we'd go out of our way to bump into you?"

Chen Qinghe’s expression was arrogant, and he held his head high in a domineering posture.

Beside him, Chen Qingmeng chimed in with a sharp, aggressive tone, as though ready to strike at the slightest provocation.

Watching this unfold, Zhao Qimeng’s face stiffened in disbelief.

He was a clan elder at the Innate Realm Great Completion, yet here he was, being extorted.

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