C13 The Conspiracy Failed!

At the base of the mountain, the Zhao and Qian families were beaming with confidence, seemingly already envisioning the grand feast they would throw once the Wang family was ousted.

Wang Tianlong observed their smug expressions with bewilderment. What were these two fools up to? Meanwhile, his younger brother, Wang Tianhu, wore a look of concern, as if he had realized something troubling. He couldn't shake the feeling that collaborating with the Zhao and Qian families had been a grave error.

At that moment, the entourage from the City Lord's Mansion emerged. Although the visit had been brief, since the City Lord's Mansion had only gone in for a bit of fun, nobody thought much of their early departure.

However, Sun Wei, the City Lord, looked utterly perplexed. His daughter, Sun Xiaoxiao, approached him with a sullen face. "Xiaoxiao, what's the matter? You look so unhappy. Didn't I ask you to accompany them and keep an eye on that young man, Wang Pingfan?"

"Hmph, Father, let's not talk about it," she retorted. "We had barely entered when the Sun and Qian families started preventing us from following them. If you hadn't instructed us not to engage them directly, I would've sent them packing by now. And that Wang Pingfan has been a real nuisance. Look at what he did to my sister Cai'er."

Sun Wei was taken aback. "What? He injured Princess Cai'er? That's inconceivable. What kind of power does that boy possess? Princess Cai'er is a six-star Martial Cultivator, and she's protected by two eight-star Martial Cultivator guards."

"Really, Father? You don't believe me?" Sun Xiaoxiao exclaimed. "Sister Cai'er's injuries haven't even healed. That boy knocked her out with just one punch, and even the two guards couldn't stand against him. But what's odd is that he only seems to have the strength of a five-star Martial Cultivator. I can't fathom how he trains to be so formidable."

Sun Wei looked over at Dongfang Cai'er, deep in thought. Recalling the auction house supervisor mentioning that Wang Pingfan was an alchemist, it dawned on him that the young man had been hiding his true capabilities. The Wang family might just be on the verge of introducing a significant figure. Perhaps it was time to consider forging a connection with this young talent.

"Oh yes, Father, I witnessed something even more astonishing—you'll never guess what it was," Sun Xiaoxiao said with a radiant smile.

"Really? What could be more incredible?" Sun Wei inquired.

"Hehe, I'm not going to spill the beans just yet. You'll be utterly astounded when you see it for yourself," Sun Xiaoxiao teased.

Sun Wei simply smiled warmly and remained silent, his thoughts turning to how he might befriend Wang Pingfan. At that moment, Dongfang Cai'er spoke up, "Uncle Sun, I've been away for quite some time now. I should head back."

"Do you need an escort?" Sun Wei asked upon hearing her decision.

"No need, Uncle Sun. I'll take my leave now." After bidding farewell to Sun Xiaoxiao, Dongfang Cai'er departed with her two guards. Nonetheless, Sun Wei discreetly sent another two people to follow them for added safety.

Before long, the group observed a large number of people descending the mountain, looking utterly bewildered. Why were they coming down so soon? The competition was only halfway through. The patriarchs of the Zhao and Qian families exchanged puzzled glances. Could their mission have been completed so quickly, far ahead of schedule? They wondered if everything had gone off without a hitch.

At that moment, the heads of both families hadn't yet realized that their scheme had already fallen apart. As more people continued to come down the mountain, the astonishment on the onlookers' faces grew. The senior members of the Zhao and Qian families were particularly shocked, having not anticipated such a turn of events. They saw their own people bound together in a line, with Zhao Donglai still unconscious and being carried by two individuals.

Amidst the confusion, the Zhao Family Head bellowed, "What is the meaning of this, Wang Family? Release my son at once! What have you done?"

The Qian Family Head joined in, demanding, "Exactly! Release our Qian Family members immediately. This is outrageous!"

Before Wang Tianlong could respond, Wang Qingshui interjected sharply, "Hmph, the Zhao and Qian families conspired together, planning to ambush us. If not for Brother Pingfan's timely intervention, none of our Wang Family would have made it back."

The head of the Zhao family spoke with a frigid tone, "Hmph, you little girl, your words carry no weight without proof. Do you have any evidence that they ambushed you? It seems to me that you ambushed our Zhao and Qian families, likely using some vile trick to render them defenseless. Otherwise, how could you possibly defeat the combined might of our two families?"

"Hmph, I anticipated you would respond this way." Wang Qingshui produced a Sound Stone from her pocket. Believing she wouldn't make it out, she had recorded their conversation as evidence. She hadn't expected to not only escape but also to turn defeat into victory. It was time for them to hear the truth.

Wang Qingshui infused the Sound Stone with her spiritual energy, and the voices of Zhao Donglai, Qin Fugui, and Wang Jia filled the air. The listeners' faces shifted with shock as the recording played, revealing a plot they hadn't imagined the Zhao and Qian families capable of.

"That's impossible. You're framing us! You must have fabricated this evidence in advance," the Zhao family patriarch bellowed, looking ready to strike.

Wang Tianlong gave his younger brother a sidelong glance and huffed. In a flash, he positioned himself in front of the Zhao and Qian families and challenged them, "What's this? You're considering violence in my presence?"

The Zhao patriarch retorted with fury, "Fine, the Wang family has shown their ruthlessness. We concede defeat this time, but release our people immediately. If you don't, don't blame us for our lack of mercy."

"Oh, feel free to try," Wang Tianlong responded, standing his ground without a hint of retreat.

"I've long heard of the Wang family patriarch's exceptional strength. Today, I, Zhao Tian, will see it for myself." Zhao Tian's fists glowed with an intense fire, the flames signifying his mastery of the Flame Fist technique.

Zhao Tian launched his punch, the heat preceding the blow, pushing the weaker onlookers back. Wang Tianlong countered with a punch of his own, the air crackling with the force of their collision. In moments, Zhao Tian was sent flying, clutching his chest as he exclaimed, "You—you've made a breakthrough!"

"Indeed, I've recently advanced to a Nine-star Martial Master. Are you sure you still want to challenge me?" Wang Tianlong declared.

"Damn it, why haven't you made your move yet, Qian Dafu?" Zhao Tian yelled.

At that moment, Qian Dafu, the head of the Qian family, was poised to act when Sun Wei intervened. "Enough! How much longer will this go on? Stand down," he commanded, his presence as a Martial Marquis bursting forth, compelling everyone to halt.

In all of Rerora, only Sun Wei had reached the esteemed level of Martial Marquis. The former heads of the three major families were still only nine-star Martial Masters.

"Enough," Sun Wei continued. "This time, both of your families have crossed the line. I had heard some rumors, but I never imagined you'd attempt to wipe them out completely. Your plan may have failed, but it has significantly impacted the Wang family." Turning to Wang Tianlong, he suggested, "Master Wang, these families intended harm, but they did not succeed. Perhaps you could release them? Have them offer some compensation. The situation has become too strained, and as the City Lord, it's difficult for me to resolve this."

Wang Tianlong clearly grasped the City Lord's intent. Aside from the City Lord's Mansion, the balance of power among the three great families was delicate. If one or two were to fall, it would destabilize the City Lord's Mansion's standing. Moreover, for years, the three families had provided substantial benefits to the City Lord's Mansion annually. He couldn't simply watch the younger members of his Zhao and Qian families be taken away. If the Zhao and Qian families were to unite against him, it could spell significant losses for the City Lord's Mansion as well.