Another so-called Sixth Granduncle…

Lei Jun’s mind stirred slightly.

The Tianshi Mansion and the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou had been long-standing enemies. Both sides were well aware of each other’s key figures. From what Lei Jun knew, the Sixth Granduncle of the Lin Clan was a clan elder with Upper Heavens cultivation.

After resolving their internal conflict, the Lin Clan had once again begun extending their influence externally. To unite their fractured members, they needed a common external enemy. Naturally, there was no better target than their old nemesis, the Tianshi Mansion.

Of course, if conflict broke out again, internal disputes within the Tianshi Mansion would also temporarily ease, uniting the sect against a common foe. The Lin Clan clearly wanted to avoid giving the Tianshi Mansion this advantage.

Unlike their past brashness, the Lin Clan, weakened from internal strife, had shifted to more covert tactics. Their plan was to secretly eliminate outstanding disciples of the Tianshi Mansion who weren’t from the Li Family. This wasn’t because they didn’t hate the Li Family, but because they aimed to exacerbate the internal conflict between the Li Family and the other disciples.

Lei Jun, as the rising star of the Tianshi Mansion, had now caught the Lin Clan’s attention and become a target.

The ambush in the Cangling River Valley had likely been set for him. As for why that location was chosen, Lei Jun wasn’t sure yet. Fortunately, he had managed to avoid it by seeking fortune and avoiding calamity.

However, although he avoided danger, Zhang Jingzhen, for some unknown reason, stumbled right into it.

She managed to break free after sustaining injuries, but the Sixth Granduncle didn’t make a move, staying hidden in the distance. Clearly, he was wary of unexpected variables and worried the Tianshi Mansion might be setting a trap of their own.

With his presence blocking divine insight, Zhang Jingzhen and Lei Jun couldn’t use long-range communication talismans to contact Mount Longhu. If they were killed by the Lin Clan, the Tianshi Mansion might realize they were dead but wouldn’t know the details. This uncertainty would further deepen the suspicion between the Li Family and the other disciples.

The deaths of Li Zhenchang and others had already caused turmoil within the Mansion. The Lin Clan wanted to add fuel to the fire. If Lei Jun were to fall, it would be ideal. If Zhang Jingzhen were to perish, that would be acceptable too.

Recently, the Li Family had been aligning themselves with the Tang Imperial Court. Despite setbacks after the late emperor Zhang Qilong’s passing, figures like Li Ziyang were still pushing forward. If Zhang Jingzhen were to meet misfortune now, it would cause even greater chaos.

Lei Jun concealed his presence and minimized his movements. So far, the Sixth Granduncle hadn’t noticed him. If both he and Zhang Jingzhen were in danger simultaneously, the Sixth Granduncle might decide to act directly.

At this moment, the safest course was to withdraw quietly, escape the range of the Sixth Granduncle’s suppression, and then contact the sect for reinforcements. The thought flashed through Lei Jun’s mind.

The question was whether Zhang Jingzhen could hold out long enough.

But that wasn’t the main concern. The priority was ensuring the Lin Clan’s forces remained distracted long enough for a chance to retreat.

Most of the time, Lei Jun agreed with Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan’s cautious approach. But sometimes, he made exceptions.

There were always more enemies to deal with… Lei Jun watched the Lin Clan’s disciples move and sighed inwardly.

Over the years, he had dealt with many clans who prioritized bloodline heritage over Confucian ideals. There were figures like Chu Kun, Fang Yue, Fang Jian, Chu Yu, and Ye Dongming, but there were far more like these Lin Clan disciples.

For a moment, a dark thought crossed his mind: How satisfying it would be to see the streets paved with the bones of nobles and the treasuries reduced to ashes.

Lei Jun smiled faintly. “A special opportunity for a special group,” he murmured.

He patted the panda beside him. Together, they disappeared into the night.

Lei Jun circled around and quietly followed Zhang Jingzhen, who was struggling to evade her pursuers. He observed closely.

Zhang Jingzhen was using every skill at her disposal. Occasionally, she managed to shake off her pursuers briefly. However, the Lin Clan’s numbers, combined with Confucian archers taking vantage points, made it impossible for her to escape completely.

Lei Jun didn’t contact her or confront the Lin Clan directly. Instead, he used the Breath-Taking Flag to subtly alter the terrain and obscure her path.

After several maneuvers, Zhang Jingzhen began to lose her pursuers. The Lin Clan’s disciples soon realized something was off and shifted their focus to Lei Jun.

They hadn’t yet discovered that someone was helping her; they thought Zhang Jingzhen was using a powerful treasure to conceal herself.

The Lin Clan pursued even harder, unaware that their target had changed.

Zhang Jingzhen finally noticed the pursuit lessening and breathed a sigh of relief. But something felt wrong. The Lin Clan was still making noise, heading in a different direction.

Someone had helped her? But if it was an ally, why hadn’t they signaled her?

She was filled with questions but focused on hiding. Her outing had been incredibly unlucky. She had sought solitude for her cultivation breakthrough, even avoiding the Chishan Branch Estate, only to fall into an ambush.

The Lin Clan hadn’t given her a chance to negotiate. Now that she had escaped, she was even more confused.

Zhang Jingzhen’s thoughts no longer concerned Lei Jun. He remained vigilant for the Sixth Granduncle’s movements, careful to avoid direct confrontation.

Soon, they approached Tiansong Mountain. Lei Jun stopped and concealed himself using every method at his disposal.

He sealed himself and the panda with Yin Earth Thunder, then reinforced it with the Breath-Taking Flag, blending perfectly with the surroundings.

The Lin Clan disciples searched the area thoroughly, even passing by Lei Jun without noticing.

As time passed and their frustration grew, one of the younger disciples whispered, “Should we ask Sixth Granduncle for help?”

The clan elder’s face was grim. “We may have to. Something doesn’t feel right.”

Just then…

BOOM!

A massive explosion echoed from Tiansong Mountain!

A vicious, piercing screech resounded, followed by a surge of demonic energy.

The Lin Clan disciples’ faces turned pale.

“A great demon!”

High above Tiansong Mountain, a black dot appeared, expanding rapidly into a giant bird with black and white feathers. Metal weapons flew out of the Lin Clan’s hands, drawn to the bird by a magnetic storm.

“T-Two-Polar Vulture?!” The clan elder’s face went white. “Retreat!”

But they were trapped by an invisible force. Some disciples screamed in despair as they were dragged into the vulture’s maw.

Blood stained the mountain.

Suddenly, a torrent of sword energy surged from the distance, forcing the vulture to face a new opponent. The Sixth Granduncle finally made his move.

The surviving Lin Clan disciples, battered and injured, fled for their lives.

As they paused to catch their breath, a sinister crackle filled the air.

Dark thunder-water surged around them, sealing their fate.

The ominous crackling of electricity filled the air.

Zzzt... zzzt...

Dark thunder-water surged like a tide, flooding the valleys between the mountains and surrounding the Lin Clan disciples who had barely escaped with their lives. Their faces went pale as they realized there was no way out.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com