Chapter 25: The "Secret" Leaks

"That is indeed the case."

Gao Hui nodded. "The Yang family recently produced a child with decent aptitude, who reached the second level of Qi Gathering in a single year. Patriarch Yang also advanced his cultivation, breaking through to the sixth level of Qi Gathering. The family also has a loyal old servant who is at the sixth level of Qi Gathering as well."

"Oh?"

He Shenglai's eyes shifted as he listened. "Then they do possess some strength. This Patriarch is quite capable, actually managing to recruit a sixth-level Qi Gathering cultivator to assist him. However..."

He suddenly changed his tone, his gaze turning sharp.

"Hmph. Nurturing a second-level Qi Gathering cultivator and breaking through to the sixth level of Qi Gathering, all within a single year... How could a small family like the Yangs possess such capability?"

Gao Hui pondered for a moment before asking, "What does Lord He mean...?"

"I suspect this Yang family is definitely hiding a secret. Since we are already here today, let us take a good look!"

Just as Gao Hui was about to speak, Yang Guanfeng stepped out to greet them.

"An esteemed Wangchao Cultivator graces us with his presence. I failed to welcome you from afar; please forgive my slight."

Yang Guanfeng cupped his hands and bowed in salute.

He Shenglai swept a glance over him and said indifferently, "I am merely following orders. Welcoming me or not makes no difference. Lead the way."

"Yes."

As he turned, Yang Guanfeng exchanged a covert glance with Gao Hui. Seeing the hint of helplessness in the town chief's eyes, he immediately understood this Wangchao Cultivator's overbearing temperament.

It was obvious from those few words that he held the Yang family in no regard. His commanding tone was grating to the ear.

He led the two men to the Yang family's rear courtyard, where Elder Yu and Yang Lingrui were already waiting.

The Demon Beast corpses, having been handled by Elder Yu, had also been moved here.

The main priority had been erasing the traces of Spiritual Force Impact. That type of injury was far too distinctive and would easily raise suspicions.

Fortunately, He Shenglai's own realm was not particularly high. After counting through them once, he noticed nothing unusual.

There were twenty-eight Demon Beast corpses in total: eighteen at the early stage of Qi Gathering, and ten at the mid stage of Qi Gathering. He Shenglai quoted the purchase price, totaling one hundred and thirty Spirit Crystals.

"Heh heh heh, your Yang family is truly lucky. Baishi Town was breached, yet you didn't encounter a single late-stage Qi Gathering Demon Beast. Otherwise, you would all be dead," He Shenglai said offhandedly.

Standing behind him, Gao Hui could not help but roll his eyes.

They were standing right inside someone else's home, yet He Shenglai's words were exceptionally unpleasant.

Yang Guanfeng, however, maintained a polite smile. "Lord He is correct. To have survived this Beast Tide, my Yang family was indeed incredibly fortunate."

One hundred and thirty Spirit Crystals was undoubtedly a massive sum for the current Yang family, and it arrived at a timely moment.

With this wealth, they could finally secure the defensive Formation for the Restricted Grounds, as well as Storage Bags for the Yang family's cultivators.

As for He Shenglai, Yang Guanfeng and Elder Yu had encountered all sorts of people during their years wandering the outside world. They would not lose their tempers over a few unpleasant words. He could say whatever he wished.

They assumed the matter would conclude with the purchase, but He Shenglai showed no intention of leaving.

He looked up toward the cliff on the north side of the Yang estate, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"What a fine, sheer cliff. I suspect there is a hidden mystery up there," He Shenglai mused.

Yang Guanfeng stepped forward. "To answer Lord He, the area above is our Yang family's Restricted Grounds."

"Oh? Restricted Grounds..."

He Shenglai nodded, then said in a casual tone, "Take me up to see it."

"This...!"

Hearing this, the expressions of both Yang Guanfeng and Elder Yu shifted sharply. The young Yang Lingrui even let a panicked look slip onto his face.

Gao Hui furrowed his brows and spoke in a deep voice. "Lord He, the Yang family moved away from the town last year and is no longer under Wangchao jurisdiction. This request is perhaps inappropriate."

As the town chief of Baishi Town, he knew the reconstruction effort was at a critical juncture. He had no desire to offend the Yang family over something like this.

By stepping forward to speak now, he was clearly demonstrating his stance to Yang Guanfeng.

He Shenglai had taken careful note of the three Yang family members' expressions. Yang Lingrui's panic, in particular, made him sneer inwardly. Young cultivators truly lacked depth; they could not hide a single thing.

"Heh. Gao Hui, do I really need you to remind me of such matters?"

He Shenglai addressed Gao Hui, his words carrying a distinct edge of warning.

He then turned his gaze back to Yang Guanfeng. "I, He Shenglai, wish to go up and take a look. Will you lead the way, or shall I go up myself?"

He did not pull rank as a Wangchao Cultivator, but instead heavily emphasized his own name.

He was implying that inspecting their Restricted Grounds had nothing to do with the Wangchao; it was simply that he wanted to see it.

This statement backed the Yang family into a corner. A single late-stage Qi Gathering cultivator was enough to suppress everyone present, let alone the family backing He Shenglai enjoyed.

Yang Guanfeng's pleasant demeanor faded. He gritted his teeth, the muscles in his jaw bulging slightly. Finally, he took two deep breaths, forcefully pressing down the anger in his heart.

Elder Yu's face turned an ashen iron-grey, while Yang Lingrui's small body trembled slightly, acting as though a great disaster was about to befall the Yang family.

Since things had come to this, Yang Guanfeng could only brace himself and agree, leading the group up the cliff path.

Trailing at the back, Gao Hui was secretly intensely curious himself.

He had speculated about the Yang family's foundation before, but his thoughts had never moved past mere suspicion and conjecture.

Now, leaning on He Shenglai's presence, he might finally get answers to the questions weighing on his mind.

"The Cloud-Mountain Mist Formation... Hmm, the Formation is not bad. The one who arranged it possesses some skill."

He Shenglai offered his appraisal while standing before the Yang family's Restricted Grounds.

Yang Guanfeng opened the Formation, allowing the group to enter the Restricted Grounds' main courtyard.

The courtyard layout and the side rooms held nothing special. He Shenglai strode straight into the depths of the Restricted Grounds, quickly arriving at a small, isolated courtyard in the back.

This was the exact courtyard housing the Four-Leaf Spirit-Holding Grass, guarded by two minor Formations.

Wearing an expression that said 'just as I expected,' He Shenglai tilted his chin toward the barrier. "Patriarch Yang, open it."

"Does Lord He truly insist on this?"

Yang Guanfeng asked, his gaze filled with sorrow. "The item within is incredibly precious. If outsiders were to learn of it, my Yang family's safety would be in jeopardy!"

"Lord He, our Yang family doesn't want the Spirit Crystals anymore! We will return all of them-please, just spare us!"

Elder Yu also stepped forward to plead, while Yang Lingrui stood behind the two men, openly wiping away tears.

This performance only hooked He Shenglai's curiosity further. He was now absolutely determined to enter and see the truth for himself.

"All of you, shut up!"

He immediately unleashed the aura of the seventh level of Qi Gathering, his expression thick with impatience. "What is my status? Do you think I would go around spreading rumors about your insignificant Yang family? As for those Spirit Crystals, that was official Wangchao business! Do not mention returning them again, or do not blame me for turning hostile! Open the Formation quickly, and do not force me to do it myself!"

Gao Hui stood to the side in silence. He Shenglai's outburst could be considered an indirect promise to keep the Yang family's secret.

With the stark disparity in their realms laid bare, Yang Guanfeng could only heave a heavy sigh and open a gap in the Formation.

The five of them walked inside together, and the tender, emerald-green spiritual plant immediately caught their eyes.

"It is a spiritual plant!"

Gao Hui's eyes lit up at the sight. The lingering doubts in his heart were instantly answered.

"Pfft... Hahahahaha!"

He Shenglai threw his head back and burst into loud laughter. "This is it? You made it sound so dreadfully serious. I thought it was some earth-shattering treasure! After all that fuss, it turns out to be nothing more than a Qi Gathering level Four-Leaf Spirit-Holding Grass! Hahahaha..."

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