Ten Days Later...
Deep in the heart of the Nightmare Forest, within a cave that pulsed with an eerie stillness, a man sat in the corner near the exit. His eyes fluttered open, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
Sixth Layer of Qi Refining Realm (1/100)
"With these Quasi-Second Rank Spirit Veins, my cultivation speed is ten times faster than before." He couldn't help but grin, feeling the surge of power coursing through his body.
But he knew better than to get too greedy. The concentration of Quasi-Second Rank Spirit Veins was far too potent for him to endure for long periods.
That's why he sat near the exit, where the concentration was thinner and more manageable.
"I should be able to bear more when I reach the Late Stage of Qi Refining," he pondered, a glimmer of determination in his eyes.
Ten days had passed since that fateful day. Curiosity about what had transpired in his absence began to stir, and he decided today was the day to find out.
With a firm nod, he activated a token and set off toward the secret passage that led to the market.
.....
After more than two hours of walking, he arrived at the market entrance. With a swift motion, he flashed his wooden token and stepped inside without hesitation.
To his relief, the market seemed to have returned to normal. People bustled around, and the familiar noise of merchants hawking their wares filled the air.
His first stop was the teahouse he frequented, a modest establishment known for its quiet corners and warm hospitality. He chose an empty table and settled down.
Moments later, a respectful waiter approached him. However, before Lan Rui could voice his order, the waiter interrupted gently but firmly.
"Sir, there is a guest waiting for you upstairs," the waiter said, her voice tinged with quiet reverence.
Lan Rui blinked in surprise. He hadn't been expecting anyone, but as the waiter's words sank in, he realized who it was. He stood up, a sense of familiarity settling over him, and made his way to the second floor.
As he ascended, a few curious eyes followed him, but he paid them no mind.
Upon reaching the second floor, a few people lingered in quiet conversation by a secluded table. There, a graceful figure sat waiting. Approaching her with a hint of anticipation, he began to greet her, but her cool, commanding tone cut him off.
"Stand up and sit beside me," she ordered, her tone frosty.
Taken aback, he hesitated. "Sister Wei, I..."
"I won't repeat myself," she snapped, a fierce glare in her eyes.
Helplessly, he stood and moved to sit beside Wei Xin. As soon as he settled beside her, she wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I thought... I thought you had..." Her voice cracked, but she didn't finish the sentence.
After a few moments of silence, she wiped her tears away and regained her composure, returning to the calm, composed woman he knew.
"Tell me everything that happened after you left the market," she asked, her voice steady, though her gaze betrayed the concern she felt.
Lan Rui nodded, taking a deep breath before explaining everything. He omitted the part about the cave mansion, of course, only mentioning that he had been fortunate enough to find a suitable hiding place.
Wei Xin listened quietly, then sighed. "I'm sorry. I had no power to intervene during the beast tide. But you don't have to worry anymore. The Feng Family is finished." Her tone turned cold as she said it.
He raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
Wei Xin's expression darkened. "The downfall began with the death of the Feng Family Ancestor during the battle. Not long after, the Supreme Elder of the Cloud Sword Sect arrived. When the next wave of the beast tide surged, they deliberately let a Second Order Demonic Beast escape."
Her voice dropped lower. "There, several Second Order Demonic Beasts were lurking some already at the Late Stage. A coordinated assault began. One by one, the beasts fell."
"But then, from the depths of the nest, a creature unlike any other emerged, a White Serpent, rumored to be a hundred meters long. The aura it exuded reached the threshold of a true Third Order Demonic Beast."
She took a sip of tea before continuing.
"The Supreme Elder didn't even hesitate. Before the serpent could unleash its full power, he drew his sword and, with a single strike, decapitated the creature."
Lan Rui was impressed. "A Sword Cultivator truly lives up to their reputation," he murmured.
"After the battle, the Supreme Elder ordered a week of mourning. But in truth, it was just a buffer to prevent anyone from taking advantage of their temporary weakness."
Wei Xin continued, "And now, the mourning period is over. The Feng Family's downfall is inevitable."
"Their ancestor's death, the loss of many clansmen, and the devastation from the beast tide... They've tried everything, even selling off their estates. Rumor has it they're planning to leave the Cloud Market and move elsewhere."
She scoffed. "Who would buy it when they can just take it by force later? Still, they're smart, they have already sold it to the market at less than half the price."
"But their ancestral land, the Feng Family Mountain, is something that can't be bought even at half price."
Lan Rui's curiosity was piqued. "The Feng Family Mountain… what's it worth?"
"The original price for a Second Rank Spirit Vein estate ranges from 5 to 35 million spirit stones, depending on grade and condition," she explained.
Wei Xin leaned in, her voice low. "This one is a Second Rank Low-Grade Spirit Vein land normally valued at around 5 to 6 million spirit stones."
"But it's not just the land, it includes a complete set of residences, buildings, and even a small spirit lake for breeding spirit fish. Normally, it could've sold for 10 million spirit stones, maybe more. But now… they're offering it for just 1 million."
She scoffed again. "Who would want it now, though? Everyone knows it'll eventually fall into someone else's hands."
Lan Rui frowned. "Does that mean the Feng Family's days are truly over?"
"Yes," she said, her eyes flashing coldly. "And it's only going to get worse."
As he processed this, he couldn't help but ask, "Sister Wei, does the Li Family really have another Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator?"
"Yes," she said with a smile.
"Actually, I already knew it even though I'm just a guest. They used a concealment array during the breakthrough, and even most of their clansmen don't know about it."
"I found out because I'm quite close with the current Patriarch Li's daughter. She... has quite a big mouth." She shook her head.
"They might even get another Foundation Establishment Cultivator soon," she added nonchalantly.
Lan Rui's mind raced. "Hah? How?"
Wei Xin's eyes glinted. "Remember the rewards on the exchange catalogue?" she asked. He nodded. Though he remembered the exchange rates being so high that even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator wouldn't be able to redeem them.
"When the final battle occurred, the Li Family joined in and slew two mid-stage Second Order Demonic Beasts. Of course, even that wasn't enough to fully claim the reward."
"But they also made significant contributions to logistics. So, the Supreme Elder bestowed it upon the Li Family as a reward for their efforts during the beast tide."
She paused before continuing.
"There are also rumors that the Li Family is favored by the Supreme Elder because of their past relationship with the Cloud Sword Sect," she whispered.
"There's also…"
Lan Rui felt a sigh building in his chest. 'Not again', he thought.
Sis Wei was always full of gossip, and he knew she'd continue rambling for some time. But he couldn't help but listen, there was always a kernel of truth in her words.
.....