Qian Ting stood somewhere a few dozen li from the valley, listening to his subordinate's report as his expression flickered. "It's that valley!"

A few days earlier, he had led a few men to ambush a woman who was going to that very place. Yet Sage Fu of Heaven Origin Tower had intervened, which left them shaken. They suppressed the news afterward and kept their members unaware. Now, they were lying in wait again, hoping to catch their target unprepared.

"Patriarch, our people are already in position. Do we make a move?"

Qian Ting hesitated slightly. "Is there anyone else nearby?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Yes. A few rogue cultivators are still hanging around. Most of them are Initiates. They're probably hoping to pick up the leftovers."

Qian Ting thought for a moment, then said decisively, "When the Qian family makes a move, we don't let others benefit if they don't work for it. Send someone to drive them forward to attack Luo Hai. As for the reason, just say he's carrying resources for Core Formation."

"Will those rogue cultivators believe that?"

"Do you think they won't?"

The man was stunned for a moment, but then nodded. Before the opportunity for Core Formation, no rogue Initiate could resist. With Qian family cultivators taking the lead, the last bit of fear would go away. He thus hurried toward the valley.

Qian Ting followed at a steady pace and kept thinking. They had once set an ambush outside the valley, and Sage Fu had punished them for it. The three forces had been shaken enough to bring gifts and apologize in person. They had never seen Luo Hai around these parts, and Sage Fu said that the man in the valley had nothing to do with him. By that logic, moving against Luo Hai should pose no dangers. Still... Qian Ting remained cautious. If he misjudged the situation and offended Sage Fu, the consequences would be severe.

We can let the rogue cultivators take the blame on the surface. But this isn't something the Qian family can handle alone; we'll need others to share the risk. I've paid enough spirit stones to Wu Yan to pass along the information. The Wu family should be aware by now, and they'll likely make a move. The Zhou family keeps a low profile, so they probably won't get involved. But Luo Hai is carrying ores worth millions, and rare materials like Tracing Mud and Woven Gold. The Tempered Edge Workshop and Hundred Craft Mountain didn't gain much at the auction, so they must be holding a grudge. I can tip them off as well. Hehe... Once Luo Hai is taken down, we'll share some of the spoils and keep the Qian family out of it. That way, the Soul-Nurturing Wood will fall into my hands without a hitch.

After weighing it all, Qian Ting made his decision. He took out several transmission jade scrolls from his storage pouch and spoke into each in a different tone. He then picked up speed and headed for the valley. But before he reached the battlefield, the Initiate who had reported earlier rushed toward him with panic written across his face. "Patriarch, that man is ferocious and unstoppable! Eighth Elder died the moment he appeared! He couldn't even take a single strike!"

"Little Eight... is dead?" Qian Ting froze as disbelief flashed across his face. "How is that possible?"

The Qian family was powerful. With his youngest son newly advanced to the Golden Core Realm, they had nine Adepts in total, enough to rival any major sect. For this trip to the Jadecold City auction, he brought two of them. Little Eight was not one of his direct descendants, but he was nonetheless a valuable junior. He had been at the Golden Core Realm for about fifty years and had spent that time cultivating within the family. This trip was meant to give him some experience.

Qian Ting's expression darkened with anger. "Go get Jin Zhan. That bastard must not be allowed to escape."

***

Above the valley, Luo Chen gripped a trembling Golden Core, and his gaze swept across the surroundings. More than a hundred cultivators had encircled the area. Most of them were Initiates, and they were led by two Adepts from the Qian family. Well, they had been led by two Adepts. One of the Adepts had been killed in one move, and even his Golden Core had been seized.

At the sight of such power, the rogue Initiates broke into chaos and tried to flee. Luo Chen let out a harsh laugh. "If you dare make a move against me, you'd better be ready to pay the price."

He raised both hands, and more than a thousand fireballs rose behind him like stars. Each one contained immense power. It wasn't enough to threaten the remaining Adept, but Initiates felt their mouths go dry at the sight.

No one knew who broke formation first, but the next instant, the hundred rogue Initiates fled in all directions.

Luo Chen snorted. The fireballs shot out like a meteor shower and crashed down across the field.

Even a casual strike from an Adept was devastating to those below that level. Luo Chen's mastery of Fireball only made it worse. Even though it was only a first-tier spell, when used with his pure and domineering fire-element mana, it rivaled even the strongest second-tier ones. As the fireballs fell, wails filled the area for several li around. All the Initiates scrambled to save themselves. Some struck back; others raised defenses. The weaker ones collapsed on contact. The stronger ones barely managed to block, but they were heavily injured as they fled in panic.

He did not spare them another glance and turned his gaze to those remaining. There were still nine Initiates and one Adept. Judging from the Adept's aura, he was around the fifth stage. His face was ashen as he stared at Luo Chen.

"Return Little Eight's Golden Core, and we'll spare your life."