Chapter 72: Who Holds the Power

"Young Friend Su, let me make some introductions!" In the grand hall, Gou Jiancheng gestured toward five young cultivators as he addressed Su Yizhao.

Su Yizhao's eyes were already fixed on the group. Though their temperaments varied, each stood tall and straight, their gazes confident—evidently the prodigies cultivated by the auction house.

Su Yizhao smiled, "Thank you for your trouble, Senior."

Gou Jiancheng was pleased with his modest demeanor. "This is Leng Muran," he said.

The young cultivator on the far right seemed only seventeen or eighteen. His expression remained unchanged as he gave Su Yizhao a slight cupped-hands salute, a perfunctory greeting.

Su Yizhao thought nothing of it. Young people, especially those raised as geniuses, naturally possess a certain pride.

"This is Hua Chengshuang. This is Wu Zhengping. This is Ning Yuquan. And this is—"

"Senior Gou, I'll introduce myself," the last, a young woman, interrupted with a lively smile. "I'm Feng Manyin—Feng as in 'breeze.' A pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Su!"

The four male cultivators each gave only a brief salute, their faces tinged with arrogance. But the woman introduced herself with youthful energy.

Su Yizhao quickly returned the courtesy. "A pleasure, Fellow Daoist Feng. You are as lovely as your name."

Social etiquette—give and take.

Feng Manyin laughed softly, her slender waist swaying, her flawless face unashamed and clearly enjoying the compliment.

In the cultivation world, the distinction between men and women was not as guarded as in the mundane world, yet neither was it entirely open. Such open praise upon first meeting was still uncommon.

"My young friends," Gou Jiancheng, seeing the group getting along tolerably well, smiled and said, "From now on, Young Friend Su will join you. Our branch in Kaoshan City has gained another outstanding youth!"

Su Yizhao frowned inwardly and quickly saluted. "Senior Gou, just to clarify, this is only temporary. Temporary—you understand."

At his words, Leng Muran and the others grew visibly displeased, about to rebuke him, but Gou Jiancheng laughed, "Yes, yes, my oversight! So be it—there is competition, but more importantly, cooperation!"

His tone grew less cordial by the end. The group immediately recalled what was about to happen, and their faces turned solemn.

"Prepare yourselves. Tonight we depart. Kill an enemy of your own realm, earn a contribution. If you defeat one a minor realm above, it doubles; a major realm above, it multiplies tenfold!"

At this, the group’s breathing quickened. Contribution points—what did they represent? Perhaps the qualification for elite disciple recommendation!

"Su is a little older, so he will lead. Contributions can be accumulated slowly, but if you lose your life, all is lost. I hope you all return alive!"

"He’ll lead? Then I’ll act alone!" Leng Muran declared without hesitation.

Feng Manyin frowned. "Acting alone is dangerous, and it’s hard to defeat someone above your realm that way."

Leng Muran smiled, "Then why don’t you join me? Who else wants to?"

The others appraised Su Yizhao and Leng Muran.

In truth, there was no need to deliberate. It was clear at a glance: Leng Muran was at the peak of the Sixth Divine Realm, the others in the late stage, while Su Yizhao was only in the mid stage.

Mid stage? What merit or ability did he possess?

So Hua Chengshuang and the other two moved closer to Leng Muran, their disdain evident.

Su Yizhao hadn’t expected Gou Jiancheng to arrange things this way. But since it was decided, he would shoulder the responsibility. Of course, if they refused, all the better!

He maintained a smile. Killing across realms was no problem for him. But to kill an enemy above their realm, even six cooperating would not suffice.

"Manyin, what about you?" Leng Muran asked.

All eyes turned to her delicate face.

Feng Manyin pondered briefly, then suddenly smiled. "I believe Senior Gou wouldn’t make arrangements lightly."

In a flash, she moved to stand beside Su Yizhao.

The group was stunned. Even Gou Jiancheng was taken aback. He had chosen Su Yizhao simply for his age and experience. Though the infamous brothel guest had a reputation, these others were no less remarkable.

Su Yizhao inhaled the fragrant scent wafting from beside him, choosing silence. At this moment, silence was best.

Gou Jiancheng’s eyes shone. This young man was truly special—calm, unhurried, neither seeking credit nor shirking responsibility. A fine youth.

As night fell, the fragrance beside him grew stronger. Su Yizhao took a deep breath. He was not lustful, but that didn’t mean he disliked being near beautiful women.

He and Feng Manyin flew side by side, twenty-two cultivators with concealed auras clearing the path ahead, while Leng Muran and the others followed behind, their gaze tinged with resentment.

They’d been racing from Kaoshan City for half an hour. Su Yizhao, savoring the scent, observed the terrain below: plains, rivers, mountains.

Wait—those mountains glowing white in the night?

Snow-capped peaks.

He suddenly recalled several jade slips in his storage ring: "Tang Family Armory Manual," "Supreme Divine Weapons Catalogue," "Essence Refinement Notes."

The Tang family—a millennia-old clan of weapon smiths.

If a newly researched divine weapon existed, it would likely come from the Tang family.

Su Yizhao immediately understood: tonight’s destination must be the Tang family.

The Tang family belonged to no city, but thrived alone, embraced by two vast mountain ranges for a thousand years.

Rich in minerals, bordering forests, remote and ideal for forging weapons without disturbing others—a perfect place for the Tang clan.

But Su Yizhao thought differently. He knew the Tang family not only forged weapons, but secretly trafficked cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Su, what are you thinking?" The fragrance grew stronger as Feng Manyin leaned in and whispered.

Su Yizhao replied quietly, "I was wondering about your age, Fellow Daoist Feng."

She giggled. "You’re such a deceiver, Fellow Daoist Su. How many female cultivators have you charmed? Any as beautiful as Manyin?"

Feng Manyin was not shy—in fact, her warmth left him flustered. This was not the breeze of her name, but a gale.

"We're here!"

A low call came from the lead cultivator, and the group slowed at once. Tension filled the air.

Including themselves, there were only twenty-eight cultivators present.

Su Yizhao looked to the night sky.

Where were the Void Realm experts?

The Tang clan had thrived for a thousand years—twenty-eight cultivators could never breach their defenses. Even if all twenty-two ahead were Seventh Divine Realm, it would not suffice. At minimum, the force would need to be a hundred times greater.

Thus, the main force must be Void Realm cultivators.

"Who speaks for the Tang family!"

Just then, above the Tang estate, the void split open and a cultivator stepped forth, his shout reverberating through the night.

"Who speaks for the Tang family? Who speaks for the Tang family?" The voice echoed through the valley.

No answer.

The Tang clan’s sprawling pavilions, stretching for dozens of miles, remained silent.

Su Yizhao frowned.

The last time they’d pursued him, the matter ended without resolution—had something happened to the Tang family?

"If you will not answer, then I shall wipe out your entire clan!"

The void continued to split open as cultivators stepped forth, filling the valley with murderous intent...