171: Chapter 171 The Berserk Man

The Old Ancestors listened to his words.

They collectively gasped, their expressions shifting drastically.

This was an irreconcilable blood feud of clan extermination.

Had Ancestor Zhou actually handed over his Family's ancestral Cultivation Technique to his enemy with his own hands?

This action was simply beyond the pale of absurdity!

Ancestor Zhou slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over every Old Ancestor present.

"If you want to laugh, then laugh!"

As his voice fell, the Aura around his body instantly deflated.

He was like a punctured ball.

"Brother Zhou," Ancestor Xiang, standing nearby, hurriedly spoke up to console him.

"Didn't you say before that your Zhou Family's ancestral Cultivation Technique is extremely difficult to Cultivate, and ordinary people can't even find the threshold? Perhaps, even if they captured Ouyang Changqing, they might not be able to squeeze the secrets of the technique from him. In the end, it might just be a futile effort."

Although the various families of the Tianyun Kingdom had occasional frictions and hidden conflicts in their daily lives...

...when faced with an external enemy and matters concerning the interests of their clans...

...everyone's spearheads were ultimately pointed outward together.

Ancestor Zhou shook his head gently. "I hope so!"

His figure flickered, turning into an afterimage as he rushed toward the direction of the imperial palace.

The time limit for Xiang Tian's mecha had already reached its end.

On the other side.

As soon as Xiang Tian appeared with the three women, the group of Old Ancestors immediately surrounded them.

"Xiang Tian, what was that strange thing you were using just now? Hurry up and tell us about it!"

Beside them, Xiang Ting also looked at him with eyes full of curiosity and expectation.

Xiang Tian had no choice but to patiently...

...give a brief explanation of the mecha's origins and details.

With this explanation, half an hour passed.

Right at that moment.

Ancestor Ouyang slowly walked out from the depths of the manor, his expression calm and rippleless.

Seeing this, the Old Ancestors all raised their eyebrows.

Ancestor Qin was the first to speak, his tone teasing: "Old Man Ouyang, your Ouyang Family has been turned upside down with internal strife and fratricide, yet you're quite composed, not worried at all?"

"Old Ancestor!" Seeing him, the clansmen and Elders of the Ouyang Family all bowed and cupped their fists.

Ancestor Ouyang raised his hand and gestured for silence.

His gaze slowly swept across the scene.

He said in a deep voice, "I already know the general sequence of events. Today, I officially announce that Ouyang Changgong will take over as Patriarch Ouyang and lead the Ouyang clan."

After speaking, his gaze paused.

He swept his eyes over everyone again: "Does anyone among you have an objection?"

Hearing this, everyone shook their heads vigorously; no one dared to utter a single word of rebuttal.

Having experienced Ouyang Changqing's rebellion...

...they were already mentally and physically exhausted, only hoping for the Family to be stabilized as soon as possible.

Ancestor Ouyang's gaze then fell upon several pale-faced Elders.

"You few were previously in league with Ouyang Changqing, aiding his villainy. You should have had your Cultivation stripped and been expelled from the Family. However, considering that you took the initiative to confess your crimes after the rebellion was suppressed and have a desire to make amends, I will spare your lives for today."

He paused.

He continued: "However, punishment is unavoidable—each of you will be fined half of your personal property to be used as funds for the Family's repairs. Additionally, you are sentenced to one year of solitary reflection behind closed doors; you are not to step a single foot out of the Family manor. Do you have any complaints?"

Hearing this, those Elders all breathed a long sigh of relief.

Compared to losing their lives, having their Cultivation destroyed, or being expelled from the Family...

...such a punishment was already a massive blessing.

"We have not a single word of complaint; we submit entirely to the Old Ancestor's disposal!" The several men bowed and cupped their fists again, their tones incredibly respectful.

"Go, go receive your punishment yourselves." Ancestor Ouyang waved his hand, dismissing the Elders.

Only then did he turn toward the other Old Ancestors, a hint of apology and a smile appearing on his face.

"Everyone, I have troubled you much today. I won't say any more polite words. Today, the Ouyang Family will hold a grand banquet. Let us not return until we are drunk; we shall drink for three days and three nights!"

The Old Ancestors all nodded in agreement.

Three days later.

In the courtyard, the sunlight was just right.

*Mwah—*

Yue Lin stood on her tiptoes and quickly planted a kiss on Xiang Tian's cheek.

She immediately lowered her head, her cheeks instantly staining with a layer of crimson.

Seeing her like this, Xiang Tian couldn't help but roll his eyes.

He reached out and gently pinched her cheek: "You are the current Empress of the Dayue Kingdom, with a noble status. Why are you still so bashful and not straightforward at all?"

"Imperial Sister, it seems you really have fallen for this kid. Such a girly demeanor is not something one often sees," a middle-aged woman nearby couldn't help but tease.

Yue Lin raised her head, her cheeks still crimson.

However, she still mustered the courage to look at the middle-aged woman.

She softly asked, "Imperial Sister, now that the previous Patriarch Ouyang is dead and the Ouyang Family has returned to stability, when will you come back to the Dayue Kingdom to visit?"

The middle-aged woman gently shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of relief and indifference.

"I have been in the Ouyang Family for decades; I've long since grown accustomed to life here and consider it my home. Besides, my grandson is several years older than your Dao Companion. At this age, I no longer have the heart for travel, so I won't go back to trouble you all."

She paused, then changed the subject.

A hint of expectation appeared in her eyes: "However, I must eventually see my foster mother. Perhaps in the future, I will find time to make a trip to the Central Province."

Hearing this, Yue Lin immediately nodded.

A look of joy appeared on her face.

"It's getting late; we should set out." Xiang Tian slowly stood up.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, You Lingqing's urging had never ceased, and she was already getting a bit impatient.

Seeing this, Yue Lin's expression became serious, and she reached out to grab his sleeve.

She softly exhorted, "Xiang Tian, this journey will be dangerous. You must take good care of yourself while you're away and think twice before acting. Also, try not to provoke women if you can help it. Don't go leaving feelings everywhere, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."

Xiang Tian couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this.

He reached out to pinch her cheek again. "If women throw themselves at me, it just shows I have charm; it's not that I'm intentionally provoking them. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

After saying that, he cupped his hands and bowed to the people present.

He said loudly: "Everyone, until we meet again! Farewell!"

"Xiao Tian, take care on your journey, and remember to come back and visit often!"

"Safe travels, Prince Xiang!"

"Brother Xiang, may your journey be smooth. I look forward to your early return!"

"..."

Everyone cupped their hands in farewell.

Xiang Tian nodded to each of them, then turned around.

Together with Xiang Liu, he leaped up and quickly left the Xiang Family manor.

Flying high into the sky, Xiang Tian reached out and took a yellowed map from the System space.

It was precisely the one marking the origin of the Demon Blood Blade.

He looked down carefully, a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Hmm? The origin of the Demon Blood Blade is exactly at the border of You Province and Huang Province. It's actually on the way to where we're going, which saves a lot of trouble!"

Five days later.

Following the map's guidance, the two finally flew over a rolling mountain range.

"This large mountain range should be the border between You Province and Huang Province." Xiang Tian hovered high in the sky, his gaze sweeping over the majestic mountains below.

He said in a deep voice, "The place marked on the map is inside an underground Secret Realm deep within this mountain range."

As his voice fell, the two flickered and quickly landed on the mountain peak.

They restrained their breath and slowly made their way toward the depths of the mountain range.

As they walked, a cool sensation suddenly came from Xiang Tian's hand, delicate and soft.

He turned his head to look.

At some point, Xiang Liu had gently grasped his hand, her expression somewhat unusual.

Xiang Tian's eyebrows rose slightly.

He teased her on purpose: "Xiang Liu, are you taking this opportunity to take advantage of me?"

But this time, Xiang Liu did not talk back.

Instead, she gripped his hand even tighter.

Her face was also slightly pale: "Xiang Tian, I'm not... I don't know why, but since we stepped into this mountain range, I've been feeling an inexplicable sense of palpitations, and my heart is racing."

Hearing this, Xiang Tian's brow slowly furrowed.

He focused his perception, but he didn't sense any abnormality.

"Strange, why don't I have that feeling? Although the Aura around here is a bit chaotic, there's no obvious sense of danger."

"I don't know either, I just can't stop my heart from racing." Xiang Liu's voice trembled more and more, and her grip tightened.

Xiang Tian's heart stirred, and his frown deepened.

He suddenly remembered the Aura emanating from the Demon Blood Blade.

It was somewhat similar to the Aura on Xiao Hei, both carrying negative emotions that could affect one's mind;

It was just that the negative Aura on Xiao Hei was more violent.

While the Aura of the Demon Blood Blade was more sinister and subtle.

Thinking about it this way, he could roughly guess.

Why Ghost Zhuo had acted to save Xiao Hei back then.

It must have been because the negative Auras on both of them were similar that Ghost Zhuo lent a hand.

Xiang Tian shook his head, throwing these chaotic thoughts to the back of his mind.

He gently squeezed Xiang Liu's hand back. "Don't be afraid. With me here, no matter what the danger is, I will protect you. Let's keep going deeper; just be a bit more careful."

Xiang Liu nodded, and the panic in her heart subsided slightly.

She followed Xiang Tian closely, walking step by step toward the depths of the mountain range.

They walked for another hour.

A series of urgent shouts suddenly came from ahead, mixed with despair and pleading.

It reached their ears clearly.

"Senior Brother, wake up! Why have you gone mad?"

"Senior Brother, stop! We are your Junior Brothers and Sisters, don't hurt us!"

"Senior Brother, I beg you, wake up!"

But the next second.

A roar that shook the heavens and earth suddenly erupted, hoarse and frenzied.

Carrying endless hostility and madness, it shook the surrounding trees until they trembled slightly.

"Ah—!"

"No!"

*Bang!*

*Boom!*

Violent explosions followed in succession.

Xiang Tian and Xiang Liu exchanged a glance, their expressions tightening.

They immediately quickened their pace and rushed toward the source of the sound.

They saw the clearing ahead in a mess, blood staining the ground.

Several corpses lay scattered on the ground, all wearing uniform Sect robes, their deaths gruesome.

In the center of the corpses stood a man also dressed in the Sect's robes.

He was surrounded by a dense black mist, and his eyes were blood-red.

Deep within his pupils, traces of eerie black energy were mixed in; his expression was manic, and his face was filled with violence.

The man held a long blade in his hand.

Blood slowly dripped from the blade's edge.

It fell to the ground with a "drip, drip" sound.

The air was thick with the smell of blood and a sinister Aura that made one want to retch.

Seemingly sensing the presence of Xiang Tian and Xiang Liu.

The manic man suddenly snapped his head around, his crimson gaze locking onto Xiang Tian.

A beast-like low growl came from his throat.

Then he spat out only one cold and frenzied word: "Kill!"

The man's figure flickered, turning into a black afterimage.

Holding the long blade, he lunged toward Xiang Tian.

"Hmph, seeking death! Do you think I'd be afraid of you?" Xiang Tian snorted coldly, his expression sharpening.

The qingling sword instantly appeared in his hand.

*Clang—!*

The sound of clashing metal was ear-piercing.

Xiang Tian's arm went numb, and the impact forced him back several steps.

"Courting death!"

Seeing this, Xiang Liu finally reacted, her face darkening.

Two curved blades instantly appeared in her hands, and with a flicker of her body, she rushed toward the man.

Her curved blades swung, striking at the man's flank.

*Clang—!*

Another ear-piercing clash.

The man simply swung his long blade casually and blocked Xiang Liu's attack.

The force of the impact sent Xiang Liu flying back.

Xiang Tian's figure flickered as he rushed over and caught Xiang Liu.

"Are you okay?"

Leaning in Xiang Tian's arms, Xiang Liu's face was pale, and her hands were still trembling slightly.

"I'm sorry, Xiang Tian, he's too strong. I'm simply no match for him; instead, I'm holding you back."

"It's fine!"

Xiang Tian shook his head gently and set Xiang Liu down.

He said in a deep voice, "Just rest here and don't move. I'll deal with him; I have a way to handle him."

After speaking, he turned and rushed toward the manic man again.

At the same time, with a thought of his Divine Sense, he released Frog Fairy from the System space: "Xiao Xian, come and lend me a hand!"

As soon as Frog Fairy appeared, she sensed the danger on the field.

She didn't dare delay and pointed her finger.

A green light instantly enveloped the qingling sword.

Then, her figure flickered as she intended to join forces with Xiang Tian to deal with the man.

"No need, you go stay with Xiang Liu and protect her safety. Leave this place to me," Xiang Tian said at a very fast pace.

His figure had already rushed in front of the man, and the qingling sword in his hand struck out again.

*Clang—!*

The blade and sword clashed violently again, the impact sweeping in all directions.

Xiang Tian was still no match and was forced back repeatedly by the shock.

From the side, Xiang Liu and Frog Fairy watched with hearts in their throats, their hands tightly clenched, yet they were powerless.

They simply couldn't intervene and could only watch helplessly as Xiang Tian was knocked back time and again, only to charge forward once more each time.

"Roar—!"

Another frenzied beast-like roar erupted from the man's mouth.

The Aura around him became even more violent and eerie.

Xiang Tian stabilized his figure, his brow tightly furrowed.

He thought to himself: "Not good, his state is becoming more and more abnormal, even worse than Master's was back then! His power is too violent, I can't even get close. At this rate, I'll be worn down by him sooner or later!"

*Clang—!*

*Boom!*

The two clashed again, and every collision was accompanied by a violent explosion.

Xiang Tian was knocked back again and again, and the Aura on his body became weaker and weaker.

But he still didn't give up, struggling to his feet each time and charging back in.

Just as Xiang Tian was racking his brains to find a way to break the deadlock but remained utterly clueless...

...within his Divine Sense, You Lingqing's impatient voice suddenly sounded.

"So stupid! This person is clearly mentally incoherent. Ordinary physical attacks won't hurt him at all!"

Xiang Tian's heart stirred.

He hurriedly asked: "Then what should I do? I can't even get close, and even if I could, I can't break his defense!"

"Idot, the best way to deal with someone who's lost their mind is a Divine Sense attack!" You Lingqing's voice was still impatient.

Xiang Tian heard this.

A hint of doubt appeared in his eyes: "Huh? Can the Soul Locking Hand really deal with him? But I've never used the Soul Locking Hand for a Divine Sense attack. If I fail, won't I be vulnerable to his backlash?"