42: Chapter 42 Slaying and Traitors

This meant the power of the black miniature tower had suddenly decreased.

"Boom!"

A massive sound rang out again, and after another impact, the cracks on the black miniature tower expanded rapidly.

"What is this?"

After seeing it clearly, the old man was somewhat shocked and also somewhat regretful.

He could tell at a glance that this was a powerful Elementary High Grade Golden Brick Talisman; even a Cultivator at the Peak Qi Refining Stage would be unable to cope with it, yet it had been wasted just like that.

"Kid, you really are a spendthrift."

The old man's face flushed red, then turned pale with anger.

Just after saying this, he tapped his Storage Pouch and summoned several Flying Swords.

His hands moved rapidly through the hand seals, sending them slashing towards his opponent.

The sharp sounds of swords echoed all around; Chen Fan dared not take them head-on and could only apply an Evasion Speed Talisman to his body, constantly weaving and dodging through the dense forest.

There were several times when he was almost pierced by the incoming Flying Swords.

Fortunately, not long after, the black miniature tower that had been used for many years finally began to shatter.

The old man's eyes widened, feeling heartbroken; he hadn't expected that a mere Qi Refining Level 9 Cultivator would repeatedly bring out high-quality Magical Artifacts, Talismans, and Formations.

Right now, he had to kill him to vent his anger no matter what.

Just as he was about to bring out the Soul Banner, the massive Golden Light Brick struck again.

After a "bang," his protective shield shattered instantly, he spat out a mouthful of blood, and his entire body was thrown against the rocks behind him like a kite with a broken string.

"Damn it."

At this moment, the power of the Golden Light Brick had greatly diminished, but he had also suffered serious injuries.

Chen Fan, in the distance, was no better off; having continuously cast spells to use the Elementary High Grade Golden Light Brick, he had exhausted much of his Qi and his face was pale.

However, he was not willing to let go of this incredible opportunity.

With a wave of his long sleeve, he summoned all his remaining strength to unleash the Medium Grade Magical Artifact, the soul-extinguishing awl.

A streak of lightning cut through the air, and the foot-long soul-extinguishing awl passed through his Sea of Consciousness with incredible speed.

The demonic Cultivator's eyes slowly lost their luster, his face filled with unwillingness and confusion.

Chen Fan panted heavily, finally relaxing.

If it weren't for the many handy Magical Artifacts in his possession, especially the powerful Golden Light Brick, he would have been the unlucky one.

"What a pity."

The Elementary High Grade Golden Light Brick was merely a Talisman; once activated, it was completely consumed.

He looked at the two demonic Cultivators in the Demon Refining Formation and saw that they had already turned into a pool of blood, dead beyond any doubt.

He scanned the surroundings with his spiritual sense, and finding no other demonic Cultivators, he quickly consumed a Medicinal Pill.

After his body recovered and he tidied up, he headed quickly towards the Qin Family.

At this time, Sun Xuan had already returned to the Qin Family. When the on-duty Cultivator discovered that yet another flying boat had been completely wiped out, he could not help but be greatly shocked.

The Third Elder Qin Feng, who was in charge of the Family guards, had an extremely grim expression. It should be known that this had happened three times in a row this month, yet coincidentally, only the person before him had survived each time.

With a look of suspicion, he asked indifferently, "Who was on the flying boat? Did you bring the registry?"

"Third Elder, the fallen Cultivators are all listed; it is my failure in protection."

Sun Xuan showed a look of pain and slowly handed over the roster.

Third Elder Qin Feng flipped through it briefly, and when he saw the name of the Alchemist Deacon Chen Fan, he was greatly startled.

Chen Fan's name was famous in the Qin Family; not only was he capable, but he was also a talented Alchemist.

"Are you sure Deacon Chen has fallen?" Third Elder Qin Feng asked again, unable to believe it.

"He should have fallen; that demonic Cultivator was at Qi Refining Level 11."

"Sigh, very well."

Third Elder Qin Feng sighed deeply and, filled with worry, headed towards the residence of the Great Elder Qin Yuanshan.

"Fallen?" Great Elder Qin Yuanshan stared blankly, also unable to believe it.

"Three flying boat incidents in a row, and all are related to Sun Xuan; this is too strange."

Great Elder Qin Yuanshan stroked his gray beard, his face gloomy.

After some thought, he slowly said, "This matter needs to be thoroughly investigated; if he is alive, I want to see him; if he is dead, I want to see his corpse."

"Brother, what do you mean?"

"From today on, Sun Xuan will be under investigation and must not be allowed to leave. Also, Third Brother, immediately lead capable clansmen to the site of the flying boat incident."

"Good, I will set out immediately."

Third Elder Qin Feng bowed slightly and walked out with long strides.

At this time, Chen Fan was flying on his sword. Because his Qi had been heavily depleted during the battle, he could only fly while moving forward, and his speed was much slower.

He dared not stay outside for too long, knowing well that besides demonic Cultivators, there were also hostile Su Family Cultivators in the area.

Three days passed quickly. While he was consuming a Medicinal Pill midway, he saw a massive flying boat sweep across the sky.

On both sides of its hull was clearly inscribed a large 'Qin' character.

Standing at the bow was the Third Elder, who was also observing every movement in the surroundings. When he discovered a Cultivator below, his expression changed slightly.

Soon, a powerful spiritual sense swept over, and upon discovering it was Chen Fan, he was overjoyed.

"I have seen the Third Elder."

Chen Fan bowed slightly to pay his respects.

"No need for such courtesy. Hearing that you had an accident, we came specifically to investigate."

The Third Elder was very shocked to see that he had managed to escape from the hands of a Qi Refining Level 11 demonic Cultivator, but he did not ask for details.

"Thank you for your concern, Elder. There is a traitor among the Family guards who needs to be eliminated as soon as possible."

Chen Fan said directly, getting straight to the point.

"A traitor?"

Third Elder Qin Feng was slightly stunned; it seemed to match his own suspicions, and his expression became grave.

"The traitor is Sun Xuan..."

Chen Fan recounted the entire incident in detail.

"So it is as I thought."

A wave of monstrous anger appeared on the Third Elder's face, and he immediately turned the flying boat around and headed towards the Qin Family.

However, after a group of guards searched every corner, they did not find any trace of him.

It turned out that when Sun Xuan saw the Third Elder leading the team out personally, and combined with being suspended from his guard duties, he felt something was wrong and found an opportunity to quietly leave the Qin Family.

This matter quickly spread throughout the Qin Family, and Qin Shuangshuang, who was in the Son-in-laws Courtyard, felt deeply humiliated.

She also felt shocked and angry; Sun Xuan, who had always appeared extremely honest, would actually do such a thing.

However, an even more troublesome matter soon arrived. According to Family rules, if a Matrilocal son-in-law committed treason, the children under his name, regardless of whether they had Qin Family Bloodline or not, would be eliminated.

Four Family guards stood in the courtyard, full of Killing Intent, with fierce expressions, their eyes fixed tightly on the child who had just learned to walk.

"Cousin, it is not that we are heartless, but now that Sun Xuan has defected to the demonic Cultivators and harmed our clansmen, this child must not be spared."

The tall Cultivator in charge of this matter explained helplessly.

"No, the child is innocent. I want to see the Grand Elder."

"Cousin, we have come precisely under the orders of the Grand Elder."

After saying this, the tall Cultivator signaled the others to act.

"Wait! Actually, this child is not Sun Xuan's; he was born to me and Chen Fan."

As soon as these words were spoken, the four frowned and looked at each other.

"Sun Xuan was never able to have children, and I could not bear the cold looks of others, so..."

Qin Shuangshuang said this with a face full of shame, but when her gaze fell on the child, it appeared extremely resolute.

"This..."

The tall Cultivator dared not make a decision on his own and hurriedly went to report to the Grand Elder.