240: Chapter 240 Jia Yi Sect

Originally, the Chen Family had settled in Qidang Mountain, but twenty years ago, due to the arrival of the Han State, they were squeezed out to the present Chenwu Mountain.

Although Chen Changqing originally wanted them to return, Chen Changxuan believed that the Chen Family could not hang themselves on a single tree; even if something went wrong with the Chen Family in either country, at least there would still be the other Chen Family.

However, with Chen Changxuan being the sole Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Chen Family, their situation was becoming increasingly difficult.

Not only did Chen Family Cultivators have to lower their heads when facing Cultivators from the Han State, but even those surrendered Cultivators frequently caused trouble for the Chen Family and several surrounding households.

Just like today.

A few Qi Refining Cultivators had the audacity to run amok at the Chen Family; had it been in the past, they would have been executed long ago.

"People of the Chen Family, the superiors demand a ten percent increase in this month's share," the leading youth said coldly.

"What? Another ten percent? Wasn't it already increased four years ago?" Chen Changqi asked in disbelief. As the Clan Chief of this branch of the Chen Family, he had to step forward; otherwise, these bastards might fabricate false charges against them.

"Hmm? Is there a problem?" The opponent narrowed his eyes. Behind him, several Qi Refining Cultivators looked at the Chen Family crowd with Killing Intent.

Most of the younger generation of Cultivators from the Chen Family glared angrily at the other party. At worst, they would fight to the death; at least there were no cowards clinging to life in their Chen Family.

Chen Changqi's expression turned grim. Had it not been for the fact that the Chen Family here only had Fifth Brother—a Second Layer Foundation Establishment Cultivator—when would they ever need to fear these bastards?

"I will say this one last time. Starting today, the resources contributed by the Chen Family will increase by another ten percent. If you are dissatisfied, look at what happened to the Wei Family back then... Heh!" the opponent said indifferently, completely disregarding Chen Changqi and the others.

Chen Changqi clenched his fists, then relaxed his grip, nodded, and instructed the Chen Family Cultivators beside him to present the items required by the opponent.

"At worst, we'll fight them! Do you really think our Chen Family is easy to bully? Had our Chen Family's main branch not been elsewhere, when would you ever have the chance to act so audaciously!" Chen Lingzhen stepped forward and scolded angrily.

"Shut up, Lingzhen, get back here quickly!" Chen Changqi hurriedly stopped him.

"Hehe! Clan Chief Chen, it seems your Chen Family is quite displeased with the superiors' decision!" The leading Qi Refining Cultivator sneered, exchanging a glance with several Qi Refining Cultivators behind him.

In the rear, several Late Qi Refining Stage Cultivators stepped forward. One of them summoned a sword and attacked Chen Lingzhen.

Seeing this, Chen Lingzhen broke free from Chen Changqi and simultaneously summoned his Flying Sword to block the strike. However, his cultivation was only at the fourth layer of Qi Refining; how could he possibly withstand a Late Qi Refining Stage Cultivator?

Boom!

In just a single exchange, the opponent's blow sent Chen Lingzhen and his Flying Sword flying backward. Another sword strike followed, aiming straight for Chen Lingzhen's head.

Beside them, Chen Changqi hurriedly made a move to block the blow for Chen Lingzhen. However, he was ultimately just an ordinary Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Cultivator, and his opponent was also at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining. Therefore, while he appeared to easily catch the move, his entire body was actually suffering terribly.

Seeing Chen Changqi step in, the opposing party also launched attacks. The Chen Family Cultivators immediately met them head-on, and a chaotic battle broke out on Chenwu Mountain.

Chen Changqi wanted to stop them, but the other party was unrelenting, and he had neither the ability nor the means to stop it. He had no choice but to join the chaotic battle; as for the consequences, they could be dealt with later.

However, although the Chen Family was not afraid of death, the gap in strength was simply too large. In just a short moment, the Chen Family Cultivators were suppressed.

Meanwhile, the leading Qi Refining Cultivator continued to squint his eyes.

"Stop right there!" Chen Changxuan's voice rang out from nearby.

"Little Friend Qian, what are you trying to do?" he questioned.

"So it's Senior Chen. We are merely executing routine duties, and hope Senior won't take offense. Otherwise, if the superiors place the blame, neither you nor I could bear the consequences." Not only did that Qi Refining Cultivator show no trace of respect, but his tone was also full of threats.

Seeing the opponent's blatant disrespect, anger rose in Chen Changxuan's heart, but his voice remained calm.

"Routine duties? Does Little Friend mean to say that coming to my Chen Family's territory to bully our Chen Family Cultivators is part of your routine duties? If Little Friend doesn't give a proper explanation today, walking out of these gates won't be so easy." Chen Changxuan's tone was frigid as his Foundation Establishment aura burst forth.

Feeling this formidable aura, the opposing Qi Refining Cultivators grew extremely anxious. Although they had the Han State backing them, they were ultimately just Qi Refining Cultivators. If a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was determined to execute them, they truly wouldn't be able to escape.

Thinking of this, they suddenly felt some regret. "Senior, it's a misunderstanding!" the leading Qi Refining Cultivator said eagerly.

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Changxuan's palm came down, aiming straight for his head.

Bang!

Pfft!

Chen Changxuan looked at the newcomer in disbelief as blood gushed from the corners of his mouth.

"Junior Martial Uncle!" those few Qi Refining Cultivators shouted joyfully.

The newcomer was none other than Xu Ming, one of the Elders of Jiayi Sect.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you lot are truly impressive! Not only do you openly refuse to cooperate with Jiayi Sect's arrangements, but you also use your might to bully the weak, attacking the Qi Refining Disciples of our Sect. What crime do you deserve?" Every word from Xu Ming was heart-piercing, so infuriating that Chen Changxuan and the others almost coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Falsifying accusations!" Overcome with fury, Chen Changxuan spat out another mouthful of blood. Over the past twenty years, the quality of his Dao foundation was merely Low Grade, so his cultivation had progressed slowly, currently only reaching the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment.

As for Xu Ming, even if his Dao foundation was the same, with Jiayi Sect—a Purple Mansion Sect—providing resources, and having achieved Foundation Establishment decades earlier than him, his cultivation was completely incomparable. Therefore, the damage from that previous move against him could not be considered small.

"Tell me, what crime does the Chen Family deserve?" Xu Ming's voice carried a chilling aura, though his words were not addressed to everyone present.

Behind him, three Foundation Establishment Cultivators stepped forward. They were also one of the nearby Foundation Establishment families, having similarly been squeezed here just like the Chen Family.

Looking at Chen Changxuan's miserable state, their expressions turned grim.

"We will follow Fellow Daoist Xu's instructions." Those few knew that Xu Ming was simply using the Chen Family as an example to warn the others.

If it had been their Juniors who couldn't help intervening earlier, they would have been the ones made an example of.

Even if the Chen Family truly had no faults, and even if they weren't the ones who started the trouble, so what?

In the Immortal Cultivation Realm, the strong are supreme, and being weak meant you deserved to be bullied!

Even though they felt some empathy for the Chen Family's plight, when facing a behemoth like Jiayi Sect, how could they possibly harbor any thoughts of rebellion?

"Did you see that? Both human and physical evidence are present; do you confess or not?"

"We do not!"

The Chen Family Cultivators stood up, facing that imposing figure, and refuted in unison.

"Hahaha! Hahaha! Then starting today, there will no longer be a Chen Family on Chenwu Mountain. Gentlemen, make your move!" Xu Ming laughed in anger, laughing for quite a while before looking at the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators behind him, the chill in his eyes sending shivers down spines.

The Yu, Qi, and Chu families were startled in their hearts. Xu Ming had calculated well, actually having them make a move personally to kill with a borrowed knife.

The three looked at each other, their faces filled with humiliation and resentment.