CHAPTER 225: ARRIVAL AND ANOTHER INVESTIGATION

"Patriarch, if we travel another five hundred meters, we'll reach Chaotic Burial Mountain."

After two days of relentless travel, Liu Ziqi and his group finally neared their destination outside the Chaotic Burial Mountain.

Seeing that the mountain was within reach, Liu Ziqi ordered the clan members to halt.

Not long ago, Liu Ziming and Liu Ying had just finished scouting for information when the Chen family captured Liu Ying. This clearly showed that the Chen family had sharp intelligence regarding the Chaotic Burial Mountain. Advancing any further would only increase the risk of being discovered.

Although the clan would eventually have to face a decisive battle, for now, the enemy was out in the open while they remained hidden—meaning they had the upper hand.

"Ziming, tonight you'll gather intel on the Chen family. See if the information provided by the Shi family is accurate."

"Also, the information mentioned that the Chen family's totem is extraordinary. To avoid detection, take the bamboo leaves that Lord Qingshan left behind.”

“Understood, Patriarch.”

The one who responded was a middle-aged man with a round face and slightly short, stocky build. His forehead was dotted with spots.

Though he was somewhat unattractive, he was now the clan’s only remaining mid-stage Innate Realm martial artist. His strength ranked among the upper tier of this level, so sending him to investigate was unlikely to result in failure.

After that, Liu Ziqi ordered the clan to set up camp.

Even martial artists would feel fatigue after several days of continuous travel. They needed a full day to rest and restore themselves to peak condition.

This break will give us time to scout the Chen family's movements, gather intelligence, and map out the terrain. When the time comes, we’ll be ready to strike.

"Patriarch, the people from the Shi family still haven't shown up," said Liu Ziming worriedly from the side.

The clan’s totem is damaged and can no longer unleash its full divine power. They could only rely on the lingering protection of its shadow. However, the Chen family’s totem was in perfect condition. Without the aid of totemic power, this surprise attack might not succeed.

“Then we wait. If the Shi family doesn’t send any decent martial artists, we won't make a move. Let's see who has more patience—the Shi family or us!" Liu Ziqi's voice was cold.

Among their current ranks were about a dozen Blood Coagulation Realm martial artists sent by the Shi family for assistance. However, most were only in the early stage, with only two or three in the mid-stage.

With such limited assistance, how could the clan act rashly?

Just as the two were deep in discussion, however, a bird suddenly darted toward them at incredible speed and stopped right in front of them.

Tied to its leg was a piece of azure silk.

"Hm? Take it off and see.”

"When the time comes to strike, those who will aid you shall reveal themselves."

Reading the message, both men's expressions grew solemn. They immediately scanned their surroundings but found no trace of anyone nearby.

Still, the timing of the bird's arrival was far too precise. It meant the Shi family had been tailing them all along and knew their exact situation.

It was not only a display of their capability, but also an unspoken threat. It was a warning that the Shi family already had the clan's every move under surveillance.

Liu Ziqi let out a cold snort. His face was full of displeasure, but there was nothing he could do.

In the past, the clan would never have tolerated such a thing. But times were different now. They could only wait until they found the Blood Spring and restored the totem’s power. S̩

…

Night deepened, and the moonlight shone bright and clear.

On top of the unfinished walls of the clan’s encampment, a lone figure sat leisurely to one side. His half-reclining posture and the wine flask in his hand were bathed in the crisp moonlight, painting a scene of quiet elegance.

This man was Chen Qingyu. He wasn’t sitting there in the dead of night to look stylish, though. The patriarch had ordered him to keep a strict watch for the next few days. After all, the clan was busy with construction and couldn’t spare more people for guard duty.

As for the fallen clansmen, it was due to the dense Yin energy beneath the Divine Tree in recent days. Many had benefited from it and had no time to spare for guarding the clan’s perimeter.

The wine he drank was certainly no ordinary brew—it was rice wine made from the clan’s Blood Rice.

Blood Rice only works for cultivators in the Blood Coagulation Realm, and even then, its effects diminish greatly by the mid-stage.

However, when Blood Rice is brewed into wine, it undergoes a subtle transformation. Even Innate Realm martial artists could gain a faint, almost imperceptible benefit from it.

Though minimal, this was still progress—faster than tempering one’s qi and blood through sheer effort alone.

Chen Qingyu sipped his rice wine, his iron sword casually placed at his side. With two more Innate Realm martial artists added to the clan, he didn’t think anyone would dare to spy on them.

As an Innate Realm cultivator, his qi flow was perfectly balanced, so going several nights without sleep was hardly an issue.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, his iron sword trembled slightly.

Clang.

Within the vibration, a faint blue glow slowly seeped into the blade.

Chen Qingyu’s gaze sharpened instantly.

He sensed a different aura—one of the Seven Emotions. Thought. Excessive contemplation and worry.

Chen Qingyu put away the wine flask and rose slowly. He moved soundlessly along the top of the wall, attempting to pinpoint the intruder’s location.

After searching along the wall, Chen Qingyu frowned slightly; he hadn't spotted any outsiders.

Yet his own battle technique would never deceive him. Someone had definitely been there, trying to spy on the clan under the cover of night. Judging by the power within the emotional aura, the intruder was at least an Innate Realm martial artist—stronger than Shi Potian had been.

Could it be the Shi family?

Chen Qingyu didn’t dwell on the thought. With a few swift turns, he vanished from the wall.

Not far below, a shadow, hidden in the darkness, cautiously wiped his forehead—there was no cold sweat.

In his arms, a half-green, half-yellow bamboo leaf glimmered faintly.

However, the glow was far too dim and ready to vanish at any moment.

After confirming that Chen Qingyu had withdrawn, the shadow turned without hesitation and melted into the darkness.

"Someone spied on the clan, and you didn't notice?"

Upon hearing the news, Chen Xingzhen's face filled with doubt.

Anyone sneaking around the clan at midnight must be an enemy.

However, the Four Great Families, including the Shi family, had already scouted the clan. They knew the clan was protected by its totem and that the Divine Tree would deter them.

Moreover, with Yong’an City far from peaceful these days, it was highly unlikely that the Four Families would send martial artists here now.

After a brief moment of thought, Chen Xingzhen quickly identified a target:

The Liu family!

They had previously captured Liu Yingxian, who had also come to investigate the clan—only to be discovered early on.

Having had one of their own captured before, the Liu family would surely send someone stronger this time—someone with a more covert reconnaissance method.

They hadn't triggered the Divine Tree's awareness tonight. This likely meant that the intruder had used totemic power.

Last time, the Liu family’s totem was said to be dormant and unable to exert its divine force. Judging from this, their totem might still be active.

A clan with a functioning totem is dangerous; we must tread carefully!

"Bring me the clansman we interrogated last time, and have Tianlu come as well."

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Xingzhen spoke.

There had been no follow-up after the previous interrogation, so he wasn’t sure what had been uncovered. Tonight, he would ask personally.