Volume One: Turbulence in the Small Town Chapter 22: At the Eye of the Storm

Lin Ye was unwilling to give up and pressed once more, “Is there really nothing we can do?”

Liu Tianqing pondered carefully; perhaps this fool could be of some use. He leaned in closer to Lin Ye, speaking with a meaningful look, “Elder Lin, while we can’t directly strike at the Zhang family, we can muddy the waters and fish in troubled times. What do you think?”

“How do we muddy the waters?” Lin Ye asked.

Liu Tianqing was momentarily speechless, silently cursing, How can you be this thickheaded? Have you wasted over a century of cultivation on a dog? I have no idea how you ever became an elder of the Xuantian Sect. Still, he managed to explain patiently, “Elder Lin, think—if everyone knew that the Zhang family possesses the secret of the Dragon Burial Abyss, wouldn’t some people be unable to resist taking action? That would certainly muddy the waters.”

He would never have been so patient if he didn’t intend to use this fool as a shield.

At these words, Lin Ye was overjoyed. “What a brilliant plan! I’ll go back and have the Yue family spread the word. Hahaha! I’ll take my leave now.” With that, Lin Ye departed.

Liu Tianqing stood and said, “Take care, Elder Lin.”

What an idiot. I’ll have to keep my distance from him in the future, or one day he’ll be the death of me, Liu Tianqing mused.

Upon returning to the Yue household, Lin Ye instructed Yue Xiong to spread the news.

Hearing Lin Ye’s orders, Yue Xiong realized Lin Ye had likely been duped. But it didn’t matter—he was just a minor character. Even if a powerhouse came looking for the source, the trail would end at Lin Ye anyway.

Besides, this might finally spell the end for the Zhang family. Hmph.

So, Yue Xiong ordered the household servants to spread the story, making sure to mention that the source was Elder Lin Ye of the Xuantian Sect.

Before long, slips of paper bearing the message that the Zhang family knew the secret of the Dragon Burial Abyss circulated through every corner of Liucheng.

Instantly, heated discussion erupted.

“What? Someone actually entered and left the Dragon Burial Abyss unharmed while the space turbulence was present?”

“Incredible! The secret of the Dragon Burial Abyss, hidden for millions of years, was uncovered by a nobody?”

“The Dragon Burial Abyss is a resource for all cultivators, and someone wants to monopolize it?”

“The Zhang family? Never heard of them. Must be a small clan.”

“The ones who know the Dragon Burial Abyss secret have already fled?”

“Hmph. Catch the Zhang family, and the ones with the secret will have to show themselves.”

“We’re about to strike it rich! I thought this trip would be for nothing, but now fortune smiles on me,” muttered a sly old Taoist in black robes, hiding in a cave on a small hill outside Liunan City.

“Who sent this message? Is it reliable?”

“I know the Xuantian Sect—they’re a third-rate sect.”

“Lin Ye? Who is that? Never heard of him.”

Within fifteen minutes, undercurrents surged through Liunan City. After all, everyone had come for the Dragon Burial Abyss, and knowing its secret could reduce the risks and sacrifices involved, perhaps even leading to the acquisition of treasures beyond imagination.

In an instant, every eye turned toward the Zhang family.

The Zhangs—a humble, almost invisible clan in Liunan City—would ordinarily never draw attention, even with countless powerhouses arriving. But because of this rumor, they were thrust into the eye of the storm.

When Lin Ye saw his name printed on the slips of paper, he was terrified. He immediately summoned Yue Xiong. “You bastard, what is the meaning of this?” he roared, kicking Yue Xiong hard enough to send him crashing into a corner.

Wiping the blood from his lips, Yue Xiong walked back, bowed, and said, “Please don’t be angry, Elder Lin. I did this for your own good.”

Lin Ye asked in confusion, “How is this good for me?”

Yue Xiong continued, “With the Dragon Burial Abyss about to open, countless powerhouses are gathering in Liunan City. Even with your great strength, Elder Lin, you would gain little directly. But if it’s known that you’re the one who revealed the secret, those who find treasure will not forget your contribution. In this way, you’ll surely receive many benefits—perhaps even become the greatest winner of this opening of the Dragon Burial Abyss. With luck, you might break through to the Sky Origin Realm and reach the pinnacle of life.”

“Hmm, not bad. You’re thoughtful. I won’t forget your merit,” Lin Ye replied, his anger melting into delight. Now he could trounce the Holy Son, marry the Saintess, and reach the pinnacle of life. Hahaha!

Elsewhere, Zhang Heng, who was doing his best to please Yan Xueqing, sneezed twice in quick succession and thought, This body is still too frail—catching a cold at a time like this.

Outside, Yue Xiong, having left the room, felt the world was deeply unfair. Why should this idiot be the elder of a great sect, while he himself was merely the head of a minor clan? Why should Lin Ye’s cultivation stand at the sixth level of the Return to Ruins realm, while his own was barely at the sixth level of the Qi Sea realm?

With a cold smile, Yue Xiong thought darkly, But soon, this so-called great master of the sixth level Return to Ruins realm will be dead.

After a month together, Yue Xiong had already discovered that while Lin Ye’s cultivation was formidable, his wits were staggeringly poor. Fooling him was child’s play.

Meanwhile, at the Zhang residence, Zhang Qingcang was discussing philosophy and scripture with Wang Zewei when a family member rushed in, calling out, “Patriarch! Something terrible has happened!”

Zhang Qingcang, just on the verge of enlightenment, was displeased at being interrupted.

Wang Zewei, a true elder of the Sun Palace, was not only inscrutably powerful but also of remarkable character. He treated humble cultivators with kindness and patience, never putting on airs, and often guided them in their cultivation. Zhang Qingcang admired him greatly.

With Yu’er following him, I am at ease, Zhang Qingcang thought.

Rising, Zhang Qingcang said with controlled anger to the messenger, “I have always taught you all to remain calm no matter what happens. If you cannot keep your composure, how can you accomplish great things? Now, tell me what has happened.”

Chastened, the disciple dared not speak further and simply handed Zhang Qingcang a slip of paper.

“Patriarch, please take a look.”

Zhang Qingcang took the paper with a cold expression, but when he read its contents, his face changed dramatically. “This is a disaster.”

At his side, Wang Zewei burst out laughing, “Brother Qingcang, stay calm—only by remaining steady can great things be accomplished.”

Yet after reading the message himself, Wang Zewei’s face, too, fell. “This is terrible.”

Fury burned in Wang Zewei’s heart. This was a real predicament.

Lin Ye, you idiot. If you die, that’s your own business, but you’ve ruined my entire plan. Your crime is unforgivable. If I ever see you again, I’ll slap you to death.

Wang Zewei had intended to present himself as the perfect benefactor to the Zhang family, earning their trust and, as Zhang Yu’s master, perhaps persuading them to share the secret of the Dragon Burial Abyss of their own accord.

Now all was lost. With Lin Ye making the secret public, countless powerhouses would descend. To covet the Dragon Burial Abyss secret for himself was now impossible. The more he dwelled on it, the more he wanted to grab Lin Ye and give him a thorough beating.