Chapter 1107: The Return of Shenwu Guike
Though he called him "uncle," the tone and demeanor showed not the slightest humility or respect from a younger generation toward an elder. Instead, his leisurely gaze seemed to look down upon a lowly creature.
Yet Lei Qianfeng did not show even a hint of anger. He quickly said, "Yes, yes, if it weren't for you, Guike, this old life of mine would probably be gone as well. It's just a pity that Mo'er and the others..."
Thinking of his seven sons, who had died one after another in such tragic fashion, Lei Qianfeng's entire body tensed up. His tightly clenched hands trembled uncontrollably.
"Your aunt has already told me everything about these matters yesterday." Wu Guike narrowed his eyes. "From what she said, everything was done by someone called 'Ling Yun'? Not only did he poison your seven sons to death, but he also indirectly caused the deaths of over a hundred thousand elite disciples and four elders, and almost got you killed as well. And you seem to have not even managed to catch a glimpse of him?"
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Xiao Qingtong, who was standing to the side. When he looked at her, his eyes were much gentler than when he glared at Lei Qianfeng.
As for Yun Che, Lei Qianfeng had already developed a deep fear amidst extreme pain, anger, hatred, and humiliation. His entire body trembled, and his voice became somewhat hoarse: "Ling Yun... he... he is simply a devil!"
"A devil?" Wu Guike let out a low laugh. "Heh, uncle, uncle, if your wife hadn't told me this herself, I wouldn't have believed a single word of it. Although I've always thought you didn't deserve my aunt, I never imagined you'd be this useless. As your nephew, even I feel utterly disgraced."
Lei Qianfeng's face showed shock, but he dared not argue. After a moment of trembling lips, he lowered his head and said, "Indeed, it is my incompetence... But as long as I live another day, I swear to tear Ling Yun into a thousand pieces and grind his bones to dust!"
"Is that so?" Wu Guike walked closer, his expression gradually darkening. "Before you tear that Ling Yun apart, you'd better take care of yourself first! What exactly is the story with that royal wood spirit? My father was rarely so enraged because of this matter. You'd better give a proper explanation, or the consequences won't be as simple as just eating what you've bitten off!"
What was coming had to come. Lei Qianfeng's body shook, and he hurriedly said in panic, "The matter of the royal wood spirit is absolutely not false! After we captured that royal wood spirit, we were about to present it to your father immediately. But we weren't careful enough, and it was snatched away by Ling Yun!"
"How did Ling Yun know it was a royal wood spirit?" Wu Guike demanded sternly.
"No, no! The reason Ling Yun stole it was not because it was a royal wood spirit, but because... that royal wood spirit had been hiding among a wood spirit clan outside Heiya City. Ling Yun had known that wood spirit clan for a long time. So after we captured the royal wood spirit, he stole it away. We never expected anyone to be bold enough to lay a hand on us, which is why we lost it. Later, we quickly found that wood spirit clan, slaughtered all of them, but we still didn't recapture the royal wood spirit. Our grudge with Ling Yun also stems from this reason."
"Is that so?" Wu Guike sneered, clearly not believing it.
"Guike," Xiao Qingtong said softly, "Your uncle is not lying to you. Every word is true. If it weren't for the fact that we truly captured a royal wood spirit, I wouldn't have been so quick to inform your mother. It's just a pity, sigh..."
Wu Guike's expression softened. He nodded and said, "Since it's my aunt's word, of course I have to believe it." But as his gaze shifted back to Lei Qianfeng, his face turned dark again. "As for whether my father will believe it, that's not something I can decide. Putting aside the matter of the royal wood spirit, the wood spirit pearls and cultivation cauldrons you've been offering in recent years have been getting fewer and fewer. For my father to calm down about this matter will be extremely difficult!"
Lei Qianfeng's face changed color again, and his whole body began to tremble. In the Heiya Realm, he was the supreme realm king with absolute power. But in front of figures like the Shenwu Realm King, he was nothing more than a lowly insect. The Soul Sect had been able to thrive for so long largely due to relying on the prestige of the Shenwu Realm. It might be all right with other people from the Shenwu Realm, but this time... it was the wrath of the Shenwu Great Realm King himself! Under his fury, crushing a Divine King like him, or even the entire Soul Sect, would take no effort at all. Why would he care that Lei Qianfeng was his son's uncle?
"Guike, it's not that your uncle is being negligent, but in recent years, wood spirits have become fewer and fewer, and high-quality cultivation cauldrons have become increasingly difficult to find. It's truly... Guike, when you return, you must put in a good word for your uncle with your father. Especially regarding the royal wood spirit—your uncle wouldn't dare deceive your father even with ten thousand guts!"
"Hmph!" Wu Guike snorted coldly. "Is it really just fewer? Or... are you trying to dominate the Heiya Realm by creating leverage, secretly selling some of the wood spirit pearls that should have been offered to others?"
"..." Lei Qianfeng's head shot up, his pupils constricting.
"Guike," Xiao Qingtong spoke up, "This matter is not entirely your uncle's fault. If it weren't for my impulsiveness, your father wouldn't have become angry over the theft of the royal wood spirit. Your father has always doted on you the most. Only you can save your uncle now."
As soon as Xiao Qingtong spoke, Wu Guike's previously dark expression softened like a spring breeze. He quickly comforted her with a smile, "No, no, how could my aunt be at fault? To put it another way, this time my uncle only lost a major achievement, not committed a major crime. Once I explain the situation here and persuade my father for a few more days until his anger subsides, everything will be fine. I was speaking so harshly just to remind my uncle to be more cautious in the future. I will calm this matter down when I return, so please rest assured, Aunt."
Wu Guike's attitude toward Lei Qianfeng and Xiao Qingtong was completely different, and it had always been that way. Lei Qianfeng was long accustomed to it. Upon hearing this, his face immediately lit up with joy.
Xiao Qingtong smiled. "Guike is truly a good child. It's not for nothing that I have always cherished you. It's just a pity that your two elder brothers..."
Before she finished, Xiao Qingtong's eyes were already filled with tears.
Wu Guike quickly comforted her, "Aunt, please restrain your grief... Rest assured, now that I am here, I will definitely seek justice for my elder brothers. A mere Ling Yun dares to make my aunt sad to the point of tears... I will personally capture him and hand him over to you for whatever punishment you see fit."
After saying this, he gave Lei Qianfeng a fierce glare. "Where is that kid named Ling Yun now?"
Lei Qianfeng quickly replied, "Although this kid's profound strength is low, he seems to have an extremely strong ability to conceal himself. He appears and disappears without warning. However, judging from his movements all along, the place he most often hides is likely the Black Soul Mountain Range. During the day, there are many profound beasts with chaotic auras, and at night, thick fog settles. It is indeed an extremely suitable place for concealment. Besides, he..."
"Then let's go take a look at the Black Soul Mountain," Wu Guike interrupted him directly. "My aunt said that recently, Ling Yun appears several times a day. He even appeared yesterday. That means he has been hiding somewhere nearby and has never gone far. Hmph, Chengyan!"
"Yes, Young Master." The black-clothed middle-aged man bowed in acknowledgment.
"Although it's beneath your status, there's nothing left here but a bunch of dusty useless trash. So you'll have to personally go catch that little insect."
"Yes." Wu Chengyan accepted the order expressionlessly.
Glancing at Lei Qianfeng, Wu Guike put down his hands that had been clasped behind his back. "Let's go."
"Ah? Now?" Lei Qianfeng was taken aback.
"Otherwise? Are we supposed to wait for him to run far away?" Wu Guike said coldly. "If he is as cunning as you say, once he finds out that someone from the Shenwu Realm has arrived here, he will definitely flee a thousand miles in an instant! Not everyone in this world is as naive and stupid as you!"
Being berated like this by his nephew, Lei Qianfeng did not dare show the slightest anger. He waved his hand downward and said, "Tiangang, take a few hall masters with you and come with me to the Black Soul Mountain!"
"Aunt, please rest well. Don't let your health suffer. I will soon bring that brat Ling Yun back for you to deal with." Before leaving, Wu Guike bowed respectfully to Xiao Qingtong.
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Leaving the Soul Sect, Wu Guike's face immediately darkened. Without any courtesy, he said, "Uncle, you should know how serious it is when my father gets angry. If it weren't for my aunt begging tearfully for mercy, I wouldn't have taken on this matter. Hmph!"
"Yes, yes." Lei Qianfeng quickly responded with a flattering smile. "Guike, you saved your uncle this time. I will not forget it."
"That's not necessary. If you really have a heart, just treat my aunt better." Wu Guike narrowed his eyes. "When I arrived yesterday, Chengyan spent the whole night driving out the poison for you, while I comforted my aunt all night. A realm king of a lower star realm reduced to such a miserable state—you've completely disgraced me and my mother. Hmph!"
"..." Lei Qianfeng cowered and dared not speak.
"I came out in a hurry to catch this Ling Yun for two reasons. First, to comfort my aunt. Second... although you never caught Ling Yun, you also never found that royal wood spirit. That means it is very likely in Ling Yun's hands. At the very least, Ling Yun should know where it is."
"Yes, exactly!" Lei Qianfeng agreed. "The reason I have spared no expense to pursue Ling Yun relentlessly is also for this reason."
"Hmph!" Wu Guike snorted coldly and sped up.
With Wu Guike at the front and Wu Chengyan at his side, Lei Qianfeng followed behind with a group of people. No one dared to speak unless spoken to. These people, who usually swaggered around the Heiya Realm without fear, were now all as silent as cicadas in winter, not even daring to breathe loudly.
Wu Guike's status went without saying. As for Wu Chengyan... a terrifyingly strong Divine Sovereign Realm cultivator was an existence that could look down upon all lower star realms. Even within the Shenwu Realm, he held a very high status. His purpose in accompanying Wu Guike on this trip was to ensure his safety.
Soon, they arrived at the front of the Black Soul Mountain Range. Lei Qianfeng said, "Guike, this is the place. We have set up ambushes for Ling Yun here dozens of times. Once, we almost succeeded, but... we failed in the end."
"Chengyan." Wu Guike ignored Lei Qianfeng and raised an eyebrow.
Wu Chengyan nodded slightly and flew up into the air. The massive divine sense of a Divine Sovereign spread out like a blanket of fog, rapidly covering the area.
But just then, a faint fluctuation of aura came from ahead. Everyone's gaze unconsciously turned. They saw a little girl wearing a colorful rainbow dress, delicate and exquisite, skipping through the sparse underbrush as she came bounding toward them. She was humming a clear, pleasant tune under her breath.
"Oh? Why is there a little girl here?" Lei Qianfeng said in a deep voice.
"Who goes there!" Lei Tiangang roared loudly.
Seemingly frightened by the harsh shout, the little girl stopped in her tracks. Her star-like eyes observed them seriously, and then a strange expression appeared on her little face. "Oh-ho, what a coincidence."
"She... she is!" Behind Lei Tiangang, a Black Soul Hall master suddenly cried out in alarm. "Sect Master, Chief Hall Master, she is the little girl who appeared together with Ling Yun half a month ago and was then rescued by him! It's her, no mistake!"
With that rainbow dress and that face of peerless, moon-eclipsing beauty, whoever saw it once would never forget it.
"What!?" Lei Qianfeng and Lei Tiangang both changed expression. Lei Qianfeng immediately roared, "Seize her at once!"
But none of them noticed that the moment the little girl's figure appeared in his line of sight, Wu Guike's body had turned rigid, as if frozen in stone. His mouth slowly opened wide, but no sound came out. And his pupils were clearly contracting violently, then rapidly expanding, and expanding...
Wu Guike, son of the Great Realm King of the Shenwu Realm, an extraordinary figure whom even the upper star realms dared not provoke—his pupils, now dilated to the extreme, trembled with a terror as if he had seen a ghost or a god.