He Xiao had been quietly blending in with the crowd all day, unusually calm. Now, his words had once again drawn everyone's attention back to the courtyard.
Patriarch He glanced at his brother with surprise. He had worried that his brother might act rashly because of the feud with Song Wanníng, but he was this composed.
No wonder he was his brother.
Patriarch He smiled and took over the conversation. "Ancestor Song, our He family is clean. You are slandering us to hide your secrets. After this is over, you must give the He family an explanation!
Let us enter the courtyard now. If you block us again, we might start to suspect that the Song family is hiding something shameful that caused the Heavenly Dao's punishment."
He quickly turned the tables with this rebuttal.
Whether the crowd believed him or not, it was clear now was not the time to talk about the Monster.
Others quickly agreed, growing more anxious, but the three great families did not rush in recklessly. They dared not act wildly.
Song Huai smiled coldly. Just as he was about to speak again, the Ning family patriarch finally spoke.
"Ancestor Song, we suspect something is wrong inside your courtyard. We intend to go in and investigate. Surely you will not stop us?"
His gaze lingered on the courtyard as if weighing his options.
He had long sensed the presence of formations, but had not detected any treasure aura.
An item capable of summoning the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder would at least be a Heavenly Spirit Treasure. Its aura would be astonishing.
Yet from start to finish, there was not a trace of such energy leaking out, which made him suspicious.
Could this be a trap set by the Song family?
This thought sank his heart, and he resolved to speed up their approach. If it was a trap, he would blame the He family.
If a treasure really existed, then they would seize it...
Ning family patriarch's expression grew cold. No sooner had he spoken than several Divine Transformation cultivators released their imposing aura, pressing toward Song Huai.
They had agreed beforehand; the Divine Transformation ancestors of the three families responded to Ning's signal.
Song Huai's face suddenly darkened. His aura flared without hesitation, fearlessly meeting their pressure.
"I have said it before. That Divine Thunder was triggered by the Monster. The Monster has fled. There is nothing left in the courtyard. If you insist on entering, I suspect your 'help' is just a pretext for robbing the Song family."
Since they wanted to attack openly, he might as well drop all pretenses.
"You openly conspire together to attack the Song family without cause. Are you not afraid of facing the judgment of all the families?"
He knew these families would not leave without results. Now his only choice was to buy time.
Ning patriarch did not want to waste words. If it were not for wanting to confirm the truth, they would have attacked immediately.
"Enough talk. We suspect the Song family is hiding something shameful, so we are here to investigate. Why should that lead to judgment? If we find anything, it will be your Song family who deserves judgment!"
His tone suddenly hardened. They had come prepared to frame the Song family. Even if the courtyard held nothing, they could fabricate evidence. The Song family was no match for the three great families.
"Charge!"
Ning patriarch waved his hand. The Divine Transformation cultivators behind him shot toward the courtyard like arrows. Their momentum was fierce, as if eager to tear the courtyard apart.
Song Huai flew into a rage and charged at the leading Divine Transformation cultivators. At that moment, the courtyard gate suddenly opened. Several familiar figures shot out, heading straight for the attackers.
It was Song Qingyun and others arriving in haste.
Boom!
A fierce clash erupted above the Song family courtyard. Nascent Soul and lower cultivators were blasted away by the force.
Spectators paled in fear and scrambled backward.
A single strike from a Divine Transformation cultivator was no joke; even a slight palm gust could kill them.
No one expected the families to actually take action.
Rumbling sounds echoed as the city's protective array activated, encircling everyone inside.
The Divine Transformation cultivators exchanged a few moves, then retreated swiftly, putting distance between them and the courtyard.
Ning patriarch's eyes narrowed when he saw the newcomers.
Who was that with Song Qingyun?
A Divine Transformation cultivator as well, and at an early stage!
Patriarch He's pupils contracted in shock. "Aren't you the Song family's Fifth Elder? You have also advanced to Divine Transformation?!"
His words stunned everyone who recognized the Fifth Elder.
The Fifth Elder snorted coldly. "What, are you surprised that I advanced?"
Killing intent flashed in her eyes as she swept across the opposing crowd.
The cultivation world was brutal. If the Song family was truly weak, who would stand up for them if they got robbed?
Usually, big powers still kept face and would not openly rob others. They preferred to act in secret. But these people dared to attack openly. It showed how desperate they were for the treasure.
The Song family's rapid rise had made others jealous to the point of madness. Now that she had advanced to Divine Transformation, those enemies would become even more insane.
There was no avoiding a battle today.
The Fifth Elder's fighting spirit surged. Song Wanníng had sacrificed too much for them. Now it was their turn to protect her.
"Song Qingyun..."
Patriarch He's eyes reddened with jealousy, almost spilling over. His desire for the Song family's treasure had reached its peak.
He Xiao's eyes were bloodshot as well, burning with rage. He wanted nothing more than to skin these people alive and transfer their strength to himself.
Others from the great families also had red eyes.
Even the Ning family could no longer remain calm.
Advancing to Divine Transformation was incredibly difficult. The three great families maintained only three Divine Transformation ancestors among them. It took immense effort and resources.
Yet the Song family kept producing Divine Transformation cultivators as easily as eating and drinking. How could they not be jealous?
Everyone's hearts pounded loudly. They exchanged glances, seeing the resolve in each other's eyes. Originally planning to take a share, now they were determined to seize the treasure by force.
No matter the cost.
At this moment, everyone dropped all pretense. The families began summoning their forces. All Nascent Soul and Divine Transformation cultivators were called. After all, when fighting for treasure, everyone else was an enemy besides the Song family. The stronger their power, the bigger their stake in the loot.
The situation spiraled out of control. It was turning into a full-blown family war.
Song Qingyun stood at the courtyard gate, watching it all unfold without surprise.
Only a hint of regret lingered in her heart.
Song Wanníng's suspicions had been right after all.
A family war was inevitable.
Even if she had not fallen into madness, even if they did nothing...
In their previous life, the Song family was slaughtered to the last.
This life, they would never let these people have their way!