Lingquan Mountain was located within Yaoyang City in Qingyang Commandery. In the past, it had been a scenic area where scholars and literati frequently came to enjoy themselves.

Later, the four Wei brothers came to this place and established their sect, turning it into private property where anyone was forbidden to enter.

Losing a place for recreation, the common people were naturally unhappy and reported it to the Yaoyang City Lord. Unfortunately, since the Lingquan Sect’s backing was the Shengquan Sect, the City Lord could only turn a blind eye.

In just over ten years.

Under the vigorous development of the Wei brothers, the Lingquan Sect gradually grew stronger, with over three hundred disciples.

Of course, it was still ninth-rate.

If not for relying on their backing, the Shengquan Sect, their reputation in the jianghu would probably be only slightly higher than the Tiegu Zhengzheng Sect established by Sect Leader Wang.

Why was it Sect Leader Wang’s?

Because under the second-generation Sect Leader Jun Changxiao’s various audacious operations during this period, the sect’s prestige had long surpassed his predecessor’s.

All that was needed was for news of the sect tournament to spread.

…

Lingquan Sect, Great Hall.

The one-armed Wei Yinu sat in the lower seat, while in the upper seat sat a middle-aged man whose expression was rather gloomy.

His name was Wei Yixi.

Current Sect Master of the Lingquan Sect, his cultivation was at Second-rank Wutu.

“Elder Brother,” Wei Yinu said through gritted teeth. “Can the assassin we hired kill Jun Changxiao?”

Wei Yixi took a sip of tea and said, “That gold-rank assassin from the Drizzling Rain Tower has carried out over two hundred assassinations and has never failed. He will definitely succeed, no need to worry.”

Mm.

The hired assassin had already been captured by Sect Leader Jun and was currently playing a two-person card game with another assassin.

“Damn it.”

Wei Yinu slapped the armrest, unable to comprehend. “How can the Sect Leader of a trash sect be so hard to kill!”

Wei Yixi shook his head. “Fourth Brother, if Jun Changxiao could kill Second Brother and Third Brother, and you still think he’s trash, that would be a grave mistake.”

When the two brothers went to Qingyang City to visit the City Lord and didn’t return for a long time, he personally went to investigate the reason.

City Lord Xie seemed unwilling to offend the well-backed Lingquan Sect and told him about Jun Changxiao killing Wei Yile and Wei Yiai.

Learning of his brothers’ deaths, Wei Yixi was furious.

But as a sect master after all, anger aside, he still calmly analyzed that Jun Changxiao’s ability to kill his brothers with one slash meant his strength absolutely could not be underestimated.

After returning to the sect, after much thought, he decided to spend a large sum to hire an assassin from the Drizzling Rain Tower.

Not daring to confront him directly, playing underhanded tricks in secret—very sinister.

Wei Yinu wasn’t as composed. Hearing his elder brother mention their deceased second and third brothers, murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

The four brothers had cultivated together, joined the Shengquan Sect together, descended the mountain to start their enterprise together—their bond was extremely deep. They never expected their last parting would become an eternal farewell.

“Second Brother, Third Brother.”

Wei Yixi set his teacup on the table, his gaze becoming exceptionally sinister. “No matter what price must be paid, Elder Brother will ultimately avenge you!”

The so-called price meant spending heavily to hire assassins for the killing.

Borrowing a phrase from Teacher Ma: What a waste of money!

“Elder Brother!”

Wei Yinu said hatefully, “Once the Drizzling Rain Tower assassin kills Jun Changxiao, I want to personally go to the Tiegu Sect and use his disciples’ blood to honor Second Brother and Third Brother’s spirits in heaven!”

Wei Yixi said, “The Tiegu Sect is after all a member of the Hundred Sects Alliance. When you go, be careful not to be discovered.”

“Mm.”

Wei Yinu’s face was full of killing intent.

He wished he could go to the Tiegu Sect right now and go on a killing spree to honor his two elder brothers.

Wei Yixi took another sip of tea and laughed disdainfully. “I heard that kid even took his disciples to participate in the sect tournament. Truly overestimating himself.”

“Hmph.”

Wei Yinu snorted coldly. “Not knowing his own worth, participating in the sect tournament is just going to be laughed at by others.”

Wei Yixi rested his elbow on the armrest, fingers interlaced. “I wonder who will win the championship in this sect tournament?”

“I heard the sixth-rate sect Silent Sound Valley also sent disciples to compete. If nothing unexpected happens, they should be able to take the championship,” Wei Yinu said.

Though the two brothers hadn’t descended the mountain, they were quite concerned about the sect tournament.

“Report!”

Just then, a disciple ran in from outside, gasping for breath. “Sect Master, Elder, this disciple just returned from Yaoyang City and heard that…”

“Heard what?”

“Heard… heard that in this sect tournament, the Tiegu Sect disciple Xiao Zuiji won the championship!”

“What?”

Wei Yixi and Wei Yinu stood up, their eyes flashing with disbelief.

The disciple took two deep breaths. “And… and his four disciples also swept the top four places!”

“Impossible!”

Wei Yinu firmly refused to believe it. “With their ninth-rate sect, their disciples making it to the second round would be good enough. How could they possibly sweep the top four!”

Wei Yixi was relatively calm. “Is the information accurate?”

The disciple said, “Yaoyang City has already posted the announcement. This disciple witnessed it with his own eyes!”

Wei Yinu was dumbfounded.

After each sect tournament ended, various cities in Qingyang Commandery would post announcements declaring the champion. This absolutely wasn’t hearsay or rumors!

Wei Yixi frowned. “The sect tournament champion must have at least Second-rank Wutu cultivation. The Tiegu Sect disciples are that strong?”

The disciple said, “I learned from martial artists returning from Liyang City that the several Tiegu Sect disciples are each formidably strong, with the lowest being First-rank Wutu cultivation!”

“Thud.”

Wei Yinu sat down, his facial expression spectacular.

Just moments ago, he’d been thinking about going to massacre the Tiegu Sect after Jun Changxiao was killed by the assassin. If the news about sweeping the top four was true, going there himself would be… suicide!

“Fourth Brother.”

Wei Yixi also realized this and said gravely, “Regardless of whether the news is true or false, you absolutely must not go to the Tiegu Sect.”

“Yes, yes.” Wei Yinu said hurriedly.

He wouldn’t go.

But… someone had come to them.

“Bang!”

Suddenly, a loud explosion rang out, startling Wei Yixi and Wei Yinu, their faces changing drastically. The two hurriedly walked out of the great hall and saw that the valuable vermillion gate had been shattered to pieces.

“Step!”

Jun Changxiao stepped inside with one foot, a plaque reading “Lingquan Sect” hoisted on his shoulder. His other hand held a smoking Desert Eagle, and a cigar dangled from his mouth.

The cigar was also something he’d been forced to buy when refreshing the shop.

Though its function was to refresh the mind, more importantly, it was for showing off.

“Jun Changxiao!” Wei Yinu’s eyes nearly split with rage.

So this is the Tiegu Sect Leader? Wei Yixi’s brows furrowed tightly, the sinister gleam in his eyes growing even more intense.

“Boom!”

Jun Changxiao set down the plaque and rested one hand on it. Looking at the courtyard that was even larger than his own sect’s, he said lightly, “Such a nice place. It’s really a pity to destroy it.”

A pity to destroy it?

Wei Yixi’s gaze was sinister. “Sect Leader Jun, your purpose in coming here…”

“That’s right.”

Jun Changxiao raised his gun, pointing it at him, and said proudly, “I’m here to annihilate your sect.”

“Seeking death!” Wei Yinu couldn’t suppress his fury. He summoned a brand new broadsword from his spatial ring and was about to charge forward…

Bang!

Fire flashed from the Desert Eagle’s muzzle. The crystal core-condensed bullet transformed into a streak of flowing light that shot forth, directly penetrating his chest.

Wei Yinu stopped in his tracks and slowly lowered his head, looking at his pierced chest. Terror rose in his eyes. The long blade he was gripping fell, and he also collapsed to the ground with a thud.