Cultivation System: Stronger with Age

Beside them, Liang Qinhu from the Liang Family spoke, "I heard that a few days ago, San Gu and the young masters of the Guo and Feng Families took many people out of the settlement. I'm not sure if they went to hunt Demons or for some other reason; anyway, they haven't returned yet. However, considering the strength and resources of their three families, they probably don't care much about the rewards from this martial arts tournament!"

Ye Kai cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Liang is right. The Guo and Feng Families, and the Gu Yue Sect possess extraordinary strength... San Gu, Feng Zhulong, and Guo Chui can easily hunt a large amount of Demon Flesh, so they might not necessarily need to participate in this martial arts tournament! But... the Marsh Python Demon Pearl and the Evil Sheep Demon Pearl are so precious. If they miss this opportunity, it would be extremely difficult to obtain Demon Pearls while hunting! Alas, the perspectives of family heads like Mr. Liang, and the young masters of those prominent families and powerful gangs, are certainly different from those of us!"

Hearing this, a flicker of pride appeared in Liang Qinhu's eyes, and he was clearly pleased.

In the distance, Chu Qing and Chu Yuhui from the Spirit Snake Gang turned their heads to look in this direction.

Chu Qing said via Qi Blood Transmission, "Master, the Steward I secretly sent to investigate has confirmed it. The middle-aged couple with Han Feiyan and the others should indeed be Lin Xuankong and Zhao Yufei, whom San Gu planned to deal with earlier. Although they've disguised themselves, Zhao Yufei has cultivated the Eight Gates Celestial Eye. Her eyes are exceptionally bright and vibrant, distinctly different from ordinary Martial Cultivators, making her easy to recognize. San Gu, Feng Zhulong, and Guo Chui haven't returned these past few days. Could it be that..."

Chu Yuhui shook his head slightly and said via Qi Blood Transmission, "It shouldn't be related to those two. With the strength of San Gu, Guo Chui, and Feng Zhulong, they would even have a chance of defeating Liang Qinhu. When Lin Xuankong participated in the preliminary martial arts contest the other day, his strength was average; he barely withstood Liang Qinhu's attacks for ten breaths. Moreover, even if he was hiding his strength, there's no way he could have killed dozens of Third Layer Martial Cultivators with no survivors. Even I, a Mid-Fifth Layer cultivator, with my strength suppressed in the Demon-Suppressing Valley, couldn't annihilate everyone San Gu brought. Some would definitely have escaped!"

Chu Qing frowned upon hearing this. "Then what about San Gu, Feng Zhulong, and Guo Chui?"

Chu Yuhui raised his eyebrows. "Perhaps they found the lair of a Tier Three Demon and went to hunt it! Disciple, do not involve yourself in too many disputes. Focus on your Cultivation. For now... your primary focus should be on assisting the Saintess! As for the Black Tiger Gang, the Guo Family, the Feng Family, and the Gu Yue Sect all targeting the Yin Talisman Sect and the Huang Family... our Spirit Snake Gang stirring things up from the shadows and reaping the rewards is the best strategy!"

Chu Qing nodded and said via Qi Blood Transmission, "I will remember your teachings, Master. This time, I will give my all to assist the Saintess in comprehending the Cultivation Technique!"

Chu Yuhui smiled and communicated via Qi Blood Transmission, "That's right! This time, as long as we can help the Saintess comprehend the Cultivation Technique, we will have made a great contribution to the Great Xia Dynasty and the Celestial Sect. If we win the Saintess's favor, we will surely rise to prominence. At that time, what would the disputes of Great Marsh Prefecture matter? The Guo Family, the Feng Family, and the Black Tiger Gang may dominate Great Marsh Prefecture, but in the entirety of Great Xia, they are nothing more than minor families and factions under its rule!"

While the two were communicating via Qi Blood Transmission, the three individuals from the Holy Dragon Association seated in the most prominent positions were also using Qi Blood Transmission.

One of the Holy Dragon Elders furrowed his brow, glanced in Zhao Yufei's direction, then addressed the two Holy Dragon Stewards behind him, "Are you certain the Tier Four Spirit Insects you brought detected traces near Blackwater Lakefront?"

The Long Eyebrow Martial Cultivator, who appeared to be in his fifties, nodded. "Reporting to Black Dragon Elder, after several days of investigation, it is confirmed: the aura of the new disciple San Gu and the others vanished near Blackwater Lakefront! Additionally, according to the senses of the Tier Four Spirit Insects, Han Feiyan and her group of four, as well as the disguised Zhao Yufei of the Yin Talisman Sect, all lingered near Blackwater Lakefront!"

The Black Dragon Elder's eyes revealed a cold gleam. "Han Feiyan and her companions, during the preliminary martial arts contest, couldn't withstand Liang Qinhu's attacks for even two breaths. The disappearance of San Gu and the others cannot be their doing! However, that Zhao Yufei and the other Martial Cultivator, arriving in disguise, are indeed suspicious. Although their strength shouldn't be sufficient to deal with the many experts San Gu brought, any suspicion must be thoroughly investigated. However, today is the Celestial Sect Saintess's martial arts tournament. We absolutely must not disrupt it, lest we incur the Saintess's displeasure and face punishment! After today's martial arts tournament concludes, you two will apprehend Zhao Yufei and the other Yin Talisman Sect Martial Cultivator. Use the Saint Dragon's Tendon-Separating Bone-Dislocating Technique to thoroughly interrogate Zhao Yufei. If they are indeed involved, execute them immediately once the information is obtained. If not, simply reward them with some Demon Flesh and send them away!"

The two long-eyebrowed Holy Dragon Stewards cupped their hands in agreement.

One of the Stewards asked, "Black Dragon Elder, are we not participating in the martial arts tournament this time? If we could assist the Saintess in her comprehension, wouldn't that be a great achievement? Our Holy Dragon Association's Seventeenth Subdivision could finally distinguish itself among the many subdivisions!"

The Black Dragon Elder snorted coldly. "Although your Cultivation has reached the Late Fifth Layer, you are both nearing sixty, and your Qi Blood is declining. Suppressed to the Third Realm within the Demon-Suppressing Valley, you are inferior even to the top ten young Martial Cultivators on the Hero List. What use would there be in you competing?"