Chapter 41: Taking Preemptive Action

Outside the Qingyun Secret Realm, on a grassy field…

Members of the Four Great Families had already gathered long ago, all waiting for those inside the secret realm to return.

At the front of the crowd, Xiao family head Xiao Qiankun was casually chatting with a middle-aged man holding a bone fan.

“This time in the Qingyun Secret Realm… I wonder if any surprises will pop up?” Xiao Qiankun spoke somewhat boredly.
“Perhaps… the legendary Essence-Refining Persimmon?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the middle-aged man gently smiled and snapped his folding bone fan shut.

“That’s hard to say,” the man replied with a calm and gentle smile.
“After all, the Essence-Refining Persimmon is no ordinary item—rare and elusive.”

This man was none other than the Su family’s Grand Elder, Su Huaizhang.

With the Su family head Su Wenlin in seclusion, nearly all of the Su family’s affairs during this time had been managed by him.
Even the senior figures of the other families tacitly acknowledged his position in the Su family.

Xiao Qiankun sighed and continued,
“I also wonder if that little brat of mine can bring back something worthwhile from the secret realm this time.”

“Young Master Xiao is exceptionally talented and steady-minded,” Su Huaizhang replied politely.
“I’m sure he won’t return empty-handed.
As for my son Zimo, his talent is average at best; I doubt he’ll make much of an impression.”

At that moment, a cheerful laugh suddenly rang out.

“Grand Elder Su, you’re far too modest,” said Li family head Li Yunzheng with a smile, joining the conversation.
“I’ve met Zimo a few times myself; the boy is far from ordinary.
Unlike my own kids, who only know how to make trouble day in and day out.”

“Brother Li, you flatter me too much,” Su Huaizhang returned the smile, his tone remaining gentle.

The few exchanged knowing smiles, the atmosphere quite harmonious.

Just then, Xiao Qiankun suddenly turned his head toward Luo Changqing not far away.

“Hey, Old Luo, why so quiet today?”

Upon hearing that, Luo Changqing lightly cleared his throat to cover up his earlier distraction.
“Nothing much… maybe overexerted in cultivation… feeling a bit tired.”

In truth, ever since Luo Chen had entered the Qingyun Secret Realm, a vague but growing unease had taken root in Luo Changqing’s heart.

It was an abrupt, inexplicable feeling—as if Luo Chen had once been trapped in great peril, only to miraculously escape at the last second.

He had a premonition… that something truly unexpected had occurred within the secret realm.

“Oh, and where’s your niece Yunlan? Why didn’t she come with you?” Xiao Qiankun casually asked after scanning the crowd.

Luo Changqing replied without much thought:
“She said she had an urgent matter and couldn’t come.”

Xiao Qiankun “tsk”-ed and was about to say more, when suddenly, a wave of energy rippled through the void ahead.

“Look!” someone in the crowd shouted.

Everyone turned toward the source, seeing light begin to emanate from the teleportation array.
One by one, silhouettes began to emerge.

But when the light fully dissipated, everyone was stunned.

Originally, forty people had entered the secret realm…
Only twenty-five had returned.

Both the Li and Xiao families each had ten people, perfectly aligned.
Li Daming and Xiao Yan stood at the forefront.

The Luo family had four remaining: Luo Chen, Luo Yuanshan, Luo Yan, and Luo Jiutian.

As for the Su family…

Only Su Wan’er had come back alone.

An oppressive silence fell immediately.

Luo Changqing’s expression changed slightly, his gaze instinctively settling on Luo Chen, though he said nothing.

Xiao Qiankun furrowed his brow, clearly not expecting such a result.

Li Yunzheng, who had appeared composed, now showed a trace of surprise.
“How could this happen?”

Su Huaizhang’s usual smile froze instantly.

He quickly stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the lone Su family girl, asking anxiously:
“Niece Wan’er… where is the rest of the Su family?
My son Zimo… why is he not here?”

Upon hearing this, Su Wan’er’s eyes instantly reddened.

She displayed an expression of profound sorrow, her voice trembling slightly:
“They… they all… perished.”

The words sent the surrounding crowd into a stunned silence.

Thud.

The bone fan in Su Huaizhang’s hand dropped to the ground.
His whole body seemed to deflate, his complexion turning deathly pale.

He stood motionless for several heartbeats before suddenly snapping back to reality.
He turned to face the other three families and demanded sternly:
“What happened?!
What exactly occurred in the secret realm?!”

Luo Changqing and Xiao Qiankun also turned to look, their faces growing serious, clearly eager to learn the answer.

The atmosphere thickened, heavier by the second.

Luo Chen was the first to react, raising his hand and pointing at Luo Jiutian:
“It was him—”

But before he could finish, Luo Jiutian stepped back a few paces and shouted loudly:

“Luo Chen, do you know your crimes?”

Luo Chen: ?

Su Huaizhang, Luo Changqing, and the others: ?

Spectators: ?

Ignoring the growing question marks from the crowd, Luo Jiutian continued in a firm tone:
“You colluded with your clansmen to set a trap for the Su family team.
Your actions led to several of my Luo family brothers losing their lives.
Such heinous deeds are unforgivable!”

Upon hearing this, a ripple of astonishment spread through the crowd.

Luo Chen’s expression instantly shifted, and with a twisted sneer, he replied furiously:
“Luo Jiutian, stop your slander!
I, Luo Chen, conduct myself with integrity.
How could I possibly commit such despicable acts?”

Xiao Qiankun and Li Yunzheng remained silent, merely observing the confrontation with varying expressions.

Su Huaizhang forced back the storm of emotion rising within, and solemnly turned to Luo Jiutian:
“Are your words… truly sincere?”

“Outrageous!” Luo Changqing furrowed his brows deeply and spoke coldly:
“Do you even know what you’re saying?!
My son’s character is something I know better than anyone else.
How dare you publicly accuse the Young Master of such a thing?
Can you bear the consequences of such slander?”

As soon as Luo Changqing spoke, whispers immediately began to spread.

“Slandering the Young Master is a grave offense.
Luo Jiutian’s in serious trouble now…”

“Without solid proof, mere words are useless.”

“I don’t think so. Luo Jiutian doesn’t seem like the type to act recklessly.”

Speculation arose from all directions.
Some doubted, some observed, while others’ eyes flickered between Luo Chen and Luo Jiutian.

Hearing the increasingly noisy chatter, Luo Chen’s expression darkened.
Veins bulged on his forehead, and his fists clenched tightly beneath his sleeves, knuckles turning white.

However, Luo Jiutian seemed fully prepared.
He merely smiled faintly and said:
“Everyone, calm down.
Let’s watch this before making a judgment.”

With that, he pulled a Memory Stone from his pocket.

Upon seeing this, Luo Chen’s expression drastically changed.
He stepped forward, ready to stop Luo Jiutian at all costs.

But before he could reach him, Su Huaizhang waved his sleeve, instantly freezing Luo Chen in place—unable to move an inch.

Luo Jiutian glanced at him with a teasing tone:
“Why so agitated, Young Master Luo?
Could it be you’re worried that the Memory Stone holds something unfavorable for you?”

The moment his words fell, all eyes turned to Luo Chen.

Luo Changqing’s heart sank with a thud.

Could it be?

Could my son really be in trouble?

Before anyone else could speak, Luo Jiutian calmly infused his spiritual energy into the Memory Stone.
The image immediately appeared in midair.

Inside the dark, cold stone chamber…

Luo Chen wore a proud expression, his voice devoid of any concealment:
“In fact, ever since the secret realm opened, and you were all lured here…
It was all orchestrated by me, Luo Chen.
The purpose was simply to deceive the Su family into a slaughter.”

—The image flashed.

Su Zimo’s face darkened, his voice trembling:
“Why… why would you do this?”

Luo Chen’s expression remained indifferent as he replied:
“I’ve long disliked the Su family, especially the Su family head Su Wenlin…”

Su Xinyuan’s eyes reddened, gritting her teeth as she asked:
“Just because the Su family refused to give you face…
You wanted to kill us?”

—The image froze for a moment before quickly switching again.

Luo Chen calmly looked at Luo Jiutian and said:
“Brother Jiutian… from now on, you can rest assured.”