Chapter 241: Murder

Faced with these rather enthusiastic handmaidens, Yang Yan naturally and politely declined their offers.

Although he had grown up in the Zhang family since childhood and was the young master of the house, Yang Yan had never asked any of these handmaidens to assist him with dining or washing. He had always been accustomed to living alone, and if an outsider were to constantly take care of his daily life, he would feel quite unaccustomed to it.

After dismissing the handmaidens, the sky outside gradually grew dim. For the sake of caution, Yang Yan did not touch a single bite of the meals they had brought.

The twilight deepened until pitch darkness enveloped the surroundings. Sitting cross-legged upon the bed, Yang Yan suddenly opened his eyes. A brilliant flash of light shot from his pupils as he stood up and slowly walked toward the doorway.

The layout of the Kunyang Sect placed the grand hall—which housed the living quarters of Sect Master Sun Tianyang and the sect's council chamber—at the very center. Surrounding this main hall like stars arrayed around the moon were hundreds of subordinate halls of varying sizes, and the one where Yang Yan resided was among them.

At this very moment, Yang Yan intended to infiltrate Sun Tianyang's domain and discover what game the old bastard was playing.

After leaving his subordinate hall, Yang Yan walked toward the main hall in accordance with his memories. Along the way, his spiritual perception allowed him to detect the patrolling sentries in advance, so no unexpected incidents occurred.

As he stepped into the vicinity of the main hall, the security of the Kunyang Sect grew progressively stricter. Within the corridors alone, Yang Yan sensed no fewer than three auras belonging to practitioners of the Spirit Communication Realm.

However, given Yang Yan's current cultivation and spiritual strength, it was not difficult for him to bypass the detection of these people and reach the main hall. Therefore, after proceeding with such caution for roughly half an hour, he successfully arrived at his destination.

Yang Yan leaped upward, found a secluded spot on the roof of the main hall, and crouched down. He gently lifted a small gap between the roof tiles. Because the hall was built to towering heights, the entire interior lay clearly within his view.

The great hall was brightly lit. Apart from Sun Tianyang, whom Yang Yan had seen in the afternoon, there were two men in their early thirties. The three of them were seated together, discussing something in low tones.

An ordinary person would certainly have been unable to overhear their conversation across such a distance. But with Yang Yan's current spiritual perception, even the sound of a falling leaf miles away could be captured by his ears, let alone human voices.

"Father, is the news reliable? Is that kid really the descendant of that fellow? I hope he hasn't come just to freeload and cheat us."

One of the middle-aged men spoke up first.

"Indeed, Eldest Brother is right. That fellow died more than a dozen years ago, and furthermore, every single one of those who ambushed him back then was an expert. Even with his decent cultivation talent, it was utterly impossible for him to escape from the encirclement of those people, let alone preserve his child's life."

Another man chimed in to agree.

"Heh, there is no mistake this time. I have already inspected the blood-written letter in the boy's hands; it is unmistakably in Yang Yan's handwriting. Furthermore, according to the records in that blood letter, that fellow kept the Treasure-Devouring Pearl together with the child. Now that the brat has managed to survive until today, it naturally follows that the Treasure-Devouring Pearl is on him!"

Sun Tianyang let out a cold laugh upon hearing this, a trace of burning desire faintly gleaming in his eyes.

"Father, if that is the case, then our Kunyang Sect is about to soar to new heights! Once we obtain that object, we will have nothing to fear, even looking across the entire cultivation world of the Feiyun Empire!"

"That's right, Father! Congratulations, Father; dominating the Feiyun Empire's cultivation world is just around the corner!"

"Hahaha, good, good, good! I accept my two sons' auspicious words."

Sun Tianyang appeared extremely delighted and laughed heartily.

"It's just that, Father, the Treasure-Devouring Pearl is the item that person specifically demanded. If he learns that we privately acquired it and failed to hand it over, I am afraid there will be no small amount of trouble."

After a moment, one of the middle-aged men spoke again.

Hearing this, Sun Tianyang's smile gradually faded, and his expression turned severe as he said,

"Therefore, this matter must be kept strictly confidential. Have those three fellows outside who saw the boy today secretly executed. Tonight's operation shall be carried out personally by the two of you. Ensure absolute perfection while making sure not a single whisper leaks out!"

"Father, rest assured. Can a brat who has barely reached the peak of the Spirit Sensing Realm turn the heavens upside down? Leave it to us."

One of them replied.

"Wukong, Wufeng, off you go then. Remember not to be careless or leave any traces behind."

"Yes, Father."

Once Sun Tianyang's voice fell, the two middle-aged sons cupped their fists in salute and withdrew from the grand hall. Judging by the direction they headed, they were undoubtedly bound for Yang Yan's guest quarters.

"A fine pack of jackals acting in collusion. It seems my father was truly blind back then to swear brotherhood with such a scoundrel."

Listening to the conversation drifting from the hall, the expression on Yang Yan's face grew increasingly frigid.

He had never expected that his biological father's sworn elder brother would be so despicable and shameless as to secretly plot against him to seize the pearl. From the previous conversation, it was also not difficult for Yang Yan to deduce that his father's fate back then was undeniably linked to this scoundrel.

"Since you show no benevolence, do not blame me for showing no righteousness. Let's start by letting you taste the pain of losing a son."

Yang Yan's expression turned intensely cold. With a murmur, his figure flashed and vanished.

From the prior conversation, Yang Yan naturally knew that the two middle-aged men were Sun Tianyang's sons: the eldest named Sun Wukong, and the second named Sun Wufeng. Based on his previous spiritual probing, both of their strengths should be at the third layer of the Spirit Communication Realm.

He realized how cunning and treacherous Sun Tianyang truly was. To deal with a cultivator like himself who had only reached the peak of the Spirit Sensing Realm, he actually sent his two biological sons to handle it personally. In that sense, he certainly thought very highly of him—or perhaps it showed how much importance Sun Tianyang attached to the Treasure-Devouring Pearl.

With Yang Yan's strength, it was naturally a simple matter for him to return to his quarters ahead of Sun Wukong and Sun Wufeng. At this very moment, he sat cross-legged on his bed, waiting to catch his prey, the chill on his face entirely unmasked.

What he hated most in his life were those who betrayed their friends. Moreover, Sun Tianyang was his father's sworn brother; the two had supposedly shared life and death. Back when the Kunyang Sect was founded, his father had contributed immensely, and until the very moment of his death, his father had never suspected Sun Tianyang of harboring malicious intentions toward him.

Perhaps due to his father's open-handed and unconstrained nature, once he befriended someone, he would place absolute trust in them. Sun Tianyang had likely exploited this flaw, approaching his father with ulterior motives from the very beginning. After winning his trust, he used him to accomplish his own goals, all the while harboring designs on the Treasure-Devouring Pearl from the start.

Before long, Yang Yan sensed someone approaching his window, stealthily unlatching the door.

At this time, Yang Yan's room was unlit and plunged in pitch darkness. However, to Yang Yan, whose spiritual perception saw through the gloom with crystal clarity, the intruders were clearly identified as Sun Tianyang's two sons, Sun Wukong and Sun Wufeng.

Shortly after entering the room, Sun Wukong pulled out a flint from his bosom, ignited it, and held it aloft as he crept closer to Yang Yan's bed. When they saw the figure sitting cross-legged on the bed, coldly gazing down at them, a jolt of shock struck their hearts.

"Why were you two so slow? I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Seeing the astonished expressions on their faces, Yang Yan curved his lips into a cold arc and spoke indifferently.

"You knew we were coming?!"

Astonishment and disbelief surfaced on the faces of both Sun Wukong and Sun Wufeng as they stared fixedly at Yang Yan.

"A pack of ungrateful curs. It seems the Kunyang Sect has no reason to continue existing today."

Ignoring their questions, Yang Yan said coldly.

"Hahaha! What a whale of a sneeze—such arrogant words! In this Qing Province, the person who dares speak to us of the Kunyang Sect like that hasn't even been born yet."

Sun Wukong and Sun Wufeng first exchanged a glance. Upon hearing Yang Yan's wildly arrogant words, they were stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter, staring at each other in amusement.

Their father had already told them that the brat before them was merely a cultivator at the peak of the Spirit Sensing Realm. What on earth gave him the confidence to utter such words in front of them?

At this moment, Yang Yan appeared nothing more than an utter idiot in their eyes.

"Second Brother, make a move and capture this kid to extract the whereabouts of the Treasure-Devouring Pearl."

Sun Wukong said to Sun Wufeng beside him.

They understood that the object was of paramount importance and could not afford the slightest slip. Night dreams bring many phantoms; solving Yang Yan and obtaining the Treasure-Devouring Pearl within a short time meant their Kunyang Sect would henceforth be unstoppable in the Feiyun Empire's cultivation world.

For over a dozen years, Sun Tianyang had tirelessly sought news of the Treasure-Devouring Pearl. Once that item was in hand, he was confident he could revitalize the entire Kunyang Sect.

What he had not expected was that Yang Yan would deliver himself right to their doorstep. In his view, a Yang Yan at the peak of the Spirit Sensing Realm posed no threat whatsoever; disposing of him was even simpler than crushing an ant. The only reason he sent his two sons was to prevent the news from spreading.

Nodding in agreement, Sun Wufeng broke into a lewd grin as the two of them slowly closed in on Yang Yan.

In their eyes, Yang Yan's strength lacked any shred of threat.

Yet, facing their approaching footsteps, Yang Yan remained motionless upon the bed. It wasn't until their hands reached out to grab his shoulders that his figure suddenly vanished into thin air.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

Shock gripped the hearts of Sun Wukong and Sun Wufeng. The speed Yang Yan displayed was utterly impossible for a cultivator at the Spirit Sensing Realm to possess; even with the enhancement of movement-type martial arts techniques, achieving such terrifying swiftness was out of the question.

While internal panic surged within them, a pair of slender hands gripped the back of their necks, and a chilling voice drifted from behind.

"Move another inch, and you die!"

Hearing the voice of the Grim Reaper echoing from behind, their bodies stiffened instantly. They could feel the immense pressure emanating from Yang Yan's fingers; if they dared make the slightest unauthorized movement, their necks would undoubtedly be snapped in the next second.

"Who on earth are you?!"

Regaining their composure, cold sweat beaded on the foreheads of Sun Wukong and Sun Wufeng. By now, despite their arrogance, they realized this young man was far from ordinary.

With their cultivation at the third layer of the Spirit Communication Realm, joining forces allowed them to contend even against experts of the fourth or fifth layers. Although they had previously been caught off guard by carelessness, they knew deep down that even if they were given a chance to fight Yang Yan with all their might, they wouldn't last a single exchange.

Realizing this, the brothers felt a chill crawl up their spines. They could hardly fathom that a youth who looked only seventeen or eighteen years old possessed such cultivation.

The two of them had practiced diligently since childhood, backed by the abundant cultivation resources of the Kunyang Sect, yet they had only reached the third layer of the Spirit Communication Realm near the age of thirty-five. Such talent among their peers was considered quite remarkable.

If this youth's true strength matched his apparent age, they dared not imagine it. A boy of seventeen or eight having the terrifying power to subdue them instantly was simply a horrifying notion to share with the world.

To achieve this, a cultivator must have reached at least the seventh or eighth layer of the Spirit Communication Realm, or perhaps even its peak. Yet a boy this young, even if he had begun cultivating from his mother's womb, could never progress at such a miraculous pace.

Faced with their interrogation, Yang Yan remained silent. With a flick of his fingers, he sealed their meridians and hoisted them by the back of their necks like dead dogs as he walked toward the door.

Upon exiting the room, without bothering to conceal his presence, Yang Yan soared into the air with the two men and hovered mid-air. Vast spiritual energy surged from within his sea of consciousness, and his deep, resonant voice echoed throughout the entire Kunyang Sect.

"Old dog Sun Tianyang, get out here! Otherwise, neither of your two sons will leave today alive!"

Following Yang Yan's declaration, countless lights flickered to life across the grand hall, and alarm bells began to blare in various locations.

A moment later, a sound of rushing wind pierced the air, and Sun Tianyang appeared not far from Yang Yan with a gloomy expression. When he saw Yang Yan suspended in mid-air, a look of profound shock flashed across his face.

"Treading the void... A Spirit Sea Realm expert? How is this possible?"

Compared to Sun Tianyang's shock, his two sons—dangling helplessly in Yang Yan's grip—were already frightened out of their wits. Flight through the air was a feat exclusive to Spirit Sea Realm experts; never had they imagined that a mere seventeen-year-old youth had already attained it.

In truth, Yang Yan's method relied on a clever trick. With his cultivation having broken through to the peak of the Spirit Communication Realm, the spiritual energy within his two spiritual pivots was as full and boundless as a roaring sea. Furthermore, the cultivation technique and constitution he practiced were extraordinary. The combination of his dual spiritual pivots yielded twice the spiritual energy of a normal person's single pivot. When coupled with the fact that his spiritual power had reached the Great Success stage of the Spirit Realm, using illusory spiritual force to form a walkable spatial platform beneath his feet was a remarkably simple task.

Thus, under the control of his mind, he could hover and walk in mid-air without even needing to take a physical step.

Naturally, facing the astonished gazes of Sun Tianyang and the others, Yang Yan could not be bothered to offer an explanation. He stared coldly at Sun Tianyang and said,

"Old dog, my father treated you like an elder brother, yet you plotted against him behind his back. Have you no humanity left?"

With bloodshot eyes, Yang Yan stared fixedly at Sun Tianyang, his face filled with an unsuppressible intent to kill.

"Nephew, I have no idea what you are talking about. As long as you release my two sons, everything can be negotiated!"

With his sons in another's grasp, Sun Tianyang was naturally constrained by fear, forcing a stiff smile to his lips as he addressed Yang Yan.

Yang Yan responded with a cold laugh. Without further words, amidst the horrified gazes of the crowd, his hand swept down like a blade toward Sun Wukong's shoulder.

*Aah!*

A shrill scream pierced the air. As blood sprayed across the sky, the onlookers watched in horror as Sun Wukong's right arm was cleanly severed from the shoulder.

"Brat, you dare!"

Seeing Yang Yan act with such ruthlessness and strike without a word of warning, Sun Tianyang's expression shifted drastically as he shouted in fury.

Yet Yang Yan turned a blind eye to his threats. Ignoring the wretchedly screaming Sun Wukong in his grip, he stared once more at Sun Tianyang not far away and demanded,

"Speak! Who was the enemy that killed my father? Who instigated you to betray him? If you tell me, I can spare your corpse and perhaps, if I'm in a good mood, let your Sun family survive."

Yang Yan's voice was frigid.

"Little bastard, release my two sons right now, and perhaps I can grant you a swift death. Otherwise, once I catch you, I will slice you into a thousand pieces!"

Watching the unconscious Sun Wukong held by Yang Yan, Sun Tianyang was consumed by fury. His eyes glared at Yang Yan with the viciousness of a wild beast as he issued his threat.

"It seems you still don't understand our relationship."

Yang Yan had never been one to bow to threats. Seeing that Sun Tianyang remained obstinate, he let out a cold laugh and flicked his finger lightning-fast, striking the center of Sun Wukong's brow. An instant later, a finger-sized bloody hole appeared between his brows. The vitality in his eyes gradually faded, and his struggles finally ceased in Yang Yan's hand.

Sun Wukong was dead!

Below the sky where Yang Yan stood, hundreds of Kunyang Sect members had gathered densely. Looking at the corpse of Sun Wukong—casualy killed and tossed aside by Yang Yan—an almost unbelievable thought arose in everyone's heart.

For decades, no one had ever dared to provoke the authority of the Kunyang Sect, let alone murder the sect master's eldest son in broad daylight. Such an act was something they wouldn't even dare to dream of.

Yet the person who accomplished this was merely a seventeen-year-old youth, making the scene feel completely surreal.

"Wukong!"

Sun Tianyang let out a shrill roar, his eye sockets nearly splitting apart as he glared at Yang Yan with venomous hatred.

"Little bastard, this old man will tear you to pieces!"

Following the shrieking curse, Sun Tianyang could no longer suppress the rage and sorrow in his heart. His body moved, shooting directly toward Yang Yan.

"It seems there is no need to continue negotiating."

A cold arc curved across Yang Yan's lips. His right palm slammed fiercely into Sun Wufeng's chest. Instantly, the latter spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with shattered internal organs, his body plummeting like a kite with a broken string to crash heavily onto the ground.

"Wufeng!"

Sun Tianyang's charging figure faltered mid-air, nearly causing him to plunge straight to the ground. Clearly, Yang Yan's ruthlessness exceeded his expectations; slaying both of his sons within such a short span of time nearly drove him to vomit blood.

Consumed by overwhelming grief, his emotions instantly transformed into boundless hatred toward Yang Yan. He roared down at the dense crowd below,

"Hear my order, all members of the Kunyang Sect! Whoever slaughters this brat shall be named the new sect master!"

As Sun Tianyang's words fell, a strange silence gripped the scene, instantly followed by an earth-shattering battle cry.

Though shaken by Yang Yan's ruthlessness, men die for wealth just as birds die for food, especially with a reward as monumental as the position of the Kunyang Sect master. Driven by greed, they surged toward Yang Yan like a swarm of madmen.

Some Spirit Communication Realm experts borrowed the force of the ground to leap briefly into the air and launch attacks at Yang Yan, while others channeled their internal spiritual energy, unleashing wave after wave of externalized attacks toward him.

In an instant, the area below resembled a display of fireworks. Multicolored streams of spiritual energy surged like tidal waves, bombarding the figure suspended in mid-air.

Faced with this tidal wave of assaults, a cruel smile played on Yang Yan's lips. With a virtual grab of his right hand, the boundless energy of the external world poured endlessly into his palm, coalescing beneath him into a massive energy handprint nearly a hundred feet wide, which he slammed fiercely down upon the densely packed crowd below.

Countless beams of spiritual energy smashed into the giant handprint, yet they failed to produce the slightest effect; not even the downward momentum of the handprint slowed by a fraction.