Chapter 381 - 298: Profound Gains

Chapter 381: Chapter 298: Profound Gains

With that said, Zhang Tianwen took a deep breath. His voice was heavy, and a flicker of grief and guilt flashed in his eyes.

"This matter will not be dropped so easily. Rest assured, the Wanxiang Sect is not some pushover that can be bullied by just anyone. Since they dared to ambush and try to kill you, they will pay the price. The sect will ensure you get justice and will protect you."

Lu Ruikai stepped forward, helped Zhang Tianwen to his feet, and said in a firm voice.

"However, Dark Stream has always been motivated by profit. To mobilize a Golden Core expert, the payment must have been substantial. If there was a client behind this, who could it be?"

"The client behind this..."

At this question, Zhang Tianwen fell silent. He eventually shook his head slowly, saying nothing.

Seeing this, Lu Ruikai sighed heavily. He waved a dismissive hand and rubbed his brow as he spoke.

"Alright, you don’t need to worry too much about this. The sect will handle it. We will notify you of any news or subsequent actions."

With that, Lu Ruikai paused. He glanced at Zheng Tianheng, swallowed, and continued, "If there’s nothing else, just rest and recuperate in the sect for the next few days. By the way, Changsheng, stay behind for a moment."

"Yes, thank you, Sect Leader."

Hearing this, Zhang Tianwen and the other two said no more. With a sigh of relief, they clasped their fists and respectfully took their leave. They glanced at Yu Changsheng, and he offered them a reassuring look in return.

And so, only Yu Changsheng, Zheng Tianheng, and Lu Ruikai remained in the Sect Hall.

"Changsheng, go ahead and speak. I saw you hesitating just now. Is there something you wanted to say?"

Yu Changsheng clasped his fists, a respectful expression on his face, and began to speak in a low voice.

"I only have a few suspicions. These people from Dark Stream had a clear target and a very specific objective. Their client..."

Yu Changsheng paused here for a couple of seconds before continuing, "I believe the Yang Family must be involved."

"The Yang Family?"

Lu Ruikai was taken aback. He fell into thought, nodding after a long moment. He said to Yu Changsheng, "It’s good that you suspect them. In fact, I suspect them as well, but..."

"The Yang Family is, after all, a massive and powerful clan. Their influence is no weaker than our Wanxiang Sect’s. If this is merely a suspicion with no concrete evidence to back it up, there’s not much the sect can say or do."

As Lu Ruikai spoke, his gaze darkened almost imperceptibly, his tone tinged with helplessness.

Yu Changsheng was silent. After a moment, he shook his head without speaking. He wasn’t surprised by this outcome.

’The only piece of evidence that could have implicated the Yang Family chose to self-destruct. Now there’s really no way to prove who was involved.’

’It’s true. In the end, this all comes down to a lack of strength. If I were strong enough, why would I have to be so timid and cautious?’

After muttering to himself, Yu Changsheng clenched his fists discreetly. His gaze returned to a state of calm as he spoke softly.

"I understand. It is only a suspicion."

"Mm," Zheng Tianheng said, his eyes flickering as he looked at Yu Changsheng. After a moment, he sighed. "I hope you can understand this outcome. You are a prodigy of our Wanxiang Sect. No matter what, this incident will not be so easily forgotten..."

"Without a just cause, even if you have your suspicions, we can’t just move against the Yang Family and demand an explanation. However, Dark Stream’s involvement is irrefutable. That organization has been active for far too long. It’s about time we cracked down on them."

As Zheng Tianheng finished, his gaze turned abruptly cold, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.

Hearing this, Yu Changsheng looked up at Zheng Tianheng, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Seeing his hesitation, Lu Ruikai chuckled softly and said, "You’re wondering if we aren’t afraid of offending the Profound Yin Sect, since they’re the ones backing Dark Stream, right?"

The Profound Yin Sect’s involvement with Dark Stream was a matter unknown to ordinary people, but for the upper echelons of the Three Gates and Six Sects, it was more or less an open secret.

However, the Profound Yin Sect would never admit to such things, so nothing was ever brought out into the open.

Yu Changsheng nodded, recalling Yan Ta, whom he had killed, as he waited for Lu Ruikai to continue.

"Even if the Profound Yin Sect is involved with Dark Stream, their actions over the years have earned them the disgust of many other powers. Besides, an organization like Dark Stream can’t operate in the light of day. We have just cause for our actions, so even if we do something, the Profound Yin Sect won’t be able to say a thing."

"What’s more, we’re not the only power that wants to see Dark Stream disappear. Even if the Profound Yin Sect wants to intervene, they have no legitimate reason to do so and will have to think twice."

Lu Ruikai explained with a faint smile.

"In any case, rest assured that this matter won’t end here. If there are any other operations, you will be notified at that time."

"Understood. Thank you, Sect Leader. In that case, I will take my leave." Yu Changsheng nodded without another word.

"Go on. If you need anything, just let us know."

Lu Ruikai considered for a moment, his eyes flashing with a keen light as he looked at Yu Changsheng. His smile was amiable as he spoke in a gentle voice.

Yu Changsheng didn’t delay any further. He gave a cupped-fist bow and departed. Zheng Tianheng watched his retreating back, his expression calm and his gaze profound, and suddenly spoke.

"That kid... As Elder Wei’s disciple, I find him more and more inscrutable."

Lu Ruikai shrugged and chuckled. "Indeed. I’m quite surprised myself. It just goes to show that Elder Wei has excellent judgment."

"Mm," Zheng Tianheng began, but after a moment, he simply shook his head. "It seems he had some other fortunate encounter at Huishui Mountain. The number of his Spirit Platforms... if I’m not mistaken, I’m afraid it has already reached the Ninth Floor, hasn’t it?"

Lu Ruikai’s smile widened at his words. "Who knows? He has his own destiny. We’ll help where we can and provide whatever resources he needs, but ultimately, it’s all up to him."

"Then again, the boy is growing remarkably fast. He hasn’t been in the sect for long, but it looks like he’s already on the verge of reaching Golden Core."

"Among the younger generation of disciples, he’s the only one I can’t see through. We’ll have to pay more attention in the future to avoid another incident like what happened to Zhang Tianwen of Beast Taming Peak. That was a slap in our face!"

"The Five Peaks may compete amongst themselves, but we are ultimately one body. The Wanxiang Sect would be incomplete without any one of its peaks."

Lu Ruikai’s eyes narrowed, a flash of killing intent passing through them.

Zheng Tianheng took a deep breath, looking at Lu Ruikai with a hint of surprise. "You’re not wrong..."

Zheng Tianheng thought for a moment and added, "From now on, let’s keep a closer eye on them. They are our sect’s prodigies, the next generation. We must protect them well and do our best to avoid any more of these... accidents."

"Mm. If anyone dares to use their greater strength to bully our juniors, they shouldn’t blame us for playing the same game."

...

’Profound Yin Sect, Dark Stream... the Yang Family, the Spirit Dragon Sect...’

’So many powers are mixed up in this. The atmosphere in Wuzhou has been tense recently. Could they be the ones stirring everything up?’

After leaving the Sect Hall, Yu Changsheng mentally reviewed all the information. He let out a long breath and shook his head, casting aside the messy thoughts.

’Forget it. I’ll leave these things for the sect to handle. Being so weak, I have to be cautious about everything I do...’

Just as Yu Changsheng was thinking this, a thought stirred in his mind, and a voice, ancient and vast, echoed in his head.

"Come see me at the Beast Garden."

Yu Changsheng froze for a second, then his face lit up with joy.

’Master?’

The owner of the voice was none other than Elder Wei, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Without delay, his heart filled with excitement, Yu Changsheng sped all the way toward the Beast Garden. He arrived a short time later to find Elder Wei lying leisurely in the Spirit Beast Garden, basking in the sun.

"Master. You’re back."

Yu Changsheng took two steps forward, a look of genuine concern and affection appearing on his face as he looked at Elder Wei.

"Mm. If I didn’t come back soon, I was afraid my disciple would be bullied into running away."

Elder Wei chuckled as he stood up. He looked at Yu Changsheng, a hint of affection and nostalgia flashing in his eyes.