"The three of them splitting like this is probably to keep an eye on the three of us, after all, the three of us represent the Zhou Family."

Zhou Liecheng sighed and said, "To take control of the Zhou Family, it's not enough to just control the Great Patriarch. They would also need to keep us under control, or… eliminate two of us and leave one obedient one behind!"

Jiang Chen glanced at Zhou Liecheng and said softly, "This is not the time to be sorrowful, Liecheng. There's one thing I still don't quite understand."

"Mr. Jiang, please speak!" Zhou Liecheng sat up straight and looked directly at Jiang Chen.

"This schism in your family… what's really going on? Did you truly split from your father?" Jiang Chen frowned. "If that's the case, then couldn't it mean your father…"

"No, no, no!"

Zhou Liecheng hurriedly waved his hand. "That's not it, Mr. Jiang, don't misunderstand. The split between my father and me, and even Grandpa allowing us to fight for power, were all part of our plan!"

"A… plan?!"

Everyone looked at Zhou Liecheng in astonishment.

Zhou Liecheng nodded slightly. "Yes, a plan! Ever since we learned that the Great Patriarch was being controlled, we've been devising ways to respond. We knew the Second Patriarch would keep a close eye on us, and we anticipated he would send his worshippers to monitor us. However, we never suspected the entire family of the Second Granduncle would be involved..."

After a brief pause, Zhou Liecheng continued, "Fortunately, only the three of us knew about our plan. My father and I deliberately staged this split to stir up chaos and draw the attention of the Huangluo Clan and the Yue Family. That way, I could use the excuse of seeking external support to invite powerful experts from different factions."

"Coincidentally, when Leng Ming descended into the mortal world and came to our family to pay respects, I mentioned this to him, inviting his family's patriarch. Later, at the Yue Family patriarch's birthday celebration, I also invited Mr. Jiang and requested the Yue Family patriarch's presence."

Jiang Chen nodded lightly. "So that's how it is! You invited me with the intent to reach the Five Great Families along the Yangtze, is that right?"

"Not exactly. Although some of those families must have hidden Saint Realm experts, they would never make a move unless their families were on the brink of extinction."

Zhou Liecheng cast a look full of hope at Jiang Chen. "I invited you, Mr. Jiang, because I heard you have a good relationship with the Flame Dragon Group. After all, we need at least three Saint Realm experts. If only the patriarchs of the two families join us, I'm afraid…"

Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "As for Saint Realm experts from the Flame Dragon Group, it's best you don't count on them. The Dragon Saint Senior isn't with Flame Dragon."

"Not with Flame Dragon?!" Zhou Liecheng exclaimed, his face turning pale.

"However…"

Jiang Chen raised his head and looked at Pu Liang and the others. "At this point, you can only rely on your two families to act with full force!"

"Understood, I'll contact the family right away!"

Pu Liang nodded, taking out his phone to make a call.

Yue Shaoting also didn't hesitate and began dialing a number.

"This…" Zhou Liecheng was momentarily stunned.

Jiang Chen gave a mysterious smile. "You'll see soon enough. Go on with your plan. Your family's patriarch is trapped in the back mountain; are you suggesting we force our way in?"

"There's no need for that!"

Zhou Liecheng shook his head. "Now that the family's becoming worldly, the Ancestor Worship Ceremony is held to suppress the affiliated families and…"

He turned slightly, giving an apologetic glance at Leng Ming and the others, before continuing, "Most importantly, to intimidate the two hidden clans, the Great Patriarch must show up. The Soul Devouring Group hasn't completely controlled the Great Patriarch yet, and he wouldn't dare to take extreme actions out of concern for the family's survival. As such, they will definitely have him appear, and that's when we make our move!"

"Alright, we'll do as you said!" Jiang Chen nodded slightly.

Ding-dong!

The doorbell rang suddenly.

Yan Hu stood up and opened the door. Upon seeing who was standing at the entrance, a frosty glint flashed in his eyes, and he barked, "Get in here!"

Zhou Liegang and Liu Tiancheng's faces shifted, and they reluctantly stepped into the room.

"Apologize to Mr. Jiang immediately!" Zhou Liecheng coldly commanded, staring at the two with utter disdain.

"I'm sorry!"

"I'm sorry!"

The two muttered through gritted teeth, their faces filled with humiliation.

"Not satisfied, are you? Speak louder!"

Zhou Liecheng shouted furiously, looking at Zhou Liegang with eyes filled with bitter disappointment.

"Big brother!"

Zhou Liegang glared at Zhou Liecheng with unwillingness in his eyes.

Buzz!

Suddenly, a mysterious yet distant pressure emanated from Jiang Chen, as a burst of triple-colored mysterious light engulfed Zhou Liegang.

Pu Liang and the others were visibly shocked. Staring at Jiang Chen with astonishment, they found the mysterious light eerily similar to the celestial radiance that descends during a breakthrough!

"Ah!"

Zhou Liegang let out a pained scream.

As soon as the radiant light shone on him, faint black mist began seeping out from his body. The center of his forehead slightly bulged, as though something was trying to burst free!

This...

Jiang Chen blinked in surprise. What was going on?

Previously, when touched by the golden light, the black mist would only dissipate or be drawn out, but now it seemed to trigger a violent reaction. Even the Soul Devouring Seed seemed to be bursting out, as if it were terrified of something!

Could it be… that the Heaven and Earth Dragon Origin Qi was even more suppressive against the Soul Devouring Black Mist than Dragon Qi?!

If so, that would be excellent!

Jiang Chen's eyes lit up, excitement flashing within him.

"The Soul Devouring Black Mist!"

Zhou Liecheng shot to his feet, his face ashen, murmuring in disbelief. Imagining it was one thing, but seeing it firsthand was entirely different!

Leng Ming and the others' expressions turned dark, as a bone-chilling killing intent radiated from each of them.

"Ah! I'll kill you!"

Zhou Liegang's face twisted in rage as he lunged at Jiang Chen.

Bang!

A dull thud sounded as Yan Hu's swift kick landed squarely on Zhou Liegang's waist, sending him crashing to the ground!

Poof!

Zhou Liegang spat out a mouthful of blood, black mist pouring more rapidly from his body. As the mist emerged, the triple-colored light swiftly nullified it to nothingness!

"Spirit You, he's yours now!"

Jiang Chen withdrew the light and his aura, speaking nonchalantly.

"Understood!"

Spirit You stepped forward, grabbing Zhou Liegang by the collar and dragging him into the suite's bathroom.

Thud!

A heavy noise echoed from within, and Liu Tiancheng suddenly dropped to his knees, his face pale as he pleaded with Jiang Chen in a trembling voice:

"Mr. Jiang, Mr. Jiang, I was wrong! I was wrong! I swear I'll never do it again! I'm not with him—I'm really not! Please spare me! I don't know what that black mist is or what it does. I'll do anything! I'll even kowtow, just please let me off!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Before Jiang Chen could respond, Liu Tiancheng began slamming his head into the ground repeatedly, the sound echoing sharply across the room!

...

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