Chapter 482 - 236: Illusory Dream Celestial Crystal

Chapter 482: Chapter 236: Illusory Dream Celestial Crystal

The great families were a name feared by all.

However, the Cold Mountain Elder himself walked the line between righteous and evil and had no worldly attachments. He had but one promising Closed-door Disciple, in whom he had placed all his hopes, viewing him as the sole heir to his legacy. If his disciple were lost here... an unfettered Cold Mountain Elder would likely care little for the status of any great family.

Yao Yuzhi keenly perceived the look in the Cold Mountain Elder’s eyes, and his brow furrowed tightly.

’A situation like this is the most troublesome.’

His expression grim, he asked Wang Junlin, who stood beside him:

"Elder Junlin, is Patriarch Wang on his way?"

A strange look crossed Wang Junlin’s face before he answered in a low voice:

"The Patriarch is occupied and cannot get away."

"Cannot get away?"

Yao Yuzhi was taken aback.

"Is Patriarch Wang in seclusion? Has he had another breakthrough?"

’He’s already a Grandmaster, ranked fourth on the Celestial Dragon List. Can Wang Yuzhi really be advancing so quickly?’

Complex thoughts swirled in Yao Yuzhi’s mind as the idea came to him unbidden.

’Otherwise, with his own son—Wang Qiwen, the Wang family’s most famous prodigy—trapped, Wang Yuzhi would have certainly come to see for himself. The only exception would be a critical, life-or-death seclusion for a breakthrough.’

’If a Grandmaster were to act, feats that seem impossible to ordinary people become trivial. Most of the people trapped in these ruins could probably be saved.’

’He and Wang Yuzhi were of the same generation, but even back when they first made their names as youths, they were never in the same league...’

But after so many years, having taken charge of the Yao family, weathered its upheavals, and witnessed the ways of the world, those old feelings were nothing more than a wisp of smoke on the surface of his heart, quickly dissipating.

Wang Junlin shook his head, a strange note in his voice.

"The Patriarch isn’t in seclusion. He just said that it’s nothing serious and that they’ll be out soon."

Yao Yuzhi froze. ’Did Wang Yuzhi know about this all along?’

’Or can a Grandmaster truly perceive the workings of fate and foresee such events?’

The Yao family was currently in a weakened state. But even in the decades before the turmoil of the Eight Sects, the Yao family never produced a Grandmaster.

’Without a Grandmaster to hold the fort, we can’t be considered a power capable of shaping the world... What a pity. The family’s most promising Grandmaster at the time was brutally slain by that Demoness.’

As Yao Yuzhi was analyzing the meaning behind Wang Yuzhi’s words and considering how to mitigate the fallout from this incident to continue strengthening the Yao family, he suddenly felt a breeze rise from the lake.

The breeze quickly grew into a strong wind. Waves churned in the center of the lake as the water level began to sink, forming a strange, inverted vortex.

The experts gathered around Jianzhen Lake all focused their gazes, their spirits on high alert as they quietly observed the strange phenomenon. Many even craned their necks, their faces a mixture of anticipation and unease.

Several figures suddenly emerged, spinning up from the vortex. On closer inspection, they were boatmen.

The boatmen had been dead for days. Their bodies were decaying, their faces contorted in death. Most appeared to have drowned, but one had a caved-in chest, clearly the result of an attack.

Everyone present was an expert, including several Grandmasters. They understood what had happened in a single glance. Their gazes swept impassively over the members of the Yao family as they all thought to themselves:

’This isn’t the first time they’ve ferried geniuses into the lake. Why the need to silence the boatmen?’

’There really is a conspiracy this time.’

Although killing a few commoners meant little to a great family, this seemed to be part of a plot targeting others. The various powers present grew wary of the Yao family.

The expressions on the faces of the Yao family members were stiff. It was one thing to do something, but another entirely to have it exposed in public. With everyone already suspicious of them, this new development meant they couldn’t clear their name even if they jumped into the Great River.

Wang Junlin remained silent. Beside him, Yao Yuzhi looked as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just sighed.

"Elder Junlin, I hope you and Patriarch Wang understand that my Yao family has absolutely no intention of targeting Nephew Qiwen."

"I know."

Wang Junlin replied noncommittally. After all, the Yao family wouldn’t dare provoke the Wang family without cause.

’But regardless of their scheme, it ended up affecting everyone else and creating this crisis. Naturally, the blame would fall on them.’

Yao Yuzhi shook his head. He understood this as well.

’Although he didn’t believe the anomaly was caused by Qian Yangsheng trying to ambush Xie Yuan, any explanation would be useless. After all, even he didn’t know the true cause.’

After the boatmen, a hazy light flickered at the center of the vortex, which then spat out more than ten figures one after another.

The eyes of the Grandmasters on Jianzhen Lake lit up, and they exclaimed in joy:

"My disciple!"

"Third Brother is out!"

"Qiwen!"

The Grandmasters became blurs as they shot toward the vortex to retrieve their disciples and juniors.

But not every group had sent a Grandmaster. For instance, the disciples from more distant Sects like the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect and Jining Academy were simply tossed out by the vortex, spinning and bobbing on the lake’s surface.

SPLASH! Qin Zhenyang burst from the water. A powerful energy radiated from him, instantly vaporizing every drop of water on his body.

He then hoisted up the nearby Xie Yuan and activated his Body Technique, moving toward the shore as if gliding across the water’s surface.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over Qin Zhenyang as an imposing figure appeared before him.

With Xie Yuan on his back, Qin Zhenyang halted. He looked at Yao Yuzhi and said in a low, serious voice:

"Patriarch Yao, my junior brother is unconscious. I must take him back for treatment. I will report the events that have transpired here to my master."

Yao Yuzhi paused. His deep gaze swept over the slumbering Xie Yuan on Qin Zhenyang’s back, lingering for a moment. Then, he abruptly stepped aside.

"Nephew Qin, you have suffered. I came specifically to see if you were injured. This incident was truly an accident. I will write to Sect Leader Li myself to give him a full account."

Qin Zhenyang glanced at the seemingly courteous Yao Yuzhi. The Patriarch’s face was a placid mask, revealing no hint of his thoughts or feelings.

He nodded.

"Thank you for your concern, Patriarch Yao. I will be taking my leave now."