The moment the Corpse Worm Pill was destroyed, its creator would inevitably suffer a backlash. This was an ironclad rule.

「In a certain villa of the Wang Family in Thunder City.」

Tang Chuan was playing chess with his father, Tang Wenqiang, when he suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. It splattered across the entire chessboard, startling his father.

"Chuan, what’s wrong with you!"

Tang Wenqiang panicked, noticing Tang Chuan’s complexion had become extremely unsightly and deathly pale.

"Someone destroyed my Corpse Worm Pill!" Tang Chuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said through clenched teeth.

The Corpse Worm Pill required one’s own Essence Blood to refine. If it was destroyed, the creator would also be injured. Therefore, Tang Chuan was always very careful with its use.

Ever since he learned to create the Corpse Worm Pill, he had only used it on two people. The first had already been killed by it, and the second was Ye Qianqian’s mother, Zhao Huan.

He had learned this Evil Technique from the Blood Lotus Sect, where it was rumored that no one in the entire Dragon Country could counter or destroy it.

But why has it been destroyed now, causing me to suffer a backlash? Although the situation isn’t as severe as I imagined...

This kind of backlash would destabilize his Realm and his Dao heart, and could even cause severe problems in his Cultivation.

I have to kill this person! I must kill this person! To think the Zhao Family managed to find such an expert! This is truly unexpected!

Tang Chuan suddenly thought of something and immediately called the men he had placed within the Zhao Family, but the line was busy and no one answered.

Clearly, something had gone wrong. The Corpse Worm Pill was destroyed, and the experts I sent were killed. When did such a terrifying existence appear in Thunder City? Someone told me to be careful before, but I paid it no mind. Thinking back on it now, it’s actually rather frightening.

"Who! Who could it be! We investigated the Zhao Family’s background. They couldn’t possibly have such an expert. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have chosen to make the Zhao Family our puppets."

Tang Wenqiang also furrowed his brow.

"Dad, this matter is quite troublesome. Could you send your experts to investigate and find out who is helping the Zhao Family? Otherwise, our plans will be obstructed," Tang Chuan said.

"No." Tang Wenqiang shook his head. "The experts I brought are treasures of the Tang Family and cannot be risked needlessly. It’s better to leave this to your Sect. Isn’t the Blood Lotus Sect the best at intelligence gathering and assassinations? This is a perfect job for them. We’ll just have to pay their price."

Tang Chuan nodded. "That’s a good idea. I’ll call my master right away and ask him to send someone. We just need to offer them something in return."

「Meanwhile, Yang Qi was unaware of Tang Chuan and Tang Wenqiang’s decision.」

Seeing Zhao Huan’s complexion gradually improve, Yang Qi smiled. "You’re all right now. As for the Tang Family, you don’t need to worry too much. I’ll find a way to deal with them."

Yang Qi thought of his woman, Lin Qingxuan. Uncle Jian always seems to be nearby, but I don’t want to rely on his power too much. After all, to be worthy of Lin Qingxuan, I need to become stronger myself. Otherwise, it’s all meaningless.

"Yang Qi, thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what I would have done," Zhao Huan said, filled with immense gratitude. Although she and her family had been kind to Yang Qi in the past, it had been out of pity for the boy. They never expected him to grow up and bring them so many wonderful surprises. Not only had he made her son a chairman, but he had also given them a life they had never dared to dream of before. Deep down, they were grateful beyond words.

"There’s nothing to thank me for. We’re all family. Qianqian, take good care of your godmother. I’m heading back now; there’s a meeting tonight I need to prepare for."

Yang Qi smiled, then turned and left.

As soon as he walked out the door, he sensed something was amiss—someone was following him. As a Cultivator, his Divine Thought was incredibly powerful, since Cultivators simultaneously train their Primordial Spirit, Spiritual Power, and body. This was different from Martial Artists, whose cultivation lacked the tempering of the Primordial Spirit.

I don’t know who you are, but since you want to make a move on me, I might as well give you an opportunity.

Yang Qi smiled to himself and began walking toward a less-populated area. Soon, he had left the city proper and arrived at the outskirts, where a large expanse of unfinished buildings stood.

Yang Qi suddenly stopped. He took out a piece of gum, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth. "Come out," he said. "I don’t know who you are, but hiding is useless if you want to kill me."

The other party didn’t respond, evidently cautious and thinking that Yang Qi was just trying to bait him out.

Yang Qi smiled and stood his ground, casually moving his hand in a motion the other party failed to notice.

A man in a trench coat, wrapped up tightly, hid in the darkness, considering his next move. Did he really spot me? I can’t move. He might just be trying to bait me. If I reveal myself now, the mission is a failure.

Without a sound, a cold glint appeared behind the man.

SHHNK!

The cold glint flashed, piercing straight through the man’s throat. His eyes widened. He wanted to scream but couldn’t make a sound, dying without ever understanding how he was killed.

Yang Qi retracted his Magic Artifact, a copper sword. He then walked over to the man and incinerated the corpse.

You get used to this sort of thing after doing it enough times. The Blood Lotus Sect? Yang Qi noticed that after the body was incinerated, a lotus-shaped chip fell to the ground. It’s rumored that the Blood Lotus Sect implants such chips into each of its members, usually in the brain. If an assassin considers a mission a failure, the chip can be detonated—a terrifying prospect. It looks like someone hired an assassin to deal with me. The Tang Family? The King of Jingnan? Or someone else entirely? A Ninth Rank Great Grandmaster. Decent Combat Power, but that’s hardly enough to kill me. Unless... he wasn’t the only assassin, and this one was just responsible for tailing me.

Yang Qi analyzed the situation and suddenly smiled. I have a meeting tonight. I can’t let these assassins ruin my mood. I’d better take care of them first.

With that, he turned and left.

Elsewhere in Thunder City, along a path Yang Qi was bound to take, two men in identical trench coats hid in the darkness, whispering to each other.

"Second Brother, what is the Sect thinking, sending all five of us to assassinate some kid? He’s only twenty-five. How strong can he possibly be?" a slender man complained. "Isn’t this overkill? It’s like they’re looking down on us. With this kind of time, we could be out enjoying ourselves."