Why is the head of the Li Family, the top martial artist in Haiyu City, appearing here?

Jing Hai was dumbfounded!

Yesterday he was healing his wounds in his room and naturally didn’t know about Li Yuntao’s visit. At this moment, his gaze shifted from Li Yuntao to Mu Qingge and he felt she seemed even more imposing and formidable... Just being in Haiyu City for one day, she could make the Li Family Head personally visit. This is simply defying the heavens!

Jing Hai’s young mind had just experienced killing and before he could develop any trauma from it, it was shattered by the appearance of Li Yuntao.

"Oh? Someone came here recklessly to disturb Young Master Mu’s rest?" Li Yuntao’s eyes turned cold as he glanced at the corpse on the ground.

Jing Hai noticed that Li Yuntao never questioned the murder from start to finish.

It was as if, in his eyes, killing was the most normal thing.

"It’s all settled." Mu Qingge casually remarked and said to Li Yuntao, "Please have a seat, Family Head Li." As she spoke, she was already pouring tea from a teapot.

Li Yuntao walked over as instructed but did not forget to order the house servants outside the door, "Someone come and clean this place up."

As soon as he finished speaking, two house servants from the Li Family walked in from outside, and even at the sight of the corpse, they were not panicked but skillfully dragged the body out and fetched water to wipe the blood-stained floor.

Jing Hai stood dumbfounded on one side, watching their actions, and the fear of killing for the first time gradually calmed down.

At this moment, he seemed to truly realize that in the world he longed for, life and death were the most common things. As long as he left the small fishing village and decided to step into this world, it would be either he kills someone or someone kills him.

This realization made Jing Hai’s thoughts suddenly mature a lot.

He was no longer the simple boy from the fishing village who looked outward and longed for the strong. He began to realize the cruelty of this world.

If you are not strong, no one will take your life seriously!

Jing Hai looked at the floor slowly being cleaned and asked himself more than once, ’If I were the one killed, I would probably be cleaned up just like this.’

"Is there something, Family Head Li, that brought you here so early?" Mu Qingge raised the teacup to her lips, gently blew, and asked.

The Family Head Li nodded, "I came over today mainly to invite Young Master Mu to meet someone."

"Oh?" Mu Qingge put down the teacup with a half-smile, and her eyes flickered as she looked at Li Yuntao, "Family Head Li wants me to meet someone from the Bai Family?"

As soon as she said this, the depths of Li Yuntao’s eyes subtly contracted.

Even Jing Hai noticed a slight change in his expression, as if frightened by his master’s words.

Although Mu Qingge had not yet accepted him as a disciple, Jing Hai also remembered Mu Qingge’s words, ’To become my disciple, you must first have the courage to kill.’ Now that he’s killed, does this mean he qualifies? Jing Hai automatically labeled himself as Mu Qingge’s disciple in his heart.

Once Li Yuntao’s expression returned to normal, he smiled slightly, and a hint of apprehension appeared in his eyes as he looked at Mu Qingge: "Haha, indeed, nothing escapes Young Master Mu’s notice."

Mu Qingge chuckled lightly, "Family Head Li overpraises. When I first entered the city, I heard about the Dou Family recruiting house servants, which was because the Li Family and Bai Family had recruited many floating guests, triggering it."

Hearing this, Li Yuntao showed an expression of admiration and complimented Mu Qingge, "Even so, for Young Master Mu to guess that the Bai Family and I are secretly allied from such snippets is truly remarkable. At least, people from the Dou Family couldn’t guess it."

After speaking, he glanced at Xie Ya and Jing Hai, then used his gaze to inquire of Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge understood the implication in his eyes and smiled at him, "Family Head Li need not worry, they are all our own people."

Since Mu Qingge said this, Li Yuntao didn’t hesitate anymore. He continued, "Yesterday I already expressed my thoughts to Young Master Mu, today let’s meet the Bai Family’s Family Head, consider it a head-on meeting to discuss a plan. Success or failure will be decided in these few days."

"Alright." Mu Qingge agreed readily.

Seeing Mu Qingge agree, Li Yuntao immediately stood up, glanced at Xie Ya and Jing Hai, and said, "In that case, I’ll wait for Young Master Mu outside the inn."

He wisely left Mu Qingge some time, because he knew inside that his sudden appearance had interrupted the ongoing matters.

After Li Yuntao left, there were only Mu Qingge and the other two in the room again.

Jing Hai knelt once more in front of Mu Qingge, bowing his head three times earnestly and said, "Master, please accept a bow from your disciple."

After he finished bowing, Mu Qingge calmly said, "To be my disciple, the training you’ll undergo will only be more brutal than you imagine, and there will be no chance of quitting. If there comes a day when you betray me, I will kill you myself without hesitation. Conversely, if your training doesn’t meet my standards, you will leave automatically. Also, don’t call me Master, call me Instructor."

"Instructor?" Jing Hai mumbled this unfamiliar term in a daze.

"Yes." Mu Qingge nodded almost imperceptibly. Compared to terms like Master or Teacher, she found ’Instructor’ more pleasing to the ear. Could this be a past life effect?

Mu Qingge stood up from the chair and said to him, "Do you remember what I said?"

"I remember, Instructor!" Jing Hai nodded seriously, his delicate face tightening into a line, shining with a maturity beyond his years.

The innocence between his eyebrows seemed to have retreated overnight.

"You two, follow me." Mu Qingge dropped these words and walked out of the room.

Xie Ya immediately followed, with Jing Hai next to her, secretly asking, "Sister, should I call you Madam in the future?"

Xie Ya blushed, recalling the incident when Mu Qingge asked Jing Hai to go along with the mistake. She feigned calmness and said, "No need, you can just call me Sister."

"Huh?" Jing Hai’s thoughts were turned upside down.

Seeing his bewildered face, Xie Ya had to explain lightly, "I am not his wife, just his servant."

With one sentence, she clarified her relationship with Mu Qingge, also allowing Jing Hai to hear the faint sadness in her words.

He originally thought that such a beautiful, fairy-like sister was his master’s wife, but unexpectedly, she was just a servant? Suddenly, Jing Hai was filled with curiosity about his instructor master.

The two followed Mu Qingge out of the inn, and outside the inn, Li Yuntao sat waiting in a lavish carriage pulled by a Spirit Beast.

This Spiritual Beast Car was not comparable to the car of Second Uncle Jia from the Jia Family.

Even the Spirit Beasts pulling the car were not of the same level.

Let alone the carriage, which was beautifully and solidly decorated.

Mu Qingge glanced over it indifferently, feeling an endless sense of awe. In Linchuan, Spirit Beasts were such terrifying existences to the common people. Yet in the Middle Ancient Realm, Spirit Beasts were driven by humans at will, no different from the domesticated animals in their homes.

When Mu Qingge and the others appeared, Li Yuntao also lifted the curtain in the carriage.

He nodded lightly to Mu Qingge, who then boarded the carriage. Xie Ya also followed inside, while Jing Hai sensibly sat beside the driver, not entering the carriage.

Once everyone was in place, the driver steered the Spirit Beast, slowly leaving the inn.

The direction the carriage was heading was not towards the Bai Family’s residence, but to an estate outside the city.

The estate was situated in a secluded, secretive location, making it a good place for a confidential meeting.

On the way, Li Yuntao introduced the place to Mu Qingge, "This estate is one of my properties, surrounded by Li Family members, making it virtually inaccessible to outsiders. It’s the safest place to discuss a major issue like this."

Mu Qingge nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

In fact, the so-called security is all relative.

Just like the so-called strength is also relative, not absolute.

"Young Master Mu, my original intention was to first unite with the Bai Family to eradicate the Dou Family, thereby weakening the Bai Family’s strength. Then, taking advantage of their unpreparedness, we could seize the Bai Family. Today, I didn’t intend for you to meet with people from the Bai Family, but they received news of my meeting with you and guessed I intended to recruit you, so they demanded to see you once." Li Yuntao said to Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge chuckled, "After meeting me, they’ll first try intimidation to make me give up the interests. If that doesn’t work, they’ll talk about the division of benefits, right?"

Li Yuntao’s face showed no embarrassment. Instead, he nodded to Mu Qingge’s words, comforting, "Don’t worry, Young Master Mu, I will fulfill what I promised you. When you see the people from the Bai Family, no matter what they say, don’t mind it."

Mu Qingge smiled but said nothing, shifting her gaze from Li Yuntao to the window outside.

Li Yuntao’s plans were clear to her.

By drawing her into the game, how it would proceed would not be up to them to decide.

The carriage drove into the estate.

Inside the estate, perhaps to prevent eavesdropping, there seemed to be hardly anyone around.

After getting off the car, Mu Qingge and the others were personally led by Li Yuntao towards the conference flower hall.

When they arrived, two people were already seated in the flower hall.

The two bore some resemblance, though their ages differed by more than twenty years. It was easy to see they were a father and son pair.

Upon seeing Li Yuntao enter, the two stood up from their chairs, and upon seeing Mu Qingge and the others, they did not conceal the trace of disdain in their expressions, then sat back down.

It seems they completely look down on Mu Qingge and the other two.

Mu Qingge didn’t care in the slightest about such a meeting. She merely found a place to sit with Xie Ya and Jing Hai.

As they just sat down, they felt two burning gazes fall on them.

Slightly raising her eyes, she saw the young master of the Bai Family staring intensely at Xie Ya. Meanwhile, Xie Ya frowned impatiently and slightly shifted her body, avoiding that scorching gaze.

If it weren’t for not wanting to disrupt Mu Qingge’s affairs, Xie Ya would have already made a move to teach this bold fellow a lesson.

"Let me introduce everyone. These two are the Bai Family head, Bai Jingteng, and the young master, Bai Xiao. This is Mu Qingge, Young Master Mu..."

"Is Young Master Bai very interested in the woman beside me?" Mu Qingge suddenly interrupted Li Yuntao.

These words came with an air of youthful jealousy.

Li Yuntao looked at Mu Qingge in surprise. In their previous interactions, he had never noticed Mu Qingge as someone who would compete for beauty out of jealousy.

Meanwhile, Bai Xiao, upon hearing this, merely paused for a moment before nodding unabashedly, "Indeed. This Young Master has taken a liking to her. So what? Is Young Master Mu willing to let go?"

Bai Jingteng did not stop his son’s antics, seemingly intending to let his son show this outsider Mu Qingge a harsh lesson.

Li Yuntao, unable to fathom Mu Qingge’s intention, could only respond with silence. He could only hope in his heart that Mu Qingge would not ruin big plans for a woman.

Mu Qingge smiled faintly and said to Bai Xiao, "Young Master Bai misunderstood. I just wanted to tell you, if anyone dares to covet what’s mine, then I’ll first gouge their eyes out, then slit their throat."

These words made both Bai Xiao and Bai Jingteng’s expressions change.

Especially Bai Xiao, how many people in Haiyu City dared to speak to him like this? His face turned cold, and he stared fiercely at Mu Qingge, "You!"

Mu Qingge’s words sparked indignation in the Bai family father and son.

Yet they stirred a faint sense of gratitude in Xie Ya’s heart. Mu Qingge’s overbearing words gave her a feeling of being protected. Even though she clearly knew why Mu Qingge agreed to let her stay by his side, she was still moved, a sense of security like never before arose within her.

A purple-gray light, without warning, suddenly swung towards Mu Qingge.

Bai Xiao attacked without hesitation, determined to harshly teach Mu Qingge a lesson.

The sudden move shocked Jing Hai, who was about to rush forward to block it. However, Xie Ya grabbed his arm, preventing his rash action.

This attack, nearing the breakthrough of the Gray Realm, could be easily stopped by Bai Jingteng and Li Yuntao.

Yet, they tacitly chose not to make a move.

A faint, unnoticed curve appeared at the corner of Mu Qingge’s mouth. As the attack approached her, she remained completely motionless.

Just when Bai Xiao thought she had been scared silly by this attack, the fierce assault shattered silently right before Mu Qingge’s eyes.

The purple-gray spiritual light broke into starlight, gently falling down.

As it was about to dissipate, Mu Qingge waved her sleeve, swept up the starry light, condensed it into a ball, and hurled it towards Bai Xiao.

This scene took everyone by surprise.

The attack aimed at Bai Xiao was even faster than before.

So fast that when Bai Jingteng attempted to intervene, his hand was merely scratched.

The light ball instantly reached Bai Xiao, exploding upon his chest.

Boom!

A loud noise echoed in the parlor, and Bai Xiao let out a miserable cry as he flew from his seat, crashing heavily against the wall behind him, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Xiao Er——!" Bai Jingteng was shocked, rushing over to check his son’s injuries.

Li Yuntao looked at Mu Qingge, nodded slightly, and followed over.

Mu Qingge remained serenely seated, showing no concern for the situation over there, as if everything was within her control.

This calm composure, coupled with Bai Xiao’s miserable state, stirred excitement and admiration in Jing Hai.

When Bai Xiao displayed that aggressive gaze towards Xie Ya, Jing Hai had already wanted to say something. But he knew his own insignificance and lack of ability, realizing he could do nothing substantial, and forcibly stepping in would only bring trouble to his master, so he kept holding back.

It could be said that Mu Qingge’s assertive actions allowed him to release a pent-up frustration, elevating his admiration for Mu Qingge to a new height.

"You! My son merely said a couple of words, and you struck so heavily?" Bai Jingteng demanded an explanation from Mu Qingge sternly, after checking Bai Xiao’s injuries.

Mu Qingge, completely unfazed, smiled back and said, "Family Head Bai, these words should have been said when Young Master Bai made his move on me, perhaps then they would hold some weight. Saying it now, don’t you find it utterly disgraceful? Unable to win, and unwilling to admit defeat, only makes others look down upon you."

"You... you..." Bai Jingteng was seething and didn’t know what to say.

Originally, he intended to give Mu Qingge a harsh lesson. To show her that the interests of Haiyu City weren’t something outsiders could simply share in.

However, this sudden turn of events flipped the entire situation around.

The one receiving the lesson was not Mu Qingge, but their Bai family instead.

Bai Jingteng was furious, his face turning green while Bai Xiao lay on the ground, unable to get up.

Mu Qingge, on the other hand, looked at Li Yuntao and asked directly, "Family Head Li, when do you plan to take action?"

Li Yuntao also didn’t expect Mu Qingge to render the Bai family speechless over a trivial matter. Upon hearing her words, he said, "The arrangements are mostly in place. Just waiting for an opportunity to strike the Dou Family..."

Mu Qingge impatiently stood up and said, "Do two families need to carefully plan against one? Just start the fight directly."

Hiss——!

Bai Jingteng was stunned.

Li Yuntao was also stunned!

No one expected such domineering and reckless words to come out of Mu Qingge’s mouth!

What does it mean to start the fight directly?

Holy crap! Why so straightforward and brutal?

Does this child think this is a game? Though two families against one is more than enough in terms of strength. But shouldn’t they consider the losses?

Bai Jingteng looked towards Li Yuntao in anger and shouted, "Li Yuntao, where did you find this arrogant person? Does he think he’s invincible in this world?"

His words carried relentless sarcasm.

Li Yuntao’s face turned pale red and white upon hearing this; he didn’t know what was going on with Mu Qingge today.

Yesterday, when he went to see her, he thought she was young but incredibly meticulous. How did she become reckless today?

Mu Qingge coldly laughed and said, "Strategizing when power is timely is called prudence, but strategizing when power exceeds needs is unnecessary. When you have enough power to crush, why bother with pretense?"

Her arrogant words left Bai Jingteng and Li Yuntao stunned.

Mu Qingge mocked again, "Isn’t Family Head Li the number one master in Haiyu City? With the experts of the Li and Bai families, along with recruited floating guests, it’s nearly a two-against-one scenario. Fearfully holding back against the Dou Family? In such a clear situation, what more precise planning is needed?"

"Well... Young Master Mu, shouldn’t we still plan carefully even if that’s the case?" Li Yuntao felt a slight cold sweat trickle down his forehead.

Mu Qingge’s gaze turned dismissive as she replied, "Family Head Li, when do you plan to take action?"

Li Yuntao felt cornered and could only nod, "The arrangements are mostly complete. We just need to find an opportunity and then... strike the Dou Family..."

Their eyes met, and Bai Jingteng looked displeased, shouting directly at Li Yuntao, "Are you going to take action or not?"

Li Yuntao’s face turned from red to white, not knowing what to say.

Originally, he had intended to humiliate Mu Qingge. To let her know that the interests of Haiyu City couldn’t merely be shared by outsiders.

But this sudden turn of events flipped the entire situation.

The ones being taught a lesson were not Mu Qingge, but the Bai Family.

Bai Jingteng turned livid with rage, while Bai Xiao was down on the ground, unable to rise.

Mu Qingge, however, turned to Li Yuntao and directly asked him, "Family Head Li, when do you plan to act?"

Li Yuntao felt beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead, as he quietly nodded towards Mu Qingge and stepped forward as well.

Bai Jingteng looked at Mu Qingge with hatred, and shouted at him, "You! My son only spoke a few words, and you strike with such a heavy hand?"

Still unfazed, Mu Qingge smiled at him and replied, "Family Head Bai, those words should have been spoken when Young Master Bai attacked me, and they might have held some weight. Now, saying such things, don’t you think it’s quite disgraceful? Unable to win is one thing, but being unable to take defeat shows one’s lack of character."

"You... you..." Bai Jingteng was so angry that he didn’t know what to say.

Originally, he intended to give Mu Qingge a lesson. To let her know that the interests in Yu City are not something outsiders can just share.

But this sudden turn of events reversed the entire situation.

The one being taught a lesson was not Mu Qingge but their Bai Family.

Bai Jingteng’s face turned ashen with anger, and Bai Xiao lay paralyzed on the ground.

Mu Qingge, however, looked at Li Yuntao and said directly to him, "Family Head Li, when do you plan to act?"

After speaking, he said to Li Yuntao, "Family Head Li, I’ll be heading back first. Tonight at the third watch, I will lead people to the Dou family!"

Bai Jingteng hurriedly left Li Yuntao’s estate with the unconscious Bai Xiao. It was unclear if he was anxious to treat Bai Xiao or eager to gather troops to deal with the Dou family.

In the flower hall, only Li Yuntao, Mu Qingge, and Xie Ya remained.

Li Yuntao said to Mu Qingge, "Since the time has been set, Mu Qingge should rest here now. When the action begins tonight, I will come here to fetch Mu Qingge." He did not want Mu Qingge to return to the inn; at least until the operation began, Mu Qingge must act under his watchful eyes.

Mu Qingge did not object to this but nodded in agreement.

With Mu Qingge settled, Li Yuntao hurriedly left, only leaving servants in the estate to serve cautiously.

It was only until then that Jing Hai understood that his master wanted to unite with the Li and Bai families to deal with the Dou family!

"Instructor, why target the Dou family?" Jing Hai asked in confusion. He always thought Haiyu City was peaceful, with the three major families standing in a balance of power.

Mu Qingge looked up and glanced at him, reading his thoughts clearly.

"Interests drive people crazy. The Li and Bai families target the Dou family for the benefit of Haiyu City. Each of them wants the largest share. As for me, I’m targeting the Dou family because they have already harbored intentions to kill you and me. If someone wants to kill me, the best method is to kill them before they act, to eliminate future troubles."

Mu Qingge’s words led Jing Hai into a reflection he had never experienced before.

He wanted to say something, but when he thought of the assassin he’d killed, he could tell from his master’s words that the assassin was sent by the Dou family. And earlier on the street, Dou family members treated him like a laughingstock, forcing Shi Bo to kill him. It was not intimidation but a fact.

Human life is insignificant to those with power and influence.

"Little Hai, remember this is a world where strength represents status. It’s a world where fists speak louder than reason. It’s also a ruthless world. In this world, sympathy is unnecessary, as is cheap kindness. You must treat people well, seeing whether they deserve it. Reserve the soft spot in your heart for those who are worthy; for others, just show your toughness," Mu Qingge said to Jing Hai, looking into his eyes word by word.

Xie Ya, standing behind her, listened carefully and pondered each word seriously.

She had deeper interactions with Mu Qingge and had seen her attitude towards subordinates.

She seemed to understand better the true meaning of her words.

Mu Qingge said to Jing Hai, "You stay by my side tonight, watch this world carefully, and recognize this world." With that, she walked out of the flower hall alone.

After entering the Middle Ancient Realm, she would not waste a single moment of cultivation opportunity.

After Mu Qingge left, Jing Hai looked at Xie Ya and asked, "Sister, what kind of person is my master...no, instructor?"

Xie Ya smiled slightly, gazed in the direction Mu Qingge left, and replied calmly, "He is a very complex yet pure person."

"Complex yet pure?" Jing Hai repeated Xie Ya’s words, not quite understanding.

Xie Ya looked down at him, giving this boy from a small fishing village a pure smile and comforting him, "You don’t need to think too much now. Remember every word your master said and follow his instructions. In the future, when you’ve seen enough, you’ll understand some things that you can’t yet comprehend."

Jing Hai nodded, half comprehending.

He suddenly asked, "Sister, when can I start cultivating?"

"This..." Xie Ya shook her head, "It depends on your master’s arrangements."

...

The daytime quickly passed.

The night descended as scheduled.

When the night fell, the agreed time drew closer and closer.

Jing Hai stared at the starry sky, feeling a bit nervous. He felt no sympathy for the Dou family that wanted to kill him. He just felt a bit confused, having never participated in such an action.

Mu Qingge and Xie Ya appeared before him, and Jing Hai hurried over, respectfully greeting, "Instructor."

Mu Qingge nodded almost imperceptibly and said to him, "Don’t worry. In Haiyu City, with me around, no one can harm you."

"I...I’m not afraid!" Jing Hai said courageously.

Mu Qingge smiled slightly and said nothing more.

Li Yuntao indeed appeared before the three just before the third watch.

Seeing she intended to bring Jing Hai along, Li Yuntao disagreed, saying, "Mu Qingge, forgive my candor. This young brother has not cultivated before, taking him might be dangerous. Why not leave him here to wait for our victorious return?"

Mu Qingge refused, "No need. He’s by my side, naturally under my protection."

Her words carried a kind of undeniable authority.

Even if Li Yuntao was dissatisfied, he did not continue arguing.

The group set out under the cover of night from the Li estate, heading toward the Dou family’s location in Haiyu City.

"Besides the family head, who is Gray Realm Third Layer, the others in the Dou family are Gray Realm Second Layer, First Layer, and mostly Purple Realm High Rank and Peak. However, it’s said they have an ancestor in seclusion already Gray Realm Third Layer, who hasn’t emerged in a hundred years, whether he’s still around and if so, his cultivation level is unknown." On the way, Li Yuntao informed Mu Qingge about the Dou family’s situation.

"What do you need me to do?" Mu Qingge asked directly.

Li Yuntao smiled, "Actually, the Dou family doesn’t require Mu Qingge to personally intervene too much. As long as Miss Xie Ya can handle some of the Dou family’s Gray Realm members, our odds are very high. But if that Dou family ancestor is indeed present and acts, should I fail to respond in time, I hope Mu Qingge could handle that old Dou dog."

Jing Hai noticed that towards the end, the fierce killing intent in Li Family Head’s eyes became evident.

"Alright." Mu Qingge agreed with a smile.

It seemed Li Yuntao’s request was easy for her.

This response made Li Yuntao very happy. He lowered his voice and said to Mu Qingge, "After dealing with the Dou family, Bai family needs Mu Qingge to focus more. Rest assured, I’ll consume Bai family’s strength to the maximum extent."

Only then did Jing Hai realize that the Li family aimed not only at Dou family but also Bai family!

He was startled by Li Yuntao’s ambition and also subtly worried for his master.

In his eyes, since Li Yuntao even targeted Bai family, would he, after using his master, target them too?

Jing Hai’s face turned a bit pale; he looked at Mu Qingge with worry in his eyes.

"Don’t worry, your master has a plan," Xie Ya whispered in comfort, noticing his unease.

Right! With Master being so capable, surely he has prepared for this.

Jing Hai comforted himself internally.

Meanwhile, he heard Mu Qingge say, "I will fulfill my promise to you. Remember to fulfill your promise to me."

Li Yuntao laughed, "Rest assured, Mu Qingge, Li is not someone who breaks his word."

"That would be best." Mu Qingge smiled mysteriously, concluding the conversation.

With people from Li family entering Haiyu City at night, it was very easy. Besides, traveling in the carriage was Li Family Head, Li Yuntao.

Having easily entered Haiyu City, the Li family carriage headed towards the Dou Mansion.

...

Under the night sky, Haiyu City’s residents were asleep, dreaming.

To them, this night was no different from any other. Once awake, it’s a new day again. However, they were unaware of the lurking killing intent in this darkness, slowly revealing itself.

Numerous shadows silently encircled the Dou Mansion’s walls. The Dou family’s night hand servants didn’t have time to warn before their throats were slit.

The vanguard from Li and Bai families consisted of hired Floating Guests.

Their killing techniques were more skillful and they understood stealth attacks better.

Dou family members slept soundly in their respective courtyards, unaware of death approaching.

Dou Family Head snuggled with his wife and concubines on the bed, vaguely sensing a trace of blood. He drowsily opened his eyes and heard faint sounds of clashing weapons.

The next moment, the room door was slammed open as someone stumbled in, shouting, "Family head, it’s bad, Li family and Bai family have joined forces! They’ve already breached the Inner Mansion!"

"What!" Dou Family Head leapt from the bed, grabbing the caller’s collar and lifted him up, asking, "What did you just say?"

The caller fearfully repeated what he just said.

This time, Dou Family Head heard clearly.

Outside, the firelight grew closer. He cursed, "Li family, Bai family!" After speaking, he dressed, glanced at his curled and trembling wife and concubines, and strode out.

The Dou Family, immersed in dreams, awoke abruptly during the night raid.

Flames began to disperse the darkness.

The sounds of slaughter, screams, and weapons clashing all merged together, shattering the tranquility of this place.

The people of the Bai Family and the Li Family followed the Floating Guest, reaping the lives of the Dou Family members. No matter if they bore the surname Dou or not, whoever appeared from the Dou Family could not escape the blade.

Xie Ya represented Mu Qingge’s side in combat.

Meanwhile, Mu Qingge, accompanied by Jing Hai, strolled leisurely through the Dou Family’s premises.

"Instructor, where are we going?" Jing Hai looked at the blood-soaked world before him, feeling the urge to vomit several times. He avoided the splattered blood and followed closely behind Mu Qingge, whispering.

"Just looking around." Mu Qingge’s answer left people speechless.

It seemed as if the scenes of killing around her were already a common sight.

Jing Hai didn’t understand, what exactly was she looking at?

Mu Qingge’s looking around was, of course, to spot anything good within the Dou Family, like Spirit Stones or treasure vaults. Since she’s exerted effort, surely she should gain something?

Also, spoils of war and later on profit sharing are not the same.

Mu Qingge, with Jing Hai, specifically searched the Dou Family’s hidden rooms or well-built strong rooms. Along the way, she did find some good stuff, but it wasn’t up to her expectations.

When she reached a doorway built with rocks, the foul stench emanating from it made her pause.

She looked at the tightly-closed Mystic Iron Gate, thought for a moment, and slashed it open with her palm.

The Mystic Iron Gate fell with a crash. A denser stench rushed out, and Mu Qingge quickly avoided it, covering her nose and mouth. But Jing Hai wasn’t so lucky; the stench overwhelmed him, compounded by the previous visual stimuli, prompting him to run to the side and vomit uncontrollably.

After he finished vomiting, the smell dissipated significantly.

Only then did Mu Qingge walk inside.

"Instructor!" Jing Hai hurriedly chased after her.

Upon entering, Jing Hai looked around and asked in shock, "What is this place?"

With a quick glance, Mu Qingge internally understood, "The Dou Family’s dungeon."

Dungeon?

Why did they enter a dungeon?

Jing Hai was puzzled.

In reality, Mu Qingge entered purely with a mindset of curiosity. She wanted to see how the torture devices in the Middle Ancient Realm compared to those in Linchuan Realm.

However, when they reached a cell inside, they halted in their tracks.

Inside the cell lay a corpse marked by intersecting wounds, flesh a mess, only vaguely recognizable as human.

And those eyes, wide open, filled with unwillingness.

"Shi... Shi Bo..." Jing Hai stared at the corpse on the ground, speaking in shock.

He hadn’t expected Shi Bo to die in the dungeon of the Dou Family. He thought Shi Bo had already returned to the fishing village or joined the Dou Family.

"Let’s go." Mu Qingge glanced at Shi Bo indifferently, said one line to Jing Hai, and turned to walk out.

Jing Hai followed Mu Qingge numbly, his eyes slightly red, face pale.

He was angry at Shi Bo’s ruthlessness but also resolved not to associate with him anymore. Yet, upon seeing Shi Bo’s corpse firsthand, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sad.

"Every choice must bear the consequences." Feeling Jing Hai’s mood drop, Mu Qingge merely said this line.

If Shi Bo had firmly stood on Jing Hai’s side at the start or didn’t raise the dagger, perhaps everything would be different.

However, in this world, there is no such thing as "if."

Shi Bo’s incident made Jing Hai become quiet.

Mu Qingge didn’t interfere much with him because some matters need to be thought through personally.

She merely searched meticulously within the Dou Family for areas where Spiritual Energy fluctuated widely, guessing these might be spots containing heaps of Spirit Stones.

Away from the slaughter’s vicinity, Mu Qingge with Jing Hai entered a secluded small courtyard.

Inside the courtyard gate was a stone house without windows, and the only Mystic Iron door remained tightly shut. However, a strong Spiritual Energy fluctuation emanated from within.

It seemed as if thousands upon thousands of Spirit Stones were piled here.

Mu Qingge’s eyes lit up, and just as she was about to step forward, an elderly, authoritative voice suddenly resounded—

"Who dares to intrude on my Dou Family!" The voice thundered like a boom.

It made Jing Hai’s ears ache, awakening him from Shi Bo’s death.

Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed, and she swiftly returned to Jing Hai’s side, grabbed his shoulder, and leaped into the air.

Just as she jumped, the tightly closed Mystic Iron gate burst open, and a powerful gust surged out, overturning the ground ahead, including the spot where she and Jing Hai had been standing.

Squinting, Mu Qingge saw the room filled layer upon layer with Spirit Stones. An old man was seated cross-legged amid the Spirit Stones, absorbing the Spiritual Power within.

"Damn! How can he be so extravagant!" Mu Qingge cursed softly.

The old man’s extravagance stirred the thought in her to eliminate the rich and help the poor!

"What vermin has dared to provoke my Dou Family!" The old man among the Spirit Stones cast a fierce gaze at Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge smirked coldly, "Dou’s family elder, have you smelled the scent of your descendants’ blood? Yet, this isn’t my doing. I’m merely here for some seasoning."

Dou’s family elder’s gaze sharpened; indeed, he smelled the constant scent of blood wafting in.

"You dare touch my Dou Family people!" He shouted and shot out from the room, entering the sky to engage Mu Qingge directly.

Mu Qingge’s eyes chilled, and she flung Jing Hai forcefully, tossing him into the room full of Spirit Stones. With a flick of her finger cover, the Linglong Spear was in her hand, engaging in combat with Dou’s family elder.

Their skirmish immediately drew the attention of the battlefield on the other side.

The Dou Family’s morale was invigorated by their elder’s presence. Meanwhile, Li Yuntao and Bai Jingteng felt shock watching Mu Qingge matching Dou’s family elder evenly.

For they sensed that Dou’s family elder’s aura had reached the Gray Realm Fifth Layer.

To contend evenly with Dou’s family elder at Gray Realm Fifth Layer, what does this imply?

Li Yuntao’s gaze flickered; previously, he wanted to kill Mu Qingge after using her, just to show that one shouldn’t always demand exorbitantly.

However, Mu Qingge’s prowess exceeded expectations; everything now required long-term planning.

Mu Qingge brushed her Linglong Spear, forcing Dou’s family elder back.

She shook her head in disappointment, looking at him and said, "I thought you were a master, but turns out you’re just a waste piled up with Spirit Stone’s Spiritual Power."

From the outset of combat, she had already seen through Dou’s family elder’s strengths and weaknesses, losing interest in fighting further.

Under Dou’s family elder’s frightful expression, she executed a Stunning Shot, dazzling light spewed from the spear tip, piercing through Dou’s family elder’s chest directly. The beating heart burst out from his back, exploding in the air.

Dou’s family elder looked incredulously at his empty chest cavity, exclaiming, "You... you..." ultimately, only to fall unwillingly.

With Dou’s family elder’s death, the Dou Family descended into despair.

The Bai Family and the Li Family’s attacks grew wilder.

Mu Qingge descended from the sky, standing before that room, and with a wave, collected all the Spirit Stones into her spatial domain. Jing Hai stood dazed before her, receiving no explanation from Mu Qingge.

Beside her, two flashes of white light appeared, revealing two beautifully enchanting figures on each side.

Jing Hai was dumbfounded.

Yet, Mu Qingge stood in front, under the reddish night sky, hands clasped behind her back, with a wild and unruly smile, murmuring to herself, "The real show is just starting now."