"If Xiao Chen hadn't come to the auction house to buy so much Xuan Ling Grass, I wouldn't have suspected him. Xiao Chen's move is a retreat to advance, truly brilliant. It's rare to see such intelligence in a fifteen-year-old boy," Gu Yan said with a smile, secretly admiring Xiao Chen.
"Gu Yan, this is just your speculation. What if this is really due to the Wang family's ambition?" Yaoyao said. No matter what, she couldn't believe that Xiao Chen was scheming in the dark.
"Indeed, this is just my guess. The Wang family's ambition is beyond doubt, and dealing with the Yang family is only a matter of time. Xiao Chen is merely going with the flow, secretly saving Liu Jiangyun must have been him," Gu Yan said with increasing confidence in his guess.
After a pause, Gu Yan added, "After Xiao Chen bought the Xuan Ling Grass, the last shop of the Xiao family closed down. This makes the people of Fengyue City believe that the Xiao family has completely declined. In this way, the Wang family will also hold back. The Wang family's ambition will naturally turn towards the Yang family. After the last shop of the Xiao family closed, there has been no news from them. It's strange that Xiao Chen bought so many herbs without any news."
"What you said makes sense," Yaoyao nodded, but then shook her head, "Although Xiao Chen shows more steadiness and calmness than his peers, I still don't believe he would be the one scheming in the dark. After all, the Yang family humiliated the Xiao family back then, Xiao Chen wouldn't help the Yang family."
"Xiao Chen's thinking is the same as the Wang family's; he must eliminate one opponent first before dealing with another. The Wang family is naturally Xiao Chen's first target. Retreating to advance is to shift the Wang family's target. The Xiao family is playing it safe. If I'm right, Xiao Chen must be preparing something. He's definitely not a fool, rather very smart. Buying a large amount of Xuan Ling Grass must have its purpose. He is likely waiting for an opportunity. Heh, I'm really getting more curious," Gu Yan said, his curiosity about Xiao Chen growing stronger.
"If it's really as you say, then this Xiao Chen is terrifying!" Yaoyao said, feeling a sense of fear at the thought.
In the Xiao family, Zhong Bo brewed Tian Ling Wine every day. The amount of Tian Ling Wine was increasing. The Xiao family disciples were diligently cultivating, constantly improving their skills. None of this was known to the people of Fengyue City.
"Xiao Chen, I didn't expect the Yang family's methods to be so ruthless. In just a few days, the Wang family suffered heavy losses. Their shop business is getting increasingly deserted. Liu Jiangyun even threatened that anyone who buys the Wang family's pills is his enemy and offered a third-grade pill to anyone who kills Wang Xuan," the Ancient White Tiger transmitted.
Xiao Chen nodded and smiled, "The Yang family is powerful, almost the leader in Fengyue City. The cultivators in Fengyue City naturally dare not offend them. For our Xiao family, it's better to sever ties than to offend them."
"So you went to the Yang family to make them take a stand?" the Ancient White Tiger asked puzzledly.
Xiao Chen chuckled, "Yes! Only if the Xiao family and the Yang family have no involvement with each other can the Xiao family develop steadily. Of course, if the Yang family forces our hand, I won't show mercy."
"Since the Yang family has already fallen out with the Wang family, why haven't you sold the Tian Ling Wine?" the Ancient White Tiger asked again.
"Haste makes waste. Selling it now would only make the Wang family and the Yang family suspicious. There might be unforeseen changes. We must wait until the Wang family and the Yang family's relationship worsens," Xiao Chen explained. He was always cautious and never acted on impulse.
Xiao Chen slowly picked up the white jade teacup, took a sip of tea, and continued, "Now the Wang family is under great pressure. Liu Jiangyun has even promised a third-grade pill to anyone who kills Wang Xuan. The cultivators in Fengyue City are all waiting for a chance to assassinate Wang Xuan. This will only infuriate the Wang family more. They will soon take action against Yang Meng'er."
"By the way, Little White Tiger, do you remember the second leader of the Shadow Organization?" Xiao Chen asked as if recalling something.
"Of course, why?"
"Do you remember what he told me?" Xiao Chen asked again.
"What did he say?"
"It seems you don't remember," Xiao Chen smiled bitterly. After thinking for a moment, he said, "The second leader told me that to establish oneself on the Tianyue Continent, one must have a powerful force. No matter how strong one is, it's hard to withstand the enemy's overwhelming numbers. These words have always lingered in my mind. Do you think what he said makes sense?"
"Xiao Chen, you don't need to worry too much. Just follow your heart. But since you said the second leader's words linger in your mind, it shows you agree with him," the Ancient White Tiger transmitted.
"Follow my heart? Hmm, I understand now. Thank you, Little White Tiger," Xiao Chen said with a happy smile, seemingly finding his answer.
"We are good friends, no need for thanks," the Ancient White Tiger transmitted with a smile.
"Indeed. Alright, let's sneak into the Wang family to gather information," Xiao Chen said cheerfully. With his stealth technique, his body quickly burrowed into the ground.
In the Yang family's hall, the elder Yang Qing laughed and said, "The small Wang family dares to oppose us, overestimating themselves."
"Hmph! Now the Wang family is infamous, their shops deserted. Let's see how long they can hold on! If they dare to oppose our Yang family, we will use the same means they used against the Xiao family!" Yang Changfeng, a Yang family disciple, said coldly.
"Yes, the Wang family is ambitious. If we don't eliminate them now, they will surely target our Yang family in the future!" another disciple, Yang Tian, agreed.
Yang Zhengxiong said coldly, "Wang He is insidious and cunning. He will do anything to deal with us. We must be careful. Time is their Achilles' heel. The longer we drag this out, the less the Wang family can hold on!"
"No matter what, I must kill that brat Wang Xuan! I want the Wang family to know the consequences of offending an alchemist!" Liu Jiangyun said angrily. Every time he thought about nearly being killed by a kid, he got furious.
At this moment, Xiao Chen had already sneaked into the Wang family, reaching the underground of the Wang family hall. He completely restrained his aura, so even if Wang He was in the middle stage of the Golden Core, he couldn't detect Xiao Chen's presence.
"Patriarch, our Wang family's reputation has plummeted. The people of Fengyue City are calling us despicable and ambitious. This invisible pressure has caused panic among our disciples. Moreover, few people come to buy our pills. If this continues, we will end up like the Xiao family," Wang Kongshan said anxiously.
Wang Kongyuan agreed, "Patriarch, we must quickly come up with a plan to deal with the Yang family and change our current predicament. I'm worried that the Xiao family might take this opportunity to join forces against us."
"The Xiao family? Hmph! The Xiao family is beyond saving, barely able to protect themselves. If they dare interfere, we will destroy them!" Wang He said coldly, not taking the Xiao family seriously at all.
With a cold gaze, he looked at Wang Yufeng and asked, "What's the status on Yang Meng'er?"
"Patriarch, it has been investigated. Yang Meng'er often goes to the market with a maid. Although the Yang family is guarding against us and doesn't let Yang Meng'er go out often, she still goes out occasionally," Wang Yufeng said.
"Good! We must not fail this time! We must capture Yang Meng'er! Once we have her, the Yang family will have to obey us!" Wang He said harshly, his eyes flashing with malice and resentment.
"Yes, Patriarch!" Wang Yufeng nodded.
"Wait, to prevent anyone from interfering, take more people! Also, remember, there will surely be Yang family experts protecting Yang Meng'er in the dark. Disguise yourselves before taking action and be very careful," Wang Kongyuan urged. If they failed again, the Wang family would be completely ruined, so they must ensure success.
"Yes!" Wang Yufeng nodded again.
"Xiao Chen, with so many people in the market, the Wang family still dares to act?" the Ancient White Tiger transmitted.
"The Wang family is desperate and will do anything. But I won't let them succeed. If they fail this time, the Yang family will be furious when they discover the Wang family's plot. They will suppress the Wang family even more harshly. However, the Wang family has deep foundations and won't fall easily. So, in the end, it still depends on me!" Xiao Chen said softly, his eyes flashing with a fierce look.
A few days later, Wang Yufeng and others disguised themselves as ordinary cultivators, wandering around the market every day, finally waiting for Yang Meng'er to appear.
Yang Meng'er wore a white gauze dress made of high-quality silk. Under her neatly arranged long hair, she had a delicate and pinkish face, large bright eyes, and a petite and exquisite figure, making her a beauty in the making.
Behind Yang Meng'er followed a maid in her twenties, and not far behind them, a middle-aged man closely shadowed her, never taking his eyes off Yang Meng'er.
"Wang Cheng, did you see that? That guy protecting Yang Meng'er is Yang Family's eldest disciple, Yang Changfeng. He's at the late stage of Bigu, stronger than us. You all pretend to attack him, and I'll take the chance to capture Yang Meng'er. Remember, don't engage for too long. Once we're successful, we retreat immediately!" Wang Yufeng whispered.
"Understood!" The disciples of the Wang family nodded.
"Attack!" Wang Yufeng shouted in a low voice. Five Wang family disciples simultaneously rushed toward Yang Changfeng, while Wang Yufeng swiftly headed toward Yang Meng'er.
"Who are you? Not good! Miss is in danger! Run!" Yang Changfeng's expression changed immediately. Seeing another figure swiftly approaching Yang Meng'er, he shouted loudly. He was already unable to break free as five figures charged at him.
"Hmph! Not so easy!" Xiao Chen coldly snorted in his heart. With a flick of his finger, a small stone shot out like a bullet.