"Aren't you afraid of being stranded on this island?"
Wu Chengyang was surprised when he saw Chen Jinzhao attending the meeting alone.
He was too bold.
The risk factor of doing so was extremely high.
At least, if it were Wu Chengyang, he wouldn't have taken such a huge risk.
Chen Jinzhao replied, facing the sea breeze, "What's there to be afraid of? At worst, I'll die. Besides, I don't think the Wu family would so easily fall out with me."
Wu Chengyang gave a bitter smile.
Let's hope so.
The two arrived at the island's port by speedboat.
Someone was already waiting for them.
As soon as Chen Jinzhao disembarked, six burly, robust men immediately stepped forward to surround him.
If nothing unexpected happened, these men were armed.
Wu Chengyang said, "There's no need for this. If he wanted to fight, none of us would survive."
The six men then retreated.
"Lead the way," Chen Jinzhao said concisely.
Seeing Wu Chengyang nod, the six men obediently led the way.
Chen Jinzhao surveyed the surroundings.
This island was different from others. The difference lay in the towering volcano in the center of the island, reaching into the clouds.
Strands of black volcanic ash emerged from the crater.
It was an active volcano.
Wu Chengyang knew what Chen Jinzhao was thinking. "No need to look. That's where our Wu family ancestor resides. The elder has renounced the world and doesn't wish to live with us mortals."
"That makes him look more like an immortal," Chen Jinzhao teased.
Wu Chengyang's eyebrows twitched. Whether it was returning home or becoming more familiar with Chen Jinzhao, his tone became considerably lighter.
"You know, it really does seem that way."
The group walked on foot.
After passing through a dangerous dense forest, a stretch of magnificent and grand palaces appeared before them.
"This is our Wu family's headquarters," Wu Chengyang said.
"Chen Jinzhao, do you really dare to go in?"
"I must warn you, the Wu family harbors no goodwill towards you. Your life might end here."
Chen Jinzhao stood still, gazing at the palaces.
Wu Chengyang blinked his eyes and said to the six men, "Go back and tell the patriarch that I've been taken hostage by Chen Jinzhao, and they should prepare for our arrival."
The six men froze.
Wu Chengyang was clearly at the family's doorstep and could escape at any moment.
Why would he do this?
"Just go if I tell you to, why ask so many questions?" Wu Chengyang said impatiently.
The six men had no choice but to comply.
Chen Jinzhao looked at Wu Chengyang in surprise.
Wu Chengyang chuckled, "Are you slow-witted or what? Having a hostage is better for negotiation. Otherwise, if you come empty-handed, the Wu family might find a way to kill you."
Chen Jinzhao really wanted to say that he didn't need any of this.
But since Wu Chengyang had shown goodwill, he readily agreed.
The two stood at the city gate for more than ten minutes.
When the gate opened again, hundreds of armed personnel were lined up on both sides.
It was like welcoming Chen Jinzhao.
It was also like giving Chen Jinzhao a show of force!
Wu Chengyang explained, "Don't underestimate hidden aristocratic families. We've raised a considerable number of warriors over the years. We need these warriors to protect our interests in the secular world."
After a while.
A young man with rosy lips and white teeth appeared at the city gate.
The young man quickly walked up to Chen Jinzhao and Wu Chengyang, his gaze lingering on Wu Chengyang. "Uncle Seven, why are your injuries so severe? I'll take you back for treatment immediately and handle the rest!"
Wu Chengyang waved his remaining left hand.
"No need."
"Take us to see the patriarch first."
The young man was Wu Xinghe, Wu Chengyang's nephew, responsible for handling the family's trivial matters.
Wu Xinghe frowned upon hearing this and looked at Chen Jinzhao, "Who are you? You're the one who caused my Uncle Seven's injuries, aren't you?"
Wu Chengyang's expression changed slightly.
If Wu Xinghe angered Chen Jinzhao, he might be slapped to death.
"Xinghe, this doesn't concern you. Hurry up and take us to see the patriarch!" Wu Chengyang said anxiously.
"He's Chen Jinzhao!"
Wu Xinghe's pupils contracted to the size of needle points.
Standing before him was Chen Jinzhao, the man who had stirred up the secular world!
He took two steps back, his eyes filled with apprehension.
Chen Jinzhao's reputation had already reached these hidden forces.
"Alright, I'll take you to see the patriarch now!" Wu Xinghe said in a deep voice, still maintaining his vigilance towards Chen Jinzhao.
"Chen Jinzhao, I advise you not to act rashly, or you won't be able to leave alive!"
Chen Jinzhao remained noncommittal.
Wu Xinghe, finding no response, could only grit his teeth and lead the way.
The Wu family's headquarters was similar to an imperial palace, with a larger area than the Xuan Tian Temple.
It was not hard to imagine.
Most of the people living here had never left this island in their lives.
Only a very small number of outstanding disciples were qualified to travel the world.
After crossing a long pathway.
The group finally arrived outside a massive palace.
"This is the Wu family's assembly hall," Wu Chengyang explained to Chen Jinzhao.
Chen Jinzhao said lightly, "Thank you, but I still need to use your life to help me accomplish something."
Wu Chengyang accepted calmly, "It is my honor."
As he spoke.
Chen Jinzhao followed Wu Xinghe into the assembly hall.
A bone-chilling coldness assailed him, making Chen Jinzhao's skin crawl.
This place was strange!
Either it was dangerous, or too many people had died here.
"We're here," Wu Xinghe said grimly.
Chen Jinzhao immediately grabbed Wu Chengyang by the neck with one hand and looked at the people sitting in the assembly hall.
There were a total of nine people sitting in the assembly hall.
Three old men with white beards and hair, five middle-aged men, and two youths.
The nine people were scrutinizing Chen Jinzhao with cold gazes.
Chen Jinzhao clearly felt a sense of pressure from these people, indicating that some among them were stronger than him.
But it shouldn't be the majority.
"Insolent! Release Wu Chengyang. This is not your secular world," the old man in the main seat said coldly.
Chen Jinzhao sensed it.
That pressure emanated from this old man.
Second level of Restraint Realm!
The old man's name was Wu Zhishan, the current patriarch of the Wu family.
Chen Jinzhao met Wu Zhishan's sharp gaze without any sign of backing down, and said lightly, "What if I don't? Do you dare to kill me?"
Wu Zhishan was slightly angered, "Do you really think we dare not kill you?"
"Yes, you don't," Chen Jinzhao admitted calmly.
*Swish!*
The temperature in the assembly hall dropped sharply, almost to freezing point!
Wu Zhishan clenched his fists, making a cracking sound, and said word by word, "Well said, Chen Jinzhao. Since you believe we dare not, how can the Wu family let someone like you look down on us?"
Chen Jinzhao secretly increased the force in his hand, making Wu Chengyang struggle to breathe.
Seeing this, Wu Zhishan's face became extremely grim.
After a moment of confrontation.
The patriarch of the Wu family had to say, "Release Wu Chengyang first. We can talk properly."
"If you dare to kill him, I will kill you!"