Time seemed to freeze.
Gong Qingyang stared blankly at his ferocious-faced son.
He never expected such an outcome.
This was his most, most beloved son.
Yet now he was killing him to survive...
His soul gradually faded.
But his eyes remained wide open, like copper bells.
Dying with grievances.
"Brother Jian, I've killed him. Will you really let me go?" Gong Yi asked Gong Jian, in a state of panic.
"You may leave," Gong Jian said expressionlessly.
"Before I change my mind."
"Yes, yes, yes." Gong Yi felt as if he had been granted a great amnesty and scrambled towards the exit.
And at that moment.
Whoosh!
A faint whistling sound came from behind.
He instinctively turned his head to look.
A long sword appeared deep within his pupils.
It was the same sword he had used to kill his father earlier.
The sword flew towards him.
Piercing his brow under his shocked and enraged gaze.
Splashing a mist of crimson blood.
Bang!
Gong Yi's body fell heavily to the ground, his eyes fixed on Gong Jian. kanShuWu.xiA
Gong Jian said with a look of apology, "I'm sorry, I've changed my mind."
------
When Chen Nan appeared at the Gong family residence.
The vast Gong family was devoid of life, save for Gong Jian.
Whether it was the wives of the Gong brothers.
Or the servants of the Gong family.
All had perished by Gong Jian's sword.
Blood flowed like a river, and corpses piled up like mountains.
His face was smeared with blood, and he was drinking heavily.
He looked somewhat ferocious.
Yet his entire demeanor exuded a sense of unrestrained freedom.
This was the first time he had ever felt so relaxed.
"Have someone handle these bodies. Don't let this escalate," Chen Nan instructed Ao Ji, who was beside him, before sitting down next to Gong Jian.
"Junior Brother Chen, thank you." Gong Jian handed him a jar of wine.
Chen Nan took a drink, "Why are we being so formal between us?"
Gong Jian smiled and said nothing.
"As we agreed, you will inherit the Gong family," Chen Nan said casually.
Rather than letting others benefit.
It was better to fulfill his brother's wish.
Gong Jian did not refuse.
He knew.
To not be bullied, he had to become stronger.
He had to become wealthy.
He had to possess a certain social standing.
"This pot is for you," Gong Jian took out the divine artifact he had refined: "This thing, aside from absorbing the immortal energy within others, is useless."
"..."
Chen Nan was speechless.
He felt.
That he was quite good at acting cool sometimes.
But today he realized.
The originally honest and straightforward Gong Jian was the true master of pretense.
Listen to him.
Was he even speaking human words just now?
"I have plenty of treasures. You keep this thing yourself," he refused Gong Jian's goodwill.
Gong Jian chuckled, "Do you think this thing, in my hands, can unleash its true power?"
"Stop dawdling, take it if I give it to you."
"This thing is useless by my side, but for you, it can increase your strength."
As he spoke, a white crystal appeared in his hand.
It looked as clear and translucent as crystal.
But it emanated terrifying immortal energy.
"This was formed by devouring the immortal energy of others... I named it 'Human Pill'."
"Taking this should increase your strength."
Qing Long's voice sounded: "This pot is indeed extraordinary. You can keep it. It will be of great benefit later."
Hearing this.
Chen Nan did not hesitate, "Alright, I'll take it. If you encounter any unsolvable problems later, contact Ao Ji."
"Done."
Chen Nan then departed.
He entered the immortal mansion and took the Human Pill given by Gong Jian.
After taking it, Chen Nan immediately felt a surge of terrifying immortal energy erupt within his body.
Nourishing his physical body.
Making him feel on the verge of breaking through to the second level of the Earth Immortal realm.
This made him overjoyed.
After all, the Ancient Saint Body could not advance to the Earth Immortal realm.
It was only by chance that he consumed the Yang Fish in the Land of Creation that he broke through the limitations.
And advanced his strength further.
If he stepped into the second level of the Earth Immortal realm.
Would his strength experience a 'qualitative' improvement?
He felt a sense of anticipation.
He wanted to find a few experts, use the divine pot to absorb their immortal energy, refine it into Human Pills, and increase his strength.
"I hope no one with poor judgment causes me trouble."
"Even if they do..."
"It's best if my strength is formidable."
------
Outside.
Ao Ji publicly announced the establishment of a long-term cooperative relationship with the Gong family.
And the position of Gong family patriarch, previously held by Gong Qingyang, now belonged to Gong Jian.
This news caused quite a stir.
Although Gong Jian was the eldest among the younger generation of the Gong family.
And the first in line for succession.
His mother was a maid, of low status.
Furthermore, Gong Qingyang had become the patriarch.
Now, Gong Jian becoming the patriarch of the Gong family inevitably caused surprise.
However, some people offered a reasonable explanation.
"So what if Gong Jian has a humble background?"
"If he knows Ao Ji and has a certain level of acquaintance."
"As long as the terms of cooperation between Ao Ji and the Gong family stipulate that Gong Jian becomes the patriarch, no one else will have any objections."
"After all, this can bring inexhaustible benefits to the Gong family."
------
Divine Pill Valley.
Dan Chenzi sat quietly on a meditation cushion.
In front of him.
Xia Maofeng informed Dan Chenzi about the events that had transpired outside.
After listening, Dan Chenzi looked at Mu Wanting, "What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Mu Wanting replied, "I've had people inquire about Chen Nan's friends at the Sword Forging Academy."
"It is said that after he entered the Sword Forging Academy, he was assigned to the kitchen."
"And Gong Jian of the Gong family was the head of the kitchen."
"The two of them were good friends."
"Therefore."
"One thing can be confirmed."
"The reason Gong Jian could cooperate with Ao Ji is undoubtedly due to Chen Nan's influence."
A cold glint flashed in Dan Chenzi's eyes, "Just as I predicted, Chen Nan has indeed come to the Qian Kingdom."
"It's just that we have no idea where he is hiding, so it might be difficult to find him."
Mu Wanting smiled, "Master, although we cannot find Chen Nan's whereabouts."
"We can follow the clues."
"As far as I know."
"Gong Jian is a filial son."
"He returned this time to bring his mother to live in the Yan Kingdom."
"However, his mother, Madam Liu, was unwilling to go."
"In his helplessness, Gong Jian stayed behind."
"If we can control Gong Jian's mother, we can completely force Chen Nan to reveal himself."
"Yes, control Gong Jian's mother."
"Not control Gong Jian."
Mu Wanting continued, "As far as I know, Gong Jian values loyalty and righteousness deeply."
"Perhaps because he had no friends or brothers growing up, he cherishes his current brotherhood intensely."
"If he knew we wanted to use his mother to lure Chen Nan out."
"He would definitely commit suicide."
"To protect Chen Nan in this way."
"But his mother is different."
"His mother is his life, his hope for living."
"If we control her."
"Gong Jian will definitely have to choose between his brothers and his loved ones."
A cold glint flashed in Dan Chenzi's eyes, "In that case, let's control Madam Liu and force Chen Nan to reveal himself!"