Dongfang Ji's voice was like a poisonous yet beautiful flower, climbing from everyone's hearts to their skulls, extending with every fold.
"The Dongfang Family Head speaks wisely. Are there any other unusual circumstances with this corpse? Could it have been subjected to a 'Heart Transference' secret technique?"
Ouyang Shuo was not a fool and had already grasped the implication of Dongfang Ji's words.
"Precisely, I suspect if you, boy, were not greedy, you would have been blown to smithereens by the abnormal nucleus!"
Dongfang Ji's words caused an uproar in the hall!
"Does Grandmother mean that the abnormal nucleus within him was also tampered with?"
Ren Yuanhao's brow furrowed, and his apprehension towards the elusive Sect Master grew.
"If it were me, I would do just that. Moreover, even if the current situation arose, he could gamble on the intentions of your 'great families' and also test whether Ren Yuanhao could resist your monetary onslaught. If he couldn't, then, hmph, it's likely that only Ren Yuanhao, you boy, wouldn't be the only one dead!"
After hearing Dongfang Ji's analysis, everyone felt a chill creeping up their backs, like a white wind swirling into their necks.
Ren Yuanhao suddenly realized, "That's right, one more abnormal ability user or one more domain-type ability user means one more chance to win. We have too many reasons to devour this ability. This old fox has grasped our thoughts perfectly."
"However, perhaps he also wants to reclaim the ability? But after he dramatically swept away Leng Wuhuan's corpse last night, and that kind of secret technique, I don't think it can be used a second time in a short period."
Dongfang Ji returned to her seat, leaning on her cane. At this moment, a flash of inspiration struck Ye Lan, and she said softly, "Esteemed seniors, I have thought of a plan, perhaps we can try it."
"Little girl, tell us, what is this plan?"
Dongfang Ji looked at the incredibly beautiful and refined young woman before her as she spoke, as if seeing herself in her youth.
Ye Lan simply said, "To use their plan against them."
Upon hearing this, everyone present showed a look of surprise, except for Dongfang Ji, who cast an approving glance at Ye Lan.
"This plan aligns perfectly with my wishes. Everyone, to eliminate the major threat to Yun Jin City, let us pretend to be dead."
...
That night.
The four great families hung white flowers, set up mourning halls, and the mournful music played. Flickering red candles swayed, and paper money and incense ash flew about the room. Those who came to pay their respects were endless, and the entire Yun Jin City's power was once again cut off, plunging into complete darkness.
Moreover, it was rumored throughout Yun Jin City that the experts and elites of the four great families had all perished in the Dongfang family's aerial fortress, including the heads of the major families.
This news was too strange, and speculations were rife. However, after some social elites paid their respects, the accuracy of this news was finally confirmed.
At this moment, in a certain bar, the flickering candlelight swayed with the comings and goings of customers. Several people sat by the wine cabinet, and they were mostly discussing this major event, an event that could influence the entire pattern of Yun Jin City.
"Hey, I think this incident is too strange. You see, the entire city's power was cut off last night, and thunder rumbled above the aerial fortress. I think something big must have happened last night, but these great families are keeping it a secret."
The man speaking brought a Martini to his lips, his expression distant.
"According to you, will Yun Jin City be restless in the short term?"
"Naturally. Think about it, the four great families, while outwardly calm, were secretly consolidating their forces. Now that they are leaderless, how can the subordinate forces still obey orders obediently? I'm afraid more new forces will emerge."
"Speaking of which, is this news really reliable?"
"Absolutely reliable. A friend of mine also attended the mourning, and said that the urns were already placed in the mourning hall, and the family members were dressed in mourning clothes. How could it be fake?"
The three or five men spoke with increasing fervor, unaware that a man who had been lurking in the corner, after hearing their words, quietly left.
...
About an hour later, it was past nine o'clock in the evening. Four people were kneeling under the main hall of the Chi Xiao Sect. They were all dressed in black, their figures lean and sharp. For every question the Sect Master asked, one of them would answer.
"Are your messages all the same?"
The Sect Master waved his decayed hand. Although he wore a mask, one could still feel the slightly questioning expression beneath it.
"The message is absolutely true. We investigated from multiple sources. The leaders of the four great families, after entering the Dongfang family's aerial fortress, were carried out. We personally watched those corpses being sent to the crematorium and turned into ashes."
The black-clad man replied with clasped hands, his tone conveying absolute reliability.
"Hahahaha, it seems they are all fools. With just a little trick, these people obediently surrendered. Very good! You give the order, withdraw ninety percent of the guarding disciples, execute Ya Sheng ahead of schedule tonight, and moreover, chop off those useless fellows to offer to the heavens! Go!"
The Sect Master flicked his sleeve and sat firmly on the carved wooden chair on the high platform, in a good mood.
However, as things progressed too smoothly, the Sect Master, while reclining, couldn't help but feel a flicker of an ominous premonition.
...
At this time, at the foot of the southwest mountain range, in an extremely hidden cave, the experts of the four great families had already gathered.
"Report, the news has spread throughout Yun Jin City."
Dongfang Ji sat on the grass. In the flickering light and shadow, one could vaguely see her decisive and empress-like demeanor from years ago.
"Very good, now we can proceed with the secret rescue mission. Everyone, let's discuss how to carry out the rescue."
Ji Fu stood up, her red clothes fluttering like mist with the wind blowing into the cave, "Grandmother, the Chi Xiao Sect must have completely lowered its guard by now. We can split into two groups. One group will go straight up according to the map Ye Lan obtained, and the other can have one or two exceptionally agile ability users ascend from the sheer cliff at the back, directly attacking the heart of the enemy, to rescue those imprisoned in the Black Water Prison on the side of Lin Xian Pavilion."
Dongfang Ji, Ouyang Shuo, and others nodded. Dongfang Ji nodded slightly, "This plan is feasible. When our group breaks into the hinterland, perhaps that old fox will still be sleeping!"
Everyone chuckled. Dongfang Ji then said, "The key is, who will undertake this rescue? Even if that old fox receives the news of our 'death,' the guarding disciples of Lin Xian Pavilion and Black Water Prison are likely not few in number. This mission is extremely difficult and risky. Who can bear this heavy responsibility?"
"Let this junior go."
Ren Yuanhao stepped forward without hesitation, cupped his hands, and said.