Lin Xiao Tian followed them, his powerful divine sense assuring him that he wouldn't be discovered.
Fang Wen Hua, disguised, couldn't be identified by surveillance and eventually left Jiang Cheng by public transport.
Lin Xiao Tian didn't drive, instead relying on his own speed, which now surpassed that of a helicopter.
Furthermore, after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Lin Xiao Tian could now harness the power of elements.
Besides lightning, he possessed wind and fire elements, both of which could enhance his speed.
Fang Wen Hua and the elder stopped by the roadside.
They then began to walk, though "walking" for cultivators meant flying with Fang Wen Hua.
After some time, they stopped at a cave deep in the mountains.
The cave was located on a cliff face, nearly a thousand meters high, making it difficult for ordinary people to find.
Inside the cave were various communication devices and numerous mercenaries on guard. Lin Xiao Tian also spotted Xu Xiao there.
Upon seeing Fang Wen Hua, Xu Xiao handed him a phone and then respectfully retreated.
Fang Wen Hua's gaze turned cold as he looked at the unfamiliar Xu Xiao before him.
"Xu Xiao, you betrayed me?"
Xu Xiao didn't reply. Instead, a laugh came from the phone.
"Director Fang, why be so angry? If not for Xu Xiao, you would be dead right now."
Fang Wen Hua snorted and ignored Xu Xiao, speaking to the phone, "Who are you? Why are you helping me?"
"Director Fang, you have such a poor memory. Have you forgotten me so quickly? Don't forget who introduced you to Li Wen in the first place."
"Wang Zhen Yu!"
"Hahaha, it seems Director Fang still remembers me."
"Wang Zhen Yu, what trick are you playing this time?" Fang Wen Hua didn't have much fondness for Wang Zhen Yu.
He considered himself no saint, but the man on the phone was undoubtedly a scoundrel.
Wang Zhen Yu hailed from the Taiyuan Wang family, one of the ten reclusive families. He was a member of the main family and the younger brother of the current patriarch. He was known for his insidious and cunning nature. When Fang Wen Hua first started his business, he had been frequently targeted and almost killed by Wang Zhen Yu on several occasions.
Fang Wen Hua's illness was also heavily linked to Wang Zhen Yu. Without Lin Xiao Tian's intervention, Fang Wen Hua would have been branded a eunuch for life.
"Why are you so agitated? As if I only know how to harm people. I'm here to make a deal with you."
"A deal? What kind of deal?"
"Lin Xiao Tian is dead. The Lin family will eventually be yours. I'll help you control the Lin family, and you give me business benefits. We both get what we need."
Upon hearing Wang Zhen Yu's words, Fang Wen Hua chuckled.
"Wang Zhen Yu, stop pretending. I know your true intentions. Would you risk so much to save me just for some business?"
Silence followed on the other end of the line.
A moment later, Wang Zhen Yu laughed.
"Haha, Fang Wen Hua, you're still so cautious. However, you have no choice. If you don't accept my proposal, you will die, and you'll die at the hands of the Lin family. The decision is yours."
Wang Zhen Yu's words struck Fang Wen Hua's weakness.
The current matriarch of the Lin family sought his demise, and he had no other recourse. Aligning with the Wang family would be a lifeline.
Fang Wen Hua eventually agreed to Wang Zhen Yu's proposal. He had tried to bluff Wang Zhen Yu earlier, but the latter didn't fall for it.
"You will stay here for now. These individuals are all top-tier experts, and they will protect you."
Outside the cave, Lin Xiao Tian heard everything clearly.
He noted the location and then found a safe place to report the matter to the Lin family matriarch.
"Grandmother, what is Wang Zhen Yu's intention?" Lin Xiao Tian asked.
"Heh, he merely wants to disrupt the Lin family's order and profit from it. I know their kind well. Under the guise of non-interference between families, when our Lin family lacked successors, they acted like robbers, plundering our assets. Now they want a share again. Shameless!"
The matriarch grew increasingly indignant.
The Lin family, a prominent clan, had become so fragile due to the actions of these families. Only among reclusive families could they find equals to contend with each other.
"What should we do then?" Lin Xiao Tian asked.
"Fang Wen Hua must die. There's no room for negotiation. Tell me the location, and I'll send people immediately."
"This is no longer within Qingzhou's borders, and these people are very powerful. Our people might not be able to kill Fang Wen Hua."
"Those people could even deal with the Lin family's elite, so they must be formidable. However, they are ultimately just martial artists. You should return. I'll teach you how to handle such matters."
Lin Xiao Tian was taken aback but agreed.
Lin Xiao Tian returned to the Lin family, startling everyone.
Hadn't he been reported dead?
Why was he alive now?
The heads of the Lin family's branch families, who had come to pay their respects, nearly fainted upon seeing Lin Xiao Tian's sudden appearance.
The matriarch calmly explained.
The body found that day was not Lin Xiao Tian's. It was a carefully crafted replica of Lin Xiao Tian, made by the matriarch's subordinates using various means.
The purpose of this deception was to lure Fang Wen Hua out.
Lin Xiao Tian also shared his plan with everyone, who then understood.
It was a masterful use of the "狸猫换太子" (li mao huan tai zi - the civet cat for the crown prince) stratagem.
They had even deceived their own kin.
Soon, news of Lin Xiao Tian's survival spread to the outside world.
Fang Wen Hua also learned of this and finally understood why his base had been discovered.
Lin Xiao Tian had tracked his subordinates all the way to the base.
He had believed his plan to be flawless, only to realize he had been manipulated by Lin Xiao Tian.
As he seethed with anger, activity erupted outside.
Rumble!
An explosion sounded.
"Quick, move! The Lin family assassins are here!"
The person in charge of protecting Fang Wen Hua shouted.
But before his words could fully register, he was shot in the head.
A helicopter hovered in front of their cave, unleashing a barrage of fire.
Under this onslaught, more than half of the cultivators who had been protecting Fang Wen Hua were annihilated. The remaining ones, guarding Fang Wen Hua, fled deeper into the cave.
Soon, the main mercenary force entered the cave.
A few cultivators remained inside, and their considerable strength allowed them to mount a counterattack.
But the sheer number of attackers proved overwhelming, leading to their inevitable demise.
Fang Wen Hua managed to escape the cave, only to be met with another wave of pursuit.
Artillery, helicopters, and powerful firearms were deployed by the Lin family, utilizing their most effective means to hunt him down.
Driven by the allure of money, wave after wave of mercenaries were hired. The Lin family offered an exceptionally enticing reward. Now, assassins and mercenaries worldwide were after Fang Wen Hua's life. He could no longer escape.