「At the same time.」

Two men and one woman stood shoulder to shoulder on a mountain peak outside the city. It was Lu Tingting, Lu Feng, and the Masked Man!

The Masked Man asked, "Where is Lu Xingchen's body?"

Lu Tingting said, "We don't know either. After Lu Xingchen and our ancestor died, the inner temple didn't send their bodies out."

The Masked Man said, "It seems they were buried somewhere in the inner temple."

Lu Feng said, "If they really were buried in the inner temple, we would be helpless. Because the inner temple is in the Extinction Mountain Range. Moreover, two Hall Masters personally guard it."

The Masked Man said, "That doesn't matter. With the assistance of the Sand Whale Emperor and the Snake Emperor, even if the two Hall Masters discover us, they can't do anything to us. The priority is to find the coordinates of the inner temple. After all, the Extinction Mountain Range is too far away and too dangerous to recklessly barge in."

Lu Tingting asked, "Do you have any plans?"

The Masked Man sneered, "No need for plans, just monitor the Dong Family. As soon as the Dong Family leaves State City, we will take them by surprise."

Lu Feng asked, "What about the coordinates?"

The Masked Man mocked, "You're really too foolish. I don't even know why the master spared your life. Think about it, with so many old monsters in the Dong Family, how could they not know the coordinates? Even if those old monsters don't know, isn't Dong Qing still there? Don't forget, she is a bona fide Disciple of the inner temple."

Lu Feng clenched his fists and glanced at the Masked Man, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in the depths of his eyes.

Lu Tingting glanced at Lu Feng, sighed deeply inwardly, and said, "Lu Feng, you stay here and wait for us."

The Masked Man raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"

Lu Tingting looked at the Masked Man and smiled. "For a task like gathering information, the two of us are enough. We don't need a burden."

The Masked Man was stunned for a moment. "Burden?" He nodded and laughed. "That's true."

"Bastard!" Lu Feng cursed angrily. "Lu Tingting, what do you mean by this? He looks down on me, and so do you?"

Lu Tingting said indifferently, "One should know their own limits. The Lu Family is gone; you are no longer the young master of the Lu Family. If you keep going like this, you might not be far from death. Stay here and reflect on yourself!" Then she ran down the mountain.

The Masked Man joked with a smile, without turning his head, as he chased after Lu Tingting, "Did you hear that? Reflect on yourself thoroughly. Don't lose your life carelessly."

Lu Feng watched their backs, his fists clenched tightly, his eyes as gloomy as water.

Born and raised in luxury, his heart was proud, and he was accustomed to looking down on everything. Even with the extinction of the Lu Family, he still thought he was superior to others. Only at this moment did he realize he was no longer the Lu Feng of the past. Now, he was just a poor worm, struggling desperately for survival. He no longer had the right to scorn others.

His heart felt helpless, desolate, painful, angry, and confused. He didn't know how long this kind of life would last, nor did he know what the next moment would bring.

「...」

At the foot of the mountain, the Masked Man caught up with Lu Tingting and said, "Doing this will break his heart."

Lu Tingting replied, "I have no choice. He's too naïve, too stupid. I have to make him understand as soon as possible how cruel this world is and how hard it is to survive."

The Masked Man was silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you think he can understand your painstaking efforts?"

Lu Tingting said coldly, "If he wants to survive, he must understand."

Who understood Lu Feng better than her? Apart from his passable talent, he was worthless. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a good-for-nothing. She also couldn't understand why that mysterious master hadn't killed him.

However, she had no choice now but to do everything she could to protect Lu Feng, because only she and Lu Feng were left in the Lu Family.

「...」

「In the jail!」

Fan Jian's cultivation had broken through to Nine-Star War Emperor. He was so excited he could barely contain himself.

Nine-Star War Emperor! This was once an unattainable dream for him. Yet, unexpectedly, with just one pill and in a little over ten breaths, he had stepped into the realm he had always longed for. Not only that, but he could even feel that the bottleneck between War Emperor and War Ancestor had shattered. Stepping into the War Ancestor realm was just a matter of days! This Qin Feiyang, though young, was truly a terrifying figure. Because, if Qin Feiyang wished, he could create legions of Nine-Star War Emperors, or even War Ancestors, in mere minutes! Such a person could only be a friend, never an enemy; the consequences would be unimaginable!

He exhaled deeply, bowed, and said, "Brother Qin, Fan Jian will never forget this great kindness."

Qin Feiyang smiled faintly.

The Wolf King urged, "This isn't the time for pleasantries! Hurry up and disguise yourselves; don't waste time."

Fan Jian nodded. "Right, right, let's get going."

The Wolf King asked, "Just like this?"

Fan Jian slapped his forehead. "Oh, my memory is terrible!" He laughed awkwardly. "My apologies, I was a bit overexcited and lost my head."

Qin Feiyang smiled. "That's understandable." He took out a Disguise Pill and gave it to Fan Jian.

Qin Feiyang also disguised himself as Fan Jian, and Fan Jian gave him a suit of armor to wear. As for the Wolf King, he hid inside Qin Feiyang's armor.

Once everything was ready, the two men walked out of the jail, one in front of the other.

"Greetings, Guard Commander." The eight guards outside the door bowed.

Qin Feiyang (disguised as Guard Commander Fan Jian) nodded and said coldly, "Fan Jian here and I are going out for a bit. You all guard this place well."

"Yes, sir!" the eight men responded respectfully.

WHOOSH!

Fan Jian (the real one) waved his hand, taking Qin Feiyang (disguised as Guard Commander Fan Jian) into the sky.

Qin Feiyang frowned. "Are we just flying over like this?"

Fan Jian scratched his head, looking somewhat apologetic. "You know teleportation gates are expensive, and I can't afford one with my resources."

Qin Feiyang shook his head and chuckled. "Stop. I have a teleportation gate."

Fan Jian abruptly halted in mid-air.

Just as Qin Feiyang was about to open the teleportation gate, Fan Jian stopped him with his hand. "Wait."

Fan Jian said, "Brother Qin, you're a Four-star War Emperor. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to impersonate me?"

Qin Feiyang asked, "Are the people from the Dong Family familiar with you?"

Fan Jian replied, "I don't have much interaction with the Dong Family."

Qin Feiyang laughed. "Then it won't matter. However, when you're conversing with Dong Family members later, be careful not to blow your cover."

Fan Jian hesitated for a moment. "Well... I think it would be better if you explained things to me beforehand. After all, my mind isn't as quick as yours."

Qin Feiyang pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright then. Let's fly, and I'll explain it to you on the way."

WHOOSH!

Fan Jian (the real one) once again took Qin Feiyang with him, and they quickly disappeared.

「An hour later.」

The two arrived at the main entrance of the Dong Family.

"Greetings, Guard Commander." The four house servants guarding the entrance bowed.

Qin Feiyang (disguised as Guard Commander Fan Jian) nodded impassively. "Do I need to be announced?"

The four servants smiled obsequiously. "No need, no need! The Family Head has already instructed that the Guard Commander need not be announced. Please, come in."

Fan Jian (the real one) called out to Qin Feiyang (disguised as Guard Commander), "Let's go!" He then headed towards the gate.

Qin Feiyang was about to follow.

How can this be? At that moment, the Wolf King's surprised and suspicious voice echoed in his mind.

Qin Feiyang was startled. What's wrong? he asked mentally.

The Wolf King communicated telepathically, There are two familiar scents in this area.

Whose? Qin Feiyang asked, finding it hard to believe.

The Wolf King replied, The Masked Man and Lu Tingting.

What? Qin Feiyang shuddered and quickly turned his head to look at the street behind him. People were coming and going, but most of the faces were unfamiliar.

Qin Feiyang thought, Could you be mistaken?

The Wolf King asserted decisively, Impossible. I might get the Masked Man confused, but Lu Tingting hunted me for so long. Her unique body fragrance... I'd never forget it in my life!

Then it's strange. Why would their scents be near the Dong Family estate? Have they infiltrated the Dong Family? Qin Feiyang frowned.

The Wolf King communicated telepathically, They haven't infiltrated the Dong Family. Their scents are only on the street.

Then what are they planning to do? Qin Feiyang's brows furrowed tightly, completely bewildered.

Fan Jian (the real one), who had already stepped into the Dong Family gate, noticed Qin Feiyang (disguised) wasn't following. He looked back, puzzled. "What are you doing?"

"Wait for me for a moment, Guard Commander," Qin Feiyang smiled, then turned and ran to a deserted alley, summoning Fatty from the Ancient Castle.

Then he pulled the White-Eyed Wolf out from his armor. "Let's split up. I'll go rescue Yiyi and Aunt Xue, while you and Fatty investigate them!"

"Wait, investigate what?" Fatty exclaimed urgently.

Since Qin Feiyang and the White-Eyed Wolf had been communicating telepathically, Fatty was still out of the loop.

"The White-Eyed Wolf will tell you," Qin Feiyang said. "Remember, they must not escape this time!" Qin Feiyang gave a strict order.

The White-Eyed Wolf chuckled. "Leave it to me."

"Notify me immediately when you find anything. Be careful," Qin Feiyang added, then turned and ran back towards the Dong Family entrance.

Fatty and the White-Eyed Wolf immediately sprang into action. With them on the case, Qin Feiyang could focus on confronting the Dong Family.

Fan Jian (the real one) was still waiting for Qin Feiyang (disguised).

Qin Feiyang reached the main entrance, adjusted his armor, and walked through. He and Fan Jian (the real one) proceeded down a long corridor, one behind the other.

After they had gone some distance, Fan Jian (the real one) couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Brother Qin, what were you up to just now?"

Qin Feiyang whispered, "The Wolf King discovered the Masked Man, the one who slaughtered the Lu Family."

"What?!" Fan Jian's gaze trembled.

"Keep your voice down," Qin Feiyang said. "I've sent Fatty and the White-Eyed Wolf to investigate. I believe we'll have results soon."

Fan Jian smirked, full of confidence in Fatty. "With Fatty on the case, they definitely won't get away."

Qin Feiyang glanced at him curiously, then shook his head with a slight, wry smile. He continued walking towards the council hall, lost in thought.

The simultaneous appearance of the Masked Man and Lu Tingting was certainly no coincidence. This meant that after abducting Lu Tingting, the Masked Man hadn't harmed her but had instead made her his accomplice. But there was a critical question: the Masked Man was the butcher who had massacred the Lu Family. Given such a blood feud, why would Lu Tingting willingly collaborate with him? Furthermore, according to the Wolf King's observations, the Masked Man's own strength wasn't impressive; it was the Sand Whales that were powerful. Sand Whales! Thinking of this, Qin Feiyang's eyes brightened. Exactly! If the Masked Man was weaker than the Sand Whales, how could he possibly control them? I can't be wrong! There must be a true powerhouse backing this Masked Man!

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