I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1119 - Chapter 1119 Chapter 413 Ghost on the Wilderness Ridge

Chapter 1119: Chapter 413: Ghost on the Wilderness Ridge Chapter 1119: Chapter 413: Ghost on the Wilderness Ridge Among the Dragon State’s Seven Great Families, Elder Nong and Liu Tianwang were the most renowned. The reason for their fame was that both had achieved the King Realm in martial arts cultivation. In the Fierce Realm, where even ancient strongholds considered this a pinnacle of achievement, such individuals were extremely rare.

However, the strengths and weaknesses of ancient masters were equally evident. Due to the scarcity of martial arts theory or its complexity, they excelled in combat, outperforming anyone they faced. But when it came to passing down their knowledge, they found it quite challenging.

As a result, the ancient texts and secret manuals passed down from ancient times were mostly abstruse and difficult to comprehend because the martial arts theoretical system was not yet complete at that time. Yet some geniuses had already ventured far ahead.

Thus, the techniques for using Spiritual Power that seemed obvious to them were only briefly mentioned in their writings, unaware that these very techniques could take a normal person a lifetime to study.

If later generations lacked the aptitude, they could hold the secret manuals in hand and still return from a treasure mountain empty-handed, unable to do anything but sigh in vain.

The Liu Clan of Chuanyuan and the Nong Clan of Yancang were in such an awkward position. Both families had ancestors who had reached the King Realm, but in the end, all that was left were incomprehensible heritages and Divine Artifacts. They did not have successors who outshone their predecessors, as sects often do.

Yet, even so, with the blessings of their ancestors and the empowerment of Divine Artifacts, these families that had King Realm ancestors stood out from the others.

Especially the Liu Clan of Chuanyuan, which was implicitly considered the leader among the Seven Great Families. Their clan had never been short of grandmaster-level martial artists, and they were the ones whose word was law within the Chuanyuan territories.

As one of the two main granaries of Longzhou, the business of the Liu Family of Chuanyuan spread throughout Longzhou. With the protection of their family, the disciples of the Liu Clan were treated with courtesy wherever they went.

Incidences of clan members being killed and left on the streets hadn’t occurred for over a decade, which explained why the Xiang Family Head was so furious now.

The spies from all three families were swiftly deployed, and soon they pinpointed the small house in North City. However, when the agents arrived at this location, something extremely bizarre happened.

Although the desolate land was clearly in sight, no matter how they tried to approach, they could not move forward. Even if they ran at top speed or flew, they ended up back where they started after half a day. Such strange occurrences could only be caused by an Illusion Technique or a trap like an Illusion Array.

But peculiarly, all the spies were lucid, feeling no signs of being affected by any sorcery, yet they could not advance an inch.

More and more spies from the three families gathered. Experienced agents from Wind Media thought up various ingenious methods to penetrate the wilderness but returned without success. They had no choice but to stay on guard on the periphery and relay the news back to the three bosses who were currently in a meeting amongst the clouds.

If not for the intention to catch the audacious criminal from Chaochang, these three bosses would not have gathered together. They had thought that the collaboration of the Liu, Xiang, and Nong families would easily snare a petty thief. But upon hearing the report from Wind Media, it became clear that this “petty thief” was not so trivial after all.

Yet this did not deter the resolve of the three bosses to investigate further; instead, it angered the Head of the Liu Family.

“Summon Master Zhu and several guest experts from the residence to break this deceitful Illusion Array. We must drag that person out!” he ordered.

With the command of the Head of the Liu Family, the diviners and sorcerers from the Liu Residence eagerly volunteered themselves. After all, in a world that revered martial power, illusionists and sorcerers had always been an underappreciated group.

Many who were not skilled in their arts could only perform on the streets, putting on shows of walking on fire, moving wells to grow melons, making withered vines bloom, creating water from empty cups, and turning stones into gold with illusion techniques to get by.

Even those illusionists who had some success were only good at mixing soul-bewildering smoke and controlling paper effigies. Although they were great entertainers, they knew the true extent of their combat strength.

So, to the common folk, practitioners of magic were elusive grandmasters, but to the martial families with real power, these magicians were nothing more than amusing servants, brought out to perform a few tricks for entertainment at feasts.

As a result, most illusionist magicians served as house guests in the noble families, not only in the Liu Residence but also in the Xiang Residence and the Nong Family’s estate as well.

However, as soon as it was known that the Head of the Liu Family intended to have Master Zhu take action, Elder Nong immediately discarded the idea of sending additional house guests to support the cause, and Xiang Ange even praised the Liu Family Head, “It’s said that Master Zhu comes from Penglai’s Mo Clan, fully mastering the art. His ‘White Tiger Seven Transformation Techniques’ are close to perfection. He can change form and sink or fly at will, proficient in the art of transformation. With Master Zhu taking action, success is assured!”

The reason martial arts were interesting was that they were broad in scope. Even the much-disdained illusion techniques could possess inexplicably formidable monsters.

And the Liu Family Head praised by Xiang Ange simply said, “I did not hesitate to ask Master Zhu to act, only to find out why. My son, though indulgent in pleasure without great ambition, is nevertheless virtuous and well-mannered. He has never committed any outrageous errors. Why would the assassin resort to such extreme measures!”

“The Head of the Liu Family is correct,” Elder Nong also spoke faintly, “I may have overly indulged in playtime with my great-grandson, but he too has never committed any atrocity. Even if he had offended an elder, a severe warning would suffice; there’s no need for such a violent response!”

Those appointed by their clans to expand their territories were far from mediocre. The current status of the Nong and Liu Families in Chaochang was not just due to ancestral blessings but also because they were benevolent and conducted themselves with integrity.

Yet now, members of their clans had been slaughtered within the city. Although the two heads spoke lightly, their hearts were filled with rage. This was precisely the spectacle Xiang Ange wanted to witness.

The words of three influential leaders meant their subordinates had to run their legs off. Shortly after Master Zhu left with the entourage from the Liu Residence to the wasteland, news came back.

“Sirs, Master Zhu and a few of the Liu Residence’s illusionist house guests are trapped halfway up the hill, going around in circles on the spot. No matter how we call out, they seem not to hear us. They’ve been walking in circles for a full quarter of an hour now!”

The young officer described the situation to the three leaders with genuine fear and trepidation, due to the eeriness of the incident at the wasteland. In broad daylight, the renowned Master Zhu, accompanied by several magicians, headed up the mountain. Halfway through, they began to go around in circles on the mountainside, like those possessed by demons, walking in an endless loop no matter how much those below from Wind Media shouted, looking foolish and lost.

Such a bizarre event was unheard of, not to mention unseen, which is no wonder the young member of Wind Media was trembling with fear.

However, the three great leaders were, after all, dominant figures in their own right. Although they were surprised that a mere wasteland could possess such power, they didn’t truly take it to heart.

“Such childish ghost tricks, thinking an illusion array is enough to make our clan retreat, is simply naive!” the Liu Family Head suddenly became enraged and turned to consult Xiang Ange, “Xiang Family Head, this person is so presumptuous, would you mind if our clan took some drastic measures?”

“In turbulent times, firm measures are necessary. For such a madman, no method is too harsh. The Head of the Liu Family, please do as you see fit!”

“Very well,” the Liu Family Head turned and commanded his officer, “Issue the order to the Tianmo Guard, have them level the entire Fierce Realm, and flush out the people. I want to see for myself who dares to provoke the Liu Clan of Chuanyuan–just who this madman is!”