He Xiao had been lurking in the crowd all day, appearing unusually calm.

Now, his words pulled everyone’s attention back to the courtyard.

The He Family Master glanced at his younger brother in surprise. He had been worried that his brother’s past feud with Song Wanning would make him act rashly, but he hadn’t expected him to be so level-headed.

’As expected of my brother.’

The He Family Master smiled and picked up the thread. "Divinity Transformation Ancestor of the Song Family, our He Family is completely innocent. For you to slander us like this just to hide a secret... once this is over, you must give the He Family an explanation!"

"Let us into the courtyard at once! If you continue to obstruct us, we’ll have to wonder if the Song Family is involved in some shady business that brought down this Heavenly Punishment..."

He swiftly turned the tables, making a false accusation of his own.

Whether the crowd believed him or not, they should all understand that the monster was no longer the priority.

The others chimed in with their agreement, their expressions growing more anxious. But since the three major families hadn’t forced their way in, the smaller groups didn’t dare to charge in recklessly either.

Seeing this, Song Huai gave a cold smirk. Just as he was about to speak again, the Ning Family Patriarch finally interjected.

"Divinity Transformation Ancestor of the Song Family, we suspect there’s a problem in your courtyard and are preparing to investigate. I trust you won’t stand in our way?"

His gaze was distant, his eyes glinting as he stared toward the courtyard.

He had detected the presence of an Array inside long ago, but he still hadn’t sensed the aura of any treasure.

An item that could attract the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder had to be an Innate Spiritual Treasure at the very least. Its aura would be unmistakable.

Yet, from beginning to end, not the slightest trace of an aura had leaked out. This inevitably sowed doubt in his heart.

’Could this be a trap set by the Song Family?’

The thought made the Ning Family Patriarch’s heart sink. He decided to accelerate his plan. If it truly was a trap, he would pin all the blame on the He Family.

’But if there really is a treasure, I’ll seize it...’

The Ning Family Patriarch’s expression turned frigid. The moment he finished speaking, several Divinity Transformation cultivators unleashed their auras in unison, pressing down on Song Huai.

They had already agreed on the way here: the Divinity Transformation Ancestors from the various families would act on the Ning Family Patriarch’s signal.

Song Huai’s expression darkened. His aura erupted to its full potential as he faced the crowd without a trace of fear.

"I have already told you, a monster triggered the Divine Thunder. The monster has since fled, and there is nothing left in the courtyard."

"You insist on entering. It seems your offer to ’help’ was a lie. Your true intention is to rob the Song Family by force, isn’t it?"

Since they were already planning to use force, it was time to drop all pretenses.

"You’ve openly allied to attack the Song Family without provocation. Aren’t you afraid of facing judgment from all the other families?"

He knew these families wouldn’t leave until they got what they wanted. For now, all he could do was stall.

The Ning Family Patriarch had no desire to waste more time on words. If not for the need to discern whether this was a trap, they would have attacked from the very beginning.

"Enough nonsense. We suspect the Song Family is engaged in clandestine activities, which is why we’ve come to investigate. Why should we be the ones facing judgment?"

"If we find anything, it will be the Song Family that awaits judgment!"

His attitude suddenly turned unyielding. They had come prepared to frame the Song Family from the start.

Even if the courtyard was empty, he could make something appear!

’The Song Family isn’t worthy to contend with our three families!’

"Charge!"

With a wave of his hand, the Ning Family Patriarch sent the Divinity Transformation cultivators behind him flying toward the courtyard.

They swarmed forward, their expressions ravenous, as if they wanted to tear the entire courtyard to pieces.

Enraged, Song Huai shot forward to intercept the leading Divinity Transformation cultivators.

Just then, the courtyard gate flew open. Several familiar figures shot out, heading straight for the attacking Divinity Transformation cultivators.

It was Song Qingyun and his group, who had rushed to the scene.

BOOM—

A violent clash erupted in the sky above the Song Family’s courtyard. The initial exchange of blows was enough to send all cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm and below flying backward.

The spectating cultivators turned pale with fright and scrambled to retreat.

A fight between Divinity Transformation cultivators was no joke. A stray shockwave from a single palm strike could kill them.

But no one had expected these families to actually come to blows.

RUMBLE—

With a series of deafening rumbles, the city’s defensive Arrays activated one by one, trapping everyone within.

After exchanging a few blows, the Divinity Transformation cultivators rapidly retreated, putting significant distance between themselves.

The Ning Family Patriarch’s eyes narrowed as he got a clear look at the newcomers.

’Who is that with Song Qingyun?’

’They’re also at the Early-stage Divinity Transformation realm!’

The He Family Master’s pupils contracted when he recognized her. "Aren’t you the Song Family’s Fifth Elder?" he asked, astonished. "You’ve also reached Divinity Transformation?!"

At his words, everyone who recognized the Fifth Elder reeled in shock, their gazes fixed on her.

The Fifth Elder snorted. "What, are you surprised that I’ve advanced?"

A glint of killing intent flashed in her eyes as she scanned the opposing crowd.

The Cultivation World was a pragmatic place. If the Song Family were truly weak, who would seek justice for them even if they were robbed blind?

But major powers generally cared about their reputation. At the very least, they wouldn’t resort to open robbery, preferring to use underhanded tricks in private.

Yet these people had dared to launch a full-frontal assault. It was clear their lust for the treasure had driven them mad.

The Song Family had grown too powerful, too quickly. These people were green with envy.

Now that they saw she had also reached Divinity Transformation, they were bound to become even more frenzied.

’It seems a battle today is unavoidable.’

Boundless fighting spirit surged within the Fifth Elder. ’Wan Ning has sacrificed so much for us. Now, it’s our turn to protect her.’

"Song Qingyun..."

The He Family Master’s eyes turned red, his jealousy practically spilling out.

His desire for the Song Family’s treasure reached a fever pitch.

He Xiao’s eyes were also bloodshot. He wished he could flay these people alive and absorb their cultivation for himself.

It wasn’t just them; the eyes of everyone from the major families had turned red with greed.

Even the Ning Family could no longer remain composed.

Advancing to Divinity Transformation was incredibly difficult. Their three major families had expended countless resources and schemes just to maintain three Divinity Transformation Ancestors each.

Yet the Song Family was producing Divinity Transformation cultivators one after another, as if it were as simple as eating a meal. How could they not be consumed by jealousy?

Everyone’s hearts began to pound. They exchanged glances, seeing the same grim determination reflected in each other’s eyes.

Originally, they had just planned to get a piece of the pie. Now, they were resolved to take it all by force.

They would do it no matter the cost.

In that moment, all pretenses were dropped. The major families began to call for reinforcements.

All Nascent Soul and Divinity Transformation cultivators from their clans were to be summoned.

After all, besides the Song Family, everyone else would become rivals in the struggle for the treasure.

The stronger they were, the more leverage they would have when it came time to divide the spoils.

The situation had spiraled completely out of control.

It was about to erupt into an all-out war between the great families.

Standing at the courtyard gate, Song Qingyun watched the scene unfold, his expression unsurprised.

He just felt a pang of melancholy.

’Wan Ning’s guess was right after all.’

’A war between the families was always inevitable.’

’Even if she hadn’t fallen to the demonic path, even if they had done nothing at all...’

’In their past life, the Song Family was slaughtered to the last man.’

’In this life, the Song Family would never let these people have their way!’