Chapter Fifty: The Qian Family Colludes with the Enemy

On the dock square, everyone’s gaze had shifted toward Qian Zhouliang, eager to see what other tricks he might have up his sleeve.

Under the scrutiny of the crowd, Qian Zhouliang began to channel his energy, but unexpectedly, he turned his head aside, the corners of his mouth lifting in a sly smile. He faced forward again, raising his pale face, and offered a leisurely grin, his tone languid as he said, “Friends from the Wang family of East Ridge, it seems you have all come. Why not show yourselves so we might have a word?”

Aside from Qian Jiashun and Liao Hailong, who were already in the know, everyone else’s expressions shifted upon hearing these words. They all understood that such grand moves by the three great families could hardly escape the notice of the Wang family of East Ridge, but for them to appear so openly now—what could this mean?

“Qian Zhouliang, you old fox, what benefits did the Wang family of East Ridge promise you to make you go to such lengths?” The strongest reaction came from He Anjian.

Qian Zhouliang merely laughed heartily. “He Anjian, you must be growing senile! If the Chen family rises in power, what good would it do your He family? Not only would you gain nothing, you’d be sitting on pins and needles. Besides…” He paused, then continued, “Besides, the Chen family is now intent on monopolizing the mysterious artifact. In this case, how could we possibly withstand the Wang family of East Ridge?”

He Anjian scoffed, “I’d say you’re just afraid the debt will find its rightful owner, you old dog.”

Qian Zhouliang paid him no mind, gazing up at the sky in idle amusement.

Just then, at the far end of the square, two figures finally appeared, both clad in golden robes, their hair and beards snowy white.

As they drew closer and their faces became clear, surprise flickered across everyone’s eyes.

He Anjian’s tone grew grave. “Wang Yongping, Wang Weixue! So it’s you two old coots.”

Wang Weixue smiled, “Brother Anjian, I trust you’ve been well.”

Chen Yulei frowned. “Third Brother, the Wang family of East Ridge has come as well.”

Chen Yuxuan merely smiled. “It’s just as well. Everyone has arrived.”

“Weixue, Yongping, you’ve finally come,” Qian Zhouliang said with a smile, then asked with curiosity, “Where is the Fourth Prince?”

Wang Weixue replied, “The Fourth Prince has gone in search of the artifact.”

Upon hearing this, Qian Zhouliang glanced at the Chen brothers, finding their expressions unchanged. He smiled to himself.

Wang Yongping curled his lip disdainfully. “A bunch of nobodies, thinking they can stand against the Wang family of East Ridge.”

At this, everyone present except Wang Weixue furrowed their brows.

Qian Zhouliang’s expression shifted instantly, and he forced a smile. “Weixue, Yongping, what now?”

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Wang Yongping spoke in a calm tone. “Rest assured, the Wang family of East Ridge has always been true to its word.”

Qian Zhouliang laughed. “Good, very good.”

He Anjian said coldly, “Qian Zhouliang, you wish to dominate the South Sea? Aren’t you afraid of biting off more than you can chew?”

Qian Zhouliang crossed his arms and replied leisurely, “My capacity is ample, no need for Brother Anjian’s concern.”

Wang Yongping said, “Enough chatter. Let’s settle this and assist the Prince.”

He turned to He Anjian, “He’s yours to keep occupied.”

Wang Weixue looked at Chen Yulei. “I’ll take on the head of the Chen family.”

“Hailong,” Qian Zhouliang called to Liao Hailong, who was standing beside him.

Liao Hailong responded without hesitation, moving to Qian Zhouliang’s side.

Seeing Qian Zhouliang eager to engage, Wang Yongping reminded him, “You mustn’t kill him.”

The Wang family of East Ridge aspired to unify Ridge Province—a secret well known among its people. However, they did not wish to confront the other two powers head-on yet, as it was too soon. Chen Yuxuan was one of the senior representatives of Mount Taiyi; if anything happened to him in the South Sea, Mount Taiyi would not let it go, which would hinder their long-term plans.

Though Qian Zhouliang was reluctant, he nodded.

On Chen Yuxuan’s side, he was already gathering his strength, ready to enter combat at any moment.

Wang Yongping squinted, watching the sword aura swirling around Chen Yuxuan, feeling a hint of excitement. “If not for tonight’s timing, I’d truly want to test myself against Leader Chen. I imagine the current Chen would not disappoint me.”

Chen Yuxuan smiled. “If you wish, come at me.”

A metallic clang rang out.

At that moment, Liao Hailong was already charging at Chen Yuxuan, his broad blade held at an angle. The tip scraped along the ground, throwing up sparks that shone sharply in the night across the dock square.

Yet the crowd’s focus was not on him, but rather on Qian Zhouliang, who stood unmoving. Both of his arms had transformed into the limbs of a Poison Dragon.

“Poison Dragon’s Twin Arms!” Chen Yulei stared in disbelief at Qian Zhouliang’s transformation, then suddenly looked at Chen Yuxuan, calling out in concern, “Third Brother!”

Chen Yuxuan ignored him, his gaze fixed intently on Qian Zhouliang’s arms.

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He Anjian was secretly astonished, never expecting that Qian Zhouliang had achieved the simultaneous transformation of both arms.

Qian Zhouliang threw his head back in laughter. “Ha ha ha… Did you think that after hundreds of years, the Poison Dragon’s Arm would make so little progress? You’ve underestimated me!”

Wang Yongping and Wang Weixue narrowed their eyes at the laughing Qian Zhouliang, surprised that he had cultivated the Poison Dragon’s Arm to such a level.

Qian Zhouliang pushed off the ground with his right foot, stirring up a cloud of dust. With both arms shrouded in billowing black energy, he rushed towards Wang Yongping, who was entangled with Liao Hailong, and his right hand, transformed into a palm, struck down at Chen Yuxuan’s head, trailing the seething darkness.

Chen Yuxuan had been wary of Qian Zhouliang all along, so this strike failed to achieve any significant effect. Still, though Qian Zhouliang’s attack produced no substantial results, the ensuing battle left Chen Yuxuan repeatedly in peril. This was only natural; Qian Zhouliang and Chen Yuxuan belonged to different generations, and for the former to match the latter was already remarkable. Now, however, Qian Zhouliang revealed his trump cards as a senior, and with Liao Hailong—a formidable cultivator—in support, how could Chen Yuxuan withstand them? Had it not been for his cultivation of the Taiyi Star Transformation, he would surely have been seriously injured by now.

On He Anjian and Wang Yongping’s side, Wang Yongping had no intention of engaging in a full-scale fight, merely probing his opponent’s cultivation and techniques. For He Anjian, things were different; he needed to defeat Wang Yongping by any means, otherwise he could not help Chen Yuxuan, which would jeopardize the Chen and He families’ future in the South Sea. A giant water column shaped like a dragon was smashed at Wang Yongping by He Anjian’s fist. Before one wave had settled, another rose—a second punch followed the first, forming a relentless cycle.

Meanwhile, on Chen Yulei and Wang Weixue’s side, the situation was less favorable. Chen Yulei was pushing with all his might to break free of Wang Weixue’s defenses, forcing Wang Weixue to resort to heavy-handed tactics, driving Chen Yulei back with each move. The gap in strength was evident, but Chen Yulei was fearless, repeatedly hurling himself into the line of fire.

A loud thud echoed.

Chen Yulei’s body crashed heavily to the ground. His robes were torn to shreds, revealing his muscular physique and the wounds upon it. His eyes burned with unwillingness. He pounded the earth, trying to rise, but before he could get halfway up, he toppled again. The refusal in his gaze was not directed at Wang Weixue, but at Chen Yuxuan.

Wang Weixue shook his head and reminded him, “Better lie still for now. They won’t harm Chen Yuxuan.”

Chen Yulei’s eyes remained stubborn, still struggling to stand, but his body would not allow it. Helpless, he could only lie back, head turned, watching the battle on Chen Yuxuan’s side.

A sharp clang resounded.

Chen Yuxuan, somewhat battered, managed to parry Liao Hailong’s sweeping blade with his own sword, only to take a punch from Qian Zhouliang moments later.

Another heavy blow landed.

He absorbed one punch from Qian Zhouliang, but the second struck his chest squarely, instantly smashing him to the ground amid a cloud of dust.

As the dust settled, Chen Yuxuan’s figure emerged, supporting himself with one hand on a rootless pine, one knee on the ground, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, his eyes burning with deep resentment as he stared at Qian Zhouliang and his son.

The dock square had fallen silent, the fighting ended.

Yet amidst the quiet, those present seemed to hear the faint sound of approaching footsteps.