C31 Killing It

Han Feng was lost in thought for quite some time before he suddenly spoke up, "I don't think his intentions are that straightforward. He's already stronger than you; there's no need for him to stoop to such low tactics."

After pondering for a moment and coming up empty, Han Rong replied, "Maybe he just wants to torment me. Everyone who's been killed by the giant venomous bee has suffered terribly."

"There might be some truth to that," Han Feng conceded, "but it's certainly not the whole story. If he simply wanted to torment you, he could easily take you alive with the power he wields."

"Do you think the Chang family has some way of communicating with each other?" Han Feng asked quickly, as if a new thought had struck him.

Han Rong furrowed his brow, taking a while before responding with uncertainty, "It's possible. The Chang family has been established in Renzhong City longer than our Han family, and they have a deeper foundation. They might possess such capabilities."

On this continent, there existed a peculiar method of communication that rivaled the cell phones from Han Feng's previous life. Within a certain distance, individuals could communicate without being face-to-face.

Such devices, however, were exceedingly rare. The Han family, with its relatively brief history and shallower roots, naturally lacked such technology.

A notion took shape in Han Feng's mind. "I suspect the Chang family has access to this kind of method."

"Our Han family may not have the same depth of foundation as the Changs, but our strength is comparable. Perhaps the Changs have been led to believe we possess similar means."

"If that's the case, then everything falls into place. Consider this: you were being pursued by the giant venomous bee, and your first instinct was to seek help from Han Lin or other members of our family."

"In that scenario, the damage wouldn't be limited to just you."

"Even if we managed to defeat the giant venomous bee, our family would still be dealt a significant blow. If I'm not mistaken, this Chang Tianyi was likely lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike when we were at our most vulnerable."

A chilling glint appeared in Han Feng's eyes.

Startled by the revelation, Han Rong was not slow to catch on. With Han Feng's explanation, he quickly grasped the gravity of the situation.

In the end, it seemed likely that the Han family's elite would be entirely wiped out.

Han Rong's complexion was pitch-black with fury. "The Chang family has always been treacherously cunning," he spat bitterly. "The incident with your father was orchestrated by a spy they planted within our own ranks."

"This has severely undermined the Han family's reputation, and your father had no choice but to face punishment from the Family Head and the Elders."

Han Feng was taken aback. He hadn't realized his father's punishment was connected to such machinations, and his resentment toward the Chang family grew.

With a pallor creeping onto his face, Han Rong asked, "Han Feng, what's our move?"

Without realizing it, Han Rong had begun to instinctively follow Han Feng's lead.

"We wait," Han Feng replied coolly. "Our suspicions were just that—suspicions."

"If Chang Tianyi doesn't show, we were wrong. Whatever's happened to you might be due to some other cause."

"But if Chang Tianyi does come soon, that would confirm..."

Han Rong hesitated, "But that's risky. Chang Tianyi has already unlocked three Main Bloodlines."

Han Feng scoffed, "And what of it? Do you have any idea of the power that roasted pig possessed in life?"

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Han Rong ventured, "Was it a Level 2 Late Period beast?"

"Level 2 Late Period?" Han Feng retorted icily. "That was its strength days ago. That pig was a Level 2 pinnacle Devil Beast on the cusp of evolution when it was alive!"

Han Rong inhaled sharply.

A Level 2 pinnacle Devil Beast on the brink of evolution—what did that imply?

It meant that only a martial cultivator with four unlocked Main Bloodlines could contend with it. Even Han Lin would have struggled against such a creature.

Yet, Han Feng had slain this formidable Devil Beast. Regardless of the effort it took, it demonstrated that Han Feng's strength exceeded that of a Four-main-bloodline Martial Cultivator.

With this realization, Han Rong found his composure.

Before long, Han Rong hunted down a Level 2 Early Period pig-type Devil Beast and set about roasting it.

Elsewhere, a figure sprinted in pursuit of a trail. "Han Rong must have joined up with the Han family's main forces by now. I wonder how those Han family weaklings are faring. They're probably not doing too well."

"Those ten Vicious Bees are no easy foes."

"Taking them out single-handedly will earn me a hefty reward—four or five Level 2 Pills, at the very least."

"When that happens, not only could I unlock my fourth Main Bloodline, but the fifth one might be within reach too. Surpassing Chang Wenjun isn't out of the question."

"Wait, something's off. What's with this smoke?"

Drawing nearer, Chang Tianyi was taken aback to see only two figures by the riverbank—Han Rong and Han Feng.

"How could a mere two-Main-Bloodline weakling possibly evade the Giant Poisonous Bee?" Chang Tianyi found it hard to believe. His eyes then shifted to the river, and he cursed under his breath, "Damn, those two got lucky. The Giant Poisonous Bee has an aversion to water; no wonder they're unharmed!"

A moment later, Chang Tianyi's sneer returned. "Han Rong is already wounded from our previous encounter, and Han Feng is nothing but trash, hardly a threat. Even without the Giant Poisonous Bee, I can handle them with ease. I'll take out these two first; the rest can wait."

Han Feng, pausing mid-bite on his pig's trotter, murmured, "Han Rong, our hunch was correct—he's here. Stay on the sidelines later; he's likely to try a sneak attack."

Aware that he was no match for either Han Feng or Chang Tianyi, Han Rong gave a subtle nod and discreetly moved back, ensuring he wouldn't be caught in the crossfire of their impending clash.

Suddenly, a chain whipped through the air.

"Claw Condensation Technique!"

Han Feng was on high alert and shredded the chain with ease. Seizing the last link with his left hand, he yanked Chang Tianyi into the open.

Chang Tianyi's face was a mask of shock, clearly unable to fathom that the 'trash' he had dismissed could be so formidable.

"Shoot, I've underestimated him. This kid is far from worthless. I need to get this message out..."

Chang Tianyi's thought was cut short as he clutched at his bleeding neck, and soon after, he fell to the ground.

Han Rong gulped. He knew Chang Tianyi wasn't as strong as him, but he hadn't anticipated such an enormous disparity in their abilities.

It was a lethal strike.

Han Feng approached Chang Tianyi's body and removed a green jade pendant from his grasp.

"A communication jade pendant? The Chang family indeed has ways to stay connected," Han Rong remarked with a hint of awe.

Han Feng pocketed the pendant, his face betraying little emotion. "It's merely the most basic communication jade pendant. I'd wager its range is limited to the size of the Jade Peak Mountain Range."

"The Chang family may have a deeper heritage than our Han family, but for someone like Chang Tianyi to possess a communication jade pendant seems somewhat suspicious."