Over the past 30 years, under Chen Heng's leadership, the Zhang clan had gone through great changes.
Compared to 30 years ago, the Zhang clan had become a massive existence, and it was only inferior to the three major sects in Yue Kingdom. In fact, it was not inferior to them at all.
At the very least, that was the case on the surface.
With such power, it was naturally not easy to deal with them. Even if Hou Juan was related to a demonic cultivator and cultivated a demonic art, under normal circumstances, it would not affect the Zhang clan at all.
After all, with the Zhang clan's strength, it was not easy to take them down. Even a massive existence like the Flowing Cloud Sect had to be wary of the repercussions.
As long as Chen Heng did not show himself and cut off contact with Hou Juan, the repercussions would be minimal.
However, if …
Zhang Chong looked quite worried as he looked at Zhang Ya, "Ya'er, do you think Hao'Er … would he … for this woman …"
Zhang Ya's body paused as a look of hesitation appeared on her face.
"This … shouldn't be the case …" she said softly.
She said softly, but thinking back to Chen Heng's calm expression, she could not help but feel a bit uncertain.
To oppose a massive existence like the Flowing Cloud Sect for a single person, to others, this was not a wise thing to do.
Even a wise person would not do such a thing.
However, if it was Chen Heng, that might not be the case.
Zhang Ya had never guessed what this clan brother of hers was thinking.
She could not guess what he was thinking at all.
Thinking to there, she could not help but sigh. She finally understood why Zhang Chong had hurried over.
Evidently, he understood Chen Heng very well and was afraid that Chen Heng would do something.
The two of them looked at each other before sighing.
Even though they were worried, there was nothing they could do right now.
The initiative did not lie with the two of them.
The only thing they could do was warn Chen Heng not to be too rash.
Following this, time gradually passed.
News of Hou Juan gradually spread throughout the Zhang clan. At first, it caused some panic, but things quickly calmed down.
This incident only gave the Zhang family more topics to talk about. It didn't have much impact on their daily lives.
However, in the dark, the invisible influence was still being exerted. It was just that it was hidden and could not be clearly seen.
Time continued to pass.
Soon, a month had passed.
Over the past month or so, Chen Heng had been quite calm regarding Hou Juan's matter. Every day, he would drink tea and occasionally refine a few magic tools. It seemed like he was no different from before.
His expression was also very calm, as if he did not care about Hou Juan's matter at all.
Secretly observing Chen Heng's performance, Zhang Chong and the others inwardly let out sighs of relief, and their worries gradually faded.
It seemed that Chen Heng would not take the initiative to come and do anything for Hou Juan.
However, what they did not expect was that before Chen Heng took the initiative to do anything, the Flowing Cloud Sect's people had come.
"The Zhang Clan of the Nine Peaks indeed lives up to their reputation."
Walking in Nine Peaks City, a middle-aged cultivator strolled around. Looking at the bustling scene around him, he could not help but smile.
Behind him were a few other cultivators, who, like him, were also sizing up their surroundings.
"Is this Nine Peaks City?"
Following behind the middle-aged cultivator, a young woman looked quite surprised, "It looks quite prosperous, and it is not inferior to the outskirts of the Flowing Cloud Sect at all."
"What a good place."
Looking around, sensing the cultivators and the bustling atmosphere, the others could not help but feel a fire in their hearts.
"This is Nine Peaks City, and it is the foundation of the Zhang clan."
Looking around, the middle-aged cultivator smiled and said, "This is also the core area of the Zhang family. It is said that it was originally just an ordinary city, but the Zhang family's family head developed it into what it is now. It is truly amazing."
"However, this place will soon be ours."
He looked around, and an inexplicable smile appeared on his face.
"Will the Zhang clan really hand over such a prosperous place?"
The young woman behind the middle-aged cultivator looked quite surprised, "If it was me, I definitely would not be willing.
"With such a prosperous place, the amount of spirit stones coming in each year is most likely not small. Under normal circumstances, who would be willing to give it up?"
The middle-aged cultivator smiled. Then, a sneer appeared on his face. "However, he no longer has a choice in this situation."
Elder He and the others have already discussed this.
"The Zhang clan definitely has something to do with the appearance of demonic cultivators; perhaps there are even demonic cultivators hidden within.
"If he doesn't want to hand it over, what can he do?"
The middle-aged cultivator looked around with a cold expression as he spoke.
When the other cultivators around him heard this, they didn't say anything and only silently nodded.
They all knew their goal, so there was no need for them to say anything.
Walking along the street, it didn't take long for someone from the Zhang Clan to lead them into the Zhang Clan's territory.
"It has been a long time."
Within the courtyard, there were many people sitting around.
Within this room, Zhang Chong, Zhang Ya, and the others were sitting, as well as some of the Zhang clan's core members.
Across from them, the middle-aged cultivator and the others were sitting with smiles on their faces.
"May I ask what matter has brought these esteemed envoys here?"
Looking at the middle-aged cultivator sitting in front of him, Zhang Chong forced a smile and raised the cup of spirit tea in his hand.
"Old Clan Leader, you already know why I'm here. Why do you need to ask?"
Sitting across from Zhang Chong, the middle-aged cultivator lightly smiled and said, "The news of Hou Juan cultivating a demonic technique and devouring people's souls has long since spread."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone from the Zhang Clan, including Zhang Chong and Zhang Ya, trembled involuntarily.
"This … envoy must be joking."
Zhang Chong's hand trembled, but he quickly recovered and smiled, "Hou Juan is just an outsider and not a member of the Zhang clan, so what does he have to do with the Zhang clan?"
"That's right!"
"He's just an outsider; what does he have to do with the Zhang clan?"
Around Zhang Chong, the other members of the Zhang Clan spoke up one after another, drawing a clear line between them.
Sitting across from Zhang Chong, the middle-aged cultivator didn't say anything. He simply smiled and silently looked at Zhang Chong.
"As far as I know, the Demonic Disciple Hou Juan seems to be on good terms with your Zhang Family, right?"
The middle-aged cultivator didn't say anything, but the young woman next to him smiled and looked at the crowd.
"It's just an ordinary relationship."
Zhang Chong shook his head and said, "This junior of mine entered your sect in the same batch as this demon disciple. It's normal for them to know each other."
"However, there are many people in the Flowing Cloud Sect who know him, so it doesn't seem like much."
He looked at the middle-aged man and said.
"There are naturally many people who are acquainted with this demonic disciple. However, the only one who is on good terms with him and even treats him like his own disciple or clansman is your Zhang Clan, right?"
In front of him, the middle-aged man sighed. Then, he smiled and said, "Your clan leader has an unusual relationship with this demon disciple, right?"
"That demon disciple revealed a lot of information about you in prison."
"Damnit!"
Hearing the middle-aged man's words, Zhang Chong could not help but grit his teeth.
By now, Hou Juan was already in the Flowing Cloud Sect's hands.
With cultivators' methods, it would be normal for Hou Juan to tell them everything.
Furthermore, in the past, the Zhang Family had never concealed the existence of Hou Juan and the others. As long as one had the intention, it would be extremely easy to investigate.
Thinking to there, he sighed and said, "The matter with the Demonic Disciple Hou Juan has nothing to do with my Zhang Clan."
"Even though that's the case, how can empty words win the trust of others?"
The middle-aged cultivator's smile became even wider as he said softly, "I heard that it's not just that demon disciple; even within the Zhang Clan, there are many people who cultivate demonic techniques."
"That's impossible!"
Zhang Chong's expression fell as he said decisively, "If you don't believe me, you can come with me and check the entire Zhang Clan to see if there is anyone with demonic qi."
"There's no need for that."
The middle-aged cultivator shook his head and said, "However, in order to prove that the Zhang Clan is indeed not harboring the demon disciple, I need your clan leader to go to the Sect and personally confront the demon disciple.
"That's why I've come."
Speaking to there, he gave a slight smile and finally revealed his true goal.
He wanted the Zhang clan's clan leader to go to the Flowing Cloud Sect.
Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed.
A long time ago, Chen Heng had not returned to the Flowing Cloud Sect and had instead stayed in Nine Peaks City to watch over it.
Even though there were rumors that the Zhang clan's clan leader's strength was not inferior to the Flowing Cloud Sect's Elders and had reached the Profound Understanding realm.
However, even if he was in the Profound Understanding realm, once he went to the Flowing Cloud Sect's territory, he would be captured.
After all, the Flowing Cloud Sect not only had the Sect Master and Elders, but it also had a defensive formation.
Once the defensive formation was activated, even a Profound Understanding realm cultivator would be suppressed.
When that time came, even a Profound Understanding realm cultivator would only be able to surrender.
For the Zhang clan's clan leader to go to the Flowing Cloud Sect at this time, what was he planning?
Thinking to there, everyone's expressions slightly changed.
Sitting opposite him, the middle-aged cultivator smiled as he looked at Zhang Chong and the others' expressions.
Even though the demon disciple incident had caused quite a bit of chaos, it was an opportunity for the three major sects.
To the Flowing Cloud Sect and the other two sects, the Zhang clan's expansion over the past 30 years had long since raised their guard.
Moreover, the Zhang clan's businesses and spirit gardens also made them feel quite tempted.
Including the Flowing Cloud Sect, the three major sects had long since wanted to suppress the Zhang clan, but they had not been able to find a suitable opportunity.
After all, the Zhang clan was not without people; they also had a Profound Understanding realm cultivator.
If a Profound Understanding realm cultivator escaped, it would be quite troublesome.
Because of this, even though they coveted the Zhang clan, the three major sects had not made a move against them, maintaining a certain balance.
For them, the balance had been broken this time.
To the Flowing Cloud Sect, this incident gave them an excuse to attack the Zhang clan.
The Flowing Cloud Sect was the sect that Chen Heng came from, and they used the demon disciple incident as an excuse to summon the Zhang clan's clan leader to the Flowing Cloud Sect.
If he did not go, it would mean that he was colluding with a demon disciple.
However, if he went …
Thinking to there, the middle-aged cultivator gave a slight smile.
If the Zhang clan's clan leader really went, he would not be able to come out anymore.
Very few people in the outside world could defeat a Profound Understanding realm cultivator, and even if multiple Profound Understanding Elders acted together, it would not be safe. It would be easy for the Zhang clan leader to escape and cause problems in the future.
However, within the Flowing Cloud Sect, things would be much simpler.
After activating the defensive formation, even a Profound Understanding realm cultivator would not be able to resist much. When facing multiple Profound Understanding Elders, he would not be able to escape at all and would be captured.
When that time came, without the Zhang clan's clan leader, the Zhang clan would be at the mercy of others.
If they wanted something, they could just go and take it themselves.
At that moment, many thoughts flashed through Zhang Chong and the others' minds.
"This …"
Looking at the middle-aged cultivator, Zhang Chong fell silent for a while before saying, "Is it possible for someone else to go?
The Zhang clan's clan leader is currently in closed-door cultivation and cannot leave for now.
Is it possible for this old man to go? "
He said with a smile, "In terms of status, I was also the Zhang clan's clan leader in the past, so I can represent the Zhang clan.
As for that demon disciple, I'm quite familiar with him and have some relationship with him.
It's quite appropriate for this old man to go. "
After activating the defensive formation, even a Profound Understanding realm cultivator would not be able to resist much. When facing multiple Profound Understanding Elders, they would not be able to escape at all and would be captured.
When that time came, without the Zhang clan's clan leader, the Zhang clan would be at the mercy of others.
If they wanted something, they could just go and take it themselves.
At that moment, many thoughts flashed through Zhang Chong and the others' minds.
"This …"
Looking at the middle-aged cultivator, Zhang Chong fell silent for a while before saying, "Is it possible for someone else to go?
The Zhang clan's clan leader is currently in closed-door cultivation and cannot leave for now.
Is it possible for this old man to go? "
He said with a smile, "In terms of status, I was also the Zhang clan leader in the past, so I can represent the Zhang clan.
As for that demon disciple, I'm quite familiar with him and have some relationship with him.
It's quite appropriate for this old man to go. "
He said with a smile, "In terms of status, I was also the Zhang clan leader in the past, so I can represent the Zhang clan.
As for that demon disciple, I'm quite familiar with him and have some relationship with him.
It's quite appropriate for this old man to go. "
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