Chapter 76: Open Struggle and Hidden Conflict

Since he planned to cultivate this technique, he needed to seriously consider the issues involved.

With this in mind, Fang Yun glanced at Lai Kuan and the Black Widow standing on either side.

"The technique is good; I'll study it for a while. Please arrange a room for me."

Upon hearing this, Lai Kuan nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Master! The Giant Whale Gang has plenty of rooms. I'll take you there right away!"

Fang Yun nodded, holding the technique in his hand, and followed Lai Kuan as they walked toward the back.

The Black Widow followed behind Fang Yun, heading back as well.

Before long, under Lai Kuan's guidance, they arrived at a quaint little courtyard.

As they walked inside, Lai Kuan said, "Master, what do you think of this little courtyard? If you're not satisfied, I can have it changed for you right away!"

As the three entered the courtyard, Fang Yun looked around at the environment.

There were rockeries, a pond, and a small pavilion.

The greenery was also well done.

It was indeed a place that suited his preferences.

Seeing the layout of the courtyard, Fang Yun nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, this will do. Have someone bring in the things I brought with me. If there's nothing else, don't disturb me!"

Lai Kuan nodded. "Rest assured, Master! I'll arrange it right away!"

He then slowly backed out of the courtyard.

Seeing this, the Black Widow understood that Fang Yun didn't want them to disturb him, so she hesitated briefly, glanced at Fang Yun, and ultimately said nothing as she followed him out.

Fang Yun noticed the change in the Black Widow's expression.

However, at that moment, his most important task was to study the Five Elements Technique, not to concern himself with the open struggle and hidden conflicts between her and Lai Kuan.

To him, those matters weren't of much significance.

After the two left, Fang Yun looked around the environment once more and nodded in satisfaction.

He then summoned the vine from underground to emerge.

During his previous battle with Lai Kuan, part of the vine's spikes had been severed.

Although this didn't affect its combat power, Fang Yun still wanted to restore it.

Looking at the vine that came before him, Fang Yun gently placed his hand on it, allowing the life essence from his body to flow into it.

The plant cells in the severed spike area responded to the life essence and began to grow rapidly.

After spending just two points of life essence, the broken spikes were restored to normal.

Once he was done, Fang Yun commanded the vine to burrow back into the ground and remain beneath his feet.

At the same time, Fang Yun focused on sensing the metallic plant still by the coastline.

Feeling its movement speed, Fang Yun could only shake his head helplessly.

It seemed he would have to wait until he needed it to personally transport it over.

If he relied solely on his command to bring it up from underground, who knows how long it would take?

After completing all of this, Fang Yun sat down in the pavilion and reopened the Five Elements Technique to study it carefully.

Meanwhile, Lai Kuan and the Black Widow left Fang Yun's courtyard one after the other.

Once they had walked a distance away, Lai Kuan let out a heavy sigh of relief.

His body slumped down, and he sat awkwardly on the ground.

At this moment, some members of the Giant Whale Gang who had been observing from a distance rushed over, led by several leaders.

"Leader, are you alright? Is everything okay? Who was that person just now? How dare he injure you! I'll bring people to surround and kill him!"

Among the leaders that approached, there was a scholar holding a folding fan, looking somewhat thin and sporting a long beard, whose eyes glinted with malice as he spoke.

With the support of his surrounding lackeys, Lai Kuan gradually stood up.

He then walked up to the scholar and slapped him hard across the face.

The force sent the scholar flying.

With a fierce glare, Lai Kuan scanned the scholar.

"Yang Jie, don't try to use your little schemes on me. Otherwise, I'll skin you alive."

He was well aware of the character of this subordinate.

He was merely someone skilled in flattery.

If he truly had the guts, why didn't he act earlier? Why wait until now to speak in front of him?

If it were any other time, Lai Kuan might have enjoyed Yang Jie's flattery and not taken it seriously. However, at this moment, Yang Jie's words felt like salt being poured on a wound.

Lai Kuan knew that, with his abilities, he would never be able to contend with that cultivator. Just being able to survive this encounter meant he still held some value and had bowed down early enough. Otherwise, he would have been dead by now.

Saying such things now was nothing but sarcasm directed at him. Moreover, if Yang Jie's words reached the ears of that cultivator, it would pose a significant risk to Lai Kuan. He hadn't forgotten that there was still a subordinate of that cultivator nearby.

At that moment, Yang Jie, who had rolled on the ground a few times, lay prostrate, repeatedly kowtowing. "Master, please spare my life! I know I was wrong!"

Lai Kuan ignored Yang Jie's pleas and turned to the Black Widow, smiling as he said, "Madam, I didn't expect that the cultivator you pledged allegiance to is such a powerful figure. Why didn't you mention it earlier? If you had, I would have sought to join him long ago. There wouldn't have been such misunderstandings!"

The Black Widow didn't respond but instead shot a deep glance at Lai Kuan.

She knew that her husband, who controlled tens of thousands of members in the Giant Whale Gang, had gained this position not just through extraordinary strength but also because of his deep cunning.

He had lost so many subordinates and even sustained severe injuries himself. Although it was all caused by the cultivator, she feared he might blame her for everything that had happened.

While Lai Kuan wouldn't dare act against her due to the cultivator's presence, the lack of a clear attitude from the cultivator regarding the thoughts she had previously expressed made her feel uneasy.

It seemed she needed to quickly establish her own influence within the Giant Whale Gang. Otherwise, she might find herself in danger.

All sorts of thoughts circulated in the Black Widow's mind. Ultimately, she said nothing and turned to walk toward her room.

Lai Kuan squinted as he watched the Black Widow leave, his gaze becoming increasingly sinister. "That wretched woman should have been killed off from the start!"

The Black Widow was right; Lai Kuan had indeed placed the blame for everything that had happened today squarely on her shoulders. However, the main reason wasn't the loss of so many subordinates.

With the Giant Whale Gang's large numbers, he wouldn't be overly concerned about how many had died.

Nor was it because he was injured. He had endured severe injuries multiple times before on his path to becoming the leader of the Giant Whale Gang.

With the blood seal artifact in his possession, he could recover from injuries in no time.

The real reason he was upset was that after failing to ambush Fang Yun, the sight of him pleading for mercy while lying on the ground had utterly destroyed his face.

This had led to a significant blow to his prestige within the Giant Whale Gang, which was what he cared about the most.