Complete the mission and receive the reward

As Ye Daocang's gaze settled on the trio, they all felt a shiver run down their spines. Staring at Lin Cheng's corpse, split in two, they now regretted their involvement to the point that they wished they could tear him apart themselves.

Under Ye Daocang's emotionless gaze, the three forced themselves to suppress their growing fear. The county magistrate was the first to awkwardly smile and bow toward Ye Daocang.

"Congratulations, Master Ye, on your triumphant return and your breakthrough. You've slain a demonic cultivator, removing a great threat from Fengling County. Such an achievement must be reported to the county governor to celebrate your meritorious deeds!"

Seeing this, the leaders of the Wang and Yang families quickly followed suit, nodding and bowing.

"Indeed, indeed! Once I return, I will inform our family head and send a grand gift to congratulate Master Ye!"

"The same goes for my Yang family. Master Ye breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm is truly a double blessing!"

Ye Daocang listened to their words but did not respond immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze to the Ye family's higher-ups. Eventually, his eyes landed on Ye Changfeng.

"Elder Changfeng, if I'm not mistaken, the county magistrate and the Wang and Yang families claimed they came here because of reports of a demonic cultivator in our Ye family, correct?"

Although Ye Changfeng was puzzled, he still stepped forward and replied, "Yes, Master Ye."

Hearing this, Ye Daocang nodded and then said, "This demonic cultivator was indeed extraordinarily powerful. Later, send word that the county magistrate and the Wang and Yang families came to support us, but due to their lack of strength, they were slain by the demonic cultivator. At the critical moment, Ye Daocang broke through to the Grandmaster Realm and, though gravely injured, managed to kill the demonic cultivator."

Gasp!

Upon hearing this, gasps of disbelief filled the air as shocked eyes turned toward Ye Daocang.

Fear spread quickly through the ranks of the county magistrate's men and the Wang and Yang families. They looked from Ye Daocang to Lin Cheng's lifeless body and back again, struggling to comprehend the absurdity of what had just been said.

"A powerful demonic cultivator? And you were severely injured just to kill him?"

Even though they knew Ye Daocang was lying, the fact that he had already made up his mind meant there was no escaping their fate. Their hearts sank, and dread filled their minds.

The county magistrate, trying to hold back his fear, pointed at Ye Daocang and angrily shouted, "What do you intend to do? I am an official appointed by the Great Qian Dynasty! If you kill me, the imperial army will descend upon your family!"

Ye Daocang didn't even lift an eyebrow at the threat. "The county magistrate dies at the hands of a demonic cultivator—what does that have to do with me?"

"You—!" The county magistrate, furious and desperate, tried to continue his threats.

But before he could say more, Ye Daocang turned around, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

The magistrate's words stuck in his throat, fear gripping him as he stood frozen in place.

Ye Daocang sneered. "You want to destroy my Ye family and still think you can leave here alive? Did you really think the name Ye Daocang was just for show?"

Without wasting any more time, Ye Daocang swung his sword, and with a crisp sound, blood flowed from the county magistrate's neck.

A moment later, his head hit the ground, his eyes wide open in disbelief, even in death.

"Not good!"

"Run, now!"

Seeing Ye Daocang kill the county magistrate without hesitation, the leaders of the Wang and Yang families didn't dare to hesitate. They turned to flee immediately.

Ye Daocang's lips curled into a cold smile.

"You think you can escape from me?"

With another flick of his sword, two blasts of sword energy shot out, instantly piercing through the bodies of the two leaders.

Thud!

Their lifeless bodies fell from the air, unmoving. They were dead before they hit the ground.

Ye Daocang then turned his cold gaze toward the remaining forces surrounding the Ye family. With a single motion, he waved his hand.

"Kill them all!"

Instantly, Ye Zhantian, leading the charge, rushed forward, attacking the three families' men. Ye Daocang moved through the battlefield, his sword flashing, cutting down Innate Realm and late-stage Acquired Realm martial artists alike.

He showed no mercy, striking down all who stood in his way.

In the end, after the Ye family unleashed their full power, tens of thousands of enemies lay dead outside the Ye family's estate.

Ye Daocang felt no pity for them.

In a world of fantasy cultivation, cruelty reigned supreme. Every day, countless lives were lost—it was either kill or be killed.

What's more, compared to the massacre of the Ye family years ago, this was nothing but a small skirmish.

As the Ye family disciples began to clean up the area, Ye Daocang returned to the main hall with the higher-ups of the family.

Once seated, he observed the elders gathered around him—there were about a dozen Innate Realm experts present.

The strongest among them were Ye Zhantian, Ye Changfeng, Ye Daoxin, Ye Changliu, Ye Muxiu, Ye Huoyun, Ye Wuqing, Ye Yunxiao, and Ye Cangsheng. These nine individuals were the core elders of the Ye family, direct descendants from its glory days, and their cultivation ranged from the fifth to seventh levels of the Innate Realm.

Additionally, many former core members of the Ye family had also reached the early stages of the Innate Realm.

"Congratulations, Master Ye, on breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm!"

The elders and higher-ups all clasped their fists, their faces filled with genuine joy.

Ye Daocang waved them off with a smile.

Then, subtly activating his Eyes of Insight, he scanned the room to ensure there were no spies or traitors. Only after confirming their loyalty did he relax.

Having experienced Lin Cheng's betrayal, he vowed never to let his guard down again.

Looking at the loyal and capable elders surrounding him, Ye Daocang knew these were the people who would help him lead the Ye family to new heights.

After some casual conversation, Ye Daocang raised his hand, signaling for silence, and glanced around the room.

"Everyone, the Wang and Yang families, along with the county magistrate's office, have gone too far. This grudge cannot go unpunished. Do any of you have suggestions on how we should proceed?"

The elders exchanged looks before Ye Daoxin stepped forward.

"The three great families of Fengling County are becoming redundant. Now that you have broken through to the Grandmaster Realm, it's time for the Ye family to expand. This incident gives us the perfect opportunity to act."

"Daoxin is right. With their provocation, the Ye family has every reason to strike back. I fully support taking action now," another elder agreed.

The other elders nodded in agreement.

Having suffered deep blood feuds, they knew the Ye family's rise to power was inevitable.

Ye Daocang nodded slowly. "Since that's the case, prepare everything. Tomorrow, I will give the order, and we will strike."

"As you command, Master Ye!" The elders and higher-ups clasped their fists again before leaving to make preparations.

Soon, a series of secret orders were issued, and the members of the Ye family, receiving the news, were filled with excitement and anticipation.

After all, once the Wang and Yang families were destroyed, the Ye family would become the undisputed rulers of Fengling County.

Furthermore, once the two families were eradicated, their resources would fall into the hands of the Ye family, greatly boosting their own wealth and power.

Watching the revitalized energy within his family, Ye Daocang smiled faintly.

"It's time to claim my rewards."

With that, he turned and headed back to his room, immersing himself in the system's space.

Meanwhile, in Fengling County, yet another sleepless night was upon them.

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