Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, the Clan Leader immediately shattered the talisman in his hand, causing a bright formation that filled the entirety of the Soaring Cloud Sect's grounds. "Haha! You think yo-" The Clan Leader was laughingly about to monologue his trump card when suddenly the bright formation shattered almost instantly upon activation.

"This…" Everyone was speechless.

"Choose." Yan Zaizen spoke, his voice a little impatient. Did this old coot truly think he wouldn't dismantle the formation's core the moment he entered the grounds? To him, it was like a bunch of babies trying to guard a sandcastle. He could crumble it with a mere thought.

The female Grand Elder immediately stepped up, "Why do you...have to do this? We can-" She tried to bargain but was immediately interrupted by Yan Zaizen's sharp voice.

"Choose!"

The eldest male Grand Elder couldn't handle this, his eyes revealed a decisive light. His cultivation base erupted at full force, and his aura caused the surroundings to feel like a swamp. As Yan Zaizen tried to move his arm, he felt like his body was trudging through a sea of mud.

'Conceptual law of liquid earth?' He couldn't help but conclude based on its qualities. Surprisingly, this grand elder comprehended a world law, albeit a basic-tier world law, but a world law, nonetheless. Unfortunately, this conceptual law has yet to touch upon the force level and thus contained no traces of true law originating from earth. Its power was several dozens of times weaker than it should've been.

Yan Zaizen's eyes flickered with silver-blue light. A sudden flash of resplendent light surged outward and the aura that was once blazing brilliantly silenced immediately. The grand elder collapsed like a puppet with his string cut. If one examined closely, they could tell he was still alive but unconscious. It seemed like his soul was knocked out into a state of paralysis.

"He has chosen painful. Will you do the same?" Yan Zaizen words were filled with an imperialistic flavor, as if he decided their life or death, and he truly did. The Clan Lord's expression was darker than any expression that could ever be. Was this how his life would end? Because of some insignificant pebble getting lucky to befriend a person of exceptional prowess? It truly made one feel stifled as if the heavens had already deemed their deaths.

"Painless." The female grand elder spoke, her voice now filled with calmness. "In this world, we live and die based on our choices, based on our relationships, and based on our association. If today I die, then I'm happy I can choose how." Her voice contained boundless wisdom and clarity. Seeing Yan Zaizen destroying their formation, eliminating all of their forces, and killing someone of her equivalence in terms of prowess with a glance, she no longer had any thoughts of an alternative but death.

At least she could choose how.

"Then, I have a question." Yan Zaizen stated, continuing, "The Xuanwu City Lord of three years ago. What is her relationship with you, and what does she have against Han Genji?"

During his two years in the Deep Mines, he kept asking himself: 'why did she attempt to kill me?' Initially, he had no idea, but then it hit him. The City Lord didn't interfere in his combat with the two clans outside of Xuanwu City. She must've known who he was, or at least, who she believed he was - Han Zaiji! His alias he used for the Ying Clan and his explanation of relation to Han Genji.

However, that begged the question, why? Han Genji was allied with the Earthly Titan Sect and they likely supported him in the background against his crusade against the Soaring Cloud Sect. What reason did they have to kill him? His first instincts were simple, the Xuanwu City Lord was a spy of the Soaring Cloud Sect. It was the only thing that made sense to him, but he needed to confirm.

However, he found out he was wrong.

After discovering that Yan Zaizen was looking into the Xuanwu City Lord and Earthly Titan Sect, the clan leader's eyes lit up with brilliance. It's unlikely for him to escape death today, but he could definitely drag the Earthly Titan Sect with them!

That was sufficient!

"I'll explain." He stepped out, his expression that was originally dark was replaced with soft calmness. The female grand elder looked towards him and simply nodded, understanding his thoughts.

"Three years ago, the Xuanwu City Lord and several Elders of the Earthly Titan Sect participated in the capturing of Han Genji. They helped lure him to a favorable location due to their relationship and his trust, and attempted to eliminate him. Unfortunately, Han Genji possessed exceptional prowess in shadow laws and illusory arts. He was an extraordinarily difficult individual to deal with, despite his weak cultivation base."

"If it wasn't for their help, our operation would've been impossible." His words obviously urged to place a considerable amount of blame on the Earthly Titan Sect. He even listed the specific individuals who participated in the event and who they dealt with, the current Sect Leader of the Earthly Titan Sect, Yao Wuying."

Yan Zaizen was a little startled, but after learning about the details, it made complete sense now. If, at the time, he would've learned of their joint operation through some channel, the Earthly Titan Sect would have a powerhouse with astounding soul cultivation as a threat. She took the opportunity the moment it presented itself to eliminate the threat.

"Clever...but I'm still alive." He silently muttered.

"Why did they ally with you, their enemy?" Yan Zaizen inquired.

"Han Genji stole a piece of a mid-grade essence crystal, and we attempted to retrieve it. This piece could easily allow either of us to reach the grand-tier force by developing a half-step True Essence cultivator. Unfortunately, mid-transit, Han Genji snatched it. The very reason we kept him alive was for him to reveal where the crystal was. If found, we would split it in half. Till the very end, he refused. He was later executed and our operation ended." He answered immediately.

A piece of mid-grade essence crystal? A PIECE? He was executed over a piece!! It wasn't even a full essence crystal, but a piece! He knew that low-grade essence crystal is top quality material used for True Essence cultivators, while mid-grade was exceptionally beneficial to them, but it still infuriated him. He also knew that Han Genji and the Soaring Cloud Sect couldn't live under the same sky, but it still felt ridiculous that the Earthly Titan Sect would agree.

It was probably more complicated than this, but the missing part was likely known only by the Earthly Titan Sect.

Softly nodding at the answer while holding in his anger, Yan Zaizen continued his questioning, "Why was the Yan Clan taken by the Water Veil Sect?"

The clan leader didn't even skip a beat to answer, even though he was curious as to how this matters, if it leads to another force that he hated to suffer, why not spill everything? "After the dispute, the Ya Clan left and resided in the Water Veil Territory. Unfortunately, the Yan Clan didn't like this and attacked the Ya Clan, killing a few and capturing others. From what I know, the Water Veil Sect demanded us to hand them over or launch full-blown war. We relented. In truth, we were going to eliminate them ourselves. I suppose the Ya Clan wanted the pleasure." He spoke casually.

The Yan Clan was the source of their issues; how could they not decide to thoroughly eliminate this failure of a clan?

Yan Zaizen was quiet for a moment, following up, "Do you know if they're still alive?" However, the clan leader immediately shook his head, obviously ignorant.

Taking a deep breath, he gave a soft nod. "Thanks." A tendril constructed of silver-blue aurora-like soul energy formed, with two sharp movements, both of the last of the upper-echelon members of the Soaring Cloud Sect was dealt with. Their deaths as painless as possible.

Finally taking a gander at Zhao Huoli, he spoke softly, "Do you know what's happened to the Yan Clan?"

This question caused shivers to run down Zhao Huoli's spine, and he couldn't help but shake his head nervously. The Water Veil Sect was now a grand-tier force with a True Essence expert at the helm; they wouldn't dare send spies to investigate details regarding them at this very moment. It'll be like asking for conflict if a mishap occurred.

Suddenly, his vision turned black as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Yan Zaizen turned around, ignoring the young woman's startled look. With a voice filled with harsh anger, he instructed, "Take it all."

-------------------------------------------

Author's Notes:

The last chapter of the week and the beginning of a new week with 15/Week(Minus Bonus)! A few announcements:

1) $10 ******* Tier shall be reinstated with +10 Chapters Advance. As an apology for the low chapter week, there will be 3 bonus chapters on Friday/Saturday/Sunday. This will be decided by a poll for all patreons. I gotta make it up somehow for that slow week, you know?

2) A New Patreon-Tier has been created, at $20 as well as a new goal! You guys are seriously amazing for hitting the goal so quickly, I never even imagined this would be possible, I truly love you all and thankful for every one of you.

3) To allow those who are willing to further support me as a writer and the story itself, I'll be adding a donation goal for bonus chapters(Likely next month). With lesser monetary strain, I can put more effort into writing, so I can churn out even more chapters.

4) Discord Server has been set up! With this, you can come over and communicate with me, discuss with friends of other novels, or simply relax with some good conversation.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/fg34Tf3

5) Glossary still in progress, should be finished within the week or definitely next month. It truly is a lot of information! Not to mention, constantly updating with each new chapter.