Chapter 3082 — Overwhelming Strength

"Who was it? Who could be stronger than Dongfang Jian? You must understand, Dongfang Jian was a top expert at the peak of the mid Heaven rank—who could have slain him? Could it have been a group attack?" Dongfang Jinxing asked in a low, grim voice.

"That much is unclear. Vice President Ouyang said that by the time their Cultivators' Guild people arrived, Elder Dongfang Jian had already fallen, and no one was seen making the move!" the disciple said.

"Not seen? Did they not have anyone investigate?" Dongfang Jinxing's originally decent mood instantly turned foul. He had been quite pleased about Dongfang Buruo going after Xu Shilan—it would both put Dongfang Xiaocui in her place and give his son some satisfaction. Why not?

Even though Dongfang Xiaocui had later called to cancel, Dongfang Jinxing knew perfectly well that deep down she still hoped something would happen to Xu Shilan; it was only out of regard for Feng Tianqi's face that she could not act on it.

So Dongfang Jinxing had firmly refused, and neither Dongfang Xiaocui nor Feng Tianqi could do a thing about it.

And now Dongfang Jian was actually dead—a stunning blow to the head. The Dongfang clan was powerful, true, but Heaven-rank experts did not exactly grow on trees. Dongfang Jian had been a top expert at the peak of the mid Heaven rank, while Dongfang Jinxing himself was only at the late Heaven rank. His heart ached!

This was the second member of the Dongfang clan to die. Previously, another of his sons, Dongfang Bushu, had died—a son even more gifted than Dongfang Jinxing, one he had intended to groom as the future hope of the Dongfang clan. Who would have thought he would be beaten to death by Zhang Naipao during a trial!

The Mingri Fumingri Sect—the Dongfang clan did not dare retaliate recklessly. The Dongfang clan was the classic bully who feared the strong and preyed on the weak, quite unlike Huoyan Mountain. Seeing that their strength fell short of the Mingri Fumingri Sect, they simply never went looking for any trouble with the sect, not letting out so much as a peep.

Of course, this was also because Dongfang Bushu had died during the Xuandan Sect's trial. Had it been any other circumstance, the Dongfang clan would have demanded an explanation—even if they were no match, they would at least have wanted some compensation.

Fortunately, Dongfang Jinxing's other son, Dongfang Buruo, was a bit of a wastrel, but he had talent too. He was now a top expert at the peak of the Earth rank; once his meridians were optimized, breaking through to the Heaven rank would be no problem, and reaching the peak of the late Heaven rank was no idle dream!

Dongfang Jinxing had two good sons, the pride of his daily life. Now that Dongfang Jian had died gathering medicinal herbs for Dongfang Buruo, Dongfang Jinxing was determined to avenge him, no matter what.

Otherwise, who would risk their life for the Dongfang clan in the future?

With that thought, Dongfang Jinxing waved his hand, signaling the disciple to withdraw, then strode quickly toward the room of the Dongfang clan's current head, the old master Dongfang Badao.

The Dongfang clan had three top experts at the peak of the late Heaven rank, all in seclusion striving for the Great Perfection realm. One was old master Dongfang Badao; another was Dongfang Badao's son and Dongfang Jinxing's younger brother, Dongfang Yinxing; and the third was Dongfang Bushu, who had died in the Xuandan Sect's trial!

With three top experts at the peak of the late Heaven rank, one could well imagine the Dongfang clan's strength—formidable indeed. And the old master Dongfang lived up to his name: thoroughly domineering. Once he broke through to the Great Perfection realm, he would surely go demand an explanation from the Mingri Fumingri Sect—but for now, he did not dare.

Dongfang Jinxing knocked on the door, and the old master's voice came from within: "Who is it? Is something the matter?"

"Father, it's me, Jinxing!" Dongfang Jinxing replied.

"Oh, Jinxing. Come in," Dongfang Badao said with a nod.

"Father, there's trouble—Elder Dongfang Jian has met with disaster!" Dongfang Jinxing said hastily as soon as he entered.

"What? Something has happened to Dongfang Jian? What happened? How?" Dongfang Badao was startled and asked urgently.

"It happened like this..." Dongfang Jinxing quickly recounted to the old master everything the disciple had said.

"The Cultivators' Guild? A conflict with someone?" Dongfang Badao frowned. "Jinxing, have you personally called the Cultivators' Guild to inquire?"

"Not yet. I came first to ask Father whether you have any instructions," Dongfang Jinxing said.

"Then I shall call the Cultivators' Guild myself and ask!" Dongfang Badao knew that given Dongfang Jinxing's standing, he likely would get nothing out of them, so he decided to make the call himself. After all, the Cultivators' Guild was a formidable presence—even its president was already a Heaven-rank expert, and several of its honorary supreme presidents were experts at the Great Perfection of the peak late Heaven rank. How would the Dongfang clan dare to be rash?

"Yinxing, bring me my phone!" Dongfang Badao said to Dongfang Yinxing, who stood nearby.

"Yes, Father!" Though Dongfang Yinxing was stronger than Dongfang Jinxing, he had never married or had children, and he cared nothing for the clan's petty affairs. He preferred to cultivate every day, and so he had never competed with Dongfang Jinxing over anything.

Moreover, because he had no children of his own, he doted on Dongfang Bushu and Dongfang Buruo even more than the old master did, yearning to groom them into the Dongfang clan's successors—only to lose one of them. Now he was preparing to train the other, and Elder Dongfang Jian had been beaten to death while gathering herbs for him. How could Dongfang Badao possibly tolerate this?

"Hello? President Li?" Dongfang Badao took the phone and dialed the number of President Li, the grand president of the Cultivators' Guild.

"Speaking. Old master Dongfang Badao, I presume. What can I do for you?" President Li had Dongfang Badao's number saved as well, so he spoke politely.

"It's like this, President Li. An elder of our Dongfang clan has fallen at one of your Cultivators' Guild's branch offices. Do you have any information on your end?" Dongfang Badao asked.

"That matter is under Vice President Ouyang's purview. The situation as he reported it to us was relayed truthfully to your Dongfang clan; I did not inquire too deeply into the specifics," President Li said. "If your Dongfang clan intends to seek revenge, I rather think that will prove difficult..."

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Dongfang Badao asked.