The Zhao family relied on the fact that Cangwu City had a city-protecting grand array, and over eighty percent of the high-stage cultivators were currently resisting the beast tide, leaving them with no time to deal with them. Sun Ling had brought people to threaten and bribe them, but the Zhao family refused to respond, simply playing dead.
When Wen Jingshu arrived, Sun Ling was swearing loudly:
“Zhao Qun, you child-stealing beast! Since you had the guts to steal it, you'd better have the guts to face its parents! Hiding in the Zhao family residence like a cowardly turtle—what a joke!”
“Do you really think no one knows about your filthy deeds? I advise you to hand over the cub quickly. Otherwise, I will have our ancestor break open your turtle shell right now!”
The gates of the Zhao family residence remained tightly shut, completely ignoring Sun Ling's insults.
Fuming, Sun Ling launched another strike at the Zhao family residence, but it was once again blocked by the protective barrier.
Seeing this, Wen Jingshu didn't waste words. With the Boundary-Breaking Bead in hand, she lightly pressed her palm against the protective barrier.
With a crisp crack, the protective barrier shattered.
From the moment Wen Jingshu appeared to the shattering of the barrier, fewer than ten breaths of time had passed.
This was also the first time Wen Jingshu had used the Boundary-Breaking Bead to shatter a barrier.
It was indeed highly effective, but unfortunately, the cooldown was rather long; she wouldn't be able to use it again for another year.
She wouldn't be going anywhere too dangerous over the next year, so using this opportunity now was fine.
Sun Ling stared at Wen Jingshu in a daze, temporarily at a loss for words.
Wen Jingshu said, “Why are you still standing there? Go find the cub.”
Snapping back to reality, Sun Ling quickly called upon the members of the Sun family to break down the doors and enter.
Seeing the protective barrier shatter, the members of the Zhao family finally showed themselves.
A crowd filed out of the Zhao family's main gates, led by Zhao Yuansi, staring at them with hostile expressions.
“It's just a spirit beast cub. So what if we took it? With the city-protecting grand array active, forget about a seventh-rank spirit beast—even if the spirit beast king itself came, it couldn't break through!”
“Sun Ling, don't think we don't know what you're thinking. Your Sun family is only hounding our Zhao family because you're jealous that we obtained the spirit beast king's cub.”
“The beast tide only lasts for half a month. If you find it too dangerous, feel free to hide in your homes.”
It had been over five hundred years, and hadn't every single riot caused by a spirit beast king ended within half a month?
Their city-protecting grand array was personally inscribed by an eighth-rank formation master of the Wang family. A mere spirit beast king could never possibly break it!
The Sun family was acting all righteous and noble, but in truth, they just didn't want the Zhao family to have this spirit beast king's cub.
He believed that if the Sun family had obtained the spirit beast king's cub, they would have made the exact same decision as the Zhao family.
Furthermore, the Sun family's Body Integration Stage cultivator had already gone outside the city to battle the seventh-rank spirit beasts. Without any high-stage cultivators around, no one in Cangwu City could threaten the Zhao family anymore!
Having said this, Zhao Yuansi turned his gaze to Wen Jingshu and said, “Miss Shu, our Zhao family truly wishes to be on good terms with you.”
“Rest assured, the city-protecting grand array of Cangwu Island will not break easily. The Sun family is merely fearmongering.”
Wen Jingshu couldn't be bothered to waste breath on these hypocrites. She spoke directly: “Will you hand over the cub, or should I flatten the Zhao family first?”
Zhao Yuansi's expression shifted upon hearing this.
Before he could reply, a raspy male voice echoed from behind him: “A mere Foundation Establishment Stage brat dares to threaten my Zhao family?”
“So what if you have three major pillars backing you? On Cangwu Island, the Zhao family has the final say.”
Seeing his family's ancestor emerge, Zhao Yuansi's expression eased. He first bowed to Zhao Wuji, then said to Wen Jingshu, “Miss Shu, those who understand the times are wise.”
“As long as Miss Shu remains silent, our Zhao family will naturally handle the Wang family when they come to demand answers. As for the benefits... we naturally won't forget Miss Shu.”
Hearing Zhao Yuansi's words, Wen Jingshu couldn't help but roll her eyes.
What kind of background did the Zhao family even have to dare threaten and bribe her?
Besides, did these Zhao family members have holes in their brains? Did they really not understand what a spirit beast king meant?
An eighth-rank formation master's grand array was indeed formidable, but it couldn't withstand over five hundred years of continuous use.
She had heard that they hadn't invited any formation masters to repair it during this period, so there was no telling how degraded it was by now.
Wen Jingshu had a premonition that this time, it would shatter.
Wen Jingshu looked at Zhao Wuji before her, a trace of killing intent flashing in her eyes.
Since the Zhao family's arrogant reliance was this old-timer of a male cultivator in front of her, she would eliminate this reliance first.
With a flip of her hand, Wen Jingshu pinched an eighth-rank talisman between her index and middle fingers.
The moment the talisman appeared, a terrifying spiritual pressure instantly swept over them.
That talisman was actually a mid-grade eighth-rank talisman! It was comparable to a full-force blow from a peak Body Integration Stage cultivator!
Zhao Wuji's face fell instantly. Just as he wanted to flee, the glowing barrier behind Wen Jingshu trembled slightly, followed by a faint cracking sound. Immediately, someone cried out in panic:
“Oh no! The city-protecting grand array has shattered!”
In an instant, countless spirit beasts and demon beasts flooded into Cangwu City. The demon beasts' attacks were extremely savage and cruel, their claws piercing through cultivators' chests, or their jaws swallowing and crushing them whole. Screams, cries for help, and deafening explosions echoed endlessly.
A city that had been completely safe just a second ago was instantly reduced to a living purgatory.
Wen Jingshu was the first to snap back to her senses, telling Sun Ling, “Leave the Zhao family to me. You guys go fight the demon beasts!”
She then sent a transmission to Xue Wanshu and Zheng Jilin: “Qingyun Sect disciples, do your utmost to slay the demon beasts entering the city. Pill Sect disciples, ensure the supply of pills at all costs.”
“No egg remains unbroken when the nest is overturned. Do not try to play any self-righteous, petty tricks.”
“The Sun family has the defensive formation plate I left behind. If anyone cannot hold their ground, go there to take refuge.”
After saying this, Wen Jingshu locked her gaze directly onto Zhao Wuji.
All the tribulations Cangwu Island faced today were entirely due to the selfish desires of the Zhao family!
If she were still just the talisman cultivator Wen Jingshu from her past life, she would have been an innocent bystander dragged into this mess.
At this thought, Wen Jingshu was instantly consumed by rage.
Who did low-level cultivators like them offend? It was already hard enough to search for opportunities while constantly living in fear. Having managed to scrape by and survive, any slight slip-up could still get them dragged down by the stupid actions of such idiotic forces!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became!
Zhao Wuji yelled, “I can hand over the spirit beast king's cub!”
Wen Jingshu sneered, “Hmph, too late!”
Zhao Wuji desperately tried to dodge, but the talisman had already locked onto his aura and struck him head-on.
Zhao Wuji took the blow head-on, spitting blood as he was severely wounded.
Seizing the momentum, Wen Jingshu pursued him, summoning over a dozen more talismans that floated behind her.
Zhou Fantong was an eighth-rank high-grade talisman master, after all. Before she left the sect, he had specially given her dozens of eighth-rank talismans.
She had originally thought that with her cautious style, she likely wouldn't need them, and even if she did, she would only use a few. Who would have thought that once she started using them, she would end up exhausting her supply here on Cangwu Island?
One really shouldn't dwell on such things.
Zhao Wuji's physical body was destroyed, and his Nascent Soul quickly fled. However, Wen Jingshu retrieved another Spirit-Destroying Talisman and slapped it lightly onto his fragile Nascent Soul.
The Nascent Soul shrieked miserably before completely dispersing into the world.
Zhao Wuji was no more.
Although she had relied on external assistance, the feeling of obliterating a Body Integration Stage cultivator with a flick of her finger was truly exhilarating.
“Shopkeeper Zhao, lead the way.”
Zhao Yuansi had long since been scared out of his wits. He had wanted to escape amidst the chaos, but when he turned around, his retreat was blocked by a tall and fierce white tiger.
He nodded tremblingly. Faced with his own survival, what did the honor of the Zhao family or the title of young master of the Zhao family matter? As long as he could save his life, he would do anything!
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