After 30 years, the Zhang clan had become a large faction, in both strength and reputation. Even if Hou Juan really did have connections with demonic cultivators, it would not affect the Zhang clan much.
After all, with how powerful the Zhang clan was, even a sect like the Flowing Cloud Sect had to be wary of the Zhang clan.
As long as Chen Heng did not do anything and they cut their connections with Hou Juan, then there would not be much impact.
But if…
Zhang Chong looked quite worried as he looked at Zhang Ya, "Ya"Er, don"t you think Hao"Er will…"
Zhang Ya paused and looked quite hesitant.
"I… don"t think so…" she lightly spoke.
However, thinking of Chen Heng"s incredibly calm expression, she was not sure.
Opposing a faction like the Flowing Cloud Sect for a single person was something very irrational.
However, this was not necessarily the case for Chen Heng.
Zhang Ya had never been able to tell what this clan brother of hers was thinking about.
Thinking to there, she could not help but sigh, and she understood why Zhang Chong had hurriedly ran over.
Evidently, it seemed that he was also worried that Chen Heng would do something.
The two of them looked at each other and sighed.
Even though they were worried, there was nothing that they could do.
All they could do was try to persuade him not to be too impulsive.
Following this, time gradually pa.s.sed.
News about Hou Juan spread throughout the entire Zhang clan. This initially brought some panic, but everyone soon calmed down.
Soon, one month had pa.s.sed.
During this one month, Chen Heng had acted quite calmly, and he spent his time as usual. He would drink tea and occasionally refine a few magic items, and there was not much difference to usual times.
He acted incredibly calmly, as if he did not care about this at all.
Watching Chen Heng, Zhang Chong and the others let out sighs of relief.
It seemed that Chen Heng was not going to do anything for Hou Juan.
What they did not expect was that before Chen Heng did anything, it was the Flowing Cloud Sect"s people who came first.
"The Nine Peaks Zhang clan is indeed worthy of its reputation."
Walking in Nine Peaks City, a middle-aged cultivator looked about and smiled.
There were a few other cultivators following behind him, also looking around.
"Is this Nine Peaks City?" a female cultivator said in wonder, "It looks incredibly prosperous and is on the level of the Flowing Cloud Sect. What a good place."
The others also looked at the cultivators around them and saw the lively atmosphere.
"This is Nine Peaks City, where the Zhang clan is based," the middle-aged cultivator laughed and said, "This is the core of the Zhang clan, and it is said that this was originally just an ordinary city at the start. It was the Zhang clan"s clan leader who developed it to such a state—truly remarkable. However, this place will soon be ours."
"Will the Zhang clan really hand over such a prosperous place?" the female cultivator asked, "If it was me, I definitely would not give it over. With how prosperous it is, they must take in an astronomical amount of spirit stones every year; who would be willing to give it over?"
The middle-aged cultivator gave a cold smile, "Yes, but this is not up to him. Elder He and the others already discussed it.
"The appearance of this demonic cultivator is tied to the Zhang clan; who knows if there are other demonic cultivators hiding within the Zhang clan. If they do not hand them over, what will happen?"
Hearing this, the other cultivators did not say anything and only silently nodded.
They all clearly knew their reason for coming here.
They continued walking, and soon, some people from the Zhang clan came to receive them.
"We have long since heard of the Zhang clan."
Within a room, there were people seated all around.
Zhang Chong and Zhang Ya were also here, as well as some of the Zhang clan"s core members.
Facing them, the middle-aged cultivator and the others sat there with smiles on their faces.
"I wonder what the Flowing Cloud Sect"s amba.s.sadors have come here for?" Zhang Chong forced a smile and raised his spirit tea as he asked.
"I"m sure the old clan leader knows exactly why I"m here; why ask?"
Hearing Zhang Chong"s words, the middle-aged cultivator gave a slight smile and said softly, "News of Hou Juan cultivating a demonic technique and devouring people"s souls has long since spread."
Hearing this, the hands of everyone from the Zhang clan trembled.
"This… amba.s.sador must be joking."
Zhang Chong quickly recovered and smiled, "Hou Juan is just an outsider; what does she have to do with our Zhang clan?"
"That"s right!"
"What does this have to do with us?"
The others also spoke out.
Hearing those words, the middle-aged cultivator did not say anything and only smiled as he silently looked at Zhang Chong.
"From what I know, demonic cultivator Hou Juan seems to have a close relations.h.i.+p with your Zhang clan," the female cultivator next to the middle-aged cultivator smiled and said.
"It"s just an ordinary relations.h.i.+p," Zhang Chong said as he shook his head, "This junior of mine just entered the respected sect at the same time as her; that"s all there is to it.
"I"m sure there are many others in similar situations in the Flowing Cloud Sect," Zhang Chong said.
"There are naturally many who know the demonic cultivator, but the only ones who have treated her so closely and taken her in were just your Zhang clan."
The middle-aged cultivator sighed as he said, "Your Zhang clan"s relations.h.i.+p with the demonic cultivator is not ordinary, I"m sure. That demonic cultivator revealed many of your secrets in the prison."
"d.a.m.nit!"
Hearing the middle-aged cultivator"s words, Zhang Chong could not help but gnash his teeth.
Hou Juan was currently in the Flowing Cloud Sect"s hands.
With cultivators" methods, it was to be expected that Hou Juan would reveal much.
In the past, the Zhang clan had not hidden too much from someone like Hou Juan, and if one wanted to, they could get much from her.
Thinking to there, Zhang Chong sighed and said, "The matter with demonic cultivator Hou Juan has nothing to do with my Zhang clan."
"You can say that, but who will believe you?" The middle-aged cultivator"s smile became wider as he said softly, "In fact, I heard that there are even more demonic cultivators hidden in the Zhang clan."
"That"s impossible!" Zhang Chong said resolutely, "If amba.s.sador does not believe me, you can search the Zhang clan"s residence and see if there is anyone with demonic qi."
"That won"t be necessary," the middle-aged cultivator shook his head as he said, "It"s just that in order to prove that the Zhang clan is not harboring any demonic cultivators, I will need your clan leader to head to the sect and personally deal with that demonic cultivator. That is why I have come."
Speaking to there, he smiled and revealed his true aim.
Have the Zhang Chong"s clan leader head to the Flowing Cloud Sect.
Hearing this, the expressions of everyone present changed.
Since a long time ago, Chen Heng had not returned to the Flowing Cloud Sect and had stayed in Nine Peaks City.
There were even rumors that the Zhang Chong"s clan leader"s cultivation was not inferior to the Flowing Cloud Sect"s Elders and that he had reached the Profound Understanding realm.
However, even if he had Profound Understanding cultivation, if he headed to the Flowing Cloud Sect"s territory, he would still be captured.
After all, the Flowing Cloud Sect not only had the Sect Master and Elders but also the Guardian Formation.
Once the Guardian Formation was activated, even someone at the Profound Understanding realm would be suppressed.
Why would they ask the clan leader to head to the Flowing Cloud Sect at a time like this?
Thinking to there, the expressions of the Zhang clan"s people fell.
Seeing this, the middle-aged cultivator gave a slight smile.
This matter of Hou Juan being a demonic cultivator caused much chaos, but to the three major sects, it was an opportunity.
The Zhang clan had been rapidly growing in the past 30 years, making them feel quite wary.
Moreover, they also felt quite envious of all of the profitable spirit gardens that the Zhang clan managed.
All three major sects had long since wanted to suppress the Zhang clan but had never been able to find an opportunity.
After all, the Zhang clan had a Profound Understanding cultivator protecting it.
If that Profound Understanding cultivator could escape, things would be quite troublesome.
It was because of that that the three major sects did not dare to act against the Zhang clan, maintaining the status quo.
However, this matter had changed the status quo.
For the Flowing Cloud Sect, this matter gave them an excuse to attack the Zhang clan.
The Flowing Cloud Sect was the sect that Chen Heng was from, so they had a good reason to summon the Zhang clan"s clan leader about this matter.
If Chen Heng did not go, they could say that he felt guilt due to harboring demonic cultivators.
However, if he did go…
Thinking to there, the middle-aged cultivator could not help but smile.
If the Zhang clan"s clan leader went, he most likely would not be able to make it out.
If it was outside, even multiple Profound Understanding Elders simultaneously acting might not be enough to kill a Profound Understanding cultivator, and it was likely that this would cause future problems.
However, if it was within the Flowing Cloud Sect, this would be much easier.
After activating the Guardian Formation, combined with a few Profound Understanding realm Elders, Chen Heng would have no chance of escaping.
When that time came, after losing the clan leader, the Zhang clan would be defenseless.
The Flowing Cloud Sect would then be able to take anything they wanted.
At that moment, Zhang Chong and the others all thought many things.
"This…" Looking at the middle-aged cultivator, Zhang Chong fell silent for a while before speaking, "Can we send someone else? Our clan leader is still in closed-door training and is unable to leave. Can this old man go?"
Zhang Chong smiled as he continued, "In terms of status, this old man used to be the clan leader and can represent the Zhang clan.
"As for that demonic cultivator, this old man is familiar with her, so it would be appropriate for me to go."