Chapter 317

Chapter 317: Clan Head Huangfu

Perhaps due to considering this island lay at the heart of the Ghost Sea, where ordinary people were unlikely to discover it, the Huangfu Family had implemented no defensive measures—not even patrol personnel.

Though the island wasn’t small, it paled compared to Divine Weapon Island. Lou Yun and Gui You Quan’s spiritual senses swiftly swept across the entire landmass.

Lou Yun could only detect between two to three hundred people present, their cultivation levels unknown. Additionally, several spots bore special restrictions, likely the Huangfu Family’s critical sites. Beyond these observations, Lou Yun noticed nothing else.

However, he saw Gui You Quan’s face light up with an eager grin after surveying the island. A thought struck Lou Yun, prompting him to ask, "Uncle Ghost, did you find the one who fought you?"

Gui You Quan licked his lips before answering, "Yes. That man hides there!" He extended a finger toward a distant location.

The island’s topography varied with undulating hills and valleys, making the target invisible to Lou Yun’s naked eye. Yet he recognized the direction Gui You Quan indicated—one of the restricted zones his spiritual senses had earlier detected.

…

Huangfu Le rode his common weapon, flying straight to Clan Head Huangfu Xuanlan’s residence in haste. He dismounted, kneeling on one knee, poised to speak when two guards responsible for the clan head’s protection blocked him. One stated flatly, "Huangfu Le, the Clan Head is occupied. He ordered no disturbances. Wait!"

Huangfu Le blinked, urgency plain in his voice. "I bear urgent news for the Clan Head."

Chosen for their superior cultivation, far beyond Huangfu Le’s, the guards remained expressionless. "As I said, the Clan Head is handling matters. Nothing takes priority."

Huangfu Le started to protest but swallowed his words. It’s easier to deal with the king of hell than his petty minions. As a clan member, he knew these guards’ temperament and influence. Crossing them promised future troubles.

"Fine! I’ll wait. But mark my words: should any mishap occur from this delay, neither of you shall escape responsibility!"

The guards exchanged a cold glance before shutting their eyes, ignoring him.

A sardonic chill flickered in Huangfu Le’s heart as he settled onto the grass nearby. He’d underscored the urgency. If consequences came, blame wouldn’t fall solely upon him.

Meanwhile, deep within a two-story building’s basement—the only multi-story structure on the island—Huangfu Xuanlan stood rigidly at attention. Across from him sat a pallid young man, brows knotted with fury. Huangfu Xuanlan dared not even draw a heavy breath.

Suddenly, the young man slammed the chair’s armrest. With a sharp crack, the chair shattered into splinters. He sprang up, glaring ferociously. "Huangfu Xuanlan! Your intelligence is utter rubbish! You claimed Spirit Weapon Star held no elites! Yet I faced someone matching my strength! Where I come from, he ranks among the mightiest! How could we not know him!?"

Beads of sweat dotted Huangfu Xuanlan’s forehead. He suppressed any trace of indignation, replying meekly, "Clan brother, outside our Nine Clans, all on Spirit Weapon Star cultivate flawed methods. Their peak caps at Weapon Emperor realm through singular magical weapon cultivation. None should rival you! Could he belong to another clan?"

Clearly, this young man—Huangfu Ao—was the one who battled Gui You Quan. Their exchange confirmed Gui You Quan’s prediction: both originated from another world. Huangfu Ao was Huangfu kin, one of that world’s Nine Clans.

Forced into retreat after suffering losses, his rage found its outlet in berating Huangfu Xuanlan.

Huangfu Ao snorted disdainfully. "Huangfu Xuanlan! Do you take me for a fool like yourself? The Nine Clans know each other’s battle styles and cultivation methods intimately! He is not one of us!"

"Yes, yes!" Huangfu Xuanlan hurriedly agreed. "If clan brother says he isn’t, he isn’t. But as you see, Huangfu disciples—despite proper cultivation—only reach Weapon King realm at best. We fall far short against you! The other clans are similar. Truly, I cannot fathom who emerged so powerful on Spirit Weapon Star!"

"Worthless!" Huangfu Ao glared contemptuously. "Wasted time asking you. Get out! I’ll report this failure myself!"

"You rest then, Clan Brother. I take my leave!"

Huangfu Xuanlan bowed deeply, retreating backward from the chamber. His subservient demeanor vanished only after passing through crimson mist into the upper floor. He inhaled deeply, mocking in a murmur, "Huangfu Ao… Huangfu Ao! Boasted endlessly of strength, yet face-to-face with someone mightier, you tremble pathetically."

"Still," he pondered aloud, "who is this thorn in Huangfu Ao’s side? Impossible for Spirit Weapon Star to hold talents exceeding the Nine Clans… Unless…"

"Lou Yun?" Huangfu Xuanlan shook his head instantly. "Absurd! The boy is barely twenty. Cultivating since infancy couldn’t elevate him that far. Who then?!?"

Engrossed by the enigma troubling Huangfu Ao, though sensing Huangfu Le outside, Huangfu Xuanlan remained deep in thought before summoning him.

…

Lou Yun and Gui You Quan stood waiting. As time crawled, Gui You Quan’s expression darkened into a scowl. He bent forward respectfully. "Young Master, the Huangfu’s arrogance insults us with this endless wait. Shall we deliver a warning?"

The delay also chafed at Lou Yun’s composure. But clinging to slim hopes for reconciliation—and fearing Gui You Quan’s methods—he replied tightly, "Let them be. Their clan head may be occupied."

Lacking Lou Yun’s command, Gui You Quan dared not act rashly. He silently withdrew, simmering.

After half an hour, Lou Yun’s patience snapped. A cold smile twisted his lips. "Seems the Huangfu wish to intimidate us. Uncle Ghost, enough waiting. We greet him!"

Gui You Quan instantly ignited with enthusiasm. "This old servant leads!"

Like a phantom, he streaked forward, covering a hundred meters in a flicker. Lou Yun shouted telepathically, "No harm!"

Then Lou Yun channeled all energy into pursuit.

Though compact, the island’s landscape showed deliberate care—arranged stones and trees fostering beauty, not defense. An ancient residence merits adornment, after all.

Twin rows of towering coconut trees flanked a winding pebbled path toward the island’s heart. After roughly half a kilometer, it opened upon a village: clustered houses varying in height yet identical in shape, unmistakably Huangfu habitations.

When Lou Yun pushed his movement technique to its limits and arrived, dust choked the air above dozens of collapsed dwellings. Shouted curses and commands erupted chaotically around the ruins.

"Uncle Ghost! Back here!" Lou Yun commanded.

Gui You Quan reappeared beside him, wearing that chilling smile. "Young Master, this servant harmed no one!"

Lou Yun stifled a groan inwardly. Spared lives, yes—but at the cost of flattened homes! What spectacle was this unfolding?

Below the Clan Head’s dwelling, the two guards snapped alert, eyes wide with bewilderment at the distant clamor. Concealed triumph flashed across Huangfu Le’s face, yet he stayed silent.

Startled from his thoughts, Huangfu Xuanlan flung his door open, demanding sternly, "What transpires?"

Here, at last, the bearing of a true clan leader returned—authority radiating from him, calm but formidable.