Chapter 241: Feng Hongbo Unveils his True Intent

Following Jiang Chen's directive, individuals like Zhang San promptly excused themselves.

Gu Ran also rose, preparing to take his leave, politely declaring, "I must return to my cultivation practice, so I bid you farewell."

"Wait a moment, Young friend Niu Qing."

Feng Hongbo, flashing a radiant smile, interjected, "I have one more matter I'd like to address."

"What might that be?"

Gu Ran questioned, a perplexed expression on his face. Internally, however, he smirked, 'This old man is about to reveal his true nature.'

"Young friend Niu Qing, are you certain about your decision to refuse our Feng Clan's offer?"

"I possess a pill here that can aid you in advancing to the Inquiring Journey realm. Simply agree, and it's yours on the spot!"

Feng Hongbo, wearing a solemn look, produced a small bottle. Upon removing the cap, a dense, enticing medicinal scent immediately permeated the surroundings.

"I appreciate your generosity, Patriarch Feng."

Gu Ran responded, a subtle smile playing on his lips, "Water naturally flows downward, and people naturally strive upward. I aspire to explore broader and loftier realms, I regretfully decline."

"However, it is also said that one must progress step by step to ensure a solid path."

Feng Hongbo rebuffed, shaking his head, "Within the Feng Clan, your opportunities for growth are substantial. You'll soon be able to align with the You Clan, or even mightier powers. With our backing, why wouldn't you want that?"

"I'm sorry, Patriarch Feng, but my stance is unchanging."

With a steadfast expression, Gu Ran again offered a respectful gesture.

"You!"

"Niu Qing, your actions are deplorable, refusing the esteem and privilege we've extended to you!"

"Our Feng Clan has displayed ample benevolence towards you in recent days, granting you priority access to all training resources!"

"And this is your show of gratitude!?"

"You ungrateful scoundrel!"

Feng Liu, rising to his feet in fury, chastised Gu Ran with a fierce expression.

"Precisely! Niu Qing, you're showing ingratitude!"

"It appears your prowess has inflated your ego, causing you to look down upon our Feng Clan!"

"Such audacity, it's truly absurd. Regardless of your talents or your invisibility skill, you remain a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator, daring to affront our Feng Clan; your demise is inevitable!"

"A dead genius is no longer a genius, but a corpse. Niu Qing, your downfall is predestined!"

"..."

The other Feng Clan cultivators also dropped all facades, quickly forming a circle around Gu Ran.

Adding to that, the protective Great Formation of Black Wood Island began to rise, enclosing more than half of the island.

This strategic move effectively sealed off Gu Ran's path of retreat.

"Niu Qing!"

"Given your refusal to establish a favorable connection with our Feng Clan, kindly return all the resources we've provided you!"

"If you're unable to return them, then exchange them for your invisibility skill!"

Feng Hongbo bellowed menacingly, "Or else, don't expect to leave Black Wood Island with your life intact!"

"Hahaha!"

"Old man, your true aim was my concealment ability, did you presume I was unaware?"

"I've freely accepted those training resources, and if you persist in your interference, I won't shy away from claiming your lives!"

Gu Ran roared with laughter, displaying no compassion towards those like Feng Hongbo who harbored malevolent intentions against him!

"If you're seeking death, then I'll oblige!"

Feng Hongbo growled, propelling himself directly at Gu Ran.

He still harbored the desire to apprehend Gu Ran alive and extract the secrets of the invisibility skill from him.

As Feng Hongbo initiated his attack, others promptly followed.

Numerous individuals directly cast tracking spells on Gu Ran.

"Petty maneuvers!"

A crimson light flickered across Gu Ran's body, swiftly dispersing those tracking signs, and he himself disappeared from sight!

"Boom!!"

Feng Hongbo's attack missed its mark, the residual energy utterly annihilating the opulent pavilion where they had been hosting the banquet.

"Where did he vanish to?"

"How did he manage to escape so swiftly?"

"How could this be, our patriarch is a Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm expert!"

"That Niu Qing is merely a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator, how could he possibly slip through our patriarch's grasp!?"

"..."

The remaining Feng Clan members were profoundly astonished, each attempting to block potential escape routes Gu Ran could have utilized.

Nevertheless, they were a moment too late.

Gu Ran's figure abruptly materialized in a corner, instantly breaking through the encirclement, and then disappeared once more.

"Damn it!"

"Niu Qing, there's no escaping!"

Feng Hongbo, infuriated and humiliated, bellowed and immediately launched an assault in the direction Gu Ran had vanished.

However, Gu Ran had already relocated, and Feng Hongbo's strike met nothing but air.

The attacks of the others followed in quick succession, akin to a net cast across the sky, raining down relentlessly, yet they still failed to flush out Gu Ran.

"He's eluded us!"

"Curses, his invisibility skill poses a grave threat, we must apprehend him at the earliest!"

"Position someone to guard the Black Wood Island's Great Formation, we cannot allow him to slay the cultivators controlling the formation!"

"All others, spare no effort and commence the search!"

Feng Hongbo thundered furiously, "I refuse to accept that a mere Heavenly Origin realm cultivator can slip past me!"

In his eyes, regardless of whether Gu Ran's invisibility skill was a secret art or an artifact, its utilization would consume a substantial amount of Yuan Power!

Gu Ran's invisibility skill couldn't possibly sustain for a prolonged period!

Soon, Gu Ran would reveal himself under his vigilance.

Dealing with him then wouldn't pose a challenge!

"Quickly, initiate the search, leave no corner unchecked!"

"Dispatch a team of cultivators to Bull Horn Street, led by three Heavenly Origin realm members!"

"Where are Zhang San and his team? Summon them immediately!"

"..."

Under Feng Hongbo's direction, the Feng Clan powerhouses began to fan out.

Thus, no matter where Gu Ran materialized, there would invariably be individuals nearby to spot him, to pin him down!

Even if Gu Ran succeeded in eliminating the individuals restraining him, it would deplete his time.

If this continued, by the time Feng Hongbo ultimately arrived at the scene, Gu Ran would surely meet his demise.

Moreover, Zhang San was also a high-ranking expert of the Inquiring Journey realm!

However, what Feng Hongbo could never have anticipated was that Gu Ran could indeed siphon off a portion of the cultivation base of the individuals he vanquished!

Those who engaged Gu Ran first would invariably become a valuable source of strength for him!

After a few confrontations, Gu Ran could potentially ascend to the Inquiring Journey realm!

Yet, Jiang Chen was entirely aware of this!

'It's commencing!'

'Let's identify the first casualty!'

Jiang Chen activated his Villain's Eye, assimilating all the data regarding the supporting characters.

Shortly, he witnessed the first casualty — Feng Liu!

As the eldest scion of the Feng Clan, Feng Liu possessed a crucial status, representing the hope of the clan, almost entirely.

Once he fell at Gu Ran's hands, it would heighten the Feng Clan's animosity towards Gu Ran, making them relentless in their pursuit.

Therefore, even without the aid of the Villain's Eye, Jiang Chen could surmise that Feng Liu would be the initial casualty.

"Zhang San!"

"Immediately rally your men and head to Golden Leaf Street, protect Feng Liu and his team, and assist them in dealing with Gu Ran!"

Jiang Chen used his potent divine sense to remotely instruct Zhang San.

Zhang San's gaze was laser-focused; he did not utter a word and promptly acted upon the command!

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