C29 The Tragedy Ends

To be frank, Zhang Lieh didn't bat an eye at the loss of points. With the wealth of resources at his disposal, points were hardly a concern for him. What's more, he was genuinely fond of the two cultivation techniques he had acquired.

Once he had the techniques in hand, Zhang Lieh wasted no time in diving into practice. The small hotel had its own environmental simulation, and the Black Gold Hotel, being the premier private establishment, certainly included this feature, especially in the luxury rooms that Zhang Lieh had booked.

Over the next three days, Zhang Lieh was completely engrossed in the study and practice of the two martial arts techniques. He was so focused that he was oblivious to the world around him, his entire being devoted to mastering the sage's teachings.

While Zhang Lieh was in his own world, the Six Great Families of Black Iron Base, along with the Wang family of Ning City, were far from at peace. The Wang family, in particular, spent those three days exhausting every avenue to clear their name after Wang Xiaohua's disappearance, but to no avail. Zhang Lieh had set an inescapable trap; from the moment Xiaohua returned to the base with him, the Wang family's fate was sealed.

After five days, not only had they failed to clear their name, but they had also inadvertently convinced the Six Great Families that they were plotting some countermove. This only intensified the crackdown on them. In a mere three days, the Wang family suffered economic losses amounting to tens of billions.

But the financial hit was the least of their worries. The Wang family had put significant effort into securing a managerial position at the interstellar transfer station on Planet Nolan, only to have their plans thwarted by the Six Great Families. This was a blow that money couldn't easily fix. After three years of careful planning, they were blindsided by an unexpected twist that derailed everything.

The scandal broke the Wang family. The executives were so overwhelmed that they effectively shut down. Ultimately, Wang Jianxin stepped up, shouldering the blame and accepting exile to the Chaos Star at the hands of the Six Great Families.

Chaos Star was known as the planet of sinners, with ecological conditions so harsh that those exiled there barely stood a chance of ever setting foot on Earth again.

Subsequently, the Wang family made the necessary reparations and issued apologies to the Six Great Families, temporarily stabilizing the situation.

By taking responsibility, the Wang family had inevitably created deep-seated enmity with the Qin and Zhou families within the Six Great Families.

Even if reconciliation was possible now, their relationships would remain tense in both the Genetic Space and the real world.

This unforeseen disaster had earned them two powerful enemies, causing the Wang family to lose a third of its influence.

What a mess! Most of the Wang family members hadn't even met Zhang Lieh, yet they were duped into this sorry state.

The real issue was that they were aware of Zhang Lieh's deception, and not only were they unable to seek revenge at present, but they were also forced to shoulder all the blame on his behalf.

This was simply too much to bear, with every member of the Wang family seething with anger.

Regrettably, no matter how outraged they were, they were powerless against Zhang Lieh.

The lesson Zhang Lieh had taught the Wang family was indelibly etched in their memories.

Naturally, the Wang family wasn't the only one suffering in this deadlock.

The Qin family was faring no better, and their future prospects looked even bleaker than those of the Wang family.

Unlike the Wang family, who had not directly harmed anyone in the Qin family, they could use their resources for compensation, offer sincere apologies, and self-exile to appease the other families. However, the Qin family had no such options.

Due to Zhang Lieh's anonymous post, Qin Xiao was ultimately pegged as the prime suspect in the murder of Zhou Qian.

With the corroborating testimonies of Yun Bing and Chu Feng, the Zhou family was nearly certain of the truth.

To put it plainly, if Qin Xiao hadn't been so selfish, Zhou Qian would never have had to die.

Consequently, Qin Xiao and the entire Qin family became the focus of widespread condemnation.

After futile demands for Qin Xiao to atone for his actions, the Yun, Chu, and the other three conglomerates initiated a relentless campaign against the Qin family.

This was a true crusade, not merely a war of words.

The term "crusade" referred to a planned and large-scale slaughter in the Void Realm. Within a mere two days, the Qin Family's direct lineage at the Black Iron Base had suffered over fifty percent casualties. Consequently, the Qin Family's influence within the Black Iron Base had significantly diminished.

Qin Xiao had withdrawn to the safety of the family stronghold and no longer ventured outside. Yet, this retreat did nothing to stem the tide. Beyond the comprehensive onslaught in the Void Realm, the attacks from the other five great families were even more brutal than those from the Wang Family.

These families didn't just throttle the Qin Family's economy; three major financial conglomerates launched a full-scale invasion, eroding their influence in every possible sector and seemingly resolved to obliterate the Qin Family.

Initially, the Yun and Chu Families might have hesitated to allow the three financial groups to grow unchecked, but Qin Xiao's reckless behavior had thoroughly alienated them. Consequently, instead of acting as a balancing force, these two families joined the offensive, ready to topple the Qin Family.

This turn of events sent the Qin Family patriarch into a state of alarm. As the family head, he had to consider not only his son's life but the welfare of the entire family.

In the penthouse of the Thunderclap Building in Liao City, the Qin Family elders and branch family heads were gathered, each bearing a grave and somber demeanor.

"It's time to make a decision, Patriarch. If we delay any further, it could spell the end for the Qin Family!" one of them implored.

Qin Chongming responded with a dark tone, "What are you suggesting? That we simply sacrifice my son to appease their wrath?"

"Even if we did, who's to say their fury would be quelled? And if it were, what dignity would the Qin Family have left to stand on in Liao City?"

At this, an elder to his left couldn't help but scoff, "You're quite the strategist, Patriarch. So, you propose that we fight to the bitter end to save face?"

"The Zhou Family has already labeled Qin Xiao as the prime suspect in the murder of Zhou Qian. He cannot remain within the family!"

"The alliance now has the support of five factions, making them several times stronger than us. Patriarch, there's no need to overexert yourself. You can't protect him anymore!"

"Our family has been decimated; what dignity is left to uphold?"

These words weighed heavily, yet Qin Chongming, seated at the head of the table, found himself without a rebuttal.

The elder was correct. If the Qin family were to be wiped out, what dignity would remain?

But Qin Xiao was his only son. To surrender him would be tantamount to sending him to his death. How could he, as a father, commit such an act?

Yet, if he did not, the Qin family's very foundation would crumble, reverting to a state of destitution. He might come to terms with such a fate, but the rest of the family surely would not.

"Patriarch, indecision now will only lead to chaos. The Yun and Chu families could easily overwhelm us, and with the three major syndicates joining them, a head-on clash would be like an egg striking a rock."

"As the head of the family, can you truly justify plunging our entire lineage into peril for personal reasons?"

"Our previous resistance has already demonstrated the Qin family's valor. To continue this path would jeopardize the very core of our lineage."

"Patriarch, I implore you not to act rashly and risk becoming the eternal pariah of the Qin family."

Another elder rose to speak, his tone even more urgent than his predecessor's. While the former offered counsel, the latter was unmistakably issuing an ultimatum.