C23 The Hidden Threat

"Young Master." Following a knock at the door, five girls entered the room.

They were well aware that Wang Shan would soon be departing from Twilight Cloud Town and were quite saddened by the thought of his imminent departure.

"What's the status of the task I assigned to you?" Wang Shan inquired with a detached tone.

Jiaxia stepped forward and presented two lists to Wang Shan.

"Young Master, these lists contain all the forces that pose a threat to the Wang family, as well as those that could benefit us."

Wang Shan took the lists and nodded approvingly. With the lists in hand, he then departed from the Wang family estate.

He was determined to neutralize any forces harmful to the Wang family before his departure for Lotus Academy, including any latent threats.

He wanted to ensure that no one would trouble the Wang family in his absence.

"These families have always targeted us, causing my father great concern. I must settle matters with them tonight."

Activating his Thunder Condensing Arts, Wang Shan became enveloped in a web of Electric Snakes, his figure streaking through the night sky like purple lightning.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at the entrance to the Zhang family's residence.

"For years, the Zhang family has opposed us. Despite the Wang family's ultimate upper hand, the Zhang family's deep-seated grudges could lead to endless schemes of revenge. I can't leave without addressing this issue."

Wang Shan resolved to act swiftly.

The Zhang family's residence was fortified, with a Two-star Expert in residence.

Yet, as Wang Shan entered the Zhang family's mansion, he went undetected.

It wasn't until he reached the main hall that the Zhang family's patriarch realized there was an intruder.

"You're the one from the Wang family. How audacious of you. You've gravely injured my son, Zhang Bao, and instead of me seeking retribution, you have the gall to show up here?"

The patriarch, Zhang Kuanglieh, father of Zhang Bao, was the sole Two-star Expert of the Zhang family.

To Wang Shan's astonishment, Zhang Kuanglieh was on the verge of becoming a Three-star Cultivator, posing a significant threat to the Wang family.

Wang Shan spoke with an icy detachment, "I'm offering you a choice. Either pledge your loyalty to the Zhang family as their lapdog from this day forward, or I'll end your life right now!"

Zhang Kuanglieh, upon hearing Wang Shan's bold declaration, resolved to eliminate him. But Wang Shan had no time for such games.

Before Zhang Kuanglieh could act, Wang Shan conjured the Thunder Rod out of thin air. In the blink of an eye, he struck Zhang Kuanglieh's forehead with it.

Although Wang Shan's ID from the Nine-level Tower identified him as a One-star Cultivator, his actual prowess was at the peak of the Two-star level. He held a definitive edge in combat against any Two-star Cultivator, and even a cultivator in the early stages of Three-star would be no match for him. Hence, Zhang Kuanglieh, the Two-star Expert, met his demise at the hands of Wang Shan with a single blow.

Observing the corpse, with lightning still dancing across it, Wang Shan felt not a shred of compassion. He knew that Zhang Kuanglieh had been involved in the vile trade of human trafficking, secretly murdering countless innocent children.

With Zhang Kuanglieh's death, the Zhang family would find it exceedingly difficult to pose any threat to the Wang family.

"What's this?" Wang Shan muttered, discovering a Heart Enchanting Pill on Zhang Kuanglieh.

The system responded to the find. [One Low Grade Heart Enchanting Pill can be exchanged for ten High Grade Puppet Pills. If ingested, the individual will comply with your commands unconditionally, like a puppet. Would you like to make the exchange?]

"Exchange!" Wang Shan confirmed without hesitation.

The Low Grade Heart Enchanting Pill could only strip a person of their consciousness for a mere five minutes, whereas the Puppet Pill would ensure their eternal obedience. This was a clear advantage for Wang Shan.

At that very moment, Zhang Bao stumbled into the hall, his soul seemingly shattered. Witnessing Wang Shan standing over the lifeless body of Zhang Kuanglieh, a fierce blaze of hatred ignited within him.