After Ye Liuyun left, Luan Feng’an processed the animal meat into jerky for preservation and gathered some wild vegetables nearby for food. Meanwhile, Luan Ping remained wholly absorbed in practicing his blade techniques. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Ye Liuyun had deliberately refrained from giving Luan Ping any instructions before departing, curious to see if the boy could persevere on his own.

He wasn’t idling around either—he had serious business to attend to. The tribal stronghold here was as vast as a city, with no restrictions on entry or exit.

Now that unification was complete, everyone belonged to the Zhou Tribe, and there was no longer any need to guard against enemy attacks.

Thus, Ye Liuyun slipped in without difficulty. First, he purchased a good stock of grain seeds, then wandered around the settlement to familiarize himself with the surroundings. Simultaneously, he extended his divine sense, probing the area until he locked onto a martial cultivator at the Dominator Realm—one whose body radiated a distinct aura of malevolence.

However, this cultivator seemed deeply entrenched within a powerful family network, keeping a low profile and rarely appearing in public.

Through inquiries, Ye Liuyun learned that this man, named Meng Wei, had once been an elder of the Jin Tribe before defecting to the Zhou Tribe with a sizable following. Rumor had it he had even participated in the assassination of Jin Tribe elders. As a result, he was despised by both the Zhou and Jin Tribes alike.

Ye Liuyun donned his invisibility cloak, but before he could even step into the courtyard, his golden pupils pierced through walls and floors, revealing several elite guards hidden around the elder.

These experts were concealed in rooms or underground passages shielded by detection-blocking formations.

*Hmm? Did they anticipate my arrival?* Ye Liuyun grew suspicious.

He paused, intending to observe further, when suddenly he sensed two spatial fluctuations charging toward the elder.

*Two more Dominator Realm experts!* He immediately recognized the newcomers as martial cultivators of formidable strength.

Sure enough, the moment they materialized, they launched a direct assault on the elder’s chamber.

Yet, the ambushers lurking nearby sprang into action, intercepting their attacks.

The commotion quickly drew the attention of nearby martial cultivators, who flocked to the scene like spectators at a spectacle. Ye Liuyun stayed where he was, watching intently to see how events would unfold.

The two martial artists who came to assassinate Meng Wei seemed to have anticipated the ambush. As they raised their shields to block incoming attacks, they shouted to the surrounding warriors, "Meng Wei has been corrupted by the alien race! He’s a traitor who’s betrayed us all!"

"Meng Wei, you spineless lackey of the aliens! Have the guts to show yourself and let everyone see what you’ve become!" the other assassin roared in unison.

The elite warriors encircling them launched relentless assaults, but the assassins’ defenses were meticulously prepared, holding firm against the onslaught for the time being.

Meanwhile, the crowd of onlooking martial artists—many of whom had always looked down on Meng Wei—began stirring up chaos upon hearing the accusations.

"Meng Wei, come out and prove your innocence!"

The growing mob frenzy soon saw numerous warriors scaling the walls of Meng Wei’s courtyard, demanding his appearance. Some even intervened to halt the attacks from Meng Wei’s guards.

Amid the uproar, a squad of tribal guards arrived. With a single golden-eyed glance, Ye Liuyun detected the tainted aura of the alien race emanating from many among them.

The guards cautiously encircled the assassins without directly engaging. Their captain boomed in a placating tone, "Meng Wei has rendered great service to our tribe’s unification! These two are rebels from the Jin Clan—don’t fall for their lies!"

His words momentarily silenced some in the crowd.

"Even if we’re rebels, we speak the truth! If Meng Wei’s innocent, why won’t he face us?" the assassins shot back defiantly.

One added, "By tribal law, if you claim we slander him, have him undergo public verification. If he’s untainted, we’ll surrender willingly! But if you’re shielding an alien collaborator, you’re accomplices!"

Their righteous challenge struck a nerve. The guard captain shifted uneasily—he knew many in his squad bore the alien corruption. Any confrontation would expose them.

Yet the assassins’ argument was legally sound. Tribal protocols demanded compliance. But summoning Meng Wei was impossible—he, like the others, was a key protected asset of the Zhou Elders, already contaminated. His appearance would be disastrous.

If Meng Wei were exposed in front of the crowd, they would likely have to bow to public opinion and take action against him.

As the captain of the guards hesitated, a loud voice suddenly rang out: "Meng Wei’s refusal to show himself proves he’s a traitor. Who knows how many among these guards have also been corrupted by the outsiders? That’s why they won’t let him come out."

The voice carried far, drawing even more martial artists to the commotion. And it struck right at the guards’ weak spot.

"Exactly! If Meng Wei won’t come out, then go in and drag him out!" The onlookers immediately chimed in.

"Who? Who dares slander the guards?" the captain barked sharply, but he couldn’t locate the source of the voice.

The speaker was none other than Ye Liuyun.

He continued, his voice shifting through space, making it impossible for the guards to pinpoint his location. "If the captain won’t bring Meng Wei out, then why not reveal his own aura for everyone to see?"

Ye Liuyun had come up with this clever tactic on the spot, casting suspicion on the captain himself. Soon, many martial artists began eyeing the captain warily.

The captain’s heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a stern facade. "How dare you question the guards? Show yourself if you have the guts! Stop hiding and making baseless accusations!"

At his command, the guards fanned out, searching for Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun laughed. "Captain, are you really sure you want me to step forward? Do you and your men dare to act in front of all these people? Out of your twenty-one guards, eight have been tainted by the outsiders. Are you certain you’d risk exposing yourself? Seems to me you’re just as afraid as Meng Wei!"

His words darkened the captain’s expression—he hadn’t expected to be dragged into this.

Ye Liuyun was right. Even if he revealed himself, the captain could only order the uncorrupted guards to act. He himself wouldn’t dare make a move.

The crowd grew even more suspicious, scrutinizing the guards. Ye Liuyun had named an exact number, making it impossible for them to dismiss his claims.

"Captain, Meng Wei won’t show himself, but since you’re already here, surely you won’t refuse to prove your innocence?" someone immediately demanded that the captain display his aura.