Chapter 60: The Void Fruit

He looked up. To his surprise, another fruit of similar height had also fallen when he had pulled down the branch. He instinctively caught it, feeling a little dazed.

"Pick one, get one free?"

He looked closely, his pupils constricting.

"Profound-tier High-grade Palm Technique, 'Dragon Wandering Palm'?"

A Profound-tier cultivation method was one thing, but now there was a palm technique too. It seemed even the Azure Cloud Sect might not possess Profound-tier High-grade techniques! Jiang Fan's heart pounded. He couldn't help but look up again, attempting to climb higher and pluck more fruit. But after only a few steps, he once again felt the oppressive force.

"Only those at the Core Formation realm can continue harvesting."

A notification appeared. Jiang Fan felt a great sense of regret. He couldn't help but glance at the nearest fruit. Not looking wouldn't have mattered, but once he looked, his eyes couldn't leave it.

"Earth-tier Low-grade Soul Technique, 'Three Soul Slashes'!"

"Hiss! It's actually a soul secret art! And Earth-tier?" Jiang Fan gasped. Soul techniques were undoubtedly the most mysterious and the most effective at catching enemies off guard. They often allowed one to kill without a trace. He possessed soul power beyond ordinary people; if he cultivated a soul secret art, wouldn't it be... Just thinking about it made Jiang Fan's mouth dry.

What a pity. He had to reach the Core Formation realm to obtain it. He could only regretfully withdraw his gaze and look at the two fruits in his palm.

How could he obtain the sealed techniques inside? Should he eat them? He tried taking a bite, and some information about a technique appeared in his mind. Another bite added a bit more.

Jiang Fan: ...

What a way to not waste food!

After he finished eating both fruits, his consciousness returned to his body. He opened his eyes and saw no fruits in his palm. But in his mind, he had two complete techniques.

"'Dragon Seeking Scripture,' let's see how different a Profound-tier High-grade cultivation method is!" he said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

But just then, an urgent knocking sounded from outside the door.

"Xiao Fan, Zhu Jianshen is here."

Jiang Fan's eyes snapped open, and he could only temporarily put aside the thought of cultivation.

He opened the door and saw Xu Youran holding a bundle in her arms. Without a word, she pushed it into Jiang Fan's arms.

"You need to leave quickly! Don't let our Xu family get you involved."

Uh—

Feeling the heavy bundle and seeing a corner of a large denomination banknote peeking out, Jiang Fan felt a slight warmth in his heart. This wasn't just Xu Youran's idea, but Xu Zhengyan's as well, right? They had given him all the valuable things from the Xu family, telling him to run away quickly. After all, he hadn't officially become the Xu family's son-in-law yet, so the Azure Cloud Sect wouldn't issue a warrant for him.

"Why should I leave?" Jiang Fan smiled faintly, "Coincidentally, I wanted to settle a score with this Young Master Zhu." A cold glint shot from his eyes. If he hadn't, by chance, killed the branch leader, what would have been the Xu family's fate? And what about Xu Youran's fate? Such a person deserved a lesson!

Disregarding Xu Youran's attempts to dissuade him, he picked up the bundle from under the bed and went to the main hall.

At this moment, the Xu family members were no longer in the hall. Only Xu Zhengyan stood with his hands behind his back, ready to face the impending calamity of his family's destruction alone. Zhu Jianshen, with his retinue, stormed in aggressively.

"Xu Zhengyan, your Xu family members sure ran fast!"

Xu Zhengyan remained expressionless, adopting an attitude of having accepted everything. Early that morning, he had dismissed all the Xu family members, preparing to face it alone.

"Zhu Jianshen, you abuse the Azure Cloud Sect's power; retribution will catch up to you sooner or later!" Xu Zhengyan said coldly.

A mocking expression appeared on Zhu Jianshen's face. "Retribution? At your age, do you still believe such childish words? Only incompetent waste comforts themselves like that!"

Xu Zhengyan clenched his fists. He desperately wanted to retort. But the truth was, it was so. In this world, what retribution was there? There was only the reality that good people die young, while villains live for a thousand years!

Zhu Jianshen pulled over a stool, sat down, and crossed his legs, saying, "Besides, I, Zhu, am acting on the orders of the Azure Cloud Sect. No matter who comes, they can't say I'm wrong. Now, I have business to conduct! Where is the head of the branch leader?"

Xu Zhengyan's eyes showed a cold light: "There isn't!" How could the Xu family possibly obtain the head of that branch leader? Even if he wasn't injured, in his peak condition, he couldn't have defeated that branch leader.

Zhu Jianshen laughed, "Since that's the case, I, Zhu, will have to handle this officially. The Xu family failed to complete the task assigned by the Azure Cloud Sect on time. By law, their property will be confiscated, and they will be punished! Come on, seal off the Xu family residence!"

*Clattering sounds*

The men he brought immediately rushed to various parts of the Xu residence like hungry wolves. Their faces were filled with excitement. Confiscating property was a lucrative job that didn't come around often! Xu Zhengyan opened his mouth but didn't stop them. In any case, the important valuables had already been taken away by the family members.

Zhu Jianshen's face revealed a hint of mockery, a non-smile. "Do you perhaps think that since your Xu family members have already run off with their belongings, it doesn't matter?"

Xu Zhengyan immediately had a bad feeling. Zhu Jianshen clapped his hands mockingly. "Bring them over, let Patriarch Xu have a look."

Another group of people entered from outside the door. Each of them was restraining a prisoner with a bruised face and disheveled hair. Wang Yingfeng was among them, and many other Xu family members. Everyone was present, except for Xu Yining.

Xu Zhengyan was greatly surprised: "Why didn't you run?"

Zhu Jianshen laughed heartily, "Run? I had already set up a net around your Xu mansion! Aside from Xu Yining, not a single one of your Xu family members will escape!"

However, Zhu Jianshen's smile soon vanished. His expression turned ferocious as he said, "Where's Jiang Fan? Where's Xu Youran?" These two were the real reason he had gone to such lengths to deal with the Xu family. One was the person he wanted to tear limb from limb! The other was the woman he wanted to torment severely! But they weren't here!

Suddenly, several screams rang out in succession. Immediately after, a figure, spitting blood, flew backward from the backyard and crashed heavily in front of Zhu Jianshen. He looked up, and saw Jiang Fan calmly walking over, holding Xu Youran's hand.

"Zhu Jianshen, are you looking for me?" Jiang Fan picked up a piece of paper, a hint of disdain curving his lips. As the saying goes, when enemies meet, their eyes burn with fury.

Zhu Jianshen laughed coldly, "Good! Good! You have guts! You actually didn't leave! Then I'll grant your wish! Come on, seize him! If he dares to resist, kill him without mercy!!!" No matter what, he wanted Jiang Fan dead!

Jiang Fan, expressionless, raised his pen and wrote: "Why are you arresting me?"

Seeing Jiang Fan still defiant at death's door, Zhu Jianshen laughed, "What, did you manage to get the head of the branch leader? If not, then you're defying the Azure Cloud Sect's orders! If not you, then who should I arrest?"

Xu Zhengyan was secretly anxious. He told Jiang Fan to leave, why didn't he? But seeing all the family members who had been caught and brought back, without a single one missing, he sighed helplessly. Even if he left, Jiang Fan would still be caught and brought back. The Xu family's fate was already sealed.

But just as Xu Zhengyan and all the Xu family members felt utterly hopeless, Jiang Fan casually dropped the bundle in his hand, throwing it before Zhu Jianshen. He unfurled a piece of paper in his hand.

"Young Master Zhu, take a look."