shí jiān fēng yún léi dòng ， qì fēn měng rán jiān níng gù le qǐ lái ， níng jiā de dì zǐ tái tóu wàng zhe shàng miàn ， jǐn zhāng yǔ xīng fèn de biǎo qíng fēn fēn liú lù le chū lái 。
时间风云雷动，气氛猛然间凝固了起来，宁家的弟子抬头望着上面，紧张与兴奋的表情纷纷流露了出来。
Time moved swiftly, the atmosphere suddenly freezing. The disciples of the Ning family looked up at the sky, their expressions a mix of tension and excitement.
dāng rán ， yě yǒu lì wài ， nà xiē shēn chuān lán páo de xiū shì ， yí gè gè jiù xiǎn de bù yǐ wéi rán 。 yuán běn tā men shǔ yú zhǎng fáng zhǎng zhī ， zài qī mài zhī zhōng zuì yǒu shí lì rán ér xiān shì jiā zhù shēn sǐ 。 jiē zhe níng wàn shān yě bèi duì fāng yǐ léi tíng shǒu duàn jù jī jí ne le qǐ lái ， zhǎng fáng xiū shì suī duō yǒu bù mǎn 。 kě quē shǎo le dài tóu rén zhǔ chí dà jú ， zì rán yě jiù wú fǎ yǔ èr fáng sān fáng zhēng zhè jiā zhù de wèi zhì 。
当然，也有例外，那些身穿蓝袍的修士，一个个就显得不以为然。原本他们属于长房长支，在七脉之中最有实力然而先是家住身死。接着宁万山也被对方以雷霆手段据积极呢了起来，长房修士虽多有不满。可缺少了带头人主持大局，自然也就无法与二房三房争这家住的位置。
Of course, there were exceptions. Those in blue robes seemed unconcerned. They originally belonged to the eldest branch, the most powerful among the seven branches. However, after their residence was destroyed, and Master Ning Wanshan was taken down by force, the eldest branch's disciples had many grievances but lacked a leader to rally them.
xīn zhōng jī fèn zhī xià ， dà bù fèn zhǎng fáng dì zǐ dōu bāo le zuò shān guān hǔ dòu de niàn tou ， rú guǒ shuāng fāng pīn gè nǐ sǐ wǒ huó ， nà zì jǐ zhè biān jiù yǒu fān pán de xī wàng le 。
心中激愤之下，大部分长房弟子都包了坐山观虎斗的念头，如果双方拼个你死我活，那自己这边就有翻盘的希望了。
With hearts full of resentment, most of the eldest branch's disciples were content with waiting for their chance. "Second Elder Brother, Third Sister, your tactics are impressive," a clear voice drifted in from afar. "But think about it, our family has been around for over a thousand years. The position of headmaster is always given to those who have virtue, not through magic contests."
rán ér lín xuān què méi tóu yī diào ， níng jiā yǐ bèi tā shì wèi náng zhōng wù ， zì rán bù xī wàng kàn dào èr fáng sān fáng jì xù nèi hào 。
然而林轩却眉头一调，宁家已被他视为囊中物，自然不希望看到二房三房继续内耗。
Everyone heard the words clearly, and their reactions varied. The second and third branches' disciples were taken aback, while the eldest branch's disciples exchanged glances before erupting in cheers.
qū zhǐ yī shēn ， yī dào huī méng méng de guāng tuán yǐ bèi jī shè le chū lái 。
屈指一伸，一道灰蒙蒙的光团已被激射了出来。
"Seventh Elder Brother has appeared! Seventh Elder Brother has appeared!"
nà shì chuán yīn fú ， zhǐ bù guò jiā chí le yǐn mì de mì shū ， yì bān xiū shì shì bù tóng yì fā xiàn de ， ér níng jiā dì zi de zhù yì lì yòu zài tiān kōng zhī shàng ， zì rán gèng bú huì yǒu rén fā xiàn tā suǒ dòng de shǒu jiǎo 。
那是传音符，只不过加持了隐秘的秘书，一般修士是不同意发现的，而宁家弟子的注意力又在天空之上，自然更不会有人发现他所动的手脚。
Since the previous headmaster’s death, Master Ning Wanshan had been the heart of the eldest branch. Seeing him break free now, his disciples couldn't help but cheer.
hōng lōng lóng ！
轰隆隆！
Ning Second and the red-robed beauty exchanged glances. This unexpected turn left them flabbergasted. They reluctantly stopped their fight.
yī duǒ shù mǔ dà xiǎo de wū yún zhē dǎng zhù le yáng guāng ， níng èr xiān shēng ào lì yú tiān kōng zhī shàng ， xiù páo yī dǒu ， yī dào bāo wéi
一朵数亩大小的乌云遮挡住了阳光，宁二先生傲立于天空之上，袖袍一抖，一道包围
The two were top-ranking disciples, so they easily pinpointed where the speaker was from the ancestral hall's west side. Several blue-robed figures flew in, with Seventh Elder Brother leading the way. The others were also high-ranking members of the eldest branch, having been watched by Ning Second and his allies.
de guāng xiá yǐ fēi chū le yī xiù ， què shì yī bǐng hòu bèi kǎn dāo ， dāo shēn zhī shàng ， huā wén qí tè ， jū rán shì jiǔ gè lián chéng yī
的光霞已飞出了衣袖，却是一柄后背砍刀，刀身之上，花纹奇特，居然是九个连成一
This strengthened the eldest branch significantly, making it uncertain who would claim the headmaster’s position. Ning Second and the beauty's faces turned pale as they landed slowly.
de xiàn de kū lóu tóu ， xǔ xǔ rú shēng ， guāng shì kàn shàng yī yǎn ， jiù ràng rén hún shēn fā hán 。
的线的骷髅头，栩栩如生，光是看上一眼，就让人浑身发寒。
Master Ning Wanshan was surrounded by eldest branch disciples, who asked after him with concern. He first bowed in gratitude before turning to his second elder brother and third sister. "Second Elder Brother, Third Sister, you didn't expect this, did you? I escaped so quickly."
cǐ dāo bèi jì qǐ yǐ hòu ， lì kè wéi rào tā bù tíng pán xuán ， yī dào xuán fēng píng kōng ér qǐ ， lǐ miàn hái jiā zá zhe yuān hún de kū
此刀被祭起以后，立刻围绕他不停盘旋，一道旋风凭空而起，里面还夹杂着冤魂的哭
This was the most confusing part for them. Even if they hadn’t seen it happen, Ning Wanshan had been restrained with magical energy when he was captured. It would be impossible for him to break free even in his prime, given the dozens of disciples patrolling and the complex array traps.
qì āi míng 。
泣哀鸣。
Could there have been a traitor among their ranks?
háng jia yī chū shǒu ， jiù zhī yǒu méi yǒu ， zhè níng èr xiān shēng bù kuì shì níng dān hòu qī de guǐ xiū ， yī shēn guǐ yì xié gōng ， shí shì
行家一出手，就知有没有，这宁二先生不愧是凝丹后期的鬼修，一身诡异邪功，实是
Both pondered this but couldn't investigate now. Ning Second sneered. "Seventh Brother, you have the nerve to show your face here."
fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， rán ér nà hóng yī měi fù bìng bù zài hū ， mù guāng zhī zhōng shèn zhì yǐn yǐn hái liú lù chū jǐ fēn qīng shì zhī sè ， jiāo
非同小可，然而那红衣美妇并不在乎，目光之中甚至隐隐还流露出几分轻视之色，娇
"Second Elder Brother's words are strange," Ning Wanshan feigned surprise. "I never betrayed the family; why should I be ashamed?"
xiào le qǐ lái ：“ shī xiōng de jiǔ guǐ dà huán dāo guǒ rán bù tóng fán xiǎng ， nà xiǎo mèi jiù yǐ zhè yīn hún zān lǐng jiào 。”
笑了起来：“师兄的九鬼大环刀果然不同凡响，那小妹就以这阴魂簪领教。”
"Ha! You know what you did. Years ago, you went to the swamp. Did you see our ancestor? Why did our young master disappear without a trace for so long? You've been lying all these years, trying to stop others from going there. What do you want with our enemies? Did you betray our ancestors?"
shēn chū shǒu lái ， zài fà jì shàng yī zhāi ， qǔ xià le yī xiǎo qiǎo de zān zi lái 。
伸出手来，在发髻上一摘，取下了一小巧的簪子来。
Ning Second's words caused a commotion. He and the red-robed beauty had used this excuse to capture Seventh Elder Brother several days ago.
jǐn yǒu sān cùn lái zhǎng ， què shì shǎn shǎn fā liàng 。
仅有三寸来长，却是闪闪发亮。
The eldest branch was skeptical about their ancestor’s fate, or they wouldn't have dared use such force against them.
lín xuān mī le mī yǎn ， cǐ bǎo què shí bù fán ， yǐ tā xiàn zài jiàn shí zhī bó ， jū rán dōu wú fǎ kàn chū zhè zān zi shì yòng hé zhǒng
林轩眯了眯眼，此宝确实不凡，以他现在见识之博，居然都无法看出这簪子是用何种
But Ning Wanshan couldn’t reveal Lin Xuan’s involvement. However, times had changed. His weakness now became his strength.
cái liào dǎ zào de 。
材料打造的。
He smirked, showing no fear. "I've said it before; I don't know where the young master is. But our ancestor gave strict orders to stay in seclusion and avoid disturbances."
měi fù chuí xià zhēn shǒu ， kàn le yī yǎn zhǎng zhōng de bǎo wù ， tán kǒu wēi qǐ ， qīng qīng de chuī le kǒu qì ， cǐ bǎo dùn shí fā chū yī
美妇垂下臻首，看了一眼掌中的宝物，檀口微启，轻轻的吹了口气，此宝顿时发出一
"Rubbish," the red-robed beauty retorted. "Seventh Brother, do you think we're three-year-olds? We haven’t seen him for years, so anything goes."
zhèn yōu àn de guāng máng ， yíng fēng jiù zhǎng ， qǐng kè zhī jiān ， yǐ yǒu liǎng chǐ lái zhǎng ， suī rán tǐ jī yǔ duì fāng de hòu bèi kǎn dāo xiāng
阵幽暗的光芒，迎风就涨，顷刻之间，已有两尺来长，虽然体积与对方的后背砍刀相
"So, what do you want us to believe?" Ning Wanshan asked coolly.
bǐ ， yī jiù lüè yǒu bù jí ， dàn guāng lùn wēi fēng shēng shì ， què yóu yào shèng shàng yī chóu de yàng zi 。
比，依旧略有不及，但光论威风声势，却尤要胜上一筹的样子。
The two hesitated but thought it was a psychological tactic.
liǎng rén dōu yǐ jiāng bǎo wù ná chū ， dà zhàn yǐ dào le yī chù jí fā de dì bù ， rán ér jiù zài zhè shí ， yī zhèn qīng liàng de shēng yīn
两人都已将宝物拿出，大战已到了一触即发的地步，然而就在这时，一阵清亮的声音
"Believe me if the ancestor appears," Ning Second said calmly. The second and third branches had become allies in this fight.
què suí fēng ér zhì ， yuǎn yuǎn de chuán rù le ěr lǐ ：“ èr shī xiōng ， sān shī jiě ， liǎng wèi zhēn shì hǎo shǒu duàn ， hǎo xìng zhì ， dàn
却随风而至，远远的传入了耳里：“二师兄，三师姐，两位真是好手段，好兴致，但
"Right, only the ancestor can convince us."
xiǎng wǒ níng jiā ， kāi pài yǐ lì qiān zài ， jiā zhǔ zhè wèi ， xiàng lái shì yǒu dé zhě jū zhī ， cóng méi yǒu tīng shuō kào dòu fǎ zhēng de ，
想我宁家，开派已历千载，家主这位，向来是有德者居之，从没有听说靠斗法争得，
"Hmph, he won't be able to. He’s probably allied with our enemies and killed our ancestor."
liǎng wèi zhè yàng zuò ， duì de qǐ xià miàn cí táng zhōng de liè zǔ liè zōng me ？”
两位这样做，对的起下面祠堂中的列祖列宗么？”
"Traitor! Draw his soul out here!"
nà shēng yīn bù dà ， rán ér měi yí gè rén dōu tīng de qīng qīng chǔ chǔ ， zhòng rén xiān shì yī dāi ， suí hòu biǎo qíng gè yì 。
那声音不大，然而每一个人都听的清清楚楚，众人先是一呆，随后表情各异。
"Exactly, let's use his head to honor our ancestors."
èr fáng sān fáng de xiū shì mǎn miàn è rán ， biǎo qíng dōu bù zěn me hǎo kàn ， ér zhǎng fáng de dì zǐ ， zé miàn miàn xiāng qù ， suí hòu wú
二房三房的修士满面愕然，表情都不怎么好看，而长房的弟子，则面面相觑，随后无
The second and third branches' disciples cheered, but the eldest branch looked uneasy.
bù huān hū dà xǐ 。
不欢呼大喜。
Ning Wanshan showed no intention of defending himself, leaving everyone shocked. Was he seeking death?
“ shì qī zhǎng lǎo ， qī zhǎng lǎo chū lái le 。”
“是七长老，七长老出来了。”
The two attackers felt strange but more relieved. They wanted this over quickly.
zì cóng qián jiā zhǔ shēn gù ， níng wàn shān jiù shì zhǎng fáng de zhǔ xīn gǔ ， yǎn kàn tā zài zhè guān jiàn shí kè dé tuō láo lóng ， zhǎng fáng yī
自从前家主身故，宁万山就是长房的主心骨，眼看他在这关键时刻得脱牢笼，长房一
"Quickly!"
mài de dì zǐ zì rán shì hèn bù dé zhèn bì gāo hū 。
脉的弟子自然是恨不得振臂高呼。
Ning Second pointed his finger, and the ghost-head sword turned into a black beam, heading towards Ning Wanshan. The red-robed beauty didn't use her treasure but pointed at him as well.
níng èr xiān shēng yǔ hóng yī měi fù duì shì yī yǎn ， zhè biàn gù dà dà chū hū tā men de yì liào ， zhǐ hǎo shōu shǒu ， zàn shí tíng zhǐ le
宁二先生与红衣美妇对视一眼，这变故大大出乎他们的意料，只好收手，暂时停止了
Dark winds appeared, with several small ghost birds pecking down. They were small like sparrows but carried formidable spiritual pressure.
zhēng dòu 。
争斗。
Both attacked with deadly intent, their higher levels of cultivation ensuring they left no room for mercy.
liǎng rén de xiū wèi nǎi shì dì zǐ zhī shǒu ， shén shí yī sǎo jiù zhǎo dào le shuō huà rén de xíng zōng 。
两人的修为乃是弟子之首，神识一扫就找到了说话人的行踪。
Their target had only one fate—death!
zhǐ jiàn cóng cí táng xī cè ， yuǎn yuǎn de fēi lái le qī bā dào yào yǎn dùn guāng ， rén rén shēn chuān lán páo ， wéi shǒu de bù zhèng shì nà bèi
只见从祠堂西侧，远远的飞来了七八道耀眼遁光，人人身穿蓝袍，为首的不正是那被
"Seventh Brother!"
guān qǐ lái de qī zhǎng lǎo 。
关起来的七长老。
The eldest branch disciples cried out in alarm as others tried to help, but Ning Second and his allies stopped them all.
zhì yú qí tā rén yě shì zhǎng fáng gāo shǒu ， yuán běn yǐ bèi tā men pài rén dīng zhù ， méi xiǎng dào cǐ kè yě lián mèi ér zhì le 。
至于其他人也是长房高手，原本已被他们派人盯住，没想到此刻也联袂而至了。
As the attackers closed in, Ning Wanshan showed no intention of defending himself, leaving everyone puzzled. Was he courting death?
rú cǐ yī lái ， zhǎng fáng shí lì dà zēng ， jiā zhǔ zhī wèi zuì zhōng huì bèi shuí qǔ dé ， gèng zēng jiā le lìng rén nán yǐ yù liào de biàn shù 。
如此一来，长房实力大增，家主之位最终会被谁取得，更增加了令人难以预料的变数。
Even the two attackers felt strange but more relieved. They wanted this over quickly.
níng èr xiān shēng yǔ měi fù de liǎn sè dōu nán kàn dào le jí chù ， liǎng rén shēn xíng yī zhuǎn ， huǎn huǎn de jiàng luò xià lái 。
宁二先生与美妇的脸色都难看到了极处，两人身形一转，缓缓的降落下来。
Suddenly, from above, two black beams shot down at incredible speed, intercepting the flying knife and swallowing several ghost birds.
níng wàn shān cǐ kè zhèng bèi zhǎng fáng dì zǐ wéi zhe ， xū hán wèn nuǎn ， tā xiān gǒng shǒu zuò yī ， dá xiè le zì jǐ de dí xì ， suí hòu
宁万山此刻正被长房弟子围着，嘘寒问暖，他先拱手作揖，答谢了自己的嫡系，随后
Ning Second and his beauty were startled by the sudden turn of events. Both had the same thought: This guy had allies who helped him escape.
mù guāng rú diàn ， shēng yīn dī chén de fā qǐ le nán lái ：“ èr shī xiōng ， sān shī jiě ， nǐ men méi xiǎng dào ba ， níng mǒu rén zhè me
目光如电，声音低沉的发起了难来：“二师兄，三师姐，你们没想到吧，宁某人这么
"Who dares interfere in our Ning family's affairs!" Ning Second roared. But before he finished, a terrifying spiritual pressure descended from above.
kuài jiù dé tuō le láo lóng 。”
快就得脱了牢笼。”
His body trembled as if weighed down by thousands of pounds. He hastily summoned his magical energy to alleviate this feeling.
cǐ shì yě shì zuì lìng liǎng rén bù jiě de ， bù shuō yǎn qián zhè jiā huo ， shī shǒu bèi qín zhī shí ， yǐ bèi liǎng rén jìn gù le fǎ lì ，
此事也是最令两人不解的，不说眼前这家伙，失手被擒之时，已被两人禁锢了法力，
Looking up, the red-robed beauty’s face was pale too, suffering similarly.
jiù suàn tā quán shèng zhī shí ， yě jué bù kě néng cóng láo lóng lǐ chuǎng chū qù ， bù shuō zài fù jìn xún luó de dì zǐ ， yǒu shù shí rén zhī
就算他全盛之时，也绝不可能从牢笼里闯出去，不说在附近巡逻的弟子，有数十人之
Worse still, several disciples in the ancestral hall were sprawled on the ground, with only a few condensation period cultivators managing to suppress their discomfort.
duō ， guāng shì zhèn fǎ jìn zhì ， jiù yǐ lìng rén tóu téng wú bǐ 。
多，光是阵法禁制，就已令人头疼无比。
This sensation...
nán dào jìng shì nà xiē dì zǐ zhōng jiān ， chū xiàn le nèi jiān ？
难道竟是那些弟子中间，出现了内奸？
This power!
liǎng rén xīn zhōng tóng fàn yí wèn ， rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， zì rán méi yǒu bàn fǎ zhuī chá ， xiān jiāng zhè ge yí huò yā xià ， níng èr xiān
两人心中同泛疑问，然而此时此刻，自然没有办法追查，先将这个疑惑压下，宁二先
Could it be an old monster of the Inner Core stage?
Time moved swiftly, the atmosphere suddenly freezing. The disciples of the Ning family looked up at the sky, their expressions a mix of tension and excitement.
Of course, there were exceptions. Those in blue robes seemed unconcerned. They originally belonged to the eldest branch, the most powerful among the seven branches. However, after their residence was destroyed, and Master Ning Wanshan was taken down by force, the eldest branch's disciples had many grievances but lacked a leader to rally them.
With hearts full of resentment, most of the eldest branch's disciples were content with waiting for their chance. "Second Elder Brother, Third Sister, your tactics are impressive," a clear voice drifted in from afar. "But think about it, our family has been around for over a thousand years. The position of headmaster is always given to those who have virtue, not through magic contests."
Everyone heard the words clearly, and their reactions varied. The second and third branches' disciples were taken aback, while the eldest branch's disciples exchanged glances before erupting in cheers.
"Seventh Elder Brother has appeared! Seventh Elder Brother has appeared!"
Since the previous headmaster’s death, Master Ning Wanshan had been the heart of the eldest branch. Seeing him break free now, his disciples couldn't help but cheer.
Ning Second and the red-robed beauty exchanged glances. This unexpected turn left them flabbergasted. They reluctantly stopped their fight.
The two were top-ranking disciples, so they easily pinpointed where the speaker was from the ancestral hall's west side. Several blue-robed figures flew in, with Seventh Elder Brother leading the way. The others were also high-ranking members of the eldest branch, having been watched by Ning Second and his allies.
This strengthened the eldest branch significantly, making it uncertain who would claim the headmaster’s position. Ning Second and the beauty's faces turned pale as they landed slowly.
Master Ning Wanshan was surrounded by eldest branch disciples, who asked after him with concern. He first bowed in gratitude before turning to his second elder brother and third sister. "Second Elder Brother, Third Sister, you didn't expect this, did you? I escaped so quickly."
This was the most confusing part for them. Even if they hadn’t seen it happen, Ning Wanshan had been restrained with magical energy when he was captured. It would be impossible for him to break free even in his prime, given the dozens of disciples patrolling and the complex array traps.
Could there have been a traitor among their ranks?
Both pondered this but couldn't investigate now. Ning Second sneered. "Seventh Brother, you have the nerve to show your face here."
"Second Elder Brother's words are strange," Ning Wanshan feigned surprise. "I never betrayed the family; why should I be ashamed?"
"Ha! You know what you did. Years ago, you went to the swamp. Did you see our ancestor? Why did our young master disappear without a trace for so long? You've been lying all these years, trying to stop others from going there. What do you want with our enemies? Did you betray our ancestors?"
Ning Second's words caused a commotion. He and the red-robed beauty had used this excuse to capture Seventh Elder Brother several days ago.
The eldest branch was skeptical about their ancestor’s fate, or they wouldn't have dared use such force against them.
But Ning Wanshan couldn’t reveal Lin Xuan’s involvement. However, times had changed. His weakness now became his strength.
He smirked, showing no fear. "I've said it before; I don't know where the young master is. But our ancestor gave strict orders to stay in seclusion and avoid disturbances."
"Rubbish," the red-robed beauty retorted. "Seventh Brother, do you think we're three-year-olds? We haven’t seen him for years, so anything goes."
"So, what do you want us to believe?" Ning Wanshan asked coolly.
The two hesitated but thought it was a psychological tactic.
"Believe me if the ancestor appears," Ning Second said calmly. The second and third branches had become allies in this fight.
"Right, only the ancestor can convince us."
"Hmph, he won't be able to. He’s probably allied with our enemies and killed our ancestor."
"Traitor! Draw his soul out here!"
"Exactly, let's use his head to honor our ancestors."
The second and third branches' disciples cheered, but the eldest branch looked uneasy.
Ning Wanshan showed no intention of defending himself, leaving everyone shocked. Was he seeking death?
The two attackers felt strange but more relieved. They wanted this over quickly.
"Quickly!"
Ning Second pointed his finger, and the ghost-head sword turned into a black beam, heading towards Ning Wanshan. The red-robed beauty didn't use her treasure but pointed at him as well.
Dark winds appeared, with several small ghost birds pecking down. They were small like sparrows but carried formidable spiritual pressure.
Both attacked with deadly intent, their higher levels of cultivation ensuring they left no room for mercy.
Their target had only one fate—death!
"Seventh Brother!"
The eldest branch disciples cried out in alarm as others tried to help, but Ning Second and his allies stopped them all.
As the attackers closed in, Ning Wanshan showed no intention of defending himself, leaving everyone puzzled. Was he courting death?
Even the two attackers felt strange but more relieved. They wanted this over quickly.
Suddenly, from above, two black beams shot down at incredible speed, intercepting the flying knife and swallowing several ghost birds.
Ning Second and his beauty were startled by the sudden turn of events. Both had the same thought: This guy had allies who helped him escape.
"Who dares interfere in our Ning family's affairs!" Ning Second roared. But before he finished, a terrifying spiritual pressure descended from above.
His body trembled as if weighed down by thousands of pounds. He hastily summoned his magical energy to alleviate this feeling.
Looking up, the red-robed beauty’s face was pale too, suffering similarly.
Worse still, several disciples in the ancestral hall were sprawled on the ground, with only a few condensation period cultivators managing to suppress their discomfort.
This sensation...
This power!
Could it be an old monster of the Inner Core stage?