No one could accept having their lifespan suddenly cut by five hundred years.
Patriarch Huo frowned, his hand poised to strike but forced to stop. If Song Wanníng really had a way to restore that damage, she needed to recover everything first.
But Song Wanníng shrugged with an innocent expression.
"I don't know how to either."
The few mysterious runes in the inheritance were all astonishingly powerful. She had deliberately chosen the time rune to intimidate and frighten them, making it easier for everyone to escape.
The effect was very satisfying. The way those people looked at her was full of fear. It was clear they had been scared, especially the Huo family disciples. Who would dare risk their future for a bounty?
In the upcoming pursuit, most would no longer give their all. That thought flickered briefly across Song Wanníng's mind, and a cold light flickered in the corner of her mouth.
"You—this is impossible! You must be doing this on purpose!"
The Divine Soul cultivator's heart dropped, the last shred of hope sinking into the abyss. His emotions surged, even briefly entertaining the idea of dying alongside Song Wanníng. But he feared she might hit him again and end his life.
If that happened, it would truly be over for him. His hesitation did not escape Patriarch Huo's notice, who silently cursed him as useless.
"Song Wanníng, remove it immediately, or don't blame the Huo family for being ruthless!"
Patriarch Huo tried to threaten her. He wanted to finish her off right then, but the situation would not allow it.
Capturing Song Wanníng alive was impossible. Just her strange pill furnace was hard enough to deal with. He never thought he would one day be troubled by a mere Out-of-Body stage cultivator, all because of that pill furnace.
"Heh, as if you would spare me just because I save him."
Song Wanníng snorted softly. Patriarch Huo's words struck her as absurd.
"For your own selfishness, you forcibly resurrect the dead and want to kill us to silence the truth. Now you have the entire Huo family against us. Do they even know the reason?"
A mocking smile lifted the corner of her mouth as she mercilessly exposed Patriarch Huo's shame.
The Huo family disciples already suspected something. Hearing Song Wanníng confirm it, their doubts were now certain. They all turned their eyes to Patriarch Huo.
Two elders especially stared at him with striking looks, even showing a hint of excitement. The worse Patriarch Huo's reputation got, the easier it would be to overthrow him.
"Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?"
Patriarch Huo's heart tightened and he shouted sharply. He no longer cared about having Song Wanníng heal the Divine Soul cultivator. Impatient, he attacked her. He had to silence Song Wanníng and Baili Shang, or risk their disruption to morale and his image.
What he did not know was that Song Wanníng clone had already revealed everything. He had no secrets left. Now that her clone had fled with the treasures, things worsened. Many disciples' hearts wavered.
Song Wanníng's eyes flickered. With a casual wave, a time rune appeared again and shot toward Patriarch Huo at a speed too fast to see.
Patriarch Huo, confident at first, was startled and instinctively dodged. That single movement made everyone look at him with new meaning, especially disciples from other families, whose eyes brimmed with mockery.
Patriarch Huo's throat tightened. Even worse, Song Wanníng and Baili Shang seized this chance to mount their flying treasure and disappeared in a streak of light. He ground his teeth, his composure shattered, leaving only endless fury and the humiliation of being mocked.
"Chase after them immediately!"
With that order, he ignored everyone's looks and hurried after them. The other Huo family disciples glanced at each other and tacitly followed, but none dared to pursue too closely or recklessly like before. People were selfish. Who would risk their future for Patriarch Huo's words?
Only the Divine Soul cultivator who had aged rapidly kept pace, hoping Song Wanníng would restore him. But even he dared only to hang behind Patriarch Huo. He was truly afraid, filled with dread.
The group quickly departed, leaving a crowd whispering among themselves. Many hurried to send messages to their families about the matter. News of a cultivator who comprehended the time attribute and could draw void talismans also spread rapidly across the land.
…
"Huo Jinchuan, hand over all the treasures now, or don't blame us for being ruthless!"
Several Huo family elders pursued Huo Jinchuan without relent, hurling threats as they chased. After listening to Patriarch Huo's explanation, they began to suspect someone was impersonating Huo Jinchuan.
But seeing him flee on sight confirmed his guilt.
The treasures were indeed stolen by him and his father, playing tricks on the family.
Absurd!
Before entering the Immortal Palace, they had already tallied the clan's top treasures, all of which Huo Jinchuan had taken.
It was outrageous.
Those treasures were so precious that even the elders did not have enough points to exchange for them. How dare Huo Jinchuan steal them?
"What treasures? I don't understand what you're talking about!"
Huo Jinchuan was confused, his mind in turmoil. He thought having the elders here meant Patriarch Huo would not attack him.Who knew it was the elders chasing him, while Patriarch Huo pursued those two?
And the treasures they mentioned? He knew nothing about any treasure. Could it be they assumed the inheritance was with him?
Huo Jinchuan frowned deeply. That did not explain why they were chasing him. Had Patriarch Huo told the family something, causing them to abandon him?
The more he thought, the more uneasy he felt. The cold, sharp eyes of the elders sent chills down his spine. Something was seriously wrong.
"Stop pretending! Stop right there! Hand over the treasures and we can talk it out. We won't make things difficult for you!
Otherwise, don't blame us for being ruthless. Even if the clan leader was here, we wouldn't hold back!" The elders shouted angrily. The more Huo Jinchuan ran, the angrier they grew.
They had decided that what Huo Jinchuan had done was enough to force Patriarch Huo to step down—unless he was willing to deal with his own son.
They exchanged glances and sped up their pursuit.
They would never let Huo Jinchuan escape.
Huo Jinchuan felt the accelerating pressure behind him, and his anxiety grew.
He knew something was wrong, but had no idea what exactly had happened.
Should he follow them back to the Huo family?