Wu Wei clenched his fists and silently stared at the body of his youngest son, split in half on the ground.
He had already understood the hidden meaning behind Liu Yihe's words. Liu only wanted to use this opportunity to extract a significant benefit.
Moreover, Wu Wei had long known what Liu Yihe needed, but he had been unwilling to provide it.
However, now that his youngest son had been killed, he was willing to pay any price to find the murderer.
Thinking this, Wu Wei spoke.
"Brother Liu, I heard you have a grandson with a sixth-grade fire spirit root. You've always wanted to find a suitable fire-related technique for him. This time, if you help me find the murderer who killed Tianyi, I will give the Wu family's Chiyan Heart Sutra to your grandson to practice."
"Is this true?"
Hearing this, Liu Yihe couldn't help but ask, his excitement barely contained.
The Chiyan Heart Sutra was a Xuan-level, lower-grade fire-attribute technique, and it was also the clan-protecting technique of the Wu family in Feiyun City. Not to mention outsiders, even regular Wu family members were not qualified to practice it.
Although Liu Yihe was a worshiper of the Wu family, he was not without family. One of his grandsons had been tested and found to have a sixth-grade fire spirit root. Since then, Liu had been searching for a suitable fire technique for him.
The Wu family's Chiyan Heart Sutra, with its direct focus on the Yuanying Path, was naturally a perfect fit.
Liu had previously asked Wu Wei about it indirectly, but Wu Wei had always been evasive. No matter how much Liu was willing to offer, Wu Wei had refused to share the Red Flame Heart Sutra.
If it weren't for Wu Tianyi's sudden death, Wu Wei would not have been swayed.
"Of course, I take it seriously. But your grandson must sign a contract with the Wu family."
"No problem."
Signing a contract was standard, and Liu Yihe had no issue with it. As long as his grandson succeeded in his cultivation, the contract was a minor matter. With Liu's remaining decades of life, he could ensure his grandson built a solid foundation. Once that was achieved, the rest would depend on the grandson.
So, Liu agreed.
After they discussed the details, Wu Wei bowed and said, "Brother Liu, please, we must find the murderer."
"Master, please rest assured. I will track the murderer's whereabouts in no more than two hours."
Liu Yihe was thrilled to have his wish fulfilled. He even spoke with more respect toward Wu Wei.
As for whether he could find the murderer, Liu was not concerned. Although the murderer's actions had been clean and precise, there were still traces left at the scene. The murderer had obviously been a novice. After killing Wu Tianyi, he had not destroyed the body or covered his tracks. Despite Wu Tianyi's death and lingering resentment, the murderer had left this energy unaddressed.
By following this residual energy and using some specialized methods, Liu Yihe was confident he could find the murderer.
After all, when someone takes your money, you do your best—not to mention that the reward had not yet been secured.
Liu Yihe took a small flag from his storage ring and placed it around the area. Then, he carefully set a pitch-black array plate where Wu Tianyi had fallen.
Wu Wei, who was standing aside, had a general understanding of what was happening. He couldn't help but express his amazement.
"Ten Thousand Miles Chasing Soul Technique? Brother Liu, you're truly skilled. To know such an obscure technique is impressive."
"It's a minor trick, nothing worth mentioning. Next, please ensure no one disturbs me. When casting the Ten Thousand Miles Chasing Soul Technique, I must not be interrupted."
After Liu Yihe finished speaking, he sat cross-legged and began to form hand seals.
"Brother Liu, please continue. I will ensure that no one disturbs you while I am here."
Wu Wei flew into the air and spread his consciousness, keeping an eye on the surroundings.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yuhe was blissfully flying toward Yunzhong City, unaware that the Wu family would soon be able to track his movements.
This was not unusual. There were countless strange methods in the world of cultivators. Zhang Yuhe, though a competent cultivator, did not know everything, especially in this vast world.
As he flew, Zhang Yuhe occasionally took out the jade slip containing the map to compare and check.
Time passed slowly, and Yunzhong City was coming into view.
…
Liu Yihe sat cross-legged, surrounded by spirit stones. As his fingers formed the necessary spells, the stones rapidly consumed their energy, and his face grew paler.
Although the Ten Thousand Miles Chasing Soul Technique had remarkable tracking capabilities, it drained a great deal of energy.
With Liu Yihe's cultivation at the mid-foundation stage, using this spell was somewhat taxing. Furthermore, it would cause significant harm, requiring him to rest for a long period afterward to recover.
If it weren't for the Chiyan Heart Sutra, he would not be exerting himself this much.
…
Suddenly, Liu Yihe spat out a mouthful of blood and shouted.
"Chasing the soul, hurry..."
As soon as he spoke, several spots of light flickered, gradually forming an image of a monk flying on a sword.
The figure in the image was Zhang Yuhe.
Seeing the trace of the murderer, Wu Wei descended from the air and frowned.
"That's the direction of Yunzhong City."
"Yes."
Liu Yihe answered, his voice tinged with reluctance.
As the capital city, Yunzhong City had disciples of the Daosheng Sect stationed there. Once the murderer entered the city, they would be unable to act.
The most concerning thing was that the murderer was now very close to Yunzhong City. Even if they moved quickly, they would not reach him before he entered.
Liu Yihe wanted to withdraw, unwilling to confront the disciples of Daosheng Sect.
However, Wu Wei was resolute in his decision. He only wanted to avenge his son.
Wu Wei waved his hand, saying to Liu Yihe, "Let's go to Yunzhong City."
"Master, are you sure you want to act there?"
Liu Yihe was surprised by Wu Wei's decision to pursue him to Yunzhong City.
"Of course we won't act inside Yunzhong City. We'll simply observe the murderer. I don't believe he will stay in the city."
Wu Wei was determined. He believed that once they arrived in Yunzhong City, the murderer would not remain there for long. No action could be taken within the city, but outside, they could act freely. Once the murderer left, they would take action.
However, he needed Liu Yihe's help with tracking. After all, he was not skilled in such pursuits, and Liu's assistance was crucial.
The Red Flame Heart Sutra was not something the Wu family would part with easily, and Liu Yihe had no choice but to comply.
"Alright, I will accompany you."
Liu Yihe had no objection. As long as they didn't act inside the city, going to Yunzhong City would be fine. Wu Wei was right—the murderer would likely not stay in the city.
The two then summoned their flying swords and swiftly headed toward Yunzhong City.
…
At this moment, Zhang Yuhe had already flown out of the mountains and forests. A huge city appeared before him.
The walls of the immense city were hundreds of meters high, and the city stretched endlessly.
"It's truly magnificent. It's hard to imagine how such a large city was built."
Staring at the massive city, Zhang Yuhe couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of the cultivation civilization.
With this in mind, he was filled with anticipation for the future.
"Let's enter the city first."
Zhang Yuhe flew toward the city. Cultivators occasionally passed him on their swords, landing hundreds of meters from the city's gates.
In the world of Yufantian, prefectural and state-level cities had air-blocking formations. Unless one's strength reached a certain threshold, flying was prohibited. To enter the city, one had to walk.