Urban Romantic Divine Doctor Chapter 1674 - 1671: It Was All a Conspiracy

The city of Qingyuan thrives economically, with six prominent aristocratic families reigning supreme, controlling the city's financial arteries like colossal commercial giants.

At their apex stands the Ye Family, possessing wealth as boundless as the ocean, far exceeding common comprehension. Their esteemed name echoes throughout Qingyuan and beyond, a testament to their formidable influence. The Ye Family consistently emerges victorious in countless business endeavors, forging ahead with a dynamic momentum that positions them as Qingyuan's premier family, a beacon of aspiration for others.

Trailing closely is the equally entrenched Li Family. Their business empire spans critical sectors such as real estate, finance, and manufacturing. They command significant respect and wield substantial influence within their domains, forming an indispensable pillar of Qingyuan's commercial architecture. Though not quite matching the Ye Family's stature, they maintain a robust trajectory of growth.

Ever poised for opportune breakthroughs, they engage in direct competition with the Ye Family, collectively authoring Qingyuan's grand narrative of aristocratic power.

Within the Li Family's opulent reception hall, a space steeped in familial dignity and lavishness, Li Boyuan, an elder of the clan, addressed another elder seated on a plush sofa with furrowed brows and deference.

"Senior," he began, leaning forward slightly, his voice tinged with caution, "our investigation is complete. The individual responsible for the unfortunate demise of your cherished pet is none other than the proprietor of the Mystic Spirit Pavilion, a young man by the name of Xu."

"It was the very talisman he personally crafted that proved fatal to your beloved companion!"

The elder, known as Wu Zan, though sightless, projected an intense and powerful aura that inspired both fear and reverence.

His cultivation methods were exceptionally peculiar and esoteric, charting an unconventional course by absorbing the world's yin and malevolent energies. Over time, this practice led him to nurture several sinister apparitions as favored companions.

Previously, the Li Family had incurred a tremendous expense, a staggering ten billion yuan, to enlist one of Wu Zan's pets. The intention was to infiltrate the Ye Family, utilizing it as a strategic point to subtly sabotage the Ye Family's feng shui. Their ultimate aim was to destabilize the Ye Family, seize their assets, and thereby ascend to the coveted position of Qingyuan's foremost family.

Alas.

The meticulously devised plan, seemingly impenetrable, was effortlessly nullified by Xu Wendong with a simple Evil-Dispelling Charm, dissolving like mist under the morning sun.

Wu Zan, who had been seated motionless, suddenly shuddered. A torrent of potent, chilling energy erupted from him, surging like a dark tide that engulfed the entire reception chamber.

Simultaneously.

Every member of the Li Family felt an abrupt plunge into an icy abyss. Goosebumps erupted across their skin as if a frigid hand had clamped around their throats, creating a palpable sense of near suffocation.

What truly astonished them was the sight of two eerie green ghost fires flickering within Wu Zan's sightless eyes. His facial features contorted in a mask of fury, veins bulging like writhing worms beneath his skin.

"Hmph! A mere upstart dares to thwart my plans and extinguish the life of my cherished pet! Does he possess the courage of a bear or a leopard?"

Wu Zan's voice boomed, a hellish resonance, cold and raspy, laden with an abyss of malice. It echoed through the silent hall, causing nearby ornaments to tremble minutely.

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The following day, as dawn broke and the lingering rain yielded to clearing skies, the world appeared cleansed and revitalized, as if reborn after a nourishing downpour.

After sharing breakfast at home with his sister-in-law, Xu Wendong embarked on his journey to the ancient market.

He parked his vehicle smoothly in the designated lot before ambling into the hallowed grounds of the time-honored marketplace.

The heavy rain of the preceding night had left the bluestone-paved paths of the ancient market immaculately polished, devoid of any blemish. Each stone slab seemed to exhale an aura of antiquity and freshness, infusing the atmosphere with a sense of invigorating serenity.

Upon reaching the entrance of the Mystic Spirit Pavilion, his gaze casually fell upon an old man seated cross-legged before the establishment.

This individual possessed a lean countenance, framed by white hair, and wore a simple Daoist robe that fluttered gently in the breeze, projecting an air of profound otherworldliness.

A slight frown creased Xu Wendong's brow at this sight. His Divine Sense swiftly reached out, instantly detecting that the elder before him harbored a cultivation base at the formidable Nascent Soul Stage.

Though perplexed, he remained silent, retrieving a key from his pocket to gently unlock the store's entrance before proceeding inside with steady steps.

The moment Xu Wendong crossed the threshold, Lingxu Taoist seemed to perceive him, his expression swiftly shifting to a polite and humble smile as he advanced into the shop.

His movements were somewhat measured, as if he were cautious not to disturb the serene ambience of the establishment.

Upon entering, Lingxu Taoist offered a slight bow and inquired softly, "Little friend, are you the proprietor of this Mystic Spirit Pavilion?"

As he spoke, he subtly observed Xu Wendong, inwardly astonished that this young man, possessing only a Foundation Establishment Cultivation Level, did not appear formidable to a Nascent Soul Stage Expert like himself.

Xu Wendong, composed as still water, met the Lingxu Taoist's gaze without arrogance or deference, asking, "Senior, what matter brings you to inquire of me?"

A faint smile graced Lingxu Taoist's features, his eyes alight with curiosity and anticipation. He asked with evident cheerfulness, "Pray forgive my intrusion, little friend, but I am simply eager to know who inscribed the three characters 'Mystic Spirit Pavilion' upon the plaque at the entrance?"

Following his words, he peered intently into Xu Wendong's eyes, seemingly seeking to glean some vital clue from them.

Xu Wendong had already grasped the underlying intent of the visitor.

He was well aware that this Lingxu Taoist must have hastened here with a burning question because, upon beholding the calligraphy on the Mystic Spirit Pavilion's sign, he had experienced a tangible surge and breakthrough in his own cultivation.

Considering this, he paused momentarily before casually responding, "Those three characters were penned by my own hand."

The warm smile that had previously adorned Lingxu Taoist's face froze instantly upon hearing this declaration. He remained rooted to the spot, utterly stunned, as if under an enchantment.

Internally, his heart churned like a tempestuous ocean, his thoughts utterly adrift in a void of disbelief.

In his estimation, the author of those characters, imbued with such astonishing power that facilitated his breakthrough from a bottleneck, ought to be an immensely profound expert of unfathomable prowess.

Perhaps it was a venerable recluse long vanished from the mortal plane, or a mighty figure hailing from some enigmatic Immortal Realm.

Never in his wildest imaginings could he have conceived.

That these three characters were the work of the very Foundation Establishment junior standing before him.