After she spoke, the torrential downpour pouring from the sky intensified even further. It could no longer be called raindrops, for each droplet was now larger than a human head and carried terrifying energy. They rained down densely upon Qin Zhongyu and the three experts from the Autumn Wind Group.
"Damn it, this really is a secret technique of the ancient Rain God!"
The three experts from the Autumn Wind Group employed various skills and secret arts to resist the endless stream of gigantic raindrops crashing down from above, revealing traces of fear in their expressions.
As Intermediate True Gods, they had all lived for extremely long spans of time and knew that in ancient times, the Qin Family had a powerhouse known as the Rain God, who had cultivated Rain Energy and the Rain Law to an unfathomable level. He had once dominated the entire void, suppressing all the Deities of his era.
If that ancient Rain God were personally taking action, then mere Intermediate True Gods like them wouldn't even count as worthy opponents.
Not only the three Intermediate True Gods from the Autumn Wind Group, but also the rest of the group's followers behind them were subjected to the terrifying assault of this downpour. Streams of miserable screams rang out incessantly.
In moments, the entire contingent brought by these three Autumn Wind Group experts were smashed into fleshy paste by those raindrops larger than human heads.
"Goddamn it! We need to flee, quickly!"
The three Autumn Wind Group experts were both shocked and furious. Faced with the endless deluge, their only thought was to leave this world as soon as possible.
The prestige of that ancient Rain God was far too formidable. They simply didn't dare stay here any longer.
"It truly is the ancient Rain God of our Qin Family! This is the Rain God's inheritance!"
Witnessing this scene, all members of the Qin Family were utterly shocked. Most of them wore expressions of intense excitement.
Because the Rain God's status within the Qin Family was too exalted. Even now, all members of the Qin Family still cherished the glory that the ancient Rain God had brought to the clan. During the Rain God's era, the Qin Family had been the strongest family in the entire void.
"But why is the Rain God's inheritance being manifested by Qin Xiaoyu? Could it be that she has already received the Rain God's recognition?"
Everyone's gaze fell upon Qin Xiaoyu. They saw her standing amidst the overwhelming storm, her entire body radiating dazzling divine light. Despite the immense downpour, not a single drop of rain landed on her.
An intangible, profound Law permeated the space around her. Everyone knew that should be the Rain Law.
"Let's go!"
The three Autumn Wind Group experts suddenly roared lowly in unison, then rapidly retreated, turning to flee.
"Goddamn it!"
At this moment, Qin Zhongyu was also struggling bitterly, resisting the increasingly terrifying rainstorm from above.
Seeing the three Intermediate True Gods from the Autumn Wind Group suddenly turn tail and run, he was both shocked and furious.
Earlier, when the three Intermediate True Gods joined him in resisting the downpour, it had already been extremely difficult. Now that he was alone, the situation was even more dire. As for the people from his lineage behind Qin Zhongyu, they had long been pinned down motionless by the horrifying deluge.
The reason Qin Xiaoyu hadn't yet slain the members of Qin Zhongyu's lineage was because her father had advised her to spare them for now, to be publicly judged later.
"Impossible! You little wretch, how could you have possibly obtained the Rain God's true inheritance?"
Qin Zhongyu glared at Qin Xiaoyu with venomous eyes, appearing utterly unwilling and unable to accept this fact.
Before this, his lineage had held the absolute upper hand, almost extinguishing Qin Hongyi's branch. Who would have thought things would develop to this point? Qin Xiaoyu had actually gained the recognition of the ancient Rain God and could even wield the Rain God's inheritance. In light of this, even he, the patriarch, seemed inferior before Qin Xiaoyu now.
At this moment, aside from his own lineage, all other Qin Family members looked at Qin Xiaoyu with deep reverence. In their eyes, Qin Xiaoyu seemed to have transformed into that ancient Rain God who once dominated the entire void.
"Thinking of fleeing now? It's already too late."
Qin Xiaoyu's attention was now fixed on the three fleeing experts from the Autumn Wind Group, and she chuckled coldly.
The next moment—RUMBLE!
A massive number of colossal raindrops appeared high in the sky. These droplets were larger than mountains and carried terrifying, oppressive energy as they rumbled down from above, crashing towards the three Autumn Wind Group experts.
The three experts were currently utilizing movement techniques, desperately rushing towards the exit of this world. But they suddenly felt the entire world enveloped by terrifying Rain Energy and the Rain Law. Their movement speed was hindered, slowing down instantly. Then, the mountainous raindrops rained down upon them densely.
The power of these raindrops far exceeded the previous ones. The three Autumn Wind Group experts immediately found themselves immobilized, battered and thrown off their feet, continuously spitting blood from their mouths. In mere moments, they had already sustained injuries.
"The power of the Qin Family's ancient Rain God is truly terrifying!"
Horror filled the hearts of the three Autumn Wind Group experts. They all knew they could no longer remain in this world, or they would face mortal danger.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
In an instant, the three experts activated all of their magical treasures, holding them above their heads as shields. Simultaneously, fierce flames began to blaze from their bodies.
They were getting desperate, burning their life essence to stimulate their potential. Instantly, their movement speed increased significantly. Then, they simultaneously employed an incredibly profound Void Escape Secret Art, vanishing on the spot.
"Xiaoyu, stop them quickly!"
Seeing this, Qin Hongyi immediately shouted to Xiaoyu.
Qin Hongyi knew Xiaoyu could now control formidable energy, but she was still lacking in combat awareness, experience, and understanding—she didn't know how to seize and utilize advantageous moments in battle promptly.
Sure enough, after Qin Xiaoyu controlled the raindrops to batter and injure the three Autumn Wind Group experts, she immediately became complacent, her focus relaxing. The three experts seized this chance and instantly escaped from this world.
"What a pity! They actually managed to flee."
Qin Xiaoyu stamped her foot angrily.
"It's alright. Having those three escape might be for the best. Our Qin Family isn't fully prepared yet, and it's not appropriate to clash head-on with the Autumn Wind Group now. Those three have been frightened out of their wits. For a short time, they shouldn't dare cause trouble for our Qin Family again."
Qin Hongyi walked over and comforted her.
"Now, let's deal with this fellow."
Qin Hongyi's gaze turned towards Qin Zhongyu.
At this moment, Qin Zhongyu had already been subdued amidst the overwhelming downpour. All members of his lineage behind him were also firmly pinned. The vast, torrential rain thoroughly drenched everyone from his faction.
Terrifying Rain Energy and the Rain Law completely sealed the space where his lineage stood, rendering them as motionless as stone statues.
"Qin Hongyi, you traitor! What do you intend to do? Release the members of my lineage immediately! I am the patriarch of the Qin Family! If you dare lay a hand on me, it means betraying our Qin Family!"
Qin Zhongyu was both shocked and furious, shouting angrily at Qin Hongyi.
His status as the Qin Family Patriarch was now his greatest leverage.
"Qin Zhongyu, even at this point, you're still obstinate. Is this meaningful? Besides me, there are others who want to settle accounts with you. Everyone, let us go out and meet Qin Zhongyu."
Qin Xiao's voice rang out from within the temple. Then, everyone saw three elders walk out from the temple.
"Isn't that our previous family head?"
Someone, seeing the elder at the front, exclaimed in astonishment.
"The one behind is the head before the previous one!"
Following that, someone else cried out in a shocked voice.
"Look! The last one seems to be our Qin Family's Qin Hao, the previous patriarch!"
Another person shouted loudly.
"Impossible! Why do they all have remnant souls here? Why have I never discovered them all these years?"
Seeing the three elders walk out, Qin Zhongyu's complexion completely changed.
"Hahaha! Qin Zhongyu, you never expected it, did you? Over all these years, the remnant souls of us few have been right here, waiting for this very opportunity. Qin Zhongyu, we are all of the same clan. Why did you act so ruthlessly back then? For mere petty gains, you actually plotted our deaths. Today, you will pay the price you deserve."
From behind the three elders, another elder walked out, laughing heartily.
"He's Qin Hongyi's grandfather, Qin Xiao!"
Immediately, someone recognized the last elder who walked out, exclaiming in shock.
Two former family heads, the previous patriarch Qin Hao, and Qin Xiao—these four elders were all famously renowned figures within the Qin Family in the past. However, they all perished suddenly later on, and the reasons for their fall were unknown to anyone. Now, these four ancient Qin Family members abruptly appeared before the crowd.
"Qin Zhongyu, in order to monopolize the Qin Family's authority and become its sole patriarch, you launched a sneak attack against me from behind all those years ago. Today, this debt will be settled properly. Based on your strength back then, you should never have been able to harm me. Did you go to the Joyful Sect and buy an expensive poison pill, tricking me into consuming it secretly, which led to my power plummeting?"
The Qin Family's previous patriarch, Qin Hao, fixed his furious gaze on Qin Zhongyu, demanding sharply.
"Qin Zhongyu, in order to control the Qin Family and have someone from your lineage take the position of family head, you launched a sneak attack from behind, shattering my body to pieces. You despicable scoundrel! What right do you have for us Qin Family members to call you patriarch? This is an insult to our entire Qin Family!"
The Qin Family's previous family head also stared at Qin Zhongyu with angry eyes.
"Qin Zhongyu, remember how well I treated you in the past? I even groomed you with my own hands. Why did you resort to such vicious measures against me?"
The family head before the previous one also voiced his accusation.
"So what Qin Xiao said is true! Qin Zhongyu really did kill our Qin Family's previous patriarch, two family heads, and even Qin Xiao!"
Seeing this scene, all members of the Qin Family felt utterly shocked. The way they looked at Qin Zhongyu had completely changed.
Especially the Qin Family's four Grand Elders. Recalling how over the years they had followed Qin Zhongyu and covertly suppressed Qin Hongyi's branch in various ways, large beads of cold sweat continuously dripped from their foreheads. They felt intense regret in their hearts.
"To think Qin Zhongyu is such a person! All these years, our Qin Family was actually under his control. Having such a wolf-hearted, ambitious man holding power within our clan was truly a disaster!"
The four Grand Elders communicated via sound transmission among themselves, expressing their deep remorse.
"We pay our respects to the two former Family Heads, Patriarch Qin Hao, and Patriarch Qin Xiao. We beseech the two former Heads and two Patriarchs to punish us. Over the years, the four of us were deceived by Qin Zhongyu, assisted the villain, and committed many acts that harmed the Qin Family's interests. We four have recognized our sins and are willing to accept punishment."
The four Grand Elders suddenly declared in unison, their voices loud and clear.
"What are you doing? Can't you see they have long been colluding, slandering me?"
Hearing the words of the four Grand Elders, Qin Zhongyu was both shocked and enraged. He immediately turned and shouted reprimands at them.
Over the years, these four Grand Elders had always followed him, taking him as their master. Who would have thought they would suddenly turn and betray him now? He couldn't accept this.
"Qin Zhongyu, how dare you say such things! Our Qin Family's two former Family Heads and two Patriarchs are all here. Would we believe you over them? All these years, you concealed your relationship with Qin Haoxuan's lineage, secretly supporting them while employing various covert methods to suppress and strike against Qin Hongyi's branch. We saw all of it.
We always harbored one question in our hearts: why were you doing this? Now, we have received our answer and know the truth. No matter how you try to justify yourself, it's useless. Qin Zhongyu, you are the sinner of our Qin Family! You are the true traitor of our Qin Family!
I hereby declare that from this moment onward, Qin Zhongyu is no longer the patriarch of our Qin Family, but a traitor of our Qin Family. Everyone has the right to execute him!"
Hearing Qin Zhongyu's words, the four Grand Elders sneered derisively. One of them stepped forward and spoke.
"Correct! Our lineage supports the four Grand Elders. From now on, we no longer recognize Qin Zhongyu as our Qin Family's patriarch. Over the years, Qin Zhongyu abused the clan's power to foster the development of his own lineage while suppressing other branches. We witnessed it all."
"Our lineage also supports the four Grand Elders!"
One after another, the high-ranking members of other Qin Family branches who were observing from a distance stepped forward and voiced their stance.
"Fine! So you all are kicking me while I'm down."
Seeing such a scene, Qin Zhongyu's expression turned ashen.
He knew his prestige within the Qin Family was utterly finished. From this moment on, he was no longer the revered patriarch within the clan, but a traitor scorned by all.
All his actions over the years had been to seize control of the Qin Family. But this situation now indicated all his past efforts had gone to waste.
"Old traitor Qin Zhongyu! What more do you have to say! You caused the deaths of our Qin Family's two Patriarchs and two Family Heads! Over the years, you abused your authority to secretly foster the development of your own lineage while suppressing other branches. For your own gain, you killed so many of our Qin Family members. Every single one of these acts is steeped in sin! You deserve death ten thousand times over! Prepare to meet your end!"
Qin Hongyi stepped forward, pointed at Qin Zhongyu, and cursed him vehemently.
"Kill the old traitor Qin Zhongyu!"
Those clan members behind Qin Hongyi also started shouting.
Following that, members of other Qin Family branches began to join in the shouting.
Finally, aside from Qin Zhongyu's own lineage, all other Qin Family members joined the chorus, demanding Qin Zhongyu's execution.
"Qin Zhongyu, never thought you'd see this day, did you?"
Qin Xiao sneered coldly at Qin Zhongyu, speaking slowly.
"Qin Xiao, I truly never imagined that after all these years, you would still manage to turn defeat into victory."
Looking at the clan members' agitated expressions, Qin Zhongyu couldn't help but sigh softly.
"It's over. Our lineage is utterly finished."
Seeing this scene, the clan members of Qin Zhongyu's lineage also fell into complete despair, their faces ashen.
"Qin Zhongyu, your end has come."
The Qin Family's previous Family Head fixed Qin Zhongyu with an icy gaze and declared.
"Xiaoyu, take action. Execute clan law. Sentence Qin Zhongyu to death."
The previous Family Head said to Qin Xiaoyu.
"Yes, Family Head. I understand."
Qin Xiaoyu nodded.
"Qin Zhongyu, I now represent the Qin Family to execute clan law and sentence you to death!"
Qin Xiaoyu looked at Qin Zhongyu, her voice stern and devoid of warmth.
After receiving the Rain God's inheritance, her demeanor had undergone a great change. She carried much more authority than before, inspiring subtle awe.
At this moment, the surroundings fell into silence. No one spoke.
"I truly never imagined I would end up like this. The Qin Family was supposed to belong to me."
Qin Zhongyu muttered to himself, his face full of despair.
The next moment.
RUMBLE!
A massive number of raindrops larger than mountains tumbled down from the sky, each carrying terrifying Rain Energy and the Rain Law. By now, Qin Zhongyu was already subdued and unable to resist.
The mountainous raindrops pounded onto his body incessantly. Qin Zhongyu released his own energy to form layer upon layer of protective energy barriers, tightly shielding his physical form.
However, the number of colossal raindrops pouring down from above was simply too immense, and their power was dreadful.
In moments, the energy barriers on Qin Zhongyu's surface were smashed into tatters. Finally, under the dense barrage of raindrops, Qin Zhongyu's physical body was pulverized into a mass of mangled flesh.
Qin Zhongyu's Soul Body transformed into a streak of light, attempting to escape. But Ye Yunfei had long been prepared.
"Everyone, may I have his Soul Body?"
Ye Yunfei spoke up.
"Patriarchs, Young Master Ye has helped me greatly and has also provided much aid to our Qin Family. Please grant him this request."
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Qin Xiaoyu immediately spoke.
"Haha, truly, a grown daughter's heart drifts outward! Very well, young man, Qin Zhongyu's Soul Body is yours to handle as you wish."
Qin Xiao said with a smile.
"Patriarch, what are you saying..."
Qin Xiaoyu flushed crimson.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Ye Yunfei's figure flashed, darting towards Qin Zhongyu's fleeing Soul Body. Simultaneously, he unleashed Soul Power Star Technique, Soul Sword, and Mental Force martial skills to attack.
Qin Zhongyu, who was trying to flee, was shocked and enraged as he came under attack from Ye Yunfei's Soul Power and Mental Force martial skills, letting out a furious roar.
Ye Yunfei only chuckled coldly without a word, instantly closing in behind Qin Zhongyu.
"Young Master Ye, let me assist you!"
Seeing this, Qin Xiaoyu immediately wielded Rain Energy and the Rain Law. Between heaven and earth, vast, colossal raindrops instantly appeared above Qin Zhongyu's Soul Body. A terrifying downpour directly trapped his Soul Body in place.
Yet Ye Yunfei was not affected in the slightest. The raindrops automatically veered away from Ye Yunfei's form.
Suppressed under the dreadful storm, Qin Zhongyu's Soul Body was utterly unable to move. Soon, dozens of intangible Soul Power Stars swarmed and forcibly devoured him.
"The Soul Power martial art this young man cultivates is truly overbearing!"
Seeing this, the other members of the Qin Family were secretly astonished.
After devouring half of Qin Zhongyu's Soul Body, Ye Yunfei handed the other half over to Huang Shang. Because for Huang Shang, a Soul Body at the Intermediate True God level was also an extremely precious cultivation resource.
"Although this fellow's conduct was vile, the quality of his Soul Body truly is excellent. I estimate after fully devouring his Soul Body, my strength should be able to break through again."
Huang Shang said with a smile, then began devouring and digesting Qin Zhongyu's Soul Body within the Phantom Tower.
The ghost cultivation secret art he practiced differed from Ye Yunfei's devouring secret art. Huang Shang's method of devouring Soul Bodies often required gradual assimilation and digestion to fully absorb them.
"Patriarchs, Grandpa, how should Qin Zhongyu's lineage be dealt with?"
After handling Qin Zhongyu, Qin Xiaoyu asked.
All members of Qin Zhongyu's lineage were still being suppressed there by Qin Xiaoyu using Rain Energy, unable to move.
"Patriarchs, have mercy! We were only following orders all along, with no choice in the matter!"
In their panic, the clan members of Qin Zhongyu's lineage began pleading for leniency.
With Qin Zhongyu and Qin Haoxuan both finished, this lineage's members knew that their only sliver of hope for survival now lay in beseeching the patriarchs.
The Qin Family's two former Family Heads, the Patriarch, and Qin Xiao discussed for a moment. They decided to execute those clan members within that lineage who had direct blood ties to Qin Zhongyu. The other clansmen whose bloodlines were more distant would be imprisoned and allowed to atone for their sins over time.
Because everyone from this lineage had previously participated in hunting down Qin Hongyi's branch, and all had their clansmen's blood on their hands.
Following the command issued by the former Family Head, all members of Qin Zhongyu's lineage were dealt with according to the order.
Subsequently, all Qin Family members gathered before the ancestral grounds—in front of that temple. Then, the former Family Head publicly announced that Qin Hongyi would assume the position of Family Head.
After the former Family Head was murdered, the position of Qin Family Head had remained vacant. It was precisely the struggle between Qin Hongyi and Qin Haoxuan for this position that ultimately erupted into conflict between the two lineages.
"We pay our respects to the Family Head!"
All members of the Qin Family simultaneously half-kneeled towards Qin Hongyi, greeting their new Family Head.
"Young Master Ye, thank you for your help. If not for you, I would have had no chance to return to the ancestral grounds here and obtain such an opportunity."
Meanwhile, Qin Xiaoyu came before Ye Yunfei and spoke gratefully.
"No need for such formalities."
Ye Yunfei nodded and replied briefly.
"My grandfather originally wanted my father to inherit the Patriarch Rain God's legacy, but it seems the Rain God chose me instead. So I ended up being the one to inherit it."
Qin Xiaoyu said quietly to Ye Yunfei.
"I see."
Ye Yunfei understood.
Earlier, Qin Hongyi had been the first to enter that temple. Later, Qin Xiaoyu was suddenly pulled inside by a mysterious energy.