The Steward Demonic Emperor

by Little Merger

Zhuo Yifan was the Demon Emperor. One day, he managed to lay his hands on an ancient emperor’s book, the Nine Serenities Secret Records. As the book was coveted by many, he was targeted by experts and was even betrayed by his student. After his passing, his soul took over another’s body. Brought back to life, in the body of a family servant named Zhuo Fan. Because of the regrets of

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The Steward Demonic Emperor #Chapter 321, At Death's Door - Read The Steward Demonic Emperor Chapter 321, At Death's Door Online - All Page - NOVEL NEXT

Chapter 321, At Death's Door

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

Huangpu Qingtian's eyes showed fear for the first time. The dreadful aura of the thunderbird posed a definite and tangible threat to his life.

This hadn't been brought about before, not even when Zhuo Fan was bashing him around. Because he had a fallback, the Dragon Vein Soul.

He was destined to rule, heaven's gift on earth, with no man capable of defeating him. And yet...

"Run!"

You Yushan's trio knew the tables had turned. The thunderbird was a very real danger to anything in existence. The Six Dragons and One Phoenix were no exception, ending up as nothing more than bone meal. That prediction had them running frantically for their lives.

Funnily enough, their grand boss was doing the same thing for the first time ever.

Not that it would do much good at this late an hour. They barely added a hundred meters between them when the thunderbird flapped its crackling wings and was upon Huangpu Qingtian.

Huangpu Qingtian was traumatized. Facing this world destroyer and its all powerful aura, all he could do was shout, "Transformation, Earth Dragon Claw!"

A flash of golden light shone and his entire right arm was enveloped in light among the dragon roars. It was at this instant that the thunderbird ran into him.

The berserk purple lightning pulverized anything it touched.

Boom!

The sky itself turned purple from the sheer magnitude of the blast. Purple lightning spread like wildfire catching the three slowpokes and sending them sprawling, heavily wounded.

The array holding Zhuo Fan prisoner began to shake for the first time. The 365 Profound Heaven experts spat blood at the same time, weakened.

Everyone was shocked at how the Six Dragons and One Phoenix, the peak of power in the Profound Heaven Stage, couldn't even take on the after blast of the thunder bird. The Microcosmic Orbit Array, said to contain even a Radiant Stage expert, suffered under the tyrannical purple lightning. Every one of the 365 Profound Heaven experts controlling it were left with heavy wounds.

The power of the thunderbird was obvious.

They all watched the thick dust, eyes widened. Not even Regent Estate could contain the shock they felt.

Who could conceive it possible for Zhuo Fan to employ such power to annihilate everyone? What then of Huangpu Qingtian, who took the full blast?

Everyone watched the screen with bated breath.

Pff!

Zhuo Fan spurted blood and the lightning faded from his body. Focusing all the purple lightning into one blow and forcing a profound ranked martial art to go a rank higher had left him teetering on the edge of collapse.

His body was far too weak to handle an earth ranked martial art, or he'd have already trained in one. But to defeat Huangpu Qingtian, he threw caution to the wind and used every ounce of his strength. This left him on the brink of destruction.

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Zhuo Fan was now weaker than your average Bone Tempering expert. Even after killing Huangpu Qingtian, he would still be in danger on Beast King Mountain.

Though he wasn't of a mind to care. As long as Huangpu Qingtian was dead and done, nothing else mattered...

Narrowing his eyes, Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and moved, slowly, towards the cloud of dust. All that purple lightning did a number on his body, with no less than 20 wounds on his body deep enough to show the bone. His staggering walk was that of a demon from hell.

You Yushan's trio were shaken to their core. They tried to get away, but any movement only aggravated their injuries. They were going nowhere fast.

They could only stare at the demon trudging towards them.

"Damn it! The three hundred people outside, release the damn array and come save us!" You Yushan shouted.

Yan Bangui and Lin Xuanfeng did the same, "Release the array already..."

The hellish image had them traumatized and horrified to the point of peeing themselves.

The viewers watched it all in heavy silence. At the end of it all, the Six Dragons and One Phoenix were mere men, fearing death and clinging to life. All that mettle they had was now gone.

All of Tianyu held the seven houses in reverence, practically worshiped them. But if there was one thing the Esoteric Debate showed, what Zhuo Fan's fight showed, was that the grand disciples of these houses were nothing but disgraces.

The effect was immediate. The surviving clans had their opinion of the seven houses sharply diminished. While towards the Luo clan, they held no little amount of respect.

In this great battle, the Luo clan rose above the masses through their acts. Their steward even more so, fighting adversity without a hint of fear, his tall and imposing figure facing heaven itself. It got everyone's blood pumping.

Everyone dreamt to be a hero at some point. Everyone yearned to fight back the authority breathing down on them. But none had the nerve to do it. Yet Zhuo Fan, a mere third rate clan steward, did it for them, fulfilling their wish, and brutalizing the seven houses' experts.

It had gone beyond mere fighting oppression as he went against providence itself, against the heaven made king, Huangpu Qingtian and his kingly symbol, Dragon Vein Soul.

Not even a destined king was infallible, dead just the same before the third rate clan's Zhuo Fan.

Everyone turned to the weakened Zhuo Fan with eyes filled with respect. Even the vassals of other houses had their views changed.

Leng Wuchang noticed and clenched his beard, even pulled a hair. But he was too engrossed in his scowl to notice.

Fang Qiubai sported a big smile.

[By defeating Huangpu Qingtian, Zhuo Fan had cut the seven houses' prestige in one fell swoop. His Majesty would be ecstatic at the news.]

The emperor had planned for Zhuo Fan to cut down the Regent Estate's momentum. But the man had gone leagues beyond his duty. Zhuo Fan had passed his mission with flying colors. Regent Estate's very reputation was severely affected. It was a great help for when they had to quell the seven houses.

Fang Qiubai smiled and nodded.

[Having the Dragon Vein Soul doesn't mean a thing. Huangpu Qingtian was still dragged through the mud before everyone. He won't have the gall to be cocky now...]

"I forbid it!"

Fang Qiubai's bright smile faded. While Leng Wuchang and the rest of the Regent Estate watched their vassals tense up, as a cold voice came from within the dust cloud.

Rumble!

Zhuo Fan couldn't fight the shudder. His face darkened as he looked ahead in stunned silence.

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You Yushan's trio looked as well, with tears of joy welling in their eyes.

[Eldest young master... lives!]

[This can't be!]

Fang Qiubai was aghast. [He suffered the brunt of all that raw power no Radiant Stage expert could take. How the hell...]

The dust scattered and revealed a bloody and panting Huangpu Qingtian with his entire right arm turned into a dragon claw, like a true monster.

It was this claw that ruined Zhuo Fan's mighty blow.

"Transformation!"

Fang Qiubai and Zhuo Fan cried at the same time and color drained from their faces.

The act implied changing one's soul and body. Special cultivation methods could turn one into a merciless beast when trained to perfection. And Huangpu Qingtian who had the Dragon Vein Soul would ultimately turn into a dragon.

Huangpu Qingtian only had a claw, but it was a true dragon claw, an earth dragon's claw. Tough beyond imagination, leaps above even a 6th grade spiritual weapon.

"How? To reach transformation he had to have trained Nine Dragons Diamond Body to perfection, but he's still in the first level. How did he do it?" Fang Qiubai was incredulous, "Not even Tianyu's founding emperor could do it!"

Leng Wuchang sighed, seeing Huangpu Qingtian safe and smiled at Fang Qiubai, "Ha-ha-ha, it's a simple matter of talent."

Fang Qiubai was overwhelmed.

[Has Huangpu Qingtian's talent reached such a monstrous level that he could transform before training Nine Dragons Diamond Body to completion?]

That made him the most dangerous being in existence. When he finished Nine Dragons Diamond Body, not even Gu Santong could face him.

[It will mark the day when the Regent Estate will become the ruling family...]

Leng Wuchang easily gleaned into his thought process, looking at the National Elemental Stone with a smile, "The true winner has finally been decided..."

Whoosh!

Huangpu Qingtian sprung at Zhuo Fan, clawing at him.

Zhuo Fan panicked. Try as he might, he was too weak to even dodge.

But he was still defiant, gnashing his teeth and gathering the last vestige of power, "Wraith Style's second move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!"

Roar!

A dragon roar began but was cut off. Huangpu Qingtian's own claw had a firm grip on the enemy's claw.

"Not a chance!"

Zhuo Fan's last act scared him. Huangpu Qingtian no longer looked at Zhuo Fan with the usual haughty attitude, instead he looked at him with fear.

Zhuo Fan was the first to ever shake him so much. So for the first time, he went all out. He felt Zhuo Fan was at his weakest moment, on his deathbed.

But against Zhuo Fan he would never feel safe until the very last breath left his body.

Ah!

Huangpu Qingtian wailed and ripped Zhuo Fan's right arm clean off. Blood spurted like a fountain and Luo Yunchang cried in fear.

Zhuo Fan's eyes bulged out and his features twisted. But he pushed through the pain and pierced at Huangpu Qingtian with his wings, despite how hopeless it was...

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Chapter 322, Fleeing

Editor: Elitecoder

Clang!

A metallic screech was heard as the Lightning Wings struck the claw Huangpu Qingtian easily used to defend.

Panting, Huangpu Qingtian tightened his claw, staring Zhuo Fan in the eye. Zhuo Fan met his gaze, bewildered. [Why couldn't the Lightning Wings pierce it?]

"I told you. You have no chance!"

Huangpu Qingtian's face twisted with savagery and tore off one of Zhuo Fan's wings.

Blood spurted from his back and Zhuo Fan broke out in sweat, falling down. The pain in his back blinded him for a moment, but he gnashed his teeth through the pain.

Ah!

Luo Yunchang cried out, tears falling like a river. The other women turned their heads away. They couldn't bear to watch.

Yet their eyelids never stopped trembling...

Zhuo Fan shook from the pain. He made a fist wanting to get up with his only arm but Huangpu Qingtian stomped on his other wing. Looking down on him, the savage dragon claw slowly lifted him up.

"Game over. The punk is done for!"

Leng Wuchang sighed, despite the stunned face he pulled, "That was too close. I didn't foresee the punk having so much of that strange purple lightning. If not for the eldest young master having that last move, I fear everything would have been in vain. Regent Estate's glory would've hit rock bottom and the vassals would no longer worship us."

He saw that the others now looked at the crippled Zhuo Fan with worry and lamentation.

As if to say, fighting Regent Estate was fighting heaven. The only outcome was death.

Leng Wuchang was pleased. This was exactly what he wanted.

Zhuge Changfeng looked on with regret, "A pity. With the kid's power, if he just wasn't so hot blooded and lost his mind, he would have had an even chance at victory."

"Ha-ha-ha, Prime Minister, is this how you work? There are no ifs in this world. Failure means annihilation!" Leng Wuchang smiled at him.

Zhuge Changfeng's eyes glinted, "I only mourn the loss of a talent. A pity for him to go down this way. Naturally, he only has himself to blame for this outcome."

"The Prime Minister is most right. We, the schemers, fear becoming berserk ourselves and digging our own graves."

Leng Wuchang and Zhuge Changfeng shared a look, then laughed...

On the battlefield, a shadow watched it all from a corner, finding himself at an impasse.

Out of Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian, he only wanted the strongest. And although they were equally powerful, Zhuo Fan had the greater potential.

But now Zhuo Fan had lost and was about to die. Should he go save him?

[Sigh, everything's so twisted.]

A headhunter feared not searching the world for thousands of miles yet to come out empty, but being forced to choose one of two prized horses.

[It's too vexing!]

But soon, the shadow came to a decision.

He wanted the strongest, that hadn't changed. Zhuo Fan had the greatest potential but defeat spoke by itself. He didn't pity him regardless of how great the kid was...

Huff~

Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian were panting, staring at each other in hatred. They both were spent of Yuan Qi, body riddled with wounds, but it was obvious that Zhuo Fan was far worse for wear.

"Zhuo Fan, your very existence is a threat to me. You must die!" Huangpu Qingtian moved a trembling dragon claw and aimed for Zhuo Fan's chest.

Squinting, Zhuo Fan's blood bubbled from his right arm and his back, His face ashen, but the fire in his eyes burnt strong, "Huangpu Qingtian, you will die for touching Ning'er!"

"Oh really? And how are you going to do that from under my heel?" Huangpu Qingtian mocked.

Huangpu Qingtian's heart seized the next second. He could see Zhuo Fan had no intention of dying, but he looked back like a wild animal ready to tear into him.

[There's still some fight left in him!]

Huangpu Qingtian's unease only grew. Even if he dismembered Zhuo Fan, as long as the man's eyes burned, the threat still existed.

With a roar, Huangpu Qingtian stabbed his claw at Zhuo Fan's heart.

Ah!

With a cry, Luo Yunchang could no longer bear to watch. Fang Qiubai squinted, overwhelmed by anxiety.

[Zhuo Fan's death proclaims the Regent Estate as the winner. It will only make them stronger.]

[Kid, you must live at all costs!]

Fang Qiubai shouted inside.

Divine Eye of the Void's 2nd stage, Void Annihilation!

As Huangpu Qingtian's claw inched forward, Zhuo Fan's right eye flashed with two golden halos and space warped.

Huangpu Qingtian's claw would take Zhuo Fan's heart at this rate, but so too would Void Annihilation punch a hole through the enemy's chest.

It truly was a life for a life.

But Zhuo Fan still had Blood Infant. As long as Blood Infant was in his blood, even without a heart, he wouldn't die. For him, it was more of a heavy wound in exchange for a life.

Even though Huangpu Qingtian was oblivious to these subtleties, he still didn't find it worth it to go down like this.

Startled by the warped space, Huangpu Qingtian dodged and his claw stabbed the ground next to Zhuo Fan. They both get to live a while longer.

Yet Void Annihilation brushed past Huangpu Qingtian's left arm and peeled his flesh. Blood oozed out like water.

Huangpu Qingtian had no time to react as Void Annihilation continued on its path and smashed into the array.

Boom!

Like a hole punched through the sky, the 6th grade array, Microcosmic Orbit Array, shattered. The 365 Profound Heaven experts acting as the core of the array, died on the spot.

They spurted up blood, their eyes rolled into their heads and they breathed their last.

[What... just happened?]

Huangpu Qingtian looked at the wound on his arm, then at the crumbling array, but was left dumbfounded.

He had no idea what had occurred. All that he knew was that Zhuo Fan landed a sneak attack on him.

But how could a mere sneak attack be so powerful?

Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth in hatred. [He's still alive!]

Since he had failed, Zhuo Fan knew Huangpu Qingtian had to be on guard and a second chance wouldn't come. With his last attempt failing, he was all out of means to catch Huangpu Qingtian unaware.

[I have no choice but to use my last plan. Humph, Leng Wuchang, I didn't think it was you in the end who managed to outplay me. You may be the Unwonted Contriver, but not even you could foresee my last resort.]

Zhuo Fan's eyes flashed and he ignored the pain as he moved, ripping his last wing that Huangpu Qingtian had pinned down.

Huangpu Qingtian cried inside.

[He wants to run!]

And he pierced the dragon claw at Zhuo Fan's throat, just as Zhuo Fan vanished through the use of Shift.

With the array gone, Zhuo Fan had regained his freedom and no one could stop him now.

Void Annihilation overcame the flaw of Divine Eye of the Void's 1st stage by breaking any restrictions. Zhuo Fan didn't use it all this time because he had no intention of escaping, hellbent on finishing off Huangpu Qingtian.

The array had him trapped, but so too was Huangpu Qingtian. He could have run away anytime anyway.

Something that Huangpu Qingtian wasn't privy to and not even Leng Wuchang predicted this. It was unclear at this point who played who.

Whoosh~

Zhuo Fan flashed a thousand meters away and took out Qiao'er from the ring. He had it carry him as it flew away.

Not a moment too soon as Zhuo Fan blacked out.

Huangpu Qingtian took a few steps after him and spat blood. He glanced at the flesh gouged from his left arm seeping blood, then at the hellscape around him, littered with broken corpses.

They had ten thousand men, paid such a heavy price and still couldn't finish the job. The frustration fueled his raging howl.

Fang Qiubai eased his breath. Noone expected the kid to break the array. He had them scared.

Leng Wuchang was stunned and sighed, "The kid is far more treacherous than I gave him credit for."

"Sir Leng, it seems to me the kid has escaped with his life and your meticulous planning failed. Ha-ha-ha..." Zhuge Changfeng laughed.

Leng Wuchang shook his head. He didn't look too pleased yet his voice was calm, "Prime Minister, I thank you for your concern. The kid had exceeded my calculations, but I have taken this outcome into account. With him on his deathbed, he is like a fish in a barrel, waiting to be squashed!"

"Don't get so confident, Sir Leng. The kid is a true miracle worker, ha-ha-ha..." Zhuge Changfeng mocked. Leng Wuchang fell silent. But his eyes were completely focused on the National Elemental Stone, waiting for the next plan to come into play...

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Chapter 323, The Future Is Ours

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

Caw~

In the glow of the twilight sun, cawing entered the ears of the people there, as a murder of crows circled the bloodbath.

Huangpu Qingtian stared in Zhuo Fan's last direction, panting and frustrated.

He had prepared the ambush, put so much effort into it, only to be routed and failing to take Zhuo Fan's life. Such disgrace lowered his royal prestige in the public's eye.

What right did he have now to go vie for his father's position after such a gruesome slaughter?

Ah!

Huangpu Qingtian vented his frustration by wailing. The regret and anger only festered in his core. The crows landing nearby flew away startled.

You Yushan's trio was grounded and unable to move. Watching Huangpu Qingtian's irritation, they knew when to keep to themselves, afraid they'd direct his anger on themselves.

"Eldest young master?"

A weak voice ventured. Looking over they saw Yan Fu bringing a dozen survivors of vassal clans, fear clearly painted on his face.

Snapping his eyes on him, Huangpu Qingtian spat, "Humph, such fortune upon you. So many have died, along with hundreds of Profound Heaven experts, but you, Bone Tempering fools and Yan Fu, the ants, still breathe."

Yan Fu and the others shuddered but he was the first to fall to his knees followed by the rest. Their heads lowered, silent as the grave.

"Eldest young master, forgive us. That m-monster put fear into us and we escaped before the array was activated. S-so..."

"So you lived?" Huangpu Qingtian sneered.

Yan Fu trembled, nodding stiffly.

Huangpu Qingtian only had contempt for them, but Yan Bangui's round of abuse cut him off before he could continue, "Yan Fu, you are the stain of Pill King Hall. That monster killed your master and when you had the chance to ambush him what did you do? You chose the path of a sniveling coward!"

"Eldest young master, I failed to teach my junior brother proper manners. If you want to punish him, you may go ahead and even kill this disgrace to avoid shaming us further." Yan Bangui barked.

Yan Fu gulped, shivering from fear yet hatred growing inside him.

It wasn't as much chastising but more for the sake of the audience of Hall Lord Yan Bogong.

With everyone running away in fear just now, if Huangpu Qingtian were to think of killing them, who was there to stop him? Even if they were killed out in the open, would Pill King Hall seek Regent Estate for justice?

Absolutely not. That in turn would make the world look down on Pill King Hall.

And this was where Yan Bangui's words came into play. By mocking Yan Fu, he saved the face of Pill King Hall, letting Huangpu Qingtian vent while also giving Regent Estate a resounding round of ass kissing, showing his endless devotion towards Regent Estate.

In the case Huangpu Qingtian killed Yan Fu then and there, he'd be safe, since Pill King Hall now authorized Huangpu Qingtian to deal with the main offender.

Regardless of the outcome, Pill King Hall's honor was safeguarded and the two houses would never be closer.

All at the low price of throwing Yan Fu to the wolf.

And that wasn't even the best part. Yan Bogong would definitely reward him for having saved Pill King Hall's honor.

Yan Fu's rage only grew inside him, but he still laid there waiting.

Huangpu Qingtian glanced at Yan Bangui, aware of his ploy, then smiled, "It's fine. We have lost too many in this battle and we need all the help we can get. We can't just have Yan Fu, a rare alchemist, killed. It will be of great help to us now that he's alive."

"Eldest young master's mercy knows no bounds. Let me express a thousand thanks in my junior brother's stead." Yan Bangui put on the good guy act then berated, "Yan Fu, what are you gawking at? Thank the eldest young master for his mercy. It is all thanks to the eldest young master's infinite generosity that I don't have you punished as well!"

Yan Fu groaned, wishing nothing more than to give the man a few slaps.

[You threw me away, my own clansman, not even pleading for me and now you're acting the savior? Even going as far as asking me for thanks?]

[As if Huangpu Qingtian respects you so much that he spared my life.]

[Humph, just you wait. I'll be sure to return the favor, don't you worry.]

And yet Yan Fu's face was filled with respect and gratitude, "Thank you eldest young master for your mercy. Thank you senior brother for your care!"

Nodding, the two accepted in glee, putting on the face of chastising naughty children.

"What are the rest of you standing around for? Look after their injuries!" Huangpu Qingtian pointed at You Yushan's trio.

Yan Fu nodded, taking first a pill for Huangpu Qingtian, then he and the rest went to nurse the other three.

Huangpu Qingtian nodded at Yan Fu's meek figure.

[The kid has good eyes to know who gets the first pill.]

But then Huangpu Qingtian sighed over the biggest worry, letting Zhuo Fan escape. It would be hard looking for him in the wide expanse of Beast King Mountain.

Huangpu Qingtian scowled and took out a jade slip.

It was the last jade slip Leng Wuchang gave him, warning him repeatedly to never open it unless he ran out of options.

The state he was in wasn't just out of options, even with a thousand ways he still wouldn't have anything remotely good he could use. With Zhuo Fan's cunning, the same trick wouldn't work twice.

Not to mention he had no clue where to even begin the search.

Sighing, Huangpu Qingtian paused in hesitation then ultimately read the jade slip.

[Just what could Sir Leng have prepared in this late hour. What ingenious trick could we use?]

Finished reading the jade slip, his eyes shined and he laughed, "I see it now. Sir Leng is a true mastermind to take even that into account. Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan, no matter how sly you are you shall never escape my grasp!"

"Eh? A Brimming Sacred Pill?"

The faint sound behind him caught his undivided attention.

Huangpu Qingtian whipped his head to see Yan Fu trembling and facing away from everyone. The excitement got to him as he shouted, "Yan Fu, what are you doing?"

"Uh, n-nothing." Yan Fu stiffly turned around to show a painful smile while hiding his hand behind him.

Squinting, Huangpu Qingtian said coldly, "What are you holding? Show it to me!"

Sweating buckets, Yan Fu hesitated for a long time before putting on a smile and presenting a storage ring with both hands, "Congratulations, eldest young master. I found the Brimming Sacred Pills, all four of them!"

"Where?" Huangpu Qingtian's eyes shined as he snatched the rings. Emptying them, he was looking at four vials in his palm, the Brimming Sacred Pills.

Yan Fu pointed at an arm soaked in blood, "I took it from that arm. I thought..."

"Isn't that Zhuo Fan's arm?" Huangpu Qingtian stared Yan Fu down, "You found it quite fast and even knew it was his. Were you perhaps watching our fight, waiting for the right moment to steal our things?"

"Eldest young master, I would never even dream of it!" Yan Fu fell to his knees in fear.

"Wouldn't dream of it?" Huangpu Qingtian had a sinister smile as he eyed the four vials, "Then how do you explain the missing seals from all four of the vials? Did you plan on switching the pills, is that it?"

Huangpu Qingtian used Discerning Field on the spot, only relaxing when he found the genuine goods in the vials.

Yan Fu was scared to death and pleaded, "Eldest young master, please, I only wanted to confirm they were real. As an alchemist I just couldn't help but want to see an 8th grade pill."

The hard stare was making him sweat buckets. Huangpu Qingtian spoke, "Listen here, leave the other's possessions alone for now. The only items you are ever allowed to use are those I give you. You aren't even allowed to look, understand?"

"Y-yes, I shall take it to heart, eldest young master!" Yan Fu bobbed his head.

Grinning, Huangpu Qingtian gave a pleased nod. Then he turned to the somewhat recovered trio and showed them the pills, "See that? I told you. All the pills I lost will one day return to me!"

"Brimming Sacred Pill!"

The three perked up.

Huangpu Tianyuan was moved. He was worried that the rotten bastard would only go after one, but instead he had obtained all four. With such a fortune, he, the Estate Lord, would surely get one as well.

The smile had yet to reach his eyes as he watched Huangpu Qingtian share the three pills with his allies.

The three looked at him puzzled.

Huangpu Qingtian snickered, "Take it and let's go hunt down Zhuo Fan together!"

[What?!]

The three were stunned.

The Brimming Sacred Pill was as rare as it got. Yet Huangpu Qingtian was just going to hand it over? Huangpu Tianyuan went slack jawed.

[Since when is that brat so generous? You should keep them to yourself when it counts the most. If you ever feel like being generous, do that in your own house, not with some brats!]

Snorting, Huangpu Qingtian could tell what they were thinking and said, "Remember this well. The future of the world is ultimately ours!"

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Chapter 324, Every Trick in the Book

[The future is ours!]

Those simple words had their ambition grow unchecked.

You Yushan's trio looked at Huangpu Qingtian's smile and felt the Brimming Sacred Pill in their hand heavy as Mt. Tai.

The pill and those words were the perfect sales pitch.

He said the same thing to all Six Dragons and One Phoenix before the wood exit, that they held the future in their grasp. They would soon surpass their own house lords and their glory.

And now that they took his offered pill, they agreed to be wholly on Huangpu Qingtian's side. They would follow him blindly from now on, and the houses' structure and interests would change as a result.

This implied that when they became house lords, they would still align with Huangpu Qingtian and listen to his orders.

This single Brimming Sacred Pill represented not just their allegiance but their houses' as well, and everything that came along with it; their forces, their wealth, their souls.

Huangpu Qingtian's plan of roping in the three future house lords was far more ingenious than how Huangpu Tianyuan earned the current house lords' favor.

As long as the three held him in the highest regard, so too would the future three houses. Whether or not the three current house lords would object by writing them off as inheritors, Huangpu Qingtian wasn't the least bit worried.

Once these three became his men, they would have Regent Estate behind them. And Regent Estate would do all in its power to get them the house lord position. If those geezer were tired of living, they were most welcome to refuse.

You Yushan's trio looked at each other in sorrow, feeling the weight of the pill growing by the second.

They were over the moon having gotten the Brimming Sacred Pill, albeit at the price of betraying their own house. But if they refused, how would Huangpu Qingtian react?

The three were pulled from two directions but soon came to a decision and bowed, "We thank the eldest young master for his generosity!"

Today's decision had sealed the fate and future of their houses in one direction, as vassals. But refusing it would most likely end with them buried on this mountain.

Tallying up both choices' ups and downs, the three favored satisfying their own interests.

So what if they defected their clans in front of everyone? As long as the Regent Estate had their backs, their own house lords and elders wouldn't even touch them. Not to mention their house lord position was guaranteed.

It was just about being Huangpu Qingtian's loyal dog. How bad could it be? Then again, they'd be below one man, but lords over the masses. At that time, a mere hint of accusing them for this decision would earn the offender a quick trip six feet under...

That worked to calm their worries and they showed pure respect. Huangpu Qingtian nodded and laughed...

"Ha-ha-ha..."

Twitching, Huangpu Tianyuan watched the wise and powerful son of his, while cackling with a mask of rage.

Looking at the three house lords, he saw the glum hanging heavy on their faces.

Huangpu Qingtian not only carried out the Regent Estate's plan to unify the houses, but spurred the juniors to fight for their elders' power.

Even a blind man could see Huangpu Qingtian was strengthening his position for when the time came to take his father's place.

Be that as it may, Regent Estate's plan to unite the houses without conflict was of far greater benefit. Regent Estate's elders were totally for it, evident by their prideful looks.

Regent Estate's house lord status was reserved for the most capable. The father and son could fight all they wanted, as long as the future lord worked for the better of Regent Estate.

And watching Huangpu Qingtian employ hidden schemes and tricks along with the power invested in him, just like a true emperor, the elders loved him even more. Who would blame him now for calling them geezers?

[As long as you can make the Regent Estate thrive for thousands of years, you can even call us a bag of bones!]

Huangpu Tianyuan eyed the prideful elders behind him and sighed dejected.

[If this keeps up, the brat will soon come back with Zhuo Fan's head and earn great merit. Higher than anyone.]

[And what will become of me then?]

Squinting, Huangpu Tianyuan could no longer bear the stress and frustration and said, "Sir Leng, how sure are you of your plan to finish Zhuo Fan off?"

"If it were anyone else, I'd guarantee it right away. But with how crafty he is, I can only go as far as ninety percent." Leng Wuchang spoke lightly.

Huangpu Tianyuan's heart froze.

[Such assurance is insane...]

The man was now worried for Zhuo Fan's fate and for the first time, resenting Leng Wuchang's sharp mind.

[Just what plan do you have to be so certain? Is there anyone out there able to survive you, an ant perhaps?]

Sighing, Huangpu Tianyuan's mood sank into the pits of despair.

Leng Wuchang smiled inside. He knew fully well the thoughts this house lord had, but didn't mind them in the least.

His genius mind was a rarity in this world. No matter what house lord took office in Regent Estate, it wouldn't change a thing. He would still be their right-hand man or left-hand man, all because of his strength.

This was why he did not care what Huangpu Tianyuan thought. Zhuo Fan was the only one on his mind right now. Zhuo Fan was the first ever to have escaped his foolproof plans.

He found it impossible to gauge Zhuo Fan's actions and this Unwonted Contriver felt the same threat he felt from Zhuge Changfeng.

In this, Huangpu Qingtian and his interests were aligned, to end Zhuo Fan.

...

"Alright, now that you've made your decision, hurry and take it. After you enter the Radiant Stage, we will go hunt that pest down!" Huangpu Qingtian smiled at the trio.

They were all puzzled and You Yushan was the first to inquire, "Eldest young master, we do not know where to start. Do you perhaps know his location? But even so, why don't we go after him this instant instead of waiting to break through?"

"Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan is bedridden and he'll make sure to hide where no one can find him. Not even me. But Sir Leng knows he will sooner or later appear at one place and that is where we'll wait for him. With him licking his wounds, we won't be disturbed for a while. It is our best chance to bolster our power. When everything is set and we ambush him, he will have no room to escape!" Huangpu Qingtian laughed.

The three nodded amazedly, "If Sir Leng said it, it must be so!"

The three placed a simple defensive array around them and ate the Brimming Sacred Pill.

Huangpu Qingtian smiled, placing Yan Fu and the others as guards. He placed his own defenses around and ate his own pill.

The four of them were peak Profound Heaven experts, soon to be Radiant Stage experts, courtesy of Brimming Sacred Pill.

Huangpu Qingtian's soul's strength would be multiplied tens of times and not even Zhuo Fan with his Shift would be able to escape his grasp.

Zhuo Fan's end was nigh...

In another place, a purple lightning bird stood before a dark cave. The crackling lightning was enough deterrence for any approaching spiritual beast.

A man covered in blood laid in the cave, unmoving.

With his wings and arm ripped away, it was the first time Zhuo Fan had been in such a dangerous state.

Qiao'er sometimes looked back in worry. It wanted to get Zhuo Fan some food and water but was worried it would come back to find a spiritual beast gorging on his body.

So he stood watch.

Ten days came and went as man and beast monopolized the cave in complete silence. Only on the 15th day, a groan came from Zhuo Fan as he opened his eyes. The blinding sunlight coming from outside made him squint.

Shriek~

Qiao'er flapped its wings and cheered.

With a smile, Zhuo Fan forced himself up and said, "Don't worry. As long as Blood Infant is safe, I won't die.

"How long was I out, Qiao'er?" He asked.

Shriek~

Qiao'er flapped its wings and cried out. Zhuo Fan frowned and smiled, "Half a month? Just in time. Come, it's time for us to settle a debt!"

Shriek~

Qiao'er barred his way, anxiously flapping its wings. [You'll die if you go now!]

Smiling, Zhuo Fan patted its head, "Don't write off your old man just yet. I've got more than just a strong arm. A sharp head on my shoulders! Qiao'er, by my reckoning I won't even have to lift a finger to kill them all, he-he-he... "

Qiao'er cocked its head, unable to read between the lines. But seeing the crafty smirk, it dawned on the bird.

"I didn't lose my right arm for nothing." Touching the stump, Zhuo Fan's eyes glinted...

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Chapter 325, No, You Lost

A lonely and lazy figure was approaching the water exit in Beast King Mountain. From the empty right sleeve it was clear he only had one arm.

"Zhuo Fan!"

The people beyond the National Elemental Stone had been waiting for him to show up for twenty days. After the fight back at the earth exit, Zhuo Fan had vanished, only appearing before another exit now.

Zhuo Fan's coming had them gasping. [He's still alive!]

But the pale face and the wobbling gait let them know he was far from healed.

Being in such a damaged state, it would've been common sense to look for a quiet corner somewhere to lay low and lick his wounds. Yet here he was, walking around. It made no sense.

Luo Yunchang's eyes moistened, "Why... must you..."

Uncaring of the audience commenting on his appearance, Zhuo Fan walked forth. When he was a hundred meters off of the water exit, he stopped. He looked down at the empty ground and sighed.

Everyone was startled, [What's he doing?]

Only Chu Qingcheng and Luo Yunchang knew. Zhuo Fan paid homage to Xue Ningxiang. This was where she died twenty days ago.

Taking a deep and long breath, Zhuo Fan forced back his sadness and grief, "Ning'er, don't worry. Big brother Zhuo will soon make everyone follow you for what they did to you. May it bring you peace."

"Ha-ha-ha, bold words! How are you going to get revenge with that weak and crippled body? Are you a comedian now?" A whistle reached his ears.

Four people now stood before Zhuo Fan, Huangpu Qingtian and his allies. Then a dozen people walked out of the woods to surround him, Yan Fu and the surviving vassals.

What was truly shocking was Huangpu Qingtian's group had entered the Radiant Stage in preparation to deal with Zhuo Fan.

Everyone knew they got the Brimming Sacred Pill and that they had a good chance of advancing, but seeing it was another matter entirely.

Seeing the four practically reborn, bolstered in power and speed, the people feared for the worse.

In the long history of Tianyu, there had never been anyone entering the Radiant Stage before the age of thirty. But now there were four of them, shocking the masses.

Huangpu Tianyuan was the one suffering the most. If his son had brought just one Brimming Sacred Pill home, the house lord would have achieved his lifelong dream of entering the Radiant Stage as well.

[But this wretched son of mine would rather leave his old man to die. Damn you!]

It was because of this he knew that when the four would return, their Radiant Stage cultivation would be a threat to every house lord, ultimately to be replaced.

The four house lords looked at each other crestfallen.

Chu Qingcheng was worried sick, choked with emotion. How was Zhuo Fan going to survive being wounded like that and up against four Radiant Stage experts?

Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian shook their heads, "Fate has caught up to the kid. He has nowhere else to go."

Leng Wuchang was the only one with a smile on his face, like everything went according to plan...

Zhuo Fan looked at the four, yet people found it odd how laid back he was about this whole trap thing. All he did was mutter, "Ning'er, do you see? Everyone who hurt you is here. Big brother Zhuo will avenge you!"

You Yushan looked puzzled.

"Zhuo Fan, have you lost it? There are four Radiant Stage experts here while you aren't even healed. There is a huge gulf between us and yet you dare spout things like revenge? Humph, you have lost in all aspects!" Lin Xuanfeng shouted.

Frowning, Zhuo Fan glanced at him then showed a vague smile, "Ha-ha-ha, no, it's you who has lost everything."

"Cut the crap you lunatic! Even the blind can see we four are invincible. Wake up and smell the roses!" Lin Xuanfeng's eyes narrowed as he cursed, but Zhuo Fan's odd mirthless smile unnerved him.

Huangpu Qingtian felt the same.

[With how sly he is, what did he plan to remain so calm in front of us?]

Huangpu Qingtian looked around for clues. But nothing was picked up when he released his soul and his worry only grew.

[Is he bluffing?]

Leng Wuchang was also frowning. Zhuo Fan was becoming more and more of an enigma.

With a mocking smile on his lips, Zhuo Fan sighed, "Leng Wuchang sure is something, able to guess I'll stop by to pay my respects to Ning'er before leaving Beast King Mountain. He even had you set up an ambush. Truly a feat only Unwonted Contriver can pull."

"What, how can you know everything?" Huangpu Qingtian cried.

Leng Wuchang's eyes tightened and his aged hand clutched his beard.

Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan said, "I know nothing really. But one thing I do know, every move we make is part of Leng Wuchang's grand design in some way or another. He'd been watching me for too long and I must say, he knows me better than I do myself. Since nothing I do will escape his plans, why not let nature run its course."

Huangpu Qingtian looked hard at him then sighed as he probed, "Are you giving up?"

"No, didn't I tell you already? I came for all your lives." Zhuo Fan's lips broke out into his trademark evil grin.

Seizing up, the four were totally oblivious to Zhuo Fan's meaning.

[He knows he can't escape Leng Wuchang's predictions so why is he playing the winner? Does he have a way to turn it all around?]

It was easy for Zhuo Fan to guess what was on their minds, "Ha-ha-ha, I have indeed fallen for Leng Wuchang's ploys, but to be fair, Huangpu Qingtian, haven't you fallen for mine as well? With Leng Wuchang in the background, when it comes to you and me, I come out on top."

Huangpu Qingtian shuddered, not knowing whether to believe him or not.

[Is this mere grandstanding, a bluff?]

Leng Wuchang shot to his feet, his face changing color in seconds. His eyes swirled around, his mind fast at work.

Then he looked up and cried, "Did the punk know he can't escape my plans so he went on the offensive to lay a trap for eldest young master? But when did he..."

Leng Wuchang's mind had guessed it, just that he didn't know the specifics and his face paled.

Zhuge Changfeng eyed this Unwonted Contriver and grinned, "Avoid a ready enemy and only fight when he is weary. The kid sure is sharp. He knows he can't beat you in this mind game so he chose to accept everything you did to him and fight your eldest young master. Sir Leng, you are not there by your lord. His scheming mind pales in comparison. Zhuo Fan's eyes sure are vicious, ha-ha-ha..."

Words failed Leng Wuchang. All he could do was stew in his anger. [What did this punk do to Huangpu Qingtian to act so confident before four Radiant Stage experts?]

Not even Zhuge Changfeng could figure it out, least of all him. [Is this young pup able to turn the tables?]

He didn't believe it, he didn't want to believe it.

Zhuge Changfeng was looking at the National Elemental Stone in anticipation. This Prime Minister wanted to see what godly scheme could he pull off to turn all of it around...

Huangpu Qingtian stared hatefully at him, "Zhuo Fan, stop lying. I don't believe you. With your weak body, what can your meager attempts possibly do against four Radiant Stage experts to reverse this situation?"

"Ha-ha-ha, you're wrong. To be honest, it's not me who will do it, you will. You will give me victory. In fact, I won the instant you guys entered the Radiant Stage!" Zhuo Fan snickered,

Huangpu Qingtian roared, "Cut the bull! You're clearly faking it. I will personally turn you to ash and see you mock me then!"

Huangpu Qingtian pounced, aiming for Zhuo Fan's head.

With how weak Zhuo Fan was, his head would crack like an overripe tomato.

Luo Yunchang cried out and turned away. Chu Qingcheng was deeply troubled by what was coming, while only Zhuo Fan's smile never faltered. Like the incoming fist wasn't even there.

When the fist was about to touch him, he made a sign.

Rumble!

For no apparent reason, Huangpu Qingtian found his body stopping dead in its tracks. He couldn't control his body.

Looking up at Zhuo Fan, he found the man's grin spitting on his face...

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Chapter 326, Zhuo Fan's Deceit

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

"Eldest young master!"

You Yushan and the other two cried out seeing Huangpu Qingtian frozen in place.

Huangpu Qingtian was sweating buckets, "I-I can't move. What are you standing around for? Do something!"

He knew Zhuo Fan must've done something, though he didn't know exactly what.

Never for the life of him did he think it possible for Zhuo Fan, on his deathbed, to be hiding such an eerie trick. The fear of not knowing how he did it only amplified the dread.

He was now stuck in place, waiting for the axe to fall even as his heart was beating out of his chest.

His three allies knew time was of the essence and sprung on Zhuo Fan as well.

The three mighty Radiant Stage powers slammed into Zhuo Fan. He was forced two steps back, but he was not in the least bit panic, going by the wide grin.

"Stop!"

Making the same sign, Zhuo Fan mocked, "I told you, you already lost."

Rumble!

Just like Huangpu Qingtian, the three stopped as well. Bug-eyed, they looked at the grinning Zhuo Fan in fear.

They couldn't move as well...

The viewers cried out in shock and doubt. Zhuge Changfeng and Leng Wuchang were also astounded.

[What did the punk do to gain control of them?]

They knew Zhuo Fan had the four in the bag. As for when the bag opened and the four were shoved in, no one knew, not even the two greatest minds of Tianyu.

The most aware of it all were the victims. Huangpu Qingtian watched Zhuo Fan in shock, "W-what did you do to me?"

Zhuo Fan only giggled and looked around. Once he had the four riled up, and the dozen vassals scared out of their minds, he spoke, "Eldest young master, you are fated to rule, providence made you king. Can it be that your elders never told you when you were a child not to take candy from a stranger?"

"What? W-what did we take?"

Huangpu Qingtian was stunned for a second and then it all came crashing down, "The pills..."

Nodding, Zhuo Fan showed the same smile, "We have a winner. The very same 8th grade pill, Brimming Sacred Pill. I left a little something inside it, you see. So when you entered the Radiant Stage, you had already lost."

[This can't be!]

Huangpu Qingtian and the other three felt a chill crawling up their spines. The pills they got that boosted their power were spiked.

That meant they were now affected by its poison.

[But Huangpu Qingtian got them by coincidence when he ripped out Zhuo Fan's right arm. How could Zhuo Fan give it to us on purpose? Don't tell me...]

Eyes wide as saucers, they looked upon Zhuo Fan in horror.

[It was his plan all along? To even rip his own arm...]

Zhuo Fan knew fully well what went on in those little heads of theirs, "Looks like you figured it out. I let Huangpu Qingtian take my right arm on purpose."

The crowd was in complete shock.

Leng Wuchang's eyes shuddered. Zhuo Fan's scheme ran so deep, so ruthless, that it made even Unwonted Contriver shiver.

Who'd ever see it coming? He gave up an arm to have Huangpu Qingtian at his mercy.

The people looking at the one-armed and frail Zhuo Fan had long lost their sympathy. Even his pale face was warped into that of a demon in the minds of his enemies.

This clueless herd of sheep actually dared to surround the wolf!

"Ha-ha-ha, shocking, ain't it? I knew that I wouldn't be a match for you so I cooked up a little something and had you all invited for dinner. Victory got to your head and pride lowered your guard. You thought I was breathing my last, that all danger had lifted. Then you took those tampered pills in your greatest moment of weakness!"

Zhuo Fan ginned maliciously.

Back then, he knew Chu Qingcheng and the others were trapped as he rushed to the water exit. On his way he noticed a cold pond, reminding him of his old plan since god knew when to use Bloodworms on his enemies.

So he took advantage of the time Huangpu Qingtian believed his mind was in chaos after falling for their ploy and prepared his own scheme.

Seeing Ning'er dead truly made him go berserk, going after Huangpu Qingtian for revenge. Killing him himself would have been better, but if he did lose, he had this trick in mind ready to turn it all around, just in case.

Like he said, he accepted all of Leng Wuchang's machinations, but not without leaving Huangpu Qingtian with a gift of his own.

Something Leng Wuchang would never consider.

Seeing how everyone was up to their neck deep in his ploy and couldn't make sense of anything, Leng Wuchang always assumed they couldn't spare anything in plotting back. But Zhuo Fan knew he couldn't avoid it so he accepted it all with open arms, leaving him with the opening needed to plan his own trickery.

The one to take the win!

Huangpu Qingtian stared at this demon incarnate horrified. Leng Wuchang was also trembling.

He'd been a schemer and a plotter all his life, always achieving his projections. But Zhuo Fan managed to twist it around at the final moment. Then again, when taking into account Zhuo Fan's weird methods, hardly anyone could make feasible projections.

But nevertheless, a loss was a loss. Leng Wuchang had to man up and admit he failed at the most crucial moment.

All victories leading up to here were for nothing when he botched the final and most crucial battle.

Zhuge Changfeng taunted, "Sir Leng, it seems to me that you messed with not just any monkey, but Great Sage the Equal of Heaven, ha-ha-ha..."

Leng Wuchang's face twitched as he stewed in his own anger...

Huangpu Qingtian was floored, "Impossible! If we had never found those pills, your plan would've gone up in smoke and you'd lose your hand for nothing. Those pills clearly had Fang Qiubai's... seal..."

Huangpu Qingtian's stiff face turned to Yan Fu.

Grinning, Zhuo Fan said, "What about the seal? Ha-ha-ha, true, you wouldn't have trusted the vials if you found them without the seals. But what if those seals were somehow removed in front of you, or given the impression that they were?"

"Yan Fu..." Huangpu Qingtian glared in hatred.

Under the bewildered gazes of everyone, Yan Fu stepped behind Zhuo Fan.

They just had the shock of their lives. Yan Fu was one of Zhuo Fan's!

Luo Yunchang was stunned. Since when did the Luo clan get to him? Hall Lord Yan Bogong's eyes were ready to pop from their sockets. [He's on Zhuo Fan's side? Since when?]

It was common knowledge that Zhuo Fan killed his master. There was no one out there who hated Zhuo Fan's guts more than him. So how...

Ignoring the dumbstruck faces, Zhuo Fan mocked, "You guessed it, he's with me. I made sure to give him a sending jade way earlier too. If you hadn't found the pills on your own, he was there to make sure you'd correct that little mishap. And to make sure to remove any traces of my meddling of course.

"For you guys, someone insignificant like him would fall under your radar. But he ultimately sided with me and got you to fall for it, thus turning all this around. He takes all the credit for your defeat!"

Zhuo Fan praised Yan Fu, "You were marvelous. I won't soon forget it."

"Thank you, Steward Zhuo!" Yan Fu bowed.

Yan Bogong's frail heart cracked. How was it that the pride of Pill King Hall, their genius alchemists hailed within their house, all ended up at Zhuo Fan's hands?

And that was right under their nose too. He did it so openly, before every clan and house in Tianyu, that he literally bitch slapped Pill King Hall into the ground!

Long Jiu and Jian Suifeng sighed in admiration.

They discussed it back in Drifting Flowers City that Zhuo Fan was unequaled when it came to digging up a party's cornerstones. But seeing it first hand, they had to take their hat off to him. And he did that with his most hateful enemy.

Not even Unwonted Contriver saw that coming. The spy Zhuo Fan planted, or converted, was none other than the one who hated him the most, Yan Fu.

Yan Bangui saw red before his eyes, "Yan Fu! You damn treacherous knave, you actually stooped so low to side with the man who killed your master? You are unworthy to be a Pill King Hall disciple, even less so to walk the earth!"

"Humph, ever since my master left, it only got worse for me living in Pill King Hall. I have nothing to return to. Who cares about being some Pill King Hall disciple? Also..."

Squinting, Yan Fu's hate filled eyes showed a hint of warmth, unaware he clutched at his chest. There laid hidden a green jade slip...

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Chapter 327, Revenge Game

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

It was the same jade Zhuo Fan gave him when the man answered Huangpu Qingtian's challenge. It had a simple sentence, one that touched his heart.

It was something his master had Zhuo Fan give to him, "If you find your life in Pill King Hall difficult, come with Steward Zhuo to find me!"

He was certain from the soul trace on the jade slip that it was without a doubt his master's. The familiar feeling was so strong, he barely held back his tears.

His master lived in the Luo clan. And by the sound of it, quite well.

He recalled what Zhuo Fan told him at the time, that he'd take him to see his master in hell. It was a clear proof of acceptance.

From that instant, this youth who hated Zhuo Fan's guts switched sides at the drop of the hat. He became Zhuo Fan's spy, feeding him information in secret.

Yan Fu's eyes snapped to his clansman and he shouted, "Yan Bangui, listen up. From this very moment, I and Pill King Hall are through. I belong to the Luo clan. A failure like you has no right to judge me."

Yan Bangui was a keg set to blow, evident from his red face. His chest heaved yet he couldn't find a word of reply.

[This son of a bitch finds himself some backing and thinks he can defy me? No matter how big a nerve he had earlier, he still wouldn't curse back.] But now...

Zhuo Fan was laughing it up at their expense. He praised Yan Fu, "Well said. This is the kind of mettle all youths of the Luo clan should have. These four may be in Six Dragons and One Phoenix, but to me, they aren't worth a goddamned thing!"

Zhuo Fan's words were lofty and powerful, looking down on all creation.

Yan Fu was excited. Chest forward, head bobbing, the pride on his face unmistakable. He took on the same attitude he had when traveling with Vicious Pill King.

Inside he sighed. [Following Zhuo Fan is truly out of this world, freedom and bliss.] All the hatred and bitterness festering in his heart during these years magically went away. [No wonder my master got up and dumped Pill King Hall.]

His attitude sent a shiver down their spine.

Scour the world and one would find the Luo clan's Zhuo Fan the only one to ever look at the seven houses with such loathing. [By the looks of it, this clan was growing in power, its future only bright.]

People began seeing the Luo clan in a different light.

But the Luo clan's people had no time to mind other's opinion of them, looking at the National Elemental Stone in worry.

Zhuo Fan was dominating the show, but seeing how wounded he was...

Luo Yunchang couldn't fight back the pain in her heart seeing the bloody one-armed Zhuo Fan.

Outsiders got the wrong idea seeing the Luo clan so worried. They thought worry came from Zhuo Fan possibly letting emotions override his judgment and that he might do something he would regret.

In every Esoteric Debate that had been held in the past thousand years, many people died while the seven houses held each other in professional courtesy, thus coming out unharmed each time.

This time was no exception. They were split into factions, with heavy casualties on both sides, yet even in the most disastrous Esoteric Debate in history all those that died were vassals.

None from the seven houses fell, not one from Six Dragons and One Phoenix. This seemed to be the houses' bottom line.

However, if Zhuo Fan were to get impulsive and kill these four, it would mark the start of the house war. This will make the Luo clan fodder in this war. And nobody from the Luo clan wanted to see that happen.

But they were clearly overthinking things.

They were blissfully unaware that the Luo clan was loyal to Zhuo Fan to a fault, even if fewer in numbers. They would accept any decision Zhuo Fan made, even bringing doom to the Luo clan.

Of course, with Zhuo Fan's cunning mind there was no way he'd let that happen. So Luo clan's people held unshakable trust in Zhuo Fan's every action.

Zhuo Fan's decision was Luo clan's decision...

"What are you gawking at? He's on his deathbed. Attack together and he will die!" Huangpu Qingtian shouted at the rest. The four of them took the Brimming Sacred Pill and couldn't control themselves, but their vassals hadn't and could still pose a threat to Zhuo Fan.

It was the perfect moment to strike, at his most vulnerable. Once he got better, all would be done for.

You Yushan noticed this as well and shouted along with his allies.

They didn't get to move as the dozen Bone Tempering cultivators' eyes went blank and they collapsed.

Zhuo Fan snickered, "I may be wounded, but did you forget? My soul is in the Radiant Stage."

The four gasped.

They should've known that a sleeping tiger was still a tiger. Since when could ants take the Soaring Demonic Dragon's life?

The four were wrecked with despair.

Huangpu Qingtian threatened, "Zhuo Fan, think this through. Killing us will start a war with our houses and the vassal clans. Are you willing to take that chance? Not even the emperor can save you then!"

"War?"

Yan Fu knew the Luo clan was under the imperial family and Dugu Zhantian's protection, and since he had yet to be filled in to the Luo clan's true power, he began to worry.

[Did I enter the Luo clan only to die?]

Zhuo Fan grinned, "Quite true. Killing you will start a war. How scary! But I am never one to write off a revenge. What to do, what to do? "

Zhuo Fan put on a hypocritical thinking posture. Huangpu Qingtian's group was even more unnerved by his attitude. They hoped the punk would look at the big picture and get scared of what he saw, sparing them in the meantime.

It went double for Huangpu Qingtian. Providence had him king and all that. His life was invaluable. How could he just die?

"I have it!"

Zhuo Fan snapped his fingers, earning a jerk from his victims, "Since I have to get revenge but you are nonetheless valuable and oughtn't be killed, I can only let heaven decide your fate."

The four were shocked. But Zhuo Fan's hand made a sign and the four could move. Though none of them could use their Yuan Qi.

Their cultivation was sealed.

Pff!

Huangpu Qingtian groaned as a thumb-sized hole appeared on his chest. The pain almost made him black out as he looked down.

He was unbeatable all his life, never even suffering a heavy wound. But this sudden hole exploding from within was heartrending.

Bam~

Three more groans and his allies shared his pain.

"Zhuo Fan, w-what are you going to do?" Huangpu Qingtian gnashed his teeth, "If you plan on killing us, stop playing and release us from this torment!"

"Release you? Ha-ha-ha, did you release Ning'er?"

Zhuo Fan's smile was that of anger, "Relax, I said that your fate is in heaven's hand and will give you guys a chance. I am a man of my word.

"The holes in your chest represent your number." He gestured at the four.

The four found Huangpu Qingtian having one hole so he ought to be one. You Yushan had two, Yan Bangui had three and Lin Xuanfeng had four.

They looked at each other bewildered.

Zhuo Fan smiled, "We will play a game, the great escape! I will give you guys three days to find the keys and leave this place. Getting back to Dragon Cloud City, your lives will be spared. But if I find you before you leave, he-he-he, terribly sorry but that's providence. Now you can't blame me for being shortsighted and not giving you a way out."

Zhuo Fan's hand flashed and the keys to three exits appeared. He tossed them into the sky and they were soon spread all over Beast King Mountain.

"Yan Fu, make a sealed box for me holding four lots. Three days later I will be drawing one, my target. As for the rest of you lucky fellows, you'd be spared, for a while. Since I am a bastion of fairness, I will release a signal before my hunt. Your lives are now in heaven's hands."

With a wicked grin, Zhuo Fan waved them off, "Come on, off you go. But remember, you better hope I don't find you~."

The four exchanged a glance and bolted in four directions.

They knew Zhuo Fan was playing with them but they had no choice in the matter. All they could do was fight...

Yan Fu gasped and turned to Zhuo Fan, "Uh, Steward Zhuo, are you killing them or letting them go? Why go through all this trouble just to kill them? And if you wanted to let them go..."

"Humph, how could I ever let them off."

Zhuo Fan's eyes glinted and his mood became deadly, "Yan Fu, do you fear death?"

"Uh, yes!" Yan Fu nodded after a pause.

Zhuo Fan shook his head, "No, you do not fear death, but dying. Ning'er was a pure hearted girl. Although she had a smile upon her face at death, I know it was for our sakes. She knew she was going to die and must've felt a terrible dread. This fear tortured her for three days!"

Zhuo Fan clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot as he spat, "So I will make those sons of bitches know the true meaning of fear every waking moment until they'd wish for death."

Yan Fu shuddered and nodded.

Zhuo Fan never cared about some big picture, nor intended to let them off. He wanted them to suffer more than Xue Ningxiang did.

Yan Fu now understood why he did it and went into the forest to carve a box out of a tree. Zhuo Fan stayed behind, closed his eyes and resumed healing.

Time passed on and the third day was soon up. At the dawn of the fourth, Zhuo Fan's eyes flashed open, out for blood.

By his side, Yan Fu presented the box obscuring its content. This was the item that would decide the four's fate.

The hunt was on...

Chapter 328, Go on Run, One-legged Dragon!

Editor: Elitecoder

"Which one, which one~? I wonder who's the lucky bastard that gets to go first. The suspense is killing me."

Sneering, Zhuo Fan snapped his fingers and a wood piece floated out of the box.

A tiny character was etched on it.

Four!

"Oh, it's four." Zhuo Fan's face split into a wide and very malicious grin. Then he asked, "Remind me again, who was number four?"

Yan Fu spoke with reverence, "Steward Zhuo, number four is Forest Fleeting Dragon, Lin Xuanfeng."

"Oh, it's that gimp dragon. What rotten luck! Among Six Dragons and One Phoenix, I seem to recall having already taken my ire on him twice so far. Now providence has spoken and has placed him first in my path. Ha-ha-ha, I can't help but wonder, has his crimes earned him such ill-fate or is he just so down on his luck, so cursed, to suffer hell first?"

Laughing, Zhuo Fan said, "Whatever, in his case, he truly must be ill-fated, ha-ha-ha..."

Zhuo Fan pointed at the sky.

A flare shot up and exploded into four fireworks bathing the Beast King Mountain in red.

The frantic Huangpu Qingtian, scurrying in the forest, looked up at the sound, "Four fireworks means number four. Lin Xuanfeng is such an unlucky dog."

Huangpu Qingtian shook his head, rejoicing inside.

Zhuo Fan was really playing by the rules and wasn't targeting him specifically. Or more likely than not, he'd be after him the first chance he got.

With Lin Xuanfeng playing the first victim, it bought him precious time to find the keys.

Tightening the red crystal in his hand, Huangpu Qingtian took a deep breath and sped up in the search for its pair.

He needed yin and yang keys to be home free.

He had to work even faster now. Who knew how fast Lin Xuanfeng would fall and who'd be the next poor schmuck to follow?

On the off chance it was him, that would mean death!

Although he breathed easier for a moment, the anxiety only mounted...

Yan Bangui and You Yushan noticed the flare with their nerves stretched taut. This meant Zhuo Fan's death game had started.

But they relaxed soon after, seeing Zhuo Fan going after Lin Xuanfeng. Their safety was assured, for now.

Though they also knew that once Lin Xuanfeng fell, Zhuo Fan would go after them. And with their cultivation sealed up, Zhuo Fan would pick them like ants.

And so, their speed mounted, as did their will to live...

The pressure had grown on the three who lucked out but the last one was showing quite a different reaction.

"Hell yeah! I got the wood exit keys. My luck is off the hook!"

In a particularly glum and dark corner of the forest, Lin Xuanfeng clenched the two green crystals and danced in joy.

Even with a number of close to thirty thousand people wandering Beast King Mountain's forest for a month now, the wood exit keys were never found. And here he was catching a lucky break.

[This luck is godlike!]

All he had to do was get to the wood exit and he'd be back in the safety of Dragon Cloud City.

This would make his survival, by Zhuo Fan's game rules, providence. Zhuo Fan couldn't touch him.

Zhuo Fan may be a very sore loser, but every elder in Dragon Cloud City, along with Dugu Zhantian and Fang Qiubai keeping the peace, would make sure to prevent any foul play.

He would be safe!

Filling his lungs with air, Lin Xuanfeng felt the urge to bow before the mighty power of heaven, to offer his gratitude for actually caring, for once, about his fate. All previous resentments were wiped clean as his luck had finally turned.

He was looking at the dawning sky with a smile on his face when a sudden flare exploded into four fireworks. The crimson sky reflected perfectly on his equally red face.

"The heavens are giving me their blessing, ha-ha-ha..."

Lin Xuanfeng was still trapped in his fantasy, giggling away. But then his smile froze.

[How can old heaven get up and burst for no rhyme or reason? That's man-made.] With the four having their cultivation sealed, it only left Zhuo Fan.

[Is that the signal starting his death game?]

[The sky had four fireworks. Doesn't that paint a target on #4...]

Lin Xuanfeng's face twitched, looking rigidly at his chest and the holes in it. There they were, in all their bloody glory, four holes bored into him precisely three days ago.

[F*ck, I'm that #4!]

The corners of Lin Xuanfeng's mouth sank and tears threatened to burst out of his eyes.

He had a good thing going here, this close to renewing his lease on life. But providence had a different plan in mind, sending Zhuo Fan on a man hunt for the first target, him.

He plunged from the glorious halls of paradise, into the infernal abyss.

[My luck has turned, worse than ever!]

[Old heaven, could you please not tease me?]

Lin Xuanfeng's heart shuddered, his eyes hot from tears, feeling victimized. Not forgetting the fact that he wasn't even included in the plan to kill the lass. That was all Yan Bangui and You Yushan's doing, prodded by Huangpu Qingtian from behind.

[He should be going after those three for revenge!]

[Why! Why is it that the first one that monster is hunting is me? It's so unfair!]

Lin Xuanfeng wailed, asking the heavens with his pitiful eyes, [What do I do now?] At this very moment, he felt like the most miserable and wretched man in this whole wide world.

Nevermind the leg Zhuo Fan snapped off of him, or the hand Zhuo Fan disintegrated. Zhuo Fan was now hot on his heels for revenge. Yet he, the only one innocent in this whole matter, was the first target.

Just what magnitude of bad luck was this?

Lin Xuanfeng's eyes opened the floodgates.

However, he didn't have time to wallow in self-pity. With two keys in hand, all he had to do was get to the wood exit and he'd be the winner.

Lin Xuanfeng broke into a mad dash, short of one leg, granted, but not slower than in his prime.

His title, Forest Fleeting Dragon, was granted for his amazing speed after all.

But with a flash of golden light, there came Zhuo Fan popping not a hundred yards from the man, "Lin Xuanfeng, you saw the flare I assume. Indeed, you're my first victim. Be good and stand still, would you."

[Isn't it too soon? How did he find me so fast?]

Lin Xuanfeng whipped his head back and sure enough, Zhuo Fan had a positively killing smile, "Bro, can't you cut me some slack? Huangpu Qingtian planned on killing the girl. And the other two executed it. I was in the dark when it happened. If you want revenge, go take it out on them. I'm innocent here!"

Lin Xuanfeng hopped away in panic, a sniveling mess, as he begged. But the dread only grew and the despair deepened.

Smiling, Zhuo Fan looked down on the man but never got closer. He always stayed within a hundred meters, "You're right. Among the four, you can be called innocent. But how is it my fault your number came up? I made this game and will respect its rules. You only have old heaven to blame for your hapless fate, ha-ha-ha..."

Face sinking deeper in sorrow, Lin Xuanfeng gave his all in hopping forward, but could never shake Zhuo Fan off.

[Since it's fate, I can only resign to it. Why must I suffer so?] The hunter could collect on his life any time he wanted, but wasn't doing it for his own amusement.

Since death was certain, a quick one was preferred.

Lin Xuanfeng sighed and slowed down.

Zhuo Fan knew what he was thinking from a hundred meters away, "But you are also right in being innocent. Here's a thought. I see you have the wood exit keys so I will make an exception. If you can reach the wood exit and Dragon Cloud City within a day, you win and I will consider the matter settled."

"Truly?"

The resigned Lin Xuanfeng found a glimmer of hope and his speed shot up again. Zhuo Fan's cold tone came from a hundred meters away again, "I'll be right here, behind you. If your time is up and you're still here, I'll make my move."

Lin Xuanfeng bobbed his head, "You said it, so you better not go back on your word!"

"Ha-ha-ha, I am playing the game by the books and with no regrets." Zhuo Fan's eyes glinted.

Lin Xuanfeng's heart burst with joy and he put more power in his leg. At some point, sweat poured down him like rain and his leg seared with pain.

After hopping for half a day, he found that he still had a lot of ground left to cover. He ignored the pain and pushed through at full speed.

Zhuo Fan was always behind him, coldly staring and sharpening his bloodthirst.

[Humph, Forest Fleeting Dragon, did you really think I'll let you live? I only chose the best way to kill you. Not a single person related to Ning'er's death will be spared!]

Zhuo Fan scoffed internally...

Chapter 329, The Best Way to Die

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

"Lin Xuanfeng, half a day has passed!" The owner of the cold eyes stalking the beaten up prey spoke.

Panting, Lin Xuanfeng was soaked but wasn't slowing down even for a second. He only took deep breaths and gained more speed, not stopping for his life.

"In ten hours I'm making a move."

Lin Xuanfeng, with his sealed cultivation, had been at it for 14 hours. His speed had been at its peak all this time and his leg shuddered with every hop. The run had been so intense, the sole of his shoe had worn off.

He'd been hopping about barefoot through thorns and bushes and was now leaving a blood trail.

He wished nothing more than to take a breather after such a long and intense fleeing.

But Zhuo Fan's constant cold reminder from behind came as a rude awakening. Stopping meant dying, his corpse forever pushing up daisies in the middle of the forest.

Lin Xuanfeng's sole option was to bear through the pain and run.

"Eight hours left!"

The countdown on his life aroused Lin Xuanfeng from his rambling run and swaying vision, "That's too soon!"

A glance at the sky would give light into this matter.

Unless of course a certain face was blocking it, scaring the living daylight out of him.

"You still have time to stargaze? The clock is ticking. Better hurry up or your head will fall!" Zhuo Fan grinned.

Lin Xuanfeng gasped and forgot about the sky as he sprung forth like mad.

Zhuo Fan snickered and resumed following from behind. Like a reaper, his voice descended upon the wretched.

"Six hours left!"

Lin Xuanfeng's eyes were bloodshot in his mad sprint.

"Four hours left!"

Lin Xuanfeng ran with his life on the line. Faster than even before he got his cultivation sealed!

"Only... two hours..." Zhuo Fan's face twisted in a grim smile.

Lin Xuanfeng's face fell. He was soaked in sweat, his face red as blood, but his heart was wrecked from this torment. He closed his eyes and ran head first...

Passing one more bush just like the thousands before it, Lin Xuanfeng saw a green crystal, four meters tall. The wood exit.

The audience knew Zhuo Fan and the four were playing a deadly game of chase. It looked like he was torturing them. Many believed he pulled a game on them as an excuse to come out of this pickle with his face unmarred.

Zhuo Fan was the top dog for thousands of miles around and yet still refrained from setting himself against four houses by looking for a reason to let the four go.

But when Lin Xuanfeng came out from the forest, they were shocked.

Lin Xuanfeng looked nothing like the proud Forest Fleeting Dragon of before. Passing through pointy vegetation barefoot had made pinpoint incisions each time and now his sole of the foot was stripped of flesh.

As he crossed the last bush, everyone heard a resounding crack. His knee snapped from the sheer speed, in an open fracture.

Anyone moving at such blazing speed would know what that meant. But Zhuo Fan's constant reminder had him scared to death. His mind had been reduced to thinking only about survival and he was unaware what running for his life at such insane speed would do.

Not even when his last leg broke and his bloody face crunched into the ground did Lin Xuanfeng care. His eyes showed only madness. Watching the wood exit ahead, he cackled. "Ha-ha-ha, I've finally arrived. I can survive!"

With red eyes and without legs, Lin Xuanfeng crawled his way forward as his lips cracked into a smile. Euphoria descended upon his mind.

He was going to live!

This was the chance Zhuo Fan gave him, the chance to survive. Of the four he was the only one innocent, so Zhuo Fan gave him a way out, as long as he could grasp it.

Lin Xuanfeng elbowed his way faster towards his hope.

The audience was speechless. Why was he looking so wretched and yet found the time to smile?

He looked mangled, battered and wretched. Yet had such a crazed look of happiness. [What is going on?]

Nobody would know that Zhuo Fan had turned Lin Xuanfeng like this, that he had etched a demon in his heart...

"I won! I'm going to live!"

Lin Xuanfeng panted as he crawled before the wood exit. With shaking hands, he placed the keys from his ring into the groves with exultation.

The audience nodded. The guy looked to be coming out of a torture chamber but he was going home now.

As the last key approached the slot, a lazy leg stepped on his hand and he dropped the crystal.

Lin Xuanfeng looked in shock to see Zhuo Fan's manic grin.

The audience watched the two with hearts in their throat. Was Zhuo Fan such a demon to kill him right at the very end?

Lin Xuanfeng's face didn't seem to say so. He wasn't shocked, having known this was coming every two hours.

"W-why?" Blinking his bleary eyes, Lin Xuanfeng's hoarse voice came out oozing his desperation, "I'm here, I won..."

Zhuo Fan shook his head, peering down on him, "Unfortunately, time is up. If only you were a fraction faster you'd have made it. A shame..."

Sss~

Lin Xuanfeng gasped and his face shuddered, changing from fear to sorrow, to denial, and despair. His eyes shrank and his head slumped. The agony in those eyes was so vivid, anyone could see how hopeless, how... dead they were.

The people were appalled.

A person suddenly appeared, Yan Fu.

Yan Fu asked Zhuo Fan, unclear what happened, "Steward Zhuo..."

Zhuo Fan merely gestured at the bloody man. Yan Fu kneeled and felt his neck, "Steward Zhuo, he's dead!"

The people were frightened. Why would a perfectly fine man get up and die? Did they miss Zhuo Fan doing something?

Yan Fu asked, "He has no mortal wound. Steward Zhuo, how did you do it?"

"Through fear, exhaustion and despair." Zhuo Fan smiled coldly.

Yan Fu was even more puzzled.

[Is this a joke? Since when can a Radiant Stage expert die from fear, exhaustion and anguish?]

Zhuo Fan said, "I sealed his cultivation so he could only draw speed from his body. When I came upon him, we were a ways away from here. Running all the way here would take three days at the minimum. But I told him he had one day to escape or I'll kill him. He gave his all and more in running here with me behind him reminding of the time.

"Fear had gnawed at his body, making waste more stamina without even realizing it. When he finally did arrive, hope blossomed. After three long days of fear, he saw a ray of hope. His state of mind was already shaken when I came and told him the time was up. Then all that hope turned into anguish. Joy into grief, shock into fear. It all happened so fast that these emotions attacked his mind and took his life.

"That is why I said he was scared to death, but also exhausted to death. Even more so, died from anguish." Zhuo Fan smiled.

Yan Fu's heart thumped.

He knew Zhuo Fan was vicious, but not that monstrous. He toyed with a man's dignity until the man fell to his death.

Gulping, Yan Fu probed, "Steward Zhuo, did he reach here in one day?"

Zhuo Fan snickered, "The kid had quite the potential. He lived up to his title and was quite fast in getting here with two hours to spare too. But as I was always behind like a reaper, I scared him and stopped him from checking the time until he even forgot about the real time. So when I said he lost, he lost it. Then despair and fear claimed him, ha-ha-ha...

"The grand Forest Fleeting Dragon truly was the fastest. So fast that he ended up breaking his only leg and died from exhaustion. Wasn't it the best way to die? Ha-ha-ha..."

Zhuo Fan cackled.

Yan Fu and the audience were sweating bullets and a shiver went down their spines.

[Demon...]

Chapter 330, Next Up

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

"Bring out the box. Let's see who's the next lucky bastard."

Zhuo Fan's condescending smile turned manic, "The suspense is killing me. I have to get back in the game, hi-hi-hi..."

Zhuo Fan's demonic side was there for all to see, sending shivers and horrors to the fainthearted.

People thought Zhuo Fan was using an excuse to let them go, for the bigger picture and what not. But they all knew they had grossly overestimated him. Zhuo Fan wanted nothing more than to play a savage game and toy them to death in the process.

The hatred boiling in Zhuo Fan had driven him mad for a long time now. His 'unorthodox' method at exacting revenge had few appalled, and the rest horrified.

Only those three knew of Lin Xuanfeng's true anguish and pain. The rest would be fortunate to seek out suicide than wait for Zhuo Fan to find them.

Shaking their heads, people sighed. Messing with the seven houses? Fine. Stomping on Regent Estate's toes? Not bad either. But may god have mercy on any who was ignorant enough to incite the wrath of Demon Archon Zhuo Fan. The end wouldn't be pretty, that was for sure...

Yan Fu presented the object of interest and Zhuo Fan smiled. He plunged his hand inside and soon came out with the lucky runner up.

Zhuo Fan looked at the number and smirked, "Humph, enemies meet on a narrow road. So I'll be hunting down this lackey next."

Zhuo Fan flipped the wooden piece over toward the wood exit for all to see.

Two.

None other than Xue Ningxiang's killer, You Yushan!

Zhuo Fan's eyes flashed and he pointed above.

Whoosh!

A flare rose above the clouds, exploding in a brilliant double firework.

Huangpu Qingtian and Yan Bangui checked nervously, then looked at the holes on their chest, and finally relaxed.

[Thank god it's not me!]

Though they knew this safety was ephemeral.

With how soon Zhuo Fan let out the second flare, it went without saying that Lin Xuanfeng had bit the dust. With You Yushan as the second victim, who was to know how long he'd last before death would loom over them?

With nerves stretched tighter than a violin, the wait was mounting the ever present fear. They could literally feel Zhuo Fan's demon claw squeezing down on their throat.

Like Zhuo Fan said, death wasn't terrifying. But dying... was agony.

Palpable fear was their longtime companion now, Huangpu Qingtian in particular. The guy had been invincible one too many times in his life and had never experienced this side of a battle, almost having a nervous breakdown.

He had reached such a state that any loud noise was treated as Zhuo Fan sending a signal, doing nothing but pushing him further into the depths of despair.

Right now, he was angry. Providence had made him king, so how could he be such a coward? He had completely ignored the precarious and erratic state his mind was currently in.

Zhuo Fan's death game had him running scared, crushing any royal demeanor he ever had...

In another corner of the forest, You Yushan finally had the keys to the metal exit. His cheering was quite premature and disconcerting, at least when the flare exploded in the sky and fear replaced any trace of joy.

Looking down at his own chest, two holes were there for all to see. Demon Zhuo Fan was on the hunt for him.

You Yushan's face fell, his fate suddenly turning on him. It was so appalling that his mind exploded in quite the colorful curses.

[That damn rotten Lin Xuanfeng! Wasn't he praised for speed? Why did he let himself get caught so fast? Did he give up? Couldn't you hang on for at least a few days longer and let your brothers reach safety?]

[Humph, a gimp is a gimp, alive or dead. Not a single damn use!]

You Yushan cursed at the dead, but the top priority was still getting out of here and out of Zhuo Fan's range.

As luck would have it, he was a short way off the metal exit. He only had to reach it and he'd wallow in safety.

You Yushan set into a sprint, thinking he still had some time before Zhuo Fan got to him.

You Yushan dashed like a maniac and the fact that Zhuo Fan hadn't shown himself yet, eased some of his tense muscles.

His guess had been spot on. Zhuo Fan would need time to get to him.

But as we all know, appearances can be deceiving. The golden exit shined its glow before him, like the goddess of victory opening her arms to welcome him. But then his eyes shrank and his body froze in place.

What awaited him were two very familiar figures.

Yan Fu, the snitch, and Zhuo Fan, the demon.

The viewers sighed. [Oh, you poor poor schmuck, these two have been waiting for you for ages and you just had to walk right into their trap.]

Zhuo Fan looked at the sky and then at the dumbstruck You Yushan, "You came. I've been waiting here for an hour now!"

[What are you doing here? How did you know I was coming here? And more importantly, did you come here to stop me?]

You Yushan's mind was going a mile a minute, not knowing what to do.

He just couldn't tell if Zhuo Fan was now a master diviner or not. How did he get here so fast moments after dealing with Lin Xuanfeng?

As if a mind reader, Zhuo Fan's cold smile came in response to his thoughts, "You Yushan, you are Ning'er's executioner. Now then, what's the best way to go about killing you?"

Gulping, You Yushan watched Zhuo Fan inch closer towards him. His legs were shaking like noodles and he soon collapsed in fear. He started bawling on his knees for mercy, "Brother, let me go! I am a mere underling. Leng Wuchang is the one who planned to kill her. Huangpu Qingtian was the director and I was merely following orders. Take your revenge on them, I was just a lackey, mere nobody. Please let me go!"

"Tch, what Six Dragons and One Phoenix? Aren't they all sniveling cowards when death looms?" Yan Fu was milking his dread for all he was worth.

Zhuo Fan's follower felt no little satisfaction seeing the grand Six Dragons and One Phoenix treated with such derision.

On the viewers' side, everyone sported disgust at You Yushan's character.

Valley Lord You Wanshan's face was dark and broody. You Yushan was a dragon, which in turn represented the image of Hell Valley.

Even with his cultivation sealed, meeting Zhuo Fan would merely end up in death. But instead he opted for the coward's way out, bawling on his knees for his miserable life, while also shaming Hell Valley completely.

The seven houses of Tianyu were seen as lofty existences, revered and feared. But now, that respect is long gone.

Even the great disciples of their houses were merely men in the end. [They fear the strong and death just like the next bloke. Even our clans have a few intrepid characters among us.]

[In this aspect at least, we are stronger than the houses...]

The seven houses were seen as gods in the Tianyu Empire. But taking them down from their cozy throne would make all the reverence vanish.

Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian nodded with a smile.

The way they saw it, Zhuo Fan was practically issuing a death sentence to the houses. At the very least, the vassals the seven houses enjoyed seeing fighting over their attention, would thin out.

It was just another blow at their name, what the emperor only dreamt of achieving. Who'd have thought it would come to fruition at the hands of Zhuo Fan? The seven houses' image was almost ruined.

[The emperor would laugh for days if he knew.]

Long Xingyun and Xie Tianshang sighed at their fortune.

The fortune of sticking with Zhuo Fan. Otherwise, they would've been standing in You Yushan's place by now. Losing their life was nothing compared to losing their house's image.

Zhuo Fan was a Demon Archon, an incontestable existence. It was far better to join him than suffer his wrath.

Long Xingyun looked at Long Yifey in respect.

[The old man knows his stuff to see the diamond in the rough. His mind is even sharper to stay close as well.]

Long Yifey noticed his son's eyes and held his head high. [Xingyun, see that? That's how a house lord should be, to have an eye for talent...]

Zhuo Fan smirked at the hapless and disgusting thing, "Did they also tell you to rob Ning'er's essence?"

"Uhm..." You Yushan was sweating bullets, not missing a beat in his begging and bowing, "They wanted to see her suffer and all I could do was follow orders. You... uh, here, take the girl's essence. Please have it and let me go."

You Yushan took a censer from his ring and presented it.

Zhuo Fan received it and looked at the pure essence within. Feeling the familiar aura, Zhuo Fan's hands shook, his heart was in pain and his eyes looked ready to burst, but he pushed the sadness back.

Even with the essence in his hand, his towering rage blew like a volcano, "You Yushan, since you took it, then you must know how long the body can last before it must be returned!"

"Uh... twenty four hours..." You Yushan trembled, his voice faltering under Zhuo Fan's rage.

Squinting, Zhuo Fan barked, "You know it's useless now, yet you still dare to give it to me? I should smash you to death with it..."

Zhuo Fan was about to do just that. You Yushan held his head in fear. But as it was Ning'er's memento, he couldn't bear to stain her pure essence with this filth.

Zhuo Fan put the censer away and smiled, "Do you believe taking one's essence to be the most excruciating pain? Ha-ha-ha, that's because you haven't seen me do it..."

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Chapter 331, Devoured

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

"When you... do it..." You Yushan shuddered in fear.

Zhuo Fan sported his trademark twisted smile of cruelty. Those words had You Yushan scared to death.

Rumble!

You Yushan found himself paralyzed and slumped.

Zhuo Fan walked up to him and showed an icy gourd, "You Yushan, don't you find it odd how I'm in control of all your actions? How do I know your precise location? "

Blinking, You Yushan was filled with doubt but couldn't even speak. All he could do was watch Zhuo Fan with a chaotic mind.

"Ha-ha-ha, I don't mind telling you my little secret. To be quite honest, none of you are poisoned, but have my demonic creature in you as a parasite. These demonic creatures are linked with me. No matter where you go or you wish to go, I'll know it all."

Zhuo Fan opened the gourd and a worm wiggled out.

You Yushan's heart seized in shock.

A demonic cultivator had demonic creatures of course, but even he didn't know of such a devastating demonic creature that could control a Radiant Stage expert.

At this moment, he realized that they had Zhuo Fan's parasites within them and even if they did run, they wouldn't leave Zhuo Fan's control.

All of this death game nonsense had been rigged from the start. Zhuo Fan loomed over them like a god and they were his puppets.

You Yushan groaned in despair.

Funny how they were filled with hope in finding the keys to get out alive, when everything was set from the beginning. Their fate was sealed.

Zhuo Fan snickered, "There's no point in crying over it. You guys still have hope. I won't be out there looking for my next victim as long as the current one entertains me enough. Make it worth my while, let me forget about everything and the others would have enough time to escape."

"W-what do you mean by that?" You Yushan had a very bad feeling about this.

Zhuo Fan laughed and said, "Simple really. I'm ready to have some fun with you."

Zhuo Fan flipped the gourd and Bloodworms spilled out on You Yushan. He was deathly pale but couldn't move, only panicked, "Zhuo Fan, what are you doing?"

"Ha-ha-ha, what indeed. Can't you tell? I'm letting you have a taste of a pain worse than 'death by essence extraction'." Zhuo Fan's eyes showed his savagery.

Ah!

A wail of agony broke the stillness of the forest. Those thousand squirming Bloodworms burrowed into You Yushan's skin.

They began feasting on his flesh and blood started pouring from his body.

His face twisted in pain, veins popping, mouth trembling from wanting to bite his tongue but he was robbed of even that freedom.

Zhuo Fan watched the convulsing body with eerie calmness, "I've fed these thousand Bloodworms my blood essence, but how could my meager blood be enough to quench their hunger? Fighting over a single drop of blood has turned them vicious. But thanks to you showing up, they can finally have their fill, ha-ha-ha...

"And that's not even half of it. They have tiny jaws but are quite pointy, with a passion for a man's mind. Over the next few days, you ought to feel it, the pain. It's likely a hundred times worse than having your essence drawn! The good news is, they are quite the slow eaters and like to keep the taste fresh, you see. So as they work their way deeper, they make sure to keep you from bleeding out. You won't die anytime soon, let me tell you, just enough for you to enjoy the sweet and blissful pain, ha-ha-ha..."

"Ah~, just kill me!" You Yushan gnashed his teeth, roaring like a beast.

Zhuo Fan only mocked him, "That's not very nice. All the pain you're feeling will help buy your eldest young master time. Isn't he your master? Weren't you obeying his orders? What can a meager sacrifice compare to that?"

"F*ck him and kill me already! Then go and kill him too. Why should I suffer for him?" You Yushan's eyes were popping out of his skull.

Zhuo Fan's eyes glinted coldly, "Since you don't consider him your master, why did you listen to his order and let Ning'er suffer? Humph, wake up and smell the roses. A man should own up to his mistakes and bear through the consequences."

Zhuo Fan smiled and sat down to the side to heal. The wails of agony music to his ears.

Yan Fu shuddered, his back cold as ice. Glancing at the howling figure, then at the calm Zhuo Fan, his awe only grew.

[Steward Zhuo's revenge isn't to be taken lightly. Not even the insufferable brats from the seven houses have such capacity for cruelty.]

This was a good opportunity to see the vicious side of Soaring Demonic Dragon.

The viewers listened to the screams with fear in their hearts. Xue clan's three generations knew Zhuo Fan was doing it for Ning'er, but even they found the cruelty a touch inhumane.

They found the murderer of their dear Ning'er a sorry sight, having offended Zhuo Fan. They actually felt pity for him.

If the victims themselves would think so of their tormentor, it went without saying about the rest.

In the minds of everyone out there, a single thought ruled, [Never ever mess with this Demon Archon!]

Even as time trickled by, You Yushan's ravings never stopped.

A day later, You Yushan's skin was gnawed away by the Bloodworms, his face unrecognizable. He looked like a dried corpse, red all over yet without a drop of blood on him.

The Bloodworms made sure not to spill their drink, while You Yushan's screams were relentless.

On the second day, all of You Yushan's tendons were devoured. All that was left was a pile of flesh, having nothing to hold him together.

But You Yushan's cries kept on coming.

On the third day, You Yushan's flesh was next. Even if he wanted to wail now, he couldn't. Wailing for two days straight had turned him mute.

Then came the fourth day and the Bloodworms went to work on his bones.

...

Finally, on the 9th day, You Yushan was picked almost completely clean. Whether intentional or not, the Bloodworms left behind his vital organs intact. As if to let him see with his own eyes the gory sight that he was, without flesh and bones.

At this vile and gruesome sight, Yan Fu's stomach flipped and emptied.

The viewers were horrified by the torture, turning away to keep their own sanity.

You Yushan's eyes glistened, begging Zhuo Fan for death, the only thing he could do. His throat, neck and tongue had long been devoured.

All that was left of him were a few arteries and organs barely keeping him from flat-lining. Yet it was a pain worse than death.

Zhuo Fan glanced at the sufferer, looked at his pleading face, and said, "Want to die?"

You Yushan rolled his eyes frantically. With the eyelids gone as well, he was hardly equipped to convey his meaning.

Zhuo Fan understood him clearly either way.

Zhuo Fan said, "Let this be a lesson. You can mess with the king of hell, but never with this steward."

You Yushan's eyes moved faster, to convey that he understood. The viewers watched in shock.

Zhuo Fan was speaking more to them than to the dying You Yushan. His meaning was crystal clear.

[See that? Be nice and don't side with that rotten Regent Estate against me. So what if you're from the seven houses? Your death will be as brutal as I feel like it.]

Everyone came to the same sensible decision then and there, to be cautious. While for Regent Estate's vassals, their minds began working as well, although from a different angle.

To never involve themselves with the Luo clan, even in death.

[Their steward is a god damned inquisitor!]

Fang Qiubai rejoiced inside. [The brat is awesome. He made one guy take the fall and scared the rest from ever getting anywhere near Regent Estate.]

Huangpu Tianyuan's face sank. He felt it loud and clear, how Zhuo Fan had trampled on the Regent Estate's thousand year long prestige.

How could they proclaim themselves rulers over Tianyu if everyone gave them a wide berth?

Everyone from the Regent Estate looked at Zhuo Fan with hatred, and helplessness...

Zhuo Fan signaled the Bloodworms to devour the organs. They moved quickly and You Yushan was gone in moments.

It was obvious that Zhuo Fan was lying out of his ass when he said that Bloodworms were slow eaters. it was only a means to torture You Yushan more.

But watching himself being eaten quickly, spared of any further torment, You Yushan's final gaze was that of relief.

Yan Fu gasped and rushed with the box over, "Steward Zhuo, please."

"No need."

Zhuo Fan waved, his eyes savage, "We've wasted too much time here and the criminals are about to escape."

Zhuo Fan released another flare.

One firework, Huangpu Qingtian's number was up. [Just you wait. You are the one who will never ever leave this place alive...]

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Chapter 332, Dragon Eater

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

Bang!

A blazing light shined above Beast King Mountain just as Huangpu Qingtian got out from a bush. He saw a single firework and panicked.

[The demon has finally set his sights on me. However...]

With a sly grin, Huangpu Qingtian's eyes glinted and his hand flickered with two red crystals.

[He-he-he, too little too late!]

Huangpu Qingtian took a deep breath and rushed forward filled with excitement.

He had the fire keys and even the fire exit was just around the corner, needing merely two hours to reach it.

From the distance of the flare, he noticed that Zhuo Fan was far away and would need a long time to catch up with how damaged he was.

[Even in this great escape, the true winner shall be me, the rightful king!]

"Ha-ha-ha, You Yushan, well done in keeping the demon occupied for so long. I really have to thank you for helping me live!"

Huangpu Qingtian's tone turned colder, "Although, that's providence. Sacrificing yourself for me is the highest form of death! I am a true king for old heaven to pave my way, ha-ha-ha..."

Cackling, Huangpu Qingtian sped up as the arrogance returned to his face.

To him, everything and anything that happened was providence.

Zhuo Fan could've easily broken his neck and be done with, but who knew what came over him to turn it all into a death game. Zhuo Fan had already killed two of them, leaving the first and third free to roam the forest for quite a long time.

This was clearly heaven bestowing its blessings and allowing the rightful king to make a comeback, to rule the world.

Huangpu Qingtian's narcissistic tendencies knew no bounds, "Zhuo Fan, I'll let you have this one. But I am the true king. One day you will die by my hand, humph..."

Bloodthirst entered his eyes as he ran faster.

...

Whoosh~

An hour later, Huangpu Qingtian flashed out of the high grass and appeared before the crimson crystal exit, with no one else around.

Huangpu Qingtian's face lit up.

[I knew the punk wouldn't make it. It's my win.]

The viewers saw him appear as well and were getting nervous.

Was Zhuo Fan running late, leaving this guy to win?

Everyone thought of it as a darn shame. Not just Drifting Flowers Edifice and allies, but Regent Estate's many vassals hung their heads in defeat.

It had started with Zhuo Fan having the four of their lives at his fingertips. He had insisted on torturing them one at a time only to finally let the main culprit off the hook.

It wasn't out of hate for Huangpu Qingtian, but people felt sorry for Zhuo Fan. If the prey slipped away from one's fingers, it was the worst feeling anyone could have.

People started to send their hearts to Zhuo Fan. [This must be the magnetism of the strong...]

Leng Wuchang frowned at everyone's reaction. As things stood, it was only a matter of time before Zhuo Fan would tarnish Regent Estate's entire reputation.

The elders from Regent Estate had no clue about this, only rejoicing at seeing their eldest young master almost out of the woods.

Huangpu Qingtian was after all a renowned genius that not even the Regent Estate could afford to lose.

"I just need to put the crystals in and I'm done."

Panting, Huangpu Qingtian reached the exit and stabbed the crystals in the grooves.

Hum~

A red pillar shot for the skies in a dazzling light show.

Huangpu Qingtian stared at the light with a smile, "Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan, I won! I'm still alive."

Regent Estate's elders were excited as well, watching the National Elemental Stone with red eyes. If only the array wasn't a one way transfer, they'd be in there dragging him here.

[Eldest young master, don't show off and hurry already!]

But a king wasn't a king without a bit of swag and hot air. Since he got out of hell, he had to first regain his rightful appearance worthy of his position, being unnecessarily pompous.

Unhurried in the least, especially when one step got him home, Huangpu Qingtian's cocky look made the Regent Estate elders gnash their teeth.

Huangpu Qingtian first began with cleaning up his act and straightening his messy hair. He didn't forget to recover his usual haughty look after the exhaustion he had suffered all these days running, to regain his poised nobility and to return home triumphant.

Regent Estate elders' faces twitched. They wished nothing more than to give him a beating.

[Eldest young master, prancing aside, you're still in grave danger. Your life is about to run out yet you actually have the time to stroke your ego?]

[Humph, you'll only have yourself to blame if you die now.]

The Regent Estate's elders sighed, not realizing their complaints turned out to be curses.

Huangpu Qingtian, having finally recovered a modicum of royal cockyness, strutted towards the fire exit like the true winner of the Esoteric Debate.

Then, a thunderous boom came with the fall of lightning.

"Stop!"

Huangpu Qingtian's lifted leg twisted and exploded in a mist of blood. His body had yet to pass the veil and a heart rending pain stabbed his chest as he collapsed.

Huangpu Qingtian didn't need to turn around to know who was behind him.

Startled, Huangpu Qingtian never would've guessed Zhuo Fan would reach him so fast when he was already so hurt. Does this mean he was going to die?

What about that prancing just now? All that showing off and priming himself made him look like a clown.

Huangpu Qingtian gnashed his teeth and kicked with his remaining leg before he hit the ground, aiming for the exit.

His life aside, he had to survive and maintain his regal prestige. He could not allow his royal self to be reduced to a laughing stock. He had to become the final winner, the only champion and receive the people's worship.

But a flash of thunder and a black figure slamming into his spine, destroyed any hope of reaching the full height of his glory. Instead, he was now a meter into the ground and spitting blood.

What made it worse was his finger being a millimeter from victory. So close yet so far.

"Eldest young master!"

The Regent Estate elders cried. Struggling so hard to make one last push yet failing, filled Huangpu Qingtian with desperation.

Stepping on Huangpu Qingtian, Zhuo Fan grinned and panted, "Huangpu Qingtian, I finally caught up. You almost had me worried there, that I would lose my chance, he-he-he..."

"Zhuo Fan, how did you get here so fast..." Huangpu Qingtian turned a hateful glare at the man on his spine. But didn't finish as it all made sense.

Behind Zhuo Fan was Yan Fu jumping off of a purple bird and rushing to Zhuo Fan.

Zhuo Fan snickered, "Do you get it now? I lost my wings, but I still have a Thunder Skylark. With speed as its focus, it was of great help catching up in time."

Huangpu Qingtian lamented.

[How could I forget that punk still had a spiritual beast?] It had gotten to his head that with the punk's meager speed, he had enough time to prance a bit and tend to his regal good looks.

He would've skipped all that waste of time if he knew and avoided this mess by jumping right in.

But no, he just had to show off his flashy side and die, becoming the butt of Tianyu's joke!

Huangpu Qingtian wailed some more, "Zhuo Fan, kill me then! But I am king decreed by heaven and I ask that you let me go with dignity."

Squinting, Zhuo Fan snorted, "Humph, dignity is it? Sure. I'll make sure to pick the most dignified death I can think of."

Zhuo Fan leaned and bit his ear off.

Ah!

Huangpu Qingtian raved in pain, "Z-Zhuo Fan, what are you doing?"

"Me? Humph, didn't you want the most dignified death? Wish granted. I'll bury you all in my belly, far more respectful than having dirt peppered all over you in a hole somewhere." Zhuo Fan grinned with bloodthirsty eyes.

That came as a shock to all who heard him.

Soaring Demonic Dragon was planning on eating Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord alive?

Followed by shivers of fear.

[That is the cruelest death yet...]

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Chapter 333, Royal Transfer

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

Huangpu Qingtian was startled at his words and saw Zhuo Fan spit his ear horrified.

How come he didn't see Zhuo Fan coming up with such a gruesome death penalty for him?

[What dignified? I will even lose my rights as a human being!] What made it worse was being stripped of his kingly aura.

Far more gruesome than Lin Xuanfeng and You Yushan's deaths, that was for sure...

"Zhuo Fan, y-you're a demon. You dare eat me?" Huangpu Qingtian squinted, appalled.

Grinning, with Huangpu Qingtian's blood marring his lips, Zhuo Fan's eyes had a manic glint, "Yes, that's exactly right. I was thinking about the best way to torture you, for you to feel the most pain. I've decided this is the perfect end for you.

"It won't be the most painful – You Yushan had it a hundred times worse- nor the most humiliating – Lin Xuanfeng has you beat at that – but for the one sentencing Ning'er to death, I chose this for you. And do you know why? Ha-ha-ha, it's the one that brings me the most joy. Devouring you is the only way to ease this raging maelstrom of hatred inside of me."

Zhuo Fan bit down again, took off a large chunk from Huangpu Qingtian's scruff, making his victim howl to the sky and tears flow down his cheeks.

Yan Fu shuddered and took two discreet steps back. The viewers couldn't look anymore, feeling bile coming into their throats. Their hearts hammered in their chest, threatening to jump out any second.

Zhuo Fan was right. Eating him alive wasn't the most painful, nor the most shameful, but it was the most horrible.

Everyone had fear in their eyes.

Zhuo Fan's earlier punishments made him look like a demon, but now he was a demon archon.

Only Chu Qingcheng was without worry, fear or anxiety, just sadness.

For Zhuo Fan to have such hatred towards Huangpu Qingtian, it showed the pain he was enduring. A pain so great that only through this savage act could he somewhat appease it...

Ah!

Zhuo Fan grinned. Huangpu Qingtian's eyes bulged, his veins popped, his regal face twisted horribly.

"Zhuo Fan, I am the rightful king appointed by providence itself. You will receive heavenly punishment for eating me!" Huangpu Qingtian roared.

Zhuo Fan shook his head, "He-he-he, heavenly punishment? I've been going against heaven all this time so what's there to fear going a bit further? Your so-called providence is a grand delusion you found yourself in. Even if you had heaven's protection, it wouldn't change a thing. I'd still come after you even if I had to pierce the nine heavens!"

Zhuo Fan bit down again, his teeth bloody.

Roar!

Incited by Huangpu Qingtian's words, a dragon roar sounded and his bloody body let out a golden light.

Zhuo Fan was startled. He had the Bloodworm seal Huangpu Qingtian's cultivation. [So why is he releasing such a strong power?]

The answer came soon.

The golden dragon soul shot from Huangpu Qingtian into the sky before coming back down towards Zhuo Fan.

Dragon soul's protection!

Zhuo Fan frowned and sighed. He had totally forgotten about Huangpu Qingtian's Dragon Vein Soul coming to save him in dire moments.

Leng Wuchang and Huangpu Tianyuan snickered at this point. Zhuo Fan was so weak that the Dragon Vein Soul would attack his soul and end him.

Hu~

A dragon image flashed by and the dragon soul passed through Zhuo Fan. A searing pain struck his head and he spat blood from how damaged his soul was.

"Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan, you got what was coming for you! If you'd just killed me, none of this would've happened. But you, a lesser man, had to dare eat this king. Now you will die being devoured by the dragon soul!"

Huangpu Qingtian cackled. Despite being riddled with bite wounds, he still had the time to laugh, "I am the true rightful king of heaven. I am untouchable, ha-ha-ha..."

Fang Qiubai was startled.

In the most intense moment, the Dragon Vein Soul actually came out to defend him. [Is Huangpu Qingtian truly a son of heaven for the dragon soul to protect him so much?]

Zhuo Fan only grinned. He saw the dragon soul coming for another pass and said, "Humph, a mere earth spirit dares defy this emperor? Die!"

Then an azure flame flickered from his forehead.

The azure flame expanded into a firebird. It took to the skies and shot for the petrified dragon soul.

The dragon soul downright panicked, shuddered, then hightailed it.

A bit too late for that, unfortunately. The azure bird flashed before it and clawed at its body. It held the dragon like a meager worm as it doubled back.

The dragon soul only whimpered as the bird flew back to Zhuo Fan.

Now that got a reaction out of the crowd, or more precisely a lack of reaction. People stared at Zhuo Fan blankly. Huangpu Qingtian's mind blew away as he couldn't quite find any words to speak.

[What the hell? That's a Dragon Vein Soul! How does a blue bird get to dangle it back just like that?]

"The kid has his own spirit, far stronger than even Huangpu Qingtian's Dragon Vein Soul!" Fang Qiubai shouted.

The Dragon Vein Soul was a rarity in the world, the symbol of kings. Who thought it possible then that Zhuo Fan would have something far more deadly?

[Just who is he? He is from a third rate clan so why is he covered with treasures?]

Zhuge Changfeng stroked his beard, watching Zhuo Fan with blazing eyes.

Only Regent Estate's side was in pain. The stronger Zhuo Fan was, the bigger the threat. And now that the king's symbol was crushed so easily, this feeling only grew stronger.

This signified he was the rightful king upon this world, heaven approved.

Regent Estate's resentment billowed and their hatred grew. Zhuo Fan, the little demon, no longer just had the potential to be a threat, but a veritable one at their own survival. A monster that defied the heavens.

"We need to make time and seek the High Priest for answers. Where did he come from? How did he make the Dragon Vein Soul surrender?" Huangpu Tianyuan sighed.

Leng Wuchang nodded as well, his face deep in ponder.

Man proposed and heaven disposed. Leng Wuchang had flawless plans, but that only accounted for men. Anything he tried with those decreed by heaven would be rendered null. They would be under providence's care and would come back from death's door stronger than ever.

He never wanted to mess with these freaks for the same reason.

Huangpu Qingtian qualified as one when he got the dragon soul's approval. All of the Regent Estate, including him, called Huangpu Qingtian as heaven's chosen. That his arrogance was god given and justified.

That belief only grew stronger as the third of the Four Pillars, Tianyu's High Priest gave his vague acknowledgment.

But at this very moment, this heaven's chosen was being eaten alive by Zhuo Fan. Even his guardian, dragon soul, could do nothing to stop it.

[Is this also by providence that the punk has a kingly disposition? Or is it perhaps coming from somewhere beyond heaven?]

Leng Wuchang saw Zhuo Fan as a fearful enigma.

Huangpu Qingtian saw his dragon soul coming back in the bird's claws and cried, "Zhuo Fan, who the hell are you? You just called yourself emperor, then..."

"None of your business!"

Zhuo Fan mocked, "All you need to know is this. Messing with me is the worst mistake of your miserable life!"

Zhuo Fan took a bite out of his throat this time, tearing it off.

Blood poured and Huangpu Qingtian's eyes dulled, feeling his life drained from him. With that, the golden energy left his body and entered Zhuo Fan.

The azure bird brought the dragon soul back. Just in time to see the golden energy moving into Zhuo Fan, it released its claws in shock.

The dragon soul roared in its newfound freedom.

But it didn't attack Zhuo Fan this time, and instead circled him twice. It watched the golden energy move then entered Zhuo Fan's body itself.

Roar!

As another dragon roar came, Zhuo Fan didn't seem to feel any change but then he exploded with light.

The azure bird nodded and returned into Zhuo Fan as well.

Huangpu Tianyuan, having witnessed this event, cried, "Royal transfer! The world is about to change!"

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Chapter 334, World Changes

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

Roar!

With one more dragon roar, Zhuo Fan glowed golden as he himself let out a roar of his own.

Huangpu Qingtian soaked in his own blood, weak and fading. Watching the blinding golden light, he shouted his frustration and agony in his mind.

[T-that is my right! Zhuo Fan, give it back, give it... back...]

Zhuo Fan had bit his throat clean off and he had no way to speak. He could only express the regret and resentment on his face as he watched his greatest enemy steal his own dragon soul, take his dragon power and for providence to make him king instead.

[How is this possible? How can providence change? I am Tianyu's rightful ruler. Return my dragon soul! It's not you, not you...]

Huangpu Qingtian's eyes dimmed and he finally slumped his head, losing the last trace of life.

Only his resentful eyes still spoke of his wretched death...

The viewers couldn't care less about Huangpu Qingtian's grievances. They had more important things to mind right now, like watching Zhuo Fan.

[Dragon Vein's dragon soul can be transferred? Does that mean Zhuo Fan is the new king decreed by heaven?]

Rumble!

With a thunder clap, the sky darkened and lightning brewed. The earth shook so hard no one could stand up straight.

On Beast King Mountain, all spiritual beasts curled up in the safety of their den. Even the dreaded 6th level spiritual beasts tucked away their heads in fear.

Only Zhuo Fan roared at the sky, while the golden light grew in intensity.

"Prime Minister, what's happening?" His two elders asked.

Zhuge Changfeng saw them baffled and sighed with a grave face as he said, "The High Priest told me once that when the world shakes, heavy changes are upon us. Tianyu is about to change!"

The people turned back to the roaring Zhuo Fan with a pensive expression.

[Is this change related to that man?]

In Regent Estate's home city, Caged Dragon City, the earth shuddered, and the entire city wobbled. High Venerable Huangpu Fenglei woke up from his meditation in shock.

He came out of his room and shouted, "Guard, what is going on?"

"High Venerable, the Dragon Vein is rebelling!" A Profound Heaven expert kneeled.

Huangpu Fenglei shouted, "Impossible. Regent Estate has defended the Dragon Vein for a thousand years and it has never rebelled once. One of the nine dragon souls even came out from the seal so how can it still rebel?"

"I don't know, but the other eight are hammering the seal. The shock waves have killed many Bone Tempering experts. We can't hold much longer, High Venerable. What do we do?"

Huangpu Fenglei frowned and shouted, "Call all Regent Estate's Venerables at the seal and suppress the dragon souls. Get the ones in seclusion as well. If they are released, we'll be the first to suffer their wrath!"

"Understood!" The man rushed to obey.

Huangpu Fenglei shot for the seal the next second. He just couldn't make sense of why the Dragon Vein Souls would suddenly rebel.

In a dark alley of Caged Dragon City, shadows shifted.

"Elder Yan, how do we get in with Regent Estate on high alert?" A charming voice said. She was Lei Yuting, Luo clan's shadow corps' captain.

The one across from her was Vicious Pill King, in his forties.

Looking at the strict guard at the gate, just like in the imperial capital, Yan Song sighed, "Even with the Energy Concealing Pill to evade the guards, we'll be sitting ducks once we set foot inside with the dozens of Venerables and their Discerning Fields. Slipping in now is impossible!"

"We still have to do it. Zhuo Fan said we will one day go to war with the seven houses and an intelligence network is paramount. With the Regent Estate having Leng Wuchang, it is imperative that we get any information as early as possible." Lei Yuting was firm in her decision.

Yan Song sighed. He caressed his beard, thinking of a way to achieve it.

A sudden boom shook the ground and the sky and a billowing black cloud launched lightning everywhere in Caged Dragon City.

Yan Song's team had no idea what happened. All they saw were men rushing towards a golden light.

They were a mix of Radiant Stage experts and Profound Heaven experts!

Vicious Pill King was speechless then burst out, "Ha-ha-ha, it's providence! Something big must be happening to Regent Estate right now to get all Venerables and their Profound Heaven experts to leave this place. It doesn't get more deserted than this. Lass, follow me!"

"Great!" Lei Yuting perked up and signaled for the other men to follow as they slipped within Regent Estate. Each one of them was carrying a meter large bag with something squirming inside...

In the imperial capital, the emperor was perusing a report, checking the empire's situation, when the rumbling started. A black cloud thick as night loomed overhead, flickering with lightning.

The earth was shaking so badly that the ink spilled on the neat parchment.

"What's going on? Tianyu has been enjoying prosperity for a thousand years. How can it suddenly shake so much?"

The emperor swayed as the reports were rolling on the floor, "This isn't a good sign, something bad is happening. Guard, send for the High Priest!"

"Report!"

What came was a guard bowing and presenting a paper, "Your Majesty, the Parish had sent someone over and asked me to present this paper to Your Majesty. They added that all that concerns Your Majesty is in here. If there are still doubts, they cannot help as heaven does not reveal its secrets."

Eyes twitching, the emperor said, "Give it here. That old geezer must be a god to pry into heaven's will and foresee this event."

"Yes!"

The guard presented the paper. The emperor took it and frowned as he read. A short poem was written, but he couldn't make sense of it.

"The world shook at the shake of the earth dragon's tail, then came the celestial dragon to quell the chaos. As both the celestial and earth dragons exist, the land and rivers shall each call their king!"

"What is this supposed to mean? Does the old foggie only know to talk in riddles? Can't he say anything clearly?" The emperor shook his head as he pondered, "The land and rivers shall each call their king... Does it mean Tianyu will split and the empire will be in chaos?"

The emperor's eyes flashed, "NO, I can't let that happen. My Yuwen clan won't be divided. Humph, what land, rivers and kings? Tianyu will forever remain whole, under the Yuwen clan!"

The emperor stared at the billowing thunder cloud with intense killing intent.

[Not even heaven can stop me...]

On Beast King Mountain, Zhuo Fan howled for nine days and nine nights. The shaking soon spread to all of the Tianyu Empire, persisting just as long. It only stopped when Zhuo Fan did.

The audience watched in shock, knowing full well that the world had changed and that Zhuo Fan was in the center of it all. Was this the world's way of bestowing royal power?

Everyone started seeing Zhuo Fan in a different light.

Fang Qiubai especially. He used to care about Zhuo Fan's fate, and now could feel Zhuo Fan, with the dragon soul and providence by his side, was the greatest threat to Tianyu's imperial family.

It left him pulled in two directions. Should he snuff him in the cradle or report to His Majesty?

Dugu Zhantian was in the same situation.

He and the Luo clan were practically family. Luo Yunhai was even his fifth godson. He could never raise his hand against the Luo clan's steward.

But Zhuo Fan was now a threat to the imperial family. A loyal marshal like him couldn't overlook this.

The two looked at each other and sighed.

Leng Wuchang saw their dilemma and whispered to Huangpu Tianyuan, "Estate Lord, the kid will arrive any second now. You and the other three house lords are to kill him swiftly and prevent a calamity."

"How can that be? Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian are Radiant Stage experts. That's asking for death, attacking right in front of them." Huangpu Tianyuan gasped.

Leng Wuchang shook his head, "Estate Lord, relax. They would've done anything to protect Zhuo Fan earlier, but now things have changed. We aren't the only ones who want to see the kid dead. Because of grief, you couldn't hold your hand and killed the kid. Won't you garner everyone's sympathy?"

Huangpu Tianyuan's eyes lit up and he saw reason. He nodded, with a sinister smile...

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Chapter 335, Fanatic Protects

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan looked at the faint golden glow around himself and smiled sensing the golden dragon resting in his Dantian.

He had used Diamond Sand to temper himself and now he had Dragon Vein's dragon power and a king's dragon soul. Three great treasures for body cultivation combined in one vessel.

He simply needed to refine the dragon power and unite with the dragon soul and his body would soar above even Huangpu Qingtian's.

Speaking of which, he threw a condescending smile at those resentful eyes, "Weren't you calling yourself a rightful king, decreed by providence? Humph, I stole everything you had, including your destiny..."

Suddenly, Zhuo Fan fell silent and his heart felt uneasy.

[Is the dragon soul's shift heaven sent or a disaster?]

He felt something in the air had changed. As the dragon soul now resided within his body, he sensed the other factions' attitude shift. Especially the imperial family's.

Then again, which emperor out there would allow the one calling himself rightful king take his throne?

Huangpu Qingtian was so egotistical to spout it left and right because the Regent Estate had his back. For Zhuo Fan to keep his life...

[The time has come for the Luo clan to show its power!]

Squinting, Zhuo Fan sighed.

Then, a yellow pillar of light shot into the sky a thousand miles from him. Yan Fu paled, "Yan Bangui got away!"

Zhuo Fan glanced and merely shook his head, "An ant, nothing more."

Yan Fu stammered, but kept his trap shut despite the resentment.

"What, you have a bone to pick with him?" Zhuo Fan saw right through him.

Yan Fu only sighed.

Zhuo Fan patted his shoulder, his eyes glinting mysteriously, "Relax, you are with me now. I will definitely help you deal with it."

Yan Fu saw Zhuo Fan's cryptic smile...

Yan Bangui passed through the earth National Elemental Stone flustered, gasping and rejoicing for having escaped that living nightmare.

Yan Bogong almost broke down crying from joy.

[My family! I'm finally back. It wasn't easy escaping that monster.]

Yan Bogong saw Pill King Hall's most prized pupil return in tears. Of the six dragons, Zhuo Fan had reaped three, making the last survivor to be treated like a treasure.

The Pill King Hall rushed to console him and congratulate the safe return of their Plague Dragon.

After a short moment of joy, Hall Lord Yan Bogong turned to Zhuo Fan being reflected on the fire National Elemental Stone. His face grew dark and he said, "Bangui, we and Estate Lord Huangpu struck a secret deal. When the punk comes back we'll attack him together. Stay behind me and try to land the killing blow to wash the shame of betrayal. Let the world know of Pill King Hall's power."

Yan Bangui jerked, but when he saw Zhuo Fan all he had was deep rooted fear.

[Spare me, Hall Lord! I escaped that monster by the skin of my teeth and now you want me to die again?]

Yan Bogong knew what he was thinking and got angry, "Useless prick, are you that horrified after the punk gave you a little fright? Humph, relax. It will be us old fellows going first. You only have to go and collect his head and restore our image. This is an easy merit. What, you don't even know how to pick up a head?"

Yan Bangui was quite hesitant but nodded at the end.

Yan Bogong broke out into a smile, "That's our Pill King Hall's disciple, ha-ha-ha..."

Viewers turned their attention to the fire National Elemental Stone, waiting for Zhuo Fan and Yan Fu's return.

"It's time."

Zhuo Fan stood before the fire exit, viewers clueless of his meaning as was Yan Fu. But then, he looked at the sky and raised his palm as he muttered.

Yan Fu asked, "Steward Zhuo, what..."

"Yan Fu, weren't you vexed at letting Yan Bangui off? Ha-ha-ha, as a reward for your great service, and your welcome gift in the Luo clan, I, its steward, shall fulfill your cherished wish."

Zhuo Fan started to bend one finger at a time as he said, "Five, four..."

Everyone was puzzled just like Yan Fu.

Three, two...

"What is the punk playing at?" Yan Bogong looked at his allies.

Only Leng Wuchang was in constant pondering, then shouted at Yan Bogong, "Hall Lord Yan, get away from the kid!"

"What?" Yan Bogong was still out of it.

Just then, everyone heard, "One."

With the final word, Zhuo Fan made a fist.

Bang!

A ringing explosion came out of nowhere as Yan Bangui didn't even realize as he went boom.

The devastating power crippled the elders from Pill King Hall. Yan Bangui had just entered the Radiant Stage and his explosion took many elders down with him.

Even their vassals came out bloodied. Their casualties were in the hundreds.

While the lucky ones who survived didn't get to enjoy their fortune as Yan Bangui's blood landed on them, eating their flesh and bone alike.

Everything around Pill King Hall was thrown into chaos, with corpses littering the ground. Pill King Hall instantly lost eight elders, a crippling blow.

Yan Bogong crawled from beneath a pile of corpses and shook at the carnage laid before him. [What happened? Why are Pill King Hall's experts almost all dead?]

Looking at the corpse pinning him down, Yan Bogong panicked as he pushed it away, seeing it was eaten by Yan Bangui's blood, a trait of the poison body. If not for the guy taking the fall for him, he'd be dead right now.

The other houses saw the horror and fled from Pill King Hall.

No one could understand why the peach-perfect Yan Bangui just popped.

But a malicious cackle grated their ears.

Hi-hi-hi!

Zhuo Fan held his forehead as he laughed. Noone got the joke and neither did Yan Fu, "Uh... Steward Zhuo, what's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing, only laughing at a bunch of morons. Did they actually think I'd let him live?"

Yan Fu blinked, to which Zhuo Fan explained, "From the start, I made sure to come prepared. The Bloodworms are connected to me so I made sure to arm them. As long as any of those dumbasses left Beast King Mountain, they were to self-destruct in ten minutes. What a stroke of luck, they always believed they had a way out and they gave their all in reaching the exit. All of it was just a grand act, a joke of epic proportions, ha-ha-ha..."

"This entire game was never meant to have a winner!" Zhuo Fan's eyes glinted.

Yan Fu's heart froze. Going by his words, Yan Bangui became a ticking time bomb the moment he stepped in Dragon Cloud City. He must be in pieces by now!

Zhuo Fan grinned, knowing what was going in that head of his, "You guessed it, the brat is toast, cooked. A Radiant Stage expert's self-destruct ought to have taken many lives with him as well. As for how many, he-he-he, care to guess?"

Was there even a point? Almost none from Pill King Hall could escape. Yan Bangui was put in the center moments after returning.

Finding out that the rotten senior brother of his who always mocked him was toyed to death by the demon himself, Yan Fu should be happy. But no joy reached his heart.

For some odd reason, he felt safe around Zhuo Fan, true, but the fear was up to par by comparison. It was unnerving. Even when his most hated enemy suffered at the hands of the demon, what he felt instead was a bit of sympathy.

[True to his words. 'You can mess with the king of hell, but never with this steward!']

Offending the king of hell, at the worst you'd just die. Offend Steward Zhuo, and you'd find that even death would be a luxury.

In Dragon Cloud City, everyone looked at Zhuo Fan in dread.

Yan Bangui ran with such zeal thinking he'd escape, but Zhuo Fan cooked a little something for Pill King Hall and sent him off with a package. This creepy method and insidious plot left the survivors shuddering.

Even Leng Wuchang, a renowned mind in the empire, looked at the snickering figure in fear. Zhuo Fan had long surpassed Zhuge Changfeng and became his biggest enemy.

"Well, time to head back."

Zhuo Fan returned to his cool demeanor, but his eyes hid a deep and heavy sorrow as he walked towards the red glow. Yan Fu nodded.

Whoosh!

The two stepped through and were back.

The people treated him like a demon, shaking in fear. Only the girls were happy seeing him alive and went to welcome him.

Then it happened.

Explosions sounded as four men attacked the pair. A great pressure fell on the people, making them fall back in panic.

The four were none other than Huangpu Tianyuan and his allies, all peak Profound Heaven house lords.

Fang Qiubai was about to block them but stayed his hand. After careful consideration, he picked neutrality.

Dugu Zhantian watched it all with a cold eye and a lament.

[Perhaps... it's for the best.]

Only Luo Yunchang and Chu Qingcheng were devastated. They wanted to give a helping hand.

"Zhuo Fan, you'll pay for what you did to my son!" Huangpu Tianyuan roared his righteous excuse, punching straight for Zhuo Fan.

Yan Fu, behind Zhuo Fan, could barely breathe from the power display. The other three house lords unleashed their own might as well.

Zhuo Fan, heavily wounded, was besieged by four experts on all sides. Escape was not an option.

Not that he was worried.

With a twisted grin, he said, "Sorry, but you're a little late in getting revenge for Huangpu Qingtian."

An explosion followed as a black figure slammed the four into the air.

Zhuo Fan's eyes glinted and he smiled, "As I live and breathe, Elder Li..."

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Chapter 336, Fanatic Fights Sword God

Editor: Elitecoder

Boom!

The ringing from the boom had yet to stop, forcing the people to cover their ears. The thick dust had Zhuo Fan and Yan Fu obscured within it.

Huangpu Tianyuan's team of four finally landed while coughing blood. The respective house elders surrounded their house lords and checked their wounds.

But Huangpu Tianyuan flicked his sleeve, shooing the elder before him aside. His eyes peered into the dust and he spat, "Who the hell dares to interfere in the Regent Estate's affairs?"

Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian looked towards the commotion with a frown.

They knew who it was, but they were baffled why that man was on Zhuo Fan's side.

The rest of the houses watched intently. They were all dying to know at this point. Who had the nerve to save Zhuo Fan from the clutches of Regent Estate?

Once the dust settled, somewhat, it revealed an imposing physique. An outstandish old man, poised and his back straight, stood in front of Zhuo Fan. His tyrannical aura bent on crushing everyone in his path hung heavy over everyone's hearts.

He was none other than one of the rare top Radiant Stage experts in Tianyu.

"Mad Dipper, Li Jingtian!"

A Regent Estate elder shouted, "Elder Li, you are a guest Venerable of ours. Where have you been over the past few years? Why are you suddenly siding with that punk? He is the Regent Estate's greatest enemy!"

Those words set the crowd reeling.

The mystery expert was Regent Estate's Venerable, the living legend, Mad Dipper Li Jingtian?

He truly lived up to his name, respected and feared both.

Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian were startled as well. Nobody knew of Li Jingtian's strength before, but the vibes he was sending deterred even the mighty Divine Dragon!

"Elder Li!"

A cry sounded, making the eyes of everyone land on Luo Yunchang. To everyone's shock, she ran to Li Jingtian's side and patted his chest, "Thanks to your timely arrival, Zhuo Fan is safe!"

Twitching, everyone looked puzzled, the seven house lords included.

[What's that Lu miss doing being so friendly with that savage fiend?]

Li Jingtian's reaction however got a priceless expression out of them all.

"Ha-ha-ha, young miss, relax. Nothing will happen to Steward Zhuo, not when he has such a cunning nature." Li Jingtian laughed.

The people went slack jawed.

[Say... what? Young miss... Steward Zhuo...]

[Tell me it isn't true! How, why, when? The Luo clan is just a third rate upstart clan. How in the hell did they manage to entice that old freak Mad Dipper to become their Venerable instead?]

[That makes the Luo clan practically on par with the seven houses!]

[Ha-ha-ha, we must be tripping. That Mad Dipper must've been conned into helping them just like Zhuo Fan did with Dugu Zhantian. There's absolutely no way, not in a million years for him to be on their side.]

[Then again, seeing how the punk's methods were quite all encompassing, the kid could practically turn everyone into his backers.]

Sighing, the crowd's opinion of Zhuo Fan jumped again and again.

And that went for everyone there, from no name clans, to the seven house lords. Since having a backer and joining them were totally different things.

A backer was good as a makeshift safeguard, but by joining the clan wholly, the man could both defend and attack in need, turning the clan into a force to be reckoned with.

Zhuo Fan was great, no doubt, but not even he could pull a peak Radiant Stage expert to his side, to join a third rate clan no less. That was simply ludicrous!

Long Yifey and the rest shook their heads. [We must be overthinking things.] If Li Jingtian was their Venerable, then the Luo clan was a match for the seven houses...

A truly cruel and delicious irony how everyone was denying the truth staring them dead in their faces. Depending on the viewpoint, of course.

"Elder Li, what's the meaning of this? You may be friends with the punk, but clan matters come first. You need to address this with utmost severity. Why are you stopping me from taking revenge for my son?" Huangpu Tianyuan raved.

Squinting, Li Jingtian laughed, "Ha-ha-ha, Estate Lord Huangpu, that's exactly right. I of course take the clan's interests into heavy consideration. That is why, as Luo clan's elder, I cannot allow you to touch one hair of our steward."

Dong!

A bomb went off in all of their heads. They felt their minds swoon after being smacked with a copper bell right in the noggin. Reeling from shock, they looked at Li Jingtian gobsmacked.

[The Mad Dipper actually joined the Luo clan! And... and he's just a friggin' elder!]

[As if!]

[Are you high? Did you just get up and quit the prestigious position of a guest Venerable over at Regent Estate to become a mere elder for a third rate clan?]

Huangpu Tianyuan stammered all this time. Leng Wuchang twirled his beard and asked, "Elder Li, why?"

"Humph, isn't it obvious? There was nothing holding me back, no incentive at all. I dumped Regent Estate for the Luo clan because they can give me something you can't!" Li Jingtian smiled with pride.

Now that definitely got a shocking reaction.

The grandiose head of houses was dumped over a tiny clan? That had got to be the joke of the century!

Hearing it from anyone else, it would earn a couple of laughs. But it came directly from the source, Mad Dipper himself.

A peak Radiant Stage expert abandoned all those benefits and downshifted to become some elder? Why the hell would he do that if there was nothing in it for him?

It begged the question though, what could the Luo clan hold to make Mad Dipper wipe his hands off of the Regent Estate?

All eyes were on Zhuo Fan. Everyone knew that only one man was capable of making the old demon switch camps. He definitely had a hand in this.

[But even then, getting him to change sides was a godlike move! How did he do it?]

Long Jiu sighed, [I knew the kid is an expert at stealing other's foundations. Fortunately, we are a tight knit house or even our experts would've fallen for his bewitching promises.]

Unaware as he was that Zhuo Fan wouldn't take them even if they were given for free.

Moving past the standard reaction of shock everyone showed today, Li Jingtian turned to the one-armed Zhuo Fan with a heart broken expression. Taking him into a bear hug, the man spoke solemnly, "Steward Zhuo, what are your orders?"

Zhuo Fan glanced over to the Regent Estate and said, "No one from the Regent Estate leaves this place alive."

The cold and insipid tone rang into people's ears.

[The demon is that cruel to go ahead and wipe out all Regent Estate's elders?]

Mad Dipper was no fool. Doing so was declaring war with the head of the houses. This was not a game.

Zhuo Fan was consumed by his hatred and desire for revenge. With Li Jingtian being Regent Estate's Venerable once, he should still have some lingering feelings left over for his ex employer. Now that he was a mere elder, he should think about the clan's needs and not follow the demon steward's ramblings.

Li Jingtian simply patted his shoulder and turned to Regent Estate's men with a look that promised death and agony. He was hellbent on murdering anyone to fulfill Zhuo Fan's design.

[He's nuts! The entire Luo clan is going along with Zhuo Fan's madness!]

After a quick sigh of lamentation, everyone scampered off. Noone wanted to be here and suffer a quick death when a Radiant Stage expert went on a murdering spree.

Long Yifey thought about advising against it. But Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian's determined gazes made him falter. All he could do was follow his clansmen in getting away from here.

It was then that Li Jingtian kicked it off with a bang. The power and the pressure were that of a mountain coming down on you. Huangpu Tianyuan and his thirty-ish elder's group gasped, but found even breathing hard. They couldn't even fight back.

This was the power of a peak Radiant Stage expert. These guys were nothing but ants to Li Jingtian.

But then, a boom announced the approach of a man in white, facing off Li Jingtian with a palm attack.

Boom!

The world felt like it was falling apart as the two palms collided. All anyone could do was duck their heads and cover their ears.

Long Yifey and the rest of the Profound Heaven experts were feeling horrible just the same. They covered their ears and stood up a bit, but if the flowing sweat was any indication, they had to be feeling just as powerless as their neighbors if they were to face these palms instead.

Tap~

The two withdrew five steps. Looking up, the one facing Li Jingtian was none other than Jade Flute Divine Sword, Fang Qiubai.

Cupping his hands, Fang Qiubai spoke, "Mad Dipper Li Jingtian, your name precedes you."

"One of the imperial family's five Divine Dragons, Jade Flute Divine Sword Fang Qiubai. I've long since waited for this. One glance is enough to tell me of your uncommon character. But are you certain you want to go head to head with me?"

Li Jingtian smiled, his eyes exploding with bloodthirst. The martial fanatic in him reared its head, fueling his desire to fight...

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Chapter 337, Stalemate

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

Fang Qiubai waved him off, "Brother Li, I would never treat you as an enemy. It is the Emperor's decree you see, to defend Dragon Cloud City's public order. I was forced to intervene the moment you attacked Regent Estate. I ask that you be sensible and let this matter rest. It would be for the best of both the Regent Estate and Luo clan, wouldn't you say?"

Li Jingtian's eye twitched, realizing this opponent of his knew his way with words. If the Luo clan and Regent Estate fought it out now, both sides would end up with a disaster. He was at an impasse, however...

A glance at Zhuo Fan's cold face and the seething bloodthirst in his eyes made that choice for him.

Li Jingtian gnashed his teeth and smirked, "Mr Fang, it's been ages since I met an opponent like yourself. How about we spar a little?"

Fang Qiubai frowned at Li Jingtian's smile. [I forgot, Mad Dipper is a martial fanatic but he is not an idiot either. So why would he insist on being so reckless?]

[Killing even a single elder of Regent Estate today will set off Regent Estate on the warpath against the Luo clan...]

The answer was made clear soon enough. Li Jingtian looked back and Zhuo Fan said something to him.

It was unimaginable to see the great Mad Dipper actually abiding by a pup's every word. Talking to Li Jingtian now wouldn't change a damn thing, so he had to switch gears and talk it out with Zhuo Fan.

Fang Qiubai said, "Steward Zhuo, I understand your anger, but this is not the place to settle your grudges. I ask that you do not forsake your clan over a single loss."

That had the crowd thrown in a loop. [If he wants to persuade someone, he should do that with Li Jingtian. Who is to stop him if he decides otherwise?]

Then it dawned on them like the sun's morning glow.

[Oh, Li Jingtian is doing it at Zhuo Fan's orders. Does that mean a word out of him can make Li Jingtian stop? A peak Radiant Stage expert, Mad Dipper in particular, is actually housebroken?]

The vassals and the seven house lords turned to Zhuo Fan to gawk in shock.

[That's a Radiant Stage expert we're talking about! These guys are Venerables in the seven houses. One would have to beg for any kind of help. Even the house lords need to watch their words around them. And all they could do is make requests, not order them around.]

[Or the Venerable will simply scoff at anybody pleading to them!]

But here is one peak Radiant Stage expert who is listening to a kid. [Did Li Jingtian mellow out, or are Zhuo Fan's methods far more sinister?]

Then again, Mad Dipper was called as such for a very good reason. That made the first reason moot and the second one highly plausible. Zhuo Fan was versed with so much knowledge that he could even get Mad Dipper to fall in line.

[So why is he then just an elder and not a Venerable?]

Venerables, who are on the same status as a patriarch, were above a house lord who could only order elders around. [Zhuo Fan, oh Zhuo Fan, you are just a steward, so how can you tell an elder what to do?]

Long Yifey and the rest sighed watching him. [This kid might very well be the greatest steward to have ever walked the earth!]

[It's hard to tell if I should be happy or sad if I had such a capable steward in my clan...]

...

Zhuo Fan ignored the chatter and stared back at Fang Qiubai, then turned his head away. [Don't care.]

Fang Qiubai faltered. [This punk doesn't know when to quit.] Li Jingtian laughed it off, filled with thirst for battle, "Mr Fang, it's hard for me to find such a good opponent like you. I won't be holding back. Please return in kind. I won't be blamed for any unforeseen demise on your part."

"Brother Li, I feel the need to stress this. Per Emperor's orders, I cannot allow you to rain havoc in Dragon Cloud City!" Fang Qiubai saw talking was off the table and the jade flute began to let out sounds.

Li Jingtian saw Fang Qiubai getting serious and was overjoyed. He gave a belly laugh, then charged with a dragon roar.

"Wraith Style's 2nd move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!"

Roar!

Li Jingtian was covered from head to toe in black energy and a claw sprung out. The power it released was intent on tearing a hole in space itself.

Fang Qiubai gasped. He let the shock subside and turned serious as well. With the flute in hand, he stabbed at the incoming attack.

"Profound Heaven Sword Star!"

Hum~

The jade flute was wrapped in a blue wind and turned into a sword, it's tip shooting into the sky.

The black and blue auras collided, shuddering the hearts of onlookers. Then came the shock wave, turning to dust anything in its path.

Fortunately, the people were wise enough to stay clear from the start, lest they'd be pulverized as well by now.

Once all settled down, they watched on slack jawed.

Li Jingtian and Fang Qiubai were staring at each other with grave faces mere five meters away from each other.

Jade Flute Divine Sword's hand holding the flute trembled. While Li Jingtian's brows shook, far more astounded.

His hand was dripping blood on the ground.

[Elder Li... lost?]

Luo Yunchang was filled with worry. Zhuo Fan only shook his head, "It's no loss, but a stalemate. Neither could overpower the other!"

The next second, a sharp crack announced the crumbling flute falling to the ground from Fang Qiubai's hand.

Fang Qiubai sighed at his loss, "Brother Li, this flute has followed me for fifty years. I never thought I'd see it crumble here. Take it as me having lost by a fraction."

Li Jingtian smiled, lifting his bloody palm and speaking cheerfully, "This iron hand of mine has been with me for 158 years. But today it has come to harm. I have lost in this exchange."

The two stared for a second before laughing it up, while respecting each other for the hero the other was in their hearts.

"Mr Fang, should we go at it again and settle this stalemate?" Li Jingtian spoke while waving his bloody hand.

Fang Qiubai looked at the broken flute and nodded, "Since brother Li is so courteous, I shall oblige."

"Marvelous!"

Li Jingtian laughed and attacked.

But then Zhuo Fan said, "Elder Li, we'll leave it here today, out of respect for Mr Fang. We'll just have to settle our grudges with Regent Estate some other time."

The people's faces twitched.

[That's a nice way of putting it. What respect for Mr Fang? You should have done that from the start if you had any respect for the man!]

[Saying it now when you know fighting won't get you anywhere makes you look like a hypocrite!]

At least he was far better then those stupid heads knowing only to push ahead regardless. [The kid sure is smart, to know when to retreat.]

Fang Qiubai smiled, "Then, brother Li, we will spar again another day. Or your steward might get angry!"

Li Jingtian sighed with a nod, "Fine, since Steward Zhuo said so, I don't have a choice but to fight another day."

Li Jingtian cupped his hands and walked back to Zhuo Fan.

While Fang Qiubai stood there with a heavy frown.

He had just taunted Li Jingtian, to see if he was so resolute in following the little demon's words.

Not expecting at all that Li Jingtian hadn't even entertained the notion of defying Zhuo Fan's orders, his reply being very calm. As if the grand Mad Dipper listening to a brat was the norm, not to mention he was devoted to a fault.

Zhuo Fan's qualifications as king had now evolved. It wasn't as simple as drawing his peers over to his side, but included the power to rally astonishing people like Li Jingtian under his banner.

It only proved the fact that Zhuo Fan was far more worthy to be king than Huangpu Qingtian. Getting Dragon Vein Soul was a mere coincidence. He had the power to become an emperor already, but now it was also decreed by heaven itself.

At that moment, Zhuo Fan became the number one threat for the imperial family in Fang Qiubai's mind...

"Mr Fang!"

Zhuo Fan called with a cryptic smile, "You were very quick in stopping Elder Li. You are a true Divine Dragon. His Majesty made the right choice in sending you to preside over Dragon Cloud City's order."

Fang Qiubai's face flushed a bit.

No one but him could sense the dripping sarcasm.

[He's mocking me for not intervening when Huangpu Tianyuan's team attacked him before, but stepping in when Li Jingtian attacked.] It was a clear sign that Fang Qiubai wanted Zhuo Fan dead.

Keeping Dragon Cloud City's order was merely the best excuse at the moment.

[He has now taken me into account as a potential enemy. When he had Li Jingtian attack Huangpu Tianyuan, it was all to see my stance.]

[The little demon is too outstanding!]

Staring at Zhuo's creepy smile, Fang Qiubai sighed...

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Chapter 338, Declaration of War

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

On the Luo clan's way back, Zhuo Fan was the picture of calmness. Li Jingtian stuck to him like glue, creating a stifling atmosphere that no one around dared to break and approach.

Everyone watched them go in shock, even the house lords.

No one had seen it coming. A mere third rate clan had risen to the ranks of a house the instant Li Jingtian showed up next to them.

Nobody present knew a house, except Regent Estate of course, that had someone at the height of power as Li Jingtian had reached, a peak Radiant Stage expert.

Not to mention the said expert could fight Divine Dragon Fang Qiubai to a draw. This fact only gave the Luo Clan even greater importance.

From now on, Luo clan wasn't merely at the level of a house, but was right below Regent Estate. Any offense would be met with impunity from Li Jingtian, annihilating their entire clan.

Such a thing had never been never achieved in the past because of the delicate balance of power. This also did not push the other clans into a corner.

But now, You Wanshan and the other houses who held a grudge with Zhuo Fan had to reconsider their approach to revenge as the Luo clan had now become the second house under Regent Estate.

Luo clan was strong, but only because of Li Jingtian alone.

Yet that man was strong enough to shock everyone.

Luo clan slowly made their way to their accommodations in Dragon Cloud City. Zhuo Fan had a deathly look on his face that no one disturbed. And in this manner, they walked further and further away...

Suddenly, Zhuo Fan stopped and looked at Leng Wuchang with a sinister smile as he shouted, "Sir Leng, I admit my loss this time. But the games have just begun. Let us have a blast next time, ha-ha-ha..."

Zhuo Fan's eyes exploded with hatred and coupled with his creepy tone, everyone's hair stood on end.

Leng Wuchang's face grew graver than ever. But it only matched Zhuo Fan's bloodthirsty stare.

It was Zhuge Changfeng who then said, "Sir Leng, you really kicked the hornet's nest this time, ha-ha-ha..."

Zhuge Changfeng then left with his two elders.

Leng Wuchang's beard shuddered in rage.

The others around him were too scared to make a peep. It was a tangle between big shots, not something they should butt in.

Messing with the Regent Estate would get one killed, erasing the body and clan. While pissing off Zhuo Fan, who had tormented half of the six dragons, none of the vassals and small clans dared to imagine.

Not to mention they had a peak Radiant Stage expert as cover, bringing them on the same level as the seven houses.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two houses had sparks flying when their gazes met.

"Ahe-he-hem!"

"Uh, people, in all the Esoteric Debates held over the millennium, the grudges aren't brought back from the competition. If the two houses wish to resolve their hatred, please wait for the next Esoteric Debate." Dugu Zhantian took on an imposing stance and said so.

Zhuo Fan only smiled. Leng Wuchang's killing intent never faltered.

It was clear as day that no one was buying it.

There were no grudges in the past Esoteric Debates because the seven houses kept appearances. While this time, Regent Estate killed the one Zhuo Fan cared about the most, Xue Ningxiang, and the man toppled their future, along with three other dragons.

Who the hell would wait a hundred years to settle that kind of a bloody score?

At least they were wise enough to let the matter slide for now, since Dugu Zhantian said it. Even if there was no verbal confirmation.

But then a brash voice resounded, "Regent Estate, listen up. From this very moment, the Luo clan and you are now mortal enemies!"

The crowd was in complete shock.

Luo clan simply got up and broke all pretenses, falling out with the Regent Estate in the open as well as in the dark. What came next was the worst outcome, war. To a clan having only one Radiant Stage expert, it meant death.

People whipped their heads to see who was the ignorant buffoon spouting such words. What came into view was the face of a dignified youth.

Luo clan's young master, Luo Yunhai!

Long Yifey, Xie Xiaofeng and Grandmother's eyes shrank, giving desperate signals to Zhuo Fan with their eyes. Luo clan going to war meant dragging them into it as well since they were allies.

There was no hope for victory at this point.

It was understandable for Luo Yunhai to be overcome by rage and make such a declaration. He may be the young master, but Zhuo Fan handled everything in the clan. His words represented the Luo clan's stance.

So these three pleaded with Zhuo Fan to think of the bigger picture.

The man in question took a long look at Luo Yunhai, then smirked at the rest, "What's with those faces? Is there a problem with what our young master said? Humph, the Luo clan has that name for a reason. Young master may not be the official Clan Head yet, but he represents the Luo clan with every word. From now on, we and the Regent Estate are at war!"

As the people went through endless shock, Long Yifey and company were lamenting.

No one took Luo Yunhai's words seriously, but all of that changed when Zhuo Fan nailed the matter in.

[But what's going on with Zhuo Fan? Did he really lose his mind in revenge over a girl?]

Huangpu Tianyuan was overjoyed. He feared the imperial family would stick its nose in again and stop them from making moves against the Luo clan.

But now with the Luo clan declaring war by itself, the imperial family had no grounds to interfere. Windgaze City could no longer save the Luo clan.

"Ha-ha-ha, something must be wrong with todays' kids, they are so brash and cocky. You think that a single peak Radiant Stage expert is enough to protect the Luo clan? Hilarious!"

Huangpu Tianyuan laughed, "You may be able to cower the other houses, but you have another thing coming now that you've set yourself against us. Just ask the geezer next to you how strong we are if you don't believe me. You can't match our thousand year old legacy!"

Zhuo Fan smiled, "Are you sure? We'll just have to wait and see."

Spinning on his heel, he kept on walking. While Li Jingtian left them with some final words, "As a former Venerable of yours, let me give you some friendly advice. Think long and hard before touching the Luo clan."

Then he turned around and followed after the others.

But his words had the intended effect, to stun Huangpu Tianyuan and his elders.

As an ex Regent Estate Venerable, Li Jingtian knew all about its power. Yet even so, he still judged the Luo clan to be a tougher enemy.

[Does that mean Luo clan is on par with the Regent Estate?]

[Impossible! How can our thousand year legacy be surmounted just like that?]

Turning to Leng Wuchang, Huangpu Tianyuan found him silent.

Luo clan was now wrapped in a thick fog, with no one able to pierce it. This effect had even Regent Estate feel their previous confidence fading.

The swift rise of this clan had left more and more people unable to comprehend them...

Dugu Zhantian watched Luo Yunhai's back bitterly. He treated Luo Yunhai as his own son, and the kid always listened to him.

But he had just spoken and the first one to reproach him was his own godson.

For the sake of the clan, the godfather and godson had to break ties. He never wished for this to happen, but could never stop it.

[Why must we serve a different master...]

...

Six hours later, the Luo clan returned to Dragon Cloud City and Zhuo Fan slammed the door to his room, "Don't bother me!"

Luo Yunchang saw Zhuo Fan acting odd and was afraid for his sake. She wanted to go to him but Li Jingtian stopped her.

Luo Yunchang turned to him puzzled.

Li Jingtian shook his head, "Young miss, sometimes men need to be alone. Let him be."

Her pure eyes shook as Luo Yunchang watched the door and bit her lip before leaving.

But then a bestial roar came from beyond Zhuo Fan's door before she managed to leave.

"Ahhhh!"

Covering her mouth, Luo Yunchang couldn't fight the tears.

She saw Zhuo vent his rage for what was done to Ning'er, but only now could he release some of the pain scarring his heart.

The wail of agony made her heart bleed. She wanted to comfort him and mend his heart, but Zhuo Fan would rather face it alone.

He was never one to open up to anyone, choosing to bear the pain by himself, becoming forever a solitary steward.

The pain in Luo Yunchang only grew as her mind wandered. The others sighed, watching over Zhuo Fan's door along with their young miss...

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Chapter 339, Ning'er's Hope

Translator: StarReader

The sun fell and rose and yet people stood still outside Zhuo Fan's door. Listening to the howling growing hoarse into the night, when they finally stopped.

Luo Yunchang stood with red eyes before the door, with salty tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Young Miss, Pavilion Lord Long and the others have come!" Captain Pang bowed.

Luo Yunchang frowned. They would usually send someone over, not come in person. [Why at this time…]

Luo Yunchang merely glanced at Elder Li who had his eyes closed next to her and she knew, "Humph, what noble houses? They're all clinging to another's power!"

Because Li Jingtian's display of power yesterday shocked them all, Veiled Dragon Pavilion, Sword Marquise Abode and Drifting Flowers Edifices found the Luo clan to be on the same footing as them, if not higher.

That demanded a certain amount of respect. So they lowered themselves by coming in person.

Otherwise they wouldn't be caught dead going to a third rate clan even at Zhuo Fan's urging.

"Captain Pang, show them in." Luo Yunchang held her head high, benefiting from their newfound status.

Captain Pang bowed, "Understood."

Captain Pang soon arrived with the three house lords and their entourage.

Luo Yunchang bent her waist slightly in greeting, "House lords, please forgive me for not welcoming you in person."

"No need, no need. How is Steward Zhuo?" Grandmother didn't care at all, only eager to know about his situation.

Luo Yunchang sighed as she glanced at the sealed door, "This bothers me as well. He's been cooped up for an entire day while I am here by myself with worry."

The three house lords were startled. But then saw Mad Dipper guarding the door with closed eyes.

The three greeted, "Hello, Elder Li."

But Li Jingtian was quite the stuck up, not even sparing them a wink.

The house lords shook their heads, while the ones behind them gasped.

[Now that's a damn expert right there! He's so cool to act all self-important and rude to even the noble house lords.]

Yesterday's event was yet to fully sink in. A man of such power was willing to listen to Zhuo Fan's every word.

Long Jiu, Long Kui and the rest knew Zhuo Fan fairly well, and saw his potential before anyone else. Watching him take decisive steps till today, when he could contest with the powers of Tianyu, left them sighing.

Xie Tianshang's eyes were blazing, thirsting for something.

As a martial fanatic no less driven than Li Jingtian, he understood that to make someone like them listen to orders, required only one thing - power.

The fiendish Mad Dipper following Zhuo Fan's every word showed Zhuo Fan had the power to make him submit.

Xie Tianshang's respect for the steward shot through the roof then and there, bordering on worship!

The house lords looked at each other, but only Grandmother spoke, "Young miss Luo, would it be possible to see Steward Zhuo? We have matters to discuss. "

"I'm afraid not. It's best that we wait for him to calm down and rest. I will relay your message when he comes out." Luo Yunchang glanced at the door with a shake of her head.

The three frowned.

When Zhuo Fan was off doing god knows what, they had no choice but to discuss things with this lass. Now that the man of the house was back, of course they'd only want to see him. Now more than ever, when it concerns the safety of their houses. How could they simply leave it in the hands of a girl?

But looking at Mad Dipper, they didn't say anything.

With that fiend watching the door, they won't even get to touch it.

As the three house lords were internally debating, a white figure walked out from behind, Chu Qingcheng.

"Edifice Lord Chu, what are you doing?" Luo Yunchang frowned seeing her going for the door.

Chu Qingcheng rested her dainty hand on it and said, "This is between me and him. I ask that young miss Luo does not interfere."

And then she continued walking, to Luo Yunchang's distress.

Luo Yunchang couldn't stop her, but a thick arm blocked her advance.

Li Jingtian's eyes were still closed, but his voice was firm, "Steward Zhuo needs rest. Without his explicit approval, you can't go in. Or would you like me to stop you even if I have to pick on the weak?"

Everyone shivered.

None saw it coming. That the great Mad Dipper Li Jingtian would be so heavy handed with a junior. He was just like a guard to a vault, leaving no room for negotiation.

This also proved his loyalty towards Zhuo Fan and earned the other's envy.

[Just what did Zhuo Fan do to get this fiend on his side? And such a devoted one too!]

Chu Qingcheng didn't push the issue, knowing she was beaten and shouted instead, "Zhuo Fan, I need to talk to you! Get out and stop hiding like a coward!"

Sss~

Gasps all around.

Zhuo Fan wasn't the same person from yesterday, he had an invincible bodyguard. Not to mention he was currently unstable. Getting him pissed off was the last thing on anyone's mind.

It was just yesterday when after getting consumed by rage, he had declared war with the Regent Estate. He might even attack them if he was angry enough.

And none of them could fight off Li Jingtian. If Zhuo Fan gave into his demonic side, there was quite a high possibility of suffering untold cruelty they just bore witness to last month. Nobody wished to be the spark that lit that keg.

They were all tense, watching the door nervously.

But what they received was total silence.

Only fifteen minutes later, a hoarse voice came, "Elder Li, let them in."

"Alright."

Li Jingtian nodded and withdrew his hand. The people followed Chu Qingcheng in to see a shocking situation.

Chu Qingcheng and Luo Yunchang's eyes went red.

A white-haired man sat leaning on the bed, his clothes a mess, his hair thatched, and his eyes red and lifeless.

His hand held a censer releasing a pure light.

He was and wasn't Zhuo Fan. How did he end up like this though?

"Brother Zhuo…" Luo Yunhai cried.

But Zhuo Fan didn't reply, his dead eyes stared at the floor. After a long time, his muttering came, "Sorry everyone, if you came because of the declaration of war, you can return. Yunhai is young, but he is our future Clan Head. His words are law. The Luo clan will be fighting Regent Estate. But it's up to you if you wish to join."

Stammering, the house lords knew Zhuo Fan had received a devastating blow to have a mental breakdown. He looked anything but capable of taking decisions.

He was like those fanatic people hellbent on revenge, willing to be torn apart as long as they could bite into the enemy's flesh.

[That's too rash!]

They saw Zhuo Fan dead and cold like a block of ice. He was a pragmatic and cunning monster devoid of emotion, but look at him now.

Now that he was lost to his emotions, he had sacrificed everything and was reduced to this weak state.

Intense emotions were cruel, they cut like a sharp blade and reduced even the strongest to an empty husk.

Sighing, they shook their heads with regret. But some girls were overwhelmed with affection and pity.

This was a true man, one that would risk his all for a woman. But because of the cold demeanor he usually displayed, no one saw what lay buried in his heart…

"Steward Zhuo, don't be so down. You can't let emotions cloud your judgment in dealing with the Regent Estate." Grandmother said in all sincerity.

Zhuo Fan merely gave a mocking laughter.

Chu Qingcheng went to him and pulled his hand, "Come with me!"

No one understood what was happening. Zhuo Fan was the same, but had no mind to care, following her like a walking corpse.

They were soon gone from everyone's sight.

An hour later, Chu Qingcheng brought him to Drifting Flowers Edifices' location in Dragon Cloud City, to her room.

Zhuo Fan snorted, "Edifice Lord Chu, why have you brought me here? You don't intend to deepen our feelings, are you? I am not in… "

His voice trailed off as he noticed the girl on the bed.

She was fair, young and naive looking. Xue Ningxiang.

But she didn't look dead at all, merely sleeping.

"Ning'er's body. How…"

Zhuo Fan watched closely and she looked just like a sleeping, living person. Frowning, Zhuo Fan noticed the shining jewel in her mouth.

"Anchoring Soul Bead!"

Zhuo Fan cried out in joy, "This… Ning'er can be saved…"

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Chapter 340, It's You I Want

Translator: StarReader

th grade spiritual weapon Anchoring Soul Bead. It was an astonishing treasure for soul defense never seen before in Tianyu. It was unique. A defensive treasure everyone was willing to die for.

When Radiant Stage and above experts fought, the emphasis shifted towards the soul. And with the Anchoring Soul Bead, one's soul was safe and sound.

It even had the miraculous ability to simulate one's essence when their soul was gravely damaged.

With Xue Ningxiang's essence stolen for three days, she had collapsed. It was the strength of her soul that waned, unable to support her consciousness. In fact, her soul had yet to fully scatter back then.

If she had the Anchoring Soul Bead then, her life would've been saved.

And with the help of some medicine, she would regain her essence to connect with her soul and regain her consciousness. This was the only way to recover.

Looking at her sleeping face, it was clear that she was saved in the nick of time.

Zhuo Fan was overjoyed, "Edifice Lord Chu, than-"

"Call me Qingcheng!" Glaring at him, Chu Qingcheng snapped, but then her eyes bloomed with joy, "Now you can no longer be depressed."

Flushing, Zhuo Fan scratched his pale face awkwardly and switched topics, "Uh, right, where did you get the 9th grade spiritual weapon, Anchoring Soul Bead? Was Drifting Flowers Edifices hiding it?"

"Of course. We may not be the strongest of the houses, but our treasury has filled over the last thousand of years. Is it that strange? Did you think we only had Bodhi Root?"

Chu Qingcheng held her head high like a proud lady. The powerful image left even Zhuo Fan speechless.

But Zhuo Fan was unable to see the sorrow hidden in her eyes.

Gasping, Zhuo Fan said, "Now we just have to find some ingredients to heal her mind and Ning'er will wake up!"

"Do you know where to find them?" Chu Qingcheng smiled.

Zhuo Fan shook his head and shrugged, but his mind was set, "No, but with Ning'er's soul affixed, we have the time to look for them. I will even search outside Tianyu's borders if I have to!"

Chu Qingcheng looked at the sleeping Xue Ningxiang with envy.

[He will do anything for her. But what will he do for me?]

Chu Qingcheng said, "Zhuo Fan, what were you trying to say?"

"Uh, I want to thank you…" Zhuo Fan looked at her oddly.

Chu Qingcheng smiled, "That's it? How are you going to thank me?"

"Uh, how do you want me to…" Zhuo Fan scratched his white hair clueless.

Chu Qingcheng grinned, "First… close your eyes."

[Eh?]

Zhuo Fan looked at her oddly, but then he saw the glare in her eyes and closed them on the spot.

[What's she planning?]

Chu Qingcheng drew near Zhuo Fan and pecked his cheek.

Shivering, Zhuo Fan was about to open his eyes but only heard Chu Qingcheng's soft voice in his ear, "Don't look!"

Zhuo Fan snapped his eyes tighter than before.

With a graceful smile, Chu Qingcheng rested her head on his shoulder and whispered, "Hold me."

Zhuo Fan's heart thumped, freezing for a moment, but he did embrace her lovely body in the end.

Held close to his chest, Chu Qingcheng's soft and peaceful voice came, "I want to go back to the time we spent in the run-down house in Drifting Flowers City, just the two of us. Zhuo Fan, you are not allowed to think about other girls at this moment, even Ning'er!"

Zhuo Fan shuddered, and bobbed his head without realizing.

Thus, the two held each other with closed eyes, as their mind drifted to those peaceful days.

After a long time, Chu Qingcheng opened her eyes and flicked his forehead with a smile, "Now you can open them."

Zhuo Fan showed a pair of dazed eyes. Upon seeing the perfect beauty in front of him, his heart felt lost. He didn't want to wake up as his hands still held her delicate waist for a long time.

Boring holes into him with her eyes, Chu Qingcheng giggled, "What's wrong? Are you regretting it now? Too late. That's the last time. From now on we are mere associates. Later you will stay with Ning'er and I'll lead Drifting Flowers Edifices. We will never cross paths again, lest we be led astray."

"Uh, that's what I want as well, ha-ha… ha." Laughing dryly, Zhuo Fan scratched his head awkwardly. But his heart still had the same sense of loss as before.

He wanted to only be cordial with Chu Qingcheng, but after her request, he felt unwilling.

[Men are so despicable! But… since when have I become despicable?]

Zhuo Fan shook his head.

Chu Qingcheng said, "Zhuo Fan, you should go back. Perhaps… you will soon find the way to save Ning'er."

Zhuo Fan looked at her puzzled.

[What's up with her? Being so mysterious all of a sudden. And you need 9th grade ingredients to heal a soul. How can it be so easy?]

[Or is it her way of telling me to shoo off?]

[Probably.] Since she dragged me here and also the one to initiate the kiss, kicking me out could only be her as well. [Really, unlike men, women make no sense at all.]

Zhuo Fan shook his head and sighed inside, "Then, Qingcheng, goodbye."

Zhuo Fan walked out.

Chu Qingcheng watched him go with glistening tears falling down.

Whoosh!

A shadow landed behind Chu Qingcheng, "Girl, remember our deal. When she wakes up, everyone and everything here will no longer concern you."

"I know. I'm fine as long as I could see him." Chu Qingcheng bit her lip.

The shadow vanished once more…

Zhuo Fan was walking down the street, his mind playing Chu Qingcheng's odd words over and over again.

Just then, a whisper sounded in his ear, "Kid, if you want to save the girl, come fifty miles south of the city, in the forest!"

Startled, Zhuo Fan released his divine sense but couldn't sense anything.

His Discerning Field was so strong that he could even detect a Radiant Stage expert. But how was it that he couldn't find a trace of that voice. [What kind of power is that?]

Recalling Chu Qingcheng's odd behavior, Zhuo Fan still couldn't make sense of it. His only choice was to go south of the city and see for himself.

With how strong this man was, not even Li Jingtian could stop him. Since nothing could guarantee his safety, he might as well go and see what tricks were being played on him.

Four hours later, Zhuo Fan arrived. But what he saw were just trees and more trees.

Just then, an eerie voice came from behind, "He-he-he, you came!"

Zhuo Fan whipped his head back to see a gray shadow floating and cried, "Above Radiant Stage, the Ethereal Stage!"

Yes, the Ethereal Stage!

Only this stage allowed one's soul to leave their body. Even if the body died, the soul could linger on. It was a stage attained only by those who cultivated their soul to perfection.

The Radiant Stage employed mere parlor tricks when it came to a soul's power, while only an Ethereal Stage expert could bring out its full potential.

When a soul left the body, its attacks would only be soul based. And their power was at a level no Radiant Stage soul could survive. They'd fall the same way as if being killed with intent.

One could go as far as to say no Radiant Stage expert could take even a finger from this shadow. Because his finger would pierce your soul dead.

Without a way to focus one's soul to attack, the flesh could be as invincible as you want, but it wouldn't pose the slightest problem for an Ethereal Stage expert.

Even if Huangpu Qingtian, the peak of body cultivation, might have reached the peak of Radiant Stage, he'd still be a mere ant before an Ethereal Stage expert.

The gap between the two stages was a gaping abyss.

It was why many people were stuck at peak Radiant Stage and were unable to advance. It was also why for the past thousand years Tianyu had never had an Ethereal Stage expert.

As one transitioned from body to soul, the quality jumped, and the gulf widened…

But Zhuo Fan couldn't understand why an Ethereal Stage expert would appear here all of a sudden.

The shadow cackled knowing his thoughts, "Hi-hi-hi, Zhuo Fan, it's you I want. Now let's talk terms…"

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Chapter 341, Please Let Go

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

"Who are you?"

Zhuo Fan asked the shadow in a cold tone.

After another cackle, the shadow's reply was, "Hi-hi-hi, where are my manners. I am Demon Scheming Sects' Sect Leader, Xie Wuyue!"

"One of the empire's three guardian sects, Demon Scheming Sect?"

He had heard of them as protectors of Tianyu from invasions, yet they wouldn't meddle in Tianyu's internal affairs.

Not even when Gu Santong brought the imperial family to the brink of annihilation three hundred years ago did they interfere. But now, the Demon Scheming Sect's Sect Leader showed himself here to see him of all people?

This had him second-guessing.

"What do you need me for?"

"Hi-hi-hi, didn't I tell you? It's you I want. All that's left to settle is your price." The shadow cackled.

Frowning, Zhuo Fan understood. The man wanted him on his side. But why? The Sect Leaders disdain worldly affairs, so how did he know about him while also willing to travel leagues to get him.

The shadow easily picked up on his conundrum, "You don't have to be so suspicious. I never knew about you and only came this time to get Tianyu's number one genius, Huangpu Qingtian. But you, kid, are far better. The genius of the millennium that is rarely seen even in my sect. Who knew there'd be an even more outstanding genius out there? Your presence made me give up on him and choose you instead. Hi-hi-hi, you should be honored. By putting your life on the line and defeating a far greater opponent, you are blessed with the fortune of catching my attention."

[Humph, how smug!]

Zhuo Fan snorted.

Was there a sect in the mortal domain capable of catching the eye of this grand Demonic Emperor? He didn't feel a hint of honor even when some Sect Leader came to see him.

It was all in the Sect Leader's head, thinking he was so great, superfluous!

Seeing Zhuo Fan's contempt on his lips, the shadow laughed, "Ha-ha-ha, good, great even. I like brash guys like you the most, like a true king. Then let's talk business. In my capacity as Demon Scheming Sect's Sect Leader, I invite you to join my sect. State your terms, but let's get one thing straight. If there's anything out there I can't have, I'd rather see it destroyed."

"We're both demonic cultivators, looking out only for ourselves. I understand it perfectly, but... there's something I have to finish here before I can leave."

"The Luo clan? Who knew a demonic cultivator could be so loyal? It won't matter. I'll give you three years to settle your affairs and then I will take you with me. It should be enough for you to get everything in order. If there's anything you need, I will help you as much as I can."

Xie Wuyue's proposal was quite tempting. It was the same as Luo clan getting the Demon Scheming Sect behind it. Not even the imperial family would dare touch them after that.

The situation right now was highly volatile and this sudden arrival of a powerful backer was heaven sent.

But the expert negotiator Zhuo Fan didn't let it show and sighed, "I'll need time to consider."

Xie Wuyue faltered a second.

[Consider my ass! For my Demon Scheming Sect to have your back is the greatest fortune of your life! You should be damn grateful.]

[What's with that long face? As if you're the one losing.]

Noticing him playing the loser, Xie Wuyue's mouth twitched. If he were back in the sect, any elder that would've spoken to him like that would receive a beating to make them forget where they were.

Hadn't he dumped those four pricks in Thunder Swarm Mountain just the same?

But when facing Zhuo Fan's cunning nature, he both loved and hated it. He had looked down on Zhuo Fan as if he didn't have a scheming bone in his back, but at this point, he had accepted him without question.

"Ha-ha-ha, fine. I like your greed. The stronger you are, the greedier you can be! What I said just now was a welcoming gift to the sect, not a term. Now, speak what you want."

Zhuo Fan smiled, "Don't you know already?"

"Save that girl?"

Xie Wuyue laughed, "Zhuo Fan, I know you're vile and insidious from how sinisterly you tormented Huangpu Qingtian and the other three. Who knew you still had a soft spot? But I hope you won't enter the sect with such a weakness. We, demonic cultivators, are dead the instant we let emotions take hold. I don't want to destroy you, nor see the sect fall. Have I made myself clear?"

Xie Wuyue treated him with ridicule at first, but as they talked, he grew colder, finishing with a warning. Zhuo Fan knew it to be a rule of the sect, to not get attached. He nodded and said, "I know it far better than you do. This will be the first and last time."

"Alright then."

Whoosh!

With a pop, a bright pill shot for Zhuo Fan. Zhuo Fan caught it and looked at it in shock, "9th grade pill, Soul Returning Pill!"

"Indeed. You have good eyes. I wasn't wrong about you."

Xie Wuyue continued, "The Soul Returning Pill can heal wounds of the soul, strengthen the essence and protect the mind. To an Ethereal Stage cultivator, it is like a second life, very sought after. Even I have only one pill of this kind. But I will give it to you in good faith. I hope that you will live up to my expectations and return this investment."

The shadow was gone with these last words, leaving Zhuo Fan staring at the shiny pill as hope burned in his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan clenched the pill and ran for Drifting Flowers Edifices. The disciples there watched in shock as he stormed into Chu Qingcheng's chamber.

"What, you already found a way to save Ning'er?" Chu Qingcheng said seeing Zhuo Fan gasping.

Zhuo Fan frowned, "Did you know Xie Wuyue would come for me?"

"Who's that?" Chu Qingcheng's eyes trembled.

Zhuo Fan's eyes searched her face for any clues, "Xie Wuyue is the Demon Scheming Sect's Sect Leader. You don't know him? Then why were you so sure I'd have a way to save Ning'er? "

"Someone told me without leaving their name. So don't ask." Chu Qingcheng smiled, "All that matters is that Ning'er will be saved. Right?"

Sizing her for a while, Zhuo Fan nodded, "You're right. As long as Ning'er lives, I'd even sell my body, ha-ha-ha..."

Laughing, Zhuo Fan went to Xue Ningxiang on the bed. He took the Anchoring Soul Bead out, then returned her essence before feeding her the Soul Returning Pill.

Ripples passed all over Ning'er's body and the spiritual energy also gathered within her in waves, reshaping her soul.

Zhuo Fan sighed, gratified Ning'er would be alright soon.

Yet in his moment of joy, he didn't notice Chu Qingcheng staring at him with deep yearning.

"Qingcheng, send someone for Ning'er's clan. She'll soon wake up and would like to see her family." Zhuo Fan said but never looked away from Xue Ningxiang.

Chu Qingcheng found it difficult to swallow the bitterness as she nodded, "Alright. I'll send someone now. You are so thoughtful."

Those words contained deep sarcasm as well, but they shot way over Zhuo Fan's head, deeply moved by Xue Ningxiang's recovery as he was.

He only nodded and a wide smile spread to his ears.

Chu Qingcheng sighed.

Fifteen minutes later, the Xue clan came as well as Xie Tianyang looking distressed. Everyone looked at Ning'er with tears flowing.

They had heard of the possibility of saving Ning'er, but no one believed it. How could one come back after losing their essence? When Chu Qingcheng said she had to take her body, they didn't refuse, thinking all would be for naught.

But here she was, dead for a month now, yet coming back to the living. Everyone was overjoyed.

Ning'er was their darling. Her survival was their greatest joy.

Zhuo Fan was also overcome with emotion for the first time in his two lives and a genuine smile formed on his lips.

Xue Dingtian turned to him and said after hesitating, "Steward Zhuo, may I have a word with you?"

Zhuo Fan didn't understand. But he followed after Ning'er's grandfather.

The two only got ten meters from the room, when Xue Dingtian kneeled before Zhuo Fan, his tears flowing in rivers, "Steward Zhuo, please let go..."

Zhuo Fan was stunned and baffled seeing the old man do this.

[What does he mean...]

Chapter 342, Severing Emotion For Supremacy

Translator: StarReader

"Elder Xue, why…" Zhuo Fan began.

Xue Dingtian kowtowed in tears, "Steward Zhuo, you are a man of great ambition while we are simply a poor simple clan. Ning'er is also still ignorant to the cruelty of this word and is unable to survive your battles. I know it disgraces Steward Zhuo's act of mercy in saving Ning'er by doing this, but none of us wish to see her go through it again. I beg Steward Zhuo to help me."

Xue Dingtian kneeled there and shuddered, before a shocked Zhuo Fan.

The Xue clan didn't want Ning'er to be involved with Zhuo Fan any longer and were begging him to let her go. But was it that easy for his heart to accept?

"Ning'er's awake!"

Xie Tianyang's cry of joy came from inside. Zhuo Fan woke up and rushed inside, ignoring the kneeling old man. Xue Dingtian wiped his tears and came as well.

But what they witnessed wasn't a face filled with joy, but one filled with doubt. Xue Ningxiang rubbed her eyes, looking over each of them, "Who… are you? Who… am I? Where am I?"

They all cried in shock. [What's wrong with Ning'er? Did her soul not mend completely? A mental scar?]

Zhuo Fan shook his head, "People, don't be nervous. Ning'er had a damaged soul and recovering is the same as being born anew. It is normal for her to forget everything. But as her essence was the original one, she will be the same Ning'er we all know. She won't change."

The people understood. Ning'er had lost her memories after that ordeal. But that was for the best. Forgetting such dreadful memories was a blessing for the kind and pure Ning'er.

Everything was fine as long as Ning'er was back to her bubbly and naive self. They'd just have to get reacquainted.

"Ning'er, I am your dad!" Xue Wanlong cried.

"Ning'er, I'm your grandfather." Xue Dingtian approached with shaking hands.

"Ning'er, I am your elder brother, Xue Gang!" "Ning'er, I am your second brother, Xue Lin!"

Everyone circled around Xue Ningxiang to introduce themselves. Xie Tianyang even straightened his hairdo and put on a weird smile before jumping in front of Xue Ningxiang, "Ning'er, do you remember me? I'm your husband!"

They all went quiet.

Zhuo Fan came over looking glum as he said, "Xie Tianyang, are you trying to take advantage of this chance and get close to Ning'er now that she has lost her memories? I'll give you a thrashing!"

Xie Tianyang rubbed his head, "Ha-ha-ha, Ning'er don't mind it. It was only a joke. Actually, I am…

"Your childhood sweetheart and fiancée!" Xie Tianyang proceeded with his shamelessness.

Everyone rolled their eyes. Zhuo Fan's fist crackled, "Xie Tianyang get the hell out. I promise not to kill you, much!"

Xie Tianyang glared at him but then closed his mouth.

He was crystal clear that there was no chance of beating Zhuo Fan.

"Ha-ha-ha, coward!" Seeing his sullen face, Ning'er giggled as she showed a bright smile.

Xie Tianyang wasn't about to accept it, "Who called me a coward? I can't beat him, but for you, I will still fight him!"

Xie Tianyang rolled up his sleeves and went with Zhuo Fan outside to start the duel.

Xue Ningxiang waved, "Wait, why are you picking a fight if you can't win? Please don't take my joke to heart. I didn't mean it. I don't want to see you hurt over something so meaningless."

"Ning'er, you're still the same. You may have forgotten me, but you're so kind and caring. I'm relieved." Xie Tianyang sighed.

The rest nodded. Ning'er didn't remember them but she hadn't changed at all.

Xue Ningxiang turned to Zhuo Fan standing farther back with a bewildered look, "Who are you? Do you know me? They all rushed to introduce themselves but why aren't you saying anything?"

Whoosh~

Everyone looked at Zhuo Fan with complicated looks.

Zhuo Fan's eyes trembled. Seeing her sincere face and then recalling Xue Dingtian's pleading, he smiled, "Ha-ha-ha, me? I'm a bad guy!"

Ah!

Xue Ningxiang jerked in fear.

Looking at the crystal clear eyes, unmarred by the ugliness of the world, Zhuo Fan grinned. He knew he had made the right choice and said, "I eat people and even hurt you."

"W-why did you hurt me?" Ning'er trembled. She ducked behind Xue Dingtian, peeking at the white haired Zhuo Fan like a startled kitty.

Zhuo Fan looked at her with tenderness, but his mouth said, "Bad men hurt people. Do I even need a reason? So miss, for your own sake, you should stay far away from me!"

Zhuo Fan then walked outside sighing.

[Goodbye, Ning'er!]

They watched his solitary figure leave, filled with admiration. He was a true hero to own up to his actions and make prompt decisions.

They didn't want Ning'er to be by his side and suffer. But they had to admit, Zhuo Fan was a reliable man…

Xue Ningxiang saw him go and for some odd reason she felt pain in her chest, "Why does my heart ache when I see this bad man?"

"Hey, bad men only know how to cause pain, Ning'er. Just forget it." Xie Tianyang gave a rushed explanation.

This was for the best. With Zhuo Fan letting her go, Ning'er could now return to living a normal life. If the two got close again, Xie Tianyang wasn't afraid of being smacked around, but he could never stand for Ning'er being used again and turning expendable simply to constrict Zhuo Fan.

Xue Ningxiang nodded, the passing Zhuo Fan already forgotten as she laughed along with her relatives.

Zhuo Fan stood outside and listened to the laughter. He closed his eyes, neither happy nor sad.

[This is… for the best.]

An hour later, Xie Tianyang came out of the room and sighed at the bleak figure, "Thank you."

"What thanks? We had the same intentions right?" Zhuo Fan looked ahead as he said.

Nodding, Xie Tianyang walked before Zhuo Fan and placed two items in his hand.

Zhuo Fan trembled.

Sighing, Xie Tianyang looked downcast, "Forgive me. I shouldn't do this to a brother, but Ning'er…"

"You want to break all ties with me?" The two Thunder Rings shook in his trembling hand.

Nodding, Xie Tianyang sighed, "We are cut from a different cloth than you. You want to fight for supremacy in this world, while we merely drag along with our meager existence. We do not want glory, nor do we want you to disturb our peaceful life. I have spoken with the Xue clan. Tomorrow, I will take them to a remote place in the mountains and never come down. I no longer want to be Sword Marquise Abode's second young master!"

"Few are like you, to sacrifice so much for another." Tightening his hand, Zhuo Fan said evenly, "I hope you live a happy and peaceful life."

"I wish you the same, for one day to lord over all and be remembered for eternity." Grinning, Xie Tianyang said, "Alright, let me give one last hug to the man who I shared life and death with. After we part here, we will become total strangers."

Xie Tianyang squeezed Zhuo Fan into a bear hug as Zhuo Fan just stood there.

Xie Tianyang then returned back into the room. Neither looked at each other, with all ties broken.

"Zhuo Fan, did Xie Tianyang give you the rings?" Chu Qingcheng asked.

Nodding, Zhuo Fan looked at the flickering Thunder Rings in his palm with pain, "Qingcheng, you were right. A cold and heartless man like me doesn't deserve a woman's love nor to have a sworn brother. I am destined for loneliness."

"No…"

Chu Qingcheng was about to explain, but Zhuo Fan tightened his fist and threw the rings as his gaze steeled, "From this moment on, my eyes shall only have the world in sight!"

Zhuo Fan walked home, his eyes no longer hesitant.

Chu Qingcheng saw where the rings fell and sighed seeing Zhuo Fan's cold back, "Did you know… you're not at all lonely…"

Chu Qingcheng flew towards the rings…

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Chapter 343, The Grand Scheme of Things

Translator: StarReader

Zhuo Fan returned to the Luo clan in the evening. The whole day had passed yet Grandmother and her other two allies remained, waiting for his return.

Seeing them, Zhuo Fan washed away any dejection he had and cupped his hands, "House lords, I had some matters to tend to. But we can talk now since they are over."

Everyone looked amazed.

The Zhuo Fan, Chu Qingcheng dragged away with her and the one that had returned were totally different. He was back to his swift and decisive self, without a hint of grief.

[What's going on? What did Chu Qingcheng do to get him back?]

The Luo clansmen saw him looking thin, but his bright eyes let them know that he had pushed through the haze. They were overjoyed.

Luo Yunchang especially. She didn't get along with Chu Qingcheng but she was at least grateful the woman got her Zhuo Fan back to his normal self.

"Zhuo Fan, y-you had me worried sick!" Luo Yunchang came to him in tears.

Zhuo Fan smiled, "It's all in the past."

Zhuo Fan turned to the three houses, "People, I know what's on your mind. You fear that our declaration of war was impulsive and would ruin everything. But I will tell you that the faster we dispense with this charade with Regent Estate, the faster we can grow."

They were all startled.

The seven houses were at peace until now, all because of pretense. But once the war broke out, the dead would pile up just like they did a thousand years ago. Their houses were in danger of annihilation!

How were they going to grow after that?

Zhuo Fan had a cryptic smile in reply to their thoughts, "In fact, the world hasn't really changed. "War and peace shift places just like yin and yang. War does not mean the absence of peace or suffering. It all moves according to the bigger picture. The situation will change after the Esoteric Debate. You need to consider what happened in the Esoteric Debate, and the changes in our enemies. The best choice right now is to fight Regent Estate."

They all entered deep thought, mulling over his words.

Then, the three house lords' eyes brightened and they nodded.

"I see. Steward Zhuo wants to turn it into a three-way confrontation! But… where do we find the power to fight Regent Estate to a draw?" Grandmother asked.

Zhuo Fan smiled, "Do you remember my words? In ten years, you will see a brand new Luo clan. But I no longer need those years as I can show you a powerful ally in the form of the Luo clan already. Don't worry, we will restrict the Regent Estate without a doubt!"

The house lords found it hard to believe Zhuo Fan's bold proclamations.

He just said that the Luo clan had the power to challenge Regent Estate, alone! But how? Eight years couldn't compare to a thousand year's legacy. It was normal for Zhuo Fan to create miracles, but to grow a clan to such a height so fast was impossible.

But when they looked at Li Jingtian, they fell quiet.

Was there something he couldn't do after he turned a peak Radiant Stage expert into an elder?

They had now changed their thinking and were looking forward to seeing how big of a shock would the Luo clan give, the next time they appeared along with their entire might.

The three house lords sighed. [Zhuo Fan is truly astonishing.]

"Ha-ha-ha, since Steward Zhuo is certain of success, we will make preparations and move according to your instructions. I have to admit, when I saw Steward Zhuo taken over by rage, I never expected you'd still be capable of deep thinking. I am in awe!" Grandmother praised.

Zhuo Fan returned her gesture, "Grandmother exaggerates!"

The three houses took their leave. Besides the three house lords, everyone else was in the dark about what just happened.

"Father, why didn't I understand a thing you guys talked about?" Long Xingyun asked.

Long Yifey smiled as he lifted his head in pride, "Boy, this concerns the grand scheme of things. If you could understand it, you'd have been the next house lord by now!"

Long Xingyun was shocked, "It contains such profound topics? That means Zhuo Fan could understand it while we had to be reminded. Won't that mean…"

"Zhuo Fan is a truly rare genius. I can't help but wonder where he comes from. Such a young lad with such a wide gaze that not even we can match. No wonder Leng Wuchang fell for his handiwork." Long Yifey sighed in amazement.

Long Xingyun had admiration as well.

They were peers yet Zhuo Fan was far stronger than any of them…

After the houses left, Luo Yunhai asked, "Brother Zhuo, I made the declaration of war yesterday. I was overcome by anger from their insidious nature in dealing with you. But I had never imagined it would have so many implications."

"Ha-ha-ha, if you knew, you'd already be Clan Head."

Zhuo Fan then turned serious, "Yunhai, following Dugu Zhantian has sharpened your senses and familiarized you with war tactics, all for this day. But this has only made you a talented general and not good enough to take on the clan's burdens. This is the perfect chance to teach you a monarch's methods and the way to infer the bigger picture from small events."

Luo Yunhai was serious as he nodded in glee. It was the first time Zhuo Fan was going to teach him in person.

The others looked lost.

The past Zhuo Fan would cook up the plans and then send others to do the dirty work. Like he did with Luo Yunhai's education, leaving it in another's hands. Now that he was going to involve himself in teaching the young clan head, everyone was excited.

Zhuo Fan was known for his treachery and even played Leng Wuchang, the Unwonted Contriver, like a fiddle. His teachings couldn't be average.

How were they supposed to know that Zhuo Fan had struck a deal with Xie Wuyue for three years. If he didn't get Luo Yunhai to mature fast enough, the instant he left, Luo Clan would be met with disaster.

It was the same as sending them to the slaughter. How could he leave with a peace of mind?

So, he sped things up a little.

"Yunhai, do you know who our former allies, backers and enemies were?" Zhuo Fan asked.

Luo Yunhai considered, "The allies were Drifting Flowers Edifices, Sword Marquise Abode and Veiled Dragon Pavilion. The backers are the imperial family and Marshal Dugu. While the enemies are Regent Estate and the rest of the houses."

"And now?" Zhuo Fan followed.

Luo Yunhai's eyes flashed with uncertainty, "Now… isn't it the same?"

"No, it changed."

Zhuo Fan turned serious, "Yunhai, you have to keep in mind that every man looks after himself. Allies and enemies are all but fleeting. The one true reason that connects everyone together in this tangled web is interest. Yin and yang switch places, they suppress each other, then switch again. The same transformation happens with enemies and allies alike. If you understand the grand design you will never fail. This is the way of inferring the big picture from the events around us. To become a Clan Head you must also grasp it!"

Luo Yunhai gasped and nodded.

"Then, let us begin."

Zhuo Fan said, "Speaking of the Esoteric Debate this time, Marshal Dugu and the imperial family were our backers before it started. Because our interests aligned, to fight Regent Estate. But after the Esoteric Debate, through luck or otherwise, I received the dragon soul, becoming the imperial family's enemy. No imperial family would allow those bearing the Dragon Vein Soul, and heaven's blessing, swagger their way through the nation and shake its foundations. Thus our enemies changed. Fang Qiubai and Marshal Dugu's loyalties lie with the imperial family. They were friendly before but have now shifted to neutrality, with a high chance of becoming enemies at any given moment. We can't overlook them."

Luo Yunhai never imagined that in just two short days his cherished godfather would become his enemy. It was too much to bear.

Regardless of his inner turmoil, Zhuo Fan's platitude prattled on, "As for the Regent Estate, they remain our enemies. But now we have the right to become their enemies as well. Because we lost the imperial family's support, the Regent Estate can come at us whenever they want and stomp us into the ground. Of course, we do not need to fear them. But once the war starts, both clans will incur heavy losses and neither wants to let another faction reap from their misfortune. For this reason, we declared war on them and now all that remains is to think of a way to let them bask in our power. They are no fools and know a war would bring too many losses so they will refrain from engaging in it.

"This way, we restrict each other. While the emperor will take notice of our power as well and won't intervene either, lest he'd like to let the Regent Estate pick us both off. This way, we become one of the three major players in Tianyu, with neither side winning or losing. The court, including Zhuge Changfeng, Dugu Zhantian and the emperor, has already been one such player, bringing balance to the equation. This would keep us safe for a while. All that's left is to wait for a blind schmuck to lift the deadlock and then we would come down hard to reap the world for ourselves."

Everyone was slack jawed. They never imagined that Zhuo Fan had such a comprehensive understanding of the powers that be and even had the same objective as the Regent Estate, the world.

This had never happened in the history of the Luo clan. They were a mere third rate clan with petty ambitions, wanting nothing more than to go down at peace.

Zhuo Fan laughed at their thoughts, "Ha-ha-ha, in this world, the weak will be pushed around while the strong fight for greed. There's no such thing as a man or clan of integrity in this world. If you want peaceful days, then get strong until no one can ever catch up to you."

I do not want to see those around me suffer the same disaster as Ning'er." Zhuo Fan sighed.

They hesitated, but soon determination shined in their eyes.

[Isn't it merely stealing the world? With you, Steward Zhuo, it's a done deal!]

As their power grew, Zhuo Fan made sure to bring the Luo clan's ambition to a more appropriate level…

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Chapter 344, Resolute

After Zhuo Fan's analysis, the Luo clan now understood what to do next. Luo Yunhai was feeling hurt, but the light in his eyes grew stauncher.

At dawn break, people left Dragon Cloud City.

The Esoteric Debate this time was particularly cruel and devastating, but no one expected for a clan to rise after a thousand years and kill its way to the same footing as the seven houses.

Luo clan's legend spread like wildfire throughout the Tianyu Empire.

Luo clan and its allies said their goodbyes at the gates, then went home. Luo clan was getting ready for its big reveal into the limelight, to fight on equal footing with the true powers.

Their allies had already invited their Venerables to fight alongside the Luo clan. Now that they were in the same boat, they had one course of action. Because when the Luo clan fell, Regent Estate would turn to them.

They were backed into a corner.

Why else would they accept following this madman after finding out that Zhuo Fan had just become the imperial family's enemy number one? Now they will go along for the ride called Zhuo Fan. They will thrive and fall together. Neither one could abandon the other.

Dugu Zhantian patted Luo Yunhai's shoulder with a hard face, "Yunhai, won't you join your godfather in battle instead? "

"Godfather, you still have the other four to help you, but I am the Luo clan's only heir. I can only go with my clan. Please forgive me godfather." Luo Yunhai nodded.

Dugu Zhantian sighed, "Alright, Yunhai, you've grown and are responsible now. A true soldier from my army..."

"Godfather..." Luo Yunhai interrupted, "Thank you for your guidance these past five years. If the day ever comes when we cross swords, I ask that godfather shows no mercy, as neither shall I..."

The Four Tigers of Tianyu jerked. Why was their younger brother being so heartless?

But Dugu Zhantian's eyes shrank and he sighed,"It seems you already know the situation. That brat must've told you. But he is he and you are you. As long as the Luo clan has him..."

"Godfather, without him there wouldn't be a Luo clan, nor the relation we have today. You have taught me loyalty so how could I betray him? Moreover, he is the pillar of the Luo clan. A man does not clip his own wings so how can I, a warrior, make the folly of cutting off my arms?"

Dugu Zhantian nodded and laughed, "You are indeed my godson, both righteous and loyal. It will be my pride and joy to meet you on the field."

Dugu Zhantian smiled and turned, "Yunhai, we may be on opposite sides, but our bond will never change."

"Take care... godfather."

Luo Yunhai watched the imposing back and banged his head on the pavement three times.

As for the four tigers, they were totally lost. [What is going on? Why are they suddenly saying goodbyes?]

Not far, Chu Qingcheng had Luo Yunchang called to the side, "Young miss Luo, Zhuo Fan will be in your care."

"That has never changed. What, should he be in your care?" Luo Yunchang pouted, showing her hostility.

She had no clue what Chu Qingcheng did to get him out of his shell but was still grateful. That didn't mean she was about to step back from fighting over her man.

Chu Qingcheng smiled, "I mean that you should take great care of his heart. Help him understand this world. He isn't alone."

Chu Qingcheng then pushed a flickering ring into her hand and left.

Luo Yunchang was shocked. It was a Thunder Ring like Zhuo Fan was wearing. [How did she get it?]

Zhuo Fan only made three, with two given to Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang. [Does that mean there was a fourth? And given to Chu Qingcheng?]

[Why didn't I get one?]

Luo Yunchang was annoyed as she ran to Zhuo Fan. She showed the Thunder Ring and snapped, "Zhuo Fan, what's the meaning of this? Are you giving everyone gifts now? What about me?"

"Where did you get this ring?" Zhuo Fan squinted in a cold tone.

Luo Yunchang let out a shrill cry from fright. Then she lowered her head and mumbled, "Edifice Lord Chu just gave it to me. Saying I need to look after you..."

"Throw it away!"

Zhuo Fan cut her off, "Ning'er and Xie Tianyang have broken ties with me. I don't need these baubles anymore. "

Zhuo Fan set out with the rest of the Luo clan. Captain Pang rushed to Luo Yunchang as her guard.

Trembling, Luo Yunchang now understood Chu Qingcheng's meaning.

Xie Tianyang and Ning'er broke it off with Zhuo Fan. She knew how close the three of them were. For a lone wolf like Zhuo Fan, it was a rare friendship.

But now the two had left him and he had truly become alone.

Luo Yunchang looked at the Thunder Ring and put it on as the light in her eyes changed...

In a lush forest, a black-clothed man looked towards the leaving Luo clan in the distance with a savage glint. Upon closer look, one would recognize him to belong to Hell Valley.

"Wretched Luo clan, you actually have a peak Radiant expert. At this rate, we will never be able to deal with them!" the 5th elder gnashed his teeth.

You Wanshan's eyes were cold, "5th elder, don't let anger get to you. Even without Li Jingtian, Zhuo Fan still wasn't one we could handle. Have you forgotten? He actually bit Huangpu Qingtian to death!"

"Yes, with the Luo clan having Zhuo Fan, a cunning mind like Leng Wuchang, and a powerful expert to protect them, they have reached our level, a true colossus. Hell Valley alone can no longer contend with them. Even worse, if we don't handle it right, we will be eaten whole and our house razed."

Just then, another black robe fluttered over but the owner had a young voice. Compared to all the old guys here, it made quite an odd contrast.

th elder mocked, "You Ming, you're becoming more and more cocky. You dare interrupt an elder?"

The cowl was removed and it revealed a youth with a grave face, You Guiqi's disciple, You Ming. Just that he had lost his cowardly nature and had gotten bolder instead.

He looked at the elders and house lord without the slightest reaction.

You Wanshan gave him a hard look, then smiled, "Grand Elder, you raised the kid well. He's starting to look like the 7th elder."

"Ha-ha-ha, Valley Lord is exaggerating. He was the 7th elder's disciple to begin with. I only gave him tips. It was a good decision to not let him join the Esoteric Debate, or he would've been another unmarked grave at the hands of that monster. Then Hell Valley would have truly lost all hope."

Recalling the dreadful way Zhuo Fan dealt with Huangpu Qingtian, even Grand Elder shuddered, "Ever since the 7th elder's passing, all our actions have been a mess. We've suffered greatly and even ended up being used. I hope You Ming can assume 7th elder's duty and assist Valley Lord in making the house thrive. As for past grievances, ha-ha, it's best we don't mention them."

"Yes, Zhuo Fan is too much of a menace. Not even that old fox Leng Wuchang could handle him. Now that he has spread his wings, it will be even harder. We'd best rethink our options and take a step back." You Ming approved.

You Wanshan was pensive for a while before nodding .

Thinking back, ever since they came upon Zhuo Fan, everything went south. With Zhuo Fan of today reaching such power, they would lose even more going against him.

You Wanshan turned to You Ming, "Do you have a plan?"

"Valley Lord, master once said that all machinations are revealed when looking from the outside. With the Regent Estate and Luo clan at war, it's best for us to stay clear and think of another course of action."

"And that would be..." You Wanshan asked.

Grinning, You Ming continued, "Zhuo Fan and Leng Wuchang are treacherous men each with his own devices. We won't be a match for either of them even if we join. The best choice will be to play for the future!"

"Future?" You Wanshan asked, as did the rest.

"Correct. Our goal is in the imperial capital!" You Ming spoke with confidence.

As they talked, they were completely oblivious to the fact that every action the houses took in Dragon Cloud City was in plain sight to two gray shadows.

"He-he-he, Xie Wuyue, Tianyu is becoming more chaotic by the day. Not only the seven houses are fighting amongst each other, even the Four Pillars and Imperial family are about to step in. Can your kid survive among these errant armies?"

An aged voice mocked the other shadow.

The only response he got was a sinister laughter, "Hi-hi-hi, my affairs have nothing to do with geezers like you. He caught my eye and I'm sure he won't fail me. After three years, I'll return and you will face humiliation."

"Oh, are you that confident? The other sects' monsters aren't any weaker, you know."

"Humph, a 9th grade pill for a single man. You think I'd take that gamble without some assurance? What about you then? You lent that Anchoring Soul Bead and cheated a lady. Compared to us demonic cultivators, you, a righteous Sect Leader, is far more despicable. Hi-hi-hi..." Xie Wuyue laughed.

The shadow snapped, "Xie Wuyue, if it wasn't for me giving the Anchoring Soul Bead to maintain the girl's soul, your pill wouldn't have worked. How then would you have gotten that crafty brat? Humph, we merely cooperated and got what we wanted. What's despicable about that?"

"True, both of us got what we wanted. But this is where our partnership ends. The next time we see each other, I won't hold back."

"That goes without saying. You think you and your disciples will win? Humph!" The other shadow vanished with a snort.

Xie Wuyue cackled, "Before Zhuo Fan, perhaps not. But the kid will join my sect and I guarantee you will even lose your shirt, hi-hi-hi..."

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Chapter 345, Master and Disciple Reunion

Translator: StarReader

Three months later, the Luo clan finally arrived home, to Windgaze City. As the Blackwind Mountain appeared in view, Zhuo Fan's heart called to it in longing after five years of separation.

He had gone through ecstatic and despair filled moments during this time. And now that he had returned, he felt even more attached to this place.

The word family or clan had been etched deeper into his heart. Absence only made the heart grow fonder.

"Steward Zhuo, let me open the array and give you a proper welcome!" Standing before Blackwind Mountain enveloped in thick mist, Li Jingtian laughed.

Zhuo Fan waved him off with a hint of smile, "No need. I'll do it myself. Five years have gone by and I want to open the door myself."

Li Jingtian nodded, while others watched him with warmth.

"Yan Fu, come!" The kid had been traveling along with the Luo clan, and under constant pressure from Li Jingtian's valiant aura, he had been left a shivering mess.

Yan Fu rushed before Zhuo Fan with even more respect, "Steward Zhuo, orders?"

"Nothing of that sort. You will soon meet Elder Yan, master and disciple will be reunited at last. And you will become one of us now. So I will now teach you how to open the array. Watch closely."

Yan Fu was excited. He will finally get to see his master, something that had only happened in his dreams so far. His heart was overwhelmed and he nodded instantly.

Under his dazed gaze, Zhuo Fan's hand made a sign and he shouted, "Open!"

The fog parted in the form of a path up Blackwind Mountain. Zhuo Fan turned with a smile, "Yan Fu, this will be your home from now on. You and your master…"

Boom!

The reverberating explosion cut Zhuo Fan's speech short. A gale kicking up dust slammed them right in the face and covered the foremost two in dust and grime.

And then came the shrieks.

"Hi-hi-hi, old hag, old geezer, who do you think you are, Zhuo Fan or Li Jingtian, to dare mess with us Four Scheming Demons? You can't handle us! See how us four will blast you to pieces!"

Violent Demon's familiar sneer came to Zhuo Fan, then the cheers from the other three demons, "Yep, yep, you two know nothing of how to stop us. There's nothing you can do to us!"

Zhuo Fan's mouth twitched, and his fist clenched.

[These little sh*ts won't sit still for a second. They completely ruined one of my rare good moods!]

The rest sighed and felt vexed. Elder Li brought these Four Scheming Demons five years back as new elders. Everyone was happy, at first.

And then they got to know these pygmies just a bit better. They were outrageous, squabbling and powerful, of course, but they were nothing more than bickering children. A menace every third day and a disaster every fifth. These guys almost had the entire Blackwind Mountain run into the ground with their toying. Even after Li Jingtian's heavy handed punishment, it only took a day after his departure for them to start cursing him, and the second day for their demonic minds to cook up new mischief.

Everyone knew this was Li Jingtian cheating the four into thinking that he knew the way to control the Bloodworms and make them fall in line. Or hell would've broken loose.

"Steward Zhuo…" Yan Fu pointed at Blackwind Mountain with a sunken face, as if to say. [Why is this home of yours not one bit peaceful?]

Waving him off, Zhuo Fan laughed in anger, "Calm down, I will handle it. Just ignore the little sh*ts!"

"Uh, Steward Zhuo, I'll go set the four sh*ts straight." Li Jingtian ran over.

Zhuo Fan waved him off with a dark face, "No need. I'll do it."

Zhuo Fan stepped forward and the rest followed. Li Jingtian was snickering inside. [Those four twerps will finally get what's coming for them.]

They all reached the peak to see holes everywhere and even the gate blown outward and slanted.

No doubt about it, those four sh*ts were responsible for all this.

All this while the sound of explosions kept on coming from within. Xue Qingjian raved like an insane hag, "Ah! You damn bastards dare break my thousand year old mirror? I'll kill you!"

"Hi-hi-hi, biddy, what are you doing with a mirror when you're so old? We did you a favor!" Sly Demon poked where it hurt with his mocking laughter.

Xue Qingjian grew enraged in her howls, "Bastards, thieves! I'll have your heads today!"

"Qingjian, stop wasting time with them and use Life and Death Art!" Qiu Yanhai's own raving voice came.

Li Jingtian paled.

Him and the two had sparred quite often and he knew of the power behind that art. It could blast ten Radiant Stage experts into dust on the spot. All he could do was turn tail.

With the two using Life and Death Art on the four demons, they'd blow Blackwind Mountain sky high.

Li Jingtian rushed, "Steward Zhuo, I'll stop them."

"No need."

A vein popped on Zhuo Fan's forehead as his finger trembled, "Those four demons were wrong in the head from the start. There's no point arguing with them. But were these two so quick to lose themselves? Humph, they need to be taught a lesson!"

Zhuo Fan's hand signal changed and four blissful heartrending wails came from within, music to the ears of every Luo clansman.

"What's going on? My belly hadn't hurt in five years. What's with the sudden cramp?" Violent Demon rolled around, followed by five others.

"I know, it's the Bloodworms! That damn Li Jingtian is back!" Sly Demon cried.

Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai collapsed as they cursed, "Dumbasses, you still don't know that the old man conned you? He is a victim too and doesn't know how to use the Bloodworms. Or you'd think all the chaos you caused five years ago would only result in some scolding?"

"What, he played us?" Violent Demon roared, "Bloody bastard! That old foggie dares to play the demonic hero quartet? I'll tear him a new one if it's the last thing I do! Hold on, if he didn't do it, then why do I feel cramps all over and can't even move?"

"Humph, morons, do you even need to ask? Who in this world has such cruel ways?" Xue Qingjian was sweating and her eyes jerked in fear, "The kid's back!"

"What kid?" The Four Scheming Demons asked together.

Then a prideful voice echoed, "Correct, I have returned. So listen up!"

Zhuo Fan walked into the rundown place with fire in his eyes.

The Four Scheming Demons wailed, "Ah! A ghost!"

Zhuo Fan's face twitched, but he took it in stride. Xue Qingjian howled and begged, "Steward Zhuo, the four little sh*ts did it! It's not us who started it!"

But Zhuo Fan walked right past them.

Li Jingtian sighed, "You guys, how can Steward Zhuo not know that the four demons are behind it all? But you two should never ever think about using Life and Death Art here. Are you planning on wiping out the Luo clan? Steward Zhuo just came back and was in a rare good mood. But you…"

"But… we were only talking about it, not meaning to use it!" The old pair grew frantic and looked hurt.

They now looked to see Luo Yunchang pass them. They grabbed onto their final hope, "Young miss!"

Luo Yunchang knew their intention and nodded and gave a thumbs up. [No worries, leave it to me.]

The two were in deep pain, but felt relief.

[We haven't spent all that time with the young miss for nothing. She comes through for us when it matters…]

In the hall, Zhuo Fan took the main seat and saw no one inside, not even guards. [Those six must've scared them off.]

As the others came in, Zhuo Fan had Captain Pang look for Yan Song.

While Captain Pang ran along, Luo Yunchang pleaded the old couple's case. Zhuo Fan knew they were innocent, only incited by the pygmies.

Not even he could quell his rage when dealing with those freaks, not to mention others. So with another sign, the couple was released from their torment.

The two came to the hall and bowed to Zhuo Fan, giving a look of gratitude to Luo Yunchang.

Luo Yunchang gave Xue Qingjian a cheering gesture. [Sister, we look after each other!]

The females in the Luo clan were few in numbers. And with Xue Qingjian often spending time with Luo Yunchang, their age may be different but the two were now practically sisters.

Yan Song had heard of Yan Fu's arrival and rushed to the hall. He first bowed to Zhuo Fan then looked with joy for Yan Fu.

He soon found him.

"Disciple!" Yan Song's mouth trembled from the overwhelming emotion.

Yan Fu was stunned. He looked at him long and said, "Y-you're my master?"

"Uh…"

Yan Song slipped for a second, then smiled, "Ha-ha-ha, of course. I took Steward Zhuo's 8th grade pill and washed away the poison, making me dozens of years younger. Handsome, aren't I? I had told you many times if it weren't for training in the Rainbow Cloud Palm from a young age, I'd be an elegant and refined gentleman, wooing thousands of girls with a mere wink. See, I wasn't lying!"

Pff!

The people let a giggle slip. It was their first time seeing their Alchemy House Elder boasting like that. Just like a certain vile steward they knew. Indeed, bad habits do rub off when standing so close.

But Yan Fu shuddered and nodded, "Yes, you really are my master. Master only boasts like that with me. That's our secret, master!"

Yan Fu fell to Yan Song's feet. Yan Song was tearing up too. Master and disciple, finally reunited like father and son.

The rest didn't disturb them.

Afterward, Zhuo Fan thought Yan Fu was too young to assume a position, so he made him an assistant. As for the Four Scheming Demons, Zhuo Fan threw them somewhere far off and only three days later was he reminded of them. He released their seal and gave them a tongue lashing.

Ever since their return, under Zhuo Fan's tight supervision, the four were on their best behavior and Blackwind Mountain finally knew peace after five long and nerve wrecking years.

Meanwhile, Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian stepped foot in the imperial capital's palace with the Esoteric Debate's report…

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Chapter 346, Son's Visit

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

"Dugu Zhantian and Fang Qiubai greet His Majesty!"

The dignified emperor sat on the golden throne as the two bowed.

The emperor waved for them to get up and asked, "You two have been supervising the Esoteric Debate in my stead. Tell me, what has come off of it? What surprises have cropped up?"

The two nodded and Fang Qiubai took the lead, "Your Majesty, of the six dragons that had participated, Huangpu Qingtian, Yan Bangui, You Yushan and Lin Xuanfeng died at Zhuo Fan's hands. Luo clan became the true winner."

"What? T-that number one genius in Tianyu, Huangpu Qingtian..."

The emperor was stunned.

He had hoped for Zhuo Fan to mess with him, and that he only had a half chance of success. But then Zhuo Fan went all out and well beyond his duty, bringing him a wonderful piece of news.

Regent Estate and the other houses' future was now snuffed in the cradle. At the very least, a monster like Huangpu Qingtian wouldn't crop up anytime soon and the Regent Estate's power remained in check.

Taking a deep breath to control the overwhelming excitement, the emperor asked, "Anything else?"

He may have quelled his body's reaction, but his beard was swaying from glee. That alone was enough to see what a thrill this news had become.

Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian hesitated.

That was the good news and what followed was the worst news ever.

"Your Majesty, in the Esoteric Debate, Huangpu Qingtian revealed that he had a Dragon Vein Soul. Even though the Regent Estate talked its way out, I believe they are intent on drawing out the dragon souls from the imperial family's Dragon Vein and rebel!"

"What?!"

The emperor slammed the armrest, glowering, "You're saying the Regent Estate has grown so bold as to go after the imperial family's Dragon Vein and even had someone become the master of a dragon soul? Wait, that's not right. If Huangpu Qingtian has the dragon soul, he should be under the world's protection. How can..."

Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian sighed.

"I'm afraid Your Majesty's assumptions are correct. Zhuo Fan is a man to be reckoned with. He killed Huangpu Qingtian and subdued Dragon Vein Soul, making the world quake for nine days. From what I saw, he is a man who can change fate."

The emperor's face darkened, "You mean to tell me Zhuo Fan has the dragon soul and has now become a rightful king, by providence no less?"

"Yes. But although he has providence and dragon soul's protection, the wielder of Dragon Vein ruling the lands has been foretold by the High Priest since a thousand years ago. Over these years, the Parish's prediction hasn't changed. There's just one thing I am unable to clarify. If dragon soul's protection was providence and heaven's blessing, why did Huangpu Qingtian end up getting killed? Is this a flaw in the prediction, or Zhuo Fan defies the heavens themselves?"

Fang Qiubai was pensive.

The emperor said with cold eyes, "How did Zhuo Fan kill him?"

"Bit him to death." Dugu Zhantian reported with his head hanging.

The emperor was stunned, "Bitten to death? Did he... eat him?"

"Your Majesty, is something wrong?" Fang Qiubai asked.

What shocked the people was Zhuo Fan killing Huangpu Qingtian, with none paying attention to how he did it.

But from the emperor's reaction, it seems it held a deeper meaning.

The emperor continued, "What happened afterwards? What was the reaction of the houses after Regent Estate's eldest young master died?"

"Regent Estate's hatred for Zhuo Fan ran bone deep and when the kid returned to Dragon Cloud City, the four house lords besieged him, however..."

"What, you saved him?" The emperor eyed them.

Fang Qiubai sighed, "Your Majesty, the kid has the dragon soul now, and sooner or later, will become a thorn in the imperial family's side. Thinking about how he has done so much for us, we couldn't just kill him ourselves. So letting the Regent Estate attack him was the best conclusion. That is why Marshal Dugu and myself did not interfere. However, Mad Dipper Li Jingtian did."

"Mad Dipper? Wasn't he Regent Estate's Venerable? He went missing six years ago but why did he suddenly show up to protect Zhuo Fan?" The emperor frowned.

Fang Qiubai shook his head, "I am not clear either. All I know is that he turned his back on the Regent Estate and sided with the Luo clan, becoming their elder. He also follows Zhuo Fan's orders to a fault. It was evident from Zhuo Fan's order to annihilate the Regent Estate. He didn't hesitate in attacking Huangpu Tianyuan and the others."

"What, Regent Estate was destroyed in Dragon Cloud City?"

"Of course not!"

Fang Qiubai replied at the emperor's shock, "If all the elders of Regent Estate died, the world would be in chaos and that would only harm Your Majesty. That is why I stepped in. But Li Jingtian was truly strong. He has already reached peak Radiant Stage. All I could do was fight him to a draw. I am deeply ashamed."

The emperor's eyes shrank, incapable of believing what he was hearing. Luo clan, a third rate clan, was actually hiding an expert that could tie with a Divine Dragon?

[Doesn't that mean the Luo clan is on the same level as the seven houses?]

In fact, they are now second only to Regent Estate!

"In less than ten years, that wretched clan has grown so much. In less than a decade!" The emperor sighed.

Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian sighed as well. The events were too astonishing.

Zhuo Fan was incredible, capable of turning everything around.

Who could turn a bunch of ants in such a short time into an elephant? Zhuo Fan!

Taking out the paper from his sleeve, the emperor sighed, "Take a look. When the world quaked, Parish sent these words."

The two read it and after a pensive silence, they said to the emperor, "May we ask what is Your Majesty's view of these words?"

"I didn't understand at first, but listening to what transpired in Dragon Cloud City, I can guess now." The emperor stroked his beard, "The earth dragon points at Huangpu Qingtian, representing the Regent Estate. While the celestial dragon ought to be Zhuo Fan descending from the heavens. When the two dragons collide, the land and rivers shall each call their king. This is the most worrisome part. The world will fall into chaos, with kings appearing and Tianyu sundering!"

The two generals paled. If these words were true, the empire was at an impasse.

"Your Majesty, I may be close to the Luo clan, but for Tianyu's safety, allow me to march on Windgaze City!" Dugu Zhantian cupped his hands.

The emperor waved his proposal, "No, know yourself and your enemy and you shall be ever-victorious. The intelligence of the Luo clan is thin. To the point that we didn't even know of Li Jingtian. It's obvious that Zhuo Fan is hiding deep secrets. And even if we do march on them, we can't do it without a good reason. It will only give others the chance to take advantage of the chaos."

"Then what shall we do, Your Majesty?" Dugu Zhantian cupped his hands.

The emperor grumbled about something, then spoke with a dark face, "As per our promise, inform that all of the Luo clan has to come to the imperial capital for its reward, to receive their title as the eight noble house. Call upon the clans of the land and the seven houses to bear witness to this ceremony!"

Fang Qiubai's eyes lit up, catching the emperor's drift. He nodded, "Your Majesty is wise. With so many experts gathered in the imperial capital, we won't have to lift a finger as they will tear each other apart out of hatred and vengeance. Any misfortune that befalls the Luo clan now, even if by Regent Estate's insidious hand, would have nothing coming back to us. We will even see the Luo clan's true power come to light. That's two birds with one stone!"

"No, it may very well be possible that the Regent Estate has long been powerless to deal with the Luo clan. I only wish to see the Luo clan's power to its full extent, ha-ha-ha..." With a sinister laughter, the emperor's eyes shone.

Three months later, a red light shot before Blackwind Mountain. A seven year old kid appeared before the mountain, looking on with a sigh, "This must be dad's home. And it even has 5th grade arrays. Not bad at all."

"Dad, I'm here. Open up or I'll bash my way in!" The kid roared.

The very next second, fog parted and Yan Fu walked out from within. Seeing the shouting kid, he was lost, "Kid, where did you come from? Who told you to come here? Don't you know this is the Luo clan, the one even the seven houses fear? I'll give you a thrashing if you keep shouting."

"Tch, a mere lackey is so cocky? The Luo clan's fame must be quite something. Not beneath those houses at least." The kid grinned, ignoring Yan Fu and turning to the distant Blackwind Mountain peak as he assessed, "Not bad. Dad picked the perfect place with ample spiritual energy."

Yan Fu's face twitched and he snapped, "Brat, you dare call me a lackey? Do you know who I am, who my master is?"

"Tch, showing off and talking about your backing proves loud and clear that you are, in fact, but a lackey."

Ugh!

Yan Fu faltered, stunned speechless at the kid's flawless logic.

He had gotten used to scaring others with his master's name. Even though for the last few years, he was down on his luck, but after seeing his master, he was in high spirits, back to his same old habits.

But getting mocked by a kid left a bad taste in his mouth. Even more so when the kid made perfect sense. Everywhere he went he'd show off his backing, like a true lackey. As if he was afraid of getting a thrashing.

Yan Fu sighed in the end, "Out with it brat, what do you want?"

"I've come for someone."

"Who?"

"My dad, Zhuo Fan!" The kid stuck out his chin...

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Chapter 347, Monstrous Father and Son Duo

Translator: StarReader

[Uhm… what?!]

Gasping, Yan Fu stammered, "Who did you say you were here for again?"

"Zhuo Fan."

"N-no, I mean, is Steward Zhuo your…" Yan Fu gulped.

The kid raised an eyebrow and spoke genially, "My dad, why?"

"What, Steward Zhuo is your dad?" Only now did the words register in Yan Fu's grinding mind. He gasped with bulging eyes, "Steward Zhuo has a child? Why didn't he say anything?"

The kid put on his thinking cap, "Eh… he probably didn't have the time. Since the two of us only recently met."

[An out of wedlock child!]

Yan Fu's heart was pumping at full throttle as a cryptic smile formed on his face and he rubbed the kid's head, "Little guy, wait here while I get your dad."

The kid flicked Yan Fu's hand off, "Listen bud, I hate it when people touch my head. If not for being one of dad's men, I'd pummel you into the ground and leave you to the wolves."

Shivering, words left Yan Fu.

The kid was so tiny yet packed a mean attitude, threatening him left and right. [Just like Steward Zhuo.]

He now somewhat believed that the two were related. They were just too similar. Not to mention the kid sure was mighty, his hand was still stinging.

Sss~

Gasping, Yan Fu cradled his inflamed hand and darted inside to report.

[This is breaking news! Zhuo Fan's love child is at the door!]

In a jiffy, a stream of people rushed down the mountain, with Luo Yunchang in lead. The report had her thunderstruck, freezing on the spot.

She should've known Zhuo Fan had other girls out there besides Chu Qingcheng and Ning'er. With a child no less. That was the last straw!

[You damn player, once I get to the bottom of this, you're dead!]

Raging like a volcano, Luo Yunchang stormed down the mountain along with Xue Qingjian, Qiu Yanhai, Captain Pang and many more joining the bustle.

They were looking forward to meet their Steward's son. With such an attitude, his child ought not to be as fiendish as his dad, no?

But when they arrived, the kid looked so cute and bright, everyone just wanted to hug him.

"Awww, I didn't think the Steward's son would be so adorable. His mother must be gorgeous!" Xue Qingjian's maternal instinct kicked in high gear.

Luo Yunchang's mood only sank, mirthless. But seeing the kid she squeezed a smile as she asked, "Little guy, is your dad really our steward Zhuo Fan? Mind telling me your name?"

"Are you calling me a liar? You, rude bint, I've come to see my dad. You all better not stand in my way and take me to him, now!" The kid snapped.

Luo Yunchang's face twitched.

That was a first, for a kid to call her a bint. The others were having a blast and broke out in laughter.

Yan Song sized the kid and said, "The child may be young, but quite spirited. His tone is just like Steward Zhuo's, as brash and egotistical. We no longer have to fear the Luo clan's decline. We even have the next steward, ha-ha-ha…"

Yan Song laughed, rubbing the kid's hair.

But the kid's brow shivered and his face looked positively dark.

"Elder Yan is right. I find the kid clever and with Steward Zhuo's teachings, we will have endless generations of stronger and stronger geniuses. Come, call me uncle Pang!"

Captain Pang laughed, getting his turn to ruffle the kid's head, who only glowered.

But the crowd hardly noticed or cared. A child was getting teased by adults. What could he do other than bear it?

And so, after the second came the third, and on and on it went. Everyone rubbed his head and teased him. But the child's only reaction was an increasingly darker face.

The last draw was when Qiu Yanhai came over laughing. But before he could speak, the kid flung his hand off and snapped, "I told you not to touch my head. Take me to see my father!"

"Oh my, he's pouting, ha-ha-ha… The spitting image of Steward Zhuo!"

Qiu Yanhai laughed, further aggravating the kid by rubbing his head again, "You twerp, you are so young yet have such fire in you, just like your old man. A shame you don't have his strength. Look, I'm touching your head. What are you gonna do about it? I can't mess with your dad, so why don't I mess with you? Ha-ha-ha…"

Qiu Yanhai toyed with him until the kid's face was practically throbbing with rage.

Xue Qingjian poured more oil, "Geezer, stop poking him. He is only a child. Worry about when his dad finds out that we teased his son and he'll come toy with us. "

"Ha-ha-ha, what's there to fear? Steward Zhuo is in seclusion to nurse his wounds. He won't be coming out soon. A child's memory is like a fish anyway, gone the next day. He won't remember, right twerp?" Qiu Yanhai smirked.

The kid snorted, "Quite right. I don't have a good memory. Because anybody that pisses me off, I'll make sure to deal with them on the spot."

With a bang, the kid's tiny hand clamped on Qiu Yanhai's wrist like a vise.

Qiu Yanhai felt his wrist about to break and paled. Nothing he did could get him out of the hold. Only now did he realize that the kid was more than he seemed, way more.

While others were still blissfully oblivious.

The kid's eyes left him cold and shivering, "I don't need dad for help. I'll let you have a taste myself."

The kid flung Qiu Yanhai, under the bug-eyed crowd, smack into the ground.

Boom!

Qiu Yanhai cracked the earth, the gap extending farther and farther. In a blink, it crossed a whole mile and passed into Windgaze City.

Rumble!

No one could believe their eyes as to how Windgaze City was suddenly sporting a bottomless gap.

Pff!

Qiu Yanhai coughed blood, filled with shock.

[What kind of monster is he? How does he have so much power to wound an 8th layer Radiant Stage expert just like that?] He had never imagined the kid would be so freakish.

The rest went slack jawed, with eyes wide as saucers.

This seven year old scamp had the power to kill a Radiant Stage expert in one blow! [What the hell?]

The people gulped from shock.

[That's Zhuo Fan's kid alright. Neither of them is normal, but monsters! With the son even more outrageous than the father.]

Luo Yunchang forgot about her jealousy then and there. She stared at the previously adorable kid with raw fear.

Letting go of Qiu Yanhai, the kid tended to his hair, and mocked, "Geezer, know what's good for you. If not for you being under my dad, I'd have snapped your twig of a body in two. Humph, try touching me again and see where that gets you."

Qiu Yanhai felt like crying.

He, a Radiant Stage expert and an elder, was manhandled like a child, by a child!

The others looked startled and their hands shivered. Who among them hadn't touched the kid's head? It was just Elder Qiu's rotten luck to do it last. If it were them, their entire skeleton would be dust by now.

The crowd looked at the kid with even more fear, yet no less amazement. Zhuo Fan was a monster, but that didn't guarantee his son would be one too. At least not a freak of nature like this one.

[Holy hell! A seven year old kid can shoot down a Radiant Stage expert in one blow. How are the rest of us supposed to survive?]

Tears began to well in their hearts…

"Enough wasting time. Take me to my father!" The kid spoke with pride after that little display.

This time, the people were amiable enough to nod, and led the way shivering.

The kid held his head high, strutting before them as he walked into the Luo clan's manor.

Just then, five figures appeared, Li Jingtian and the Four Scheming Demons.

Seeing Luo Yunchang and the rest, Li Jingtian asked, "What's wrong? What was all the commotion outside?"

The faces of everyone sank as they pointed at the kid.

Li Jingtian merely looked at him and became a blundering shivering mess, "I-Invincible Scamp Gu Santong! What in god's name are you doing here?"

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Chapter 348, I Want to Use the Qilin Leg

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

"Ah! It's that little monster, he just won't leave us alone!" The Four Scheming Demons hugged their heads and rolled on the ground in fear.

And everyone went speechless.

This was a first for all, seeing Mad Dipper frantic and the four fearless pygmies scurrying around like headless chickens.

Then again, the power this kid showed was almost out of this world...

"Uh, Elder Li, you know this child?" Luo Yunchang asked with a trembling lip.

Li Jingtian looked oddly at her, "C-child? Young miss, he may be a child to you, but to us, he is the oldest monster. Just three hundred years ago, he threw Tianyu into chaos and defeated everyone. And now he is the strongest Divine Dragon of the imperial family, Invincible Scamp Gu Santong. We won't even be able to scratch him with all of us working together."

What a shocker! All eyes on Gu Santong were now full of fear.

Who could've seen that coming? Certainly not them! That a sweet, sweet child could be such an abomination.

Qiu Yanhai was the most bitter. Glancing at the adorable Gu Santong, he felt like crying. If he had known the kid was a centuries old freak, he wouldn't even get near him.

Everyone was now trying to make sense of what this force of nature was doing coming to the Luo clan.

"But... isn't he Zhuo Fan's son? How can he be three hundred years old?" Luo Yunchang was skeptical.

Li Jingtian looked puzzled as well, "Who told you that?"

"He did!" And the crowd had spoken, pointing at Gu Santong.

Now it is Li Jingtian's turn to be floored. He looked at Gu Santong's genial face, filled with doubt. All the renowned experts cared about the world's view of them and Gu Santong was no different. [What possible reason would this almighty expert have to lower himself and say he was some guy's son?]

The non committal Gu Santong had clearly admitted it to be the truth, leaving Li Jingtian even more confused.

"Where's dad? Take me to him!" Gu Santong said.

Li Jingtian hesitated but nodded in the end, "Wait a moment while I inform him."

It wasn't long before he was back, but this time with an even odder look for Gu Santong, "Uh, Steward Zhuo asked everyone and... the child to come inside."

Those words were enough for everyone to see that Zhuo Fan was indeed Gu Santong's dad. There would be no point for Elder Li to call him child otherwise.

Yet nobody had a clue about how a worldly expert, Tianyu's strongest Divine Dragon, ended up as his son.

One thing was certain though, they saw Zhuo Fan's handiwork in a whole new light. Only he could make this possible.

Walking in a single file, they all marched into the Luo clan's main hall. Zhuo Fan was already seated with a bright smile, "Young Sanzi, it's been ages!"

"Dad!"

Gu Santong skipped cheerfully in Zhuo Fan's arms. He didn't look like a three hundred year old monster to anyone, just a sweet child.

But the instant he saw Zhuo Fan's empty right sleeve, his eyes snapped, "Dad, your right hand! Who did this to you? I'll kill them all!"

"No need, I've already handled it."

Zhuo Fan shook his head. With Tianyu's factions in a delicate balance, he didn't want Gu Santong to be the spark that blew everything sky high and affected his plan.

"And what are you doing here? It can't be that you're here just to see little old me." Zhuo Fan switched topics with a smile.

Gu Santong nodded, "I came to give the Luo clan a decree. For the Luo clan's exemplary performance in Esoteric Debate, three months from now, the emperor will bestow upon it the title of 8th noble house in the imperial capital, in front of the clans of Tianyu. All heads of the clans and houses will be there to celebrate."

[What?!]

Everyone was stunned.

Who would've thought the imperial family would hold up their word so fast? But it also worried them. Zhuo Fan had the Dragon Vein Soul, and the emperor's attitude would definitely change towards them.

But by giving them a title in such a grand style while also inviting every clan, was there a hidden agenda that might affect the Luo clan?

Zhuo Fan squinted, but smiled in the end, "Ha-ha-ha, I see. Now I know that you've come to give me this information. Thanks young Sanzi. And how have they been treating you in the Imperial Palace, do they feed you well?"

Gu Santong's glee was replaced with heartache, "Don't remind me. Those stingy creeps only know to give me 1st and 2nd grade ingredients. Ever since I ate dad's high grade ingredients, those low ones seem stale."

"Ha-ha-ha, then why don't you stay here for a little while and live it up like a young master?"

Laughing, Zhuo Fan presented an ingredient rich in spiritual energy. Gu Santong perked up on the spot, "8th grade ingredient! F-for me?"

"Of course. What's mine is yours!" Zhuo Fan pushed the ingredient to a cheerful Gu Santong.

At the side, Yan Song's heart was bleeding. [That's an 8th grade ingredient!] With the secret alchemy art Zhuo Fan had taught him, he might even be able to refine a 9th grade pill with that ingredient.

[Giving it away just like that is such a waste.]

But the pain had only just begun.

Zhuo Fan waved Yan Song over, "Elder Yan, my son will be staying with us for a few days. He just loves ingredients. For every meal, you have to give him at least one 6th grade ingredient. Got it?"

Face twitching, alchemist Yan Song's poor heart was at its limit.

But since Zhuo Fan had commanded it, he could only suck it up and nod. Gu Santong was ecstatic, hugging his neck and kissing him, "You're the best dad in the whole world..."

All of this happened before a mute audience. Where did the fiendish monster go? In front of Zhuo Fan, he was nothing but a cute seven year old.

"Alright, alright..."

Zhuo Fan waved, telling Gu Santong to get down as his face turned serious, "Young Sanzi, there's something I must talk to you about. Perhaps you won't agree, but I must ask."

Gu Santong cocked his head.

Zhuo Fan sighed and said, "Young Sanzi, I want to use the Qilin leg."

"What?" Gu Santong cried.

"I know, it is very dear to you, and I never intended to do this either. But now I have no choice..." His eyes trailed to his empty right sleeve as he continued, "If you don't agree I'll have no choice but to force you to take it from me or make you agree and have you resent me forever."

Raising his arm, his Thunder Ring flashed as he looked Gu Santong straight in the eye.

He knew how important the Qilin leg was to Gu Santong. It was his elder's remains that he treasured greatly.

If he had just used it without even telling Gu Santong, there would always be a wall between them. It might even break off their relationship.

Gu Santong's first godfather was a scholar, who taught him to repay gratitude in kind.

Before he made this request, Zhuo Fan had first dumped a pile of ingredients in this kid's lap, earning a few brownie points coupled with the statement, [What's mine is yours.] – sharing the profits.

Forcing a great battle to take place in Gu Santong's heart.

Zhuo Fan treated him like his kin, but to avoid any arguments in the future, he still came out clean to make Gu Santong give him the Qilin leg willingly.

Zhuo Fan held his breath as he watched him. Gu Santong was silent for a long time before nodding, "If it were anyone else, I'd definitely refuse. But like dad just said, what's mine is yours."

"Ha-ha-ha, oh son!"

Zhuo Fan laughed, hugging him tighter and kissing him twice until Gu Santong giggled.

The people in the hall sighed. Steward Zhuo was a true miracle worker to get so close with that little monster. They were no different from true father and son.

Not to mention this monstrous duo would one day take the empire by the storm with no one to stop them.

Everyone could practically see the two go on a rampage and the Luo clan entering into an era of prosperity at the top.

[It was the right choice to come over to the Luo clan's side.] Was the unanimous sentiment.

Only Luo Yunchang didn't care much for interests, feeling her heart swell at the touching reunion.

[Zhuo Fan is no longer lonely...]

Zhuo Fan and Gu Santong chatted for a while and then Zhuo Fan took him to have his fill of ingredients. Especially high grade ones. These were all taken from that 6th grade spiritual beast's cave back in Beast King Mountain.

Their amount was neither plenty nor few to start with. Yan Song was the Alchemy House Elder and was ecstatic at seeing them the first time.

But now he had to watch them get stuffed down Gu Santong's gullet. In no time at all, almost none were left, much to the misery of the old man.

Not that Zhuo Fan cared. As long as he could use the Qilin leg while Gu Santong agreed, he took it as a bargain. As for the ingredients, they were merely worldly possessions, nothing compared to the Qillin leg and the ongoing relationship he had with Gu Santong.

Two weeks later, Gu Santong's time was up and he had to leave, despite his reluctance. But before he left, Zhuo Fan gave him a pile of ingredients as snacks, making the separation somewhat bearable.

When Gu Santong was gone, Luo Yunchang and the rest were preparing to leave as well, for the imperial capital. But Zhuo Fan wasn't coming with them.

He was almost completely healed and what was left was to deal with his severed right arm. Then he would be reborn, with newfound power coursing through his veins tens of times greater than before...

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Chapter 349, Qilin Arm

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

"Elder Li, the safety of young miss will be your responsibility on your way to the Imperial capital. Myself and the other elders will meet you later." At the foot of Blackwind Mountain, Zhuo Fan patted Li Jingtian's shoulder.

Li Jingtian nodded.

Zhuo Fan let out a relaxed chuckle and left a few instructions for the rest before sending them off.

He was letting Li Jingtian go on this trip to the imperial capital out of fear that the other houses might harbor evil plans.

In that regard, the tough and loyal Li Jingtian was the best choice.

When they were gone from his sight, Zhuo Fan took Xue Qingjian, Yan Song and the Four Scheming Demons back to Blackwind Mountain. They soon arrived before the familiar Misty Forest.

Zhuo Fan said, "I will enter seclusion for a few days and you must protect me. No one is allowed entry into Blackwind Mountain's surroundings. Is that clear?"

"Crystal!" They all cupped their hands.

Zhuo Fan relaxed and vanished among the fog. The rest assumed their role and guarded Blackwind Mountain from all directions.

After arriving at a wide clearing, Zhuo Fan found it adequate and began to carve a familiar body refining array. The only difference was that this array was a great deal larger.

When finished, Zhuo Fan's hand flashed and he inserted tens of thousands of spirit stones into the array core with a wave.

With a boom, a pillar suddenly shot for the clouds.

This was the same Qilin leg he obtained from the Lightning Canyon, the one he was planning to make his new right arm from.

But the effort to convert a sacred beast's leg into a human's arm was far too difficult. The scale of the Qilin leg alone posed a huge problem.

Luckily, he had come prepared. With the Shaping Spring he got from Beast King Mountain, this problem was solved by itself. Shaping Spring's mystical ability would turn the Qilin leg into a human's arm and safely replace his lost limb.

He had had this idea since the first time he heard of Shaping Spring. But because of the dangers involved, he had vetoed it.

Yet the fight with Huangpu Qingtian had taught him to steel himself and throw away any hesitation. [It's just a hand, how hard can it be?]

Grinning, Zhuo Fan sighed. [When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.]

Zhuo Fan flew atop the Qilin leg and poured the Shaping Spring all over it. He then slowly floated back down, stepped out of the array and made a hand sign.

A tremendous boom echoed and the array exploded with light. Even the thick fog found it hard to conceal it.

The elders outside were stunned, in the dark about Zhuo Fan's plan.

Then the Qilin leg released a bloody glow echoing the array's own light. It trembled and crackled with lightning. At the same time, the white liquid on its surface slowly seeped in.

It wasn't long before all of it was absorbed.

Squinting, Zhuo Fan capitalized on the timing and changed his hand sign, "Heaven and Earth's sacred power shifts ying and yang, the Qilin leg will turn into an arm. All shall be fused as one and the sacred arm will break the heavens!"

It started off with a buzz. The array released a ripple from its center and the Qilin leg never stopped shaking.

It reached the magnitude of an earthquake as even the surrounding mountains started rumbling, including Blackwind Mountain. Not even the four 5th grade arrays could take the strain when rocks fell everywhere.

Qiu Yanhai, Xue Qingjian and the rest of the elder contingency were overwhelmed. [What is Steward Zhuo doing? Is he going to wreck his own clan's foundation?]

The Four Scheming Demons wailed as they panicked all over the place, "The sky is falling..."

Only Zhuo Fan was stirred, seeing the Qilin leg shrink by half in a blink.

The body refining array from the Nine Serenities Secret Records was truly something to be able to refine even a sacred beast.

The next part was crucial, fusing the sacred arm. Success would be achieved only when the Qilin leg would calmly rest below his right shoulder.

[Or all of this effort would go to waste.]

[I hope there won't be a rejection. This is, after all, the sacred leg from the mighty Qilin...]

Squinting, Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and focused on the shrinking red pillar. Once it was the size of an arm, he shouted and jumped inside the array.

Ah!

A wail of agony similar to the one in the Allbeast Mountain Range echoed. Zhuo Fan felt his body disintegrate under the onslaught of the thunderstorm within the array.

What made it worse was that this pain was a hundred times more excruciating than last time.

Last time the array size was much smaller, and he had only used Diamond Sand and a 6th level spiritual beast's wings. But this time, he thirsted to make the mighty Qilin's leg his arm.

Weighting the price and the benefits of having it rest below his shoulder, he found it more than worth it.

But not for the life of him did Zhuo Fan expect to endure such agony. Watching his body chipping away, his flesh splashing onto the array, Zhuo Fan's eyes widened with pain, ready to explode.

This pain went beyond the conceivable realm. The last refining was but a bug bite by comparison.

But Zhuo Fan held fast.

The last time he had done it for Ning'er, while this time he was doing it for everyone, so that Ning'er' misfortune would never repeat itself.

Ah!

Howling at the sky, the elders outside freaked out. They watched the Misty Forest with concern.

[Steward Zhuo, just what cultivation method are you practicing to make even a tenacious demon like you scream at the top of his lungs...]

In the array, Zhuo Fan's flesh floated about and even his organs were gone. All that was left was his skeleton and his trembling eyes.

Zhuo Fan would've been long dead by now in these circumstances, but within the array, his life force didn't scatter.

Hum~

The Qilin leg released a bloody glow and Zhuo Fan's pieces of flesh flew around it and bathed in the red glow before shooting for his body and reforging it.

With a long sigh, Zhuo Fan's heart eased. [It's finally combining.] This meant that the refining was nearing its end, bringing him one step closer to success.

His thinking was quite logical. When the body was reformed, the refining would end.

Although, he didn't take into account the fact that the target of his refining was a sacred beast.

Whoosh~

The flying flesh reformed on Zhuo Fan's skeleton and released a pale red glow, with only the right arm missing from its place.

And then the Qilin leg floated over, slowly approaching his shoulder to fuse.

He didn't get to rejoice though as a heaven shaking howl announced the trembling of the Qilin leg.

A red glow flashed from the leg and pierced his brain.

Zhuo Fan blanked out for a second and felt his head splitting, about to explode. A bellow like that of a savage beast tore through the deepest corners of his mind and knocked him out.

[I failed...]

Sighing in his heart, this was his last thought before he passed out cold.

A blood red Qilin was roaring in his soul, wanting to tear the place apart.

[A mere human dares to covet my sacred body? You are judged unworthy!]

Roar!

While the Qilin was having a literal blast in the depths of his soul, a dragon roar came from within Zhuo Fan's body. The Dragon Vein Soul charged at the Qilin.

Zhuo Fan was now its master and its duty was to protect him. It was aware that it was no match for the Qilin, but it was going to try and protect Zhuo Fan with its life.

The Qilin only had disdain for the dragon soul, "Humph, if you were a celestial dragon, I would've graced you with a strike. But a tiny earth dragon dares to bar my path?"

The Qilin lifted its leg and stomped on the dragon soul.

Bam!

The dragon soul was kicked out of Zhuo Fan's soul and back into his Dantian with the face of a kicked puppy.

[Master! I did my best, but it just wasn't enough!]

"Ha-ha-ha, a snail dares contend with me? Die!" The Qilin cackled and raved at the surrounding darkness, "Ha-ha-ha, this human brat has some nerve. See how I'll tear your soul to smithereens!"

It didn't get the chance though as a sharp cry announced the pain in his back. A huge bird made of azure flame clawed at the tough Qilin's back.

Qilin looked back in shock, "You!"

"Yes, old partner, I've chosen this kid and one day he will return our help many fold. You have long since died and removing this grief from your soul will be for the best."

The huge azure fire bird exploded into flames and swallowed the Qilin. With a tightening of its claws, the Qilin vanished in a red glow.

Then, the huge azure fire bird vanished as well. Only then did Zhuo Fan's ever throbbing right arm, the Qilin leg, finally became still as it began to fuse with his body...

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Chapter 350, Comprehensive Advancement

"I wasn't devoured?"

After a long time, Zhuo Fan opened his eyes and saw the clear blue sky.

When the Qilin leg connected to his shoulder, he felt a terrible resentment tearing at his soul.

But what had him shocked was that a mere Qilin leg, dead for god knows how long, was still bearing such strong resentment.

As it came from a sacred beast, the magnitude was amplified.

It had instantly cut off his consciousness before he could even cry for help. The last thought that went through his mind was a lament for having failed it all.

The sacred beast's resentment pierced his soul, yet it didn't get destroyed?

[How am I still alive? Did the Qilin resentment turn noble and let me off?]

Even he found that impossible. Resentment was a mass of rage, how could it develop a conscience?

Zhuo Fan just couldn't make heads or tails of it. He shook his head in the end, crawling to his feet. Then he realized he had done that with his right arm…

He looked at his right hand in shock and a glowing red arm entered his eyes.

[The refining succeeded.] He had turned the Qilin leg into a sky-piercing Qilin arm!

Overjoyed, Zhuo Fan took in all the details of his new arm, yet it wasn't one bit different from his other arm. But when he moved his fingers, he could feel the space itself vibrate.

The power behind his right arm was just as freaky as Gu Santong's!

Zhuo Fan was confident that no one in Tianyu could match this arm of his. He wouldn't balk even against Gu Santong's attacks.

Zhuo Fan was ecstatic and jumped in glee. But he could only jump to a thousand feet of height above the mist.

Zhuo Fan had forgotten that he had lost his wings and couldn't fly as a Bone Tempering expert. So why was he still hovering here?

[I… have advanced!]

Zhuo Fan checked his cultivation in a rush.

Sure enough, the refining had jumped his cultivation into the 3rd layer of Profound Heaven Stage. Not to mention the dragon soul's power within him had already fused with him and brought his body to a new level.

Through the dragon power tempering and with the dragon soul within him, the power in his body shot had through the roof. Not even Huangpu Qingtian could match him now.

And that wasn't even half of it. He found with great delight that Blood Infant had advanced as well. It had broken the shackles and advanced into the Profound Heaven Stage.

The Profound Heaven Stage Blood Infant's speed had reached an unprecedented level. Not even a Discerning Field could catch up to it.

Squinting, Zhuo Fan flexed his mind.

Whoosh!

A red glow flew out of him, took a tour of Blackwind Mountain's surroundings for a hundred miles and was back inside in the blink of an eye.

At the core of Blackwind Mountain, watching over the arrays, Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai, were cultivating with closed eyes when they felt a chill pass through them.

"Old hag, did you feel that?" Qiu Yanhai's eyes trembled.

Xue Qingjian nodded and gulped, "A-as if something passed by. But why couldn't I sense it? It's all based on my instinct."

"You too?"

Gasping, Qiu Yanhai's aged face shuddered, "Then it mustn't have been just a coincidence. I felt the same. But why? Is there anything in this world that can fly past our divine sense without getting detected? If not for the instincts we honed through battles for a century, we wouldn't have felt the danger either."

"Yeah, just what was that? If it was a human, how dreadful would he be? We could never hope to reach him."

Qiu Yanhai sighed, scratching his head, "I only hope he has no ill will towards the Luo clan…"

In another area, the Four Scheming Demons were on duty, to fend off anyone going into the Misty Forest where Zhuo Fan lay.

But were these pygmies that bored? It didn't take fifteen minutes before they were back to squabbling and fighting. And they had kept at it all this time.

Whoosh!

When the red glow flashed by, the four pygmies stopped mid swing.

"Bro, did something pass by just now?" Sly Demon frowned.

Violent Demon's punch faltered, his eyes roaming about, "No way. What could possibly pass us four heroic demons without so much as a sound? Such a thing doesn't exist in this world."

"Yeah, there's absolutely no way!" Wimp Demon shook his head.

The other two paused for a second before doing the same.

"That settles it. Now, where were we?" Violent Demon swung his hand with a grin.

Sly Demon said, "Uh, you were about to punch my face."

Bam!

And that was what Violent Demon did, smacking Sly Demon's nose, "Ha-ha-ha, now I remember. I really wanted to bash your face in."

Sly Demon returned blows of course, right at Violent Demon's head. Thus, the four resumed their ever bustling bonding.

But just then, Zhuo Fan's dignified voice came from above Blackwind Mountain, "Elders, come to the Misty Forest."

Steward Zhuo was out!

Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai rushed post haste. Yan Song came out of the Alchemy House as well, flying to the forest.

The Four Scheming Demons stopped their sharing tough love and gathered at Misty Forest.

Soon, all of the Luo clan's elders were watching the forest. Zhuo Fan walked out of the bloody fog and nodded.

The elders saw that Zhuo Fan didn't only recover his arm but had also reached the 3rd layer of Profound Heaven Stage.

Leaping four layers in just one month? His speed was faster than a rocket!

Monster!

The word was on everyone's lips. [How could Huangpu Qingtian possibly compare? He was just a novice.]

Zhuo Fan smiled, "How long was I away?"

"A month." Yan Song bowed.

Nodding pleasantly, Zhuo Fan said, "Perfect, I just let my demonic creature check your situation. You've done well this month."

"What, it was you just now?" Xue Qingjian cried out, "What is that demonic creature that moves so fast?"

"Ha-ha-ha, I have many more tricks up my sleeve. You will get to see them in time."

Zhuo Fan replied with a vague smile, which only made the others more baffled. [Just how many tricks is Steward Zhuo Fan hiding to catch everyone off guard? Truly frightening.]

Even though they were Radiant Stage experts, they were like kittens in front of a tiger when Zhuo Fan was around.

"From what I saw, that was a quick reaction. Elder Qiu and Elder Xue, you're quite sharp. Elder Yan is still in Profound Heaven Stage so it's fine, and he is quite dedicated to alchemy too. Only you four, what the hell is wrong you sh*ts?"

Zhuo Fan's smile turned demonic as he glared, "I told you to defend this place yet all you do is squabble. Talk, how should I punish your negligence of duty?"

Shuddering, the four put on hurt looks in sync.

"Uh, Steward Zhuo, anything but the Bloodworms. Any other punishment is fine. How about you beat us up?" Sly Demon pleaded.

Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan laughed, "You must be thinking I can't hurt you, to ask for that, right? Fine, we'll do it your way. I'll beat you silly!"

The four were ecstatic.

With Zhuo Fan's tiny cultivation in comparison to theirs, in the 6th layer of Profound Heaven Stage, he couldn't even make it sting. As long as the Bloodworms were out of the picture.

Even standing there and taking Zhuo Fan's hits, they figured Zhuo Fan's fist would be the one hurting in the end.

The four showed crafty smiles.

Zhuo Fan didn't mind, merely eying them coldly as he spread his arms, "Take your pick, left or right?"

"Ha-ha-ha, whichever you wish." Violent Demon laughed nonchalantly.

With a snicker, Zhuo Fan stretched out his left arm and said, "Left it is, so I won't beat you to death and waste all the effort dumped into you the past five years."

[Transformation!]

Zhuo Fan roared in his mind…

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Chapter 351, Two Beast Fists

Roar!

A dragon roar reverberated and Zhuo Fan's face turned more and more savage as his left arm released a golden glow and a dragon image flowed along it.

Constant snapping sounds were heard and his skin actually transformed into dragon scales.

Lastly, his entire hand turned into a dragon claw. A mere twitch of his fingers was enough to tell you how sharp they were as they whistled through the air.

"Earth Dragon Claw!"

Zhuo Fan said. He turned his vicious eyes at the four scared cats and said, "Over the last month, I've trained to integrate with the Dragon Vein Soul. So transforming goes without saying, ha-ha-ha…"

Then he swung his claw at the ground.

Boom!

A yellow glow flashed and a glowing arc split the ground on the spot. It passed through everything, snapping things in two. Not even the mountains were spared.

It went strong for the better part of a mile, before the yellow wave attack vanished.

Everyone watched on in shock.

Zhuo Fan cultivated for just one month and he came out not only layers above, but even his body was monstrous now.

Even the renowned body cultivators in the Radiant Stage would be reduced to pieces under that claw.

They all watched Zhuo Fan with dread. Now even if he didn't use the Bloodworms, he could still put them in their place, not that they dared mess with him to begin with.

Zhuo Fan's body strength far exceeded theirs…

"Abominable four, which one of you little sh*ts would like to go first?"

Zhuo Fan waved the dragon claw around, like a Demon Archon about to hand over the sentence to some imps.

The Four Scheming Demons were scared to death, choking on their own words.

[Holy hell! Is this a joke? What's going to be left of me after that punch?]

They were truly regretting it now, knowing Zhuo Fan's capacity for abnormality. Each time Steward Zhuo went into seclusion was like being born anew, coming up with new and outrageous ways to be overpowered.

Case in point, Zhuo Fan's current seclusion shot him way beyond all those present. They were totally unprepared, but now they had to roll with it.

They should've seen this coming and should've dropped on their knees to beg for mercy instead. But how were they supposed to do that now?

The four sighed, their smiles laid thick with a heavy sense of begrudging and self-deprecation.

But soon, Sly Demon's eyes probed, "Steward Zhuo, your Earth Dragon Claw is marvelous! I wonder though, can you do that with both hands?"

"Only the left."

Zhuo Fan could see his thinking from a mile away, yet he didn't hide it.

Sly Demon lit up and he gathered his pals around for a little bro talk, then they came out laughing.

Violent Demon puffed up his chest and stuck his chin out, "Steward Zhuo, didn't you say we can choose which hand? You're a man of your word, right?"

"But of course, though it won't change anything." Zhuo Fan smiled, "So I decided to use the left in dishing out your punishment."

"No, we've changed our minds. We want the right one." Violent Demon pointed at his brand new hand with a cackle.

Sending a condescending gaze his way, Zhuo Fan looked at his own right hand and shook his head, "This… won't end well…"

"And why not? Come on, Steward Zhuo, you are a clan's steward, your words are worth gold. You can't go saying something on one hand and do another on the other. Or no one would trust you."

Violent Demon urged on seeing him hesitate.

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Oh, reverse psychology. Not bad at all. Alright, we'll do it your way. Here comes my right."

The four rejoiced, with Wimp Demon even giving a thumbs up and sucking up to his bro, "That's our bro, insightful and glib! He has just received that arm and hasn't practiced using it yet. It must be the weakest. It will snap like a twig the instant it touches us. Good going bro!"

"Dang right, or I ain't your eldest bro!" Violent Demon stuck out his chin.

Sly Demon was annoyed and backhanded Wimp Demon, "Cut the bull, that was my idea. Who's ass are you kissing? By all rights you should be kissing mine!"

Wimp Demon looked aggrieved with that red face.

Violent Demon was growing irate and backhanded Sly Demon too, "You're the bullsh*tting one! I'm the eldest bro. Without my wise leadership you'd never come up with this plan. All credit goes to me!"

"You're the one bullsh*tting. I said it first. It was my idea. Why should you take credit?"

Sly Demon was pissed off and started throwing punches at Violent Demon. The other two demons were cheering, but it wasn't long before they joined in for a much needed bonding.

And so, four little demons played their little act per usual - same old same old.

The elders having front row seats of the spectacle had brooding moods. [These little sh*ts are a lost cause. They've already forgotten why Steward Zhuo was angry, why he was punishing them.]

They were going at it right in front of him, like everything was right as rain, no harm done.

Glancing over at Zhuo Fan, everyone could see the throbbing vein on his forehead.

"You four, are you ready for my fist?" Zhuo Fan's patience was running dangerously low.

The Four Scheming Demons weren't stopping on his account, yet they had the time to speak in unison, "Don't mind us, do your thing. Knock yourself out and have your fill of punching!"

Despise, condescension and contempt, these four demons weren't buying Zhuo Fan's bravado, thinking his right arm wasn't up to snuff.

Zhuo Fan smiled in anger and moved his hand around, "Ha-ha-ha, you sure are experts to want so many punches. That's fine, let's give you a little taste first, shall we?"

Zhuo Fan's eyes flashed with bloodthirst and he punched, "Tangible Projection, Sky Piercing Qilin Arm!"

Boom!

Like a flood, Zhuo Fan's right arm shined red and swelled. His thick arm became like a giant steel wall barreling straight for the demons.

That terrifying might stole the breath of even these 6th layer of Radiant Stage experts. Ducking their heads instinctively.

Whoosh!

The red glow shot over the demons into the sky.

Boom!

Like an artillery blast, the Qilin sacred arm rumbled the space wherever it passed and pulverized everything else.

With the space in front of the fist taking the brunt of the hit, warping constantly and making a three hundred feet tall cliff crumble into nothing.

Once silence sat in, all that was left in the eyes of the onlookers was desolation and not much else.

The shock was so great that they were in denial.

Everyone knew Zhuo Fan would have an outrageous power boost, but who'd have seen that one coming? Not them. That thing could crush the world. The Four Scheming Demons were shivering on the spot, their faces void of blood.

It was a deja vu moment for them. Gu Santong had done the same thing. One invincible punch to crush everything.

Gulping, the Four Scheming Demons found it hard to look at the red pillar in the sky. They knew they had messed up and were on the verge of crying.

[You call that a hand? That's a pylon! The slightest touch will turn us into meat patties! I'd take the dragon claw anytime, thank you very much! ]

They blindly took Zhuo Fan's new arm for a newborn's, when in fact it was a weapon of mass destruction.

[Moreover, are those the arms of a human?]

Gasping, Zhuo Fan withdrew the Qilin leg back to being his arm and nodded pleasingly.

Transformation was a secret art of changing shape. That meant turning his left arm into The Earth Dragon Claw, of a sacred beast taking human form .

While Tangible Projection meant transformation of returning to its original form.

His Qilin arm looked like an arm and was tough beyond imagination, but only through this Tangible Projection of turning the Qilin arm back to the Qilin leg, could he unleash the Sky-piercing Qilin power.

Yet this wasn't all the Qilin leg could do, limited as it was by his low cultivation. Had he put too much power into the blow, he'd be going down with it.

But even when limited, for the whole of Tianyu, it was more than enough.

With the Earth Dragon Claw on his left and the Qilin arm on his right, no enemy could contest him in Tianyu.

Zhuo Fan grinned, awfully full of himself.

Now that he took notice of the others, their minds had taken a vacation it seemed, betrayed by their dumb looks. While the four demons were shaking like leaves.

With a demonic smile, Zhuo Fan swished his right hand, "You four said to keep 'em coming right? Want another one?"

"No no no, Steward Zhuo, you're too awesome! We don't dare to play in front of you. How about you use the Blood Infant to punish us. That punch of yours will splatter us! You wouldn't want the Luo clan's last five years of investment to be for nothing, would you?" The four demons' heads were pounding and snot was coming out of their noses.

Zhuo Fan smiled, "Ha-ha-ha, you four just keep begging for mercy. Fine, I'll let it slide just this once, but you better get this straight. If I find you slacking on the job again, there won't be a next time. I'll flatten your heads on the spot! "

"Steward Zhuo, worry not, it won't happen again… " The four demons shook their heads and vowed.

Only then did Zhuo Fan nodded and looked in the distance, "Good. It's time we go to the Imperial capital and regroup with the others."

"Yes!"

Everyone cupped their hands as they accepted the order. Even the playful and sly demons turned respectful on the spot…

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Chapter 352, Imperial Capital Ceremony

Imperial capital, the Imperial Palace's gates.

There were 360 copper inlays in the nine heavy three meter tall gates. Set in the shape of Macrocosmic Orbit Array, it was an everlasting symbol of peace and imperial power.

Guards strapped in golden armor stood before each grand gate with grace and dignity, releasing a heavy pressure on anyone who came close.

Even fresh cultivators could feel the presence of a thousand of these Profound Heaven experts. The Imperial family's power had always been the strongest in Tianyu.

A crowd had gathered outside these gates since the crack of dawn, now in awe of such a display of power.

How long had it been since the imperial family had held a ceremony? No one knew since this was their first. On such occasions, delegates were to come from every clan in Tianyu, from the biggest houses to the smallest.

The last time such a gathering took place was centuries ago when everyone banded together and repelled invaders from their border.

It was quite plain to see how much weight the imperial family had attributed to the bestowal of the 8th noble house title. The Luo clan, a mere third rate clan, was now going to be wallowing in honor.

They had simply won the Esoteric Debate, but was it that great an achievement to have the whole of Tianyu take part in its award ceremony?

Some small clans, waiting in the biting cold outside the gates, begged to differ. [Why don't we get that kind of treatment?]

The many clans gathered before the Imperial Palace's gates were feeding the rumor mill as they discussed.

Some were envious and some were in awe, but what predominated everyone was reverence.

It had never happened before and the difficulty could be imagined. A third rate clan was, in their time, entering the rank of houses and even receiving the imperial family's approval.

Since a third rate clan could be so hardworking, the other lowly clans had no reason to stagnate and contend with the status quo…

"Y-young master, wait…"

Among the tight crowd, a proud and dashing youth, wearing a scholar's hat, kept on walking even as the apprentice scholar behind him yelled.

He only stopped when he reached the front of the throng of people. His eyes shining like stars, looking all around him, "I'm finally out."

"Y-young master, we have to go back or I'll be punished!" The child squeezed in front as well, her cute and squishy face made him so adorable.

The young master only smiled, "I've been stuck home for ages. Now that I'm out, time to have some fun. Why the hell would I go back now? This is the Imperial Palace's 8th house award ceremony, the event of the millennium. The last time this happened was at the empire's founding.

"I want to see with my own eyes what makes this 8th house so great, so powerful to make imp-, ugh, His Majesty break the thousand year long convention."

Looking about, assured that no one noticed his slip of the tongue, the youth stuck out his tongue and smiled.

The child was even more distraught, "Y-young master, you've had your fun for four hours already. It's time we head back, or with your temper we won't get away with a simple punishment if anything happens."

"Stop yapping!"

The young master bopped the child on the head, annoyed, "You dare talk to me this way? When I get back, it's the cane for you!"

"Then why did you bring me with you? To punish me? If anything happens to you, my life's on the line!"

"You…"

The young master glared, angry. Was he that weak to not survive one hit in front of so many people?

Seeing how he wanted to slip away all the time, he was just like a human trafficker. Was he that useless?

"His Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived!"

With a sharp cry, a refined sedan chair entered everyone's eyes. Once it stopped, an elegant and dignified youth wearing a golden robe with four dragon claws on it stepped out.

The purple golden guards rushed forward to steer clear the clans, forming a three meter wide path. The Crown Prince walked in front towards the Imperial Palace's gates.

"Damn, its eldest brother. Don't let him find us!"

The young master lowered his head and pulled the child into the crowd. The child could only follow.

The Crown Prince suddenly stopped, then bowed to his surroundings in apology, "Before the seven houses arrive, we are unable to open the gates. I am dreadfully sorry to have everyone wait out here in the biting winds and piercing cold. Please accept my sincere apology."

The Crown Prince gave a half bow.

The crowd was frantic in returning the bow.

Their hearts went to him. He was such a proud and wise figure. He was sure to go places.

"Ha-ha-ha, eldest bro is making nice again. Did you earn some sympathy points?"

Some rather sharp and venomous words resounded. The people whipped their heads to see who dared be so crass towards Tianyu's Crown Prince.

What they saw was a glum youth bearing a striking resemblance to the Crown Prince. He wore the same dragon clawed robe, just that he only had three.

The people realized he was Crown Prince Yuwen Bo's brother, second prince Yuwen Yong.

Crown Prince eyed him coming over with a trace of anger, "Second brother, what are you suggesting? Every clan in Tianyu has gathered at our great imperial capital at the invitation of the imperial family. Shouldn't I, the Crown Prince, show these people gathered here in the biting winds and piercing cold some care?"

"Humph, a mere act! You think they're worth inviting? That was the imperial decree. They had to come." Yuwen Yong sent a mocking glance to the ants, "Eldest brother, how can an irresolute man and sympathizer like you be the next leader of this nation? "

"Second brother, by treating Tianyu's people like this, how are you going to rule with justice, how are you going to earn their respect? This is why the imperial father didn't make you Crown Prince!" The Crown Prince glared.

Yuwen Yong's eyes were spitting fire at this point, his face barely stopping itself from exploding, "Yuwen Bo, don't patronize me! Based on wisdom and approaches, I'm no different from you! Isn't it all because you came into this world a year before me that you've earned such a glorious title? Isn't it because you are firstborn? Other than that, I am just as capable as you are to be Crown Prince!"

The Crown Prince stammered, but sighed in the end, "Second brother, so this is what's been bothering you. This is why you've always looked at me with hostility since we were young. But what would you have me do? This is the work of providence. I cannot change the world. If I could, I would've long since given my brother this Crown Prince title!"

"Humph, sophistry! Who doesn't want to be emperor? Even that Regent Estate has been stirring for centuries, yet you, pansy, wish to give it up?"

Yuwen Yong snarled, "But I don't need you to hand it over. I'll take what's mine for myself!"

The Crown Prince looked long at him and sighed, feeling vexed.

Then, a very familiar voice came.

With it, the people began to feel the earth throbbing. A mountain of a man, panting and sweating, was rumbling over with a thundering gait. He was sweating buckets, but was mighty happy, "Elder brother, second brother, it's been ages since we last saw each other. I missed you so much!"

He was the one, the only, Tianyu's third prince, Yuwen Cong. He was a rarity in this world of cultivation filled with trained, fit bodies, one of the very few fatties!

The young master hiding in the crowd and the child held their heads, "Sigh, third brother, can't you sweat that fat off a little? Every time you come out, you scare everyone. I don't even want to be seen around you!"

Yuwen Yong glanced at the tub of lard with loathing, "God dammit, hasn't this pig left the imperial capital yet? What's he doing back here?"

"Ha-ha-ha, he must've finished his mission and the imperial father had him return. With the 8th noble house award ceremony of great importance, it's imperative for the third younger brother to be present as well. "

The Crown Prince came out with open arms and a smile, "Ha-ha-ha, third brother, welcome back!"

"Eldest brother!"

With a cry of joy, Yuwen Cong jumped into the Crown Prince's arms.

And landed with a bang.

At the same time, a snapping sound marked the wincing of the Crown Prince as the pavement beneath him cracked all over.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince!"

Crown Prince's guards rushed over, seeing him hugging the hulking slab of meat.

"I'm… fine!"

Shaking his head, the Crown Prince put on a reassuring smile, "I-I'm a 9th layer Bone Tempering Stage cultivator after all, but… even I can't hug my younger brother…"

Crash!

With another sound, Crown Prince's face paled and he looked at his third brother with glistening eyes, "Old third, did you get heavier?"

"Uh, just a bit. Last month I weighed 375 kg, but this week I'm 400. It must be all that traveling getting to me that I gained so little!"

Everyone's face twitched. [The third prince sure is an oddball. Where can you find so much fat in the world?]

"Oh, right, eldest brother, are you ok?" Yuwen Cong asked, seeing his brother's sweaty face.

With a pained smile, Crown Prince begged, "Third brother, could you get down first? My waist is killing me…"

The crowd blanked out for a whole two seconds…

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