met free 95. A storm is brewing.
95. A storm is brewing.
The Xuanwen Sect has always been the leading power in the Northwest Region, and therefore occupies the largest territory in Tianlan City. Standing atop the Xuanwen Sect's tallest pavilion, the Star Gazing Tower, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Tianlan City.
The once brightly lit Xuanwen Sect is now somewhat desolate. Lu Zhi's defeat to Xiao Yan and the poor performance in the Ten Thousand Beasts Gathering have completely caused the Xuanwen Sect's prestige to plummet.
But at this moment, even the lowest-ranking Xuanwen Sect disciples felt uneasy and worried about their future. Meanwhile, Lu Huangtian, the true ruler of the Xuanwen Sect, stood silently on the top floor of the Star Gazing Tower.
The starry sky was dark at this moment, with no moonlight or starlight able to break through the dark clouds and pour down. Lu Huangtian stood there quietly, without making a move for a long time, and even his breath disappeared. If others came, they might even suspect that the famous Lu Huangtian of the Northwest Region was dead.
Until a man entered the Star Gazing Tower, his muscular physique and the aura of a peak Dou Zong unconsciously emanating from him, no one dared to doubt his strength. And this bright yellow attire was found only at one place in Tianlan City—Xiangxi Mountain.
This man is none other than Shi Ye, the head of Xiangxi Mountain.
No one knows how the leader of the top six forces in the Northwest Region arrived at the Xuanwen Sect, and how he did so quietly without encountering any obstacles.
"You're here?" Lu Huangtian said in a hoarse, aged voice.
"Here he comes!" Shi Ye looked at Lu Huangtian with a complicated expression.
Lu Huangtian shifted his gaze from the void to Shi Ye. Even though Shi Ye was already a peak Dou Zong expert, he still felt a chill run down his spine.
"How badly is Shi Meng injured?"
Upon hearing Lu Huangtian's question, Shi Ye was also somewhat annoyed: "He suffered both physical and mental injuries while shielding Lu Zhi from that attack, and he's probably crippled now."
No one can ignore the destruction of a talent like Shi Meng, even the head of Xiangxi Mountain, Shi Ye.
Lu Huangtian's expression remained unchanged, as if he ignored Shi Ye's emotions: "Shi Meng's sacrifice was worthwhile. You know what we can gain after our plan succeeds."
Upon hearing Lu Huangtian's less-than-comforting words of reassurance, a barely perceptible glint of fervor flashed in Shi Ye's eyes: "But are you truly confident you can break through the Void Emperor's shackles?"
"Hehehe," Lu Huangtian chuckled three times in a sinister tone, "No matter how strong the Void Emperor is, he is still just a Dou Di who is already dead. Imprisoning the Northwest Region for tens of thousands of years is enough."
With Lu Huangtian's words, Shi Ye felt slightly relieved, but then seemed to remember something.
"There are quite a few people who can change the course of our plans. Forces like Minghua Tower, Wanyaoxuan, and the Golden Alliance Chamber of Commerce shouldn't be underestimated if they become adversaries!"
Lu Huangtian paused for a moment, then pointed at Tianlan City.
"In Tianlan City, there are plenty of mercenary and assassin groups, and countless people die every day. Countless others also start their own businesses; as long as there are enough benefits, anyone will be happy to help you."
Then Lu Huangtian walked to Shi Ye's side and gently patted Shi Ye's shoulder: "Go back and prepare to wait for my news. This Northwest Region should have a master!"
After Lu Huangtian tapped his hand, Shi Ye seemed to sense something and smiled, saying, "It's a pleasure to cooperate, Lord Lu Huangtian, the ruler of the Northwest Region!"
Shi Ye left quietly, without a sound or notice, just as he had arrived. No one knew that the leaders of the two major powers had held such a meeting, nor did they realize that a storm was brewing in the Northwest Region, which was protected by the Void Emperor's restrictions.
After Shi Ye left, Lu Huangtian did not leave. Instead, he activated his soul power, and a young man walked in shortly afterward.
He wore a wide robe, and his handsome face had a hint of ruthlessness, but his body was stained with a lot of blood, and even his robe had bloodstains that had not yet dried.
It was Lu Zhi, the son of Lu Huangtian, who was once the number one young talent in the Northwest Region.
"Father!" Lu Zhi greeted him, his eyes filled with reverence but also a hint of fear as he looked at Lu Huangtian.
"Little Zhi, I must thank you. You brought something I haven't discovered in decades to the Beast Gathering!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhi's eyes also revealed resentment: "Father, I failed! If we hadn't underestimated that brat Xiao Yan, the first place in the Ten Thousand Beasts Gathering should have been ours!"
But Lu Huangtian acted as if he hadn't heard that, and changed the subject, asking, "Do you still remember your mother?"
"Mother?" Lu Zhi was also puzzled. His mother had passed away before he could remember anything. He had asked everyone who might know, but hadn't gotten any useful information. Even when he asked Lu Huangtian, Lu Huangtian flew into a rage and locked him up for a month. After that, Lu Zhi gave up, assuming his mother was already dead.
"I killed your mother!"
Lu Zhi's eyes widened instantly: "What?"
"Her scent was so repulsive to me that after you were born, I killed her with my own hands without hesitation. That's why you've never seen her, hehehe."
"You might wonder why I married her when I despise her so much? It's all for the sake of having you, a son with impure blood!"
Every word Lu Huangtian said left Lu Zhi's mind blank, unable to think.
"Aren't you always curious why your brother is such a good-for-nothing? It's because his bloodline is pure, unlike you, a mixed-race person!"
"But there's no other way; pure-blooded cultivators' patterns are inferior to mixed-blooded ones, so I have to do my best to nurture you."
"I even developed some feelings for you, and I even thought about whether I should keep you here after my plan succeeded."
"Even though you got that thing for me, you lost first place, I don't have time left, and it's all because of you, you good-for-nothing!"
Lu Zhi slumped to the ground. Lu Huangtian's words had completely shattered his long-held beliefs, and he was utterly at a loss for what to do.
Lu Huangtian walked up to Lu Zhi, who was slumped on the ground, and looked down at him, saying, "Originally, I wanted to take your life myself, just like your trashy mother did, but someone else wants that opportunity, so let him have it!"
"Come in!"
A figure slowly walked in. Lu Zhi felt it was familiar. He turned around and saw that it was none other than his younger brother, Lu Chen, whom he had completely ignored.
What Lu Zhi couldn't understand even more was the oppressive aura emanating from Lu Chen that even he feared.
"Lu Chen, is that you?"
"I've been your lackey for so many years, brother, do you know how many times I've wanted to kill you?"
With one hand, he thrust straight down at Lu Zhi. Lu Zhi instinctively hardened his skin to cover the marks, but silver-white patterns appeared on Lu Chen's hand.
Ignoring all of Lu Zhi's resistance, Lu Chen pierced Lu Zhi's heart with one hand. Lu Zhi was filled with resentment, but his life force began to drain away.
"The answer is—every time I see you, I'll casually tell you that I've already become a Dou Zun..."