Chapter 1859: Killing with a Borrowed Knife

"This person seems to have quite an extraordinary background!"

Gu Zhixuan turned his head upon hearing the voice. As the youthful figure approached closer, his heart involuntarily tightened, for his formidable Power of Soul couldn’t detect the true cultivation of this person.

The newcomer appeared to be no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with sword-like brows slanting upward, exuding an aura of heroism at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, one would notice a slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth, as if he scorned all worldly affairs.

Especially those eyes, which occasionally flashed a hint of dark gray, resembling the Poison Vein Masters like Gu Zhixuan, suggesting they might be kindred spirits.

"Oh? Isn’t this Brother Gu from Wansu Sect? What brings you to Ancient Wood City to join the excitement?"

While Gu Zhixuan was scrutinizing the newcomer, unexpectedly, the man greeted him first. Although the tone appeared somewhat casual, it still managed to snap this Wansu Sect genius back to attention.

"May I ask who you are, brother?"

Yet, no matter how hard Gu Zhixuan pondered, he couldn’t recall ever meeting this person. But observing the other’s demeanor, he dared not be too impolite, quickly inquiring.

"Brother Gu might not be familiar with me. Years ago, Grandma Jue Hu of your esteemed sect brought Brother Gu to my Lu Family once. Unfortunately, I was away on a mission and missed witnessing Brother Gu’s grandeur, which is truly regrettable!"

The individual seemed quite unpretentious, but when he uttered "my Lu Family," countless cultivators watching gasped involuntarily.

The Lu Family is currently the most powerful in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, primarily because it produced an Empress Canglong, a Sovereign-level figure under whom billions fall in line.

Looking back a century ago, the overall strength of the Lu Family perhaps was not even greater than the Four Major Family, despite being a family with a long legacy. But under the current generation of the Lu Family Patriarch, it has vastly declined.

Yet the Lu Family was destined to revive, as the current Lu Family Patriarch bore a remarkably talented daughter, Lu Qinwan. First, she married the Long Xiao Battle God, and then she climbed higher, reaching a connection with Emperor Canglong.

In the past hundred years since the death of the Long Xiao Battle God, the Lu Family has developed rapidly, surpassing even the peak times of the Four Great Families.

Like the Wansu Sect, the Lu Family produces Poison Vein Masters abundantly, with both the current Lu Family Patriarch and Empress Canglong Lu Qinwan being genuinely Holy Rank Advanced Peak Poison Vein Masters, their Poison Vein Skills astonishingly powerful.

Even the sect leader of Wansu Sect or the sect master of Heart Poison Sect wouldn’t dare claim their Poison Vein Skills outshine those of the Lu Family father and daughter. Both major Poison Vein sects are quite wary of this family that is at its zenith.

Gu Zhixuan had guessed the newcomer’s identity, knowing that anyone who recognized a genius like him from the Wansu Sect must have significant origins. He didn’t expect it would be someone from the Lu Family, causing a slight change in his complexion.

"Could it be that the brother is Lu Zhanbai from the Lu Family?"

A lingering memory from deep within Gu Zhixuan’s mind surfaced, finally allowing him to recall the person’s name, despite never having met him personally. This didn’t stop him from understanding who this person was.

Lu Zhanbai is ranked third in the Lu Family’s younger generation in terms of talent, truly an exceptional figure. It’s said that a year ago, he broke through to Hua Xuan Realm Early Stage, with formidable strength not to be underestimated.

Gu Zhixuan deduced this person was Lu Zhanbai because he recalled, during his visit to the Lu Family with Grandma Jue Hu, he had met the top two talents of the Lu Family, while Lu Zhanbai was absent due to an external mission.

Gu Zhixuan didn’t bother considering why someone who hadn’t met him could recognize him at first sight. He merely acknowledged his opportunity for revenge had arrived.

The Lu Family producing a daughter like Lu Qinwan, who stops at nothing to achieve her goals, naturally conducts itself similarly to the Wansu Sect, which leaves no stone unturned.

Thus, this major Poison Vein sect and Poison Vein family in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud are undoubtedly closely connected secretly, exchanging Poison Meridian Skills openly and assassination techniques covertly, a perfect match indeed.

Both sides learn from each other’s strengths, and over the years, their Poison Meridian Skills have advanced rapidly, along with the friendships of the younger generation also growing stronger.

Though the two had never met before, with their identities revealed, they were already alike. Gu Zhixuan, who couldn’t handle Yun Xiao alone, now had such a formidable ally that it was no longer a difficult matter.

After all, Gu Zhixuan knew perfectly well that the Third Young Master of Lu Family before him was a genuine early-stage cultivator in Hua Xuan Realm. Although he had broken through less than a year ago, he is indeed a true expert of the Holy Vein Three Realms.

Despite the half-step difference between Gu Zhixuan and Lu Zhanbai, this half-step could take a lifetime to surpass, and he admitted his strength paled in comparison to this Lu Family talent.

"It seems Brother Gu hasn’t gained any fortunes under this Ancient Tree yet!"

Lu Zhanbai had just arrived here and naturally didn’t know what had happened earlier, but from observing Gu Zhixuan’s expression for a few moments, he could tell the latter likely had returned empty-handed.

"Brother, I’m ashamed. It’s just that I’ve been restless these past few days, unable to concentrate on my insights!"

Upon hearing this, a gloomy shadow flickered across Gu Zhixuan’s face, though he pretended to be somewhat aggrieved. Seeing this, Lu Zhanbai’s eyes twinkled as he seemed to understand the meaning in Gu’s words.

"Oh? Has Brother Gu encountered some difficulty? Do you need help from your brethren?"

It seems the Lu Family and Wansu Sect do indeed have good relations. Gu hadn’t even revealed the facts, yet Lu Zhanbai had already offered help, which might be a display of his confidence.

After all, Lu Zhanbai is an Early Stage Hua Xuan Realm Holy Vein expert. He believed no one in Ancient Wood City could be his match, and casually helping this Wansu Sect prodigy could earn him gratitude, couldn’t it?

"To be frank, Brother Lu, I really ran into misfortune this time. I couldn’t even protect my own junior brother and had to watch as the killer claimed the Ancient Tree’s boon. Truly a disgrace!"

Seeing his purpose fulfilled, the melancholy on Gu Zhixuan’s face deepened. He reached out and pointed at the still-unrotted corpse, finally locking his gaze onto a certain white-clad youth.

"Boon?"

At this moment, Lu Zhanbai’s mind wasn’t on the late Du Xin, but rather on the key term in Gu’s speech. A peculiar gleam flickered in his eyes.

Though most ancient trees in Ancient Wood City only aid in Sanctum Ascension, for someone like Lu Zhanbai who recently broke through to the Hua Xuan Realm as a Holy Vein Third Realm cultivator, there’s still some allure.

Perhaps it could solidly reinforce his cultivation in this realm, providing a firm foundation for ascending to higher realms with greater certainty.

Perhaps this is the true reason Lu Zhanbai came to Ancient Wood City, though he knew even before arriving how elusive such chances were, unlikely to fulfill his hopes.

Not to mention attaining a boon in the Early Stage Hua Xuan Realm; even those at the Heavenly Realm Peak struggle to advance to a Third Transition Half-step Holy Rank, rare as it is.

Yet, from Gu Zhixuan’s account, Lu Zhanbai learned that today, someone actually obtained a boon from the Ancient Tree, and it seems the opportunity hasn’t ended.

"Is it this kid?"

Following Gu Zhixuan’s gaze, Lu Zhanbai finally fixated on the still-seated white-clad youth, and upon this glance, his formidable Power of Soul sensed something extraordinary.

As a super talent of the Early Stage Hua Xuan Realm, Lu Zhanbai’s Power of Soul was a step above Gu Zhixuan, reaching the Holy Rank Low Level, thus perceiving things more clearly.

"Yes, Brother Lu, it’s this kid who killed my junior brother Du Xin. I wonder what kind of luck he had to receive the Ancient Tree’s favor!"

Seeing Lu Zhanbai piqued with interest, Gu Zhixuan sensed his plot succeeding, promptly pointing at Yun Xiao while speaking. This spurred an even stronger glint in Lu Zhanbai’s eyes.

"Just a Half-step Holy Rank kid, yet Brother Gu hasn’t avenged your junior brother directly?"

With Lu Zhanbai’s Soul sensing ability, he naturally perceived Yun Xiao’s actual cultivation immediately, a hint of confusion flickering in his gaze. This seemed contrary to Wansu Sect’s behavior.

The Lu Family’s conduct and Wansu Sect’s are much the same, stirring trouble even without cause. Lu Zhanbai had some understanding of Gu Zhixuan’s notorious Poisonous Evil moniker, knowing he’s not one to easily back down.

Yet, this Half-step Holy Rank kid, after killing Wansu Sect genius Du Xin, could still calmly sit under the Ancient Tree in introspection. It seemed paradoxical.

"Brother Lu, you might not know. This kid’s methods are peculiar; he’s a Half-step Holy Rank Poison Vein Master. I... am uncertain!"

Knowing he had to feign weakness at this point to provoke Lu Zhanbai’s urge to show off, Gu Zhixuan found his words had the desired effect, as Lu Zhanbai’s mouth curled slightly, with a hint of disdain.

"Half-step Holy Rank Poison Vein Master?"

Lu Zhanbai spoke with disdain, yet inwardly a flicker of envy arose.

After all, the white-clad youth under the Ancient Tree appeared similar in age to him, yet boasted Half-step Holy Rank Meridian Qi Cultivation and was a Half-step Holy Rank Poison Vein Master, throwing his pride off balance.