“The Victory of this second rate clan battle goes to the Luo clan!”

A Profound Heaven stage expert in a robe flew on stage and gestured at Luo clan’s 12.

The crowd broke out in a thunderous applause.

“This is Luo clan’s 28th win. I cannot believe they are a third rate clan!”

“Yeah, and their best man is yet to appear as well. People say their steward, Zhuo Fan, is on the same level as the Six Dragons and One Phoenix. He is hailed as Tianyu’s seventh dragon, Soaring Demonic Dragon!”

“What? If Luo clan is so strong, why haven’t I heard of it? Why is it stuck being a third rate clan?”

“……”

People displayed immense shock in the stands, while many were whispering about the mysterious power behind such a strong underdog.

Meanwhile, a few familiar faces stood at the highest point in the stands. The veterans of the martial world would instantly recognize these shocking figures.

Weren’t they the seven houses’ representatives, Six Dragons and One Phoenix?

“Ha-ha-ha, what third rate clan? That brat duped us! Even facing a top second rate clan they won cleanly. If this was a third rate clan, who would be a second rate one? Right, Ning’er?”

The woman was none other than Xue Ningxiang, from the newest Sword Marquise Abode’s vassal clan, the Xue clan.

She wasn’t paying attention to Xie Tianyang however, having eyes fixed on the stage, “Why isn’t big brother Zhuo here? Isn’t he joining?”

“Ning’er, why do you always have to mention him? It hurts!” Xie Tianyang’s mood went sour.

Xie Tianshang sitting next to them, sheathed his cold blade in the scabbard and said, “It seems the rumor is true. The Soaring Demonic Dragon is no longer a part of this world!”

“What rumor?” Xue Ningxiang was anxious.

Xie Tianshang spoke coldly, “Five years ago, they say Zhuo Fan chanced upon Lightning Canyon and is buried there. What a pity, I really hoped to meet such a highly praised man. Now I can no longer see his strength for myself…”

“Brother!” Xie Tianyang cut him off but it was far too late. The damage was done.

Xue Ningxiang’s tears threatened to burst as she shook her head, “Nonsense, big brother Zhuo can’t be dead…”

“Uh, Ning’er, calm down. He’s only missing. No one has found his body yet…”

Xie Tianyang was trying to patch things up but Ning’er glared, “Brother Tianyang, why didn’t you tell me?”

Xie Tianyang sighed, “I didn’t want to see you so sad…”

“Ha-ha-ha, just for that? You should’ve told her sooner rather than prolong the agony! Don’t you know that prolonged longing will only make a woman’s pain deeper?”

The three looked back to see Long Jie and Long Kui along with an exuberant youth walking up to them.

Squinting, Xie Tianshang’s scabbard crackled in his hand, “Veiled Dragon Pavilion’s Abyss Dragon, Long Xingyun! We finally meet.”

“Please don’t. We’re all allies here. Don’t pull your sword at our first meeting!” Long Xingyun noticed Xie Tianshang’s thirst for battle and waved frantically.

Xie Tianshang snorted and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, suppressing his battle lust, “Humph, sorry. I can’t help but want to pit myself against an expert when I meet them. Please disregard my rudeness!”

Long Xingyun was sweating. He had heard of this martial fanatic, but he didn’t think his illness was so serious. [You aren’t going to go after me after chopping the enemy, are you?]

Sighing, Long Xingyun turned to the Luo clan on stage, “I’ve heard of the Soaring Demonic Dragon Zhuo Fan’s resounding name and hoped to see him. A shame I will never have the chance!”

“Why do you say that? You also believe big brother Zhuo is dead? His body hasn’t been found!” Ning’er shouted.

Shaking his head, Long Xingyun turned solemn, “The lives that Lightning Canyon robs are left without a corpse. If his fortune was the same as Uncle Jiu, surviving that disaster, he would most likely appear here. But after 28 fights, he is still missing. The first 27 fights were nothing, but the last one was only won by using all they had, even if they were unharmed. If he didn’t appear even now when it matters the most, I fear he’s gone from this world!”

Shuddering, Xue Ningxiang was far from just believing this, but her heart knew the truth. With everyone around telling her so, she couldn’t help but think the same as well.

And this only worked to make the pain worse.

Xie Tianyang clenched his fists and bit his lip, hating himself for being powerless.

“By the way, do you guys think that the Luo clan without Zhuo Fan is worth being our ally?” Long Xingyun suddenly spoke.

Xie Tianshang shuddered and spoke, “In my eyes, ally or whatever doesn’t matter. Whether they are worthy of a challenge or not matters!”

“Ha-ha-ha, that’s a martial fanatic for you!” Long Xingyun laughed and admired him.

Xie Tianyang was glum, “I don’t care what you think. Me and Zhuo Fan are brothers and even if he isn’t here, I hope to see Luo clan leave this place safely!”

“Uh, second young master sure is milder among the two!” Long Xingyun smiled, “But Veiled Dragon Pavilion’s ally is Zhuo Fan. Without him around, the agreement is void. Whether the Luo clan can hold on to the agreement, it will rest solely on their performance. I fear, however, that they will never achieve it.”

Long Xingyun gestured to the front, “Look, without the care of that demonic dragon, most of the savage dragons have them in their sights. Second young master, are you capable of stealing the dinner from the claws of those savage dragons?”

Xie Tianyang’s group turned to look in shock.

Four figures suddenly showed up across from them!

“Hell Valley’s Specter Dragon, You Yushan!” Xie Tianshang’s eyes trembled at the sight of a man in grey.

“Merry Woods’s Forest Fleeting Dragon, Lin Xuanfeng!” Xie Tianyang looked at another gravely.

“And also Pill King Hall’s Plague Dragon, Yan Bangui!” Long Xingyun pointed at a youth with half a face purple, “They say he went insane cultivating his poison and this is the result. And with his poisonous constitution, even without Yan Song or Yan Fu’s achievements in alchemy, his mastery of poisons far exceeds Vicious Pill King’s. He is a fearful man!

“But, far from the strongest!”

Long Xingyun’s face turned grave and even a hint of fear was present as he gestured at the last man, “The real monster, Regent Estate’s Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, Huangpu Qingtian, is present as well!”

Ka!

A sharp sound came from Xie Tianshang’s scabbard, his eyes glinting.

Long Xingyun smiled dejectedly, [This martial fanatic, does he not know what dreadful existence that man is? How is he so eager to challenge him at first glance?]

[I just can’t tell if these blockhead allies of mine are a blessing or a calamity!]

Meanwhile, Huangpu Qingtian’s four also glanced their way but were calm as water. Even Huangpu Qingtian’s eyes only spared them a cursory glance.

“That Zhuo Fan still hasn’t shown himself!” Huangpu Qingtian stared at the Luo clan.

Lin Xuanfeng giggled, “Eldest young master, are you that eager to smash someone?”

“No, I’m only curious why Sir Leng holds him in such high regard!” Huangpu Qingtian crossed his arms, “This world is yet to see a man worthy of my attention. I hope that kid would make an exception!”

“He-he-he, Eldest young master is truly a hero among heroes. You must really want to fight that kid!”

Lin Xuanfeng jumped right in with his ass kissing, only to get a sharp look from Huangpu Qingtian in return, “Lin Xuanfeng, watch your tongue. This world doesn’t have anyone worthy fighting with either. Only some temporary targets need destroying! I only want to see if that man is worthy of killing him myself. If he can’t even amount to that, he will be left to you guys to handle!”

Lin Xuanfeng shivered and nodded.

The other two sneered, [This brat is usually crafty, but this time’s ass kissing only reached the feet! He-he-he…]

Picking up on the two’s mockery, Lin Xuanfeng’s felt rage inside. Then his eyes lit up and proposed, “Eldest young master, why don’t I test the Luo clan. Zhuo Fan is bound to show up then. And if he doesn’t, we’ll simply end them.”

“Do it!”

Huangpu Qingtian’s curt nod cut him off. Then the other laughed as he vanished.

Xie Tianshang’s group watching from afar was also gone. Huangpu Qingtian paused, “You two go as well. Perhaps the six dragons’ fight will happen earlier!”

“Understood!”

The two glanced at each other and were gone, leaving only Huangpu Qingtian standing alone with a sharp gaze.

This was all in response to Leng Wuchang’s judgment of this time’s Esoteric Debate. It may just be a guess, but was enough to make this man take it seriously.

Because Leng Wuchang had never said something like this to him ever before.

That implication of not wanting to see Zhuo Fan was a lie! As a man of great power himself, even if conceited, he had to make things clear. Only by snuffing out the cradle would allow ultimate peace to descend…