Lu Yantian’s face flushed crimson, as if intoxicated.
Beside them, in the lake, the Lamia Serpent suddenly let out a loud roar, as if venting its dissatisfaction.
Lu Yantian immediately let out a short, dry laugh, casually sweeping a claw and tossing two or three newborn infants over.
The Lamia Serpent’s method of eating was certainly less refined than Lu Yantian’s. It swallowed them in one gulp, grinding them between its teeth before violently swallowing. A look of satisfaction crossed its features as its massive body submerged back into the water.
Lu Yantian then smiled towards the opposite side, saying, “Brother Wushuang, if you fancy them, feel free to partake. I have plenty to spare. These youngsters, if they grow any older and become tainted by the mundane Qi, they will be useless—”
Lu Wushuang, however, looked utterly ashen, his expression icy. “Brother’s actions—do you not find them excessive? For a single drop of Innate Fire Origin Marrow, you take a human life. What difference is such conduct from that of a mere beast? I advise Brother to cease this immediately. Once this matter concludes, upon returning to the Immortal Court, I, Lu Wushuang, will certainly file an impeachment report.”
“Brother Wushuang, are you intending to lecture me?”
Lu Yantian burst into loud laughter, his eyes full of mockery. “As for impeachment, may I ask which regulation or decree of the Immortal Court have I, Lu Yantian, violated?”
Lu Wushuang frowned. “But with you acting this way, how can you possibly win the hearts and minds of the people in this realm?”
Lu Yantian simply smiled, unconcerned. “Within my Azure Spirit Realm, everything follows the sacred Emperor’s regulations. I take only a four-tenths tax, never engaging in wanton plunder. All tributes have never been withheld. In all military matters, I have never defied a summons or directive. As the Lord of this realm, I, Lu Yantian, consider myself sufficiently competent. Even the Sacred Emperor himself cannot punish me without cause. The various Realm Lords are, in fact, well aware of this—”
At this point, his tone grew shadowed and chilling. “You are of the direct line of the Lu Family; how would you understand the hardships of those of us who are about to descend to the collateral branches of the Lu Family? Even the slightest enhancement to one's bloodline brings immeasurable joy!”
Lu Wushuang fell silent. After what happened with Lu Zi, how could he not know?
The preciousness of the Sky-Burning Blood lay not in its flame power.
But in the inheritance imprints carved into the bloodline by the three Transcendent Realm experts of the Lu Family, and the dozens of Saint Realm cultivators across generations.
With this aid, members of the Lu Family could save hundreds or thousands of years of arduous cultivation.
And the quality of one's bloodline directly determined their status within the clan—
He had witnessed far too many tragic affairs within the clan.
Yet, despite himself, his thoughts drifted to Zong Shou.
It was rumored that before this child was born, more than half of his inheritance imprint had been sealed by the combined efforts of several clan elders and Realm Lords. Only the direct blood of the Sacred Emperor was allowed to remain.
No matter how pure the bloodline, obtaining much was difficult unless one could shatter the shackles.
At birth, he was afflicted with a dual-vein body and a residual soul; he was supposed to be incapable of cultivation his entire life.
His mother was imprisoned by the clan, and his father’s whereabouts were unknown.
Compared to Lu Wushuang’s own situation, the hardships Zong Shou endured were immeasurably greater. Had he not risen from the mud just the same?
Even with the inheritance of the Nine-Tailed Mystic Fox, he had acquired it through his own merits and efforts.
Compared to his relatively ‘close’ cousin, it was his sworn enemy whom he respected more.
Shaking his head, Lu Wushuang rose directly and stepped out of the void.
Since their paths diverged, they could not share counsel. He knew he absolutely could not persuade this man, nor did he wish to rupture relations with him at this moment; leaving was the best course of action.
Seeing this, Lu Yantian’s expression flickered for a moment before returning to normal.
“Regarding Zong Shou’s matter, I, Lu Yantian, will certainly do my utmost. Within forty days, I will give Brother Wushuang an explanation.”
Lu Wushuang’s movement paused slightly, but he offered no comment, departing in silence.
After only a few steps, he arrived outside the Azure Spirit Realm, within a sea of illusory emptiness.
Then he gazed back at the Azure Spirit World, falling into deep contemplation.
After standing still for a brief moment, another figure stepped forth. It was the refined scholar from a few days prior.
Observing Lu Wushuang’s expression, he immediately grasped the general situation.
“I heard that the Lord of Yantian Manor often uses the Innate Fire Origin Marrow from this realm to enhance his bloodline. Did the Young Master disapprove?”
Lu Wushuang nodded, his face etched with disgust. “It is indeed repulsive, and yet I am powerless against him.”
“Powerless—”
The youth’s eyes flickered, and he smiled faintly. “In other words, the Young Master does not intend to intervene?”
Lu Wushuang abruptly stopped answering. While Lu Tianyan was infuriating, compared to Zong Shou’s matter, he could be set aside for the moment.
To find Zong Shou’s whereabouts, he would need to borrow Lu Yantian’s power.
Decades of fighting had burned away his youthful fervor.
It was strange; he couldn't fathom what secret technique Zong Shou possessed. Despite searching diligently since entering the Azure Spirit Realm, he found no trace of him. Even the bloodline detection arts had failed completely.
“The Young Master is wise! Patience is paramount now. If the Young Master finds such things unbearable, he can resist the demonic aura once he inherits the position of the Holy Land’s leader. In truth, there are countless such matters within our Lu Family; with such disparity in quality, how can we possibly police everything?”
Seemingly unwilling to dwell on this topic, the youth spoke gravely, “What did he say about the search?”
“He made no mention, only stating he would give me an answer within forty days.”
“Forty days?”
The youth’s brow arched, then he let out a cold laugh. “In other words, the Immortal Court wishes for you to delay your return until after forty days? This person controls the Azure Spirit World and acts strictly by the rules. Without sufficient justification, it is genuinely difficult to deal with him.”
Lu Wushuang was slightly surprised. “You aren’t advising me to abandon this matter and return promptly?”
“Why return? The Young Master previously stood out, gaining the favor of the Xuan Ye Realm Lord, but his origins are somewhat humble, leaving him without allies. He is now the target of universal criticism. Even without today’s incident, Wu Bing intended to advise the Young Master to maintain a low profile for a period.”
The youth spoke plainly, his gaze shifting uncertainly. “This current affair is opportune. I, your servant, truly cannot fathom the depth of Zong Shou. Should he truly return to the Lu Family, he will undoubtedly become the Young Master’s great adversary. Even if it means offending the Sacred Emperor, he must be eliminated. I cannot rest easy unless I witness this person’s demise with my own eyes. The only concern is that Lu Tianyan might ally with Zong Shou instead—”
Lu Wushuang was instantly alarmed. Strictly speaking, Zong Shou was also one of the Lu Family’s heir apparents.
Since Lu Yantian could ally with him, he could naturally join forces with Zong Shou as well—
But then he shook his head. He knew Zong Shou well enough.
He would never have the inclination to ally with anyone from the Lu Family.
This possibility was extremely remote.
His fists clenched tightly, Lu Wushuang felt a surge of hot fire rising in his chest.
—He had one month left, yet he felt he couldn't wait another moment.
He desperately wished he could strike Zong Shou down with his sword right now.
At the same time, within the Azure Spirit Realm, inside Yantian Manor—
Still in the courtyard, Lu Xichen stood bowing. Beside the stone table, Lu Yantian was chuckling softly.
“A suspicious person was discovered at the Water Moon Nunnery. Could that be Zong Shou? Tell me, how certain are you? What is your confidence level?”
Seeing Lu Xichen constrained and hesitant to speak, Lu Yantian paid it no mind, only laughing heartily.
“Interesting, interesting! What a pity, what a pity—”
The laughter stopped abruptly, and Lu Yantian sighed languidly.
When the snipe and the clam fight, it is the fisherman who profits—but alas, this clam is too small and too weak to allow the fisherman any gain—(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to cast recommendation or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)RQ
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