Chapter 354: On the Brink
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With a steady gait, the Luo clan walked forward.
The first were Luo Yunchang and Luo Yunhai, the leaders of the Luo clan. Right behind them were Captain Pang, Lei Yuting and other important people. And finally Li Jingtian and Lei Yuntian, the elders.
It was clear as day that the Luo clan hardly had any elders, merely two, and their strength was far weaker. Only Li Jingtian’s power stirred the hearts of men.
Yet the way Lei Yuntian, a Profound Heaven expert in the 5th layer stood next to Li Jingtian, it was like an ant marching side by side with an elephant.
Yuwen Yong only had disdain for them, “Humph, weak. Does that look like an 8th house to you? Don’t they barely qualify with just one peak Radiant Stage expert? “
“Second brother, don’t say that. The Luo clan had been a third rate clan recently. But in the last ten years they have grown so much to reach here. What do you say to that?”
Yuwen Cong returned to his brothers, and although downcast, he admired the Luo clan.
Crown Prince frowned a bit, “Third brother, I must say, this is some very rare and hard oddity to come by. But the way they’ve developed seems skewed.”
“Do you guys think the Luo clan only has one Radiant Stage expert? When the day comes that they have to fight other houses and their only defense would go into battle, wouldn’t they be left wide open for attack? Compared to other houses, the Luo clan will be the quickest to fall. This clan truly is a marvel, but far too soon to be called a house.”
Yuwen Yong watched the approaching group and sighed, “This is not our concern but for that kid Zhuo Fan to think about.”
“Zhuo Fan?”
The Crown Prince and the second prince raised an eyebrow. The former was quite excited, “I’ve heard about him. Luo clan has managed to see today all because of him. He is a genius not unlike Zhuge Changfeng and Leng Wuchang!”
Staring at the Luo clan, Yuwen Yong spat, “I’ve heard of him too. Ever since he showed up, he has turned Tianyu upside down and even fought against the seven houses. In the Esoteric Debate, he alone fought against Huangpu Qingtian’s team of four, making a name for himself. The Luo clan can now stand abreast the seven houses all because of its two pillars. The sharp Steward Zhuo and the mighty Li Jingtian!”
“Who is Zhuo Fan anyway?” Yuwen Yong scrutinized the Luo clan in search of his query.
The Crown Prince was also on the lookout.
Only Yuwen Cong who had become a sworn brother with the man said after a glance, “He’s not here.”
“What, on the eve of their award ceremony, their steward still won’t show?” The two cried.
Shrugging, Yuwen Cong said, “That’s just how he is.”
With that last word, he went to Luo Yunchang and cupped his hands.
The two were puzzled and even more curious about Zhuo Fan. But the Crown Prince still went to greet the Luo clan.
Only Yuwen Yong disdained them from afar.
He did not care one bit if the Luo clan was becoming the 8th house. He just knew one fact. Their odd discrepancy in ranks assured that it was only a matter of time before they crumbled.
And he had no intention of making nice with a soon-to-be-dead clan.
The young master in the crowd stuck his head out and scanned the Luo clan’s detail, “Who’s Zhuo Fan? Why does none of them look anything like the rumor? Is he perhaps that guy?”
The youth pointed at Yan Fu.
The child next to him looked in disdain, “Young… master, that guy sure looks fair but nothing alike.”
“How come?
“This… uh, I overheard my clansmen say that Luo clan’s steward is vicious and fiendish, not like that pretty boy. Not to mention that he is the highest person in the Luo clan that even that Radiant Stage expert listens to. While that kid only knows how to bob his head, not speaking a word to the two elders. How is that fiendish? If he were indeed the rumored monster, the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare neglect him.”
The young master was stunned, then nodded, “Y-you’re quite good at deductions. Who knew you had a good head on your shoulders?”
“He-he-he, young master exaggerates.” The child giggled, her cheeks rosy.
“But if he isn’t Zhuo Fan, then who is it? The others don’t look the part either.”
Seeing her young master so focused, the child shrugged, unsure as well…
“Look, Regent Estate is here!”
A shout caught everyone’s attention. Even Crown Prince’s attention, who was chatting with the Luo clan.
That one look left everyone gasping and drove fear into their feeble legs.
A group in golden garb strutted with Huangpu Tianyuan in the lead.
Next to him was their steward, Tianyu’s second greatest mind, Unwonted Contriver Leng Wuchang!
Following were the Profound Heaven elders, fifty in number, releasing their mighty auras.
Yet that was hardly impressive.
What got everyone so shocked was the Venerable contingency. A total of thirty people radiating incredible power.
Any one of their gazes was enough to raze everything to the ground.
Crown Prince gulped at the ostentatious display. He never imagined the Regent Estate’s power would reach such a height, almost catching up to the imperial family.
Second prince was dumbstruck. His jaw hanging, eyes popping, forgetting himself as he spoke, “Dang, now that’s what you call a thousand year old legacy. How can that upstart Luo clan compare?”
Li Jingtian watched them with a cold gaze.
He was very clear on the Regent Estate’s power. 15 of the Venerables were below the 3rd layer of Radiant Stage, ten of them between 3rd and 6th, and five above.
In this aspect the Luo clan wasn’t falling short.
The Luo siblings glanced over and nodded.
It all came down to Steward Zhuo and the rest if they reached in time…
The Crown Prince excused himself from the Luo clan and greeted the Regent Estate, “Estate Lord Huangpu, I trust you have been well!”
“It’s only thanks to your blessing, Crown Prince, that I am well.” Huangpu Tianyuan smiled.
Just then, the second prince skipped the Luo clan and rushed over to Regent Estate with a smile, “Royal uncle, it’s been a while.”
Hiding the disdain, Huangpu Tianyuan put on a smile, “Thank you, second prince, for your concern.”
The Regent Estate and the imperial family were distant relatives at first, but the imperial family had its dignity. That wouldn’t change even among relatives. If anybody wished to get close and use such a way of addressing, it had to be peers.
Just like how the emperor called him cousin while never lowering himself.
Yet this second prince had walked up and called him royal uncle, his tone thick with flattery. Anyone with an ear could tell he wanted Regent Estate on his side.
Not to mention the guy had made a beeline for the Regent Estate, slighting the Luo clan and earning their malcontent. The prime example of the worst ruler.
The Crown Prince glared at his brother, then sighed.
Huangpu Tianyuan’s group only had contempt for the second prince. Narrow minded, brash, blind ambition, all talk, and unable to accomplish a single thing in his life.
Glancing at Leng Wuchang, the two’s minds connected and they smiled.
“High Venerable, your old friend is here. Why don’t you go greet him?” Leng Wuchang pointed at the Luo clan with a smile.
Huangpu Fenglei nodded and grinned, making his way to the Luo clan.
The Regent Estate’s top expert drew gazes as he walked. Li Jingtian knew his purpose and stepped out as well.
Everyone knew the strongest of two clans were now facing off. With Li Jingtian turning his back on the Regent Estate, the latter had to settle this disgrace or it would become a stain on their name.
People watched with rapt attention as the two got closer. How were they going to settle this?
Even the other houses watched.
It seemed like a problem between two men who represented a conflict between two clans. Any side’s loss meant shame for their clan.
Regent Estate couldn’t afford to lose.
Regent Estate had lost the Esoteric Debate, but that was pertaining to the younger generation. While losing here meant their thousand year long legacy would crumble, as would they.
Yet the Regent Estate was still willing to do this confrontation, confident of their success.
Eying Li Jingtian, Huangpu Fenglei snickered, “Mad Dipper Li Jingtian, you had lost to me once. How about showing me your progress from these past years, ha-ha-ha…”