area51novel Page 131
Page 131
His gaze swept across the entire room, finally lingering on the faces of Wang Ai and Lü Ci.
"Firstly, it is to clear the name of my unfortunate junior brother Huaiyi."
His grandson, Zhang Chulan, had been living away from home for many years. Now that he has been found, he should be recognized as a member of the family and registered in the clan.
"My mind is made up on this matter. I wonder if any of you have any objections?"
Chapter 152 Official Platform
As soon as he finished speaking, Lü Ci slowly opened his eyes and let out a cold snort:
“Master Zhang, it’s your own business at Longhu Mountain, so we outsiders shouldn’t interfere.”
However, Zhang Huaiyi was, after all, one of the Thirty-Six Thieves, and no one could say for sure whether his grandson was clean or not.
We'll just let him go up the mountain to participate in the Luotian Grand Ritual, and we won't say anything.
But wouldn't it be against the rules to directly have him acknowledge his ancestors?
Wang Ai also tapped her cane sarcastically and echoed:
"Yes! If word gets out, people will think that we, the righteous sects, have some shady dealings with the Quanxing demons. In that case, we will all lose face."
The two of them spoke in unison, their words aimed directly at Zhang Chulan, and everyone present knew their true intentions.
They simply wanted to use the word "rules" to prevent Zhang Chulan from recognizing his ancestors, so that they could continue to legitimately treat this young man, who possessed the secret of the "Qi Body Source Flow," as prey that they could manipulate at will.
Before Zhang Zhiwei could speak, Xu Si, representing the company, spoke up with a smile.
"Mr. Wang, Mr. Lü, you are mistaken. The 'company' has already conducted a thorough investigation into Zhang Chulan's background, and he is completely innocent."
The merits and demerits of his grandfather Zhang Huaiyi's past deeds will be judged by public opinion.
But the sins of a person should not be borne by their descendants; even a three-year-old understands this principle. Surely we, the world of extraordinary beings, cannot be less than a three-year-old?
His words, though seemingly mild, were actually barbed, directly revealing the official stance.
Zhang Zhiwei was too lazy to waste any more words with them, and simply added:
“It is not for outsiders to set the rules when Longhushan is cleaning up its own house. This matter is settled.”
His tone was calm, yet it carried the unquestionable decisiveness befitting a celestial master.
Wang Ai and Lü Ci exchanged a glance. Seeing that both the Celestial Master's Mansion and the company were clearly backing them, they knew that further entanglement would be futile, so they could only shut their mouths in frustration, but their eyes grew even colder.
The next topic of discussion was the specific rules and security arrangements for the Luo Tian Grand Ritual. No one raised any objections, and everything proceeded smoothly.
Just when everyone thought the meeting was about to end, Lu Jin, who had been silently sipping tea, suddenly put down his teacup.
He stood up and spoke loudly, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
"Since it is such a grand event as the Celestial Master's Mansion restarting the Luotian Grand Ritual, I, Lu Jin, have nothing of note to offer as a congratulatory gift."
"Since this gathering of distinguished individuals has come together, I'd like to add my own auspicious touch and contribute to the festivities!"
As he spoke, he took out an ancient jade slip from his bosom. The jade slip was made of an unknown material, and as soon as it appeared, it emitted a vast and boundless aura, causing the air in the entire council hall to pause slightly.
Lu Jin held the jade slip in his palm, channeling his inner energy. Countless profound runes flowed across the jade slip, eventually converging into three ancient characters—
"This is one of the Eight Extraordinary Techniques—the Heavenly Talisman!"
Lu Jin's voice was loud and clear, like a bell, each word like a heavy hammer, striking everyone's heart.
"My good brother, Zheng Zibu of Maoshan, lost his life because of this. For the Lu family, this thing is not an honor, but a shackle."
Today, I will present this as an extra reward to the winner of this grand Luo Tian competition! From this day forward, this item will have no further connection with the Lu family!
"The heroes of the world should be those who are capable!"
These words caused an uproar throughout the room!
Even someone as composed as Ru Hu couldn't help but have his pupils shrink and his breath catch in his throat.
Meanwhile, Wang Ai and Lü Ci's murky and sinister eyes instantly erupted with an undisguised, almost insane greed and fervor!
These are the Eight Extraordinary Skills!
It is a treasure that could drive the entire world of supernatural beings crazy!
Lu Jin's move was undoubtedly like dropping a bombshell on a lake that was already turbulent, instantly pushing the intensity of competition and attention to the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony to an unprecedented peak!
Everyone's eyes instinctively turned to Zhang Zhiwei, who was in the main seat.
Zhang Zhiwei's face remained expressionless, but his eyes, which were always half-open, were now fully open.
He gave Lu Jin a deep look, his gaze incredibly complex, containing surprise, scrutiny, and ultimately, a profound and unfathomable understanding.
He didn't say much, but slowly nodded, which was considered tacit agreement.
This old man is trying to use the influence of Longhu Mountain to get rid of this hot potato completely.
During the break in the meeting, everyone dispersed to rest, each with their own thoughts.
Zhang Zhiwei whispered to Zhang Heqian, who was standing to the side, "Go and invite your Uncle Yunyuan over to hear his opinion."
Zhang Heqian respectfully acknowledged the order and left.
A moment later, he returned alone, walked to Zhang Zhiwei's side, lowered his voice, and respectfully reported:
“Master, I’m off. Uncle-Master Yunyuan said… ‘I just finished eating, I’m sleepy, and I’m not interested. You can decide.’ Then he went back to his room to meditate.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiwei gave a helpless, wry smile and waved his hand, "Let him be, that brat..."
This scene was keenly observed by Ru Hu, who had been silently observing from the corner.
He clearly heard the title "Uncle-Master Yunyuan" and saw Zhang Heqian's heartfelt respect.
A "junior uncle" who commands such awe from the head disciple of the Celestial Master's Mansion, who leaves the old Celestial Master helpless and even too lazy to attend the Ten Elders Meeting.
What kind of terrifying being, whose face is never seen, is hidden on Longhu Mountain?
A thoughtful look and intense curiosity flashed in his tiger-like eyes. Without showing any emotion, he turned to his equally shocked attendant and asked in a low voice, "Go and find out where this Uncle Yunyuan lives."
Chapter 153 The Wind King's Break, the Backlash of Spirit Binding
The afterglow of the setting sun gilded the mountains of Longhu Mountain with a magnificent golden edge.
The doors to the council chamber slowly opened, and the ten elders walked out one after another, each with a different expression.
Some people were still in shock at the "Heavenly Scroll" that Lu Jin had thrown out, and they were whispering among themselves;
Some people, however, seemed preoccupied and hurried along;
Some people gathered in twos and threes, exchanging pleasantries, but their words were full of hidden barbs.
Feng Zhenghao pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, and his face returned to its signature, humble, and polite business smile.
He greeted the men and then prepared to return to the World Society's headquarters with his entourage.
However, he had only taken a few steps when an aged yet authoritative voice rang out from behind him.
"Zhenghao, stay here for a moment."
He leaned on his dragon-patterned cane, his steps slow, and his cloudy old eyes glanced casually in Feng Zhenghao's direction.
In a voice neither too loud nor too soft, but loud enough for the people around to hear clearly, and with a condescending "affection" that comes from an elder to a younger person, he gave the order:
"I need to hear about the progress of Sha Yan's affair with Zhang Chulan."
Don't make this old man worry about you youngsters all the time.
Several members of the Ten Elders who happened to be passing by, such as Chen Jinkui and Mu You, paused slightly upon hearing this, casting meaningful glances before quickening their pace as if nothing had happened and walking away.
Clearly, they were already used to this kind of situation.
Wang Ai has been using this method to pressure and control Feng Zhenghao for quite some time now.
Feng Zhenghao stopped in his tracks.
He slowly turned around to face the old man with a cane, who looked completely at ease.
The last rays of the setting sun shone on his face, and the slightly humble business smile that always graced his face gradually disappeared at that moment.
Instead, there was a cold, emotionless calm, a calm that was unsettling.
He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light in the afterglow, making it impossible to see his expression at that moment.
He spoke, his voice eerily calm, devoid of any emotion.
"From now on, you need not worry about the affairs of the World Society or my daughter's personal relationships."
In an instant, the fake smile on Wang Ai's face froze.
His cloudy old eyes narrowed sharply into slits, and a cold light of surprise and danger shot out from the slits, like a venomous snake about to devour its prey.
His hand gripping the cane tightened unconsciously, the knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
"Feng Zhenghao..."
His voice was low, yet carried a chilling threat, "What did you just say? The wind was too strong, and this old man's hearing is a bit poor; I didn't hear you clearly. Say it again?"
He took half a step forward, and an invisible pressure belonging to a top expert swept towards Feng Zhenghao like a tide.
"Have you forgotten... the 'connection' between our two families? Have you forgotten who 'bestowed' your half-baked spirit-binding and commanding skills upon the Feng family?!"
He emphasized the word "reward" very heavily, almost word by word.
However, Feng Zhenghao seemed completely unaware of the immense pressure that would shake even the most extraordinary heroes.
He even... laughed.
That smile no longer held the humility or reverence of the past, but instead contained a faint yet chilling sarcasm.
Zhang Yunyuan had already taught him the complete version of the Spirit Binding and Commanding Technique.
However, the two versions conflicted, and he has only now achieved great success in his cultivation.
We no longer need to be beholden to the Wang family!
"Origin? Elder Wang, that's nothing more than a shackle you've used to control my Feng family for decades, a unilateral act of seeking repayment for your kindness."
His tone suddenly turned sharp; his voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a knife, resounding with force!
"Listen carefully: From this moment on, the World Society and the Wang family are completely severed from all ties! There will be no further connection between them!"