Translator: CinderTL
"Senior Brother Luo has arrived," Chi Yu announced.
Xu Sanyan rose to greet him. A man with a kind face, appearing to be around thirty years old, entered through the side door. Dressed in a purple short-sleeved robe, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked with measured, dignified steps, exuding an extraordinary air of composure.
"Junior Brother Xu Sanyan greets Senior Brother Luo," Xu Sanyan said, cupping his fists in a respectful bow.
Senior Brother Luo waved dismissively, his face beaming with warmth. "Haha, we're all family here. No need for formalities. Please, sit."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Luo."
Luo Yu gestured, and the ten maids withdrew, leaving the three men alone.
"Where does Junior Brother hail from?" Luo Yu asked with a smile.
"A remote place, Senior Brother may not have heard of it."
"Hmm..."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Luo Yu cut to the chase. "If I may be so bold, what is Junior Brother's cultivation level? And what Mystical Arts do you specialize in?"
Chi Yu chuckled. "Junior Brother Xu is quite remarkable—he's at the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment!"
"Oh?" Luo Yu's heart leaped with delight. The higher the cultivation level of those around him, the greater their assistance would be. Securing a Foundation Establishment Mid Stage combatant for free was certainly cause for celebration.
"Senior Brother Chi overpraises me. It was merely a lucky breakthrough. As for my specialties..."
Xu Sanyan paused, considering. He decided to keep his divine soul techniques hidden for now—they were too valuable for ambushing unsuspecting opponents.
"My physical cultivation is barely passable, and I also possess a summoning art," Xu Sanyan said.
"Might I see it?" Luo Yu's expression turned serious. "It's not that I distrust you, Junior Brother," he added hastily, "but we'll be fighting side-by-side next month, so it's best we familiarize ourselves with each other's abilities for better coordination."
"No problem, Senior Brother. Please observe." Xu Sanyan channeled his Spiritual Power, causing a swirling vortex of pitch-black mist to erupt behind him. From within the churning darkness, a figure slowly emerged—the Blood Demon.
"The Blood Demon Corpse Refining Method?" Chi Yu remarked, clearly recognizing the technique.
Luo Yu nodded, confirming his recognition.
This Mystical Art originated from the Blood Refinement Branch of the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect, and many practitioners across the land were familiar with it. What puzzled them was where Xu Sanyan had obtained a Blood Demon Body.
Chi Yu pointed at the Blood Demon and asked, "May I inquire, Junior Brother, where did you acquire this..."
Xu Sanyan's eyes dimmed, and his voice took on a sorrowful tone. "This is my family's ancestor, Old Ancestor Ma. In his youth, he was a disciple of the Holy Sect. In his later years, he returned home to establish our lineage and nurture descendants. Alas, his unworthy descendants have failed to grant him peace..."
This was Old Ancestor Ma of the Ma family, whose name Xu Sanyan was temporarily borrowing.
Chi Yu comforted him, "You misunderstand, Junior Brother. Even a century after their passing, ancestors can still protect their descendants. If he were aware of your devotion, he would surely find solace."
Xu Sanyan chuckled inwardly. I wonder if Old Ancestor Ma would truly be gratified to see his entire lineage gathered before him like this?
Luo Yu spoke, "Junior Brother, your Blood Demon seems a bit lacking in strength. Have you not nurtured it properly?"
"Huh? You can nurture them?" Xu Sanyan blinked in surprise.
"You didn't know?" Luo Yu was equally surprised.
"My cultivation method is incomplete..."
"I understand," Luo Yu nodded. After a moment's thought, he added, "The Blood Refinement Branch excels at these techniques. I believe you can even exchange Merit Points for nurturing methods at the Hall of Affairs. I'll have someone deliver the technique to you tomorrow as a welcoming gift."
Xu Sanyan's face lit up with delight, and he hastily thanked Luo Yu. "Many thanks, Senior Brother!" He had never been one to refuse a freebie.
"No need for formalities," Luo Yu waved dismissively, as if the matter were trivial.
Chi Yu knew it was his cue to speak up. "See, Junior Brother Xu? I wasn't lying. Senior Brother Luo is always generous to his own people. As long as you work diligently, he won't let you down."
"Hey~~"
"What's with the formalities? We're all family here." Luo Yu maintained an indifferent expression, though inwardly he was pleased with Chi Yu's words. Such gestures of winning hearts carried far more weight when spoken by others than himself.
Among his subordinates, Chi Yu was the most skilled at interpersonal relations. He handled both major and minor affairs flawlessly, knew when to speak and when to hold his tongue, and understood how to advance and retreat appropriately. If Luo Yu were to become a Holy Son, Chi Yu would undoubtedly secure one of the five coveted positions.
Xu Sanyan's face was filled with gratitude, but he kept his expression restrained. He couldn't possibly bare his heart and swear undying loyalty over such a small favor, could he?
They were all grown-ups here, and no one could fool anyone. Chi Yu and Luo Yu might look young, but their combined age exceeded a hundred years. What secrets could escape their keen eyes?
"Junior Brother mentioned earlier that you excel in physical combat. Would you care to demonstrate?" Chi Yu inquired.
"Of course. How would you like me to demonstrate?" Xu Sanyan glanced around.
After a moment's thought, Luo Yu retrieved a palm-sized stone figure from his storage pouch. "This is the Stone General," he explained. "It's forged from seven mystical materials, including Thunderstruck Stone and Mystic Steel, making its physical body incredibly resilient—comparable to a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator. The only difference is that it can't use magic. How about a purely physical contest?"
To reassure Xu Sanyan, Luo Yu added, "Don't worry, Junior Brother. I'll control it defensively, strictly guarding and never attacking. You won't suffer a scratch."
"Heh, Senior Brother Luo, feel free to attack without reservation," Xu Sanyan replied with a smile. "This junior brother has some experience in body tempering."
His physical body had been tempered by countless Heavenly Earth Treasures, consuming countless lives in the process. It was now incomparably resilient. Facing a mere inanimate object posed no threat whatsoever.
Xu Sanyan wouldn't have been afraid even if Luo Yu himself had stepped into the arena, let alone a mere Stone General.
Unaware of Xu Sanyan's thoughts, Luo Yu was nonetheless pleased by his junior brother's confidence. "Very well! Let's see what you're capable of, Junior Brother."
With a surge of spiritual power, Luo Yu animated the Stone General. The construct instantly grew to nearly a foot tall, its joints encased in polished steel. Though seemingly rigid, it moved with surprising agility.
In the courtyard, Xu Sanyan and the Stone General stood facing each other. "Be careful, Junior Brother!" Luo Yu called out.
The Stone General lunged forward, its massive fist whistling through the air as it hurtled toward Xu Sanyan's head.
Luo Yu held back the Stone General's full power. Xu Sanyan was crucial to his bid for the Holy Son position, and injuring him would be detrimental.
Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes. Despite the fist hurtling toward him, he remained motionless, as if paralyzed by fear.
Chi Yu's hand, which had been gently waving a palm-leaf fan, paused momentarily. Could this man truly lack the courage to fight? he wondered.
Luo Yu was also disappointed, but he instructed the Stone General to further reduce its force.
Suddenly, Xu Sanyan moved. His right hand shot out with lightning speed, intercepting the Stone General's massive fist. The contrast between their hands was stark, like that of a child against a burly adult.
Bang!
A shockwave erupted, churning the ground and swirling sand and dust into the air, billowing Xu Sanyan's robes skyward. A nearby stone table toppled over with a crash as the force swept past.
Xu Sanyan stood rooted to the ground like an ancient tree, his feet planted firmly, his body ramrod straight, and his face serene, as if exerting no effort at all.
"Good!" Luo Yu exclaimed, his face lighting up with delight. With such an ally, their chances of victory had just increased significantly!
The Stone General gradually increased his strength, and Xu Sanyan's expression slowly turned grave. Luo Yu's joy grew even more intense. He had pushed the Stone General's power to its absolute limit, yet Junior Brother Xu still held his ground!
This was without even tapping into the power of his Dao Body. If he were to manifest it, his strength would undoubtedly multiply severalfold.
Though Xu Sanyan appeared to be straining, he hadn't yet exerted his full power. The Stone General was truly a treasure, managing to force him to use eighty percent of his strength.
(End of the Chapter)
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