Almost the moment Su Ming and the others stepped into the main hall, Lu Fan immediately stood up. The instant Li Taiqing's voice fell silent, he strode forward to greet them, completely disregarding the majesty he should maintain as the Human Emperor.
His previous composure now entirely transformed into excitement that was practically overflowing.
"Senior Brother Su, Junior Brother Jiang... Eldest Senior Brother!"
Lu Fan's voice carried unconcealed joy. He swept his gaze over his fellow Disciples one by one, gave a deep fist salute,
"You've finally arrived!"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Su Ming's mouth. He nodded slightly:
"Junior Brother Lu, I trust you have been well."
Lin Potian grinned widely and stepped forward, habitually reaching out to pat Lu Fan's shoulder. His hand paused mid-air, seemingly remembering the other party's current status as the Human Emperor. Finally, Lu Fan bumped directly into him, turning the gesture into a light punch on the chest.
"You finally decided to come out, you rascal."
Lu Fan dropped his Human Emperor demeanor and teased him as he used to.
Seeing that Lu Fan wasn't putting on airs, the smile on Lin Potian's face deepened:
"Senior Brother Lu, your Human Emperor majesty is growing stronger. I heard you outside arguing fiercely with the crowd... *cough*... explaining the stakes."
"Haha!"
Lu Fan's confidence soared. He then turned to the crowd in the hall, who were still in shock, and his voice suddenly rose:
"Seniors, how about now? Do you still think the counterattack strategy I just proposed is reckless courage, or risky and radical?"
Some Elders and Sect Masters who had previously questioned Lu Fan's aggressive strategy now looked awkward, their eyes shifting.
Are you kidding? Their sect instantly produced several Grand Unity Golden Immortals with solid Foundations and profound Qi. Adding Lu Fan himself and the retainers he brought, their faction alone already boasts combat strength that looks down on all others.
What's more, behind them stands that unfathomable Master, whose origins are completely unknown. Although there were previous speculations, the mere partial strength revealed on the surface was enough to shock everyone. It was hard to believe...
The two Grand Unity Immortal Kings sent by the Human Emperor Palace to support Lu Fan also had flickering eyes at this moment, re-examining Lu Fan and the power of the sect behind him, feeling secretly awed.
Everyone said Lu Fan came from humble origins, but looking at this...
That's all nonsense! Where did this talk of a 'Prodigy from a Poor Family' come from? It was all just rhetoric to deceive people!
Which poor Family has a household full of Grand Unity Golden Immortals?
"No wonder... no wonder!"
Jiang Xuangang sighed deeply in his heart, and all his past doubts were suddenly cleared up.
Back then, when Jiang Hao created a huge reputation outside, the entire Jiang Family was boiling with excitement. He personally stepped forward and made a solemn promise: Jiang Hao would be established as the contemporary Divine Son, enjoying the most generous resources and offerings within the Family, and even hinting that he would be the sole candidate for the next Clan Chief.
The Jiang Family Treasury, the Legacy Secret Realm, and even the private collection of him, the Old Ancestor, were all opened up. Not to mention the special Opportunity slots that the Jiang Family secretly contacted other major powers for—those were also reserved for Jiang Hao.
To any Prodigy, this was a clear path that couldn't be refused. How many people in the Family were envious and jealous at the time? How many Elders believed that Jiang Hao would surely be grateful and lead the Jiang Family toward new glory? But what about Jiang Hao?
Facing a promise that would make any young Cultivator go mad, he merely shook his head calmly and firmly, stating that he had already joined Han Xuanji's lineage in the Lingxu Heavenly Palace, that his Master's grace was profound, and his Dao path was set, which he did not wish to change.
No matter how the core Elders of the Family tried to persuade him, or even subtly provoke him with words, Jiang Hao simply bowed in apology, his resolve unshaken. The Family was in an uproar at the time. Many young Disciples thought Jiang Hao was foolish, giving up easily obtainable Family authority and resources just to become the Disciple of some Dao Child. Even if that Dao Child was somewhat mysterious, how could he compare to the overall heritage of the Jiang Family?
Some Elders were secretly dissatisfied, believing Jiang Hao was arrogant and failed to see the priorities. Some even privately speculated that he had chosen a "wrong path," and his future achievements might not match those who remained in the Family for full cultivation.
But now, Jiang Xuangang looked at Jiang Hao, whose cultivation had reached the Grand Unity Realm and who even exerted subtle pressure on him; he looked at Su Ming, Nangong Wenjian, and the others standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Jiang Hao—all young, yet all Grand Unity Immortals, clearly possessing solid Foundations and unique Opportunities... Faced with this scene, Jiang Xuangang suddenly understood everything. Back then, didn't they appear somewhat... ridiculous in Jiang Hao's eyes?
Lu Fan took all of this in, laughing inwardly, knowing that his Master had only casually shown a bit of power to awe the entire assembly. He composed himself, exchanging glances with Su Ming, Jiang Hao, and the others. The tacit understanding between the Senior and Junior Brothers required no words.
Immediately, he spoke loudly, his voice more confident than before:
"Since none of you object, then please listen as I and my Senior and Junior Brothers elaborate on this counterattack strategy! The Demon Race vanguard is overconfident and bound to fail. Their weakness lies here!"
Ancestor Shenhui and Jiang Xuangang looked at each other again, both seeing determination in the other's eyes.
Jiang Xuangang took a deep breath, his aged voice echoing throughout the main hall:
"Your Majesty Lu Fan is far-sighted! This old man agrees with Your Majesty's proposal. We should seek an Opportunity to counterattack, using offense as defense, to display the might of our Lingxu Immortal Domain and buy time for subsequent reinforcements!"
"I second the motion!"
Ancestor Shenhui's voice was like a great bell. His gaze fixed intently on Lu Fan and Jiang Hao,
"As for how to counterattack, please let Your Majesty and the talented individuals plan in detail. Our Lingxu Heavenly Palace will definitely cooperate fully!"
The general situation instantly reversed. Lu Fan stood among his Senior and Junior Brothers, feeling the powerful yet intimate Qi surrounding him, and watching the change in attitude of the people in the hall. His heart was filled with heroic emotion, yet he couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Master, oh Master, you helped me out again!
Although the position of Human Emperor is extremely honored, compared to the treatment his Senior and Junior Brothers received—"rapidly leveling up" beside Master—it seemed... less appealing? Of course, this thought was only fleeting.
Lu Fan quickly composed himself, his gaze becoming sharp again. After a brief Divine Thought exchange with Su Ming, Jiang Hao, and the others, he spoke loudly:
"Since that is the case, let us discuss this counterattack strategy in detail! The Demon Race is powerful, but not monolithic. Their vanguard is arrogant, and their battle line is extended, so there must be an exploitable Opportunity! I propose..."
His voice echoed once again in the Shenji Hall, but this time, no one questioned him; there was only rapt attention. With the strategy decided within the hall, the Cultivators accepted their orders and departed, the atmosphere carrying a long-absent fighting spirit.
It must be said that having six extra Grand Unity Golden Immortals openly present certainly provided a great deal of reassurance. Once the crowd had dispersed slightly, Lu Fan eagerly led his Senior and Junior Brothers to a relatively quiet side hall behind the Shenji Hall.
As soon as he set up a Restriction to isolate Divine Sense, Lu Fan's consistently straight shoulders seemed to relax slightly. A pure smile appeared on his face as he looked around at Su Ming, Jiang Hao, and the others.
"Seeing all of you, my heart feels both relieved and... tsk, how should I put it? Master's methods truly are unimaginable..."
He shook his head, his smile undiminished, and deliberately lowered his voice,
"I worked hard outside managing the Divine Dynasty, gathering Luck, fighting against men and struggling against Heaven, and only managed to reach the Grand Unity Realm with great difficulty. But you all? You followed Master in secluded cultivation, and your Realms are shooting up like bamboo shoots after the rain."
"Senior Brother Su and Junior Brother Jiang, you've both reached the Grand Unity Middle Stage, haven't you? And Fifth Brother, your aura... I can't quite see through it..."
Lu Fan hadn't quite expected that even Han You had emerged. It seemed Master didn't intend to stay hidden this time.
Perhaps soon after, he would be able to witness Master's supreme grace once more.