...
While Xuan Hao and Dugu Bo were privately exchanging barbs, on the other side, the pointless and hypocritical small talk between Ning Fengzhi and Yu Luomian finally came to an end.
Seeing that the atmosphere in the hall had eased a little, Xuan Hao put down his teacup, and the crisp sound of the porcelain clinking attracted everyone's attention.
"Second Master," Xuan Hao leaned back in his chair, as if suddenly remembering something, and asked in a casual tone, "When I was in Heaven Dou City, I heard a legend about your sect in an ancient book.
It is said that the reason why the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's territory is so rich in lightning element is because a true ancient dragon once perished beneath these continuous mountain ranges.
I wonder if this rumor is true or false?"
Upon hearing this question, Yu Luomian's previously stiff expression softened slightly, and a hint of pride and self-satisfaction, belonging to the three upper sects, flashed in his eyes.
"That is certainly true."
Yu Luomian stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "My Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has been passed down for thousands of years.
This mountain range with its nine bends and turns is the place where an ancient true dragon fell. It was because my ancestors sensed the remaining aura of the true dragon that they established their sect here and gained the reputation of being the number one beast martial spirit in the world."
"Oh? So it's true?" Xuan Hao's eyes lit up, and he sat up straight, enthusiastically suggesting, "I've always been extremely interested in ancient ruins and legends of true dragons.
Since we're already here, I wonder if the Second Master could do us a favor and take us to that fallen land to broaden our horizons?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Luomian shook his head and refused without hesitation, his expression turning serious again: "I'm afraid that's not convenient.
Xuanhao, that place is an absolute forbidden area of our sect, and it is also the burial place of the sect leaders and elders of all generations. Outsiders are absolutely not allowed to set foot there."
"outsider?"
Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"What you're saying, Second Master... Given the 'intimate relationship' that Erlong and I just confirmed in public, shouldn't I be considered half a son-in-law of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? How can you call me an outsider?"
Yu Luomian's face froze instantly, and the corner of his mouth twitched violently.
He had just managed to force himself to get rid of that incredibly embarrassing "illegitimate daughter and lover" drama that had been playing in the square, but that little bastard Xuanhao brought it up again in front of so many people!
However, before Yu Luomian, whose face was flushed red, could figure out how to refute this shameless reason, Xuan Hao suddenly changed the subject.
"Or perhaps..."
Xuan Hao's smile gradually faded, his gaze fixed on Yu Luomian, his tone carrying an undisguised mockery and sharpness:
"In the Second Master's heart, even Liu Erlong, his own daughter, is considered an 'outsider'?"
The air in the hall seemed to freeze for a moment.
Xuan Hao sighed, then shook his head as if suddenly realizing something: "That's true.
Erlong has been wandering outside for so many years, and she doesn't even have the right to use the surname 'Yu'.
She can only take her mother's surname.
It seems that the high and mighty Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has never treated her as one of their own."
"In that case, I was indeed presumptuous. If you don't want to look, then don't look. Just consider me an annoying outsider."
These words immediately created an extremely strange and awkward atmosphere in the reception hall, so intense that you could hear a pin drop.
Ning Fengzhi paused slightly in his teacup, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes; Gu Rong, on the other hand, grinned without any attempt to hide his amusement, revealing a smile that suggested he was enjoying the show.
Dugu Bo gave Xuan Hao a thumbs up in his mind—this kid's mouth is even more poisonous than his Jade Phosphorus Serpent Venom!
Yu Luomian felt extremely uncomfortable after hearing these words, as if she were sitting on pins and needles, her whole body was being roasted on a fire, and she was so frustrated that she felt like she was about to vomit blood.
Xuan Hao's move of using one's own weapon against oneself was absolutely brilliant!
Just now in the main square, in order to defuse the humiliation of being publicly humiliated and to give Sect Master Yu Yuanzhen a way out, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect went with the flow and characterized Xuan Hao's attack as "a domestic matter of Liu Erlong bringing her lover home to cause trouble."
Less than half an hour has passed, and Xuan Hao wanted to go to the forbidden area, but Yu Luomian immediately turned on him again, calling him an "outsider" and pushing him away.
When a way out was needed, it was considered a "family matter," but now that core interests are involved, it's become an "outsider's affair."
What's this?
Are all the people of the number one sect in the world so shameless and opportunistic?
Xuan Hao leaned back in his chair, watching Yu Luomian's frustrated expression—his veins bulging, yet he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal—and a sly glint flashed in his eyes.
The time is almost right.
To deal with these stubborn old fogies who are obsessed with saving face, you have to use the rules they set for themselves to slap them in the face.
"Since the second leader insists that we are outsiders, then it is indeed not appropriate for us outsiders to stay at the gate of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan any longer."
Xuan Hao slowly stood up, casually brushed off non-existent dust from his clothes, sighed, and said in a reasonable tone, "Forced love is never sweet, and forced sightseeing is meaningless.
Rongrong, Na'er, let's go.
If they don't welcome us, let's not get in their way."
Without any hesitation, Xuan Hao turned around and walked straight toward the door of the reception hall.
Seeing Xuan Hao get up to leave, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, who had already had enough of the show, also got up in unison.
The reason they put on such a grand show today was simply to support Xuan Hao and guard against the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan resorting to desperate measures.
Now that the scene has been ruined and Xuan Hao has even gotten the verbal advantage, there's naturally no need for him to stay and stare at Yu Luomian any longer.
Dugu Bo was even more direct, not bothering with any pleasantries, and followed Xuan Hao with his arms crossed and a swagger.
Upon seeing this, Yu Luomian, who was standing still, panicked and broke out in a cold sweat.
If this kid just walks out the door like that, what will happen?!
Given Xuan Hao's terrifying eloquence—his ability to call a deer a horse and his ability to attack while simultaneously negating—coupled with his mischievous and trouble-making nature, if he were to actually leave the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan... who knows what kind of rumors he would spread about their family in Heaven Dou City, or even throughout the entire Soul Master world!
The thought of the gossip circulating in taverns across the continent tomorrow, such as "The number one sect in the world is two-faced" and "The second leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan refuses to acknowledge his own daughter for the sake of face," sent chills down Yu Luomian's spine.
"Wait! Young friend Xuanhao, please wait!"
Yu Luomian no longer cared about being an elder; she rushed forward and blocked Xuan Hao and the others.
He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, veins throbbing on his forehead, and gritted his teeth while explaining in a humble tone, "Young friend Xuanhao, you misunderstand. I don't consider the two dragons outsiders.
It's just... it's just that the Forbidden Land of the Fallen Dragons concerns the very foundation of my Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex clan, and its significance is extraordinary.
Even though I am the second-in-command, I have no right to bring people in without authorization.
This matter is of utmost importance, and I must personally consult the sect leader!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Xuan Hao stopped and gave him a half-smile, but showed no sign of backing down:
"Alright, since your sect has so many rules, then you should go and ask Sect Master Yu for instructions.
Please do as you please."
After saying that, Xuan Hao walked around Yu Luomian's outstretched arm and continued walking out without looking back:
"However, you can ask for instructions at your leisure.
We won't wait here any longer.
I have a quick temper, so I'll take my leave first."
Seeing that Xuan Hao was unmoved by either soft or hard tactics and showed no respect whatsoever, Yu Luomian was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
However, she dared not actually take action against Xuan Hao and his group to force them to stay.
She could only stomp her foot angrily, turn into a blur, and rush towards the main hall of the main peak to report this hot potato to Yu Yuanzhen.
Meanwhile, Xuan Hao led a large group of people out of the reception hall, but instead of heading down the mountain, they strolled leisurely along the bluestone path of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, as if they were visiting a scenic spot.
Ning Rongrong stepped forward and asked curiously in a low voice, "Brother Xuanhao, aren't we supposed to be leaving?
Why are we walking so slowly?"
"Leave? Why would we leave?"
Xuan Hao put his hands behind his head and looked at the main peak shrouded in clouds and mist in the distance.
"What I said just now was deliberately meant for Yu Luomian to hear, to force him to consult Yu Yuanzhen.
Given the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's characteristic of valuing face more than life, they would never dare to let me go out and talk nonsense like that."
"If I'm not allowed to see that forbidden area today... with my eloquence, the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan will probably never be able to hold their heads high on the continent for the next ten years."
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