Chapter 191: Secret History

"Luo Lan Mansion?"

When Niu Biaobiao finished speaking, Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e both stared at him in bewilderment, clearly not understanding what he meant.

This strange array that guarded the Luo Lan Mansion headquarters and the underground palace, forbidding other Marquis-level experts from entering—its power came from Luo Lan Mansion?

But how could Luo Lan Mansion possess such power?

Facing their confusion, Niu Biaobiao smiled and said, "To be precise, it comes from the 'momentum' of Luo Lan Mansion."

"It might sound a bit mysterious, but this strange array indeed possesses such power. It is clear that Li Taixuan and his wife had prepared for this long ago; when Luo Lan Mansion was founded, this strange array was already brewing, and the two are inextricably linked."

"In other words, the more Luo Lan Mansion flourishes, the stronger this 'momentum' becomes, thereby providing the Luo Lan Mansion headquarters with greater protection. Honestly, such a method is truly astonishing."

"However, conversely..."

"The worse the situation of Luo Lan Mansion, the smaller the 'momentum' provided, and the weaker the power of this protective strange array will be. When Luo Lan Mansion ceases to exist, this strange array will vanish completely."

"The reason that mysterious Marquis-level expert was able to send an energy clone into the Luo Lan Mansion headquarters last night was also because the situation in Luo Lan Mansion has been unstable over the past two years. As a result, the provided 'momentum' weakened, which in turn affected the protective strange array."

"This is the main reason I am being open and honest with you today. This protective strange array requires stronger 'momentum,' and clearly, only the two of you can achieve that."

Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e's expressions turned grave. They had never imagined that this strange array, which secretly protected the Luo Lan Mansion headquarters and the underground palace, relied on the decline and prosperity of Luo Lan Mansion itself...

Although it sounded incredible, Niu Biaobiao clearly had no reason to lie to them, and the mysteries of this world were not things the two of them could fully comprehend.

However, stabilizing and strengthening Luo Lan Mansion had always been the direction in which he and Jiang Qing'e were working.

Simply put, didn't strengthening it just mean ensuring Luo Lan Mansion had people, money, and fame?

Regarding this, Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e felt a sense of joy in their hearts, because at the very least, they could do something here for Li Taixuan and Dantai Lan, rather than just waiting for news of their return.

"Uncle Biao, if you were able to kill that Marquis-level expert who snuck into the Luo Lan Mansion headquarters, then you yourself must at least be a Marquis, right? If you could reveal your strength, many of Luo Lan Mansion's problems would be easily solved," Li Luo mused.

The most important reason Luo Lan Mansion was currently surrounded by wolves was the lack of a Marquis-level expert to hold the fort. If Niu Biaobiao could fill this gap, the situation would clearly be much better.

Niu Biaobiao sighed and said, "You overestimate old Niu here..."

Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e both looked at him in astonishment.

"There are many past events involved that I won't go into one by one. You only need to know that I cannot step out of the Luo Lan Mansion headquarters."

"Moreover, my power is subject to many restrictions, so unless it is absolutely necessary, I will not make a move," Niu Biaobiao said, a trace of melancholy appearing on his somewhat fierce face.

Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e were speechless, but not entirely surprised, because if Niu Biaobiao could really act as he pleased, he wouldn't have watched Luo Lan Mansion fall into such a state.

If he had shown even a little of his strength, how would the likes of Pei Hao have dared to jump out?

"There is another question... which faction does the Marquis-level expert from last night belong to? The Duze Mansion? The Jiyan Mansion? Or some other top-tier force?" Li Luo asked after a few moments of silence.

"Also, regarding my parents drawing the life-and-death lot together, was there any scheme behind that?"

These questions were very important because they needed to determine who was targeting Luo Lan Mansion, especially the mysterious Marquis-level expert from last night.

Niu Biaobiao smiled: "I don't know which faction the Marquis-level expert from last night belongs to. It is easy for a Marquis-level expert to hide their background, and there are quite a few Marquis-level experts in the Great Xia..."

"I also have no answer regarding the life-and-death lot, but one thing is certain: there is indeed a mysterious black hand in this Great Xia targeting Luo Lan Mansion..."

"Over the years, they have been spying on the Luo Lan Mansion headquarters, but because of the strange array, other Marquis-level experts could not enter, so they failed to turn the headquarters upside down."

"However, after so many years of spying, I feel that they have vaguely grasped the secrets of this strange array. That is why the attacks suffered by Luo Lan Mansion in recent years have begun to grow more intense..."

"For example, the split of Luo Lan Mansion by that Pei Hao a few months ago... there may well have been someone behind it, and the purpose was to weaken this protective strange array of Luo Lan Mansion."

Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e fell silent, their expressions grave. That so-called mysterious black hand made them feel immense pressure.

Jiang Qing'e pondered for a few moments and asked softly, "Uncle Biao, I have one more most important question..."

"Why is this mysterious black hand targeting our Luo Lan Mansion so persistently, even going to such lengths to destroy the life-bound fire, preventing Master and Mistress from returning?"

Li Luo's heart skipped a beat. Indeed, for the other party to be so relentless, they must have some motive.

Niu Biaobiao sighed, his voice becoming much more serious.

"First, there is something I must tell you... Li Taixuan and Dantai Lan are not from Great Xia. They came from outside Great Xia."

Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e's bodies trembled slightly.

"Outside Great Xia? Other countries?" Li Luo asked in surprise.

Niu Biaobiao smiled and did not answer.

"As for why this mysterious black hand covets Luo Lan Mansion..."

He walked forward to the location of the dragon and phoenix stone carving, then tapped a certain spot. A hidden compartment slowly rose from beneath the carving. It was a sharp stone needle, and suspended above the needle was a brilliant, diamond-shaped crystal.

The diamond-shaped crystal emitted a mysterious halo. As the halo rippled outward, Li Luo and the other felt as if the world itself began to breathe, and the energy of heaven and earth surged violently in response to the pulsing halo.

Niu Biaobiao looked at the mysterious diamond-shaped crystal, his expression filled with emotion.

"This is the core of this underground palace. When Li Taixuan and Dantai Lan encountered a fatal crisis, it was this that transmitted power to them..."

"I think the reason that mysterious black hand is targeting them is likely because of this object."

Niu Biaobiao turned his gaze toward Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e.

"This is 'Divine Essence Material.' You two may not have heard of it. It is something all Marquis-level experts in the world dream of; for it, they would be willing to give everything..."

"Because only this legendary material allows them to touch upon..."

"The secret of becoming a King..."