Chapter 637: All Parties Make Their Move

The prelude to this Manor Sacrifice was particularly grueling, undoubtedly caused by that oppressive, heavy atmosphere. The Luo Lan Manor forces present were clearly divided into distinct camps, and everyone understood that when the most critical moment arrived, this strained, unbearable atmosphere would be torn apart, and the patience of several years would erupt directly.

Therefore, no one was in the mood to appreciate these opening performances.

Time, meanwhile, gradually slipped away amid this torment.

The scorching sun also gradually sank toward the west.

And at this moment, the opening performances of the Manor Sacrifice in the field had already proceeded to the second item — sparring matches between some of the manor's Pavilion Masters. In previous years, this had been a very lively scene, and those who won in such sparring would also receive rewards from the two Manor Lords.

However, these matches were always stopped at the point of contact, serving to liven up the atmosphere.

But this year, things were a little different.

Because the Pavilion Masters who took the stage were basically on opposing sides; they were no longer former comrades-in-arms, but had become mortal enemies of differing stances.

Therefore, these Pavilion Master matches carried an extra hint of bloodshed.

Boom! Boom!

The rapid sound of war drums continuously echoed through the headquarters of Luo Lan Manor.

In the plaza paved with bluestone, waves of majestic resonant power erupted continuously. Two figures clashed within it, and every strike was permeated with a vicious, murderous aura, without the slightest concealment.

In previous years at such times, these matches would generally draw loud cheers, but this time, the surroundings of the plaza were utterly silent. Everyone merely watched quietly, their hands gripping their own weapons at all times.

Because as these sparring matches between Pavilion Masters gradually concluded, the Manor Sacrifice would also reach its most important segment.

The incense-lighting ceremony.

And only the Manor Lord possessed the qualification to light the incense.

The current Luo Lan Manor had a vacant Manor Lord position. Whoever wished to light this incense naturally had to go through a series of procedures; only after their identity was confirmed could they perform this ceremony under the gaze of everyone in Luo Lan Manor.

And both Li Luo and Manager Pei Hao were waiting for this segment.

Amid the oppressive atmosphere, Li Luo's expression was calm, unhurried and unperturbed, quietly waiting.

Finally, the setting sun slanted down, and the entire world seemed to grow dim at this moment.

And Li Luo, under the gaze of countless eyes, stood up at this moment.

"Young Manor Lord, don't be hasty. This incense-lighting ceremony still needs to be discussed properly." At that very same moment, from Manager Pei Hao's side, Xu Xu Tianling smiled faintly and spoke.

"Although the Young Manor Lord is the blood of the two Manor Lords and possesses the qualification to inherit the Manor Lord position, the Manor Lords also left behind a regulation back then: as long as one's identity is recognized by the people within the manor, and one also obtains the support of two Offering Elders, one has the qualification to compete for Manor Lord."

"Manager Pei Hao is an old-timer of Luo Lan Manor. The great contributions he has made for Luo Lan Manor over these years, I think everyone present knows clearly in their hearts. Added to that, he is also a registered disciple of the two Manor Lords, so in terms of identity, he is qualified."

"Now, Mo Chen and I, as Offering Elders within the manor, for the sake of Luo Lan Manor's future, the two of us intend to nominate Manager Pei Hao. Therefore, Young Manor Lord, please step back a little for this incense-lighting ceremony." Xu Xu Tianling said slowly.

Elder Mo Chen also nodded and said: "We ask the Young Manor Lord to follow the rules set down by the two Manor Lords and have a match with Manager Pei Hao. The victor shall obtain the Manor Lord position."

On Li Luo's side, Yuan Qing, Lei Zhang, and the others glared furiously — these bastards had finally shown their true colors.

Manager Pei Hao also stood up at this moment. His gaze turned toward Li Luo as he smiled and said: "Competing with the Young Manor Lord is indeed a bit of bullying, so if the Young Manor Lord is willing to hand over the Manor Lord qualification to Junior Sister Jiang, I can also accept that."

Li Luo glanced at Manager Pei Hao with some surprise. Was this guy actually unafraid of the current Jiang Jiang Qinge? Still daring to provoke her with his own words?

It seemed Manager Pei Hao had come prepared for this Manor Sacrifice.

"Don't utter the words 'Junior Sister Jiang' from your mouth. You are not the same as me. Your status as a registered disciple was because you knelt on the ground for three days back then, begging piteously, which forced Master and Mistress to reluctantly take a step back and grudgingly accept you, giving you a bit of status." Jiang Jiang Qinge's golden eyes gazed calmly at Manager Pei Hao, her words like a blade's edge, sharply cutting into the latter's heart.

The smile on Manager Pei Hao's face also gradually faded away, and then his gaze turned darkly cold as he said: "Why do you look down on me?!"

Li Luo waved his hand and said seriously: "We're not looking down on you. You're flattering yourself. We never even looked at you."

The gazes of the people present turned strange. These two playing off each other — were they really planning to anger Manager Pei Hao to death and end this farce?

"Manager Pei Hao, calm down a little. Verbal squabbles won't change anything." Xu Xu Tianling spoke up at this moment.

Manager Pei Hao took a deep breath, and then his gaze turned utterly grim and cold. He said no more. His figure shifted, and he appeared directly in the bluestone plaza, his eyes fixing on Li Luo.

"Young Manor Lord, if you please."

"Since you wish to guard the foundation left behind by Master and Mistress, you still need to show your ability. Otherwise today... don't blame Senior Brother me for taking what you love by force."

"After all..."

A cold, sinister smile surfaced in Manager Pei Hao's eyes.

"I'm doing this for the good of Luo Lan Manor too."

The Royal Palace.

The Princess raised her beautiful face, gazing at the crescent moon in the sky. She estimated the time, fell silent for a moment, and finally waved her hand lightly.

The void behind her rippled, and a figure in bright red clothing emerged — it was an old man with a benevolent face, though his bearing seemed somewhat effeminate. He revealed himself and bent slightly toward the Princess.

"Your Highness." The red-robed old man smiled.

"Steward Qin, I'll have to trouble you to make a trip this time. Remember, don't enter Luo Lan Manor. You only need to stay outside Luo Lan Manor and intercept any Marquis-tier powerhouses trying to enter." The Princess instructed.

Because at this time, any Marquis-tier powerhouses attempting to enter Luo Lan Manor's headquarters must certainly be those harboring designs on Luo Lan Manor. One could imagine that tonight, in those alleys outside Luo Lan Manor, no one knew how much blood would be spilled. The red-robed old man called Steward Qin smiled and nodded, and then his figure dispersed into thin air like smoke.

Feeling that presence vanish, the Princess placed one hand behind her back, while her other slender, jade-like hand lightly patted the cold, hard stone block before her.

Tonight in Great Xia City, no one could sleep.

The outer city of the Royal Palace.

In the spacious corridor, a wraith-like shadow seemed to sweep past, ethereal and formless.

And just then, suddenly within this spacious corridor, frost actually spread out, and immediately the temperature plummeted, freezing everything solid.

In the empty corridor, the figure of a red-robed old man materialized out of thin air amid this spread of cold air.

It was precisely the Steward Qin dispatched by the Princess.

At this moment, his kindly face showed a slight furrow of his brow. He stared ahead and said slowly: "What overbearing ice-type resonant power. Governor Zhong's strength has improved again over these years."

Under his gaze, the cold air spreading ahead suddenly began to coalesce, finally transforming into a somewhat lean middle-aged figure.

The middle-aged man wore a blue robe, his hair tied into a braid behind his head. His face bore an air of majestic authority without anger, clearly marking him as someone who had long held a high position.

This man was named Zhong Zhong Jie, one of the rare Governors of three provinces within Great Xia, holding real power, considered a top-tier figure within Great Xia. The Zhong Taiqiu whom Jiang Jiang Qinge had challenged at the academy some time ago was his son.

"The long night stretches on. I wonder where Steward Qin is suddenly heading, leaving the Royal Palace?" This Governor who controlled three provinces asked with a smile, politely.

"Just carrying out an order. I wonder what Governor Zhong means by intercepting me here?" Steward Qin smiled.

Governor Zhong let out a sigh and said, "I'm merely following orders."

Steward Qin's gaze sharpened slightly, and he said slowly, "The matter of the Luo Lan Mansion — does the Regent also intend to interfere?"

This Governor Zhong was already a man of overwhelming power and authority in Great Xia; even the King's commands he would normally not heed all that readily. The only one who could make him willingly obey was none other than the Regent who had single-handedly elevated him to his current position.

Governor Zhong smiled and did not answer, only saying, "I do not wish to fight Steward Qin, so might I ask Steward Qin to simply stay here and wait for tonight's matter to conclude?"

Steward Qin said in a low, drawn-out voice, "Then I can only see for myself just how domineering Governor Zhong's Magic Whale Aspect and Ice Aspect truly are."

As his voice fell, a surging tide of Aspect Power rose from within Steward Qin's body. The earth beneath his feet began to tremble at this moment, and in the void behind Steward Qin, what appeared to be an expanse of endless land emerged — and from within that land, countless blades of black grass thrust out, baring their fangs and brandishing their claws like giant pythons.

Governor Zhong gave a helpless smile.

"Very well, I too wish to test Steward Qin's Earth Aspect and Myriad-Tooth Spirit Grass Aspect."

As his voice fell, the void behind him seemed to reflect the Han Bing Shi Zhong Jie, and beneath the ice layer, a colossal creature swam, emitting a deep, resonant whale-song.

Outside the royal palace, two Marquis-ranked powerhouses had already been the first to make their move.