Chapter 43: Carrying the Heads of the Lu Family Elders, Congratulations!

Two months of time passed in a flash.

The atmosphere of the Lu Family reached its peak after Lu Daoran returned; everyone was busy for the grand ceremony, and Lu Daoran naturally threw himself into it as well.

He had gained quite a lot in the Lei Ze Secret Realm this time, and after handing a portion of the resources to the family in exchange for resources suitable for his own use, his strength was further solidified.

The Fire Cloud Falcon possessed the bloodline of a divine bird; it had benefited greatly in the Lei Ze Secret Realm this time and already showed signs of evolving, needing only the passage of time to take that final step.

The gazes of countless sects and families converged on Wanren City.

When there was half a month left until the ceremony, the sects holding invitations arrived one after another and were settled in the corners of Wanren City.

They came for two reasons: first, to build a good relationship with the Lu Family, and second, to probe the true strength of Lu Ren and see if he had fallen into the demonic path.

Otherwise, such a rapid speed of advancement truly made these old fellows feel outmatched! When the ceremony began, the morning sun was just rising, and a heavy bell toll rang out from the center of Wanren City, spreading toward the surroundings in circles, one following another, one ringing within another.

The elders or disciples sent by all the sects stood solemnly and arrived in succession, approaching the main hall of the Lu Family's main peak—where the ceremony was being held—on foot.

Whether riding spirit beasts, using spirit talismans that flashed with light, or traveling in carriages, no one flew, expressing their respect to the greatest extent.

The Lu Family members were all at their posts, with no one absent; Lu Daoran and Lu Daoshuang stood on both sides of the main hall, continuously checking the invitations of those arriving and announcing the gifts.

Today, all Lu Family members were dressed in gilded white-and-gold brocade robes with bird patterns, different for men and women but without much distinction, heads held high and faces full of smiles.

Even Elder Lu Runqing, who was usually the least likely to smile, appeared much kinder today.

The banquet was completed with etiquette, the guests were seated by virtue, and all parties took the stage.

"The Lu Family Head's promotion ceremony, begin immediately!"

The Great Elder's gaze was majestic, his eyes sharp like an eagle's, and he sang the first step with his Qi settled in his dantian; after that, it was time for the various parties to present their gifts.

Lu Ren wore a faint smile on his lips, half-languid and half-oppressive, his every gesture carrying an aura that was impossible to ignore.

The crowd gasped in amazement; this Lu Family Head's aura was truly becoming more formidable by the day.

It was truly shocking...

Thinking this, the first family to step forward had arrived.

"Leng Family, Leng Hanqiu, brings the Leng Family's gifts, congratulations!"

As someone from Wanren City, it was easier to snatch the first spot; Leng Hanqiu let out a soft breath, her bright black eyes filled with determination and confidence, and she stepped forward to recite.

"The Leng Family's congratulatory gifts: two Golden Dragon Cypress trees, one hundred Red Dragon Fruits, one hundred catties of Nine Luminaries Jade... wishing the Lu Family Head a prosperous martial path, forever flourishing!"

She raised her eyes, looking expectantly toward Lu Ren, attempting to catch a glance from him.

Lu Ren did look at Leng Hanqiu, but it was not the special treatment she had hoped for; he merely waved his hand, signaling that he had acknowledged it.

This left Leng Hanqiu more or less disappointed, but she could not delay, so she bowed gracefully, turned around, and went to sit in her designated spot.

It had to be said that the Leng Family's grand gesture posed a major problem for the other small sects and families.

The Red Dragon Fruit, which could temper the body, was unique to the Leng Family, and they had actually brought out one hundred of them; one had to know that they only bore fruit once every hundred years, and only three fruits each time.

For the Leng Family to scrape together one hundred of them, they must have emptied their entire family treasury.

As for the Golden Dragon Cypress that produced spirit liquid, the Leng Family had also forced themselves to bring a pair.

The body-tempering spirit liquid of the Tianxuan Continent was primarily made from the spirit liquid of the Golden Dragon Cypress, but this tree was extremely rare and would not grow in places without dense spiritual energy.

Spiritual energy in Dongzhou was thin, and it was likely that even searching the entire region would not yield more than five Golden Dragon Cypress trees.

The Leng Family, what a grand gesture!

For a moment, hearts were restless, all wondering what the Leng Family meant by this; although the Leng Family was a Wanren City family and followed the Lu Family's lead, there was no need to empty their own treasury...

Something was fishy! People's minds were restless, looking at one another, and they all simultaneously increased their original gift lists by thirty percent, their hearts aching so much they grimaced.

Shi Zihe had been led into the hall early; after he finished announcing the gifts he had brought, he plopped down into his seat, his eyes never stopping as he looked around and kept watch.

His sixth sense was extremely strong; Qi Yi would definitely appear today!

In a corner of the main peak hall, Qi Yi helplessly took out a clean handkerchief to wipe his daughter's palms.

He said with a touch of heartache: "How did your palms get scraped up like this?"

Qi Qianhui stuck out her tongue lightly, her face innocent and pure, not taking the pain in her palms to heart at all, instead acting spoiled quite happily.

"I caught a dragonfly with the Lu sister, but it flew away! Daddy, the dragonfly was so pretty!"

Qi Yi looked at his daughter's flawless face and couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow in his heart.

His daughter was so innocent and cute, yet it was hateful that she could only hide here and there with an incompetent father like him; he felt extremely uncomfortable in his heart, but there was nothing he could do, so he could only coax her in a low voice.

"Then did Qianhui remember to thank the sister for playing with you? However, remember next time, don't hurt your hands again; Daddy will be sad."

"Qianhui knows, Daddy don't be sad, Qianhui will blow on it, it doesn't hurt!"

Qi Yi looked around and discovered that not far from him, a young-looking girl was smiling at him; that must be the sister Qi Qianhui spoke of.

Although Qi Qianhui was not young, she still considered herself a child, and even when facing real children, she would call them 'sister' in a milky voice; fortunately, she was a simpleton, so no one minded.

But he had arrived late, so he completely failed to notice that in the same corner, Shi Zihe was looking with eyes full of disgust and hatred after just one glance.

Shi Zihe dared not stare for too long, fearing he would alert the enemy; he clenched his fists so tightly he almost drew blood from his own palms!

His son was dead.

Why should Qi Yi's daughter be allowed to live well? He would not allow it!!...

The gift announcements gradually drew to a close, and the last small sect also presented their gifts; the corner of the hall was piled high with various spirit beasts that could not be put into Storage Bags, gathered in a heap, along with various rare treasures that had already been properly collected by the Great Elder.

The Great Elder calculated the time in his heart, along with the list of those who had come to congratulate, and feeling it was about time, he stood up and spoke slowly: "Distribute the cups and play the music, let the sound reach the heavens..."

"Wait!"

Before his voice had faded, he was interrupted; everyone looked with surprise toward the entrance of the hall where a figure had appeared once again.

That person had a face with extremely high recognizability, this face...

It was clearly Lu Ren's face! The visitor was ill-intentioned! Everyone became vigilant, and some secretly retreated, preparing to watch a good show; although the visitor used Lu Ren's face, it was clear at a glance that he was an impostor, obviously intended to disgust Lu Ren and the other Lu Family members.

The Great Elder's expression had already changed, and he shouted angrily: "Where did this petty thief come from, daring not to show their true face!"

Lu Ren also stood up, watching coldly to see what this man who used his appearance intended to do.

The man laughed loudly, showing no respect, and raised his hand to toss out three things, shouting aloud.

"All members of the Demon Race, bring three heads of the Lu Family elders to congratulate Family Head Lu Ren on his thousandth autumn!"

He bowed slightly, his raised eyes filled with endless malice.

Those three things that had been thrown out and kept rolling also stopped at this moment, instantly triggering an uproar throughout the venue.

Human heads!

Three human heads!

And... they were the heads of the Lu Family.

(End of this chapter)