Chapter 969: 969. Chapter 967: Neither Humble nor Arrogant

969. Chapter 967: Neither Humble nor Arrogant

Yang Fan spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly: 'I, as a junior, appreciate the Lu Family Head's goodwill, but for now I do not wish to consider other matters.'

"Yang Fan, I warn you, what the Lu Family can give you far exceeds your imagination; do not refuse a toast only to drink the penalty!"

Lu Yuan's voice suddenly turned cold, his whole body exuding a sharp aura, his gaze becoming piercing, making one feel chilled to the bone: 'Moreover, if you are sensible, kneel down now and kowtow to admit your mistake; I might then forgive you.'

"You..." Upon hearing this, Yang Fan's face flushed red, his fists clenched involuntarily, he angrily glared at Lu Yuan and almost roared: "Lu Yuan! Do not bully people too much!"

Yang Fan never imagined that one day he would be threatened by Lu Yuan and forced to kneel and apologize; at this moment he wished he could rush forward and slap Lu Yuan.

Unfortunately, he was clear-headed, knowing he was no match for Lu Yuan; even with all his strength, defeat was the only outcome.

Lu Yuan snorted contemptuously and said disdainfully: 'So what if I bully people too much? What can you do about it?'

Lu Yuan acted as if it were a matter of course, as though in his view Yang Fan was not even worthy of shouting at him.

Yang Fan took a deep breath, struggled to suppress his emotions, and gritted his teeth: 'Lu Yuan, do not think that relying on your strength lets you act recklessly; one day I will make you pay a heavy price!'

Lu Yuan laughed loudly and said: 'Yang Fan, are you crazy? Or is your brain addled?'

Lu Yuan's gaze grew ever more contemptuous as he sneered: 'Do you think, with your cultivation, you can defeat this family head?'

"You can try!"

Yang Fan showed no fear.

"If that is the case, then today I, the family head, will let you know just how vast the gap between us is, and make you completely give up!" Lu Yuan gave a feral laugh, suddenly erupting with a strong aura surge, like a raging tide sweeping across the whole courtyard.

Immortal Spirit Ninth Level!

Lu Yuan had actually reached the Immortal Spirit Ninth Level, only a step below the Immortal Spirit Martial Master! Yang Fan's pupils contracted sharply, full of shock: 'No wonder he is the head of the Lu Family; in just a few short years he has stepped into the Immortal Spirit Ninth Level.'

Yang Fan knew that given Lu Yuan's potential, he would eventually join the ranks of the Immortal Spirit Martial Masters, but he never expected it to happen within just a few short years!

No wonder the Lu Family, one of the three great aristocratic clans of the Great Qian Dynasty, is indeed terrifying! 'Yang Fan, you have lost!'

Lu Yuan glanced coldly at Yang Fan and said in a cold voice: 'Out of sentiment for your past cooperation with my son Lu Yuan, I give you one chance to correct your mistake—leave the Lu Family immediately and never set foot on its grounds again!'

In Lu Yuan's view, suppressing Yang Fan with his current cultivation and strength was as easy as turning over one's hand, requiring not even the slightest effort.

"Family Head Lu, I will not leave the Lu Family." Yang Fan shook his head, showing no intention to compromise, and said calmly: "Lu Yuan is my brother; his affairs are my affairs! I, Yang Fan, will absolutely allow no one to harm my brother!"

"Reckless, do you really intend to oppose the entire Lu Family?" Lu Yuan exploded in anger.

"I dare not! But if anyone forces me, Yang Fan, I would rather be shattered like jade than remain whole like tile!" Yang Fan said coldly.

"Heh... truly laughable! Since you do not know how to appreciate favors, then it is not my fault, Family Head! Guards!"

As his words fell, Lu Yuan swept his wide sleeve and gave a cold shout.

Immediately, the four Immortal Spirit Eighth Level Martial Artists guarding outside rushed in and respectfully stood behind Lu Yuan.

A hint of ferocity appeared at the corner of Lu Yuan's mouth, his eyes flashing with cruelty as he snarled: 'Yang Fan, this is the path you have chosen; I hope you do not regret it!'

"Kill him!" Lu Yuan pointed at Yang Fan and ordered.

"As you command!"

The four Immortal Spirit Eighth Level Martial Artists nodded, then drew their swords and shot forth like lightning, attacking Yang Fan from left and right.

Swish—swish... In an instant, dozens of sword lights tore through the sky, carrying a chilling killing intent, spreading across the void and sealing off the space within a few yards around Yang Fan, trapping him firmly in the middle.

"Don't kill me, spare my life!" Feeling the murderous aura of the four Immortal Spirit Eighth Level Martial Artists, Yang Fan was terrified out of his wits and hurriedly begged for mercy, his heart full of regret.

Had he known Lu Yuan would be so vicious, he should not have agreed to come to the banquet.

"Trash, shut up!" Lu Yuan kicked Yang Fan in the chest and shouted coldly.

Boom—boom—boom~ In an instant, surging primordial energy burst forth, condensing into a massive wave of air that pressed down on Yang Fan like a mountain collapsing and a sea overturning.

Pfft~ Yang Fan's face turned deathly pale, he spat out blood and staggered backward.

"Yang Fan, meet your death!" The four Immortal Spirit Eighth Level Martial Artists shouted in unison, brandishing sharp blades that pierced the air and lunged at Yang Fan like lightning.

Just as the four sharp blades were about to pierce Yang Fan's body——

Yang Fan suddenly turned and fled, his speed reaching the extreme; in the blink of an eye he vanished into the courtyard.

"Damn it! He actually got away!" Lu Yuan cursed angrily, then said in a deep voice: "Pass on my order—gather the Lu Family's experts, conduct a strict manhunt for Yang Fan, and kill him on sight once his whereabouts are found!"

"Yes!"

"Rest assured, Family Head, we will not fail our mission!"

"Hmph! To dare provoke the authority of the Lu Family is simply asking for death!"

The four Immortal Spirit Eighth Level Martial Artists snorted repeatedly, then dispersed and left, following Lu Yuan's orders to search for Yang Fan's whereabouts.

Lu Yuan remained where he was, a chill killing intent rising in his eyes as he muttered: 'To refuse the Lu Family's overture is sheer folly! Yang Fan, just wait and see—before long you will surely regret it bitterly!'

……

Night fell, stars speckling the black firmament.

"After all, I still underestimated Lu Yuan's ruthless determination!" Yang Fan let out a light sigh, walked slowly out of the courtyard, and prepared to go to the training grounds to participate in the match.

"Yang Fan, what are you up to?" At that moment, Yang Feng came forward and asked doubtfully.

Just as Yang Fan had refused the Lu Family's invitation, Yang Feng had originally wanted to dissuade him, but ultimately he could not resist, secretly tailing Yang Fan to the training grounds to see what Yang Fan planned to do.

Yang Fan gave a light smile, did not conceal anything, and frankly said: 'The Lu Family clearly harbors ill intent; to avoid trouble, I had better hurry away from the Lu Family and hide.'

"You... you intend to forfeit?" Upon hearing this, Yang Feng's expression changed slightly.

"Forfeit? How could that be!" Yang Fan shook his head and gave a light smile: "The Lu Family's invitation is a trap; they are deliberately luring me in! If I were to just quit now, wouldn't I be falling into the enemy's scheme?"

"But..." Yang Feng still worried: "After all, you are only at the Immortal Spirit Seventh Level; you fundamentally lack the qualifications."

The Lu Family recruits martial disciples, unless one reaches the Immortal Spirit Sixth Level or passes the initial examination.

Someone like Yang Fan, an Immortal Spirit Seventh Level novice, does not even have the qualification to take the initial test.

"Don't worry, they are just a bunch of trash; what qualifications could they possibly need!" Yang Fan curled his lips.

"You really aren't afraid that Lu Yuan will send people to hunt you down?" Yang Feng asked again.

"Heh... if he has the guts, let him come!" (End of chapter)