Chapter 90

Zhao Zhenchuan nodded slightly, strongly agreeing with Zu Qing Tan's words, a hint of regret in his eyes, and said: "By now, there is no other way. The Wang family's power is immense; you also know exactly what identity Wang Wu holds. Since they have given a guarantee, the Transmission Dao Conference will not encounter any major trouble. Moreover, you have inquired clearly about her relationship with Young Master Lu; it will surely be fine."

Upon mentioning this, Zu Qing Tan also came to his senses, leisurely said: "I've heard that Young Master Lu's relationship with her is very close, and that day he also became a disciple of Young Master Lu's master, making them kin by marriage; he should be trustworthy."

The two then discussed for a while, their expressions slightly easing, they adjusted the formation restrictions, and then walked out side by side to the outside of the Rune Cultivators Guild.

"If the two presidents don't come out soon, we few really won't know how to settle this!" Qi Yue, upon seeing their figures, immediately trotted over, panting, said.

Zhao Zhenchuan and Zu Qing Tan both furrowed their brows, looking puzzled at Qi Yue.

"The several great clans of the Bright Moon Empire have sent martial cultivators over, openly recruiting the rune cultivators who came to participate in the Transmission Dao Conference; they are clearly digging our walls." Qi Yue wore a bitter expression; although rune cultivators hold noble status, those great clans are not to be trifled with, they have many capable people, even a few second-rank rune scholars, which he cannot suppress.

"Hmph! What boldness, even daring to poach people from my guild—truly oblivious to danger! Let's go and see!"

Zhao Zhenchuan gave a cold snort, then stepped forward, heading toward a crowded area ahead.

"Master Ke, our Qin family offers excellent compensation; you need any alchemical materials, as long as they exist in the Bright Moon Empire, we can obtain them for you. Relocating to our Qin family would be most suitable."

Qin Zhen wore a smile, bowing to a white-haired, hunchbacked old man, his words sincere and attitude modest.

The surrounding martial cultivators also couldn't help but nod; if it were themselves, they would surely comply and join the Qin family.

"Hmph! So it's the Qin family head; I thought who it was, openly poaching people right in front of our Rune Cultivators Guild—you don't even put our guild in your eyes at all!"

Zhao Zhenchuan stared at Qin Zhen with a cold expression, his words burning with anger.

"Hehe, Master Zhao is joking. Everyone knows Master Ke is solitary, never having affiliated with your Rune Cultivators Guild. He is a free agent; I, Qin, merely hold him in respect and invite him as a guest to my Qin family—what's wrong with that?"

Qin Zhen spoke with a sarcastic tone, his back straight as a rod. Unlike before, even if he dislikes Zhao Zhenchuan, there's no need to openly oppose; his words are provocative.

The surrounding people were all puzzled, some inexplicably, and some even thought Qin Zhen had gone mad. Even though the Qin family is big and influential, they cannot afford to offend the president of the Rune Cultivators Guild—this is practically courting death!

At this moment, two middle-aged men walked over, one on the left, one on the right, standing shoulder to shoulder, and stood together with Qin Zhen, speaking arrogantly to Zhao Zhenchuan:

"Qin brother speaks correctly; your Rune Cultivators Guild is usually overbearing, and we Sun and Wang families also cannot stand it."

Zhao Zhenchuan slightly startled, coldly glanced at the two, and said: "So it's the Sun family head and the Wang family head. Our Bright Moon Empire's four great families have all three arrived at once; speaking of it, our Rune Cultivators Guild is also quite honored!"

Lu, Qin, Sun, Wang—the four great families, three heads appearing at once; aside from royal banquets, such a scene is rare.

"Hehe, truly shameless. Your three great families usually flatter and fawn over our Rune Cultivators Guild, but today you reveal your true colors, saying one thing and doing another. To be two-faced, standing together with you, even I, Zu Qing Tan, feel embarrassed."

Zu Qing Tan, seeing this scene, immediately voiced support for Zhao Zhenchuan. The two usually bicker and mock each other, but at critical moments they are like branches of the same tree, standing together.

"Old skin Zu, don't waste words with them. Today these three have come here, likely already scheming; everything hinges on the Old Ghost Ke in the Spirit Medicine Valley—see what he says!"

When Zhao Zhenchuan's words fell, everyone came to their senses and looked toward Master Ke.

"Master Ke, I've heard that you and these two have been at odds since your youth. When the former guild president wandered about, the position of president of the Bright Moon Rune Cultivators Guild was originally meant to be passed to you. But Zhao Zhenchuan and Zu Qing Tan, shamelessly, ganged up two against one, defeated you, which drove you to leave the crowd and live in seclusion in the Spirit Medicine Valley."

"Not bad, I, Wang, have also heard of this matter. But back then I was young and insignificant. Today, taking advantage of this gathering, my Wang family is willing to help you seek justice."

"Sun also feels indignant about this matter and is willing to lend a hand!"

Qin Zhen and the two others hastily spoke up, unexpectedly raising objections. They even brought up the trivial matter of sesame and millet, indicating they came prepared.

Zu Qing Tan's old face turned red; evidently the other side wasn't just spouting nonsense, and he found himself unable to speak.

Upon seeing this scene, everyone's expressions turned strange. They usually thought Zhao Zhenchuan and Zu Qing Tan were virtuous and esteemed, but never expected there to be such disgraceful matters.

"Alas! One cannot judge a person by appearance, nor measure the sea by a bucket. The two presidents, who usually act high and mighty, turn out to be such despicable petty people."

"Hehe, what's surprising about that? Think about it: those rune cultivators usually have what kind of attitude? When you ask them to craft something, they either care or don't. They take in huge amounts of materials, but sometimes they fail to deliver anything, claiming it's a failure and has nothing to do with them as rune cultivators! Contact the two presidents; some things don't need much explanation, right?"

"Hmph! This is called 'if the beam is not straight, the lower part will be crooked.' What kind of demeanor do these two old things have? How could the rune cultivators below possibly be decent?"

Qin Zhen and the two others exchanged words, verbally attacking, precisely hitting the vital point, seemingly true but not quite. The surrounding people vaguely echoed, all staring at Zhao Zhenchuan and Zu Qing Tan with ill intent, feeling great disgust.

Zhao Zhenchuan and Zu Qing Tan's faces changed drastically; before they could even speak, their reputation had been ruined. Even if they wanted to explain, Qin Zhen and the two others would likely twist their words, making it utterly futile.

Beside him, Qi Yue saw this scene, cold sweat pouring down. But he basically couldn't speak up, nor could he do anything. The other three are the heads of the three great clans of the Bright Moon Empire, high and mighty; he, a second-rank rune scholar, simply lacks the qualifications to argue with them.

He was very anxious, his mind racing, his eyes unconsciously scanning around. Seeing a faint ripple in an inconspicuous corner, his face lit up with joy, and he gazed intently.

A youthful figure slowly emerged—it was Lu Fan, wearing a martial cultivator's robe, smiling slightly, he nodded at Qi Yue, then said lightly:

"What's the use of saying all this? Master Ke didn't come for this matter. After today, you three families will likely be expelled from the Bright Moon Empire. Openly opposing the Rune Cultivators Guild, no martial cultivator will work for you anymore."

Zhao Zhenchuan and Zu Qing Tan were now furious and embarrassed, not knowing what to do, but upon seeing Lu Fan, their faces lit up. The furrowed brows relaxed at once, as if the trouble before them had vanished; they walked side by side to Lu Fan's left and right, virtually supporting him, about to head toward the guild hall.

"Hmph! Old fogies, your guild's disciples are quite clever, wanting to leave just like that—you really don't take us seriously, do you?"

Qin Zhen, having painstakingly built up momentum, would not let Zhao Zhenchuan and Zu Qing Tan leave before achieving his goal.

Lu Fan lightly waved his hand, not looking at Qin Zhen, but with a slight smile, he observed Master Ke and casually said: "Hmm! You're not young anymore, your essence and blood are depleted, but your spiritual power is abundant—truly worthy of being a fourth-rank peak Grand Rune Master. I imagine that in your youth, when you faced two opponents alone, your talent was indeed a notch above theirs."

Lu Fan lightly nodded, appearing as an elder praising a junior. While speaking, he also casually pointed at Zhao Zhenchuan and Zu Qing Tan, as if lamenting that iron cannot be made into steel.

A flash of brilliance crossed Master Ke's aged face; his previously stooped back seemed to straighten considerably, he gazed at Lu Fan with great interest, as if trying to see through him.

"Which family's brat is this, so impolite? Humph, oh well! Your Rune Cultivators Guild isn't anything special; today I, Qin Zhen, will reluctantly take it upon myself to teach you a lesson on behalf of your elders."

Qin Zhen wore an angry expression; Lu Fan's light and frivolous words, casually discussing Master Ke, lacking any respect, were arrogantly over the top. In such a setting, he had no right to speak; if allowed to ramble, today's scheme might well fail.

As his words fell, he flicked his robe sleeves, a mighty aura burst forth, enveloping Lu Fan—clearly the technique of a high-level Martial King.

"Bold! In front of Young Master Lu, Grand Master, you, a mere minor clan head, dare to act recklessly!"

Zu Qing Tan and Zhao Zhenchuan, upon seeing this scene, furrowed their brows in unison, without even thinking, they joined forces, their spiritual power surging out, forming a barrier that pushed forward.

"Boom!"

A tremendous roar exploded; although Qin Zhen was a Martial King, he could not withstand the combined strike of two Bone-Tempering Realm Grand Rune Masters. The blow shattered him, his body staggered backward; fortunately, the Sun and Wang family heads both acted together, each lending their spiritual energy to the other's back, barely managing to withstand it.

"You……" Qin Zhen hadn't expected Zhao Zhenchuan and Zu Qing Tan to openly attack; he had just been provoking with his words, and they had restrained themselves, so why now step forward for a mere wet-behind-the-ears brat?

The surrounding onlookers were also stunned; the situation was clear. The Qin, Sun, and Wang families had joined forces to provoke, and although the Rune Cultivators Guild is powerful, it could not withstand them. Otherwise, given the dispositions of Zhao Fu Chuan and Zu Qing Tan, they would not have endured silently for so long.

This move's cause lies entirely in that arrogant youth.

Upon realizing this, everyone immediately turned their heads, staring fixedly at Lu Fan, intent on seeing through him, just like Master Ke.

Clearly it was Qin Sun Wang and the Fu Xiu Guild who were about to make a move, but in an instant the focus shifted onto Lu Fan.

The three from Qin Town also came to realize, their eyes filled with uncertainty, recalling the reaction of the two people associated with Zhao Zu when Lu Fan first appeared, they seemed to suddenly understand a little.

Lu Fan wore a faint smile, treating the people around him as nothing, quietly gazing at Ke Da Shi. Warm and gentle, he hardly seemed like a youth; on the contrary, he resembled an esteemed senior of high virtue and prestige.