Chapter 434: Lu Shen

In the quiet chamber, hundreds of candles burned high, illuminating the surroundings as brightly as day.

Cui Ju sat behind the desk, his long-sleeved robe hanging loose, his complexion slightly pale, revealing a noticeable loss of vitality.

Although the qi mechanism upon his person remained vast and majestic, like a sudden hurricane or ocean waves rising like mountains, compared to before, it was clearly weaker by more than a single degree.

Seeing this, Du Zhan could not help but sigh inwardly; it was only because Cui Ju had once received the essence blood of the Nether Palace Dragon God to cleanse his marrow and had cultivated the rare supernatural ability of the Indestructible Golden Body that his physical shell was truly flawless and hard to destroy.

Had it been anyone else, they would have been slain by Chen Heng's sword strike long ago; how could they still be sitting peacefully here?

Yet even so, Cui Ju had suffered extremely heavy injuries.

Although he had mobilized the Dragon God essence blood within his body to forcibly nurture his primordial truth, in merely these few short days, it was far from enough to fully restore him to his former state.

"Venerable Di Xiao intends to take a registered disciple; this is a rare opportunity. Will Chen Chen Shidi Du not compete for it?"

Unexpectedly, after that sigh, Cui Ju bypassed the previous topic entirely and instead asked Du Zhan a question in return.

Hearing this, Du Zhan was startled; he hesitated for a long while, unsure how to answer.

"Then you wish to compete," Cui Ju said lightly.

Before Du Zhan could panic, rise, and speak, Cui Ju waved his hand and said with indifference:

"Although it is only a registered disciple, after all, one enters under a Venerable's gate. Your aptitude is no inferior to Chen Chen Shidi Chen Ya's; if you can gain some realization within the Turtle-Snake Great Cave, you might just stand out in that upcoming great competition.

Moreover, when Venerable Di Xiao last emerged from seclusion, he accepted fully four registered disciples. This elder delights in nurturing talent, which is truly a fortune for our True Wushan... If you and Chen Chen Shidi Chen Ya can gain his favor, it will also be a significant aid to me!"

At this moment, Du Zhan finally understood Cui Ju's intention, and his face turned pale.

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong, allow me to report," Du Zhan hurriedly said. "Although the Turtle-Snake Great Cave is a fundamental and critical site of our sect, we also possess considerable merit; regarding this matter—"

"The great competition is only forty-three years away; one slow step leads to every step being slow. Furthermore, with Liu Huan Ying, Wu Zhi, and others watching like tigers, now that the sect has added heavy rewards, you absolutely must not miss this opportunity."

Cui Ju interrupted calmly.

He rose from his seat, walked slowly to the front of the hall, and spoke in a light tone:

"You know that my ability to reach my current state today actually relied on the assistance of others.

Although I came from a minor clan and was not impoverished, alas, I lost my parents early, and my background was unusual; I was despised by my birth father, while my principal mother viewed me as a thorn in her eye and a splinter in her flesh.

Back then, had Grandfather Han Han Yinjue not happened to visit, taken pity on my distress, and brought me to cultivate at Zhu Zhu Jingtian, my situation would likely have been unbearable.

And after fortunately joining True Wushan, Lu Yi was jealous of me, Sun Xiao hated me, Lady Yue Weiying held a grudge against me for seizing his Dao, and Lu Fu repeatedly tried to kill me for the fortunes within Xiaoyue Mountain...

Positions of power within the sect are always limited; if I wish to ascend, I inevitably block the paths of some people!"

A sharp light flickered hidden within Cui Ju's eyes, so pressing that even Du Zhan standing nearby felt his heart pound in terror.

But in an instant, that sharp light vanished without a trace, and only his voice continued to sound:

"At that time, it was you, Chen Chen Shidi, who risked your life to leak information to me and offered your entire fortune to assist me.

It was Chen Chen Shidi Chen Ya who obtained the Huaying Jade Tablet for me, allowing me to survive certain death; and there were Elders Jin and Duan, fellow disciples Xu Mian, Huang Zeng, and others...

Without the help of all of you, how could Cui have achieved today's splendor?"

At this moment, the atmosphere in the room was subtle; meeting Du Zhan's complex gaze, Cui Ju said in a deep voice:

"I say all this merely to inform you, Chen Chen Shidi, that having reached this current state, I am no longer just myself...

To speak of casually abandoning Ge Lu would undoubtedly ruin your futures, and the Venerable who established the reward would also inevitably feel displeased!"

Du Zhan's throat moved slightly.

He had intended to say that Cui Ju now also had powerful backing, and that showing deep respect to the Venerable who established the reward would suffice, without needing to go to such lengths...

But after turning the thought over several times, Du Zhan still did not dare to utter such "rebellious" words.

He pondered for a moment, then lowered his head and said with difficulty:

"Will Xiao Xiao Shixiong's injuries heal significantly soon?"

"Without this Dragon God essence blood, even having cultivated the Indestructible Golden Body, I would still need several years to fully recover from these injuries." Cui Ju pointed to his chest, a slight smile appearing on his face:

"But with its assistance, it will take at most another month or so, and the difference will be negligible."

Receiving this answer, Du Zhan's face likewise showed joy, and then he cautiously asked:

"I wonder about the incomplete chapter of the Hunqi Method that Xiao Xiao Shixiong Chen Ya presented?"

Sword-Catching Technique, Hunqi Method—

These were profound true arts jointly deduced by the various Executive Controllers of the Lifeless Sword Sect, specifically designed to counter the outstanding sword cultivators of the world.

Furthermore, the Sword Dao is never confined to a single sect or household; regardless of which type of Great Dao a cultivator practices, as long as they have the ability to comprehend its subtle principles, they can all use these methods to protect their lives and preserve their existence.

Techniques such as Sword-Catching and Hunqi naturally follow the same rule.

The former can be used to seize an opponent's sword weapon; if cultivated to perfection, one can even silently draw away an enemy's sword weapon across layers of boundless heaven and earth, easily suppressing the dharma spirit within the sword.

For a powerful sword cultivator, a superior flying sword is undoubtedly an extremely strong aid.

If a sword cultivator suddenly loses this item during a dharma battle, not only will their capabilities be reduced, but caught off guard, they will expose flaws, giving others an opportunity to exploit.

As for the latter, the Hunqi Method is specifically designed to resist slashing by flying swords; it is a type of secret technique used to protect the physical shell and primordial spirit, even more unfathomable and divinely miraculous!

Du Zhan had even read in a secret manual that during the ancient Fanbao Demon Calamity, which engulfed the Netherworld, it was precisely the Great Executive Controller of the Lifeless Sword Sect at that time who activated the Hunqi Method; enduring attacks from two sword immortals of the same realm, he forcibly seized the enemy's tally talisman from amidst ten thousand troops, thereby resolving the crisis of that previous battle.

After that battle, that Great Executive Controller of the Lifeless Sword Sect was immediately summoned to the heavens and gained the appreciation of the Dao Court Emperor.

The prestige of the Lifeless Sword Sect was thoroughly established from then on, heard by all the heavens of the mortal world!

The reputations of the two methods, Sword-Catching and Hunqi, also began to spread, gradually becoming widely known!

At this moment, facing Du Zhan's inquiry, Cui Ju thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly and said:

"The Hunqi Method is indeed a marvelous technique capable of restraining sword cultivators, but the version in Chen Chen Shidi Chen Ya's hands is only an incomplete chapter; furthermore, my time cultivating it has ultimately been too short. While useful, to claim it could completely withstand that sword strike of Chen Heng would be delusional."

"If that is the case, why must Xiao Xiao Shixiong fight again?" Du Zhan asked in shock.

"Because I am unwilling to sever your opportunities, and furthermore, I do not wish to lose to Chen Heng!"

Cui Ju's eyes were like cold blades, and a surging fighting intent rose vigorously:

"An incomplete chapter of the Hunqi Method is indeed insufficient, but what if we add True Wushan's Sky-Propping Seal? Among the Nine Seals of True Martial, the Sky-Propping and Earth-Expanding Seals are the most supreme!

My root nature does not align with the Earth-Expanding Seal; even if I force myself to cultivate it, its effectiveness would be greatly diminished, but the Sky-Propping Seal is different!

Du Zhan's pupils contracted slightly; he intended to offer a few words of advice, but upon meeting Cui Ju's gaze, he sighed inwardly and shook his head in resignation.

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong, you previously risked death multiple times while cultivating the Sky-Supporting Seal, having suffered enough hardship; why force the issue now?" Du Zhan said helplessly.

"Life and death hanging by a thread, fate suspended on heavenly secrets—this too is a delight of cultivation; moreover, with the Dragon God's essence blood residing within me, even if I wished to die, it would be difficult."

Cui Ju's eyes shone with piercing light as he spoke in a deep voice:

"It is rare to encounter a formidable enemy like Chen Heng; I also wish to know whether, under his pressure, my sharp resolve will be blunted, or whether I shall seize this opportunity to cultivate a true method and undergo a transformation of bone and flesh?

Since I intend to challenge the world with my fist, how could it be that I, Cui Ju, defeat others while no one defeats me? Even if I lose the coming battle, I shall have no regrets!"

Seeing this, Du Zhan realized Cui Ju's mind was made up; he truly could not dissuade him.

He lowered his head, weighed the situation between friend and foe, then clenched his teeth, slapped his chest, and declared:

"In that case, I shall soon affix Xiao Xiao Shixiong's great seal to Chen Ya's letter and send the talisman message outward; rest assured, Xiao Xiao Shixiong, even if I, Du, must stake this life, I will hold Northern Pingshan to the death alongside those terrestrial sects until Xiao Xiao Shixiong succeeds and emerges from seclusion!"

Cui Ju nodded slightly and said nothing more.

After about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, just as Du Zhan, feeling he had intruded too long, was about to take his leave, Cui Ju suddenly spoke again, calling him back.

"Does Xiao Xiao Shixiong have any further instructions?"

Du Zhan asked, cupping his hands.

"Han Han Yinjue previously acted without authorization, which was indeed wrong; although he did so to pressure me and make me understand his intentions..." Cui Ju looked at Du Zhan and spoke word by word:

"Nevertheless, the Han clan has ultimately shown me great kindness; Chen Chen Shidi must not kill him."

Hearing this, Du Zhan fell silent for a moment before asking, "Does Xiao Xiao Shixiong truly intend to accept the marriage arrangement with the Han clan?"

Cui Ju did not answer.

"Such a foolish creature who leverages kindness to assert importance—if Xiao Xiao Shixiong had not spoken, I truly would not have let him go; how can a gentleman be deceived by righteousness!"

Du Zhan first sighed angrily, but then remembered that Cui Ju had already entered the service of a Venerable.

As the saying goes, master and disciple are like father and son; whether Han Han Yinjue's schemes succeed will likely depend on passing the Venerable's scrutiny.

"Let us hope all their painstaking efforts do not ultimately become futile labor," Du Zhan said, a cold mockery curling his lips.

After bowing his head to bid farewell to Cui Ju, he hurried to Chen Ya's residence; having summoned Chen Ya, the two went together to see the Elder to discuss how to proceed.

Several days later, just as talisman letters were continuously being dispatched from within Northern Pingshan to realms beyond the heavens.

Elsewhere.

In the Kingdom of Qifang, across from the Copper-Bearer River, things were equally lively.

Inside the great hall, Cai Qing stood with head held high, repeatedly rising to raise his cup in return toast to the many cultivators, his face glowing red, suffused with the warmth of wine.

His colorful lizard, too, seemed half-drunk, lying sprawled on its back upon Cai Qing's shoulder, its tail swaying back and forth.

"It seems Cui Ju and the others have exhausted their tricks, actually intending to summon troops from nearby terrestrial lands; yet even if those terrestrial sects enter the Xiping Land and assist them in holding Northern Pingshan for half a year, it will be useless."

At a nearby table, Yang Yang Kezhen rose and, facing Cai Qing from a distance, offered a toast:

"In this matter, we truly owe much to True Person Cai for his assistance!"

Cai Qing laughed loudly and waved his hand: "No need for courtesy; Chen Ya, Jin Jin Zongchun, and the others are already at their wits' end; even without my intervention, their plans were a joke! Gentlemen, even if we show mercy and grant them half a year, in such a short time, what injuries can Cui Ju heal? What marvelous methods can he cultivate?

To fight a True Person again would merely be repeating past mistakes; as Elder Yang said, it will ultimately be useless!"

Cheers now erupted in the hall; for a moment, cups clinked and host and guests clamored together.

Amidst this liveliness, however, Xue Jing stroked his beard slightly, a thoughtful glint flashing in his eyes.

He knew this banquet had been specially arranged by Chen Heng for Cai Qing, to thank him for his merit in discerning the enemy's situation.

Yet Cai Qing was merely a terrestrial True Person; what opportunity had he encountered while wandering beyond the heavens to possess such formidable means as the Luo Li Foul Smoke and the colorful lizard?

Furthermore, no one knew when the latter had attached himself to Jin Jin Zongchun's body; Jin Jin Zongchun, an Elder born of the Great Heaven, remained utterly unaware, allowing Cai Qing to steal their plans completely.

"Strange, strange; this fellow is truly an extraordinary person..."

Xue Jing thought silently.

At that moment, the hall suddenly fell quiet for a while; Xue Jing looked up to see Chen Heng, at the main seat, lightly clap his hands, whereupon a Wusheng Wusheng Tongzi emerged from behind a screen, carrying a jade box.

Meeting the gazes of the many cultivators, Chen Heng took the jade box, rose, and descended the steps, smiling:

"Since departing from Ge Land, True Person Cai first pacified the western sects for us and decisively defeated Jin Jin Zongchun; now, using a marvelous method, he has uncovered the enemy's true situation, achieving supreme merit; that we have gained True Person Cai's aid this time is truly this poor Daoist's fortune.

As the saying goes, punishment serves to penalize evil, while rewards serve to repay merit; please accept this modest token of our appreciation, True Person Cai."

Cai Qing, buoyed by these words, glowed with spirit; just as he was about to wave his hand in polite refusal, he saw the box lid suddenly lift.

Upon glimpsing the gift list inside, despite Cai Qing's deep reserve, he could not help but start, his face nearly losing composure.

"Two Geng-grade spiritual veins, a thousand hu of Da Zao Yuan Zhu, and all the territory east of Jiachen Mountain are now mine? This is among the most prosperous regions in the Kingdom of Qifang; oh, my old mother and father! This old master truly has flawless Yuan Yuan Fayan; a True Person who has rendered merit is truly rewarded!"

At this moment, Cai Qing felt a surge of hot qi rush from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head, making him dizzy and blurred of vision.

Forcing back the impulse to reach out, Cai Qing's throat bobbed several times, but before he could speak, Chen Heng smiled and interrupted:

"True Person Cai need only accept; this matter requires no further discussion; as for the affair concerning Cui Ju, I have some humble thoughts."

At these words, the many cultivators in the hall immediately straightened their expressions and focused their attention.

Even Cai Qing had to swallow the compliments stuck in his throat and compose himself.

"That Cui Ju could recover from his injuries and undergo a transformation of bone and flesh in such a short time may sound like nonsense, yet I am unwilling to underestimate him."

Chen Heng's gaze was calm, his voice steady:

"Allowing the enemy to act freely and granting them a chance to catch their breath is not my usual way of doing things; True Person Cai, which powers do Chen Ya and the others intend to summon to the Xiping Land?"

"The Great Sickle Sect, the Water-Flower Observatory, Huanshang Mountain, and the ghost host under the command of the Mountain God of Xi Mountain; I have heard that the Mountain God was originally a Zhao-cultivator of the Nether Ghost Dao, later subdued by Cui Ju and his followers, whereupon he switched to cultivating the Incense God Dao... Although Cui Ju still retains some subordinates, the rest are either too small in scale or too distant from here."

After pondering for a moment, Cai Qing cupped his hands and replied:

"Those Wu Xiu under Chen Ya have already dispatched talisman letters; I am certain that these four houses will come to Ge Land!"

"Within the terrestrial lands, due to factors such as spiritual qi, few cultivate the orthodox transmission of the Profound Tribulation; most follow heterodox paths... Though we do not know the strength of those four houses, if merely four enemies equivalent to heterodox Primordial Spirits arrive at Northern Pingshan and join hands with Jin Jin Zongchun and others to maintain the formation flags and gates, that too will be a troublesome affair."

Hearing this, Xue Jing's eyes flashed; he spoke in a deep voice:

"The path of formations has always been profound and vast; it is even said that a single formation encompasses all existence; laying a formation is troublesome, and breaking one is equally troublesome.

"One wonders how Cui Ju could be so generous, actually ordering Ban Su to make such arrangements long ago; without this formation, the chaos in Ge Lu would have been pacified long since."

Upon hearing this, Chen Heng flicked his sleeve and said in a cold voice:

"Since that is the case, we must not allow the powers of those four families to enter the Xiping Lands so easily; though they are no formidable enemy, allowing them entry would only add unnecessary variables!"

"What does True Person mean?"

A thought turned in Xue Jing's mind; as if he had realized something, he couldn't help but nod slightly.

Chen Heng exchanged a smile with him, then raised a finger and pointed.

Suddenly, a streak of blue light appeared atop the hall, resembling misty clouds falling to earth, utterly bewildering.

In an instant, the rainbow light retracted, all strange phenomena vanished, and all that remained was a white-haired little old man perched on Chen Heng's shoulder, hands on hips, strutting with arrogance.

"As the saying goes, 'An old man in the family is like a treasure'; is that not true? With this old one to shift the void, you can certainly catch them completely off guard!" The Dun Dun Jiesuo looked at Chen Heng proudly.

"Absolutely no mistake."

Chen Heng smiled, then gazed at the cultivators within the hall:

"Now that we hold the initiative, we must not waste it; shortly, I shall proceed alongside True Person Xue to intercept the forces of those four terrestrial lands outside the Xiping Lands. If we can annihilate them all, that would be best; if not, we must at least inflict heavy losses upon their vital energy, making it difficult for them to easily enter Northern Pingshan!

When True Person Xue and I depart, I hope you all will unleash your offensive, hasten to break the formation, and trap those Wu Xiu within Northern Pingshan until they perish, leaving them unable to divide their attention."

Chen Heng performed a bow with clasped hands and said with a solemn expression:

"Delay breeds change; I am unwilling to linger too long in Ge Lu, so I beg you all to lend me your support!"

"Since My Lord has commanded, we shall surely exert ourselves to the utmost!"

At once, the cultivators in the hall bowed in return one after another, shouting in unison, their voices echoing endlessly against the four walls.

"With such a fine opportunity, why did True Person not invite me to accompany you? What a pity; this old one is hardly lacking in combat prowess, and I am also quite skilled at scouting and gathering intelligence!"

Cai Zhang felt no small regret in his heart.

Just as Cai Zhang was silently lamenting, Yao Chu, who was also standing within Lishendian, suddenly heard a mutter beside him.

Yao Chu turned his head and saw Cai Zhang staring with eyes shining brightly, burning with intensity.

"Brother Cai?" Yao Chu asked in surprise.

"In matters of human relations and worldly wisdom, I, Cai, truly still have much to learn..."

Cai Zhang first wore a look of melancholy, but then, fixing his gaze on Cai Zhang's sleeve pouch, he suddenly became excited again; grabbing Yao Chu's sleeve, he asked in a low voice:

"Brother Yao, you have always understood the times deeply and possess the talent to govern a sect! Do you think that since Fuchan Fuchan Laozu has gained so many benefits, our Yun Ci Ku is clearly about to rise to prosperity? As the sole scion of the Cai family, if I manage to win Fuchan Fuchan Laozu's favor over these few days, might he reward me with a few of the fine treasures bestowed by True Person?"

"This... is hard to say; Brother Cai had better not think too much."

Yao Chu hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke the truth nonetheless:

"As for being the sole scion, that is not necessarily certain either; did not Cave Master Cai recently host several tables of wine banquet to celebrate the pregnancy of his returned concubine, accepting gift money from us all? Even True Person bestowed spirit medicine and elixir treasures as congratulations..."

Upon hearing this, Cai Zhang's face turned dark.

He turned his face aside, unwilling to speak.

In the blink of an eye, half a day had passed.

At this moment.

In the land of Yan Zhao.

On the great altar platform outside the mountain gate of the Great Sickle Sect.

The Great Sickle Sect Master had just ordered his sect members to present the human sacrifices, calling for the sect's kept diviners to step forward and draw blood to divine fortune or misfortune.

Suddenly, the void overhead split open down the middle, revealing Xue Jing's figure.

Before the Great Sickle Sect Master could react in astonishment, a blindingly brilliant ray of light suddenly leapt forth from above Xue Jing's head, illuminating heaven and earth in an instant, and slashed fiercely down upon his head!

Over Shuihua Mountain, crimson clouds suddenly gathered thickly, miserable fog heavily obscured the view, a desolate wind blew fiercely like the wailing of myriad ghosts, and rolling red water crashed down from the sky with a boom!

The troops of Huanxiang Mountain had not yet reached the halfway point when suddenly the wind and rain turned dark and gloomy, and Lei Jin Guang flashed dazzlingly.

Within the four wilds, inch-by-inch cracks appeared as if in shattered glazed glass; after a loud rumble, electric snakes and sword light surged wildly forth from within, killing outward!

Meanwhile, atop Xishan Mountain, the Mountain God, who possessed a tiger's head and a human body and stood ten zhang tall, along with a host of yin soldiers and ghost retainers, looked up at the sky, stunned into speechlessness.

Under the full exertion of Chen Heng and Xue Jing, the Dun Dun Jiesuo had actually dragged a meteor wandering in the outer cosmos directly here and smashed it toward Xishan!

Watching that single "flying star" continuously expand within their field of vision, smashing apart the perennial turbid mist and cloud vortex surrounding Xishan, sending them scattering dejectedly in all directions.

Seeing this, the Xishan Mountain God felt his scalp go numb; although he wished to form a divine technique and dodge, this mountain was the foundation of his existence, and if it were damaged too severely, his own power would be greatly diminished; this was truly a dilemma.

"Heavens above, what kind of tactic is this?!"

The Xishan Mountain God's pupils contracted sharply.

Because they held the Dun Dun Jiesuo, they could shift their position at will, leaping through the sky and darting about; unless others possessed means to counter it, even if they had the heart to pursue, they could do nothing.

Under the constant harassment by Chen Heng and Xue Jing, the troops of the four families, in whom Chen Ya and other Wu Xiu had placed such high hopes, not only failed to reach the Xiping Lands, but suffered heavy losses instead, forcing them to shrink back within their own mountain gates, daring not to venture out a single step.

After this matter spread.

Though Chen Ya and others were astonished, they finally realized their plans had clearly been stolen by Yu Yu Yuchen's faction.

But they had no time to rage; on one side, there was no aid from without, and on the other, the forces of Yu Yu Yuchen remaining in the Xiping Lands were attacking with swift urgency, having exerted their utmost strength.

Under such circumstances.

It would be difficult for the formation of Northern Pingshan to even hold for half a month, let alone half a year...

And just as the Wu Xiu were at their wits' end, that very night, the star patterns in the sky suddenly showed anomalies, and the moon rolled with golden waves!

After leaving the palace halls and looking up, one could see strands of starlight slowly undulating, mixing together, seemingly merging into a long river stretching across the utmost sky, vast and boundless, with neither head nor tail, seeming poised to fall straight down into Northern Pingshan!

This strange phenomenon not only startled the Wu Xiu within Northern Pingshan, but across the Tongtuo River, thousands of fleeing lights simultaneously rose from the Yu Yu Yuchen camp, assuming a defensive stance.

"Han Han Yinjue..."

Jin Jin Zongchun withdrew his gaze and suddenly spoke.

Duan Gui frowned, raised his hand, and issued an order tablet.

Shortly after the cultivators had returned to the hall, a Wusheng Wusheng Tongzi entered to report, and Han Han Yinjue was then led up into the hall.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Without allowing Han Han Yinjue to speak, Du Zhan pointed outside the hall and shouted rudely.

"Brother Du overestimates Han; how could I possess such ability?"

Han Han Yinjue was not angered; he smiled, bowed to the two Elders, and then took out a bronze mirror polished to a brilliant shine.

"What is this?" Jin Jin Zongchun's expression changed slightly, as if he had realized something.

He exchanged a glance with Duan Gui; both straightened their spines slightly, assuming a solemn posture.

The bronze mirror hung silently in midair; at first, only a speck of glowing light the size of a millet grain emerged from its center, but then the light grew larger, and within a few breaths it filled the room, illuminating the entire hall with brightness that rippled and swayed, making it appear as though built from Bai Yu.

A voice within the light laughed:

"Forgive me, forgive me; acting on Brother Han's request, I specially created this formation. If any Daoist brothers wish to assign blame, direct it at him; do not blame me."

"May I ask who you are?" Du Zhan stepped forward, bowed, and asked cautiously.

"My name is Lu Shen; I hail from Shaokang Mountain," the voice replied indifferently.

"Lu Shen... the grand-disciple of that rebel Lu Lu Yusheng from Xudu?!"

Du Zhan's pupils contracted; he looked up, his heart struck by a sudden shock.