Chapter 42: Endless Successions

Lu Qingyun let out a sharp shout as he surged forward. His primary objective, the most formidable enemy he faced within the Zhao family, was none other than the Great Elder.

Lu Qingyun had prepared himself to go all out. He knew full well that failing to defeat the Great Elder would mean defeat in this battle, and the only result of defeat was death.

Watching Lu Qingyun charge toward him with such uncanny footwork, the Great Elder of the Zhao family felt a surge of shock. He had never witnessed such strange movement before; Lu Qingyun appeared dazzling and vibrant, like a blooming lotus. This was no illusion—Lu Qingyun’s technique was indeed called the Lotus Footwork. Combined with his lightning-fast speed, the afterimages he left in the Great Elder’s vision resembled the petals of a blossoming flower.

The Great Elder roared, sneering, "Do you think your petty tricks can succeed? Those good-for-nothings were no match for you and might have been deceived, but you cannot fool me! Boy, I didn't intend to let you die so miserably, but since you insist on throwing your life away, I have no choice but to take it."

Lu Qingyun ignored him entirely, refusing to let the elder's words sway his focus. Faced with the provocation, he remained deaf. The Great Elder possessed genuine skill; the long saber in his hand whistled through the air, exerting immense pressure with every strike. The force of the blade’s edge made Lu Qingyun’s face sting. Facing such a fierce assault, Lu Qingyun did not dare to be careless. He accelerated his pace, acutely aware that they were separated by a major cultivation realm, leaving a significant gap in their overall capabilities.

Lu Qingyun had entered a state of battle, his mind completely clear of distractions. Their fight drew the attention of many. People who usually wouldn't dare approach the area were now clinging to doorways and walls, watching intently. They had assumed Lu Qingyun was here to die, never believing he could be a match for the Zhao family, yet the scene unfolding before them left them stunned.

"How is this possible? Why is this boy’s offensive so ferocious? Could it be that the Great Elder isn't his match?"

"That can't be right. We all know the Great Elder’s strength. No matter what, he shouldn't be losing to this kid, right?"

"Who knows? The situation is beyond our prediction. This boy has already created quite a few miracles..."

Some members of the Zhao family overheard these discussions and felt deeply insulted. The Zhao family held a position of high status in this city, and to be subjected to such humiliation filled them with rage. Zhao Tuo, unable to grasp who might win the battle due to his own limited strength, roared at the onlookers, "How dare you gossip about our Zhao family! Look at yourselves—what are you? If not for this current incident, would you even dare to step foot near our gates? Watch if you must, but keep your mouths shut, or I will make sure you regret it. I'll make sure you don't live to see tomorrow's sunrise!"

A lean camel is still bigger than a horse; even in its current state, the Zhao family had not suffered a mortal blow. They believed that while Lu Qingyun was brave, it didn't mean he could defeat the Great Elder. After all, the gap between their cultivation realms was not a matter of a few years.

Lu Qingyun heard the chatter, but it had no effect on him. If anything, his movements became faster, and the aura he exuded left the crowd even more astonished. As the two clashed, their weapons striking with a thunderous ring, the Great Elder felt a fresh wave of shock. Lu Qingyun was not merely a martial artist; the Qingyun Sword Technique he employed was profoundly mysterious. His blade danced with countless sword flowers, dazzling to behold. Yet, the Great Elder was no ordinary man, and he managed to parry the chaotic barrage with his heavy saber.

The crowd, previously quiet, could not help but break their silence again. "A battle this spectacular happens once in a few centuries, doesn't it? I've never seen such fierce attacks. It looks like the Zhao family is in real trouble this time."

"Who knows? Looking at the current situation, it’s not that simple. This boy’s strength is unfathomable, and the techniques he’s showing are not to be underestimated."

"Let’s just watch quietly. If we anger Zhao Tuo again, we’ll really be in for it..."

The onlookers spoke with hidden meaning, seemingly eager to see the Zhao family fall. The battle was vibrant and intense. Suddenly, the Great Elder retreated a few steps, pulled out an exquisite porcelain bottle, and swallowed a pill. This was the exact outcome Lu Qingyun had hoped to avoid. The Zhao family’s primary business was the trade of medicinal pills, so their reserves were vast. If the Great Elder were a machine, the Zhao family provided him with an endless supply of fuel. After all, this was a life-or-death moment for them.

After consuming the pill, the Great Elder laughed wildly. "Hahaha! You thought your strength could rival mine? You were wrong; you underestimated me, and you underestimated the Zhao family. You might think my strength isn't much, just a little higher than yours, but you can do nothing against me. Our supply of pills is endless, inexhaustible. So what if you are a genius?"

Lu Qingyun watched his arrogant display and shook his head. To him, anyone like this deserved whatever fate awaited them. Lu Qingyun was indeed exhausted; sweat had soaked his clothes, dripping onto the ground. However, he reacted quickly. The Azure Dragon flame ignited once more, instantly drying his garments. The onlookers were shocked by the display of such a powerful martial soul. Lu Qingyun was only at the ninth stage of the Body Refining Realm, yet he had cultivated his power to such a degree. No one could fathom what miracles he might achieve if he reached the peak.

With his clothes dry, Lu Qingyun smiled faintly. "Heh, I thought you were impressive. I didn't expect you to rely on pills to keep going. Aren't you ashamed to be doing this in front of so many people? Forget it. Your family has no face anyway, letting your younger generation stir up trouble and then having the elders clean up the mess. How pathetic!"

Lu Qingyun’s taunt was deliberate, intended to provoke the Great Elder. Losing one's temper is the greatest taboo in combat. The Great Elder was clearly enraged. Gritting his teeth, he charged forward with his saber, shouting, "Even if he stirs up trouble and brings disaster, our Zhao family can protect him! And you, a nobody who popped out of nowhere—who is going to protect you? Even if you work for the City Lord, so what?"

Lu Qingyun hadn't expected the man to be so vile. However, in this world, there are two types of people: those who cannot control their emotions, and those who are masters of them. The angrier Lu Qingyun became, the calmer he grew, for he knew exactly what he had to do and refused to let such distractions cloud his judgment.

He stepped closer, his voice steady. "Heh, what you say makes sense, but that is only your perspective. You want to protect him, yet he is the one who wants to destroy everything! I have to say, your family’s logic is truly unique. That he caused such a catastrophe and is still considered the pride of your family? How interesting..."

Lu Qingyun was stalling for time, needing a moment to recover his strength. Though the battle remained undecided, both had expended a great deal of energy. A single moment of distraction could lead to their doom. This was a life-or-death struggle where every step had to be calculated.

As Lu Qingyun pressed forward, the Great Elder grew nervous. He should have been the one in control, even suppressing Lu Qingyun, yet in just a few months, such a massive reversal had occurred! The Great Elder brandished his saber, watching Lu Qingyun with a grave expression. "I should have killed you back then. I didn't expect that letting you live would be such a mistake. That is my oversight, and I will be the one to pay for it. If I don't kill you today, my hatred will never be quelled. Since you’ve given me a chance to correct my error, I won't let it slip away!"

He suddenly accelerated, charging forward in an attempt to catch Lu Qingyun off guard. But Lu Qingyun had already seen through the old man's intentions. As the elder lunged, Lu Qingyun was ready. He retreated quickly, a meaningful glint in his eyes. The Great Elder didn't know what he was planning, but his heart sank; he felt this young man was up to no good.

Seeing the elder's anxiety, a confident smile appeared on Lu Qingyun’s face. He sprinted toward the entrance with incredible speed, his unique footwork making it impossible for the Great Elder to catch him.

Lu Qingyun called back with a sneer, "You think this is a chance to correct your error? Unfortunately, this chance will only drag you deeper into the abyss. Since you know I work for the City Lord, yet you still attack me, that is a sign of disrespect toward him! Also, I don't just work for him—there are many others waiting for me to complete tasks for them. If you want to kill me, ask them if they agree!"

The Great Elder and the onlookers were bewildered, failing to grasp the meaning behind his words. The Great Elder’s rage boiled over, and he lost all self-control. Without thinking, he chased Lu Qingyun out into the street.

Suddenly, a figure appeared that left everyone stunned. A golden-haired old man blocked the Great Elder’s path. With a simple wave of his hand, the Great Elder was sent flying backward. Everyone gasped, eyes wide, recognizing the golden-haired man as the elder who presided over the Feiyan Pavilion.

The Great Elder’s face drained of color as he stammered, "What does this matter have to do with the Feiyan Pavilion?"

The golden-haired old man sneered, "Who gave you the courage to speak to me like that?" His voice was heavy, like a hammer striking a chest. Everyone felt suffocated, though they didn't know why. The situation had grown infinitely more complex. The onlookers felt fortunate to have witnessed this. The elder of the Feiyan Pavilion never interfered in outside affairs; his intervention suggested that the Zhao family might truly be finished today.

Before the Great Elder could speak, a figure dressed in black appeared. He looked quite young. Just as the crowd wondered who this new arrival was, they realized his identity and gasped in disbelief. It was Yexiao, the City Lord’s personal confidant!

As everyone stood in shock, the Great Elder’s voice trembled, "Isn't this bullying? Are you all here to deal with the Zhao family?"

Before his voice had even faded, another figure appeared in the distance...