Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

”The Lu Family’s Eighth Elder, Lu Tiansheng, insulted me, your Saint Prince. It was only right that I cut him down with my sword. As for this little trinket, it’s rather nice. I shall take it as the Lu Family’s apology on his behalf.”

Just as the Lu Family’s Great Elder, Lu Yunxiao, looked ready to spit fire because Yang Xiao had taken the No-fly Zone, Yang Xiao spoke a single, casual sentence. At his words, the expression of every Lu Family member instantly changed.

Especially Lu Yunxiao.

His expression was utterly grim, and his teeth were grinding audibly. He had clearly reached the absolute limit of his patience.

”What’s the matter? Great Elder, with a look like that... do you have some objection?”

But Yang Xiao showed no signs of backing down.

He stared straight at Lu Yunxiao.

”If you have an objection, then speak up. Although I, Yang Xiao, am a Saint Prince, I’ve never been one to make enemies needlessly. I only do what is fair and reasonable. As long as your objection is fair and reasonable, Great Elder, I will certainly acknowledge it.”

Yang Xiao smiled faintly.

He looked the very picture of an open-minded ruler.

At the sight, a muscle in Lu Yunxiao’s cheek twitched uncontrollably.

He was so angry he was speechless.

’This Saint Prince, Yang Xiao, is simply too shameless, too arrogant!’

’To kill a man and then steal his treasure on top of it.’

’How is this the behavior of a wise and noble sovereign?’

However, seeing the man’s reaction filled Yang Xiao with immense satisfaction.

He had never been a magnanimous person. On the contrary, he was incredibly petty.

Lu Tiansheng had offended him and intended to humiliate him in front of the entire Lu Family. Had Yang Xiao been an ordinary person, he might have just traded insults and left it at that. But he was different.

He was a Saint Prince.

The path of the Emperor Dao depended on winning the hearts and minds of the people. If he hadn’t just successfully cultivated his Emperor’s True Body and greatly increased his strength, if that man had actually succeeded, the people’s loyalty would have wavered and scattered. All his previous efforts would have been for nothing.

Therefore, Lu Tiansheng’s actions were an attack on the very foundation of his power, an attempt to ruin his cultivation. For a Martial Cultivator, such an offense was a blood feud, a matter of life and death.

Of course Yang Xiao had to kill him.

Furthermore, the Lu Family’s Great Elder knew full well that his own clansman had insulted Yang Xiao. He himself had even previously declared his allegiance, proclaiming Yang Xiao his lord.

Even if it was only a formality.

But even so.

His master in name had been insulted.

’And yet, as a subordinate, he had the gall to ask *me* to be magnanimous and let the offender go?’

How could Yang Xiao possibly agree to that?

And that wasn’t even mentioning the man’s current furious expression.

He looked as if Yang Xiao were the one who had committed some terrible crime.

Yang Xiao couldn’t stand it.

He’d feel like he’d let himself down if he didn’t provoke the man’s anger a little.

’As for him being a Divine King…’

’So what if he’s a Divine King?’

’Right now, while Yang Xiao wasn’t a Divine King, he still had the status of a Saint Prince. He refused to believe this old man would dare to lay a hand on him.’

’And since he didn’t dare to act…’

’...what the hell did Yang Xiao have to be afraid of?’

”Brother Yang, are you all right?”

Just as Yang Xiao was acting completely undaunted, Lu Fangliang recovered from his shock and was the first to rush to his side, asking quietly.

Although Yang Xiao had just taken the No-fly Zone, which had upset every member of the Lu Family present—it was a heirloom left by their ancestors, after all—Lu Fangliang felt no such displeasure.

He knew very well.

He owed his current success entirely to Yang Xiao. Even just now, Yang Xiao had only clashed with the Lu Family’s Eighth Elder because he was standing up for him.

Under these circumstances, he had to choose a side.

Would he stand with the Lu Family, or with Yang Xiao?

The answer was self-evident.

Although he had no intention of betraying the Lu Family—in fact, he cared deeply for his clan—Yang Xiao clearly needed his support more.

So, he stepped forward without hesitation.

He did so even knowing that it would make many in the Lu Family resent him.

”I’m fine, don’t worry. A mere subordinate who dared to defy his superior is not enough to trouble me.”

Yang Xiao smiled faintly.

Of course, he knew the pressure Lu Fangliang was under.

Seeing him step forward warmed his heart.

He felt that his friendship had not been misplaced.

Hearing Yang Xiao’s words, Lu Fangliang relaxed.

He stood by his side.

Without another word.

But upon hearing Yang Xiao’s words, the Lu Family’s Great Elder, Lu Yunxiao, finally couldn’t hold back any longer.

”’Insubordination?’ I wonder, Saint Prince, how exactly do you define this crime of insubordination?”

He hadn’t seen Lu Tiansheng’s disrespect toward Yang Xiao.

He had only seen Yang Xiao disregard his honor and the honor of the Lu Family by killing Lu Tiansheng.

And then he had taken the No-fly Zone.

Therefore, in his heart, he was convinced that Yang Xiao was simply a bully throwing his weight around.

He had long been simmering with pent-up rage.

Now, hearing Yang Xiao’s retort, he questioned him bluntly.

Hearing this, Yang Xiao laughed. He glanced at the elder and said lightly, ”Could it be that the Great Elder is unaware of what transpired here?”

”I... Of course I know.”

Lu Yunxiao had wanted to say he didn’t, but seeing Yang Xiao’s expression, the words slipped out of his mouth against his will.

”Oh? Since you know, then you should also know why I killed Lu Tiansheng. Or are you saying that your previous pledge of allegiance to me, Yang Xiao, was a lie?”

Yang Xiao sneered.

Lu Yunxiao froze.

His expression faltered. He truly didn’t know what Lu Tiansheng had done.

The situation had been too urgent, and the person who sent the voice transmission had only told him that Lu Tiansheng and the Saint Prince, Yang Xiao, had gotten into an argument and started fighting.

What’s more, Lu Tiansheng had even used the No-fly Zone.

Therefore, he was unaware of the insults Lu Tiansheng had hurled at both Yang Xiao and Lu Fangliang.

Just as he was about to ask for details...

...a voice rang out.

”Great Elder, I beg you, you must seek justice for my great-grandfather!”

At the sound of this voice, everyone, including Yang Xiao, turned to look.

It was Lu Fangcheng.

He had stepped forward.

His face a mask of grief, he knelt on the ground.

Seeing him, Lu Yunxiao’s expression shifted. He spoke, ”You are Old Eighth’s great-grandson, Lu Fangcheng, are you not? Very well. You tell us why your great-grandfather was fighting with the Saint Prince.”

”Yes, Great Elder! It is all because the Saint Prince, Yang Xiao, has been outrageously tyrannical!”

Lu Fangcheng glared furiously at Yang Xiao and began his accusation. ”Previously, I was on the verge of breaking through to the Demigod Realm. My great-grandfather sought to acquire a Venerable True Dragon Nest for me. He didn’t realize that the Saint Prince had also set his sights on them—and what’s more, he wanted to monopolize the two best ones! When my great-grandfather tried to negotiate with him, he repeatedly called him an old dog! He even injured me and threw me into the worst Flood Dragon Nest! My great-grandfather, who was also on the verge of a breakthrough, was so incensed that he left in despair.”

”But what I never expected was that after our time in the Greater Yang Pool was over, the Saint Prince saw my great-grandfather presiding over the grand competition and provoked him again! He demanded a match, his words filled with the utmost contempt. My great-grandfather was enraged and only then brought out the No-fly Zone, wanting nothing more than a fair fight. But... but I never imagined...”

As he spoke, Lu Fangcheng became so choked with sobs he could no longer continue.

Hearing this, Lu Yunxiao looked as if he was about to explode with rage.

There was no longer the slightest hesitation.

His aura surged, revealing the full might of a Divine King.

It bore down on Yang Xiao.