Chapter 312: Arrival at the Yang Family
After sending off Housekeeper Huang, Tian Shengwu wondered, "Brother Lu, why not take this opportunity to gather more information about Lin'an?"
"This Huang Yitu is quite shrewd; the information he provides us is filtered, and it's the kind of thing we can learn through standard channels if we put some thought into it. If you really want to understand Lin'an, it's better to experience it yourself."
"Then…" Tian Shengwu hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What is the Star Lord's attitude towards Lin'an?"
Facing Tian Shengwu's inquiry, Lu Hong said, "Let's first assess their overall strength. This Yang family, from the intelligence we have, has some backbone and resources, and is worth taking seriously."
"Why don't we try to win over the Yang family from Lin'an?" Tian Shengwu laughed. "This time, as we enter Lin'an, maybe we could use the opportunity to disrupt the balance among the three major families there and bring about a change of dynasty?"
"You're overthinking it; how do you plan to deal with Heavenly God level power?"
"Aren't you able to invite the Netherworld God to intervene? With his involvement, everything will be easy to resolve."
It's not a problem for the Netherworld God to intervene, the key is how to properly involve him in the civil war within Lin'an.
Evidently, to accomplish such things skillfully will require careful planning over time.
Then, seven days passed, and each day Housekeeper Huang would arrange for servants to deliver good wine and food to Lu Hong and Tian Shengwu, but he never appeared before them again.
On the eighth day, the meals were delivered by Yang Xiuxiu herself, which left Tian Shengwu momentarily stunned.
Standing at the door with the tray of food, Yang Xiuxiu noticed Tian Shengwu's lack of reaction and then smiled, "Why? Won't you invite me in for a sit?"
"Oh, oh, oh." Tian Shengwu promptly nodded and took the tray, "Miss Yang, please come in."
With permission, Yang Xiuxiu curiously leaned in and entered the guest room.
Her gaze fell upon Lu Hong, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed.
Lu Hong was surrounded by a dense Earth Element power, and the quality of this Earth Element power was exceptionally high, astonishingly so.
"Brother Lu, Miss Yang is here."
At Tian Shengwu's call, Lu Hong ended his meditation and looked puzzled at the curious Yang Xiuxiu before him, saying, "Miss Yang, what brings you here?"
"Housekeeper Huang mentioned that there were two exceptional talents staying at the inn. I was curious, so I came over to see. I hope I'm not disturbing you two?" Yang Xiuxiu smiled radiantly.
The high-ranking Yang Xiuxiu, though not highly leveled or experienced in battle, had keen insight. The quality of Earth Element spiritual energy emitted by Lu Hong during his cultivation was unprecedented even in her family.
Based on this alone, Yang Xiuxiu concluded Lu Hong was extraordinary and even had the intent to recruit him.
"Not at all, it is an honor to be appreciated by Miss Yang." Lu Hong exchanged a few formal pleasantries, then got off the bed, walked to the table, picked up a wine jar, and drank a whole jug.
"My name is Yang Xiuxiu, you can just call me Xiuxiu. Calling me Miss Yang feels too distant. By the way, what are your names? Xiuxiu would love to get acquainted with you both."
Upon hearing this, Lu Hong laughed, "It is an honor to be appreciated by Miss Yang. I am called Lu Hong, and my brother is named Wu Sheng."
"Martial Saint? What a mighty name!" Yang Xiuxiu looked at Tian Shengwu with admiration.
This made Tian Shengwu feel embarrassed, so he quickly explained, "That 'Saint' refers to 'poshlost', not 'sagehood' and transcendence."
"Oh, I see." Yang Xiuxiu nodded, then looked at Lu Hong, "And Brother Lu, where do you come from?"
"Have you heard of the Sanguang plane?"
"Sanguang?" Yang Xiuxiu was taken aback. The Constant Domain has numerous planes, but she had never heard of this world: "Brother Lu, you're not from Constant Domain, are you?"
"I am from Constant Domain."
"Then how come I've never heard of the Sanguang world?"
"It was destroyed by the Yin Demon Clan."
"Ah?" Yang Xiuxiu immediately covered her mouth and then apologized slightly, "Sorry Brother Lu, I brought up your sad past."
"It's no problem. Though my Sanguang world was destroyed, there are still a few clansmen who escaped, surviving in this chaotic world."
"Brother Lu, since your world has already been destroyed, why not come to my Yang family? My Yang family will surely be your haven. My father said Yang family never fails a loyal person. I am sure Yang family will become your second home!"
"Since Miss Xiuxiu speaks so highly, if we brothers don't agree, then it would be looking down upon the Yang family." With that, Lu Hong clasped his hands toward Yang Xiuxiu, "I, Lu Hong, am willing to become a guest of the Yang family, and contribute to the prosperity of Yang family."
"I, Wu Sheng, am also willing to join Yang family, living and dying alongside Yang family!"
Hearing their statements, Yang Xiuxiu was overjoyed. During these days, she indeed recruited many talents comparable to exceptional talents through arena contests. However, none of them felt as imposing as the two before her. Yang Xiuxiu believed that the strength of these two was definitely strong, and together, they might even be able to challenge her second brother.
Three days later, the arena contest came to an end, with a total of thirty-six young strong practitioners in the later stages of Third Transition selected to become Yang family guests.
Lu Hong and Tian Shengwu also traveled with Yang Xiuxiu's carriage to the gateway of Lin'an World.
In front of the expansive Lin'an gateway, a large number of troops were stationed, each of the three major families wearing different colored uniforms, making it easy to identify.
Every family had its own guarded area and criteria for outsiders entering Lin'an World, evidently having distinctions among them.
But certainly, the standards set by the three families for entry are quite high.
Under Yang Xiuxiu's leadership, the group quickly passed through the gate and entered Lin'an World.
Upon arrival, Lu Hong instantly sensed the vibrant Spiritual Energy within, its abundance level far exceeding that of Star Sea, undoubtedly another exceptionally wealthy large world.
"Old Huang, how many planes does our Lin'an have?"
"Three thousand eight hundred or so, why do you ask?"
"Nothing, just gaining some random knowledge." Lu Hong smiled: "Will be living here in the future, it doesn't hurt to know more."
Housekeeper Huang nodded, "Indeed, then let me share some with you. The Yang family controls over eighteen hundred important planes in Lin'an, with the remaining two thousand planes divided between the Xu family and the Lu family. The number of planes alone reflects the strength of my Yang family. Given the chance, I can take you on a tour around, but not recently. The battles are imminent, divert your time quickly to cultivation to seize every opportunity to enhance your strength and secure victory for the Yang family."
During some sporadic chatting, the group finally reached their destination, the Yang family's stronghold—Dragon Pan plane.
As soon as Yang Xiuxiu got off the carriage, she saw the current Yang family head, King of the Mountain Yang Lin standing before her.
Yang Xiuxiu acted like a child caught misbehaving on the spot, playfully sticking out her tongue and said coyly, "Dad~ I know I was wrong, can you not hit me?"
"Humph!" King of the Mountain Yang Lin snorted coldly, then sternly said, "Get back there! You snuck off to the ancient road of the heavens, do you know how worried your mother was about you? Go apologize to her now!"
"Oh, I know, I'll go immediately!" Yang Xiuxiu was still childlike, impulsively disregarding the talented individuals she recruited.
Watching Yang Xiuxiu leave until her figure disappeared, King of the Mountain Yang Lin withdrew his gaze. Simultaneously, his naturally stern face became even colder.
His gaze swept across the three dozen, including Lu Hong and Tian Shengwu, an icy killing intent instantly filled the air.
The full killing intent manifested like tangible blades, slashing across everyone's skin.
Some of the more timid Third Transition strong practitioners were immediately frightened to the point of collapsing to the ground.
"Housekeeper Huang, escort these individuals out of Lin'an."
Evidently, this was the King of the Mountain Yang Lin's first layer of test.
After the killing intent test, only twelve remained among the thirty-eight.
At this point, Yang Lin spoke, "I will not question your origins or backgrounds. From the moment you step through the door behind me, you become part of the Yang family. You may make mistakes, act on impulse, or be self-serving, but one thing you must always remember: never betray the Yang family. If you do, the Yang family will relentlessly pursue you until death—until no end!"