NOVEL NEXT Chapter 318: A Sudden Change
After listening to the other's narration, Yang Suxin's gaze flickered. Although Lin'an World didn't have much of an intention to expand, if a piece of fat were delivered to their doorstep, Lin'an World wouldn't mind devouring it.
"You're saying that mysterious Star Lord of Star Sea World, and the powerful Lord of Heavenly Martial of Tianwu World, are those men named Lu Hong and Wu Sheng?" King of the Mountain, Yang Lin, listened to Yang Suxin's description, his gaze gradually becoming somber.
"Yes, foster father, this was told to me personally by Tian Shengwu." Yang Suxin stood before Yang Lin and said, "Should we next..."
Yang Lin raised his hand, interrupting Yang Suxin, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Do not rush into action and alert the enemy, nor let a third person know. Our most important task now is to find a way to seize governance over Lin'an."
"Yes!" Yang Suxin bowed slightly, then turned and left.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard of the Southern Courtyard, Tian Shengwu asked Lu Hong with a hint of concern, "Star Lord, by exposing our identities like this, isn't it somewhat... inappropriate? If Yang Lin harbors any ill intentions, we might find it difficult to leave Lin'an World safely. Even though the two of us are lords of worlds, we can't trigger a world war by ourselves; those Heavenly Gods of Lin'an World may well attack us."
"I'm doing this for you, aren't I?" Lu Hong glanced at Tian Shengwu, "What do you think made Yang Suxin interested in you?"
"Uh..." Hearing Lu Hong's words, Tian Shengwu was somewhat confused—but being a world lord, he wasn't dull and quickly grasped the key point.
Indeed, he did fancy Yang Suxin, but to say he would betray his world for her would be impossible. Similarly, Yang Suxin wouldn't betray the Yang family, which had nurtured her for decades, for a sudden love.
"Yang Suxin must have told our identities to Yang Lin!" Tian Shengwu suddenly realized, "Star Lord, we should prepare to withdraw!"
"No hurry." Lu Hong smiled slightly, "Do you think Lin'an can stop us with just our two strengths?"
"What if they dispatch the Heavenly God Ancestors?"
"Have you forgotten our Netherworld God?"
The mention of the Netherworld God made Tian Shengwu shiver—this mysterious and powerful woman cast a huge psychological shadow over him.
"If it's the Netherworld God, there should be no problem."
Joking aside, Lin'an World didn't even have any gods of the Heavenly Realm, who could contend against the Netherworld God?
Reassured, Lu Hong's gaze deepened. He smiled and said, "Now it's as if we've passed the choice to Yang Lin—whether to start a war with Lin'an World... it's all in his hands."
One night passed, and nothing special happened. As usual, Yang Suxin came looking for Tian Shengwu.
Tian Shengwu acted as if nothing had happened, staying intimate with her.
Despite both having their own agendas, their love was more genuine than gold.
Another day later, Yang Lin sent his guards to bring Lu Hong and Tian Shengwu to the Yang Family's inner courtyard.
In the vast courtyard training ground, Yang Lin donned golden armor, and seven mighty figures already sat beside him, including Yang Suxin.
Upon seeing the arrival of Lu Hong and Tian Shengwu, Yang Lin slightly raised his hand, pointing to the vacant seats in front of him, "Have a seat."
With everyone assembled, Yang Lin spoke, "The rules of this competition have changed. The ancestor himself has issued a decree to open a small secret realm. Participants from the three families will enter this realm to search for the blood-red Divine Stones. The challenge lasts ten days. On the tenth day, you must be at the specified location, where the ancestor will reopen the realm's pathway to let you return.
Upon returning, the family with the highest total count of blood-red Divine Stones will win Lin'an's governance rights."
Tian Shengwu frowned slightly upon hearing Yang Lin's explanation of the rules. Entering a small world of secret realms? Could it be a deliberate trap by Lin'an World targeting them? Small worlds have many restrictions and can be concealed by the Heavenly Gods. Even the Netherworld God might need some time to locate them in such an environment.
To Tian Shengwu, this was clearly a trap set by the Yang family using their lives to gain benefits from Lin'an's ancestor.
Thinking of this, Tian Shengwu was about to refuse participating in the competition when Lu Hong pulled him back.
Meanwhile, since beginning to speak, Yang Lin's gaze hadn't left the two. Simultaneously, the corners of his mouth also formed a sardonic cold smile.
It seemed Lu Hong had passed the ball to Yang Lin, and Yang Lin's revenge soon followed.
"Lu Hong, Wu Sheng, you two aren't of the Yang surname. Do you have the courage to participate in this competition?"
Yang Lin's words were like a flag planted on the two of them, drawing everyone's attention to them.
Lu Hong chuckled, "Having become Yang family guests, we naturally comply with the Yang Family Head's arrangements. I have no objections."
"Good! Quite courageous!" Yang Lin shouted loudly and then commanded, "Bring the wine!"
The guards arranged for each person to be handed a bowl of fine wine.
"Gentlemen, this is the wine for your farewell, and also the antidote to survive ten days safely in the secret realm. By drinking it, you'll gain immunity to the realm's erosion, enabling safe passage within. Should you exceed ten days, the potion's effect will diminish, and you'll be eroded by the realm's mysterious forces, turning into decay. Therefore, as long as you survive, you must reach the designated location, regardless of whether you've collected any blood-red Divine Stones. Surviving this secret realm makes you meritorious to the Yang family, and we won't fail to reward your actions!"
Hearing Yang Lin's promise, the Yang family members all tilted their heads back, downing the wine, shouting, "Willing to brave fire and water for the Yang family!"
Crack! Crack! Crack... Nine wine bowls shattered.
Tian Shengwu looked at the nine pairs of eyes directed at him and awkwardly glanced at Lu Hong.
This wine... to be honest, he didn't dare drink it.
As for Lu Hong, he remained indifferent, downing the wine in one gulp under the gaze of the nine. He placed the bowl aside instead of smashing it like the Yang family warriors did.
Seeing Lu Hong drink it, Tian Shengwu gathered his courage and drank the fine wine, placing the bowl down.
Their actions left the Yang family warriors speechless.
What were they doing? Why were these two different? Why so unsociable?
Yang Suxin, at this moment, glared angrily at Tian Shengwu.
Seeing his girlfriend's eyes on him, Tian Shengwu immediately looked elsewhere, pretending not to notice.
After a while, Yang Lin finally withdrew his gaze with a smile, "Hehe, since the wine is drunk, everyone, follow me."
Under Yang Lin's guidance, everyone passed through the Teleportation Gate and arrived at the realm where Lin Kong's ancestor resided.
The powerful representatives chosen by the other two families had already arrived.
Seeing Yang Lin approach, the Lu Family Head sneered mockingly, "I've always heard that Yang family folks are pompous, and today I've witnessed it indeed."
Yang Lin glanced at the speaking Lu Family Head and countered, "Was I late?"
"Not late, but you only arrived moments before the appointed time. You know the ancestor is personally here today, yet you didn't wait patiently ahead of time. It seems some people truly lack respect for the ancestor, becoming haughty and arrogant!"
Yang Lin had no interest in engaging with the Lu Family Head's verbal sparring, choosing not to speak further.
Seeing Yang Lin ignore him, the Lu Family Head ground his teeth in frustration. Initially wanting to cause some trouble for Yang Lin, he found himself at a loss due to Yang Lin's apparent indifference.
Just when the Lu Family Head was about to provoke further, a mighty heavenly presence descended slowly from the sky.
Feeling the aura of the ancestor, members of the three families cupped their fists in salute, "We greet Lin Kong Ancestor!"
Lin Kong Ancestor clearly wasn't interested in such formalities, waving, "Dispense with the courtesy, all get up."
As he spoke, Lin Kong Ancestor scanned the group, looking at the ten contestants brought by the three families, with a satisfied smile, "I have independently altered the rules for this competition. I hope you don't mind. On this trip to the secret realm, your primary goal is to find the blood-red Divine Stones. In non-essential circumstances, I wish you avoid internal conflicts. After all, this realm also includes participants from other worlds!"