The next morning, the City Lord's Mansion was bustling with activity.
Lu Zhantian was the City Lord of Qingyang City, and his two children were exceptionally talented, having been accepted as Inner Disciples of the Qingyun Sect. Their future prospects were promising, naturally attracting the attention of numerous influential forces.
The Xia Family from the Ziyuan Imperial Capital, the Gu Family from the Yintian Dynasty, the Qingyun Sect, the Jiang Imperial Clan of the Great Xia Dynasty, and the Qin Family of the Ice Plains Empire, even ancient families dating back a thousand years, all sent representatives to curry favor with the Lu Family under the guise of birthday congratulations.
"Xia Toutian, the eldest son of the Xia Family from the Ziyuan Imperial Capital, presents a pair of Purple Heart Glazed Jade, wishing City Lord Lu a long and prosperous life."
"Mo Xinchen, an Elder of the Qingyun Sect, presents a bottle of Jade Spirit Powder and a Mystic Yuan Pill, wishing City Lord Lu a happy birthday."
"Gu Yunxiao, from the Yintian Dynasty, specially gifts a stalk of Dragon Whisker Grass, wishing City Lord Lu longevity."
"Qin Feng, the Imperial Prince of the Ice Plains Empire, presents a Grass Return Pill, wishing City Lord Lu continued vitality."
"Chu Sheng, the Fourth Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, has sent someone to visit, presenting..."
Each announcement from the family servants meant another incredibly valuable gift was being brought into the estate. More importantly, the forces behind these gifts were not to be underestimated.
Lu Zhantian quickly and warmly ushered these important figures into the inner hall for separate conversations.
In the spacious courtyard of the Lu Family, long tables were set up for a feast. Any citizen of Qingyang City, regardless of their background, could come and enjoy a meal. This showed that the Lu Family had a good reputation and governed the city well.
"Excuse me…"
Ding Bubi squeezed his way to a table filled with wealthy residents of the city. He greeted everyone warmly and then began to promote Shen Zhao's services in a familiar manner.
"Friend, judging by your attire, you must be a cultivator who travels the world. The Jianghu is a dangerous place, with swords and blades having no eyes. You never know when something bad might happen, right?
I have some excellent pills here. They can treat both external and internal injuries… What did you say? Oh, don't worry, I'm not exaggerating.
Even the officials of the Yintian Dynasty have praised them. Would you like to try some?"
"Don't worry, I'm not trying to fool you, I swear..."
"What? You have a contract with the Qingyun Sect and the Medicine King Valley, only accepting their pills? Oh, well, there's nothing more to be said. It's too bad. Our medicine is no worse than theirs, and the price is even better..."
"Alright, I won't bother you anymore. After the banquet, come with me, I'll take you to see something new. It doesn't cost anything to look, and if you're not satisfied, you can just leave, deal?"
"Great! I'll wait for you outside afterward. I've even prepared a carriage for you. Don't worry..."
In just a short while, Ding Bubi, with his silver tongue, convinced several powerful family forces to go and inspect the medicinal materials he spoke of.
The banquet hall was bustling with activity. The cooks were busy, and the servants kept welcoming guests and serving dishes, gradually pushing the banquet to a climax.
At this moment, a wave of sound swept over from outside the Lu Family's gate...
"The Netherworld God Messengers have arrived! City Lord Lu Zhantian, come out and greet them!"
The shrill sound waves overturned rows of banquet tables, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.
"What demonic fiends dare to cause trouble in the City Lord's Mansion!"
In the next moment, a surge of righteous energy dispersed the sound waves head-on.
Led by Lu Zhantian, the major powers all appeared in the banquet hall.
Seeing this, Ding Bubi was so frightened that he hid under a crowded table, hugging his head and cautiously observing the situation outside.
How unlucky am I, Old Ding? I can't even enjoy a banquet without running into such a life-threatening situation.
Five messengers in black robes, emitting an aura of evil, appeared at the entrance of the Lu Family, moving with bizarre steps.
"Lu Zhantian! The Netherworld God Messengers have arrived! Hurry and come out to kneel in welcome!"
The indistinguishable voice, neither male nor female, that could seize the soul, echoed like a death knell within the Lu Family courtyard. It caused even Mo Xinchen, the Qingyun Sect elder with the highest cultivation present, to be momentarily shaken. She retreated several steps, only managing to resist the soul-seizing control after circulating her energy.
Meanwhile, the others, including Lu Zhantian, were already drenched in cold sweat, nearly exhausting their spiritual energy just to withstand the pressure.
Suppressing the soul-seizing demonic sound, Lu Zhantian stepped forward, "Are you Netherworld Messengers from the Netherworld Yellow Springs Realm?"
"Since you know our identities, you should understand our purpose. The Netherworld Sacred Ground has issued an order: the Lu Family will become servants of the Netherworld, and you, Lu Zhantian, will be the leader of the servants. Why haven't you kowtowed to give thanks?"
The next moment, an eerie light flashed, shooting towards Lu Zhantian. It was a purple-gold order token, engraved with a skull mark.
Lu Zhantian's pupils contracted. With a sudden movement, he kicked the purple-gold token away.
"I'm sorry, but although the Lu Family is not very accomplished, we have never associated with evil entities in the past four hundred years since our ancestor. Therefore, we appreciate your kindness."
"Lu Zhantian, are you openly opposing the Netherworld Sacred Ground, and even the entire Netherworld?!"
As soon as those words left his mouth, Lu Chen immediately stepped forward, "How dare you! You genderless freak, you dare to cause trouble in my Lu Family! Good and evil have always been at odds. Since you've come today, don't even think about leaving!"
"How audacious, daring to speak so rudely! You're quite arrogant, boy!"
The next moment, a sinister, flowing light surged, transforming into a cyan-colored skeleton that lunged directly at Lu Chen.
"Chen'er, be careful!"
At this life-or-death moment, Mo Xinchen swiftly moved to stand in front of Lu Chen, and then she flicked her whisk.
Boom!
A loud explosion erupted, and spiritual energy burst forth. Mo Xinchen immediately vomited a mouthful of blood, retreating more than ten steps.
Once she steadied herself, her eyes were filled with disbelief.
"Master!"
Lu Chen hurried to support his master, but as soon as he touched her arm, a bone-chilling coldness surged through him.
"Chen'er, find a chance to take Xuanji and quickly return to Qingyun Sect. The person here is far stronger than Master. Today, I'm afraid we won't get out of this."
Little master, there's more to this chapter. Please click the next page to continue reading, it's even more exciting! "What! Master, you!"
"My core was already corroded by the icy poison from that last attack. I can no longer protect you. You and Xuanji are the future hope of Qingyun Sect's rise. You absolutely cannot be harmed."
"But Master, I..."
"Listen to Master. After you go back, tell the Sect Master what happened today, you must, do you understand?"
While Mo Xinchen was talking to Lu Chen, a fierce confrontation broke out between the opposing righteous and evil factions at the venue.
"Lu Zhantian, accept the Netherworld Sacred Ground's goodwill and offer up Lu Xuanji. Sever all ties with the righteous path, and you shall receive unparalleled glory."
"Bah! Even if the Lu Family is destroyed, we will never become your Netherworld Yellow Springs' dogs!"
"If that is the case, then according to the Sacred Ground's rules, your Lu Family will be erased from the Immortal Martial Continent today!"
Then, the speaker turned to the representatives of various forces beside Lu Zhantian: "Are you also going to become enemies of the Netherworld Yellow Springs?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone dared not make a move.
The terrifying nature of the Netherworld was known throughout the Immortal Martial Continent. No single force could afford to offend them. Once targeted by the Netherworld's heretical cultivators, the consequence was the annihilation of the entire clan.
Was it really worth offending the entire Netherworld for the sake of a single Lu Family?
Only Gu Yunxiao couldn't help but prepare to step forward, but he was stopped by a servant beside him: "Young Master, you absolutely cannot act. The Yintian Dynasty has just begun to flourish. If you turn against the Netherworld Yellow Springs at this moment, can you bear to watch the Gu Family and the empire vanish?"
Gu Yunxiao, hearing this, could only suppress his impulse and didn't take a step, remaining beside Lu Zhantian.
"Heh, you know what's good for you. When my Netherworld unifies the world, I'll allow you to live like ants, hahahahaha."
"Today, the Lu Family will be annihilated!"
Lu Zhantian's brow furrowed, but his eyes remained proud.
Even if he had to face the enemy alone and die today, he wouldn't kneel and beg the Netherworld for mercy.
"Disciples of the Lu Family, heed my command! Follow me to slay demons and eliminate evil, and uphold the glory of our righteous path!"
Just then, a powerful gale came rushing towards the Netherworld God Messengers.
"Who is it!"
"Your dad!"
Boom!
As soon as the words fell, a Netherworld Messenger who had turned around to ask a question was immediately punched into the air. With a soft explosion, his body turned into a rain of blood, scattering between heaven and earth.