Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

"Fang Xing, the Saint Prince is a guest. How can you provoke him like this?"

The Lu Family Master hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

Lu Fangxing had truly gone too far.

He hadn't spoken up before because Lu Fangxing's branch of the family had always been at odds with his own. The two branches were of comparable strength, and with the Second Elder's backing, Lu Fangxing had no reason to fear the Lu Family Master.

Even if he stood up to rebuke him, the Second Elder would ultimately just counter him.

The Lu Family Master clearly did not want to expose this conflict in front of an outsider like Yang Xiao.

After all, no matter how good his relationship with Yang Xiao was, he couldn't let this internal conflict escalate in front of him.

But now, Lu Fangxing had gone too far.

If he didn't step forward now, he was afraid Saint Prince Yang Xiao would become truly disappointed in the Lu Family—in all of them.

The several Elders beside him realized this as well.

However, not a single one of them stood up to support the Lu Family Master. On the contrary, the eyes of many of them glinted, as if they were eagerly anticipating the match between Yang Xiao and Lu Fangxing.

The Lu Family Master's heart sank.

He knew that this move by the Second Elder had tempted them.

Seeing this, the Golden-clothed Elder—the Second Elder—smiled smugly to himself.

He bluntly stepped forward to retort, "Patriarch, you are mistaken. While the Saint Prince is a guest, both he and Fang Xing are young men. It's perfectly normal for hot-blooded youths to compete and wager a few things, is it not? Or does the Patriarch believe that just because he's the Saint Prince, the sons of our Lu Family must bow and scrape before him?"

"That's right, Patriarch. We are grateful to the Saint Prince for helping us eliminate the traitor Lu Changsheng, but we are an Emperor Race. Let the younger generation have their little squabbles. We should just let them be."

Suddenly, an Elder standing behind the Lu Family Master spoke up.

As soon as he spoke, the other Elders chimed in with their agreement.

This left the Lu Family Master feeling truly helpless.

Lu Fangliang also looked troubled, and he gave Yang Xiao an apologetic glance.

He sent a private message, 'Brother Yang, Lu Fangxing has always been arrogant and conceited. If you don't want to fight him, how about letting me take him on?'

Hearing this, Yang Xiao smiled.

"Brother Lu, are you just like the other Lu Family Elders? Do you think I'm no match for him, and that's why you're offering to take my place?"

Lu Fangliang was stunned for a moment, then he broke into laughter.

"I was worrying for nothing. With your strength, Brother Yang, how could Lu Fangxing possibly be a match for you?"

After saying this, Lu Fangliang stopped trying to persuade him.

'My cultivation is now at the Second Level of the Great Divine Power Realm, just one level below Lu Fangxing. But if I were to summon my Golden Crow Divine Aspect, his defeat would be certain.'

'The only problem is, with my current cultivation, it's somewhat difficult to control the Golden Crow Divine Aspect at will.'

'That's why I've never revealed my true combat power all this time.'

'Lu Fangxing still thinks I'm weaker than he is.'

'But in truth, even at just the Second Level of the Great Divine Power Realm, and even if I can only use a portion of the Golden Crow Divine Aspect's power, I am still confident enough to defeat him.'

'And that's not to mention Yang Xiao. He's the Saint Prince, and although his cultivation seems low, his actual combat power has always been greater than my own.'

'What do I have to worry about?'

"So, Saint Prince Yang Xiao, have you made up your mind? Don't tell me you're really too scared to accept the challenge?"

Lu Fangxing said with a sneer.

'I have my great-grandfather's backing, and now I've persuaded so many Elders to my side.'

'Even the Lu Family Master was put in his place.'

He felt incredibly triumphant.

He couldn't wait to crush Yang Xiao and take his place.

Naturally, he had to keep pressing the issue.

In response, Yang Xiao simply gave a faint smile and said, "Since this is a wager where I must surrender the title of Saint Prince if you win, what do you have to offer as a corresponding stake if I win? And don't mention your status as a member of the Lu Family's direct lineage. I have no interest in a title like that."

As soon as he said this, Lu Fangxing's expression changed.

The expressions of the other Elders also shifted subtly.

He was blatantly stating that the status of a direct lineage member of the Lu Family was far inferior to that of the Saint Prince.

And while it was the truth, it was a very uncomfortable thing for the proud members of the Lu Family to hear.

But would Yang Xiao care about their feelings?

They were already scheming to take his title as Saint Prince; why would he still need to show them any respect?

And Lu Fangxing, hearing this, was indeed taken aback.

The moment he saw Yang Xiao's cultivation level, he had been certain of his own victory.

That was why he had immediately conspired with his great-grandfather to take his place.

But he had never once considered what price he would have to pay if he lost.

Now, Yang Xiao was asking him about the stakes.

And he did so with a contemptuous look, as if certain that Fang Xing couldn't produce anything of equal value to bet.

Fury surged through his heart, feeling utterly looked down upon.

He sneered, "Fine. Since you look down on the status of a direct lineage member of the Lu Family, then I wonder, is the right to enter the Greater Yang Pool worthy of your consideration?"

At these words, the expression of everyone present changed.

Even the Lu Family Master was no exception.

His expression was grim and unsettled.

Only Yang Xiao looked utterly baffled.

He asked, "What's this Greater Yang Pool? You need special qualifications just to take a dip?"

Hearing his question, the Lu Family Master hesitated for a moment but ultimately gave Lu Fangliang a meaningful glance.

Lu Fangliang immediately explained, "The Greater Yang Pool is the most important Land of Inheritance in our Lu Family. Every male born to the family is immersed in the pool at birth, which allows them to undergo a complete transformation. After that, getting another slot is extremely difficult, as it requires the unanimous approval of the Elder Council. But the effects of an immersion after reaching adulthood are even better."

"In fact, Brother Yang, you can probably guess from the name. All of the Greater Yang Bodies in our Lu Family are actually the result of being immersed in the Greater Yang Pool."

"This is also why our ancestor was so filled with regret back then when he learned that Ancestor Ye Xuanyang possessed the Pure Yang Dao Body. If Ancestor Ye Xuanyang had been born into our Lu Family and immersed in the Greater Yang Pool, he very likely could have developed a true Greater Yang Sacred Body. He would have had a great chance of becoming a Saint Emperor Level existence. Unfortunately, Celestial Destiny was not with our Lu Family. We missed the opportunity, and it's forever lost to us."

Lu Fangliang let out a soft sigh.

Without a doubt, the right to enter the Greater Yang Pool was of paramount importance to any young member of the Lu Family.

Even he wouldn't bear to offer it as a stake in a bet.

Yet Lu Fangxing had done just that.

It had to be said, Lu Fangliang's feelings were quite complicated.

He wanted Yang Xiao to win, yet at the same time, he didn't.

If Yang Xiao won, the secrets of the Greater Yang Pool would be exposed to an outsider.

Once its secrets were discovered by others, who knew what might happen?

But things had already come to this. What could be done?

"Oh, so that's how it is. The Greater Yang Pool may be precious, but I assume you, Lu Fangxing, only have one chance to use it, correct? You want to trade a single opportunity for my title as Saint Prince? I'd say that's far from enough. What other stakes do you have? Put them all on the table. If it's too little, I won't agree."

Yang Xiao said with an air of complete indifference.

'The Greater Yang Body.'

'It's indeed extraordinary, but a mere single immersion could never create a Greater Yang Sacred Body. And an ordinary Greater Yang Body is nothing to me.'

Naturally, Yang Xiao wasn't concerned.

However, his attitude instantly infuriated every member of the Lu Family, aside from Lu Fangliang.

Even the Lu Family Master, who had been on his side until now, couldn't help but frown.

Lu Fangxing was on the verge of retorting and furiously berating Yang Xiao.

But at that very moment,

a figure slowly emerged.

The expressions of the Lu Family members changed drastically, each of them becoming respectful and solemn.