Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

"I, Long, and the members of the Lu Family, greet His Majesty the Human Emperor!"

Elder Long observed all due courtesies as he strode forward to bow to Human Emperor Xuanyuan.

Seeing this, the others hastily followed suit, bowing to Human Emperor Xuanyuan.

Some among them were scared to death—like Second Elder Lu and the few other Lu Family Elders who had previously harbored malicious intent toward Yang Xiao. But with the Human Emperor before them, they, as members of the Human Race, had no choice but to bow.

To say nothing of the fact that their only pillar of support, Elder Long, was also bowing.

How could they dare not step forward?

To their slight relief, however, Human Emperor Xuanyuan seemed not to notice them. His gaze swept past them and landed on Elder Long.

The pressure on them lessened instantly.

'Thank goodness Elder Long is here. Otherwise, I'm afraid we couldn't have withstood his gaze alone.'

Only now did they finally understand how terrifying the might of a Great Emperor—and a top-tier Great Emperor at that—truly was. Without uttering a single word, he exerted immense pressure on them, who were mere Seventh and Eighth Tier True Gods.

Hadn't they seen it? Even the Second Elder and the Patriarch were now scared silent, all their previous fire gone.

And it wasn't just them.

Even the Great Elder, a mighty Divine King Level expert, was no better off before Human Emperor Xuanyuan.

This comparison made one thing clear.

The Lu Family finally realized that while both were Divine Kings, their Great Elder was far inferior to Elder Long.

And Elder Long, in turn, was just as inferior when compared to a Great Emperor.

'What right did they ever have to look down on Saint Prince Yang Xiao?'

'I just hope Human Emperor Xuanyuan isn't here to cause trouble.'

Their hearts pounded with anxiety.

The crowd watched as Human Emperor Xuanyuan, who was sizing up Elder Long, furrowed his brow slightly.

Instantly, every one of their hearts shuddered.

'What's happening? Don't tell me even Elder Long can't withstand this?'

The members of the Lu Family were scared witless.

But just then, they heard Human Emperor Xuanyuan speak.

"So, a senior of the Ancient Dragon Clan is here. I must admit, I am surprised. I wonder, are these humans of the Lu surname your vassals, or is there another arrangement?"

Human Emperor Xuanyuan's tone was rather hostile.

It was no wonder, though. As the Human Emperor, he was naturally duty-bound to protect the interests of the Human Race. He had seen far too many Ancient Relic Clans and other powerful races from the All Heavens and Myriad Races enslaving humans during the Ancient Era.

Now, seeing another such powerful being, with humans behind him who all looked terrified, Human Emperor Xuanyuan naturally grew suspicious.

He had to stand up for the Human Race.

Of course, at any other time, he probably wouldn't have been so quick to judge. The matter was primarily related to Yang Xiao. Ever since his clone had returned, his main body had learned that a Dark Night Demon God was apparently shadowing Yang Xiao, plotting against him.

This had put Human Emperor Xuanyuan on edge.

But upon arriving at the Profound Sun Continent, he learned that Yang Xiao had entered the Lu Family Secret Realm.

So he had immediately rushed here in a frantic hurry.

Since anything involving Yang Xiao could not be delayed, he had transmitted his voice directly into the Secret Realm to summon everyone out.

But now, seeing that the one in the lead was an Ancient Divine Dragon and that the humans behind him seemed terrified, Human Emperor Xuanyuan couldn't help but be suspicious.

That was why he had spoken so harshly.

More importantly, he was still deeply worried about Yang Xiao.

Consequently, the pressure on Elder Long increased dramatically.

"Your Majesty has misunderstood," Elder Long said, feeling rather helpless. "I was once a subordinate of an Ancient Divine Venerable. These members of the Lu Family are the descendants of one of the Divine Venerable's disciples. They are not humans I have enslaved."

If it had been anyone else—even another Great Emperor—who had dared to speak to him this way, he would have fought to the death to defend his dignity.

But against Human Emperor Xuanyuan...

It was best to forget it.

Even that junior from the Ye Family, who controlled a Holy Palace and possessed strength surpassing even a top-tier Great Emperor, was still more than a cut below Human Emperor Xuanyuan.

Besides, it was obvious that Human Emperor Xuanyuan was here for Yang Xiao.

Elder Long saw no reason to pick a fight.

'So what if I have to back down a little?'

He was proud, but it wasn't as if he'd never had to yield before. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have spent over a million years guarding the Lu Family in seclusion.

"Oh, I see. It seems I have misunderstood."

Despite his words, Human Emperor Xuanyuan still glanced at the humans behind Elder Long.

As he did,

his brow furrowed even deeper.

His gaze finally settled on Second Elder Lu and the few other Elders who had harbored malicious thoughts toward Yang Xiao and been tainted by Demonic Qi.

Without another word,

he raised his hand

and flicked his fingers.

In an instant, several streaks of Sword Qi shot through the air, piercing into the spiritual seas of Second Elder Lu and the other Elders who had held ill will toward Yang Xiao.

It scared them so badly they nearly fainted on the spot.

They all dropped to their knees, begging loudly for mercy. "Elder Long, save us! Lord Human Emperor, we truly didn't mean to offend the Saint Prince! Please, Lord Human Emperor, forgive us! Elder Long! Elder Long, please, explain for us!"

Hearing this,

Human Emperor Xuanyuan was inclined to believe Elder Long's words.

If they were truly enslaved, how would they dare to shout their master's name so brazenly?

As for them having targeted Yang Xiao, he wasn't surprised.

Tainted by the Demonic Qi, even he himself had nearly moved against Yang Xiao, let alone them.

Elder Long, however, grew even more disappointed.

He rebuked them furiously, "What are you shouting for? You're a disgrace to your Lu Family ancestors! Lord Human Emperor is merely removing the Dark Night Demonic Qi from your spiritual seas, not killing you! What are you all wailing about? Get over here and thank His Majesty the Human Emperor!"

"Huh? His Majesty the Human Emperor isn't trying to kill me? Hey, I'm actually fine."

"Yeah, me too! Haha, he really didn't kill us!"

Only then did these Elders realize what had happened.

One of them even began to weep with joy.

The sight left Human Emperor Xuanyuan not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"You are all members of the Human Race. As the Human Emperor, how could I so easily kill my own people? Of course, it was truly wrong of you to harbor malicious intent toward the Saint Prince. I have already entrusted the Profound Sun Continent to Yang Xiao's care, so you can be considered the people under his governance. You don't have to submit to him, but as members of the Human Race, you must not harbor ill will toward him. Otherwise, I will show no mercy. Understand?"

Though exasperated, Human Emperor Xuanyuan still took the opportunity to admonish them.

In the past, even though Yang Xiao was the Saint Prince, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths for him.

But now, he considered Yang Xiao a priceless treasure.

If one of Yang Xiao's peers defeated him or bore him ill will, that would be one thing. But these people before him were all Tier Seven Divine Marquises, and one was even a Tier Eight Divine Venerable.

Human Emperor Xuanyuan couldn't risk anything happening to Yang Xiao.

Naturally, he had to give them a firm warning.

After issuing his warning, his gaze fell upon Elder Long. "I hear Yang Xiao has entered your Lu Family Secret Realm," he said coolly. "I have urgent business with him. Take me to him."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This way, please."

Elder Long wasn't surprised. Human Emperor Xuanyuan's visit was bound to be about Yang Xiao. As it happened, he also had a few things concerning Yang Xiao that he wanted to discuss with the Human Emperor.

He certainly wasn't going to refuse.

He also understood that with Human Emperor Xuanyuan present, the members of the Lu Family would likely be much more compliant.

It had to be said,

Elder Long's perception was spot on. Human Emperor Xuanyuan's appearance, his actions against Second Elder Lu and the others, and his urgency to find Yang Xiao—all these things made the members of the Lu Family fully understand their situation.

They no longer dared to feel even the slightest contempt for Yang Xiao.

Instead, a sense of deep reverence began to grow in their hearts.

Even Second Elder Lu, who had previously hated Yang Xiao to the bone, now thought to himself, 'Going against the Saint Prince was a foolish choice. Given how Human Emperor Xuanyuan dotes on him, if I had truly made a move, my death would have been certain. At that point, neither Elder Long nor my elder brother would have helped me. Sigh... My grandson, Fang Xing... I can no longer protect you. Rest in peace.'

With this thought,

Second Elder Lu no longer dared to harbor the slightest ill will toward Yang Xiao.

If even he had a change of heart,

the others certainly didn't dare to cross the line.

Seeing this, the Lu Family's Great Elder finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The great undertaking of the Lu Family emerging from seclusion and pledging allegiance to Saint Prince Yang Xiao was, at last, a success.