Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

"Stop!"

Though just a single word, it seemed to be filled with Magic Power.

It brought Lu Fangcheng to a halt.

At the same time, it startled the grim-faced Seventh Elder and the smug-looking Eighth Elder.

'What is the Saint Prince doing…?'

The Seventh Elder was taken aback for a moment, but his expression quickly turned peculiar.

When Lu Fangcheng turned around, he had intended to see who was so bold, but his expression changed slightly when he saw it was the Saint Prince, Yang Xiao.

Although his expression remained tinged with arrogance, his mouth moved a couple of times, but he didn't say a word.

He clearly knew that the Saint Prince was not Lu Fangliang.

If he really dared to be disrespectful, his fate would likely be no better than Lu Fangxing's.

Seeing that he didn't speak recklessly, the Eighth Elder breathed a sigh of relief.

The Lu Family had already officially approved the plan to ally with Saint Prince Yang Xiao. If his own grandson, Lu Fangcheng, was truly disrespectful to the Saint Prince, it would be a disaster.

With the current crackdown led by the Great Elder and Elder Long, he feared he wouldn't be able to protect him.

'Fortunately, Fang Cheng is still level-headed. Now, it's my turn to step in. I imagine this so-called Saint Prince should give me some face.'

With this thought,

the Eighth Elder's expression returned to calm, and he even put on a slight smile. He looked at Yang Xiao and said, smiling, "Saint Prince, you stopped Fang Cheng. Do you have some instructions for him? Oh, and you are both young men. While Fang Cheng's talent and cultivation may not be as dazzlingly brilliant as your own, Saint Prince, he is considered top-tier among the younger generation of my Lu Family. He is quite a bit stronger than Fang Liang. If the Saint Prince wishes to befriend Fang Cheng, it would be his honor. Fang Cheng, why haven't you come forward to greet the Saint Prince?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Fangcheng's expression changed slightly.

He walked toward Yang Xiao, somewhat reluctantly.

Just as the Lu Family Elders had anticipated, they, the older generation, could perhaps maintain their composure and show respect in Yang Xiao's presence.

But the same could not be said for these proud and arrogant young ones.

This was especially true for those who had conflicts with Lu Fangliang.

Like Lu Fangxing before him.

And now, Lu Fangcheng.

Originally, they were both young talents who ranked above Lu Fangliang. Of course, this wasn't to say Lu Fangliang's aptitude was poor. In fact, before he merged with the Golden Crow Skeleton, he was already one of the most talented youths in the Lu Family. It was just that, compared to the others, he was much younger.

And since his talent wasn't overwhelmingly superior, he was suppressed by others.

This situation improved after he merged with the Golden Crow Skeleton. After all, with that fusion, Lu Fangliang's talent could be said to have been greatly enhanced.

It now surpassed everyone in the younger generation.

But for the same reason as before—his youth, and his previously weak cultivation—he had been deliberately provoked and defeated by people like Lu Fangcheng.

Among the younger generation, he had already been trampled on.

Now, even though in the eyes of the elders, Lu Fangliang's talent was considered the strongest of the younger generation, the perception among his peers hadn't changed much.

Instead, with the appearance of Saint Prince Yang Xiao, he became the target of even more jealousy and resentment.

By extension, they held no favorable impression of Yang Xiao either.

This was the reason behind Lu Fangcheng's words today.

Regarding this,

Yang Xiao naturally understood it all.

His friend had been humiliated, so of course he had to step in.

Especially since the person before him seemed so unwilling.

There was even less reason for Yang Xiao to give him a pleasant reception.

However,

he didn't act out.

Instead, he waited for the man to approach and observed his attitude.

"Saint Prince, Lu Fangcheng greets you."

Lu Fangcheng came closer, his expression completely perfunctory.

Although he performed a salute, he just casually clasped his hands together, showing not a shred of respect.

At that, Yang Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly.

Seeing this, many of the surrounding Lu Family disciples who were watching started to snicker.

Although they didn't speak openly,

their expressions made it clear they were enjoying Yang Xiao's predicament.

Furthermore, they began to communicate secretly through voice transmissions. One young man said, "Brother Cheng is really something else, daring to show such disregard for the Saint Prince. How impressive!"

"Brother Ao, your strength is nothing to sneeze at either, not much weaker than Brother Cheng's. Now that Brother Cheng has done this, why don't you follow his example?" another one teased.

Lu Fangao just smiled faintly and didn't respond.

He sneered inwardly, 'That Lu Fangxuan, does he really think everyone else is an idiot besides himself? Even the Elders have issued clear orders forbidding any disrespect toward the Saint Prince. This Lu Fangcheng dares to be so provocative only because he's spoiled by the Eighth Elder. It'll be one thing if the Saint Prince lets it slide, but what if he doesn't?'

An involuntary, cold smirk appeared on Lu Fangao's lips.

Although he didn't really care much for Saint Prince Yang Xiao himself, provoking him under the current circumstances would be foolish.

Didn't he see? The Eighth Elder's expression had already changed.

"Old Eighth, your grandson is certainly hot-blooded and young!"

Beside the Eighth Elder, the Seventh Elder let out a faint laugh.

As soon as he said this,

the Eighth Elder's face grew even more grim.

However, he didn't respond, instead staring at Yang Xiao.

'I hope the Saint Prince will give me some face and not hold this against the boy. Sigh, if I had known it would come to this, I never would have brought him along. Otherwise, how could I have ended up in such an awkward situation?'

Although he thought this,

the Eighth Elder wasn't actually too worried.

Yang Xiao's strength was, after all, still too weak. Moreover, the Lu Family had only just pledged their allegiance. He believed that even if this Saint Prince was dissatisfied and unhappy, he probably wouldn't make a big deal out of it.

He wouldn't want to anger the Lu Family.

If their alliance fell apart then and there, it would be a bad outcome for everyone.

But was that really the case?

If this person had only been rude to him, Yang Xiao might have let it go.

But this person had humiliated his friend right in front of him.

How could Yang Xiao tolerate that?

So, seeing this person treat him with such contempt, Yang Xiao actually smiled.

'Looks like this so-called Saint Prince isn't all that much. He can even tolerate an idiot like Lu Fangcheng treating him like this. In a little while, maybe I can get a chance to enter the Venerable True Dragon Nest from him, too.'

In the distance, Lu Fangao, who had been watching the entire time, was a little disappointed, but he soon started to smile.

He started getting ideas about Yang Xiao.

And it wasn't just him; at that moment, everyone else, including the Lu Family's Eighth Elder, seemed to look down on Yang Xiao a little.

But then,

a single sentence from Yang Xiao left them all stunned.

They couldn't quite process it.

The Saint Prince... how could he dare?