Four figures fell on Blackwind Mountain, Zhuo Fan and his three elders.
Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian watched in awe the impressive sight formed by the mighty four 5th-grade arrays.
[Luo clan is outstanding to this extent that it’s no wonder its steward is so cunning and able. But how come we never heard of it?]
The two looked at each other puzzled.
Zhuo Fan knew all too well what dwelled on their mind, but didn’t dispel their doubts, only made a path through the arrays with a sign. He took the lead and the others rushed to follow.
Once back in the clan, Zhuo Fan called for a general meeting to introduce their newest elders.
The two elders were presented with the sight of people no stronger than ants. Knowing they could kill these people with their thumb, it instilled a deep sense of disappointment in the old couple.
Though after having received Zhuo Fan’s cruelty, it curbed their characters so as to not let it show.
Only when Zhuo Fan introduced Luo Yunchang did their eyes shine. Recalling Li Jingtian’s words, they showed utmost respect for Luo Yunchang. Xue Qingjian even held her shoulder, “Young miss you are the picture of beauty, like an angel from above. I can’t help but rue the day a rotten punk would have you for himself, oho-ho-ho…”
Luo Yunchang blushed and shook her head, but her heart was grateful as she sneaked a peek at Zhuo Fan. She also found the two elders quite likable.
They were Radiant Stage experts yet so calm and mild, unlike the arrogant stereotype everyone knew.
Though clueless this was all brought about by Zhuo Fan’s thorough and unyielding discipline.
The man in question was right now frowning. [Why are these two who always snapped back with how great they are in Tianyu suddenly fawning? And why at Luo Yunchang?]
Turning to Li Jingtian, he caught the latter looking elsewhere entirely. [This has nothing to do with me….]
“Now that introductions are out of the way, the others may return to their tasks.” Zhuo Fan’s clap left only Luo Yunchang and the four elders behind.
He turned to the couple, “You two will be watching over the Blackflame Array in the South and the Ice Shadows Array in the North. I will later tell you how to wield them! Working alongside Elder Yan and Elder Li’s arrays, the Luo clan will never know defeat!”
“Understood!” Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian cupped their hands.
Luo Yunchang was overjoyed knowing the four experts would turn the mountain into an impenetrable fortress. Not even a seven houses siege could make her worry now.
“Also…”
Zhuo Fan’s hand flashed and offered a jade slip, “As you are now Luo clan’s elders, I shall treat you as one of us. Here is the secret Life and Death Art. I find it quite suitable to you two!”
Qiu Yanhai took the jade slip, amazed by what it contained.
Knowing what they were gonna say, Zhuo Fan smiled, “This is no cultivation method or martial art, but a way to combine your strengths. A limitless improving method!”
“What?!”
Brushing off their shock, Zhuo Fan continued, “This Life and Death Art means treading the fine line between life and death on the edge of a knife. At the collision between two opposing forces, world destroying power lies! But once control over it slips, death becomes you. This leads to this art going by a more common name, the Suicidal Secret Art!”
“What are you doing giving it to them for? That’s too dangerous!” Luo Yunchang spoke in their defense.
The couple was almost moved to tears.
[Li Jingtian didn’t lie. Getting close to the young miss is a must if we want to live!]
But Zhuo Fan shook his head, “Young miss needn’t fret. If others trained in this art, they’d have a fate worse than death. But I saw how the two elders’ fire and water arts combine, how seamless they work together. They are able to conform to the other on the fly, understanding each other’s hearts. In fact, they may understand the other even better than they do themselves. The two’s attributes may be in conflict, but they are nevertheless able to control the clashing force between fire and water. There’s a 50% chance they’ll succeed!”
“Fifty?!”
The couple was nervous, and Luo Yunchang jumped in fright, “That’s too little!”
Zhuo Fan shook his head, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained. The greater the danger the bigger the return. I’m sure you two know this fully well. After all, you fought Tianyu’s experts off decades ago. I can also guarantee, this method has infinite growth. The greater your control, the more powerful you become. You can one day reach the point when you can face all five Divine Dragons together!”
Widened eyes and gasps of shock were heard all around!
Imperial family’s Divine Dragons were the strongest in Tianyu. Not even if their cultivation matched could they defeat one, least of all five.
These were not false promises, as Zhuo Fan never was one for empty talk.
Li Jingtian snapped his excited eyes on the jade slip, his martial fanatic side rearing its head, “Uh, what if, suppose, I train it?”
“Elder Li, this was given to us by Steward Zhuo. So don’t go against his decision!” Qiu Yanhai guarded the jade slip, watching Li Jingtian as if he was an archenemy to the couple.
The two loved each other, but having been in the martial world for so long, the promise of power could hardly be denied. Hearing the return of the Life and Death Art being so gargantuan, they’d take it even if it was just a third chance of success.
How could they have ever reached the 5th layer of Radiant Stage if they didn’t have this bit of boldness?
Though Li Jingtian’s eyes never faltered from the jade slip.
Zhuo Fan dismissed his fervent greed, “Elder Li, it’s not for you. I’ll be blunt. Train it, and die!”
“What nonsense is that? With my talent, my aptitude, my power, I am better than them in everything!” Li Jingtian rebuked.
Zhuo Fan shrugged and turned to the two.
The couple was now eagerly combing through the information in the jade slip. Fifteen minutes later, they looked dumbfounded, sporting an extra red face.
Li Jingtian was startled and impatient, “Well, spit it out, is the art so intricate not even you two can unravel? Give it here, let this old man have a look!”
“Beat it! It won’t do you any good even if you do look!” Xue Qingjian glared at him. Qiu Yanhai lowered his head in embarrassment, “He-he-he, Steward Zhuo, just where did you pick a dual cultivation art? You’re putting us on the spot!”
Dual cultivation art?
Li Jingtian’s eyes bugged out as he stammered.
Zhuo Fan cracked up, “Ha-ha-ha, Life and Death Art needs two people that are closer to each other than their relatives yet of opposite cultivation methods. Only this can bring out its power. If your feelings are true, they will be conveyed and fruit will blossom. If all you have is lust, death follows! Elder Li, you and me are lone wolves, it doesn’t suit us!”
Li Jingtian only smirked. The couple felt quite shy at this point, then blushed harder as they looked at each other.
“Steward Zhuo, we also… can’t cultivate it!” Qiu Yanhai twiddled his thumbs, “Uhm, me and Qingjian never actually done… that.”
Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan asked, “You’ve never done it for decades yet are so in tune with each other? Then what are you waiting for?”
Luo Yunchang clapped, “It’s been ages since we had a wedding in the Luo clan. Please let me arrange it all for the elders on a most auspicious day!”
The couple’s faces went redder, acting like shy teenagers.
Zhuo Fan’s eyes widened and shouted, “What auspicious, what arrangement? That’s so quaint and cliche! Just get it on already and train that art! Blast it, for decades you’ve been around a belle, yet never tapped that fine booty. Shame on you! She even dolled up for decades for you in vain. So get your ass in gear already!”
Bam!
Zhuo Fan kicked Qiu Yanhai’s ass, but the old geezer wasn’t the least bit angry. He took Xue Qingjian’s hand and left giggling, “Qingjian, it’s Steward Zhuo’s order. I don’t have a choice. For the sake of the clan, we must bear through this hardship, ha-ha-ha…”
“Pervert!” Xue Qingjian rolled her eyes, yet left with her blushing head lowered.
Luo Yunchang watched the loving couple in envy. She turned to Zhuo Fan with a pout, “You say that, but you are no different!”
Zhuo Fan looked at her, oblivious.
Li Jingtian laughed, “Steward Zhuo, you shouldn’t waste…”
Zhuo Fan’s eyes snapped to him before he finished, scaring him from continuing.
[So you do understand. Young miss, I did my best to help you up to here.] Li Jingtian started looking elsewhere.
All of a sudden, Yan Song started flattering Zhuo Fan, “”Steward Zhuo, please give me an art too. I…
“Didn’t I give you refining skills?” Zhuo Fan asked.
Yan Song scratched his head, “Ha-ha-ha, now that you mention it. But I’m a cultivator first, before an alchemist, one with dreams of greatness…”
“Fine fine, I understand perfectly!” Zhuo Fan offered a jade slip, “I am not too fond of poisons, but since you’re with me, I will be sure to give you what you deserve. This here is a high profound ranked martial art, Nine Nines Fantasy Palm. It also contains the formula for making the world’s 81 strangest poisons.
“Beside the myriad of palm attacks, it also wields 81 poisons, each with 81 variations. Each change conforms to any man, to any environment, ever evolving. In short, the poison’s only cure is if you remove it yourself. It is thus named, Lord Over Life and Death. Take it and go!”
Yan Song took the jade slip with trembling hands and fervent gaze, “This is leagues above the Rainbow Cloud Palm. It’s incomparable. He-he-he, Steward Zhuo, you are so amazing and grand. I knew I made the right choice following you!”
“Cut the flattery, just make sure to give your all in your tasks!” Zhuo Fan waved him off.
Li Jingtian stroked his chin. [What is up with today? Steward Zhuo is handing treasures left and right! Forget the odd couple, he’s even given Yan Song something after just one word of pleading.]
[Should I also get my game on and act as cute as possible to squeeze Steward Zhuo of some goodies?]
But he shook his head in the end. He knew very well when to stop. It was better to do it after he trained Wraith Art to peak first.
But then, a sudden shout came from outside Blackwind Mountain, “Brother, I came to visit!”
Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and shook his head after knowing who it was…