The silence was deafening.
The unanimous reaction to this ludicrous situation was one of utter shock and amazement. Then they all started shivering, Lin Xuanfeng included.
Their eyes turned to the shaking mountains, words stuck in their throat.
Only Luo Yunhai and Xue Ningxiang were happy. Ever since the shout came, they knew with utmost certainty that Zhuo Fan had come through for them!
“Uh, young master Lin…”
The man next to Lin Xuanfeng began speaking, wanting to ask for suggestion as to their next course of action, only to notice that the dude had bolted.
[Rotten useless Lin Xuanfeng! Who was it that shouted the loudest while charging? Who was it that cursed us as good for nothing?] And yet, when it came to running, no one was faster.
[I spit on you! How can such a yellow-bellied lily-livered rat be in the Six Dragons and One Phoenix?]
The man looked around to find everyone loosing their will to fight. It was only natural when one stopped and thought about the monster coming to Luo clan’s rescue, the same freak who scared Lin Xuanfeng away.
[So why should we stay here, to die?]
Without further ado, he shouted, “Retreat!”
Roused up, the men followed behind Lin Xuanfeng without any complaint.
The winning side from a moment ago, was now running away miserably. They even forwent their wounded, selfishly holding their lives as the number one priority.
Luo Yunhai sighed, “Big brother Zhuo is amazing to the extreme. One shout is enough to scare them away. It’s even more effective than our wedge formation.”
Xue Ningxiang nodded cutely, her eyes blazing! She hadn’t even seen his figure, yet Zhuo Fan’s valor and might thoroughly turned her into his number one fan.
Xue Gang and Xue Lin shook their heads. Zhuo Fan’s timely save was more than welcome, but that sister of theirs sank even deeper into her unhealthy obsession of him.
No doubt about it, Xue Ningxiang’s belief that Zhuo Fan would be there to save her every single time was now firmly engraved into the very core of her being.
This delusion was far from healthy.
Her brothers shook their helpless heads.
Ning’er hadn’t once listened to their advice so far, and the repeated near saves, courtesy of Zhuo Fan, only worked to make her go against them even more…
Ha~
The two sighed…
Then they followed up with the usual glee of finding their lease on life extended and looked after the wounded. Fifteen minutes later, a thunderclap signaled the landing of a black figure.
They were greeted by none other than Soaring Demonic Dragon, Zhuo Fan!
Surveying the battlefield, Zhuo Fan cursed, “That blasted Lin Xuanfeng ran again! The next time he won’t be so lucky. I’ll make sure to pull his other leg and get him to crawl like a beggar!”
The people were scared, but the reverence was obvious from their expressions.
Of Tianyu’s youngest generation, only Soaring Demonic Dragon dared challenge Six Dragons and One Phoenix. If it were them, not in a million years would they even conceive such a radical and preposterous idea, not to mention suicidal.
It only made them see Zhuo Fan in a new light, holding him in complete admiration.
This was a truly fearless man, a man of courage and endless valor!
Ignoring these peasants, Zhuo Fan’s eyes snapped to Xue Ningxiang and Luo Yunhai in glee, “Are you alright?”
Xue Ningxiang shook her head, bashful, “Don’t worry, big brother Zhuo, I’m fine. I knew you’d come and save me!”
She then touched her Thunder Ring.
Zhuo Fan chuckled and waved, as the Thunder Ring on his own hand glinted.
“Big brother Zhuo, Grandmaster Liu already gave me a healing pill. I’ll soon be back to full health.” Luo Yunhai smiled with a pale face.
Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan turned to the old man, “Grandmaster Liu?”
“Ha-ha-ha, Grandmaster Zhuo, it’s been a long time!” Liu Yizhen bowed.
Zhuo Fan was puzzled, “What are you doing here? Didn’t Esoteric Debate have the 30 years age ban? Grandmaster Liu, how old are you really?”
“Uh, Grandmaster Zhuo I am not a participant, nor did I know Beast King Mountain was to be the location for the Esoteric Debate’s final battle. It was pure coincidence!” Liu Yizhen explained.
Sizing him up, Zhuo Fan was very much doubtful still, “Really now?”
“Honest to god. It must be fate for me and Grandmaster Zhuo to meet again!” Liu Yizhen’s genial response came.
Zhuo Fan snickered, “Oh please, cut the act. What fate could possibly be tying us?”
Liu Yizhen hanged his head.
Luo Yunhai interjected, “Big brother Zhuo, we were lucky to have Grandmaster Liu here or many more would’ve perished. He is Luo clan’s benefactor. I heard he is very eager to take you as his master, what if…”
“Liu Yizhen, it’s been so long yet you’re still dead set on this idea?” Zhuo Fan cut him off with a stare on Liu Yizhen.
Liu Yizhen nodded furiously, “Yes. Grandmaster Zhuo’s alchemy is the pinnacle among all the alchemists I’ve seen. To be your disciple is my lifelong wish!”
“In that case…”
Zhuo Fan squinted, “Fine. We are short on hands and your timely arrival is most welcome. If you can protect the Luo clan in this Esoteric Debate, I will be inclined to reconsider your request, in favor of your rendered services.”
“I will do my very best and live up to Grandmaster Zhuo’s expectations!” Liu Yizhen bowed.
Zhuo Fan nodded.
Luo Yunhai was thrilled and cupped his hand to Liu Yizhen, while also gleeful that he managed to sway Zhuo Fan.
Liu Yizhen replied in kind, grateful to him for making the cold Zhuo Fan as seven years ago give him some attention.
In this manner, Liu Yizhen joined the Luo clan, looking after the wounded. Since Zhuo Fan had nothing to do, he stood guard at the valley entrance.
It was because of this man that the men could heal in peace.
Soaring Demonic Dragon was on par with the Six Dragons and One Phoenix. There was no one out there who could make them feel safer.
Zhuo Fan stood guard for ten days, waiting for the others to heal…
But while the battle on this side ended, another was on the brink of erupting.
In a lush part of the forest, a towering jade reaching the hight of two people was standing next to a large tree. Upon a closer look, it bore a striking resemblance to those National Elemental Stones. It was precisely the wood type array to send them back.
On either side of it were two armed forces.
On one hand was Drifting Flowers Edifices’ Chu Qingcheng, Sword Marquise Abode’ Xie Tianshang and Veiled Dragon Pavilion’s Long Xingyun with their people. The other side was led by Regent Estate’s Huangpu Qingtian, Hell Valley’s You Yushan, and Pill King Hall’s Yan Bangui.
All they needed was a spark to throw this place into the chaos of war.
Their standoff was clearly visible beyond the wood exit array, as Dragon Cloud City’s every major clan and house watched in trepidation.
Huangpu Tianyuan snickered, speaking high and mighty yet casually at the same time. “The Brimming Sacred Pill will be ours. No surprise there, ha-ha-ha!”
You Wanshan and Yan Bogong nodded in pride.
[It feels so good, so overbearing, to stand by Regent Estate!]
Drifting Flowers Edifices, Veiled Dragon Pavilion, and Sword Marquise Abode’s house leader looked like they were on pensive. They had no choice but to admit the battle was going to be completely one sided. Huangpu Qingtian’s presence alone turned the tide of this battle out of their favor.
The Brimming Sacred Pill was before the wood exit, and it was Chu Qingcheng’s group who found it first. Yet none realized Huangpu Qingtian’s faction tailing them.
The fight over the Brimming Sacred Pill was on the brink of igniting, but their faction had no hope of overcoming the other, not with Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord in the mix.
“Damn monster!”
Grandmother gnashed her teeth, while Huangpu Tianyuan laughed unrestrained.
Zhuge Changfeng was only twirling his mustache in thought, “Indeed. One side has a freak of nature, while the other’s side own monster has yet to come. Things don’t bode well for them. Surrender is advised.”
That got a rise out of the crowd.
[Yeah, Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord is there and Zhuo Fan is no where in sight!] From what they heard of the two monster’s first contact, Zhuo Fan could hold his own against Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord.
But where was their most important piece at this crucial time?
The people started to regret. [What ally is he if he doesn’t show up when needed?]
Achoo~!
Facing the morning sun, Zhuo Fan was struck by an incomprehensible bout of sneezing that sent his whole body shivering.
“What the hell? Who’s the bastard talking behind my back?” Zhuo Fan rubbed his nose in anger…