Chapter 171

Chapter 171: Forging Conference (2)

It had been more than two years since Lou Yun and Liu Ruyan last saw each other, their final encounter occurring during their joint mission to escort Wan Huier, when Han Tianxiao had framed them.

Never did he expect to see Liu Ruyan at this very forging conference, which was why Lou Yun was so deeply shocked. As for the old man who had entered the valley with Beichen Ming, chatting and laughing companionably, Lou Yun had already guessed his identity: this was undoubtedly Liu Ruyan’s grandfather, the Sect Leader of the Spirit Weapon Sect, Liu Feifan!

Clearly, Liu Feifan was the honored guest Beichen Ming had invited. Although the Spirit Weapon Sect was considered the preeminent major sect within Gu Feng Nation, its overall strength couldn’t be considered exceptionally powerful across the entire Spirit Weapon Star. Compared to Ao Wushen, it was entirely on a different level.

Nonetheless, he was well-qualified as an honored guest, precisely because he was the leader of a sect.

At that moment, Lou Yun overheard several young men near him whispering, their topic of discussion naturally being Liu Ruyan.

“See her? That’s Liu Ruyan. Currently one of the Four Great Beauties on our Spirit Weapon Star!”

“Bah, of course I see her. Long heard of her reputation, finally seeing her today. Truly even more beautiful than the rumors say. Worthy of the title Icy Beauty among the Four.”

“Hmph, her looks and aura are beyond reproach. Just far too cold. And I hear she’s a cultivation prodigy, proud and aloof. Who knows what kind of man could be lucky enough to catch her eye?”

“Don’t waste your time thinking about it. She definitely wouldn’t fancy the likes of you!”

“Can’t say for sure! Maybe she specifically likes my type!”

“Haha, hahaha! Quit dreaming!”

The young men’s conversation drew a slight smile from Lou Yun. The Spirit Weapon Star actually had "Four Great Beauties," and Liu Ruyan was one of them? He’d truly never heard of it before. He wondered who the other three beauties were.

Though he had to admit, ever since meeting Leng Qianrou, Lou Yun genuinely felt that while many beauties might rival her in physical appearance, not a single one could match her in aura and temperament.

Liu Ruyan was still good; she fit the "Icy Beauty" title very well, possessing a distinct aura. Though she couldn’t compare to Leng Qianrou, she was still exceptionally outstanding in her own right.

At the same moment, Chang Xiang let out a low, cold chuckle. Hearing this, Lou Yun immediately inquired, puzzled, “What are you laughing at, Brother Chang?”

Chang Xiang answered succinctly with five words: “The Liu family of the Nine Clans!”

Those five words instantly transformed Lou Yun’s expression. He hadn’t known, back when Old Man Feng and the others heard Granny Bai Cao recount matters concerning the Nine Clans, she mentioned a clan surnamed Liu. They had suspected it might well be Liu Feifan’s clan within the Spirit Weapon Sect.

Using his spiritual senses to probe Liu Feifan’s magical weapon realm, Chang Xiang had now detected the unique energy barrier possessed only by members of the Nine Clans within him, thus confirming Liu Feifan’s identity as a member.

This, however, was the first time Lou Yun learned of it, and he was utterly stunned! He even momentarily doubted the truth of Chang Xiang’s words!

Ever since Lou Yun participated in the changing ceremony, members of the Spirit Weapon Sect had consistently paid attention to him. His entry into the Ancient Weapon Academy? They provided the guarantee. During his cultivation, when Liu Ruyan passed by and saw him, thinking he was undergoing Qi deviation, she was even prepared to risk her life to intervene. And when he was ultimately publicly shamed and hunted by the entire Gu Feng Nation – which was essentially orchestrated by the Han family, one of the Nine Clans – the Spirit Weapon Sect stood up without hesitation to protect him and his entire Lou Family!

Though Lou Yun had only met Liu Lang and Liu Ruyan personally, a deep sense of gratitude always resided in his heart towards the Spirit Weapon Sect.

Yet now, Chang Xiang was telling him that the Liu family was also one of the Nine Clans!

This fact was utterly unacceptable to Lou Yun!

Naturally, Lou Yun knew Chang Xiang would never deceive him. This meant the Liu family was definitely one of the Nine Clans, and their clan must possess the ancient decree to eradicate every Lou family member under the heavens. But if so, why had they repeatedly helped him?

They knew the Lou Family existed – they sent someone to his changing ceremony, didn’t they? Why didn’t they wipe out the Lou family long ago?

As he watched the Liu family party slowly proceed towards the VIP seating area, these questions churned in Lou Yun’s mind. His sharp intellect had likely already arrived at the answers, but emotionally, he refused to believe them.

When someone whose ancestors and lineage have sworn for generations to kill you encounters you and not only refrains from killing you but actively helps you at every turn, it isn’t because they no longer wish you dead. The only possible explanation is that they harbor an even deeper, more insidious plot than simply killing you outright.

A chill crept up from the depths of Lou Yun’s heart. People he had believed trustworthy were actually constantly by his side, long holding the knife, poised to strike at any moment. This feeling was terrifying.

Through prior experiences, Lou Yun had already identified one such person near him: Han Tianxiao! Now, however, he learned there was another beside him harboring similarly sinister intentions: Liu Ruyan!

Beyond these two, then – how many others were there, constantly present, constantly longing to kill him?

Before revealing their true nature, such people would always show you smiling faces and offer gentle treatment. Underneath their masks of false smiles, however, who knew what sinister thoughts truly lay?

Contemplating this, Lou Yun’s gaze towards the entire Liu family gradually turned ice-cold. Particularly when he shifted his eyes to Liu Ruyan, the chill within them was so deep it nearly congealed into ice.

Any previous fondness he held for Liu Ruyan instantly vanished, replaced solely by intense fury and consuming hatred fueled by betrayal.

Perhaps because his gaze was too sharp, Liu Feifan and Liu Ruyan both seemed to sense it simultaneously. They raised their heads almost in unison, sweeping their gazes towards the direction from which this intense scrutiny emanated.

Lou Yun sneered coldly, seamlessly blending back into the surrounding crowd. All his presence had been masked by Chang Xiang’s power. Finding him at a glance amidst this vast throng was utterly impossible.

After scanning the area fruitlessly, Liu Feifan and Liu Ruyan eventually had to give up and retract their gazes. Liu Feifan continued his conversation with Beichen Ming as if nothing had happened. However, a trace of confusion flickered across Liu Ruyan’s expressionless face; her brows furrowed slightly, adding an ethereal touch of charm to her already breathtakingly beautiful countenance.

As Liu Feifan and his party took their seats, Beichen Ming also returned to his designated area reserved for seventh-grade skilled weapon makers. Standing there, he gazed over the valley with a smile.

An absolute silence fell over the Yao Lin Valley. Beichen Ming’s arrival meant that the forging conference was about to begin!

At this moment, Beichen Ming himself was scanning the crowd, hoping to spot Lou Yun. He reasoned that without an invitation or a jade token signifying his forging rank, Lou Yun would have to present the ice crystal jade weapon to gain entry. He had specifically instructed his attendants: whoever presented that artifact was to be treated as the highest-ranking guest, and he was to be notified immediately.

Fearing Lou Yun might be delayed by unforeseen circumstances, Beichen Ming had deliberately arrived last. Yet, until now, he had neither seen Lou Yun nor received any report about him. He concluded that Lou Yun had not yet arrived.

In truth, whether Lou Yun attended this forging conference or not, Beichen Ming felt neither anger nor blame. He had long recognized Lou Yun’s innate talent and profound skill in forging weapons. He knew that as long as Lou Yun desired it, with a little guidance and persistent cultivation, he would inevitably one day surpass Beichen Ming himself, ascending to a higher rank as a magical weapons master!

The principal reason Beichen Ming wanted Lou Yun at the conference was to announce their mentor-disciple relationship in front of all the world’s skilled weapon makers. This would lay the vital groundwork for Lou Yun to eventually succeed him. The difference between him making the declaration personally and Lou Yun stating it himself was worlds apart!

His explicit endorsement and public proclamation of their relationship would ensure no skilled weapon maker dared defy his will!

If Lou Yun claimed it on his own, lower-level makers might accept it, but the higher-level ones surely wouldn’t bow easily to such claims!

Therefore, believing Lou Yun absent, Beichen Ming felt a pang of disappointment. The appointed time had arrived. Suppressing his feelings, he smiled faintly and declared to the assembly in a clear, resonant voice: “The Forging Conference begins now!”