Chapter 193

Chapter 193: Zhenlu Makes a Move

A few months earlier, the Xuzu Kingdom envoy Liufeng had been frequently seen with the Yunlang family’s young lady until Midi intervened, separating the pair. Liufeng was sent to Lionheart Arena for training while the Yunlang heiress was confined to her home, effectively halting their activities.

Many had assumed Midi’s actions destroyed the budding alliance between Yunlang and Xuzu. Yet now, at the Sea King Festival, the famously powerful Grand Commander Mintai of Xuzu’s hundred thousand elite troops stood publicly beside the Yunlang family head.

The situation shifted instantly.

However formidable the ironclad ships might be, they remained inventions of the Flying Sail Family. How many could Flying Sail realistically produce?

The Yunlang family’s bird-shaped warships, meanwhile, boasted superior performance and carried political significance as joint creations with Xuzu. Opposing these vessels meant making enemies of both Yunlang and Xuzu!

From a trade perspective, the profits from Xuzu prioritizing business with Yunlang would be incalculable.

“It appears our Yunlang family shall relight the first fire altar. Any objections, brother?” The Yunlang family head smiled gracefully, his victory assured yet devoid of arrogance, making resentment impossible.

After prolonged silence, the Flying Sail family head sighed deeply. “Very well. This year’s honor remains yours.”

As the Yunlang leader stepped forward to begin the ritual, an icy voice cut through the air.

“Who permitted this seating order?”

All turned to see a slender silver-haired woman striding through the parted crowd, trailed by a giant knight.

Sea King Island’s rules forbade weapons, leaving the giant knight barehanded. Yet none doubted he could tear apart a black bear with his hands. The silver-haired woman exuded piercing sharpness, her mere presence forcing the comfortable officials to retreat like seawater dividing before a reef.

No killing intent, no hostility—just natural pressure from one who’d walked through bloodshed.

“The host of Zhenlu Arena, I see.” The Yunlang leader frowned. “Though our Faero Bay council invited you, the Sea King Festival’s affairs are beyond your qualifications.”

To him, Zhenlu Arena remained merely an arena. What use were experts against warship cannons? The West Coast belonged to maritime families, not landbound factions.

While the Zhenlu host’s interference surprised him, every festival faced disruptions. Likely, lower-ranked families or old rivals like Flying Sail had instigated this.

But what did it matter? Yunlang now allied with Xuzu—a nation surpassing all West Coast factions combined. With Mintai’s public endorsement, who could alter the rankings?

“Zhenlu host, whether bribed or allied, I warn you—don’t meddle. Can your level 40 experts bear the consequences of disrupting this festival?” The Yunlang leader spoke dismissively, deftly framing her as a troublemaker.

The silver-haired woman shook her head, lips curling mockingly. “Misunderstanding. Zhenlu needs no alliances. None here deserve to light the Ten Direction Beacon. These altars belong to us.”

Chaos erupted. Zhenlu Arena wasn’t just interfering—they challenged the entire Faero Bay council and West Coast!

The Yunlang leader gaped, then burst into incredulous laughter. “Light the altars? By what right?”

Before he finished, armored guards swarmed the beacon—Faero Bay’s elite Arena Experts, all level 40 specialists trained for seamless teamwork, far surpassing ordinary adventurers.

However, when the Head of the Yunlang Family took direct action, the silver-haired woman displayed no fear – instead, unmistakable mockery flashed in her eyes.

She made a slight gesture, and the giant knight instantly leaped forward without hesitation.

No formalities were needed. Both sides immediately clashed.

To everyone’s shock, the disadvantaged ones turned out to be the Arena Experts from Faero Bay Council!

These experts from top families, having survived rigorous trials and armed with magic weapons, proved utterly helpless against the barehanded giant knight in heavy armor. This wasn’t a battle but a brutal massacre.

The giant knight tore through their ranks like a wolf among sheep, grinning savagely as his iron fists smashed through weapons and flesh alike. Within moments, the orderly formation became scattered debris resembling bloodied rags.

Shattered corpses and splattering blood made noblewomen scream while lower-level Young Talents paled, fighting the urge to run.

"Ungrateful wretches!" The Yunlang Family Head ground his teeth, secretly alarmed.

He’d summoned council guards to intimidate, never expecting Zhenlu Arena would actually strike during Sea King Festival. Worse, their trained experts couldn’t withstand one opponent!

If this continued, even family heads’ safety might be threatened.

Though all heads were above level 45, their comfortable lives and reliance on medication/heavenly materials for longevity left few skilled in real combat.

Even former seafarers like Flying Sail Family Head had grown rusty after years of cushioned leadership.

"Disgraceful! Creating chaos before Xuzu Kingdom’s envoy. I’ll handle this." The silent Xuzu elder – famously powerful elite troops commander Mintai – finally rasped.

The old man soared like a diving eagle toward the rampaging giant knight. From dozens of meters away, he unleashed an ear-splitting roar. The charging knight froze as if lightning-struck.

Psionicist skill: Lion’s Roar.

Before recovery, dozens of psionic bullets hailed down!

Within moments, the skilled elder forced the giant knight into defense. Recovering Arena Experts and new guards formed iron wall formations, ready to capture all Zhenlu Arena members.

With Xuzu’s envoy dominating and Zhenlu suppressed, the Yunlang Head relaxed. Other family heads marveled – how the mighty nation’s peak-level psionicist outclassed West Coast’s "experts"!

Yunlang would remain West Coast’s first family. Even better, the martial Zhenlu Arena would become their stepping stone.

Just as this ordinary farce seemed ending, surrounding magic suddenly boiled violently.

Mintai’s expression changed. He desperately leaped back like escaping disaster.

Too late. A barbed black spear erupted from ground, piercing through the level 50 peak psionicist – commander of Xuzu’s hundred thousand elite troops.

"Good catch! Today’s luck favors me."

A carefree voice rang out, soft yet chilling as North’s icy winds.