C7 The Imperial Palace's Venerable

"Stop!"

The command boomed with authority, echoing like thunder and sending shivers down the spine.

Upon hearing it, a glimmer of hope, like the last rays of a setting sun, lit up King Wei's face, which had been etched with despair. He looked to the heavens and cried out, "Revered King, come to my aid at once!"

It was evident that King Wei's reinforcements had arrived.

Yet, Lu Yu remained undeterred, his palm striking out towards King Wei.

King Wei was petrified, his scream piercing the air.

"How dare you strike!" The voice roared with fury. A violent gust seemed to sweep through the bamboo forest, snapping countless stalks like twigs.

The whoosh of slicing air announced the arrival of a figure moving with incredible speed, darting over the broken bamboo to land squarely before Lu Yu.

The newcomer was a towering figure clad in the armor of an Imperial Army general, exuding a menacing black true qi.

The burly man, witnessing Lu Yu's assault on King Wei, reacted with alarm and swiftly positioned himself as a shield.

Thud!

The impact resonated, compelling bystanders to cover their ears.

For some, the ordeal was too much; blood trickled from their ears as they collapsed unconscious.

The big man's foot stamped back, fracturing the earth with a network of cracks, and Lu Yu's charge was momentarily slowed.

A flicker of astonishment crossed the big man's eyes as he gazed at Lu Yu, incredulous. "Xiantian!"

Indeed, Lu Yu's power mirrored that of a Xiantian master.

The burly man himself was a Xiantian adept, albeit at the initial level, having climbed the ranks through sheer grit.

Martial artists understood the arduous journey well; talent alone was not enough without the crucible of rigorous training to reach the destined heights.

Yet, this youth before them was alarmingly young!

Lu Yu's eyes, previously as tranquil as a still lake, now sparked with intensity as he appraised the big man. "Do you also intend to abet tyranny?" he asked icily.

The killing intent in Lu Yu's piercing gaze made even the big man shudder.

"Friend, I am Wang Ming from the Great Liang Worship Hall. There seems to be a misunderstanding. Let's talk this through; there's no need for violence," the burly man urged, his voice a deliberate calm.

"High Official Wang, finish him off now! You've already sealed Lu Lengshuang, haven't you? This man is her brother. Kill him quickly, and Lu Lengshuang will belong to me! Whatever reward you desire, I'll have my father grant it to you!" King Wei called out from behind.

What's the definition of a terrible teammate?

Wang Ming, a revered official of the Great Liang Imperial Family, was now intimately acquainted with the term.

Wang Ming immediately sensed Lu Yu's murderous aura, as fierce as a tempest. Even as an innate-level expert, he couldn't help but shudder.

"Excellent, excellent!" Lu Yu's gaze swept over those gathered, his voice icy, "As I thought, a nest of snakes and rats. You dare harm my kin? Then face the consequences."

With a forceful stomp, Lu Yu shattered the ground beneath him, creating a crater with a thunderous crash.

His fists were enveloped in a pale white true qi, from which faint dragon roars emerged, echoing continuously.

"This is the power of the Houtian First Level. No, it must be the true qi manifestation of an innate expert! Has he been concealing his true cultivation level?"

Wang Ming's mind reeled with shock, yet he managed to keep a facade of composure.

"So you're a hidden genius, what of it? You're still young. When it comes to experience, you're no match for me!"

With a strategy forming in his mind, Wang Ming clenched his fists and charged at Lu Yu, ready to engage in battle.