CHAPTER 326: CHAPTER 326 - DESPERATE SITUATION_1

"What?"

"Even the Lu Family is being blacklisted by the Treasure Pavilion!"

"What in the world is going on?"

People were astounded. This was going too far! It wasn’t just blacklisting, but a full-scale one—this was an attempt to cut off all the Lu Family’s escape routes!

WHOOSH!

Shortly after the news spread, a figure in black descended above the Treasure Pavilion.

It was Steward Lu!

He looked down at the Treasure Pavilion below, shouting angrily, "Yin Yuanming, what do you think you’re doing?"

WHOOSH!

Yin Yuanming flew out of the Treasure Pavilion to face Steward Lu, saying coolly, "I was about to ask you the same thing—what exactly is your Lu Family trying to do?"

Steward Lu’s expression darkened. "I don’t understand."

"You don’t understand?" Yin Yuanming retorted. "Then let me remind you. When my Treasure Pavilion blacklisted the Wang and Zheng Families, your Lu Family not only intervened but also came to my Treasure Pavilion to purchase a large quantity of medicinal herbs, which you then resold to them. By doing this, what position do you think you’re putting my Treasure Pavilion in?"

His icy eyes were like piercing blades.

Steward Lu furrowed his brows and said gravely, "You should know that my Lu Family didn’t do this to target your Treasure Pavilion."

"It was my Treasure Pavilion that issued the order to blacklist the Wang and Zheng Families. Even if you weren’t targeting us, your actions were still an affront, putting us in an awkward position!" Yin Yuanming stated.

Steward Lu was momentarily speechless. If one got to the bottom of it, the Lu Family was indeed in the wrong. But no one in the Lu Family, from top to bottom, regretted this decision.

Steward Lu said, "I don’t want to waste words with you. Tell me directly, will you rescind the blacklisting order or not?"

Yin Yuanming said indifferently, "Apologies, but this blacklisting order was issued personally by the Grand Pavilion Master. I have no authority to rescind it, nor do I wish to."

So it really was the Grand Pavilion Master who personally issued the order! Steward Lu felt a chill in his heart and sneered, "Since you are ruthless, then don’t blame my Lu Family for being unscrupulous. Before I left, the Family Head asked me to convey a message to you: if you do not rescind the blacklisting order, then don’t expect to get a single top-grade elixir from my Lu Family in the future!"

This was escalating to an open confrontation!

But now, with Qin Feiyang’s involvement, the Treasure Pavilion no longer feared the Lu Family’s threats. They had backing!

Yin Yuanming chuckled. "Alright then. I’m eager to see how long your Lu Family’s reserves can last without my Treasure Pavilion’s supply of medicinal herbs."

They are unaffected by the threat? Steward Lu felt a jolt in his heart and growled, "Have you already reached some agreement with Qin Feiyang?"

Yin Yuanming replied, "None of your business. The Treasure Pavilion does not welcome you. Get lost!"

Steward Lu’s expression changed, and he quickly said, "Hold on, we can negotiate. At worst, my Lu Family will stop supporting the Wang and Zheng Families."

"This no longer has anything to do with the Wang and Zheng Families," Yin Yuanming stated. "Let me be blunt: my Treasure Pavilion intends to suppress your Lu Family. You need to understand something. Even with an outstanding Alchemist like Lu Xingchen, the Lu Family is still just a clan. Trying to climb over my Treasure Pavilion’s head? Forget my Treasure Pavilion disagreeing—even the Prefect, or even the current Emperor, would not permit it! Go back and tell the Lord of the Lu Family to reassess their own standing. Don’t let ambition lead the Lu Family to destruction."

Yin Yuanming sneered, then transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the Treasure Pavilion.

"Damn bastard!" Steward Lu cursed, then turned and sped away, filled with burning anger.

"I’ve been in State City for so long, and this is the first time I’ve seen the Treasure Pavilion cause such a huge stir."

"It seems the Lu Family has truly angered the Treasure Pavilion this time."

"The Lu Family is in for a rough time."

"If this continues, the Lu Family will eventually decline and fall."

The crowds on the streets below buzzed with discussion.

「VIP Room!」

"HAHA..." Yin Yuanming burst into laughter. "Qin Feiyang, you should have seen the look on Steward Lu’s face. It was exhilarating!" He had finally vented his pent-up frustration.

Qin Feiyang smiled. "In that case, you can begin the auction for the Vermilion Glazed Pill now."

"Indeed." Yin Yuanming’s eyes gleamed. "Once the Vermilion Glazed Pill with two Elixir Patterns makes its appearance, the Lu Family will regret their actions to their very core. And we’ll hold the auctions simultaneously in the East, West, North, and South City Districts!"

Qin Feiyang smiled. "Remember, don’t let anyone from the Lu Family try to sow confusion, especially during the auction of the Potential Elixir."

Yin Yuanming stated, "That’s a given. I’ll have people use the Eye of Heaven Stone to scrutinize everyone. Not even a fly will get in!"

"Alright then, I’ll be heading back," Qin Feiyang stood up and said with a laugh.

"Wait." Yin Yuanming reached out to stop him, smiling. "I’ve prepared some gifts for you. Please accept them."

He took out a Qiankun Bag and handed it to Qin Feiyang.

Qin Feiyang examined it skeptically. His gaze trembled slightly. Inside were fifty Transfer Gates! That was equivalent to a full five billion Gold Coins! The Treasure Pavilion was truly generous.

"Are you satisfied?" Yin Yuanming asked with a smile.

"Thank you." Qin Feiyang cupped his hands and accepted it without ceremony.

Yin Yuanming extended his hand. "I look forward to our further cooperation."

"I won’t disappoint you." Qin Feiyang also extended his hand. As they shook hands, bright smiles appeared on both their faces.

Immediately after, Qin Feiyang activated a Transfer Gate and departed with the Wolf King.

Yin Yuanming promptly took out an Image Crystal Stone and contacted the managers of the Treasure Pavilions in the other three major city districts to discuss the auction.

「Not long after!」

Another bombshell of news spread throughout State City.

The Treasure Pavilions of the four major city districts would simultaneously auction Vermilion Glazed Pills with two Elixir Patterns the following morning!

This news was even more shocking than the Treasure Pavilion blacklisting the Lu Family!

For a time, everyone in the streets and alleys was discussing this matter.

Countless families in State City, large and small, were also gearing up, preparing for tomorrow’s auction.

「Lu Family! Conference Hall.」

A middle-aged man with a rugged face sat on the main seat. He wore a purple robe, was tall and well-built, his dark eyes exceptionally sharp, and an air of authority, befitting a superior, emanated from between his brows. This was the current Family Head of the Lu Family, Lu Tianfeng!

Below, Steward Lu stood respectfully, relaying Yin Yuanming’s words verbatim.

"Preposterous!" As soon as Steward Lu finished speaking, Lu Tianfeng angrily slammed his palm onto the armrest of his chair. "How dare they threaten us!"

Steward Lu asked, "Family Head, the Treasure Pavilion is clearly serious this time. How should we respond?"

Lu Tianfeng’s eyes flashed coldly as he said, "Although our Lu Family is but a single clan, we will not be bullied by just anyone! Since the Treasure Pavilion wants to fight us, we will fight them to the very end!"

Steward Lu said worriedly, "But the reserves in our treasury won’t last long!"

Lu Tianfeng waved his hand. "It’s fine. Lu An controls the Resource Hall of the Holy Temple, and young Xingchen also has considerable influence in the Inner Hall. We can ask them to provide resources."

"Absolutely not!" Steward Lu said hastily. "If this is discovered, I fear even the Holy Temple will blacklist our Lu Family. They might even, in a fit of rage, expel all the disciples of our Lu Family from the Holy Temple. The most critical one is the Prefect. If His Lordship finds out, the consequences would be truly unimaginable. That would truly be the doom of our Lu Family!"

"Then what do you suggest we do? Surely we can’t compromise with the Treasure Pavilion, can we?" Lu Tianfeng frowned.

Steward Lu said, "A truly great man knows when to yield and when to stand firm."

Lu Tianfeng shook his head. "No, I can’t do that!"

SIGH. Steward Lu sighed deeply in his heart. This generation’s Family Head is truly not very wise.

At this time, a man in black rushed into the Conference Hall, shouting anxiously, "Family Head, something terrible has happened!"

Steward Lu’s eyelid twitched, an uneasy premonition welling up in his heart.

Lu Tianfeng snapped, "Stop panicking! What kind of behavior is this? What is it? Speak!"

The man in black said, "I just received news that tomorrow morning, the Treasure Pavilions of all four major city districts will simultaneously auction Vermilion Glazed Pills with two Elixir Patterns!"

"What?" Steward Lu’s body trembled violently.

Lu Tianfeng also shot to his feet, his face filled with disbelief.

"The news was released by the Treasure Pavilion; it can’t be fake," the man in black added. "Furthermore, according to sources within the Treasure Pavilion, a Vermilion Glazed Pill with two Elixir Patterns can allow a cultivator to advance three minor realms at once!"

Steward Lu strode forward, grabbed the man in black by his clothes, and roared, "Is this true?"

The man in black said with a bitter smile, "Steward Lu, how could news released by the Treasure Pavilion be false?"

Steward Lu released his grip and sank helplessly onto the chair behind him. So it turns out the Treasure Pavilion already has a more powerful Alchemist. That’s why they were willing to disregard everything and openly fall out with our Lu Family. He couldn’t help but sigh in despair. If we don’t mend our relationship with the Treasure Pavilion soon, the Lu Family might genuinely be destroyed because of this!

Lu Tianfeng frowned and asked, "Who is this Alchemist? Is it Qin Feiyang?"

"No," the man in black answered. "The managers of the Treasure Pavilions in all four city districts have denied it."

A hint of malice appeared on Lu Tianfeng’s face. If it’s not Qin Feiyang, then who could it be? And who would help the Treasure Pavilion deal with our Lu Family?

Steward Lu suddenly stood up and said in alarm, "Could it be Murong Jing?"

"That’s possible!" Lu Tianfeng nodded. Murong Jing’s Alchemy talent is likely not inferior to Lu Xingchen’s. She has maintained a very low profile all these years, and no one knows her current progress. It’s possible that after years of diligent cultivation, she has made a breakthrough in her Alchemy skills.

"Steward," Lu Tianfeng ordered solemnly, "take some men to the Treasure Pavilion tomorrow. No matter the cost, you must acquire those Vermilion Glazed Pills for me. I will also immediately instruct our family disciples in the Holy Temple to investigate Qin Feiyang and Murong Jing."

Steward Lu nodded and asked, "What about the Wang Family and the Zheng Family? Should we continue to help them?"

Lu Tianfeng said angrily, "We can barely save ourselves! Why should we bother with them?"

"Very well, I will relay your orders immediately." Steward Lu nodded and, leading the man in black, strode out.

A fierce glint flickered in Lu Tianfeng’s eyes. "Qin Feiyang... Murong Jing... If I find out it’s you, I will ensure you meet your deaths in the Holy Temple!"

Without the Lu Family’s support, the Wang and Zheng Families once again erupted into internal strife, even more ferocious than before.

In the end, seeing Wang Jian and Zheng Wu remaining stubbornly unrepentant, the Clan Elders of both families were outraged. They deposed them from their positions as Family Heads on the spot. Then, taking the two captive, they headed to the Holy Temple to find Qin Feiyang.