Centennial Thunder Fruit, Strength of Seventy Tripods!

The manager of the Rare Treasure Pavilion led Lu Changsheng all the way to the Xiao family residence. As the manager held a certain standing, a brief announcement was enough for him and Lu Changsheng to be admitted inside. "Honored guest, when you speak with Patriarch Xiao in a moment, please do not act rashly. Everything can be negotiated peacefully," the manager urged. He did not know whether Lu Changsheng feared the Xiao family, but he certainly did. If the two sides came to blows, the Xiao family would pin the blame entirely on him, regardless of whether they suffered any losses. Lu Changsheng did not answer. To him, if the Xiao family was willing to return the Centennial Thunder Fruit, everything could be resolved amicably. If they refused, then his saber would taste blood once more today. The manager and Lu Changsheng were ushered into the reception hall. Soon after, Patriarch Xiao walked in with a broad smile. "Patriarch Xiao, this is Mister Dao, the honored guest who previously ordered the Centennial Thunder Fruit at our Rare Treasure Pavilion," the manager said mildly, adopting a humble posture. "Mister Dao is in urgent need of the Centennial Thunder Fruit. We kindly ask the Xiao family to part with it." The Xiao family had cut in and poached the item. Now that the rightful buyer had come knocking—and looked like someone not to be crossed—the Rare Treasure Pavilion naturally had no intention of shouldering the burden for the Xiao family. The Xiao family would have to handle it themselves. Patriarch Xiao understood immediately. He knew in his heart that his family was in the wrong. Even so, his expression darkened, and he said coldly, "Let us be clear on this matter. My Xiao family purchased the Centennial Thunder Fruit with silver, so it belongs to my Xiao family. As for others buying it from your Rare Treasure Pavilion, that is your pavilion's affair and has nothing to do with us." He washed the Xiao family's hands of the matter entirely. "Patriarch Xiao, you—" The manager wanted to say more, but Patriarch Xiao cut him off with a cold sneer. "Enough. The matter is plain and simple. There is no need for further discussion. Gentlemen, please see yourselves out." Unwilling to speak any further, Patriarch Xiao moved to dismiss them. "Honored guest, what do you think..." Cold sweat drenched the manager's forehead. He could not afford to offend the Xiao family, nor did this "honored guest" look like someone to cross. Caught between them, a single misstep could cost him his life. "So the Centennial Thunder Fruit is indeed with the Xiao family?" Lu Changsheng spoke up suddenly. Patriarch Xiao had said plenty, but Lu Changsheng had paid little attention. Right or wrong did not matter. With a blade, one always had reason on one's side. Recently, Lu Changsheng had come to understand the jianghu very thoroughly. "And what if it is?" Patriarch Xiao's eyes turned frosty. He knew from the Rare Treasure Pavilion that the man who had ordered the fruit was merely an outsider martial artist, not even a citizen of the Fire Dragon Country. Why should the Xiao family fear an outsider? "Then that makes things simple," Lu Changsheng chuckled. Clang. In the next breath, Lu Changsheng drew his blade. The keen edge pointed straight at Patriarch Xiao. "You—" Before Patriarch Xiao could even react, Lu Changsheng's saber was already resting against his neck. "Have someone bring the Centennial Thunder Fruit here," Lu Changsheng commanded placidly. "Hmph. This is the Xiao residence! Do you dare kill me here?" Patriarch Xiao held his head high, completely fearless. This was the Xiao residence, watched over by a Divine Strength Realm martial artist. Would a mere outsider dare commit murder under their roof? Slash. A soft tearing sound rang out. Patriarch Xiao's eyes widened. He clutched his neck tightly, as if unable to believe what had just happened. Thud. Patriarch Xiao collapsed to the ground, twitching all over, and drew his last breath within a few moments. This scene left the Rare Treasure Pavilion manager stunned. Pale and trembling, his mind went blank. Patriarch Xiao was actually killed? This bladesman truly dared to kill him? For a moment, he felt a chilling draft across his own neck. "Patriarch!" "Villain, pay with your life!" Xiao family martial artists rushed over at the commotion. Seeing their patriarch lying in a pool of blood, they charged forward at once. Lu Changsheng remained expressionless. He knew that a slaughter was inevitable today. "Senseless deaths." Whoosh. Lu Changsheng slashed once. The Xiao family martial artists who had just charged in stiffened instantly and crashed to the floor one after another. Lu Changsheng simply stepped out of the reception hall. Outside, many people were rushing over after hearing the commotion. Holding his saber, Lu Changsheng stood quietly where he was and said coldly, "I only want the Centennial Thunder Fruit. If you do not bring it, the entire Xiao family will be buried with him!" For a moment, not a single person dared to step forward. "Such arrogance, daring to commit murder in the Xiao family!" a shrill voice rang out. "It's the Third Master!" "The Third Master is back!" "Now that the Third Master is here, no one will dare run wild!" "The Third Master is at peak Refining Organs, practically invincible!" The Xiao family members breathed a slight sigh of relief. This bladesman was far too formidable; if they charged in, death was their only fate. Just as the shouts faded, a middle-aged man carrying a saber strode over forcefully. Rip! Lu Changsheng casually swung his blade. The middle-aged man carrying the saber was sliced clean in two from head to toe, collapsing to the ground. The sight plunged the entire Xiao family into utter silence. The Third Master was dead too? He was a peak Refining Organs martial artist! How could he not even withstand a single strike? Lu Changsheng could not be bothered to waste any more words and stated plainly, "You have the time it takes an incense stick to burn. If the Centennial Thunder Fruit is not brought to me by then, I will start killing—and I will keep killing until it is brought!" Time ticked by. Lu Changsheng stood quietly where he was, resting with his eyes closed. He did not seem worried in the least that the Xiao family might play any tricks. In any case, the Xiao family was right here; with their vast estate, they could not run away. As for their Divine Strength Realm practitioner, it would be even better if he showed up. Killing him would settle the Xiao family once and for all. Such were the rules of the jianghu. Reason still existed in the jianghu, but it was argued with a blade. Without a blade, even the most justified became unjustified. Even if the Xiao family thought him overbearing, cruel, or insane, what of it? Lu Changsheng had no need to argue. Debating was for scholars. Men of the jianghu spoke only with the blades in their hands! The onlookers trembled in terror, facing a mortal threat, yet none dared take a single step forward. Just as the incense stick was about to burn out... Swish. Lu Changsheng opened his eyes. An elder in his fifties appeared before him. The man held no blade in his hands, yet he carried the sharpness of one. His qi and blood surged with tremendous vigor as he approached step by step, casting an invisible pressure over everyone present. This was momentum—the daunting aura unique to the Divine Strength Realm, capable of suppressing the crowd. The Xiao family's Divine Strength Realm martial artist had arrived! He advanced step by step until he stopped roughly ten zhang before Lu Changsheng. Their eyes met. Lu Changsheng remained completely unaffected by the elder's imposing aura. "Here is the Centennial Thunder Fruit you asked for." Suddenly, the Divine Strength Realm martial artist of the Xiao family spoke. He took a wooden box directly from his robes and opened it, revealing the Centennial Thunder Fruit inside. Soon, a Xiao family martial artist took the box, walked trembling up to Lu Changsheng, and presented it with both hands. Lu Changsheng glanced at the fruit in the wooden box, but did not take it immediately. Instead, he looked up at the Xiao family's Divine Strength Realm martial artist and asked calmly, "Are you not going to draw your blade? I can tell your saber technique must be quite formidable." The man did not openly carry a blade, but Lu Changsheng's senses could not be mistaken. His saber technique had certainly reached an exceptionally profound level. However, the Xiao family elder shook his head. "I am the only Divine Strength Realm martial artist in the Xiao family. I cannot act recklessly. If something happens to me, this vast Xiao family will collapse in an instant. This matter was the fault of the Xiao family, and of the Rare Treasure Pavilion as well, for failing to discover that you are a Divine Strength Realm martial artist." Lu Changsheng understood. The elder knew he was in the Divine Strength Realm. Regardless of whether the elder was confident in winning, he would not risk fighting lightly. If he won, he would gain nothing more than a Centennial Thunder Fruit. If he lost, the Xiao family might disintegrate. This was the way prominent families survived. Families that mobilized everything at the slightest provocation never lasted long. Lu Changsheng took a deep look at him. The Xiao family's Divine Strength Realm martial artist was a sensible man. Since the other side had yielded and even offered up the fruit, Lu Changsheng naturally saw no need to pursue the matter further. Taking the wooden box, he sheathed his saber and walked straight out the door. Lu Changsheng returned to the inn. The journey back was smooth and uneventful. The Xiao family clearly recognized reality; knowing he was in the Divine Strength Realm, they dared not play any petty tricks. Although this trip had met with some complications, the Centennial Thunder Fruit was finally in his hands, and he had even saved nine thousand taels of silver. After all, the Xiao family dared not ask for his money. "As expected, a blade is far more useful," Lu Changsheng murmured softly. The Xiao family was clearly in the wrong in this affair. Yet what did that matter? If Lu Changsheng had not stormed their stronghold and demonstrated the might of the Divine Strength Realm, would their Divine Strength Realm practitioner have been so accommodating? The Xiao family did not respect reason; they respected the blade in his hands. As long as his blade was sharp enough and his strength overwhelming enough, even if he slaughtered their patriarch right before their eyes, they still had to obediently deliver the Centennial Thunder Fruit. This experience left Lu Changsheng feeling an unprecedented sense of liberation. Perhaps deep down, he truly favored this unfettered, do-as-he-pleased way of living. Lu Changsheng wanted to refine the Centennial Thunder Fruit immediately. However, even though he was confident the Xiao family dared not act, it was always best to remain cautious. What underhanded methods wouldn't people of the jianghu resort to? This inn was not safe. "Three days have passed, which is about enough. I can return to the Ocean Commerce Guild ship." Lu Changsheng had originally planned to wait until the fourth day before returning. Now that he needed to refine the fruit, the ship was the safest place. He simply checked out of his room at the inn and boarded the Ocean Commerce Guild vessel once again. There were not many people aboard—only a few guards and sailors. Sophie had gone ashore to explore as well. Lu Changsheng welcomed the peace and quiet. Returning to his cabin, he brought out the Centennial Thunder Fruit. "Time to begin." Lu Changsheng circulated the Qiantian Treasure Transformation Secret Method. This was not his first time refining a rare treasure, so the process was familiar. Several shichen later, Lu Changsheng opened his eyes. "Another marrow transformation and blood exchange. Now I should possess the strength of seventy tripods!" A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes. He was drawing closer and closer to the Hundred Tripods Realm. He called up his attribute panel. Host: Lu Changsheng Comprehension: 824 (Hidden Dragon in the Depths) Qi and Blood Sword Casting Secret Method: Cast for 3 months and 24 days Ocean Wave Conception: Progress 5% Qiantian Treasure Transformation Secret Method: Second Layer Ninefold Carp Leaping Dragon Gate Art: Second Layer Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method: Perfection (Incomplete) On the attribute panel, the Qiantian Treasure Transformation Secret Method had indeed reached the second layer. Moreover, Lu Changsheng felt his condition improving by the day. He even felt that the "third leap over the dragon gate" was not far off. On the fourth day, Longsha returned. The moment Longsha spotted Lu Changsheng on the ship, he shrank his neck, wishing he could bury his head between his thighs, and scurried back into the cabins with his head down. Sophie returned as well. She was delighted to see Lu Changsheng. "Mister Dao, you returned so early?" she asked pleasantly. "I got back not long ago." Lu Changsheng paused before asking, "Miss Sophie, have you seen Yun Haitang?" "Miss Yun hasn't returned?" Sophie looked puzzled. She asked others on the ship, but Yun Haitang indeed had not come back. However, the Ocean Commerce Guild ship was not scheduled to depart the Fire Dragon Country until tomorrow, so there was still time. The next day, Yun Haitang still had not returned. Lu Changsheng figured she had been delayed by business or might not be returning to Zhanhai City for now. He did not dwell on it. The ship would not hold up its schedule for a single missing passenger. Sailors and guards returned to the vessel one after another. The guild's crew began hauling crate after crate of cargo aboard. Sophie pried open a crate and inspected it carefully. "Not bad. The spice harvest was low this year, so these should fetch a handsome price." Sophie was well pleased. Just as the crew was loading cargo onto the ship, a crowd suddenly stormed onto the pier, heading straight for the Ocean Commerce Guild vessel. Seeing trouble brewing, the ship's guard team immediately rallied their men to block the pier. "This is an Ocean Commerce Guild merchant vessel. Who are you?" a guard questioned. "The Ocean Commerce Guild ship is exactly what we're looking for!" "Everyone off the ship! Until Yun Haitang is found, your ship goes nowhere!" the group of martial artists shouted. "Yun Haitang?" The guild members all knew her. Yet Yun Haitang had never returned to the ship. Despite their repeated explanations, it was useless. "We are disciples of the Sacred Fire Palace! Yun Haitang stole our Sacred Fire Palace's fire seed, and we suspect she fled aboard your Ocean Commerce Guild vessel!" A throng of Sacred Fire Palace disciples surged forward, righteous indignation burning in their eyes, radiating murderous intent. Evidently, the stolen fire seed was of supreme importance to the palace. "Sacred Fire Palace?" The ship's guard team paled slightly. The Ocean Commerce Guild frequently traded in the Fire Dragon Country and often docked at Volcano City, so they were naturally familiar with the Sacred Fire Palace. The palace was overseen by a Divine Strength Realm martial artist, commanding enormous influence in Volcano City. The guild could not afford to provoke them. Sophie stepped forward and said, "Yun Haitang did travel aboard our ship to Volcano City, but she disappeared as soon as she went ashore at the pier and has not returned since. If you do not believe us, you are welcome to search the ship. If you do not find her, will you let us depart?" Sophie did not mind them searching; she only wanted the ship to set sail as soon as possible. If the Sacred Fire Palace impounded their vessel and they failed to return to Zhanhai City on time, their losses would be immense. "Search!" The Sacred Fire Palace disciples poured onto the ship to conduct their search. They even pried open numerous cargo crates, which contained only spices and local Volcano City specialties. Not a single cabin or corner was spared as they searched meticulously. The search dragged on for two to three shichen, well into the afternoon, yet there was still no sign of Yun Haitang. Sophie said, "Your Sacred Fire Palace found no trace of Yun Haitang, proving she is not aboard our ship. May we depart now?" The Sacred Fire Palace elder's face darkened. He glanced at Sophie and said coldly, "This old man said your ship is impounded! You are not to sail until Yun Haitang is found!" "How can you be so unreasonable?" Sophie grew anxious. "We are an Ocean Commerce Guild merchant ship! If our voyage is delayed, the cargo will rot aboard, and our losses will be staggering!" "No matter how great your losses, could they compare to our Sacred Fire Palace's stolen fire seed?" the elder replied icily, showing not the slightest leniency. "Save your breath. Neither you nor the ship may leave. Anyone who attempts to sail will be executed without mercy!" "Mister Dao..." Sophie could not help turning to Lu Changsheng with a pleading gaze. Lu Changsheng had been watching coldly from the sidelines. Originally, he had no intention of meddling in this matter; the Ocean Commerce Guild's troubles ought to be resolved by the guild itself. However, the Sacred Fire Palace refusing to let the ship sail directly affected him. If the ship did not sail, when would he be able to return to Zhanhai City? "Miss Sophie, I watched just now. The Ocean Commerce Guild did not harbor Yun Haitang, so reason is on your side," Lu Changsheng spoke, walking over step by step. "However, whether people in the jianghu can speak reason depends on whether they hold a blade in their hands." The Sacred Fire Palace disciples initially wanted to shout him down. Yet as Lu Changsheng approached step by step, his momentum surged with every stride. His terrifying qi and blood flared outward, swelling massively with each step. By the time he came to a halt before the Sacred Fire Palace crowd, his horrifying qi and blood had condensed into a crimson cloud. His crushing aura bore down like Mount Tai, suffocating the Sacred Fire Palace disciples. "I said set sail. Who objects?" Lu Changsheng's gaze was sharp as a blade as it swept across the Sacred Fire Palace disciples one by one.