Revenge Plan

"Crimson Fire Origin Copper? Could it be the legendary material used to forge high-grade magical artifacts?"

Lu Changsheng asked in surprise.

"That's right. Crimson Fire Origin Copper is an exceedingly rare material that can be used to forge high-grade magical artifacts, so its price is extraordinarily high. Whoever controls this mineral vein will be able to dominate the entirety of Tianyang City in the future."

Zhou Zhirou nodded slightly.

Lu Changsheng instantly understood. Crimson Fire Origin Copper was incomparably precious; legend had it that only after refined fire had been buried deep underground for ten thousand years could it form into Crimson Fire Origin Copper.

Even a piece of Crimson Fire Origin Copper no larger than a palm could sell for over a thousand Spirit Stones.

One could well imagine just how wealthy a lineage possessing an entire Crimson Fire Origin Copper vein would become in the future.

"Then who did this Crimson Fire Origin Copper vein ultimately belong to?"

Lu Changsheng asked curiously.

"In order to fight for ownership of the Crimson Fire Origin Copper vein, my Zhou Family and the Qin Family erupted into a fierce struggle. In the end, both sides were badly weakened."

Zhou Zhirou sighed.

"However, to avoid continuing such endless strife, our two great families ultimately agreed to decide ownership of the Crimson Fire Origin Copper vein through a fair duel."

Zhou Zhirou said in a grave voice.

"A fair duel?"

Lu Changsheng looked puzzled.

"That's right. Each family sends one genius from its younger generation to fight, and the winning side obtains ownership of the mineral vein."

As she spoke, Zhou Zhirou's brows furrowed even more tightly.

"I understand. Senior Sister, you received a letter from your family, which is why you rushed back to take part in the duel, right?"

Lu Changsheng said gravely.

"Yes, but with my strength at the Fifth Level of Core Condensation Realm, I'm afraid I don't stand even the slightest chance of winning..."

As she said this, the sorrow on Zhou Zhirou's face deepened. Once she lost the duel, the entire Zhou Family would be the one facing destruction in the future.

She could not bear to watch her entire lineage be swallowed by the Qin Family, so the responsibility resting on her shoulders was immense.

Such a heavy responsibility left Zhou Zhirou almost unable to breathe.

At that moment, Zhou Zhirou looked toward Lu Changsheng, but just as she was about to say something, she swallowed the words back down.

Seeing Senior Sister Zhou's hesitant, half-spoken expression, Lu Changsheng could not help smiling faintly as he said,

"Senior Sister, if you need any help, just say it."

"Now, there is only one way to save my Zhou Family: invite an outside helper to defeat the Qin Family's genius on behalf of my Zhou Family and secure ownership of the mineral vein for us."

Zhou Zhirou lightly bit her pearly teeth.

"Senior Sister Zhou, are you asking me to fight on behalf of your Zhou Family?"

Lu Changsheng suddenly understood.

"Yes!"

Zhou Zhirou nodded gently.

"I can do that, but can outside helpers really be invited for a duel between two great families?"

Lu Changsheng was somewhat doubtful.

"According to the rules, neither family may invite outside help. But we have a way to turn that outside helper into someone from our Zhou Family."

Zhou Zhirou said softly.

"What way?"

Lu Changsheng was immensely curious.

"It's very simple. As long as you temporarily become the son-in-law of my Zhou Family, you can rightfully fight on behalf of our Zhou Family."

Zhou Zhirou explained.

Lu Changsheng's eyes lit up. He had not expected such a method to exist.

"Fine! Since Senior Sister Zhou needs me, I can temporarily fight on behalf of your Zhou Family!"

After pondering for a moment, Lu Changsheng nodded and agreed without hesitation.

Back in the Cloud Sea Mountain Range, he had nearly been swallowed by the Charming Fragrance Demonic Taro. Fortunately, Zhou Zhirou had acted in time. He had to repay that favor.

Moreover, after spending the past few days together, Lu Changsheng had developed quite a favorable impression of this senior sister, which was why he agreed without hesitation.

"Really?"

Zhou Zhirou was overjoyed.

If Lu Changsheng stepped in, he would certainly be able to defeat the Qin Family's genius!

After all, in the outer sect, this fellow had defeated Liu Yan at the first level of Divine Palace Realm while only at the eighth level of Core Condensation Realm!

"However, I want to know just how strong the Qin Family's genius is."

Lu Changsheng's expression turned serious.

"The Qin Family has three geniuses. The one you beat up earlier was the Qin Family's Third Young Master, Qin Xuan. His strength is only at the sixth level of Core Condensation Realm."

"However, the genius the Qin Family has sent this time is their Second Young Master, Qin Lie. He is far stronger than Qin Xuan and has already entered the Half-step Divine Palace Realm."

Zhou Zhirou frowned.

"Half-step Divine Palace..."

Lu Changsheng did not think much of it.

He had even defeated Liu Yan, who was at the first level of Divine Palace Realm. A mere Half-step Divine Palace Realm cultivator was nothing to fear.

"Hm? Senior Sister Zhou, what about the Qin Family's Eldest Young Master?"

Lu Changsheng asked curiously.

"The Qin Family's Eldest Young Master has quite an impressive background. He is Qin Wentian, currently ranked first on the Lingxiao Sect's Outer Disciples Ranking. However, I heard that Qin Wentian has recently entered seclusion, so he will not be taking part in this duel."

Zhou Zhirou said gravely.

"What?"

"Qin Wentian?!"

The moment he heard those three words, Lu Changsheng's face darkened instantly.

Hiss!

"Ah!"

Lu Changsheng cried out miserably, his face twisted in extreme pain as the three Bone Corroding Nails in his back acted up again.

Behind his spine came the sizzling sound of marrow being corroded. The intense pain contorted Lu Changsheng's features into something ferocious.

"Junior Brother, what's wrong?"

Zhou Zhirou asked anxiously.

"N... nothing!"

Lu Changsheng gritted his teeth and endured the pain, yet his heart could not calm down for a long time. He had never expected the Qin Family of Tianyang City to be the lineage Qin Wentian belonged to!

At that moment, an utterly mad thought suddenly surfaced in his heart.

He wanted revenge on the Qin Family!

For the destruction of his dantian and the torment of the three Bone Corroding Nails in his back, he would make the Qin Family repay him in blood!

Originally, Lu Changsheng had planned to fight for the Zhou Family only out of consideration for Senior Sister Zhou. But now that he knew the Qin Family was Qin Wentian's lineage, he was even more determined to fight for the Zhou Family.

Not only for the Zhou Family, but also so that he could take revenge on Qin Wentian!

"Qin Wentian, for all the pain you made me pay, I'll have the people of your Qin Family repay it today! I will personally shatter every last hope of the Qin Family!"

The corner of Lu Changsheng's lips curled upward.

However, Lu Changsheng did not tell Zhou Zhirou about his grudge with Qin Wentian, because a plan for revenge was brewing in his heart.

"Let's go. If my father finds out we've invited an outside helper like you, who knows how happy he'll be."

Zhou Zhirou smiled gently, and all the sorrow on her face vanished without a trace.

Before long, the two finally arrived at the Zhou Family residence.

It had to be said that, as one of Tianyang City's two great families, the Zhou Family had considerable foundations. Their residence looked luxurious and grand, and two Core Condensation Realm guards stood at the entrance.

"Eldest Miss, wonderful! You've finally returned! The old master is waiting for you in the main hall!"

The moment they saw Zhou Zhirou, the two guards beamed with joy.

"I understand..."

Zhou Zhirou nodded lightly, then led Lu Changsheng into the residence.