Two Great Powerhouses

"A powerful expert has descended!"

At the same time, within the Princess's Mansion, the three family heads looked toward the skies above Qingfeng Town in terror. They sensed only a terrifying figure appearing overhead, accompanied by an equally terrifying demonic aura.

There was no doubt about it—this was a Demonic Cultivator.

"Damn it, someone from the Youmo Sect!"

Within the Princess's Mansion, the Yuanwu Kingdom expert tasked with protecting Li Qingping appeared as well, his Void Refining Stage aura fully exposed. He could sense that the one above was likely a Tribulation Crossing Stage mighty expert. Even within the Youmo Sect, someone of that level would undoubtedly be considered a core figure.

Inside the cultivation tower, Lu Xuan sensed it too, and his expression darkened. What others could feel, he naturally could as well. Lu Jiuyuan was no exception.

However, Lu Jiuyuan did not yet know that this was a Demonic Cultivator. He only felt that the aura made him deeply uncomfortable.

"Why would such a powerful Demonic Cultivator set his sights on Qingfeng Town?"

Lu Xuan could not make heads or tails of it. Over the years, he had traveled far and wide and encountered quite a few powerful experts, so he could naturally tell that this person was likely at the Tribulation Crossing Stage. Even if he exhausted every trick up his sleeve, he would absolutely be no match.

Meanwhile, above Qingfeng Town, King Youmo, his entire body wreathed in black vapor, greedily stared at everything below. His terrifying divine sense began searching through Qingfeng Town without the slightest restraint.

A few seconds later, King Youmo's divine sense settled upon Lu Jiuyuan.

"Hehehe, I found you, my little treasure."

As King Youmo's divine sense came to a halt, the Void Refining Stage expert within the Princess's Mansion quickly realized what was happening.

"Damn it, this fellow came for Lu Jiuyuan."

Upon hearing her expert's words, Li Qingping's heart skipped a beat. Young Master Lu was in danger. When would her father arrive?

Lu Jiuyuan also felt a wave of unease, as though some terrifying existence had fixed its gaze upon him. Lu Xuan cursed inwardly and immediately prepared to flee with Lu Jiuyuan.

Lu Jiuyuan possessed the greatest talent among the Lu Family. Though the Lu Family no longer existed, Lu Xuan believed that under Lu Jiuyuan's leadership, the Lu Family would certainly rise again and surpass its former glory.

Just as King Youmo was about to make his move, another terrifying aura descended.

"King Youmo, stop. This person has already been taken under the protection of the Yuanwu Kingdom."

A voice rang in the ears of every person in Qingfeng Town. Li Qingping's tightly clenched heart finally eased.

"Father has come. This matter should be safe now."

The newcomer was none other than King Li. At this critical moment, King Li had finally arrived. Hearing his words, Lu Xuan quickly understood that this man must be King Li.

With King Li's appearance, King Youmo's expression visibly darkened.

"Li Xuanran, you cannot protect this person. Besides, once he learns of the treatment offered by my Youmo Sect, he might just join us."

"Oh? Are you sure? Boy, come out here."

Li Xuanran chuckled. Soon after, Lu Jiuyuan emerged from the cultivation chamber under Lu Xuan's lead.

"Greetings, King Li."

No matter what, Li Xuanran was Li Qingping's father. Lu Jiuyuan naturally had to show him some respect.

"Boy, tell me—do you intend to join my Yuanwu Kingdom, or do you wish to join the Youmo Sect?"

As Li Xuanran's words fell, King Youmo, standing off to the side, laughed.

"Boy, with your talent, if you join my Youmo Sect, you will surely attain the position of Young Sect Master. I will also grant you whatever resources you desire and help you break through to the Void Refining Stage within a hundred years."

Li Xuanran said nothing. He believed Lu Jiuyuan knew what choice to make.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lu Jiuyuan smiled and said, "Thank you both for your kind regard, Seniors. However, I already have a family, so I have no plans to join any other faction."

Hearing this, Li Xuanran was somewhat surprised, but not angered. As long as this boy remained within the Yuanwu Kingdom, he was a person of the Yuanwu Kingdom. When the nation faced danger, every common man bore responsibility—it was only natural.

King Youmo's expression, however, became visibly uglier.

"Boy, you had better think carefully. My Youmo Sect can give you everything you desire. If you want to grow strong quickly, joining my Youmo Sect is your best choice. Otherwise, one day when you go out, some mysterious expert might directly kill you."

Those words plainly carried a trace of threat. But Lu Jiuyuan was a man who responded to kindness, not force. Since King Youmo had threatened him, he had already chosen the path to death.

"Sorry, but I have no interest whatsoever in that damned Youmo Sect. And judging by the name, it is obviously some third-rate trash sect."

Lu Jiuyuan sneered. The moment those words left his mouth, the surrounding air seemed to turn cold.

"Boy, you have quite the nerve. If you had joined my Youmo Sect, I could still have taken you as my disciple and nurtured you. But since you dared insult my Youmo Sect, you will die here today."

With that, King Youmo flicked a finger and directly sent a streak of demonic aura toward Lu Jiuyuan, intending to erase him on the spot. But he had forgotten that Li Xuanran was still here.

"Youmo, you dare kill a person of my Yuanwu Kingdom before my very eyes? Are you not taking me seriously?"

Li Xuanran sighed. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Lu Jiuyuan and blocked the demonic aura for him.

"Hmph, Li Xuanran, since you are here, let us settle old and new scores together."

King Youmo snorted and charged at Li Xuanran.

"Fine! Then let us fight to the death!"

Li Xuanran showed no fear and charged forward to meet him head-on. In an instant, the shockwaves from their collision spread outward at a terrifying speed. The Void Refining Stage expert secretly protecting Li Qingping appeared and barely managed to block the aftershock with all his strength.

Noticing this, Li Xuanran deliberately moved the battlefield into the skies. Only then did Qingfeng Town avoid being wiped out by the aftershocks.

That was simply how the fantasy world was. When powerful experts fought, they could overturn rivers and seas, destroy heaven and earth with the slightest movement. A stray wisp of aftershock destroying an entire city was perfectly normal.

As their battle shifted into the skies, Lu Jiuyuan could no longer see their fight clearly. He only knew that a day later, King Youmo let out an enraged roar.

"Good, good, good! I never expected you, Li Xuanran, to have hidden such a trump card. Our days ahead are long. I, King Youmo, will definitely kill this boy!"

With that, a black shadow swiftly fled into the distance. Li Xuanran, meanwhile, slowly descended from the sky. There was no need to think about it—Li Xuanran had likely gained the upper hand.

Li Qingping had also arrived at the battlefield. Only after seeing that her father was unharmed did she finally let out a sigh of relief. Walking up to Li Xuanran, she said, "Father, it is truly wonderful that you are all right."

"Do not worry. King Youmo is nothing more than that. He is no match for me. It is only that once he chose to flee, I could not keep him here."

Seeing his beloved daughter, Li Xuanran smiled.

"Mm. Father is the strongest."

Li Qingping stood at the side and nodded repeatedly in agreement. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Xuanran slowly walked over to Lu Jiuyuan.

"Boy, do you truly not wish to join the Yuanwu Kingdom's Imperial Family?"