Speaking Out

Luo Family viewing seats

Luo Heng reunited with his family and was about to leave when Lin Zhentian approached with the Lin Family members.

"Heng'er, we have you to thank for today." Lin Zhentian patted his old friend's grandson on the shoulder, his eyes full of gratification.

If Luo Heng had not stepped in, today's matter would likely have been difficult to settle peacefully.

"Grandpa Lin, you flatter me. I merely spoke a few fair words," Luo Heng said with a smile.

"Fair words?" Lin Xiao shook his head and laughed. "Every one of your words struck Lei Bao where it hurt. But well done. You can't be polite when dealing with people like that."

As they spoke, Lin Dong and Wu Yun also came forward.

Each of them held a Fire Python Tiger Cub in his arms. The cubs were only the size of kittens, fiery red all over with soft fur, curled up soundly asleep in their arms, looking utterly adorable.

"Brother Luo Heng, thank you for today." Lin Dong solemnly expressed his gratitude. Brother Luo Heng was still someone he needed to look up to.

If Luo Heng had not spoken up, it would not have been easy for him to keep the Fire Python Tiger Cub.

Wu Yun also cupped his hands. "Brother Luo, great kindness needs no thanks. If you ever need me in the future, Wu Yun will brave fire and water without hesitation."

Luo Heng waved his hand with a smile. "It was nothing. But you must be careful. Lei Bao and Xie Qian will never let this go. News of the Fire Python Tiger Cubs has already spread. It will not only be the Lei and Xie Clans—other factions may covet them as well."

"I understand." Lin Dong nodded, a glint of determination flashing through his eyes. "I'll increase my strength as quickly as possible and protect this little fellow."

Wu Yun added, "My Raging Blade Martial Hall is no pushover either. If they dare come and snatch it, they had better be ready to pay the price."

Luo Heng nodded and said no more. To him, everything was developing according to its original course.

Some paths had to be walked alone in the end.

He could help them for a while, but not for a lifetime.

"Oh, right, Brother Luo." Wu Yun suddenly recalled something. "Miss Mu already left ahead of us. She said Mu Family Village was too weak to get involved in this matter. She asked me to send you her regards."

Mu Lingsha, the girl who had discovered the Fire Python Tiger Cubs alongside Lin Dong and Wu Yun, came from Mu Family Village near Qingyang Town.

She had quietly taken away the Fire Python Tiger Cub she had received.

Upon hearing this, Luo Heng nodded.

Mu Lingsha's choice was very wise. Mu Family Village only had one Early Heaven Yuan Realm expert and truly lacked the strength to keep a Fire Python Tiger Cub.

If she had insisted on staying, she would instead have brought disaster upon her family.

"She is a clever person too," Luo Heng said softly.

After chatting for a few more moments, Lin Dong and Wu Yun took their leave.

They needed to bring the Fire Python Tiger Cubs back to their clans as soon as possible and settle them properly.

Luo Heng also returned to Luo Manor with his family.

As night deepened, Qingyang Town remained far from peaceful.

Lei Clan, council hall.

Lei Bao and Xie Qian sat facing one another, their expressions so gloomy they seemed capable of dripping water.

Lei Li stood below them, his right arm wrapped in bandages from the injury he had suffered during today's hunt.

"Father, Uncle Xie, are we just going to let this go?" Lei Li asked unwillingly.

"Let it go?" Lei Bao sneered, a cold glint flickering in his eyes. "How could we? Three Fire Python Tiger Cubs—that means three future Heaven Yuan Realm experts! How can we simply hand over such an opportunity?"

Xie Qian said gravely, "But Luo Heng interfered, making this difficult. He is now a core disciple of the Symbol Master Association, and his strength is unfathomable. If we act by force, we may provoke retaliation from the Symbol Master Association."

"The Symbol Master Association is far away in Flame City. Its reach cannot extend to Qingyang Town." Lei Bao's voice was icy. "Besides, we may not need to act personally."

"Oh?" Xie Qian raised a brow.

Lei Bao slowly said, "News of the Fire Python Tiger Cubs has already spread. We are not the only ones who want them. Other factions will be tempted as well, such as... the Blood Wolf Gang of Flame City."

"The Blood Wolf Gang?" A sharp gleam flashed through Xie Qian's eyes.

"Precisely." Lei Bao nodded and continued, "The Blood Wolf Gang clearly bears a grudge against Luo Heng. If it learns that Luo Heng's brothers obtained Fire Python Tiger Cubs, what do you think it will do?"

Xie Qian suddenly understood. A cold smile curled at his lips. "Kill with a borrowed blade... an excellent plan!"

"Not only that." A vicious glint flashed through Lei Bao's eyes. "We can also secretly spread word that the Fire Python Tiger nest contains other treasures, such as... the Fire Python Tiger's Demon Spirit, or fire-element heavenly treasures. When that happens, even more people will covet it."

"Brilliant!" Xie Qian slapped the table in praise.

The two exchanged smiles, their eyes filled with the smug satisfaction of a successful scheme.

What they did not know was that Luo Heng was currently sitting cross-legged in his room at Luo Manor, his Spiritual Power spreading out like a tide and covering nearly all of Qingyang Town.

Every word of the conversation in the Lei Clan's council hall entered his ears.

Trying to kill with a borrowed blade? Spreading rumors?

Luo Heng slowly opened his eyes, a cold gleam flashing through them.

Lei Bao, Xie Qian, you are courting death.

He had originally thought that if the Lei and Xie Clans knew what was good for them, he might spare their lives.

But now, it seemed that some people were destined to become enemies.

Since that was the case, they could not blame him.

System, display the detailed information on Lei Bao and Xie Qian.

[Name: Lei Bao]

[Age: Fifty-Seven]

[Cultivation: Peak Late Heaven Yuan Realm]

[Technique: Lei Yuan Technique (Fifth Grade)]

[Martial Arts: Rushing Thunder Kill (Fourth Grade · Mastery), Rushing Thunder Light (Fourth Grade · Mastery), Thunder Palm (Third Grade · Perfection)]

[Name: Xie Qian]

[Age: Fifty-Five]

[Cultivation: Middle Heaven Yuan Realm]

[Technique: Xie Family Heart Method (Fourth Grade)]

[Martial Arts: Xie Family Blade (Fourth Grade · Mastery), Blazing Sun Heaven-Burning Palm (Fourth Grade · Mastery), Wind-Tearing Hand (Third Grade · Mastery)]

Looking at the information provided by the system, Luo Heng already had a plan in mind.

Although Lei Bao was strong, he was advanced in years and cultivated a lightning-element technique, which was perfectly countered by Luo Heng's Mysterious Nether Water.

Xie Qian was even less of a concern. He was only at the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm, while Luo Heng had killed two middle-stage Demon Beasts today.

"However, now is not the time to act."

Luo Heng suppressed his killing intent. He had only just returned to Qingyang Town. If he immediately attacked the Lei and Xie Clans, suspicion would inevitably arise. Though he did not care, he still needed to guard against the Blood Wolf Gang.

"Let's wait and see. They can jump out on their own."

Luo Heng closed his eyes again and began cultivating.

Within his Niwan Palace, the Myriad Law Seal slowly rotated. Tempered by the seal, his Spiritual Power grew increasingly solid and pure.

He could feel that he was only one step away from becoming a Three-Mark Rune Master.

He could not help but marvel at his own talent in Spiritual Power.

At his dantian, the dark gold Yuan Core Phantom also slowly revolved, drawing in and exhaling pure Primal Energy.

His Peak Early Heaven Yuan Realm cultivation had completely stabilized, and he was not far from the middle stage.

At most one month, and I'll break through.

Luo Heng calculated inwardly. By then, his strength would rise to another level.

Blood Wolf Gang... just wait and see.

A cold glint flashed through Luo Heng's eyes.

Once he had dealt with Qingyang Town's troubles, the Blood Wolf Gang would be next.

As night deepened, Qingyang Town gradually fell into a deep sleep amid silence.

But everyone knew that this peace was only an illusion.

Undercurrents had long begun to stir in secret.

And the turmoil sparked by the Fire Python Tiger Cubs had only just begun.