Almost the instant Su Ming and the others stepped into the main hall, Lu Fan had already stood up. As soon as Li Taiqing finished speaking, he strode forward to greet him, completely disregarding the dignity he should maintain as the Human Emperor at this moment.
His previous composure had completely transformed into an almost overflowing excitement.
"Senior Brother Su, Junior Brother Jiang... Eldest Brother!"
Lu Fan's voice was filled with undisguised joy as his gaze swept over his fellow disciples. He then clasped his hands in a deep fist salute.
"You've finally arrived!"
A faint smile appeared on Su Ming's lips, and he nodded slightly.
"Junior Brother Lu, how have you been?"
Lin Potian grinned and stepped forward, instinctively reaching out to pat Lu Fan on the shoulder. However, his hand faltered halfway through, as if remembering Lu Fan's current status as the Human Emperor. In the end Lu Fan bumped into him instead of patting him, and instead lightly punched him in the chest.
"You finally decided to come out, huh?"
Lu Fan shed his Human Emperor- like demeanor and joked as he always did.
Seeing that Lu Fan wasn't being pretentious, Lin Potian's smile deepened:
"Senior Brother Lu, your Human Emperor aura is growing stronger every day. I just heard you arguing with the group outside... cough cough, your arguments were quite impressive."
"Ha ha!"
Lu Fan's confidence soared, and he turned to the still-shocked crowd in the hall, his voice suddenly rising:
"Gentlemen, how do you think it is now? Do you still consider the counterattack strategy I just proposed to be Blood Qi and impulsive, or reckless and radical?"
Some elders and sect leaders who had initially questioned Lu Fan's radical strategies now looked embarrassed and their Shenyou.
Just kidding. Their sect sent Daluo Golden Immortal with solid foundations and profound auras all at once. Add to that Lu Fan himself and the offerings he brought. Just their lineage alone already boasts combat power that surpasses all others.
Moreover, they have an unfathomable master standing behind them, whose background is unknown.
Although there had been speculation beforehand, the glimpse of their true strength had already shocked everyone; it was hard to believe.
The two Daluo Immortal King sent by the Human Emperor Palace to support Lu Fan also had their eyes flashing as they re-examined Lu Fan and the power of his sect, feeling a chill in their hearts.
Everyone says Lu Fan came from humble beginnings, and this makes sense.
That's complete nonsense!
There's no such thing as a "prodigy from a poor family"; it's just a bunch of deceptive rhetoric!
Whose humble family is filled with Daluo Golden Immortal?
"No wonder... no wonder!"
Jiang Xuangang sighed inwardly, and all his past doubts suddenly became clear.
When Jiang Hao first gained a great reputation, the entire Jiang Household was in an uproar.
He personally stepped forward and made a solemn promise: to be established as the current divine son, to enjoy the most generous resources and offerings within the clan, and even hinted that he would be the only candidate for the next clan leader.
The Jiang Household's treasure trove, the secret realm of inheritance, and even his ancestor's private collection were all opened to the public.
Not to mention the special fortuitous opportunity that the Jiang Household secretly contacted other major powers to reserve for Jiang Hao.
This is an irresistible path for any genius.
At that time, many people in the clan were envious and jealous, and many elders believed that Jiang Hao would be grateful and lead the Jiang Household to new glory.
But what about Jiang Hao?
Faced with a promise that could drive any young cultivator mad, he simply shook his head calmly and firmly, stating that he had already become a disciple of the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace of the Han Xuanji Palace, that his master's kindness was profound, that his Dao Path was set, and that he did not wish to change it.
No matter how the core elders of the Lineage tried to persuade him, or even subtly provoked him with words, Jiang Hao only bowed and apologized, his mind unchanged.
The incident caused an uproar within the clan. Many younger members thought Jiang Hao was foolish, giving up readily available Lineage power and resources to become a disciple of some Dao Child. Even if the Dao Child was somewhat mysterious, how could it compare to the entire foundation of the Jiang Household?
Some elders were also secretly dissatisfied, feeling that Jiang Hao was arrogant and couldn't see the bigger picture. Some even privately discussed that he had chosen a "wrong path" and that his future achievements might not be as good as those who stayed in the clan and were fully nurtured.
But now, Jiang Xuangang looked at Jiang Hao, whose cultivation had reached the Daluo and who even made him feel a faint pressure, and at Su Ming, Nangong Wenjian, and others standing shoulder to shoulder with him, who were also young but had all reached the Daluo and clearly had solid foundations and their own good fortune...
Faced with this scene before him, Jiang Xuangang suddenly understood everything. Had they seemed somewhat... laughable in Jiang Hao's eyes back then?
Lu Fan took in all of this and chuckled inwardly, knowing that his master had only casually shown off a skill, yet it had already stunned everyone present.
He composed himself and exchanged glances with Su Ming, Jiang Hao, and the others; the tacit understanding between the fellow disciples needed no further explanation.
Then, he spoke loudly, his voice more confident than before:
"Since everyone has no objections, please listen to my fellow disciples as we explain the counterattack strategy! The Devil Race's vanguard, once arrogant, is bound to be defeated; their weakness lies here!"
Ancestor Divine Radiance and Jiang Xuangang looked at each other again, both seeing the determination in each other's eyes.
Jiang Xuangang took a deep breath, his aged voice resounding throughout the hall:
"Your Majesty Lu Fan is truly visionary! I agree with Your Majesty's suggestion. We should seek an opportunity to counterattack, using offense as a form of defense, to demonstrate the might of our Spirit Void Immortal Domain and buy time for reinforcements!"
I second that!
The Ancestor Divine Radiance's voice boomed like a bell, his gaze fixed intently on Lu Fan and Jiang Hao.
"Your Majesty, please devise a detailed plan of how to retaliate. Our Spirit Void Heavenly Palace will fully cooperate!"
The tide turned in an instant.
Standing among his fellow disciples, Lu Fan felt the powerful yet intimate atmosphere around him. Watching the change in the attitudes of everyone in the hall, he felt a surge of pride, yet couldn't help but smile to himself.
Master, you've helped me again!
While the throne of the Human Emperor is undoubtedly the most revered, compared to the treatment of his fellow disciples who "level up rapidly" by their master's side, it seems... not so "appetizing" anymore?
Of course, the thought only flashed through my mind.
Lu Fan quickly regained his composure, his gaze sharpening once more. After a brief exchange of thoughts with Su Ming, Jiang Hao, and the others, he spoke loudly:
"In that case, let us discuss this counterattack strategy in detail! The Devil Race Clan is powerful, but not monolithic. Their vanguard is arrogant, and their battle lines are long; there must be an opportunity to exploit! I propose..."
His voice echoed once again in the Divine Stratagem Hall, but this time, no one questioned him; everyone listened intently.
With the strategy decided within the hall, the cultivators obeyed their orders and departed, the atmosphere filled with a long-lost sense of high morale.
It must be said that the presence of six more Daluo Golden Immortal on the surface does indeed put people at ease.
Once the crowd had dispersed, Lu Fan eagerly led his fellow disciples to a quieter side hall behind the Divine Stratagem Hall.
Having just set up the barrier to isolate Divine Sense, Lu Fan's usually straight shoulders seemed to relax a bit, and a pure smile appeared on his face. He looked around at Su Ming, Jiang Hao, and the others.
"Seeing you all makes me feel both at ease and... well, how should I put it, Master's methods are truly unimaginable..."
He shook his head, his smile unchanged, and deliberately lowered his voice.
"I've been working tirelessly outside, managing the Divine Dynasty, gathering its fortune, fighting against people and defying fate, and finally reached the Daluo Realm. Meanwhile, you've been following Master into seclusion, your cultivation levels rising like bamboo shoots after a spring rain."
"Senior Brother Su and Junior Brother Jiang, you're both at the Mid-stage Daluo, right? And Fifth Brother, your aura... I can't quite see through it..."
Lu Fan was also somewhat surprised that even Han You had come out of seclusion. It seemed that his master had no intention of hiding this time.
Perhaps soon he will be able to see his master's supreme demeanor again.