Chapter 45: This one is even more important
Luo Chen stared at Li Daming’s face, his brows furrowing.
What did he mean by that?
Could it be… that the one who obtained the Tempering Origin Persimmons was Luo Jiutian?
But he was stuck in the ruins the whole time—logically, he shouldn’t have had access to them.
Moreover, Luo Chen had stayed in the central region until the secret realm closed and never saw him.
What was going on?
No, dwelling on this was pointless.
The priority now was to shift the crowd’s attention and steer the situation in his favor.
And the Tempering Origin Persimmons were the perfect leverage.
Their value needed no explanation—every one of the four major clans coveted them.
One persimmon meant a potential pillar for the clan; one more meant a stronger future.
A cold glint flashed in Luo Chen’s eyes.
If Luo Jiutian hadn’t taken them, perfect—he could pin the blame on the Li and Xiao Clans, making them pay for everything that happened.
But if… Luo Jiutian did take them, even better.
He could redirect all attention to Luo Jiutian and force him to hand them over in the name of the clan.
This time, his father was present. With a Nascent Soul expert speaking, which junior would dare defy?
Not to mention, they were in the right this time.
No matter how eloquent Luo Jiutian was, he’d have to bow his head!
At this thought, Luo Chen couldn’t help but let out a soft hum, inwardly praising his own genius.
He fixed his gaze on Luo Jiutian, his voice low but clear enough for all to hear: “Luo Jiutian, did you… take the Tempering Origin Persimmons?”
At his words, all eyes turned to Luo Jiutian.
But unexpectedly, Luo Jiutian merely cast a meaningful glance at Li Daming and said with a smile, “So what if I did?”
Those four words stunned the crowd.
Li Yunzheng and Su Huaizhang exchanged a glance, a fleeting trace of greed in their eyes.
Su Huaizhang sighed lightly, his tone tinged with regret: “The dead cannot be brought back. Since it’s come to this, the Su Clan isn’t unreasonable.”
He looked at Luo Jiutian: “Jiutian, if you’re willing to hand over two-thirds of the Tempering Origin Persimmons to the Su Clan, we’ll let the Luo Clan’s wrongs in the secret realm slide. Resolving this conflict for the Luo Clan is honorable, both publicly and privately. Besides, you’re engaged to our Wan’er—we’re family. Giving them to the Su Clan is just moving them from one hand to another, right?”
His words were airtight, as if he were considering Luo Jiutian’s position, but in reality, it was moral coercion.
Li Yunzheng stepped forward, his expression steady: “No issue—you can keep one for yourself. The Su Clan takes two-thirds, and we’ll handle the rest. That settles things.”
The two men—one a father who’d just lost his son, the other a clan head furious over false accusations—suddenly turned benevolent upon learning Luo Jiutian had the persimmons, their earlier anger and grudges vanishing.
Luo Jiutian didn’t respond, only offering a faint smile.
But no one noticed a barely perceptible yellow light surge from his ring, forming a thin thread that silently entered his brow.
Luo Changqing, observing Su Huaizhang and Li Yunzheng’s reactions, instantly grasped Luo Chen’s strategy.
“Jiutian,” he said, stepping forward, his tone so warm it gave goosebumps, “listen to them and hand over the Tempering Origin Persimmons. You’ve done a great service for the Luo Clan. When we return, you’ll be rewarded handsomely—the clan won’t shortchange you.”
Several Luo Clan members chimed in: “Yeah, Luo Jiutian, we’re family. Why hold back now?”
“Sacrificing a bit for the clan—what’s the harm? You still get to keep one, right?”
“I agree!”
Public opinion inexplicably turned against Luo Jiutian.
“These people are shameless!” Su Wan’er clenched her fists, fuming.
She hadn’t expected such audacity, especially from Luo Changqing, who didn’t even bother pretending to protect his son.
Luo Chen caused this mess, yet Luo Jiutian was expected to clean it up?
Biting her lip, she calculated—even with her cultivation now at Golden Core’s peak, she wouldn’t let Nine Heavens Brother be wronged.
But before she could act, Luo Jiutian’s hand gently rested on her back, calming her.
Su Wan’er paused, looking at him.
He gave her a slight smile, the same as at the betrothal banquet, and made a “shh” gesture.
Without a word, his gaze shifted from Su Wan’er to Luo Chen, lingering briefly, then to Luo Changqing.
Luo Changqing was about to press further, but as their eyes met, his fake smile froze.
He clearly saw Luo Jiutian’s eyes slowly glow gold, as if some power was awakening.
Then, Luo Jiutian’s aura began to rise, like waves stacking endlessly, radiating outward.
But before it could fully unleash, a far more overwhelming pressure descended from the sky!
Except for Luo Jiutian and Su Wan’er by his side, everyone felt a chilling dread surge from their soles to their crowns.
“Bullying the weak and pressuring juniors—is this the style of your great clans?”
A cold, clear voice echoed from above.
All eyes followed the sound to a woman in a white daoist robe, her silver hair like snow, hovering in the air. Her aura was aloof, like an immortal untouched by mortal dust.
“Such strong pressure… who is she?”
“Wait, I’ve heard of her. Tianheng Sect has a mysterious peak master who rarely appears…”
“You mean the one from Jingyu Peak?”
Whispers of awe and confusion spread through the crowd.
Realizing her identity, Su Huaizhang’s expression shifted. He quickly softened, bowing: “It’s Senior Dugu! Forgive our disrespect. We were merely discussing matters, with no intent to coerce.”
No kidding—this was a Deity Transformation expert. One sword, and he’d be dust.
Li Yunzheng hurriedly bowed too: “Yes, yes, just a suggestion, not forcing young friend Jiutian. Please forgive any offense, Senior.”
Luo Changqing coughed: “Senior, this is just a misunderstanding among juniors. As elders, we only want them to resolve it properly, with no selfish motives.”
Dugu Ningshuang’s expression didn’t shift, ignoring them, her gaze settling on Luo Jiutian.
Luo Jiutian was still in a daze.
He’d realized psychological attacks weren’t draining Luo Chen’s destiny points anymore and planned to switch to physical intimidation to shock the others.
But he hadn’t expected her to show up, disrupting everything.
“Why is it her…?”