Chapter 16: The Belated Protagonist
The next morning.
Dawn had yet to break, the distant mountains shrouded in mist, the ground still damp with dew.
On a grassy field outside the Qingyun Secret Realm, dozens had already gathered.
The Su, Li, and Xiao families were present, but the Luo family was conspicuously absent.
“It’s nearly the hour of Chen—where’s the Luo family? Putting on airs?” a tall young man grumbled, drawing sidelong glances.
He was Li Daming, the eldest son of the Li family Patriarch and the leader of their group.
“No need to rush, Brother Li. The secret realm hasn’t opened yet—we’ll have to wait regardless,” came a calm voice from nearby. Su Zimo approached, fanning himself leisurely, a smile in his eyes.
A direct descendant of the Su family, his robes were pristine, his demeanor composed, contrasting Li Daming’s restlessness.
Li Daming glanced at him, snorting coldly.
His gaze swept over the Su family group: “Speaking of which, doesn’t each family get ten slots? Why does Su only have nine?”
Su Zimo’s fan paused, as if choosing his words.
Before he could speak, a girl in a purple dress cut in: “The last one’s my cousin, Su Wan’er.”
Her smile carried a mocking edge: “But she’s over at the Luo family now—she can’t bear to leave.”
Whispers erupted among the nearby crowd.
Su Zimo frowned, whispering: “Xinyan, watch your words.”
Su Xinyan smiled faintly, saying no more.
Li Daming raised an eyebrow, intrigued: “Su Wan’er? The Patriarch’s daughter? Why’s she staying with the Luo family?”
Su Zimo closed his fan, his smile unchanged: “Brother Li, you’ve been in seclusion, so you might not have heard. Not long ago, the Luo family held a recognition banquet…”
He recounted the events to Li Daming.
Li Daming’s expression grew vivid.
After a moment, he said gravely: “This Luo Jiutian’s something else.”
“Luo Jiutian?” a voice piped up. “Where’s Luo Jiutian?”
All eyes turned to a plain-looking, goofy teenager bouncing over.
His eyes sparkled at Su Zimo: “He sounds so strong! I wanna fight him—it’d be fun!”
Su Zimo didn’t respond. Li Daming’s face darkened: “Second Brother, don’t mess around!”
The boy was Li Zhongjie, the Li Patriarch’s second son.
He shrank back, mumbling: “Just saying… not like I’d really fight…”
Before he finished, another figure approached.
Clad in black robes, sharp-featured, clearly no ordinary person.
“Your brother’s not entirely wrong,” he said calmly. “If he’s not just hype, he’s worth meeting.”
Li Daming’s face darkened further: “Xiao Yan, my brother’s got a loose screw—don’t encourage him. This Luo Jiutian’s no pushover. If you want trouble, don’t drag us into it.”
Xiao Yan, the Xiao Patriarch’s only son, was the fastest among Tianyuan’s younger generation to reach Foundation Establishment’s peak.
“You’re overthinking. I just think… capable people deserve respect.” Xiao Yan stood with hands behind his back, glancing at Li Daming.
Li Daming, already irritated, scowled: “What’s that supposed to mean? Mocking me for lacking skill?”
The air tensed. Li family disciples stood, and Xiao’s group stepped forward.
Su Zimo snapped his fan shut, stepping between them: “Come now, no need to clash so early.”
He smiled, diffusing: “Today, the four clans enter the secret realm together. Fighting before we start—wouldn’t that make us a joke?”
He tapped his fan in the air: “Besides, the Luo family hasn’t arrived. If you bicker now, you’ll only amuse them.”
Boom—!
As if on cue, a low hum of a flying vessel cut through the air.
Heads turned as a bronze airship broke through the clouds, landing near the field.
The Luo family crest gleamed on it, gold patterns shimmering, calm yet striking.
The door opened, and nine figures stepped out.
Leading them, in white robes with hair tied back, was the stern-faced Luo Chen.
Beside him were other Luo talents, including Luo Yuanshan and Luo Yan.
Luo Chen straightened, savoring the gazes on him, a thrill in his heart.
Yes, this feeling.
All eyes on him.
He, Luo Chen, was once again the center of attention.
His confidence surged.
Su Zimo approached, fanning himself: “I’ve long heard of Young Master Luo’s fame. Seeing you today, your presence is truly extraordinary.”
He added with a smile: “I meant to visit during your family’s banquet, but duties kept me away. Please forgive me.”
His words perfectly balanced respect and friendliness.
Luo Chen, pleased, kept his tone neutral: “No matter, family duties come first.”
Su Xinyan stepped forward, bowing slightly: “Young Master Luo is truly exceptional—one glance, and you’re unforgettable.”
Luo Chen glanced at her, nodding without speaking.
Undeterred, she edged closer: “The secret realm’s full of dangers. Traveling with you… I’d feel much safer.”
“Oh?” Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, teasing: “Is the fairy inviting me?”
“I wouldn’t dare hope you’d agree,” she paused, lowering her head shyly, then glancing up, “but with someone to rely on, no path feels too tough.”
Luo Chen’s eyes flickered.
He leaned to her ear, whispering a few words.
Su Xinyan’s eyes lit up, her smile harder to suppress than an AK’s recoil.
He agreed!
Her heart soared.
This time, Su Wan’er would lose to her.
She’d long resented that woman’s lofty air.
As the Patriarch’s daughter, acting superior, blind to the situation, always clinging to Luo Jiutian.
Was he reliable?
Absolutely not.
Luo Jiutian, no Luo heir, no backing, just one arena win—did he think that changed anything?
Luo Chen had status, backing, talent, and composure.
A temporary loss meant nothing.
Soon, he’d crush Luo Jiutian.
Time would prove her choice right.
Hah, cry then, Su Wan’er.
Luo Chen, beside her, felt equally elated.
A prodigy’s greeting, a fairy’s approach—this was a Young Master’s treatment.
More people approached, offering respects or chatting, their words deferential.
Li Daming watched, sneering: “Bunch of bootlickers, masters of flattery.”
His voice was low, but with their cultivation, everyone heard.
Those speaking with Luo Chen faltered but stayed silent, pretending not to hear.
Su Zimo smiled faintly, ignoring him.
His fan waved, his gaze sweeping the Luo group, pausing with a slight frown.
“Young Master Luo, where’s our Su family’s young lady?” he asked, puzzled.
Luo Chen froze.
Lost in the flattery, he hadn’t noticed.
He turned to the airship.
The door wasn’t fully closed. Only now did two figures emerge, one after another.
“Brother Jiutian, why so fast? Don’t you want to wait for me?”
Su Wan’er jogged after Luo Jiutian, huffing.
Luo Jiutian didn’t look back: “You’re the one dawdling, and you blame me?”
Su Wan’er bit her lip, eyes aggrieved: “Husband, you’ve changed. Last night, you were so gentle.”
He turned, deadpan: “Yesterday was yesterday, today is today. We’ve got business now—how’s it the same?”
She huffed: “You’re a heartless cad, flipping faster than a book.”
They bickered until Luo Jiutian noticed the stares.
Luo Chen, Su Zimo, Li Daming, Xiao Yan—all watched them.