Chapter 30: Yes, it was all done by me, Luo Chen
The central region of the Qingyun Secret Realm fell silent, everyone exchanging stunned glances.
They’d thought Luo Jiutian had genuinely surrendered, only to misjudge his unpredictable mindset once again.
“What are you standing around for? Chase him!” Luo Chen’s shout snapped them out of their daze.
He bolted first, heading straight for Luo Jiutian’s escape route.
Su Zimo raised an eyebrow, reacting quickly, signaling his Su disciples: “Follow.”
In an instant, the Luo and Su forces surged after Luo Chen.
Soon, only the Li and Xiao families remained, still reeling.
“Uh… Big Brother, should we chase?” a Li disciple asked tentatively.
Li Daming glanced at him: “Ignore them.”
He lowered his gaze, deep in thought, his mind racing.
He knew he’d been framed, but by whom?
His first suspect was Luo Jiutian, but he dismissed it.
Luo Jiutian, who could overpower Luo Chen, didn’t need elaborate schemes to deal with him in this realm.
If not Luo Jiutian, then who?
Li Daming mentally sifted through possibilities, each clue frustratingly vague.
As he tried to think deeper, someone interrupted.
“Brother Li.”
Xiao Yan stepped forward, grinning: “Your Li family took a beating fighting the Luo-Su alliance. Quite a loss, huh?”
Li Daming shot him an annoyed look: “What’s your point?”
Xiao Yan pointed to the Tempering Origin Persimmons on a nearby branch: “I mean, after that battle, your Li family’s weakened. Why not let us Xiao take the persimmons?”
The Li members glared.
Li Daming frowned: “Xiao Yan, your scheming’s a bit too obvious.”
Xiao Yan shrugged: “You misunderstand, Brother Li. I’m just concerned, not wanting your Li family to suffer more losses.”
Li Daming sneered, his gaze sharpening: “Concerned? If you really cared, your Xiao family would back off and let us handle the persimmons.”
Xiao Yan laughed, then turned serious: “So, you’re refusing the easy way?”
Li Daming’s face darkened: “Want the persimmons? Show me you’ve got the skill!”
With that, the Li and Xiao families clashed again…
…
Elsewhere, Luo Jiutian sprinted through the secret realm, weaving through it until he reached a familiar mountainside.
“This place…”
His eyes narrowed at the sight.
The entrance was crescent-shaped, its weathered stone gate etched with ancient, menacing patterns, like they could devour anything.
Yes, this was the ruin he’d explored with Su Wan’er in a simulation—the resting place of the Disaster-Breaking Stone.
Luo Jiutian stopped, standing before the gate, exhaling softly.
Behind him, the sound of breaking air grew closer, spiritual fluctuations approaching fast.
Luo Chen appeared first, followed by Luo Yuanshan, Luo Yan, Su Zimo, Su Xinyan, and other Luo and Su disciples.
Luo Chen spotted Luo Jiutian by the gate and sneered: “Keep running, why’d you stop? Or—”
Before he could finish, Luo Jiutian stepped forward, charging into the ruin.
Luo Chen’s words caught in his throat, his face darkening: “Damn it, can’t you let me finish my line?”
Without hesitation, he pursued.
Su Zimo eyed the entrance, hesitant, but ordered: “Follow.”
The others entered after him.
Inside, the path was clear. Luo Jiutian ran swiftly, with Luo Chen and the others in relentless pursuit.
Soon, they entered a vast stone chamber.
At its center stood a lone stone platform, atop which floated a dark, odd stone, its surface crisscrossed with cracks, faint black mist swirling.
Luo Jiutian stopped before the platform, turning to face the group, expression calm.
Luo Chen and the others caught up, spreading out to encircle him.
Luo Chen scanned the surroundings, voice cold: “This is a dead end, Luo Jiutian. Surrender.”
Luo Jiutian ignored him, glancing at the Su members and chuckling: “Young Master, we’re all here now—no need to pretend, right?”
His words stunned the Su members, even puzzling the Luo side.
Su Zimo’s face darkened, staring at Luo Chen: “Young Master Luo, what’s he mean?”
Luo Chen, confused, was about to respond when his gaze met Luo Jiutian’s.
In that instant, a strange crimson hue flickered in Luo Jiutian’s eyes, subtle patterns flashing briefly.
Luo Chen’s heart jolted—trouble!
He tried to resist, but his mind clouded, his gaze losing focus.
Under everyone’s watch, Luo Chen spoke: “Fine, since you want to die knowing, I’ll indulge you.
From the moment the secret realm opened, luring you here was my plan. This was all a Luo family setup to trick and kill you Su members.”
The chamber fell deathly silent.
Luo Yuanshan, Luo Yan, and the two remaining Luo disciples exchanged bewildered looks.
Su Zimo’s face turned grim, his voice trembling: “Why… why would you do this?”
Luo Chen replied indifferently: “I’ve long disliked the Su family, especially Patriarch Su Wenlin.
As Luo Young Master, he didn’t even attend my recognition banquet.
Not only did he snub me, but he delayed affirming Su Wan’er’s betrothal transfer from Luo Jiutian to me.
That’s a slap to my face and the Luo family’s.”
Su Zimo’s face twisted, barely containing his rage.
“Luo Chen!” he growled. “Do you realize what you’re saying?”
Su Xinyan’s eyes reddened, teeth clenched: “Just because the Su family didn’t give you face? Because our patriarch didn’t meet you? You’d kill us?”
Her voice shook, nearly breaking: “And Su Wan’er, that wench… she’s openly chasing Luo Jiutian, and you still want her?”
Luo Chen ignored their fury, turning to Luo Jiutian calmly: “Brother Jiutian, thanks for your effort. You can go in peace now.”
Luo Jiutian frowned, his eyes showing three parts surprise, three parts confusion, and four parts disbelief: “Young Master, you’re… cutting ties after using me?”
At that moment, the strange turmoil in Luo Chen’s mind vanished, his clarity returning.
His eyes locked on the recording stone in Luo Jiutian’s hand.
A chill ran down his spine.
Realizing something, his pupils shrank, his face pale:
“No—”