Seeing his sincere expression, Xiao Chen didn't hold his previous displeasure against him and waved his hand gently: "It was nothing. Miss Lu saved me, so it's only right that I help the Lu family."
Standing to the side, Lu Yuexi watched her brother's respectful demeanor towards Xiao Chen and the mess on the ground, her gratitude towards Xiao Chen deepened even further.
If it weren't for Xiao Chen, the Lu family would probably have lost the Yunlan Mountain Range today, and she might even have fallen into He Xin's hands.
When Lu Duxian heard Xiao Chen say "It's alright," his tense shoulders relaxed slightly, but he still maintained a serious expression.
Looking at Xiao Chen, he continued, "Brother Xiao, to be honest, the He family sent He Xin to the Yunlan Mountains this time only to test the waters. The real trouble is yet to come."
Lu Yuexi frowned, tugged at Lu Duxian's sleeve, and said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Brother, Brother Xiao just helped us deal with He Xin and has already repaid the favor of saving our lives. How can you trouble him again?"
She didn't want Xiao Chen to get involved in even bigger conflicts because of the Lu family's affairs, after all, the He family's strength was far more than what it was at the moment.
Lu Duxian shook his head, his eyes resolute: "Little sister, this isn't a problem, it's that the Lu family really has no other choice. Brother Xiao is a very capable man, and only he can help the Lu family overcome this crisis."
Xiao Chen watched the siblings argue, then smiled faintly and continued walking: "Tell me what it is."
Seeing that Xiao Chen was willing to listen, Lu Duxian quickly followed, leading the two towards the Lu family residence.
He lowered his voice and explained the situation in Yong'an City in detail: "Brother Xiao, you may not know, but the He family is now much stronger than our Lu family."
“Their patriarch, He Xiong, is at the peak of Nirvana Realm, and another elder, He Shan, is at the eighth level of Nirvana Realm. Our Lu family, on the other hand, only has my father and the First Elder, both at the eighth level of Nirvana Realm. We are no match for the He family.”
"Over the years, the He family has been trying to seize the Yunlan Mountain Range from our Lu family, but they have never dared to push too far."
"Because if our Lu family goes all out and fights to the death, resulting in mutual destruction, the biggest benefit will be taken by the City Lord's Mansion. The person in the City Lord's Mansion is a half-step Tai Xu existence, and the He family can't afford to offend him."
Xiao Chen nodded, finally understanding why the He family had only sent He Xin with guards to harass them instead of sending powerful experts to launch a direct attack.
It turns out they were afraid the city lord's mansion would take advantage of them.
Lu Duxian continued, "Some time ago, the He family couldn't hold back any longer, but they didn't want to fight us to the death, so they proposed an agreement:
The younger generation from both families will compete in three matches; the one who wins two will gain ownership of the Yunlan Mountain Range. Furthermore, for the sake of 'fairness,' each family can also hire one outside helper to participate.
When the word "fairness" came up, Lu Duxian's tone was full of helplessness: "The younger generation of the He family is already stronger than our Lu family, and they can even hire outside help. How is that fair?"
“But our Lu family is weak, so we have no choice but to agree reluctantly. If we don’t agree, the He family will have a reason to take action directly, and then we won’t even have a chance to resist.”
At this point, Lu Duxian stopped, turned around, and bowed deeply to Xiao Chen, his tone pleading: "Brother Xiao, I know this request is presumptuous, but the Lu family really has no other choice."
"I would like to ask you to be our Lu family's ally in this competition, to help us protect the Yunlan Mountain Range. If you are willing to help us, the Lu family is willing to give up half of the spiritual vein's profits as a reward!"
He knew that Xiao Chen's strength was far beyond that of an ordinary Nirvana Realm cultivator, and only with Xiao Chen as an outsider could the Lu family have a chance of winning.
Lu Yuexi stood aside, offering no further rebuttal. She knew that this was the Lu family's only hope at the moment.
Looking at Xiao Chen, her eyes were full of apology: "Brother Xiao, if you are unwilling, it is okay, we will not blame you."
Xiao Chen looked at Lu Duxian, who was bowing, and then at Lu Yuexi, who looked apologetic, and remained silent for a moment.
His purpose in this training was to hone his skills, and the younger generation of the He family, along with external assistance, might allow him to get some experience.
Moreover, the Lu family had saved him, and he had helped them protect the mountain range, so this could be considered as repaying their favor.
He reached out and helped Lu Duxian up, his tone still calm: "No need for repayment, I can help you. However, I have one condition."
Upon hearing this, Lu Duxian's face instantly lit up with ecstasy, and he quickly said, "Brother Xiao, please speak! As long as the Lu family can do it, we will definitely agree!"
"During the competition, let me deal with the He family's outside help," Xiao Chen said slowly, a hint of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes.
He wanted to see what kind of helpers the He family could bring in, and whether they were worth his time.
The group returned to the Lu residence in the afterglow of the setting sun, passing through layers of courtyards, and finally arrived at the main hall of the Lu family.
The main hall is built of thousand-year-old nanmu wood, and several bright white spirit lamps hang inside, their soft light illuminating the furnishings and giving the hall a solemn and ancient feel.
A middle-aged man dressed in a dark purple brocade robe was already waiting in the hall.
His face bore a resemblance to Lu Duxian's, but he appeared more composed, with a hint of weariness in his brows, yet still unable to conceal the air of someone in a superior position.
It was Lu Zhenhai, the head of the Lu family.
Upon seeing Xiao Chen, Lu Zhenhai quickly stepped forward, a sincere smile on his face, and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Young friend Xiao, thank you so much for saving my daughter Yuexi today. You not only saved the Lu family but also helped them resolve the crisis in the Yunlan Mountains. I am deeply grateful!"
He had already learned of Xiao Chen's strength from Lu Duxian, and therefore treated Xiao Chen with exceptional respect.
Xiao Chen nodded slightly, his tone indifferent: "Patriarch Lu, you're too kind. It was nothing."
Lu Zhenhai invited everyone to sit down. After the maid served him spiritual tea, he spoke with a solemn expression: "Young friend Xiao, Du Xian should have told you about the competition among the younger generation."
"There's something I have to be honest with you about: the outside help the He family hired has a complicated background."
He paused, then lowered his voice and said, "The He family has invited a core disciple of the Yuan Yang Sect this time, named Zhao Lie, who is said to have already reached the half-step Tai Xu realm."
"Moreover, the Yuanyang Sect has considerable influence in this region, and Zhao Lie's strength is far beyond that of an ordinary half-step Taixu."
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became heavy.
Lu Duxian and Lu Yuexi's expressions changed slightly. A half-step Taixu Realm cultivator was even stronger than their father, Lu Zhenhai.
Can we defeat such an opponent?
Xiao Chen simply picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and put it down, saying calmly, "It's alright, leave it to me."
His tone was nonchalant, as if he were speaking not to a half-step Tai Xu Realm expert, but to an ordinary cultivator.
Seeing Xiao Chen's composure, Lu Zhenhai's worries dissipated considerably. He solemnly said to Xiao Chen:
"Young friend Xiao, if you can truly help the Lu family win the competition and protect the Yunlan Mountain Range, then in the future, as long as you have any requests, the entire Lu family will definitely do our utmost to assist you and will never refuse!"
"No need." Xiao Chen shook his head, his tone still calm. "I helped the Lu family only to repay Miss Lu for saving my life, not for any reward."
After saying that, he stood up: "Patriarch Lu, if the time for the competition is set, just let me know. I'm going to rest now."
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