Chapter 20: Undercurrents Rising

Deep within the Azure Cloud Secret Realm, in a low-lying stretch of forest—

A group of cultivators, their attire uniform, moved silently through the trees. All bore the same identity: disciples of the Li Clan.

At the head of the formation strode a burly man with rugged features—none other than the Li clan’s field commander:

Li Daming.

“This time, luck’s on our side. Seems the rumors were false—we didn’t get scattered all over after being teleported in.” Someone in the team sighed in relief.

“Yeah, if we’d landed far apart, forget opportunities—just reuniting would’ve been hard enough.”

“Heh, maybe this time we’ll really get our hands on some treasures.”

Several younger clan members whispered excitedly, unable to hide the gleam in their eyes.

But before they could carry on for long, Li Daming halted abruptly and glanced over his shoulder.

The chatter died instantly. Every gaze locked on him.

Li Daming’s eyes swept across their faces one by one. His voice rumbled deep and steady:

“Don’t think a stroke of luck means we can relax. The Azure Cloud Secret Realm isn’t some playground. Every person allowed in here—do you think any of them are weaklings?”

The words dropped like a weight. Laughter vanished. Several heads bowed.

Seeing this, Li Daming’s tone softened slightly.

“The orders from above were clear. The Li Clan entered this realm for two reasons—”

He raised two thick fingers.

“One: seize opportunities.
Two: kill members of the Luo Clan.

And remember the order—treasures first. No messing around.”

He paused, then added in a quieter voice:

“We all know what identities we carry. Before you act, make sure you don’t leave evidence behind.”

At that, someone asked hesitantly, “Big brother… what if we run into Luo Chen?”

Li Daming’s eyes narrowed coldly.

“Luo Chen—you all know his reputation. Current young master of the Luo Clan. Ruthless, calculating. If you see him, avoid him if possible. Don’t make trouble.”

Another voice probed nervously: “Then… What about Luo Jiutian?”

The moment that name left his lips, the air turned heavy.

Every pair of eyes turned toward Li Daming.

The story of Luo Jiutian’s brutal defeat of Luo Chen had spread far and wide. Those who’d witnessed it firsthand still shivered at the memory.

Luo Chen was dangerous—but Luo Jiutian? Terrifying.

Li Daming gave no answer. He simply skipped the question.

Everyone understood. Silence fell.

After a few breaths, Li Daming’s gaze turned forward again. His voice shifted low and deliberate.

“Target the weaker ones first. Leave signs pointing toward those two. They already hate each other—let’s pour oil on the fire and let the Luo Clan tear itself apart.”

The others exchanged looks, then nodded.

Li Daming tossed a casual warning:

“Li Zhongjie—don’t play the fool this time. Stay close.”

No reply.

Li Daming’s brow furrowed sharply. The others followed his line of sight—

And froze.

The man who should have been bringing up the rear… was gone.

The scene shifted.

Luo Jiutian stood in another part of the forest, his eyes locked on the figure before him.

The man leaned casually against an ancient tree, arms crossed, gaze sharp—no trace of the usual silly demeanor.

“The second young master of the Li Clan, waiting here on purpose?” Luo Jiutian’s voice was unhurried, tinged with a smile. He walked a few steps closer, studying him. “I wonder what business Li Zhongjie has.”

Li Zhongjie’s expression was calm. He spoke bluntly:

“The Li Clan intends to strike inside the secret realm. Their target—members of the Luo Clan. You’d better watch yourself.”

“Oh?” Luo Jiutian raised a brow. “So straightforward—am I supposed to be touched?”

“Believe it or not, that’s your choice.” Zhongjie didn’t waste words. “They probably won’t go after you first. But the rest of the Luo clan won’t get that courtesy.”

“That’s interesting.” Luo Jiutian chuckled faintly. “But I’m just an outsider. Hardly my place to interfere. Who knows—maybe one day I’ll slip up, and your clan won’t need to dirty their hands at all.”

Zhongjie’s brows knit slightly. “…Seems I underestimated your cold-bloodedness.”

“Thanks for the compliment.” Luo Jiutian’s smile only grew brighter. “But you—dropping the act all of a sudden. Is it because you trust I won’t spread this? Or because you’ve already given up on returning to the Li Clan?”

Li Zhongjie didn’t answer at once. He simply glanced at him.

“I’ve said what I needed to. The rest is up to you.”

He turned crisply, striding away.

“Take care, Second Young Master of the Li Clan,” Luo Jiutian called after him with a grin.

Zhongjie didn’t stop. He only lifted a hand in farewell before vanishing into the trees.

Luo Jiutian stood still, his eyes narrowing.

After a long pause, he pivoted and set off toward the heart of the secret realm.

Along the way, wild spiritual plants grew in abundance.

Luo Jiutian plucked some idly, pocketing only the useful ones and discarding the rest. No point wasting time.

None of the finds were particularly precious, but the sheer volume promised tidy profit if sold.

He wasn’t in a rush. Instead, he advanced steadily, observing the terrain while casually gathering loot.

Eventually, the landscape tightened ahead—a mountain pass came into view.

Twin cliffs hemmed in the path, forming a broad clearing between. The ground was level, easy to cross.

Luo Jiutian paused briefly, then stepped inside.

The gorge was hushed. Wind muted by stone. Only the crunch of his own footsteps echoed faintly.

Vegetation was sparse. A few shrubs clung to the cliff base. Dry leaves skittered, lifted and dropped by stray breezes.

Halfway through, he stopped suddenly.

“Come out. No need to hide.”

The words rolled through the air.

A ripple of energy shivered across the clearing—

And shadows emerged from all sides.

At the front, Luo Chen stood with hands clasped behind his back, smiling smoothly.

“As expected of Brother Jiutian—your instincts are razor-sharp.”

Beside him lined up Luo Yuanshan, Luo Yan, Su Zimo, and Su Xinyuan.

Another six Luo clan disciples spread out, positions precise. Clearly, this had been set long in advance.

Luo Chen stepped forward, his tone gracious:

“Brother Jiutian, our clan sent us here with one goal: to seize every opportunity the secret realm offers, and bring glory to the Luo family.”

“Fortunes here are precious. Of course, the strong will claim them. But if we pool our strength and share the harvest, the clan prospers—and so do we.”

His smile sharpened, eyes glinting.

“I know you prefer to act alone, to bow to no one. But this time… it’s different.

Whatever you gain—if you hand it to the clan, the clan will see you rewarded. You won’t suffer loss.”

Then his voice cooled.

“However… If one insists on going their own way, the elders will be disappointed. And others may begin to suspect a heart divided from the clan.

At that point, things could get… messy. Don’t you think so?”

The air thickened with an unspoken threat.

Luo Jiutian understood perfectly.

Moral coercion.

Agree, and he’d work for free.

Refuse, and they’d have justification to attack.

Unruffled, his gaze slid past Luo Chen, settling on Su Zimo and Su Xinyuan.

“You two—disciples of the Su Clan. Are you sure you want to muddy yourselves in Luo family affairs?”

Su Zimo twirled his folding fan open with a chuckle.

“Brother Jiutian jests. I am merely a guest here, standing by only to see justice served within the Luo Clan.”

Beside him, Su Xinyuan shook her head.

“Luo Jiutian, give up. This situation is beyond you alone.

Our young master, Luo Chen, is broad-minded and methodical. We only wish to minimize conflict. If you cooperate, everyone can step back peacefully.”

Jiutian didn’t reply. His eyes shifted instead to Luo Yuanshan and Luo Yan.

“What about you two?”

Yuanshan flinched slightly, eyes flickering. He said nothing.

Luo Yan, who’d been staring hard at Jiutian, turned his head aside, avoiding his gaze.

Neither spoke. Their silence was enough.

Luo Jiutian let out a soft sigh.

“So. No room for discussion, then.”