Chapter 481: Chapter Four Hundred and Seventy-Seven:

Test

Although it was already known that Tang Luo was not your average young master, his magnitude of generosity was still enough to shock. All Du Ting could do was respond with a bitter smile: “As you command.”

Tang Luo nodded, turning to Du Sha and Sun Jinfang: “Time is of the essence. Let’s make a trip to the Xiao family.”

Having given his orders, it was time to get to work. Du Ting and company went out to greet the chaotic crowd of the Righteous Gang, while Tang Luo and his group headed for the other two main peaks of Red Cloud Mountain.

Adhering to the principle of conserving Spiritual Power, Tang Luo sat astride a cloud creature, alongside two Fierce Realm warriors, their impressive appearances creating quite the spectacle in flight.

The Xiao family’s watchtowers spotted this unusual group from a distance and hurriedly informed Xiao Zheng, who was in a meeting with the clan chiefs.

Although the junior chieftain of the Xiao Family was Xiao Qi, the person managing the projects on the two peaks was Xiao Zheng, the family’s “God of Wealth”. Everyone had noticed that sometimes getting things done through Xiao Zheng was faster than going through Xiao Qi. Just within two months, Xiao Zheng’s camp became the headquarters coordinating the two main peaks. Now, even when the guards spotted an uninvited guest, they immediately informed Xiao Zheng.

Therefore, when Tang Luo and his group arrived at the camp, they were greeted by Xiao Zheng and Xiao Qi, without a trace of Xiao Jinlin.

“Tang Tianjiao’s very presence brings glory to the Xiao family. What brings you here this time?” Due to Mi Bai, Xiao Zheng had a good impression of Tang Luo. Moreover, since the Tang Clan and Xiao Family had secretly formed an alliance, he believed that Tang Zhi should have discussed this with him, thus his attitude was very friendly.

However, Tang Luo knew nothing about the secret alliance between the two families. He was here to collect rent. Upon hearing Xiao Zheng’s question, he dismounted from the cloud creature, stepped forward to face him and calmly said, “The owner of Red Cloud Mountain invites the chieftain of the Xiao family for a meeting, to discuss the lease of the two main peaks of the Red Cloud

Mountain.”

His tone resonated dominance, like a real landlord, making Xiao Zheng and Xiao Qi feel uncomfortable. Xiao Zheng begrudgingly responded with a bitter smile, “Tang Tianjiao, don’t kid around. Red Cloud Mountain existed to the east of Xiling before the city was founded. How could it be someone’s private property? Even the Du Family is just the guardian, not the owner, of Red Cloud Mountain. When the Xiao Family and other clans took refuge in the mountains, they committed no offense against the people living there. Rather, they deterred evil doers. But now, you show up suggesting we discuss lease terms. Isn’t this hurting the hearts of the clans in Xiling?

Xiao Zheng now confirmed that Tang Tianjiao didn’t know about the alliance between the two families. Otherwise, Tang Tianjiao wouldn’t have come to demand rent. However, this made matters complicated. He was genuinely intimidated by this young master who dared to kill Mi Chu in the Jiang Forest, triggering a battle among dozens of Fierce Realm warriors. So, he could only try to persuade him.

“The Du Family has transferred the rights of Red Cloud Mountain to me so I am its owner from today. The two peaks that the Xiao Family is occupying belong to me. If you, the Xiao Family and these other prominent clans, proclaim to pursue peace, let’s proceed according to the business practices of peaceful times.” Tang Luo stated flatly, “I’m willing to lease the two main peaks to the Xiao Family and any other clans who intend to respect ownership, but you need to pay me the corresponding fees. That’s fair, isn’t it?” Xiao Zheng and Xiao Qi exchanged helpless glances. They desperately wanted to tell Tang Luo that the two families had already formed an alliance so there was no need for this, but an alliance that was still secret cannot be revealed yet, which made them feel powerless.

At a time when they didn’t know how to respond, a warrior from the Xiao family ran to the gate of the camp and said to Tang Luo, “The Clan Chief has ordered that Tang Tianjiao be invited into the tent for a meeting.”

“I was thinking the same. Please lead the way.” Tang Luo walked past Xiao Zheng and Xiao Qi and headed toward the tent. Sun Jinfang and Du Sha were about to follow, but Xiao Qi stopped them, “The chief only invited Tang Tianjiao. Please, Du Clan Head and Master Sun, wait outside.” Overhearing Xiao Qi’s words, Tang Luo, who was moving forward, immediately stopped, turned back and scolded, “Is this how your Xiao family treats its guests? Do you abandon all decorum at the first sight of a disaster?

Xiao Qi’s face darkened at this and he could only respond with resignation, “Thank you for your reminder, Tang Tianjiao. I will order tea and sweep the bedrooms. Meanwhile, please wait for Tang Tianjiao’s return.”

Du Sha and Sun Jinfang looked at Tang Luo to gauge if this was acceptable. All they heard was Tang Luo reply, “Would you both kindly wait for a while? I’ll be back shortly.”

He had brought along two powerful individuals for protection. But at this point of the negotiation, neither Sun Jinfang nor Du Sha could assist him, so Tang Luo generously suggested they rest with some tea.

Reluctantly envisaging talking to Xiao Jinlin, who was reputed to be Xiling’s most powerful individual, Tang Luo felt uneasy. Since childhood, he had heard many legendary tales about the head of the Xiao family.

A genius beyond compare, the owner of the Earth Spirit Body, studied in sects from an early age, a formidable fighter when he returned to Xiling in his twenties, he was victorious in every battle, and suppressed heroes from both the Tang and Mi clans.

Today, probably all the prominent elders from both the Tang and Mi families were defeated by Xiao Jinlin in their youth. This gave the Xiao family leader a legendary aura.

As a Xiao warrior led Tang Luo deep into the camp, he saw a huge tent. Just looking at the situation, he couldn’t help but curse inwardly, “I knew I should have brought Du Sha.”

He saw dozens of peak Refining Realm warriors standing on either side of the camp road in front of the tent. Behind each warrior, multiple dragon images rose and twisted above the camp road.

At the end of the camp road, lined by over a hundred dragon images was the entrance of the tent. You wouldn’t need to think too hard to realize that this was a test by the Xiao clan leader. If one couldn’t pass through this route, there would be no reason for them to meet.

Unsurprisingly, a defiant young man in a red robe and red hair stood at the head of the line, addressing Tang Luo, “The clan leader says if you can pass this Hundred-Dragon Camp Road, we can discuss the rent. But if you can’t, please go back and train harder.”

As Xiling’s strongest martial artist, Xiao Jinlin obviously wouldn’t engage with Tang Luo directly, but setting a small test wouldn’t dispute anyone.

To pass through this camp road meant to withstand hundreds of different attribute attacks simultaneously. Even an average Fierce Realm practitioner would probably retreat gloomily in the face of this formation. So, Xiao Ziyu didn’t think highly of Tang Luo and reiterated as a reminder, “Each dragon image corresponds to a different attribute of Spiritual Power. Under the full-force explosion of the Monument Dragon Diagram, the spiritual damage inflicted by the dragon image would far exceed a regular Refining Realm martial artist. You should consider whether you even want to challenge this camp road.”

The Xiao family’s Monument Dragon Diagram is their ultimate secret technique, which ensured their firm seating on the third throne of West Ridge. Each dragon diagram could store nearly the same amount of Attribute Spiritual Power as a martial artist’s Spiritual Power, even though it needed to be refilled after consumption. However, in a one-time encounter, it was a top-tier attack secret technique.

Despite the defeat of Mi Chu against Tang Luo, Xiao Ziyu did not think that he was weaker than Tang Luo. He possessed eight kinds of unique flames. When fully detonated, he could even suppress some common Fierce Realm warriors. However, he could only advance one third of the way through the Hundred Dragon Camp Road before his spiritual power was completely drained. Even if Tang Luo admitted to being stronger than him, he didn’t believe that Tang Luo was twice as strong..