Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Each with Ulterior Motives

Hearing Luan Hong’s words, Zhu Tianlan’s expression finally darkened. Annoyed that Luan Hong was still putting on an act at a time like this, he said coldly, "Since you put it that way, then there’s nothing I can do."

Chairman Tai Xin of the Wushang Kingdom opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he could only shake his head helplessly.

Seeing this, Luan Hong knew that Zhu Tianlan and the others were preparing to abandon him.

’Hmph, this bunch from the Thirteen Nations Alliance are all useless. Utterly worthless.’

Luan Hong snorted coldly to himself and didn’t bother asking Zhu Tianlan or the others for help again. His body flickered, turning into a blurry afterimage as he attempted to break free from the horde of Demon Beasts.

"Brat, if we let you escape, how could we of the Demon Race ever show our faces again?"

The three great Profound Beasts snorted. They had expended so much effort this time, only to end up with a single Seven-Colored Lotus. They were furious. If they let Luan Hong get away now, they might as well find a rock and bash their heads in.

BOOM!

Red Flame’s body radiated a sharp, fiery aura as it lashed out with a palm strike toward Luan Hong. The attack, glowing with a red radiance, was about to land when a white, luminous arc instantly burst forth from within Luan Hong’s body.

The white light was hazy and didn’t seem particularly powerful, but Red Flame’s palm felt as if it had struck an immovable mountain, unable to advance another inch.

This sudden turn of events left all the Demon Beasts and human Martial Artists present stunned.

’Incredible. What kind of protective treasure could he possibly have to block a full-powered attack from a Tier Five Profound Beast?’

The eyes of the human Martial Artists gleamed with greed, and a rapacious glint flashed through the eyes of Zuo Yi Alliance and his men.

While the human Martial Artists were astonished, Red Flame and the other beasts were enraged.

’There are so many of us Demon Beasts here. If we can’t even stop one single human Martial Artist, how can we save face?’

ROAR!

Red Flame suddenly roared in anger, spewing a great column of red flame from its mouth. The column shot out abruptly, like a laser.

With a loud BANG, the white light protecting Luan Hong shattered, revealing him.

By this time, Black Netherworld and the other Profound Beasts had also caught up.

"Die, brat!"

An invisible black wave pulsed wildly from Black Netherworld’s pitch-black form, coalescing into a spear of judgment that pierced Luan Hong. Following a tremendous boom, Luan Hong’s body was instantly torn asunder.

However, not a single drop of blood spilled from his body.

"It’s a talisman decoy."

"Just how many treasures does this kid have?"

"Get him! The Earth Fire and the roots of the Seven-Colored Lotus must be on him."

The Profound Beasts were all enraged. They commanded the Demon Beasts to charge with manic fury in a completely reckless assault.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Stream after stream of light washed over Luan Hong, like a downpour of colorful raindrops from the heavens.

Luan Hong’s expression turned grim. The number of Demon Beasts was simply too great. Though he had many treasures and considerable strength, being besieged by so many Demon Beasts left him overwhelmed and flustered.

With no other choice, he quickly shot a meaningful look at Ye Fanxing and his group in the crowd.

"As members of the Thirteen Nations Alliance, are you all just going to stand by and do nothing? My strength may be lacking, but I, Ye Fanxing, can no longer stomach your inaction!"

Upon receiving the signal, Ye Fanxing and his group let out a righteous-sounding cry and quickly converged with Luan Hong.

HUMMM.

Rays of light bloomed from their bodies, forming a grand formation. A hazy light emanated from the formation, quickly blocking the onslaught of the numerous Profound and Demon Beasts. The four of them charged out of the underground cavern together, soaring rapidly toward the surface.

"After them!"

How could Red Flame and the others be willing to just let Luan Hong’s group escape? They immediately gave chase.

"Chairman Tai Xin, the man is incredibly strong and has so many treasures. He’s probably much stronger than you are. Why would he ever need your help?" Zuo Yi Alliance sneered.

Tai Xin’s face flushed red, and he was speechless for a long moment.

Zuo Yi Alliance wasn’t wrong. If it had been him in Luan Hong’s place just now, he, the chairman of the Wushang Kingdom’s Soul Master Tower, would have died ten times over.

"Those guys are definitely not from our Thirteen Nations Alliance. And that grand formation they created at the end... to be able to instantly block the attacks of so many Tier Five Demon Beasts and Profound Beasts, they must have a formidable background."

one Martial Artist said, shaken.

The other Martial Artists also came to a realization. Luan Hong and Ye Fanxing’s group were supposedly from several different kingdoms, yet they could instantly form a grand formation that no one had ever seen. Combining that with their performance at the Floating Light Assembly, one would have to be an idiot not to realize something was fishy about them.

"Who are they really? What is their purpose for infiltrating our Thirteen Nations Alliance?"

"Could they be geniuses from the continent’s top powers?"

A dark thought crossed many of their minds. If the Thirteen Nations Alliance was being coveted by the top powers of the continent, then their own positions would become perilous.

"Chairman Zhu Tianlan, it seems our Thirteen Nations Alliance is in for some troubled times."

Chairman Dongfang Yanyu added gravely.

"Chairman Dongfang Yanyu, I think you should worry about yourself. If that Luan Hong is a genius from an outside power, then your Liuyun Kingdom’s Ye Xuan is probably not much better," Chairman Xuu Xin Hua sneered. "In my opinion, if anyone sees that Ye Xuan in the Floating Light Secret Realm, they should capture him and interrogate him thoroughly about his purpose for infiltrating our Thirteen Nations Alliance."

As soon as he spoke, many people turned their gazes to Dongfang Yanyu. Indeed, Ye Xuan’s performance at the Floating Light Assembly had been even more terrifying than Luan Hong’s.

"Xuu Xin Hua, if you’re jealous of my Liuyun Kingdom’s genius, just say so. Why resort to such dirty tricks?" Dongfang Yanyu cupped his hands to the crowd and said, "Everyone, I don’t know about Luan Hong and his group, but this Ye Xuan is, without a doubt, a disciple of my Liuyun Kingdom. His parents, relatives, and family are all in the Liuyun Kingdom. He grew up there from childhood. There is absolutely no mistake about this."

"Alright, let’s all stop making wild guesses. Since Chairman Dongfang Yanyu has said so, I trust that Ye Xuan’s background is clean," Chairman Zhu Tianlan said calmly.

"Whether Ye Xuan is clean or not, I don’t know. But I am very curious, Chairman Dongfang Yanyu, what do you plan to do with that Seven-Colored Lotus you obtained?" Zuo Yi Alliance suddenly sneered.

"That’s right. So many of us have worked so hard for so many days, only to come back empty-handed. Only your group, Dongfang Yanyu, obtained a lotus. That seems a bit unfair," Xuu Xin Hua said, his gaze cold.

Seeing everyone’s stares, Dongfang Yanyu smirked. "What’s unfair about it? This lotus was obtained by my Liuyun Kingdom, so it naturally belongs to my Liuyun Kingdom. This was agreed upon from the very beginning. Are you all thinking of going back on your word now? That’s not how it works."

"Besides, Chairman Zuo Yi Alliance, apart from me, didn’t your Dongsheng Kingdom’s disciple Ye Fanxing also get a Seven-Colored Lotus? You don’t go asking him for it, but instead come to me. Isn’t that ridiculous? Or do you think I, Dongfang Yanyu, am an easy target?"

"Chairman Dongfang Yanyu is right. Chairman Zuo Yi Alliance, your behavior is dishonorable. I want a Seven-Colored Lotus too, but I, Wei Guang, would never stoop to snatching someone else’s. I can’t afford the shame." Chairman Wei Guang of the Shizhen Kingdom was on good terms with Dongfang Yanyu and naturally stood by his side.

But those who thought this way were in the minority. Many had been swayed by Zuo Yi Alliance’s words, which had aroused the greed in their hearts.

For a moment, everyone’s gaze was fixed on Zhu Tianlan.

"Whoever gets one, keeps it. That was decided from the very beginning. What is there to discuss?"

Zhu Tianlan frowned. His words immediately extinguished any hope they had.

"Since the treasures are all gone, there’s no point in us staying any longer. I’ll take my leave, everyone."

Seeing no benefit to be gained, Zuo Yi Alliance wasted no more words, turned, and left the underground cavern.

"Farewell."

Xuu Xin Hua cupped his hands and also rushed out.

Seeing the two of them leave in such a hurry, and noting the direction they went, everyone suddenly realized: they had their eyes on the treasures that Luan Hong and Ye Fanxing’s group possessed.

At this thought, many people’s eyes lit up. They said their goodbyes one after another and left. In an instant, the number of people in the cave had been cut in half.

「At this very moment, in a cave outside the mountain peak, Ye Xuan was sitting cross-legged.」

A crimson flame flared around his body before slowly receding back into him.

PHEW!

As he exhaled a turbid breath, a smile appeared on Ye Xuan’s face.

’I’ve finally gained full control over the Endless Molten Flame.’

Ye Xuan was indescribably thrilled to have mastered the first Celestial Fire of his life.

WHOOSH!

A jet of flame suddenly shot from Ye Xuan’s hand. A rock in front of him was instantly incinerated, melting into a flowing pool of lava.

SQUEAK SQUEAK!

The Little Purple Mink appeared on Ye Xuan’s shoulder, a trace of surprise on its delicate face. It was clearly shocked that Ye Xuan had managed to obtain a Celestial Fire.

"Alright, little one, what did you get?"

Ye Xuan picked up the Little Purple Mink and gave it a good shake.

PLOP. PLOP.

Four Seven-Colored Lotuses all fell out.

’It actually got four of them.’

Ye Xuan was astonished.

Snatching four Seven-Colored Lotuses from among so many Demon Beasts and human Martial Artists completely exceeded his expectations.

In his opinion, it would have been more than enough if the Little Purple Mink had managed to grab just one.

SQUEAK SQUEAK!

The Little Purple Mink grew frantic. Baring its fangs and waving its claws, it shielded all four lotuses under its body, looking as if it would fight to the death.

"You little treasure-hoarder, you’ve eaten so many of my Spirit Medicines. It’s time you gave something back."

"How about this: I’ll take two, and you can have the other two."

Ye Xuan didn’t stand on ceremony, tucking two Seven-Colored Lotuses into his pouch. The Little Purple Mink puffed out its cheeks and glared, furious but helpless.