As soon as Zheng Hongzhi departed, the entire council hall erupted into an uproar.
"Zheng Hongzhi and his faction control most of the family’s transportation channels. Now that they’re gone, what are we going to do...?"
"Exactly! At this critical juncture, other families won’t cooperate with us either."
"If this continues, it will surely result in chaos! Luo Feng’s decision might have been too rash..."
A flurry of discussion broke out among the Luo Family’s upper echelons, all debating the family’s future. Although no one voiced it directly, many felt Luo Feng’s decision had been too impetuous.
Finally, an elderly man with white hair stood up.
This man was Luo Xiong, Luotian’s second grand-uncle. His seniority was the highest in the family, and he commanded great prestige within the Luo Family.
"Luotian, Zheng Hongzhi and his faction acted insubordinately, even intending to usurp power and split the family. Expelling them was the right decision. However, now is not the most opportune time."
"The current situation in Panlong City is already very unfavorable for our Luo Family. Without the channels they controlled, I’m afraid we won’t last long. As the Family Head, you must devise a plan."
The others quieted down, all looking towards Luotian.
Sweat beaded on Luotian’s forehead. If he had a solution, he wouldn’t have been threatened by Zheng Hongzhi and his faction in the first place. He couldn’t help but look towards Luo Feng, who was beside him.
Luo Feng gave a faint smile and walked up to Luo Xiong.
"Grand-uncle, please don’t worry about the transportation channels. The Feng Family has already agreed to cooperate with us."
The moment Luo Feng said this, the entire hall erupted. If they had the Feng Family’s support, the issue of transportation channels would indeed be resolved.
"But Feng Yutang is as cunning as a rat, prioritizing only his own interests. Would he really help us in this situation?" A skeptical voice rose from the hall.
Luo Xiong also looked gravely at Luo Feng. "Luo Feng, this concerns the very survival of our family. You mustn’t speak recklessly!"
He, too, found it hard to believe that the Feng Family would cooperate with the Luo Family at such a critical time.
"How could I speak recklessly about such a serious matter?"
Luo Feng directly produced the cooperation agreement with the Feng Family, unfurling it with a sharp SNAP as he loudly declared, "This is the cooperation agreement between the Feng Family and us!"
"What! A cooperation agreement!" The hall buzzed with astonishment.
If it truly was a cooperation agreement, then the collaboration between the Feng Family and the Luo Family was a done deal.
But for such a significant matter as cooperation with the Feng Family to occur without them hearing so much as a whisper was simply incredible, leaving everyone both surprised and skeptical.
"Grand-uncle, please take a look."
Luo Feng held the agreement, displaying it for Luo Xiong to see, carefully using his thumb to cover the last line detailing Feng Lingyue’s condition.
After Luo Xiong glanced at it, the wrinkles on his face smoothed out. He chuckled, stroking his long beard. "Very good, very good! This cooperation agreement is real."
"It’s truly real! Our Luo Family is saved!"
A wave of excitement swept through the Luo Family members in the hall, their faces alight with emotion.
"Feng Er, let me see!" Luotian, who could no longer sit still, hurried over.
Luo Feng glanced at Luotian and handed him the agreement.
Luotian read the agreement word by word. When his eyes reached the final line, his gaze faltered for a moment but he quickly concealed it. He immediately put the agreement away and burst into laughter.
"Heaven will not let our Luo Family perish!"
Luo Xiong’s eyes glinted. Looking at Luo Feng, he then smiled at Luotian. "Luotian, you have a fine son."
Being old and shrewd, how could Luo Xiong not realize that Luotian himself had only just learned of this agreement’s existence?
In other words, this agreement was entirely Luo Feng’s doing!
Luotian’s face beamed with pride, and he cast an admiring glance at Luo Feng. Luo Feng had given him far too many surprises today!
"Everyone, don’t be in a hurry to leave today! Let’s celebrate properly—it’s my treat!" Luotian, beaming, waved his hand magnanimously.
This family meeting had not only resolved the major threat of Zheng Hongzhi, but Luo Feng’s strength had also astonished Luotian, making him feel as if he had regained a decade of his youth.
"Congratulations, Family Head!"
The others also rose and congratulated Luotian, then gradually dispersed.
A short while later, only Luotian and Luo Feng remained in the once-bustling council hall.
"Feng Er, what’s the deal with this agreement? How is it that I haven’t heard anything about it at all?" Seeing that everyone had left, Luotian took out the agreement and questioned Luo Feng.
Knowing he could no longer evade, Luo Feng briefly recounted his visit to the Feng Family that morning.
So it was that girl Lingyue,
Luo Feng’s gaze was firm as he stated solemnly, "Father, if I wasn’t confident of surpassing the Li Family and making our family the foremost one, I would not have accepted this cooperation agreement, even if Feng Lingyue had offered her help!"
Seeing Luo Feng’s confidence, Luotian’s eyes lit up, and a smile appeared on his face. "You rascal! I haven’t seen you for two years, and your ability to keep things under wraps has certainly grown. A true man’s word is his bond; I expect you to deliver on your promise!"
"Mm!" Luotian nodded.
After bidding his father farewell, Luo Feng left the council hall and headed straight for his own courtyard.
"Young Master, you’re back!"
Upon seeing Luo Feng’s return, Zi Ling immediately rushed to greet him, her large eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
"Young Master, you were so magnificent today! Everyone is talking about your performance in the council hall, calling you a genius! They say you left Zheng Hongzhi and his son utterly stunned and submissive."
"Oh, really? You think so too?" Luo Feng touched his nose and smiled.
Zi Ling nodded vigorously, her small shoulders trembling slightly as tears welled up in her eyes again.
"Silly girl, your Young Master was awe-inspiring today. You should be happy for me, why are you crying?" Luo Feng gently ruffled Zi Ling’s hair.
Lifting her small face, Zi Ling forced a smile, pouting as she said, "Zi Ling is just overjoyed! People used to speak ill of you, Young Master! Let’s see who dares to now! They’re all envious that Zi Ling can stay by your side."
"Haha... Zi Ling, let them be envious. In the future, I’ll make the entire Canglan Dynasty—no, the entire True Martial Continent—envy you!" Luo Feng laughed heartily.
Zi Ling stared at Luo Feng, transfixed, a peculiar light shining in her bright, clear eyes.
If it were anyone else who had said such words, she would undoubtedly have called them a madman, but for some inexplicable reason, she believed Luo Feng could achieve it.
After comforting Zi Ling for a moment, Luo Feng retrieved the Tiger Soul Saber from his room, preparing to practice.
It’s always inconvenient not having my weapon with me. If only I had a storage-type Spiritual Artifact,
Luo Feng looked at the Tiger Soul Saber, which was nearly as tall as he was, and recalled Bing Ruolan’s storage bracelet, a look of envy in his eyes.
I must find an opportunity to acquire a storage-type Spiritual Artifact.
Luo Feng took a deep breath, his resolve firming, and began to practice his Saber Technique.
He was now seventy percent confident of defeating the Li brothers, but that was still far from enough.
After seeing that cooperation agreement, Luo Feng could not afford even the slightest chance of failure at the Hunting Competition ten days from now!
So he had to work even harder!
The family sat around the table for dinner, which was laden with an array of rare delicacies.
"Has Xiao Er still not come out of his secluded cultivation? On such an important day, he doesn’t even show his face." Yang Qing remarked with a hint of displeasure in her refined features as she served Luo Feng food, glancing towards the doorway.
Luo Feng hadn’t returned home for two years, and she hoped the family could have a proper reunion, especially on such a significant day.
"Mother, please don’t blame Big Brother. He’s undoubtedly cultivating so diligently because he wants to contribute more to the family during the Hunting Competition," Luo Feng said with a smile.
Luo Feng had long since discerned that his elder brother’s cultivation had reached a bottleneck and he was on the verge of a breakthrough. Now that he had obtained two Yellow Rank High-Grade Martial Arts, ’Flying on Grass’ and ’Curved Moon Saber Technique,’ he was surely focusing all his efforts on breaking through to the next realm!
"Hahaha... Second Brother, Mother is right. How could I be absent on such an important day?"
Just as they were speaking, a hearty laugh suddenly rang out from the doorway. Luo Xiao strode in, his face radiant.
"Big Brother." Luo Feng observed Luo Xiao, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Xiao Er, you’ve broken through!" Luotian sensed that Luo Xiao’s vital energy and blood were much more vigorous than before and exclaimed in astonishment.
"Mm, I just broke through," Luo Xiao nodded with a smile.
WHOOSH! Luotian’s figure flashed by. Even Luo Feng couldn’t clearly see his movements before Luotian was already standing beside Luo Xiao, his hand clasping Luo Xiao’s wrist.
"Yuan Qi entering the liver, invigorating the eyes with spirit! Sixth level of the God Bravery Realm! Excellent, excellent, excellent!" Luotian released Luo Xiao’s wrist, his eyes twinkling with unconcealed delight as he exclaimed "excellent" three times.
Resuming his seat, Luotian looked at Luo Xiao in amazement. "Truly strange. I initially thought it would take you at least another half-month to break through to the sixth level of the God Bravery Realm. I never expected it to be this soon..."
"This is all thanks to Second Brother..."
Just as Luo Xiao was about to speak, Luo Feng quickly coughed a couple of times, and Luo Xiao immediately fell silent.
"Feng Er? What does your breakthrough have to do with Feng Er?" Luotian asked, puzzled.
"Did I mention Second Brother just now? I... I don’t recall..." Luo Xiao feigned ignorance.
"You two brothers, what exactly are you hiding from us?" Yang Qing regarded Luo Feng and Luo Xiao with a knowing smile.
The two voices rang out in unison. Luo Feng and Luo Xiao exchanged a smile, a silent understanding passing between them.
Noticing that Yang Qing still seemed unconvinced, Luo Xiao quickly changed the subject, turning to Luo Feng. "Second Brother, I heard you caused quite a stir at the family meeting today. What happened?"
Hearing Luo Xiao’s question, Yang Qing immediately forgot her earlier probing. She smiled and said, "Your Second Brother is now the family’s great hero."
"Oh?" Luo Xiao’s eyes showed heightened interest.
Yang Qing roughly recounted the whole event.
"Second Brother, you actually thrashed that brat Zheng Yuan? How satisfying! It’s a pity I wasn’t there to witness the dejected looks on Zheng Hongzhi and his son..." Luo Xiao said with a hint of regret.
"They’re just a couple of insignificant clowns. Nothing worth seeing," Luo Feng said, shaking his head.
"Still, that girl Feng Lingyue is truly loyal! To make such a significant sacrifice for you—you really must thank her properly," Luo Xiao remarked with feeling.
"Mm." Luo Feng nodded in agreement. Feng Lingyue’s actions this time had also surprised him.
"Just giving thanks isn’t enough."
Yang Qing suddenly narrowed her eyes, looking at Luo Feng. "Feng Er, I can see that girl Lingyue is quite taken with you, and I’m very fond of her too. Why don’t you just marry her? What do you think?"