28: Jade Crown's Scheme

"You are all Disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. You must hold reverence for the Divine Lord in your hearts, and you will surely gain his favor."

"Since even a member of a branch family could obtain it, then you certainly can as well."

Yu Luomian led Yu Tianxin and the other youths to cut in line. As they approached, he instructed them with a solemn expression that seemed more like a threat.

Yu Tianxin and the other youths all looked numb.

Wait, where did Yu Luomian get this confidence from?

Why did he think they would be favored by a deity?

Just because of Yu Mengzhang's precedent?

Many people stole glances at Yu Mengzhang.

Standing beneath the statue, Yu Mengzhang possessed an otherworldly aura, appearing as if he did not belong to the mortal realm. His pair of golden eyes pushed his divinity to the absolute limit.

From this appearance alone, it seemed perfectly normal for him to receive the Divine Lord's favor!

Yu Luomian didn't care about their thoughts. Standing at the back of the hall, he also followed along in the worship.

He was, after all, the Second in Command of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

By personally offering worship now, he should be able to gain the Divine Lord's recognition, right?

He couldn't possibly be worse than Yu Mengzhang, could he?

The group knelt together, kowtowed, and stood up.

There was no change at all. The youths were somewhat at a loss, fearing that Yu Luomian would punish them.

Yu Luomian's Face was grim. He said nothing, merely ordering the other youths to take turns kneeling and bowing.

He stood at the entrance of the hall and sought out Yu Mengzhang.

He could not understand, much less accept, that he had not been favored by the Divine Lord.

Of course, he didn't dare to cause trouble for the hall because of this.

"Mengzhang, you are a Disciple of my clan."

Yu Luomian struck up a conversation.

Yu Mengzhang looked at Yu Luomian calmly, waiting for his next sentence.

Looking into Yu Mengzhang's golden eyes, Yu Luomian felt a wave of irritation in his heart.

He averted his gaze, as if some kind of suppression was acting upon him.

"You need helpers in the hall. Select a few from these people to serve the Divine Lord alongside you."

Yu Luomian spoke in a declarative tone, wanting to settle the matter directly.

Everyone looked at Yu Mengzhang.

"There is no need for that. Cuier and I are enough," Yu Mengzhang said, shaking his head.

"..."

Yu Luomian's expression shifted slightly.

He had even mentioned the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, yet he was still decisively rejected?

Or was Yu Mengzhang thinking about getting some benefits first?

Yu Luomian looked back at the youths who were kneeling; without exception, not a single one had gained the Divine Lord's favor.

What a bunch of useless trash!

Yu Luomian was secretly fuming, but facing Yu Mengzhang, he didn't dare to act too overbearing.

"Mengzhang, your parents were inner sect disciples of the clan. They unfortunately sacrificed themselves to protect the village years ago. The clan should treat you with favor and allow you to return."

"Now, you will inherit your parents' positions and property, return to your roots, be adopted by another Elder, and become a member of the direct line..."

Yu Luomian had a smile on his Face.

In his view, these were already very generous conditions.

Being the nominal son of a clan Elder meant being part of the direct line, and he would also receive a large reward.

Even for an adult, the temptation would be immense.

Yu Mengzhang raised an eyebrow slightly and looked up at Yu Luomian.

Although he had long since stopped caring about such things...

...hearing Yu Luomian wanting to "bestow" these things upon him now, he couldn't help but find it laughable.

His parents were clan Disciples who died protecting the village, yet he had been tossed aside into an external village.

Now that he had become the Priest of the Divine Dragon Hall, they wanted to give back everything that was already rightfully his?

Seeing that Yu Mengzhang didn't immediately refuse, Yu Luomian's smile widened as he continued:

"After returning to the clan, you will receive vigorous training. Although you have a Waste Spirit, there might still be other hopes..."

"At that time, you will have an allowance provided by the clan. You won't need to rely on those villagers; how much money could they possibly have?"

"Of course, they will also be proud of you."

As Yu Luomian spoke, the smile on his Face grew richer.

He believed that a child would not refuse his all-encompassing temptations.

Yu Mengzhang shook his head slightly. "No need. I am fine just staying in the hall."

"..." Yu Luomian's brow couldn't help but furrow tightly.

Yu Mengzhang really wasn't giving him any Face at all!

Furthermore, he had guaranteed Yu Yuanzhen that he would bind the hall to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

And now he was stuck here?

The stubborn Yu Mengzhang made him clench his fists tightly inside his sleeves.

"Mengzhang, if there is anything else you want, just say it. If it is reasonable, I can grant it to you. But do not throw any more childish tantrums."

Yu Luomian said slowly.

His voice already carried a faint threat.

The nearby villagers sensed the change in atmosphere.

The Village Chief hurried forward, shielding Yu Mengzhang and saying with a forced smile, "Second in Command, please don't lower yourself to Mengzhang's level. He is still just a child..."

Cuier pulled on Yu Mengzhang's hand and hid behind him, poking her small head out and huffing, "Bad man!"

"I do have something."

Yu Mengzhang suddenly spoke.

The gloom on Yu Luomian's Face instantly vanished. He nodded slightly and smiled. "Then speak up. Rest assured, I will do my best to make it happen for you..."

Yu Mengzhang pointed at the hall behind him and said seriously:

"While here, call me High Priest."

"..."

Everyone fell into silence upon hearing this.

But in their hearts, they were all screaming in shock!

Yu Tianxin, who was coming over to ask for instructions and was still trembling because none of the clan youths had gained favor, heard Yu Mengzhang's provocative words.

Yu Tianxin even took half a step back, feeling a sudden urge to flee.

The Village Chief's body began to shiver. He lowered his head, not daring to look at Yu Luomian's Face.

Yu Luomian stared at Yu Mengzhang gloomily, saying nothing as he applied pressure.

His lips moved slightly as he sent a private message to Yu Mengzhang.

"Do you think that becoming the Priest of this hall allows you to stand above everyone else?"

"The Divine Lord only chose you because he has deep ties with our Family. Yu Mengzhang, don't act like a spoiled child, or no one will help you."

Yu Luomian gave a fake smile and delivered a series of threats.

At the same time, a strange feeling suddenly rose in his heart—an empty sensation, as if he had lost his footing.

Yu Mengzhang was about to speak. Now that he possessed the Dragon Vein and the celestial phenomenon, he would not tolerate Yu Luomian's offense.

"What a spiritual and beautiful place. Indeed, the greatness of a mountain lies not in its height, but in the deity within..."

A clear and bright voice rang out.

Yu Luomian's expression changed slightly as he turned to look in that direction.

Yu Mengzhang also looked over and saw three figures walking toward them.

One was a tall man with a build like a sword, white hair, and a Face that looked as if it were carved by a knife and axe.

One was a middle-aged man with long hair and a refined, scholarly aura.

Between the two was a little girl who looked like a porcelain doll, resembling a small elf.

"Why has Ning Fengzhi come?"

Yu Luomian muttered under his breath.

Suddenly, the corner of his mouth twitched. He had actually bitten his tongue while speaking those few words?

He wiped it with his hand; it was bleeding... Yu Mengzhang's expression remained calm. Threaten him? It was only right to be forsaken by heaven and earth...