81: Chapter 81 The Five Great Families! Uninvited, one person surrounds eleven!

In the Outer City of Ningan, at the Bamboo Pavilion.

Emerald bamboo surrounded the courtyard, and a spring babbled nearby.

The stone table and stools were all carved from solid pieces of jade, and the wind passing through the treetops rustled the leaves.

This should have been an elegant place for scholars and poets to recite verses, but at this moment, it was tightly locked down by several tangible auras.

Even the attendants serving tea dared only to wait at a distance, bowing, not daring to step a single foot into the courtyard.

Seated around the stone table were five young men and women with calm, confident smiles on their faces.

Standing with hands hanging at their sides behind them were individuals, each radiating the unfathomable pressure of the Xiantian Late Stage; even with their auras fully suppressed, the surrounding air felt slightly stagnant.

A velvet cloth was spread over the table, displaying the unique, bottom-of-the-barrel resources of each family, categorized and shimmering with jade-like luster.

Seated at the far left was the young master of the Zhao family, Young Master Zhao Kuo!

He had a burly build, broad shoulders, and a thick back, his tight martial attire straining against his frame, while an unyielding, fierce aura lingered between his brows.

At the same time, he was the eldest and had the highest cultivation level among this group!

At only twenty-five, he had already stepped into the Xiantian realm!

"It's almost time, why hasn't that brat Young Master Jin Mingren arrived yet?"

"There was news last night that the leader of the Wanjun Gang, whom the Jin family single-handedly supported, was assassinated and fled to the Burning Bone Beast Arena for refuge. It seems the Jin family isn't truly of one mind with us."

Qian Hao squinted his eyes, folded the fan in his hand, and placed it on the table.

With a snap, it sounded extremely loud and grating.

"It doesn't matter. It's just one Jin family."

"Small families are just like that—opportunistic, thinking they are safe and secure, but they don't realize that's how they die the fastest."

Zhang Haoran spoke up from the side.

His expression was somewhat unpleasant because the Black Phoenix Gang, which his Zhang family supported in the Outer City, was gone, representing a significant loss.

Beside him, Su Meier, who had suffered the same fate, twirled a jade needle between her fingertips, a flower-like smile on her face.

"Indeed, once we unite, our strength is already sufficient."

"The Jin family is dispensable."

She wore a red dress, her eyes brimming with charm, yet hidden deep within them was a coldness like a venomous snake.

Located in the corner, Wang Ying of the Wang family was dressed in black, with most of his face hidden in a hood. He remained silent throughout, only occasionally raising his eyes, his gaze as cold as a poisoned dagger. Even sitting in the corner, his presence was overwhelming, as if he could merge into the shadows at any moment.

He didn't speak, and the others were accustomed to it.

Tinkle—! The bells on the curtain gave a soft chime as someone brushed past them.

Young Master Jin Mingren had a full smile on his face, showing no signs of anger.

There was even genuine amusement in his eyes, as if he knew something very interesting was about to happen.

They were all martial artists with sharp senses. He naturally heard the few sentences just spoken specifically about him.

However, he didn't take it to heart at all. After all... his actions today were indeed a bit underhanded.

Let them say a few words; consider it even!

Seeing Young Master Jin Mingren enter, five gazes, some indifferent and some mocking, turned toward him.

"Yo, our 'clever' Young Master Jin Mingren is really punctual. It was agreed to arrive at twelve o'clock, and it's only been ninety minutes past eleven."

"Hehe, actually I wanted to come earlier too. But unfortunately, someone wanted you all to be happy for a little longer, so I could only come at this time."

Young Master Jin Mingren shrugged and did not take a seat. Instead, he remained standing at the doorway, as if waiting for someone.

This meaningful remark made the five people present stiffen, their eyes showing hostility.

"Young Master Jin Mingren, what do you mean?"

"If you truly want to form an alliance, we naturally welcome it. But looking at you, your stance is wavering. Are you perhaps... already completely leaning toward the Ning Family? Planning to wipe us all out in one go?"

"Haha! I'd like to know, with five Xiantian Late Stage experts here. Is the Ning Family sending Ning Xuanzhou to mess with us, or is it... that person whose lifespan is exhausted and who once ruled the world, wanting to reach their peak one last time before death and kill us juniors?"

Young Master Zhao Kuo sat firmly with a grand, imposing posture, his face full of disdain.

Standing behind him was a Xiantian Late Stage expert, a Zhao family retainer, whose body-refining martial arts had reached a state of perfection. His skin shimmered with a dark golden metallic luster, and he stood there like an immovable iron tower; wherever his gaze swept, even the bamboo leaves stopped swaying.

The guards of the others also stepped out, revealing their aura. Such a lineup was enough to run rampant in this Outer City!

Seeing this scene, a trace of gloom flashed in Young Master Jin Mingren's eyes. But before he could begin to feel downhearted.

A hand was placed directly on his shoulder. Immediately, a great force came, flipping him aside!

"Since you've led the way, get lost to the side. Why are you just standing there like a post!"

Lu Qingyun, with a physique that was not burly but extremely imposing, squeezed in. Upon seeing the eleven people in the room, the smile on his face was very sincere.

This sincere smile became even brighter when he saw the various resources laid out on the large stone table in their midst!

"Everyone is here, that's great. Saves me from having to look for you one by one."

The moment Lu Qingyun appeared! The several Xiantian Late Stage guards stood in front of their respective young masters, their faces full of gravity!

Although, in their perception. The young man in front of them was only at the Xiantian Mid Stage.

But the threat he posed to them was maxed out! This feeling was just like an ordinary person running head-on into a ferocious beast in the wild!

"Supervisor of the Burning Bone Beast Arena, Lu Qingyun!!?"

Su Meier recognized Lu Qingyun's identity, her voice icy as she called it out!

The Savage Beast Gang, which the Su family single-handedly supported, had fallen at the hands of Lu Qingyun!

"Supervisor Lu, this is our private gathering. We shouldn't have invited you, right?"

"Please leave. We do not wish to participate in your affairs with the Jin family."

Young Master Zhao Kuo frowned slightly and spoke. Lu Qingyun, on the other hand, looked puzzled.

His actions were so obvious, yet they could still be so naive?

He didn't mess around with any roundabout nonsense; the blood ray blade was in his hand, and the Blood Red Vine transformed into an exquisite and cool armor that enveloped his body.

With baleful aura rising, he said directly: "I've already come uninvited, and you're still expecting me to leave politely on the spot?"

"Isn't my intention clear yet? I'm here to cause trouble!"

"Everyone, listen up. You eleven... all of you, are surrounded by me alone. Please don't put up any pointless resistance; hand over all the stolen money on the table!"