A Chaotic World

Lu Tianzi actually felt rather impressed by Xuan Wen's decisiveness.

This was a brilliant move to say the least, and even Lu Tianzi could not help but feel flattered at being thought of so highly by the other party.

The promised benefits were amazing, and there was no way for the Timeless Flame Sect to go back on their word since it had been announced in front of millions.

Furthermore, such a situation also made it difficult for anyone to reject Xuan Wen even if they did not like the deal. Of course, nobody would think that such a deal was not to their liking.

This was the Timeless Flame Sect, one of the four ancient sects!

Just the promise of being able to join it as an ordinary member was a dream come true for almost every martial artist in this world, not to mention being regarded with such importance.

After all, these were existences that stood at the very pinnacle of this world.

Not only did the influence itself possess a great deal of talents and resources, it was even supported by its powerful sect master Xuan Yongheng who was already at the Grand Core realm, the highest boundary that an Overlord realm powerhouse could hope to attain!

As a member of the Timeless Flame Sect, one would be treated with great fanfare wherever they went.

Even Lu Tianzi dared not tread carelessly around these behemoths, unwilling to offend them as far as he could help it. In fact, he would also have thought of the Timeless Flame Sect with the same level of reverence as others if he had not had the chance to meet his master Xihuang Yuanfeng...

Or had he not seen the world through the eyes of the ancient Shafeng...

Or Lord Er...

Or the old master who executed the sabre strike that resulted in what was now known as the War Intent Cliff...

Come to think of it, there were quite a few characters who seemed to have surpassed the Overlord realm.

Perhaps the ancient sects were not really all that amazing?

Lu Tianzi smiled.

"Thank you, Sir Xuan Wen. That's indeed a very attractive offer," Lu Tianzi said.

"Someone of your calibre certainly deserves such a treatment," Xuan Wen responded with a smile of his own.

"However, I would have to decline." Lu Tianzi continued.

Lu Tianzi's shocking answer caused the entire arena to fall into a momentary silence.

Eyes widened, and mouths gaped open.

None of the people present had expected such a response from Lu Tianzi.

Rejecting such an offer?

Was he crazy?

"Decline...?" Xuan Wen was surprised as well, but he did not lose his calm. "May I ask if there is a reason why?"

"I am embarrassed to say this, but I am someone who enjoys doing whatever I want without caring for the consequences whatsoever," Lu Tianzi let out a helpless sigh. "To go under the banner of the Timeless Flame Sect is indeed a great honour, but that will also mean that I would have to start putting more consideration into my actions. Unfortunately, that is not the life that I want."

"Is that so?" Xuan Wen answered with a smile. "If that is what Brother Tianzi is worried about, then I can assure y-"

"No, Sir Xuan Wen, I am not done yet," Lu Tianzi cut him off prematurely. "To be frank, I have a great relationship with Brother Xuan Hao from the Blue Ember faction. So even if I were to join the Timeless Flame Sect, I would definitely prefer to be in the same faction as him. And even if not for that, I would definitely prefer not to join the same faction where the Head Inscription Master is obviously antagonistic towards me!"

Xuan Wen narrowed his eyes at those words.

By saying that, Lu Tianzi was effectively drawing the line clearly, telling everyone that he supported Xuan Hao over Xuan Wen.

Still, that was not something that Xuan Wen had not expected.

If it was just that, then Xuan Wen would still be able to try and convince Lu Tianzi somehow.

However…

Xuan Wen could not help but shoot a glance of irritation towards Grandmaster Xiqin.

As an inscription master himself, joining the Yellow Spark faction would naturally put him under the command of the Head Inscription Master, so it was understandable that Lu Tianzi would not want to put himself in such a situation.

By making such a big deal out of nothing, Grandmaster Xiqin had single-handedly pushed Lu Tianzi away from the Yellow Spark faction.

Noticing the glance from Xuan Wen, Grandmaster Xiqin immediately lowered his head in guilt. At the same time, he could not help but feel resentful towards Lu Tianzi who was the cause of his humiliation today.

In contrast to Grandmaster Xiqin's feelings, Young Master Xuan Hao was palpitating with exhilaration while watching from his seat.

Yes, he should have trusted in his Brother Tianzi from the start.

There was no way that his Brother Tianzi would betray him!

"Is that so?" Xuan Wen's smile now seemed a little stiff as compared to before. "That's a pity. But if you ever change your mind in the future, Brother Tianzi can feel free to approach me anytime."

"Hahaha! That's the way! Young men should be like this, doing things the way you want. Only then will you be able to experience the world and grow along with it!" Xuan Yongheng laughed out heartily. "In any case, it is good to hear that you are on good terms with our Hao. Perhaps when there comes a day when you feel like settling down, you can try talking to him."

"Thank you for understanding, Sect Master Xuan. I definitely will," Lu Tianzi clasped his fists in appreciation. He could not help but feel relieved that Xuan Yongheng was taking it well.

"Well then, that's the end of it," Xuan Yongheng turned towards Xuan Ziying. "Let's move on, Ziying."

Having received the signal from Xuan Yongheng, Xuan Ziying went on to announce the end of the Inscription Meet.

The rest of the participants were brought aside to receive their rewards separately, and the audience was invited to join in a banquet held at the city square the following night.

It was a long day, and the Inscription Meet had officially come to a close.

Yet even with the closing of the event, those who had attended continued to speak of it after they left.

It was an event that had left quite a few moments to be remembered.

The individual performance of every participating inscription master was definitely one of the topics that most focused on. After all, this was the main subject of the Inscription Meet, and the results directly affected whose inscriptions would be considered more valuable in the future.

Among them, the names Inscription Master Guiheng of the True Dragon Forge and Manor Lord Lu of the Sky Snow Manor were naturally mentioned the most.

These two, especially Manor Lord Lu, could be considered quite junior as compared to the more established inscription masters, but this event allowed their fame to skyrocket overnight.

Many even directly addressed them as Grandmaster Guiheng and Grandmaster Lu, believing that their performances at the Inscription Meet was more than sufficient to earn them such an accolade.

Grandmaster…

Originally, this was a title given only to the most accomplished of individuals in their respective fields, with a stellar record that had been accumulated over long years.

However, Inscription Master Guiheng and Lu Tianzi had both proven that they were more than capable of contesting existences of such a level. Given that, many believed that there was no reason not to regard them as existences on the same level!

Apart from that was the Timeless Flame Sect's invitation to Lu Tianzi, as well as how he rejected them without hesitation. Because of this matter, Lu Tianzi ended up becoming the idol of many, seen as a person free of the pursuit of fame or fortune.

It could be said that Lu Tianzi was the man of the hour right now, his name hanging on everyone's lips.

Not surprisingly, the atmosphere back at Young Master Xuan Hao's residence was a joyous one right now.

The youngsters were gathered around a table as they enjoyed a simple celebratory feast of their own.

"Hahaha! Brother Tianzi really outdid yourself out there earlier! Impressive!" Ruan Ling exclaimed with a hearty laugh. "Did you see Grandmaster Xiqin's face just now? This is truly reaping what he sowed!"

"Right," Young Master Xuan Hao said with a smile. "On a more serious note, thank you, Brother Tianzi."

"Hmm? What for?" Lu Tianzi asked in surprise.

"For rejecting my elder brother despite the risk of offending the sect master," Young Master Xuan Hao said.

Indeed, it was fortunate that things turned out well, but there had always been the chance that Xuan Yongheng would be offended that Lu Tianzi rejected an invitation to join his Timeless Flame Sect.

After all, nobody here could safely say that they knew Xuan Yongheng well enough to guess his thoughts.

"Brother Xuan Hao doesn't have to thank me, I merely spoke my mind," Lu Tianzi shook his head. "I only hope that after what happened today, I have somehow made it worthwhile for you to have brought us along to Eternal Flame City."

"Brother Tianzi must be joking! Of course you have! In fact, what you have done is far more than what I have hoped! I truly have to thank you for this!" Young Master Xuan Hao replied. "I heard from Mother that the elders of the sect are even considering relooking into the recent incident just because of you!"

Due to the earlier attack on Ruan Ling, Nanlan Qianxue, and Bo'er by the Jade Shadow Gate, the Heavenly Flame Hall had dictated that both Young Master Xuan Hao and Xuan Junwei were to be prevented from leaving the city until investigations were completed.

On top of that, Younger Master Xuan Hao's companions were to be housed at the Blue Ember faction for their own safety, or at least that was the reason on the surface.

But now that Lu Tianzi's reputation had soared all of a sudden, especially since he earned the recognition of Xuan Yongheng, it seemed that the elders of the Timeless Flame Sect no longer found this arrangement to be the best move.

"That's good to hear," Lu Tianzi nodded. "Because I have one more matter to inform you."

Young Master Xuan Hao's excited expression immediately calmed down. "I think I know what you are going to say. Are you leaving?"

"Huh?"

Young Master Xuan Hao's words naturally caught the others by surprise.

"Leave? What are you saying?" Ruan Ling frowned. "Why would they leave all of a sudden?"

"I agree with Senior Ruan Ling," Longshao Wenqin added. "Now that Nanlu- I mean Manor Lord Lu has just proven his capabilities, everyone would be looking to befriend him. This is the best chance to build connections, so why would he choose to leave now?"

Young Master Xuan Hao remained silent, not replying to their questions. Instead, he simply looked at Lu Tianzi, waiting for him to speak.

"Brother Xuan Hao knows us well," Lu Tianzi finally spoke. "Indeed, Qianxue and I are thinking of leaving Eternal Flame City."

Silence fell upon the room as Ruan Ling and Longshao Wenqin gaped in shock.

"I suppose you have already thought it through?" Young Master Xuan Hao asked.

Lu Tianzi nodded.

"Then I shall not try to hold you back any longer," Young Master Xuan Hao sighed. "But where will you be headed next? Will you be returning to the Sky Snow Manor?"

"We-"

"Wait a minute!" Ruan Ling stood up in agitation, cutting off Lu Tianzi. "Why are you guys suddenly leaving? Are you unhappy here? Did something happen that I am unaware of?"

"It's nothing like that," Lu Tianzi shook his head. "We have imposed on you long enough, and it is about time that we continued on our journey. No matter what, we are not of the Timeless Flame Sect. If we continue staying here, especially after I rejected an official invitation to join the sect, it might set tongues wagging."

"This…" Ruan Ling wanted to retort, but she did not know how.

Lu Tianzi was right. If Lu Tianzi continued to stay at the Timeless Flame Sect despite having publicly rejected Xuan Wen's invitation, it could be seen as trying to freeload off of the Timeless Flame Sect. Those outside of the sect might not dare to comment, but it might draw the ire of some members of the sect.

"So have you decided where you will be going?" Young Master Xuan Hao asked again.

"Frostguard Mountain," Lu Tianzi answered nonchalantly. "Brother Xuan Hao once mentioned that this is a famed sacred cultivation ground in the north, so we would like to take a look."

"Frostguard Mountain, eh? That's indeed a place that you have to visit at least once," Young Master Xuan Hao nodded in approval. "When will you be leaving?"

"Tomorrow," Lu Tianzi said. "Unless you need us here for something?"

"Tomorrow?!" Ruan Ling repeated in exasperation.

"That's fast," Young Master Xuan Hao was visibly surprised as well, but a smile quickly appeared on his face. "No, it's fine. There's no need to needlessly extend your stay when you can always return in the future. But in that case, let me give you a parting gift. Here."

From within his spatial ring, Young Master Xuan Hao pulled out an exquisite box and placed it on the table before sliding it over towards Lu Tianzi.

"Brother Xuan Hao, this is...!" Ruan Ling exclaimed in shock when she saw the box, but Young Master Xuan Hao raised his hand to stop her from saying more.

"This is a Red Wyvern's Eye," Young Master Xuan Hao explained. "It will come in handy when you attack the next boundary."

Lu Tianzi glanced over at Ruan Ling and hesitated for a moment, then reached out to pick up the box. "Since this is a gift from Brother Xuan Hao, then I shall not stand on ceremony."

"Please don't," Young Master Xuan Hao nodded. "You must be tired after a long day, so I shall not hold you up any longer. Go have a good rest before your journey tomorrow. Rest well too, Sister Qianxue."

Nanlan Qianxue responded with a faint smile before nodding towards Ruan Ling, who waved back in return.

"All right, then. Have a good rest too," Lu Tianzi got up from his seat, and left the room with Nanlan Qianxue.

Longshao Wenqin sensed the mood in the air and left along with them.

"Why did you give it to them?" Ruan Ling asked when they were finally alone. "The Red Wyvern's Eye is one of the items that you were going to rely on for attacking the Overlord realm!"

"It's worth it, Sister Ruan Ling," Young Master Xuan Hao calmly replied, his gaze trailing off towards the closed door. "Haven't you realised it after all this time? Brother Tianzi is not like you and I."

"What do you mean?" Ruan Ling asked in confusion.

"He is in a completely different league, perhaps even comparable to Senior Apprentice Sister Caixia!" Young Master Xuan Hao answered. "To be able to contribute to his growth, and even address each other as brothers... I'm quite certain that when we think back in the future, we will be able to think of this as a great honour!"