Lu Chanki did not slow down.
Even after entering the inner region of Lu Clan Mountain, his steps remained urgent, his expression darker than ever before.
The disciples watching from afar felt a chill in their hearts.
Something… had happened.
—
Within moments, he arrived before a quiet courtyard nestled deep within the mountain.
Ancient trees swayed gently, their leaves whispering with spiritual energy. The air itself felt heavier here—denser, more refined.
This was the residence of the Grand Elder.
—
Lu Chanki stopped at the entrance.
He cupped his fists respectfully.
"Grand Elder," he said, his voice steady but grave,
"Lu Chanki requests an audience."
—
Silence.
—
Then—
A calm, aged voice echoed from within.
"Enter."
—
Lu Chanki stepped inside.
—
Sitting in the courtyard was an old man in plain robes, calmly pouring tea.
His aura was completely restrained—
like a mortal.
But Lu Chanki knew better.
This was a man who stood at the peak of the clan's strength.
Grand Elder Lu Maxi.
—
Lu Maxi didn't look up immediately.
"Sit," he said lightly.
"You look like someone who has brought trouble back with him."
—
Lu Chanki sat, but did not relax.
"I have," he admitted.
—
Only then did Lu Maxi glance at him.
His eyes were calm—
but incredibly sharp.
"Speak."
—
Lu Chanki didn't hide anything.
From the encounter…
to Young Master Mei…
to the demand for the egg…
and finally—
the complete annihilation of the Mei Clan group.
—
When he finished—
the courtyard fell silent.
—
Lu Maxi gently placed his teacup down.
"…You killed them all?"
—
"Yes."
"No survivors."
"No witnesses."
—
Lu Maxi tapped the table lightly.
"Describe the young master."
—
Lu Chanki frowned slightly, recalling.
"Arrogant. Impulsive. Completely reliant on his protectors."
"But… his robe bore the crest of direct lineage."
—
Lu Maxi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The son of that man, then…"
—
A brief silence passed.
—
Lu Chanki spoke again.
"Grand Elder… this matter—"
—
"Will not remain hidden," Lu Maxi said calmly, cutting him off.
—
Lu Chanki's expression hardened.
—
Lu Maxi continued:
"The two Foundation Establishment elders who accompanied him were not ordinary."
"Their absence will be noticed."
"And the Mei Clan…"
"…is not the type to let things go."
—
Lu Chanki clenched his fist slightly.
"Then we prepare for war."
—
Lu Maxi looked at him—
then shook his head faintly.
"War?" he said.
"You think we are ready?"
—
That single question—
made Lu Chanki fall silent.
—
Lu Maxi stood up slowly.
"The Mei Clan is stronger than us."
"On the surface… and in hidden strength."
"If they confirm this…"
"…they will not declare war."
—
Lu Chanki frowned.
"Then what—?"
—
"They will erase us," Lu Maxi said calmly.
—
Silence.
—
The words were simple.
But heavy.
—
Lu Chanki's breathing slowed.
"Then what do we do?"
—
Lu Maxi turned his gaze toward the distant mountains.
"For now…"
"…we act as if nothing happened."
—
Lu Chanki's eyes sharpened.
"That won't stop them."
—
"No," Lu Maxi agreed.
"But it will buy us time."
—
He turned back.
"Time to prepare."
"Time to hide what must be hidden."
"And time…"
"…to gamble."
—
Lu Chanki frowned.
"…Gamble?"
—
Lu Maxi smiled faintly.
"Tell me," he said,
"how many eggs did you retrieve?"
—
"Three."
—
Lu Maxi's eyes gleamed slightly.
"And their condition?"
—
"Intact."
"High vitality."
—
For the first time—
a trace of satisfaction appeared on Lu Maxi's face.
"Good."
"Very good."
—
Lu Chanki immediately understood something.
"These eggs…"
"…are important?"
—
Lu Maxi looked at him deeply.
"More than you realize."
—
He walked slowly across the courtyard.
"The Iron-Hide Crocodile is not just any beast."
"It carries an ancient bloodline."
"If nurtured properly…"
"…it could become a guardian spirit beast for the clan."
—
Lu Chanki's eyes widened slightly.
—
Lu Maxi continued:
"With three eggs…"
"…we have three chances."
—
Lu Chanki's voice lowered.
"And if we succeed?"
—
Lu Maxi stopped.
Then said quietly—
"Then the Mei Clan…"
"…will think twice before touching us."
—
Silence.
—
Lu Chanki finally understood.
This was not just about survival anymore.
—
This was a race.
—
A race between—
the Mei Clan discovering the truth…
and the Lu Clan growing strong enough to withstand it.
—
Lu Maxi turned back toward him.
"From this moment on," he said, his voice firm,
"the clan enters a state of silent alert."
—
"No one speaks of today."
"No one leaves the clan without permission."
"And you—"
—
He looked directly at Lu Chanki.
—
"Prepare those three."
—
Lu Chanki nodded.
"I understand."
—
As he stood to leave—
Lu Maxi added one last sentence:
"Also…"
—
Lu Chanki paused.
—
"If the Mei Clan sends people…"
"…we do not show weakness."
—
A faint, dangerous smile appeared on the Grand Elder's face.
—
"We show them…"
"…nothing at all."
—
Outside—
the wind picked up.
—
And far away—
in the western lands—
—
a storm—
was already beginning to gather.
While Lu Chanki and Lu Maxi were discussing, something happened on the Mei clan side