Xia Ziheng's eyes widened at Lu Yin's words, and Dean Wen looked at him warily, afraid that he would attack.
Lu Yin's words were a slap to the Xia family's face.
Even a normal family wouldn't be able to tolerate someone like Xia Zhitong, let alone the Xia family.
This was why the Xia family had used Xia Zhitong to deal with the Yu family, which was why the various large families and sects in the Astral Tree had kept quiet out of fear. They no longer dared to help the remaining members of the Lu family, which had caused many of them to suffer.
This move had been too vicious; not only had it ended their lives, but it had also caused them to go down in history in infamy.
However, even though the Yu family had become a laughingstock, the Xia family didn't have it easy either. Xia Zhitong had been born into the Xia family, and while it didn't matter if she was a direct descendant, it was too humiliating for a side branch.
Xia Zhitong knew that when she had been used, no one in the Astral Tree would treat her well aside from the guests. They wouldn't even call her to pay respects to their ancestors. She had given up and wanted to live a carefree life, but she hadn't expected Yu Hao to come back and bring up the past. That wouldn't hurt the Yu family, as they were already in such a state. It would hurt the Xia family's reputation.
"Wen Lai, give me some face and let me talk to him alone. Don't worry, I won't do anything. I guarantee it on the Xia family's reputation," Xia Ziheng said solemnly.
Dean Wen looked at Lu Yin, who nodded without fear.
"Alright, but I'll keep an eye on you. If you do anything to him, I guarantee that for the sake of Yi Xian Academy's reputation, you won't be able to leave in one piece."
Xia Ziheng's fingers twitched; he hadn't expected Dean Wen to threaten him like this. Had he sensed something?
He watched Dean Wen leave.
Lu Yin didn't stand on ceremony and sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea.
Xia Ziheng looked at him. "Xia Zhitong's matter has nothing to do with my side branch. You should know that her actions didn't just hurt the Yu family, but also my side branch's reputation."
"So you're saying that I shouldn't take it to heart?"
Lu Yin mocked.
Xia Ziheng replied, "What I'm saying is that you should look forward. I'm aware of your relationship with Gu Yan, and since that's the case, everything that happened in the past can be forgotten."
Lu Yin laughed. "Vanish into thin air?
My Yu Clan's reputation, which has been preserved for so many years, was destroyed overnight. Jade City was reduced to a laughingstock, and I became a legend in the Starry Sky Tree. A different kind of legend. How can all of this vanish? "
Xia Ziheng said seriously, "All of this can be erased, just like how we erased the existence of the Lu family."
Lu Yin was stunned and stared at Xia Ziheng.
Xia Ziheng sneered, "Do you think your Yu Family's reputation in the Starry Sky Tree is better than the Lu Family's?
Even the Lu Family could be erased from existence, let alone a small Yu Family.
Or do you think you can fight against the Xia Clan just because of your relationship with Celestial Teacher Gu Yan? Do you really understand the Xia Clan and Shenwu Heaven? "
Lu Yin didn't say anything.
Xia Ziheng continued, "As long as we're willing, even if Yi Xian Academy can't protect you, we can make your Yu Family go down in history in infamy. No one can stop us."
Lu Yin clenched his fists and glared at Xia Ziheng.
Xia Ziheng shook his head. "You're too naive, but at least you're not stupid enough to think that Celestial Teacher Gu Yan can protect you. You think you're smart enough to hide in Yi Xian Academy. Yes, Yi Xian Academy might have been able to protect you in the past, but that was in the past. Now, and in the future, Yi Xian Academy won't be able to protect you.
"A Dayuan Formation Master? A Jiayuan Formation Master?
Even if you're a Dayuan Formation Master, my Xia Clan can make you stay on our back forever.
We can fight the Eternals on the battlefield until we die. Is that what you want? "
Lu Yin's eyes were cold and filled with bone-deep hatred and killing intent. "Do you think a few words will make me give up on revenge?"
Xia Ziheng laughed. "Revenge?
Who are you looking for?
Xia Zhitong?
The Xia Clan?
Or Shenwu Heaven? "
Xia Ziheng shook his head when he saw Lu Yin's eyes flicker. "You think too highly of yourself. Against Shenwu Heaven, you're just an ant."
"If I'm an ant, then why did a Half-Ancestor like you come to see me?
And why are you talking so much? "
Lu Yin retorted.
Xia Ziheng grew serious. "You may be an ant, but you and Celestial Teacher Gu Yan are in the future. Both of you have the ability to make the Xia Clan value you. Of course, I'm not talking about revenge, but rather benefits. For now, if you can rope Celestial Teacher Gu Yan into my Xia Clan, then I'll help you take revenge."
Lu Yin was amused. "You'll help me take revenge?
You want to betray the Xia Clan and help me? "
Xia Ziheng's tone was icy. "Xia Zhitong can die, and you can do whatever you want to her. Even Xia Yuan can die. As long as you can prove your worth, then I'll help you restore your Yu Clan's reputation. Your grandfather can leave the Star Alliance, and I'll help you obtain what you need. From then on, your Yu Clan will be turned upside down. Don't dwell on your grudges. Who doesn't have enemies in the cultivation world?
Do you really want to kill them all?
That human is long gone. "
Lu Yin's expression turned ugly, and he hesitated.
Xia Ziheng could tell that Lu Yin was tempted. "Xia Zhitong was the one who harmed your Yu Clan, and she's also the one you want to take revenge on. You can decide the life and death of anyone who's involved with her. It's very simple. Once you've taken revenge, you'll be one step closer to my Xia Clan. You've spent decades of effort on that experience, and from today onwards, you can start all over again.
"I'll personally choose a marriage partner for you so that you can truly integrate into my Xia Clan and the Four Cardinal Scales. You don't have to stay in Yi Xian Academy anymore. This place will change sooner or later, and it's no longer a stage for you to develop."
Lu Yin did not understand. "Yi Xian Academy will change?"
Xia Ziheng replied, "You don't need to understand that. You just need to know that I'm doing my best to help you take revenge and restore your reputation. I can help you obtain whatever you want. I represent Shenwu Plane and the Four Cardinal Scales. What can't I accomplish in the Astral Tree Realm?
As long as you agree, your name will spread throughout the Astral Tree Realm in the near future, and your name will go down in history in a different way. "
It had to be said that Xia Ziheng's persuasion was very persuasive. If the person sitting in front of him had been Yu Hao, then Yu Hao might have been tempted. However, the person sitting in front of him was Lu Yin, and he had not taken Gu Yan as his master. Furthermore, his background was so great that he could challenge the entire Four Cardinal Scales. Xia Ziheng's words were powerless in Lu Yin's ears.
"Is my grandfather still alive?"
Lu Yin asked.
Xia Ziheng replied, "He's still alive. I've already confirmed it. As long as you agree, I'll release your grandfather and allow him to leave the Alliance."
Lu Yin stared at Xia Ziheng. "Leave the Alliance?
How? "
Xia Ziheng replied, "With a single order, your grandfather will be free. He can return to Yucheng to regroup, and he'll have my Xia Clan's support."
Lu Yin sneered. With a single order?
Even if he did not know about the restrictions, he would not believe such a thing. Otherwise, why wouldn't the Alliance's experts flee?
This old man was just trying to trick him and rope in Gu Yan as much as possible. He might not even be trying to rope Gu Yan in, but he was just trying to persuade Lu Yin to leave Yi Xian Academy. At that time, the Xia Clan would have the final say on how to deal with him.
There was a reason why these old fellows had lived for so long.
Lu Yin lowered his head and pondered.
Xia Ziheng smiled faintly. Anyone would be tempted after saying so much, let alone this Yu Hao. Xia Ziheng knew all too well what Yu Hao cared about and needed. This was the weakness of human nature. As long as one grasped the other party's desires, they could easily be controlled.
Xia Ziheng had said so much as a half-ancestor, which showed his sincerity.
"Right now, I want to know whose idea it was for Xia Zhitong to marry me," Lu Yin asked.
This question meant that Yu Hao wanted to confirm a candidate for revenge. Yu Hao had not investigated and had only asked Xia Ziheng because he wanted Xia Ziheng to give him a target for revenge. This target's status could not be too low, as no one would think of such a thing if their status was too low. However, it was also not good if their status was too high, as this concerned the Xia Clan's reputation.
The one who had thought of this idea was Xia Yuan, but Xia Ziheng wanted to protect him as much as possible.
In the end, Xia Ziheng said a name that Lu Yin had never heard of before. This person was only an Emissary cultivator from a side branch who had only undergone one Origin Tribulation. He was qualified to meet a half-ancestor and report some matters, but he was not considered a high-ranking person.
"He was the one who came up with the idea of marrying Xia Zhitong to you. If you want revenge, his life is yours," Xia Ziheng said. He could determine an Emissary's life with a single sentence. His ruthlessness was terrifying, as that Emissary was his descendant.
Lu Yin's gaze turned cold. "I'll make him pay."
Xia Ziheng's lips curled up.
"But …" Lu Yin looked up and stared at Xia Ziheng. "You can't represent the Shenwu Plane. If you want to rope in my master, then I want to meet Xia Xing."
Logically speaking, Xia Ziheng should know about the Four Way Scales' restrictions, but Lu Yin did not want to take the risk. He wanted to use Gu Yan to lure out Xia Xing, the master of the Shenwu Plane, and obtain the method to break the Xia Clan's restrictions in one fell swoop. He only had one chance, so he could not take the risk.
Xia Ziheng frowned. "Xia Xing might be the sect master of the Shenwu Plane, but he's just an Emissary. Is my guarantee effective?"
Lu Yin looked up. "I only recognize the sect master of the Shenwu Plane. I won't recognize anyone else, even if Hero Xia comes."
"Impudent!" Xia Ziheng was furious and glared at Lu Yin.
Lu Yin was stubborn and did not back down.
"Don't think that I'm trying to rope you in by saying so much. I just don't want the human race to lose a genius Lockbreaker. I hope that Gu Yan can nurture more Lockbreakers for the Xia Clan. That's not enough for you to threaten me," Xia Ziheng growled.
Lu Yin replied, "Master is old, but he values me greatly. He has taught me for decades and treats me like his own son. As long as I speak, Master will definitely listen."
Xia Ziheng's eyes flickered.
Lu Yin continued, "I want to meet Xia Xing. I want Xia Xing to personally promise me what you just said. Otherwise, there's nothing to discuss."
Xia Ziheng was furious, and he stood up to look down at Lu Yin.
At this moment, Dean Wen walked over. "Alright, enough time has passed. Mister Haoyu still needs to go back and prepare for his lesson. Take care, Half-Ancestor Ziheng."
Xia Ziheng stared at Lu Yin. "Are you really that insistent?"
Lu Yin stood up and met Xia Ziheng's gaze. His gaze was stubborn. "That's right."
Xia Ziheng did not say another word and simply turned to leave.
As he watched Lu Yin leave, Dean Wen said, "In a few months, you'll be leading a team to the Four Way Scales to train. Perhaps you shouldn't go."
Lu Yin's expression was solemn as he bowed to Dean Wen. "Thank you for your help, Senior."
Dean Wen waved a hand. "What did I help you with?"
Lu Yin replied, "If not for Senior, with Xia Ziheng's character, I wouldn't have been able to guarantee that I would still be alive."