A Chaotic World

Chapter 146: Do You Dare Accept My Challenge?

When Sect Master Leiba's voice sounded out across the room, it immediately drew everyone's attention towards the entrance where City Lord Nanlan was standing.

In the face of all these influential representatives, City Lord Nanlan had no choice but to enter the front hall, wearing a forced smile on his face.

Behind him, Elder Xingmeng, Nanlan Qianbing, and Lu Tianzi followed City Lord Nanlan's lead as they walked past everyone, heading straight to the front where Sect Master Leiba was seated.

"Sect Master Leiba," City Lord Nanlan clasped his fist in greeting.

"City Lord Nanlan," Sect Master Leiba clasped his fist in return before gesturing towards an empty seat beside him. "Please, this seat is reserved for you!"

It was a seat at the very front that faced the guests, usually reserved for the hosts. Only the most esteemed of guests would have the privilege to be seated there.

If it was any other occasion, City Lord Nanlan would have felt extremely honoured by this gesture.

However, it was different this time.

After all, everyone had gathered today because of the matter between Nanlu Tianzi from his entourage and Beihua Wanlei from the Lightning Crow Sect. Thus, it was only natural that he took one of the host seats.

City Lord Nanlan did not refuse, promptly taking the host seat. Elder Xingmeng took a seat that was a little further off.

As instructed, Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianbing stood behind Elder Xingmeng.

Lu Tianzi could feel countless stares being directed at him. Right after they entered the front hall, everyone's attention had quickly shifted away from City Lord Nanlan, and onto the top ranker of the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet.

But contrary to his expectations, these stares were not the type that was filled with ridicule. Instead, he could sense curiosity and appreciation within.

City Lord Nanlan realised this point as well. But as surprised as he was, he still put on a calm expression before turning towards Sect Master Leiba.

"Sect Master Leiba, I thought we agreed for this to be a private occasion?" City Lord Nanlan asked.

"Hahaha!" Sect Master Leiba immediately burst into laughter. "But this is indeed a private occasion! Otherwise, we would be holding this meeting in the public square instead of holding it in my Lightning Crow Sect! Anyway, please wait a bit more. There are still one or two guests that have yet to arrive."

"There are more people yet to arrive?" City Lord Nanlan felt the corner of his lips twitch uncontrollably.

"Don't worry, don't worry. We can start in ten minutes if they have not arrived by then," Sect Master Leiba assured City Lord Nanlan with a big grin, his eyes narrowing in hidden mockery.

City Lord Nanlan wanted to keep this matter private?

Dream on!

The entire reason why he asked for Nanlu Tianzi's apology was because he wanted to make it public!

Because of this brat, Wanlei lost his shot at the top four rankings in front of the Scarlet Moon Overlord. If he allowed this matter to blow past just like that, how would the members of his Lightning Crow Sect be able to lift their heads in front of others in the future?

In fact, this could already be considered as letting that Nanlu Tianzi off a little too lightly!

City Lord Nanlan sighed inwardly. "I suppose Sect Master Leiba has already informed the guests about what to expect then?"

"That I have not," Sect Master Leiba maintained his cheerful disposition. "I only mentioned that it is a matter regarding the top ranker of the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet. After all, wouldn't it be better for them to find out for themselves?"

"I see" City Lord Nanlan cast his glance towards Lu Tianzi, feeling slightly apologetic.

Standing calmly behind Elder Xingmeng, Lu Tianzi suddenly heard City Lord Nanlan's voice sound out in his head. "I'm sorry, Nanlu Tianzi. I never expected Sect Master Leiba to gather this many people either. However, apologising in front of one person is apologising. Apologising in front of one hundred people is also apologising. You just need to humble yourself this once, and I can assure you that nothing of this sort will ever happen again!"

Lu Tianzi sneered in his heart upon hearing those words.

Nothing of this sort will happen again?

On what basis could City Lord Nanlan assure him of that?

If Sect Master Leiba could blindside City Lord Nanlan once, he could definitely do it again.

Should Sect Master Leiba be dissatisfied and wanted him to apologise in public next, he was almost one hundred percent certain that City Lord Nanlan would agree to it as well!

At this moment, Lu Tianzi suddenly felt a cold killing intent locking onto him.

He reacted instinctively and looked towards that direction, only to meet eyes with Beihua Wanlei who was comfortably seated near to the front.

Right now, Beihua Wanlei was glaring at him with an arrogant smirk on his face.

"Did you enjoy the feeling of being ranked number one?" Beihua Wanlei's voice sounded out in Lu Tianzi's head. "Now just take a look at where that brought you? It brought you grovelling right to my feet!"

Lu Tianzi matched his gaze, but chose not to reply.

Just like that, the two youngsters locked eyes across the front hall, invisible sparks flying between them, and it was not the romantic kind.

While the two youngsters were staring down each other, Sect Master Leiba received a message through his communication ring, and his joyful expression immediately darkened.

"What's the matter?" City Lord Nanlan asked, albeit in an disinterested manner. "Did someone decide not to turn up?"

City Lord Nanlan had already grown to accept the current situation. After all, he was an adaptable man.

No, the most important point was that he was not the one who needed to bow his head anyway!

As long as Nanlu Tianzi was able to put down his pride, everything would end well.

"That's not it," Sect Master Leiba shook his head. "It is the opposite. Someone who is not invited decided to show up."

"Oh?" City Lord Nanlan was surprised. What kind of busybody would do this?

Soon after, the door of the front hall opened once again.

This time, Sect Master Leiba stood up from his seat, clasping his fist in greeting towards the newcomer.

"Formation Master Beimu, to what do we owe the honour of your presence today?" Sect Master Leiba asked with a big smile. His darkened expression before was no longer anywhere to be seen.

"Sect Master Leiba," Formation Master Beimu nodded in response as she led a group of five into the front hall. "I heard that there is an interesting event going on here, so I decided to come and take a look. If Sect Master Leiba is concerned about my presence, I will take my leave immediately."

"Hahaha! Formation Master Beimu must be joking, why would I be concerned? You are more than welcome to join us!" Sect Master Leiba laughed.

He shot a glance towards a group of people seated near the front, and they promptly stood up, clearing their seats for Formation Master Beimu's group.

After all, the Beimu Clan was an influence that was even stronger than the Lightning Crow Sect. Sect Master Leiba could not possibly leave the leaders of the Beimu Clan to be seated at the far end of the hall!

Formation Master Beimu's group of five did not stand on ceremony, directly taking their seats as if it was only natural.

By now, even Lu Tianzi and Beihua Wanlei who were staring down each other had shifted their attention to the members of the Beimu Clan.

In this group of five, apart from Formation Master Beimu and Beimu Fei, the other three were all Origin Core realm martial artists. In fact, all three of them had a cultivation level that was higher than Formation Master Beimu herself!

Of the Nine Origin Cycles, two of the three were at the Seventh Cycle, while the last one was at the Eighth Cycle!

One had to know that even Sect Master Leiba, the strongest in his sect, was only a Seventh Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist.

With just the members of the Beimu Clan who were present, they already possessed the strength to sweep through the entire Lightning Crow Sect unchallenged!

Lu Tianzi widened his eyes in surprise when he saw the group from the Beimu Clan.

As expected, the reason why Formation Master Beimu showed up was because Lu Tianzi had privately sought her help the day before through the use of communication rings.

However, even Lu Tianzi never expected Formation Master Beimu to arrive with such a domineering force behind her!

Were they all part of the Beimu Clan as well?

No matter what, it was good news for him!

Unfortunately, not many of those present shared his sentiments, especially not Sect Master Leiba.

With the Beimu Clan showing up in force, he could not help but feel slightly pressured.

"Let us not wait any longer," Sect Master Leiba turned towards City Lord Nanlan. "Shall we begin?"

City Lord Nanlan nodded.

He had been surprised by the arrival of the Beimu Clan as well, but he knew that nothing would change because of that.

All he could hope for was that Nanlu Tianzi keeps his pride in check and not start running his mouth off.

"Nanlu Tianzi," City Lord Nanlan called out.

"Here, City Lord," Lu Tianzi answered before stepping out towards the front.

"You know what to do," Elder Xingmeng conveyed his voice to him in a cautionary tone.

Lu Tianzi paused for a moment, shot a glance at Elder Xingmeng, and then continued to walk forward until he was standing before everyone.

Silence fell over the front hall as everyone's attention was now on Lu Tianzi, waiting for whatever he had to say.

He took a quick look at Formation Master Beimu, who nodded in response.

And then Lu Tianzi spoke.

"Greetings, respected seniors. I am Nanlu Tianzi from the Nine Suns Sect of Bluenight City," Lu Tianzi started by politely introducing himself.

"And winner of the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet!" someone called out from his seat, causing a few others to break out into laughter.

Most of the people present were still behaving casually at the moment. After all, none of them were aware of the true reason why Lu Tianzi was called up to speak.

"and winner of the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet," Lu Tianzi nodded with a wry smile. "But unfortunately, that is not something that I can be proud of. After all, I made a fatal mistake while striving for that result, and for that, I am here to apologise."

Hmm?

He became the winner of the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet, standing above everyone else of the younger generation, and yet that was not something to be proud of?

The people present felt their curiosity piqued.

Just how bad was this mistake that it could make him feel this way?

Everyone here was present during the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet as well. However, none of them had any idea what he was apologising for!

"During the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet, I sneaked an attack on Beihua Wanlei while he was off guard, in turn costing him his shot at the winning position. I thought lightly of it back then, but I should have known better," Lu Tianzi continued in a solemn tone. "I was ignorant, and had been overwhelmed by impulse during the heat of battle. For acting rashly, I sincerely apologise to Beihua Wanlei of the Lightning Crow Sect."

At this point, everyone finally realised what was going on.

It did not make sense for Lu Tianzi to apologise over such a matter. The only reason he was doing so must be because of pressure exerted by the Lightning Crow Sect.

No wonder Sect Master Leiba had gathered so many people here today so it was meant to humiliate Nanlu Tianzi and regain some pride for Beihua Wanlei!

Sect Master Leiba nodded upon hearing this, and City Lord Nanlan let out a sigh of relief.

On the other hand, Formation Master Beimu and Beimu Fei frowned in their seats.

In the end, Lu Tianzi still apologised!

Beihua Wanlei stood up from his seat, wearing a smirk on his face.

So what if you were the winner? Who is the real winner now?

Lu Tianzi coldly regarded the smug looking Beihua Wanlei and continued. "Only now do I realise how badly I have erred. The Lightning Crow Sect has nurtured Beihua Wanlei since young, to become the excellent man he is today. On the platform that day, I should have known that the one I attacked is not just Beihua Wanlei, but the avatar of the Lightning Crow Sect himself."

Beihua Wanlei nodded in satisfaction, his heart pounding in exhilaration.

That's right! I am the future leader of the Lightning Crow Sect, the avatar of the sect himself!

What are you in comparison to me?

Now say it! In front of all these people present, admit that you are inferior to me!

Lu Tianzi took a deep breath before continuing. "Even though Beihua Wanlei is someone who doesn't fight his own battles, and can only rely on the influence behind him to get what he wants... Even though he has no situational awareness in a battle royal, and thus suffered from the same fate that he wanted to inflict upon others Even though he is nothing at all without the Lightning Crow Sect Just the fact that he belongs to the Lightning Crow Sect is his strength, and I have no choice but to admit my own inferiority in this regard! Thus, I hereby apologise once again for bullying Beihua Wanlei without having considered the consequences!"

Silence fell over the hall as Lu Tianzi's words echoed faintly in the minds of those present.

Everyone froze, stumped by Lu Tianzi's sudden change in tone.

Was that really supposed to be an apology?

Because it definitely did not sound like one!

And that was especially the case to the person it was meant for!

"You fucking insolent brat!" Beihua Wanlei immediately roared in anger.

"I, Beihua Wanlei, have only bullied others. Never in my life have I ever been bullied by others! How dare you speak of me in such a manner! If you are so proud of your strength, why don't we fight it out right here and now? Let's see who will end up bullying who!" Beihua Wanlei pointed straight at Lu Tianzi's face. "Do you dare accept my challenge?"