Chapter 1677: Heaven Passes the Mantle

"The Patriarch... is no match!"After an unknown period, Luo Qianzhen's face was filled with bitterness."Yes, this Zhang Xuan is clearly trying to save face for the Family Head; otherwise, he would have been defeated within twenty moves!" Luo Qingchen nodded.

"I concede..."As his words fell, Luo Tianya on the stage was panting, his face filled with dejection. It seemed even he couldn't believe this outcome.

"Brother Luo, please don't take it to heart. Our strengths are actually quite similar..." Approaching him, Zhang Xuan showed no joy in his victory; instead, he said with a sincere expression, "How about we call it a draw today?"

"A loss is a loss. If I, Luo Tianya, can't even admit that, I might as well change my surname to Zhang..." Luo Tianya shook his head. "However, my defeat doesn't mean that my Luo clan's Spatial Sealing True Insight is inferior to your Zhang clan's; instead, it's a matter of my personal ability!"

"You're being too modest, Brother Luo!" Zhang Xuan said earnestly, "Time and Space True Insights are spoken of together; there's no stronger or weaker. I have no intention of looking down on the Luo clan at all; on the contrary, I hold them in great respect. The main reason I was able to fortunately win a move or two is... I used the Luo clan's Sealing True Insight, and my understanding of it surpassed yours, Brother Luo!"

"What do you mean?" Luo Tianya looked up, puzzled.

"I'm sure Brother Luo noticed just now that what I displayed was the same as what you displayed: both were the Spatial Sealing True Insight!" Zhang Xuan explained.

"This..." Luo Tianya was stunned; he seemed to have only just realized this, and he frowned. "That's right, how do you know the Luo clan's Sealing True Insight?"

"Although the Sealing True Insight was comprehended by the Luo clan's ancestors, it actually originated from Ancient Sage Qiuwu! I received the Ancient Sage's legacy, so it's nothing for me to be able to use the Sealing True Insight!" Zhang Xuan said.

"Ancient Sage Qiuwu?" Luo Tianya couldn't believe it.

"This is a relic left by the Ancient Sage!" With a flip of Zhang Xuan's wrist, a small crystal orb appeared before Luo Tianya. Its ethereal aura gave off a sense of folded space.

Luo Tianya lightly touched it with his palm. A moment later, his whole body trembled, and envy appeared in his eyes. "This truly was left by Ancient Sage Qiuwu... Brother Zhang, your fortune is truly heaven-defying!"

"I also obtained it by chance. The reason why so few in your Luo clan understand the Spatial True Insight is not because your clansmen lack talent, but because the legacy you received is incomplete." Zhang Xuan smiled faintly. "This Qiuwu Palace contains the complete version of the Derivational Spatial Celestial Tome left by the Ancient Sage. I will give it to you today, Brother Luo. I believe it will be of greater use in your hands and within the Luo clan than it would be in mine!"

Looking at the crystal orb that appeared in his palm, Luo Tianya was utterly shocked and quickly shook his head. "How can this be..." Who on the continent wouldn't desire an Ancient Sage's legacy? To give it away so readily, the benevolence was immeasurable.

Luo Qianzhen and the many elders hiding to one side also exchanged glances. The Luo clan's legacy indeed came from Ancient Sage Qiuwu. If they could truly obtain the complete version of the Derivational Spatial Celestial Tome, their clansmen would certainly advance rapidly; even if they couldn't comprehend the Sealing True Insight, their individual strengths would undoubtedly increase significantly. However... the two clans had a grudge, and they had come this time to challenge them. Yet, the other party not only didn't hold it against them but instead gave such a precious gift... Instantly, everyone felt a sense of profound shame.

"Don't rush to decline, Brother Luo; let me finish what I have to say!" With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhang Xuan's expression was grave. "The space around the Temple of Confucius is unstable and could appear at any time. I presume, Brother Luo, you are already aware of this!""Mm!" Luo Tianya nodded.

"The Hundred Schools of Philosophers have appeared to challenge our two clans, and their objective is clear: they want to seize the Inherited Celestial Talisman. They didn't succeed this time, but since it involves the treasures of Master Kong, they certainly won't give up easily and will undoubtedly return. Furthermore, based on observations over the past few days, powerful members of the Boreal Race have already arrived on the continent, and even their Emperor has quietly infiltrated!"Raising his eyebrows, Zhang Xuan continued, "The continent has reached a critical moment of survival. Once a full-scale war breaks out, let alone our two great clans, even all of humanity on the entire continent might face a tremendous catastrophe... At this time, we should not be fighting each other, but rather watching out for and helping each other to overcome this crisis! Otherwise, allowing outsiders to invade will only bring sorrow to our kin and joy to our enemies!"

Luo Tianya fell silent.

"The three great clans have been able to stand firm on the continent for tens of thousands of years because they helped each other and united against common enemies! Regarding the annulment of the engagement last time, I, Zhang Xuan, was wrong, but I didn't do it intentionally. Matters of affection cannot guarantee happiness through forced marriage. Ruoxi and I had already exchanged vows. Rashly agreeing to the little princess would have been an act of disloyalty, disregarding integrity, wouldn't it? If I were truly such a person, even if I married Qiqi, I would only cause her sadness and further wrong the Luo clan. Thinking of this matter these past few days has left me restless and worried... Let this Qiuwu Palace and the inherited Derivational Spatial Celestial Tome serve as my apology. I hope Brother Luo will not decline, otherwise, I would truly feel utterly ashamed..." Zhang Xuan said.

"Brother Zhang, your righteousness is great. Since this is the case, I will not pretend otherwise!" After a pause, Luo Tianya took the crystal orb and put it into his ring.

"He didn't mean it...""That's true; if he had indeed forcibly married the little princess then, he would have been heartless!""It seems he didn't intend to damage the Luo clan's prestige!""We only thought of our prestige, but he thought of humanity as a whole. His magnanimity is incomparable to ours!"The hidden Luo clan members fell silent once more, their faces flushing red.

They had only ever considered the Luo clan's perspective, without putting themselves in his shoes. If he had truly betrayed his vows, could he have given the little princess happiness, even if he had married her? Perhaps not!

"Thank you very much, Brother Luo!" Zhang Xuan bowed deeply.

"Brother Zhang, given your sincerity, I will certainly help explain things when I return!" His expression grave, Luo Tianya pondered for a moment, as if having made a decision, then said through gritted teeth, "Brother Zhang, I actually have another favor to ask!"

"Please speak, Brother Luo!" Zhang Xuan was momentarily stunned, then looked over. "As long as it's within my ability, I will not decline!"

"I have an important unfinished matter. It's highly likely that once I leave this time, I won't be able to return. Although I haven't been the Luo clan's Family Head for long, I don't want the clan to decline because of this..." Luo Tianya said with a somber expression.

"Unable to return? Is Brother Luo going to some ruin, or... seeking revenge? If you need my help, just say the word..." Zhang Xuan was stunned for a moment, then quickly cupped his fist.

"I appreciate your kindness, Brother Zhang. This is my private matter, and it's not convenient for outsiders to interfere. Moreover, I have long resolved myself to die, and even if I perish, I will do so willingly!" Shaking his head, Luo Tianya's expression turned grave as he looked at Zhang Xuan again. "What I'm asking of you, Brother Zhang, is not this!"

Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

Taking a deep breath, Luo Tianya flipped his wrist, and a token appeared in his palm, quietly suspended in the air. It was precisely the Luo clan's Family Head Token.

"I hope... Brother Zhang, you can succeed me as the Luo clan's Family Head. That way, even if I die, I can rest easy!""Become the Family Head?" Zhang Xuan's body trembled, and he waved his hands repeatedly. "This... how can this be!"