Chapter 817: The Welcomed Lu Yang

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, two prominent figures in "The Legend of Daoist Asking," were even featured in separate character chapters by Daoist Buyu, detailing their stories. They could truly be described as famous throughout the land.

Both visiting cultivators and local cultivators in Imperial City had heard of their great names.

Local cultivators in Imperial City knew even more; for instance, they were aware of the immense reputation Meng Jingzhou once held there.

If he hadn't run away from home later, there would be no "Four Young Masters of Imperial City."

Recently, Lu Yang's name had eclipsed Meng Jingzhou's somewhat. Daoist Buyu's much-anticipated promotion to the Tribulation Transcending stage naturally drew attention to Lu Yang as well.

Lu Yang rubbed his forehead. He hadn't expected to be so famous; Meng had only shouted "Old Lu," and his identity was immediately guessed.

Since that was the case, there was no need to disguise himself.

Lu Yang also removed his mask, revealing the face familiar to everyone. "It's really him!"

"You're Lu Yang!" Li Zhuo's attention shifted to Lu Yang. There was some history between his grandfather and Daoist Buyu, so his grandfather had instructed him that if he ever met Lu Yang in the future, he must teach him a good lesson.

Now, he felt it would be good enough if he could just protect himself.

"Xiao Zhuo, you're quite arrogant, aren't you? Stealing someone else's seat when you can't find a place to eat. Why weren't you like this when you used to hang out with me?"

Li Zhuo could only offer an awkward smile, not daring to speak.

"Uncle Xu, you don't need to worry about us anymore. We'll explore Imperial City a bit more."

"Alright," Xu You said with a smile, then left the Grand Aroma Restaurant.

"Young Master Meng, then I'll be leaving too?" Li Zhuo asked cautiously, slowly backing away.

"Wait a moment, why are you leaving? Earlier, when I was bidding, I said I'd pay for today's expenses. Since you made the higher bid in the end, shouldn't that promise be fulfilled by you?"

"Young Master Meng is right, absolutely right." Li Zhuo wouldn't dare say no. All he wanted now was to get away from Meng Jingzhou as quickly as possible. He didn't care about spirit stones or female companions anymore.

"Alright, scram."

Li Zhuo, as if granted a great pardon, quickly left the Grand Aroma Restaurant. News of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou's appearance quickly spread throughout Imperial City. "What? That old scoundrel Buyu's disciple has appeared?" The Minister of Personnel couldn't sit still upon hearing this. His cultivation talent was limited, and he had no hope of reaching the Tribulation Transcending stage, so he hadn't entered seclusion.

He had thought he would never have the chance to defeat Daoist Buyu in this lifetime, but he hadn't expected such a heaven-sent opportunity: Daoist Buyu's junior disciple had delivered himself to his doorstep.

"Son, come here. How has your cultivation been recently?" The Minister of Personnel called his youngest son, who was the most promising among all his children and had the best cultivation talent.

The Minister of Personnel's son was handsome and impressive; he could make young maidens turn their heads when he walked down the street.

"Thanks to the elixirs Father provided, I haven't encountered many bottlenecks. I'm already at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage."

The Minister of Personnel nodded and then asked, "I hear people outside are already calling you a prodigy?"

The Minister of Personnel's son displayed a confident smile. "I wouldn't dare claim to be a prodigy; it's merely flattery from the world. However, when it comes to combat, I truly have never been defeated."

"That's good. Daoist Buyu's junior disciple, Lu Yang, has arrived. Your father cannot contend with that old scoundrel Buyu, so now I'm counting on you. Go and compete with Lu Yang."

"Huh?" The Minister of Personnel's son was dumbfounded. He was indeed a genius, but he couldn't compare to a genius like Lu Yang, who had won the championship at the Daoist Asking Sect's 120,000-year celebration. That was a monstrous talent who could fight on par with Young Sect Master Lu! If I were that good, why would I still be idling in Imperial City? I'd just join the Heavenly Court Sect!

"Grandpa, I was bullied by Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang!" Li Zhuo cried out for justice as soon as he returned to the Left Prime Minister's residence. The more he thought about it on the way back, the angrier he became, but he was no match for Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang, so he could only seek his grandfather's help.

His grandfather had a history of grievances with the Meng family and Daoist Buyu, so he would definitely act if there was a chance to settle scores!

The Left Prime Minister was a white-haired old man. After listening to Li Zhuo's embellished account, he pondered for a moment.

"You mean, that old scoundrel Buyu's disciple has also come?"

"Mainly that Meng Jingzhou, he's simply too much of a bully!" Li Zhuo said indignantly. He wasn't too concerned about Lu Yang himself.

The Left Prime Minister ignored him, continuing to muse aloud, "If you were to acknowledge Lu Yang as your elder brother, then you and Lu Yang would be peers, and Daoist Buyu would become someone of my son's generation, isn't that right?"

"Huh?"

"Huh what? Hurry up and acknowledge Lu Yang as your elder brother!"

When Lu Yang returned to the Meng residence, invitations, like snowflakes, poured in, covering an entire table.

"So many, quite popular, aren't you?" Meng Jingzhou teased.

Although he had many enemies in Imperial City, he was still the Meng family's eldest young master, so those who disliked him didn't dare to openly confront him.

Lu Yang drew a line down the middle of the table, explaining to Meng Jingzhou, "On the left are challenges to battle, and on the right are sworn brotherhood invitations."

"The challenges are all from the sons of Master's enemies, and the sworn brotherhood invitations are from the grandsons of Master's enemies."

"What are you afraid of with challenges? Just fight them."

Lu Yang sighed faintly. "I'm certainly not afraid of one-on-one fights, but the problem is these are all joint challenges."

In other words, they planned to gang up on him.

Meng Jingzhou scratched his head. This was indeed a tricky situation. Lu Yang couldn't foolishly go into a group brawl, nor could he acknowledge a whole group of younger brothers.

If he were to ignore these invitations and go out, it wasn't out of the question that Lu Yang might be ambushed, or have people cling to him begging to be acknowledged as elder brothers.

"I have an idea," Meng Jingzhou said, a flash of inspiration hitting him as he thought of a solution.

"What idea?"

Luotian Forest was a small forest located within Imperial City, where cultivators often came to meditate on the energy of wood spirits.

Today, Luotian Forest was livelier than usual, with officials' sons and aristocratic family disciples gathered there. "You also received Lu Yang's reply?" Li Zhuo and the Minister of Personnel's son had a good relationship, and they met up to chat.

"Yeah, it said to come to Luotian Forest to resolve the issues, but it's been half a day and no one's here?" The Minister of Personnel's son wondered. Just as everyone was puzzling over this, Meng Jingzhou leaped down from the treetops. "Everyone, quiet down! If anyone speaks again, I'll have my family raise your interest rates."

Instantly, no one dared to speak.

"The purpose of gathering everyone here today, I'm sure you all understand, is all for my brother Lu Yang."

"Some of you carry the grievances of the older generation and wish to challenge Lu Yang. Others want to take advantage of our Sect Master's generosity and acknowledge Lu Yang as your elder brother. All of this is understandable."

"But there's only one Lu Yang. If all of you swarm him, he certainly can't fight you all. And if all of you swarm to acknowledge him as your elder brother, he can't accept that either."

"To solve this problem, Lu Yang and I discussed it and decided to hold a competition."

"A competition?" Everyone frowned, not understanding Meng Jingzhou's meaning.

"As the saying goes, the strong are revered, and the strong have privileges."

"This competition will be named the First Lu Yang Hegemony Contest. It will be a group format, with participants competing in pairs. The winners will advance to the next round until a champion is determined."

Just as everyone was still trying to process Meng Jingzhou's words, a large, human-height red box suddenly descended from the sky, landing in front of Meng Jingzhou. It was exquisitely packaged.

Meng Jingyu, standing in the tree, took a couple of breaths. She had thrown the box.

Meng Jingzhou swiftly tore open the box, revealing Lu Yang, who was tied to a chair. He then grandly announced,

"And this is the prize for this competition: Lu Yang."

"As long as you win the competition, you can either challenge Lu Yang or acknowledge him as your elder brother."