Chapter 2276 To Divine Forge Workshop A1

Luo Jia received the order with a delighted heart. This was a favorable result to deliver to Lin Xun.

On the throne, Huang Cangtian was displaying the decisiveness of a clan leader, giving three orders in a row without any hesitation.

“Starting now, all clansmen are to be thoroughly investigated. Seize whoever is under the influence of the Spiritbinder Parasite on sight!

“First Elder, take all available troops with you to Thousand Flame Imperial City and execute every single one found to be a member of the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Clans!

“From today, the Celestial Phoenix Secret Realm is under lockdown. No one is allowed to leave without authorization. Any violation shall be severely punished!”

The three orders were loud and clear, causing the atmosphere of the hall to become austere.

Several old relics immediately retreated to bring them into action.

Everyone could feel the big storm that was about to rise today.

Luo Jia and her father Luo Changfeng also withdrew, leaving only a small group of the clan’s senior pillars and Huang Cangtian in the hall.

Only then did Huang Cangtian reveal a worried look. “The Luo Clan chose this exact occasion to send an expert from the other side of the cosmos here. Do any of you have a guess about their intention?”

One of the old relics replied with a somber expression, “Someone must have leaked the news that our progenitor is about to awaken and incurred this scourge!

“I’m sure none of us has forgotten how tragically the True Dragon Progenitor Ancestor was locked up for helping Luo Qingxun, while the progenitors of the White Tigers and Black Tortoises chose to defect and left for the other side of the cosmos to cultivate at the Luo Clan.

“Only our progenitor didn’t make a choice, being in the middle of his attempt at nirvana. This time...I fear that the faraway Luo Clan plans to take advantage of the awakening juncture to force our Venerable Progenitor to take a side!”

The others also nodded as only such an explanation would make sense.

Suddenly, someone said, “There is another possibility. Perhaps the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Clans are fanning the flames and trying to achieve their goal through borrowed hands.”

Huang Cangtian asked, “Can you elaborate?”

The person explained, “Nowadays, of the Four Great Primordial Clans, the True Dragon Progenitor Ancestor has been imprisoned, our progenitor is in seclusion, and the White Tiger and Black Tortoise progenitors are serving the Luo Clan on the other side of the cosmos. This makes us evenly matched in power.

“But once our Venerable Progenitor emerges stronger from nirvana, this balance will be broken. Given the True Dragon Clan’s friendship with us, they naturally won’t consider us a threat, but I'm afraid the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Clans don’t think this way.”

These words sent the group into contemplation.

It was common knowledge that the Celestial Phoenix Clan had severed all relations with the faraway Luo Clan due to Luo Qingxun. This was of course to adhere to the will of the Celestial Phoenix Progenitor Ancestor.

If the Celestial Phoenix Progenitor Ancestor awakened and learned that the White Tigers and Black Tortoises had been serving the faraway Luo Clan, how was it possible not to produce the heart of hostility?

With the new power after his awakening, the Celestial Phoenix Progenitor Ancestor could indeed threaten the current White Tiger and Black Tortoise Clans!

“Suppose this is the case, then their conspiracy probably won't be that simple.” Huang Cangtian nodded with a grave look. “Tomorrow, I will head to the Divine Forge Imperial Clan to guard the Venerable Progenitor myself!”

The Celestial Phoenix Progenitor Ancestor, who had been silent in the deepest part of the fire ocean underneath Thousand Flame Imperial City, had been guarded by the Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor of the Divine Forge Imperial Clan all these countless years.

This matter was only known to the core figures of the Celestial Phoenix Clan, as well as a handful of the Divine Forge Imperial Clan's old relics.

Now, however, Huang Cangtian was concerned whether it had been leaked...

......

Meanwhile, in the Divine Forge Imperial Clan.

Patriarch Lian Jiuxiao, as well as a group of high-ranking members, were also having a meeting, only that the topic was related to one person.

Lin Daoyuan!

Everything that had transpired in the Divine Forge Workshops A10 to A2 had been reported to them. After recovering from the shock it gave, they all had one question.

Did Lin Daoyuan really come to our workshops just to appraise treasures?

Lian Jiuxiao suddenly said, “Hongxiu, you said Lin Daoyuan asked to meet Lord Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor?”

Lian Hongxiu nodded, “He did, but he doesn't strike me as someone with ill intentions. Both Yuntian and Feijia agree with me on this.”

Lian Yuntian and Lian Feijia nodded.

Someone proposed, “Patriarch, no matter what Fellow Daoist Lin’s end goal is, he will be at Workshop A1 tomorrow. We can just ask him then.”

The others eagerly chimed in, “That’s right. This old man would like to see just how extraordinary this fellow daoist’s smithing skills are.”

After much deliberation, Lian Jiuxiao nodded. “Very well, but all of you need to remain vigilant. In the case that Lin Daoyuan really has ulterior motives, we must not be fooled.”

Everyone happily agreed.

......

Today was destined to be uneventful.

Deep into the night, in a remote palace covered in heavy arrays.

There was not a single light in this palace. A group of figures was sitting in the quiet darkness, appearing incomparably mysterious.

“Today, our young master, Wu Fatian, as well as our Fourth Elder who was a seventh realm Emperor, were murdered...” a low and gloomy voice rang out.

“Humph! This also happened to our young master, Bai Shajun, and an important senior at the eighth realm!” someone else grunted.

“Could it be that the Celestial Phoenix Clan has gotten wind so they took action?” suggested another in a heavy tone.

“Impossible! Our pawns in the Celestial Phoenix Clan have not found anything unusual.”

“Still, today's matter has undoubtedly alarmed the Celestial Phoenix Clan. There’s no surprise that Huang Cangtian will take action.”

“The Celestial Phoenix Lineage is already in the predicament. No matter what they do now, they can’t salvage anything. When the expert of the Luo Clan arrives, our tribes will go all out!”

“In that case, I suggest we all lay low and try not to give away any traces.”

“That’s indeed the right thing to do for now.”

The voices gradually faded into silence.

The hall remained pitch-dark as it always was, while those figures had already gone.

......

The next morning, the sun was just right.

When Lin Xun left the inn, he found that although the streets were still bustling, the atmosphere had become tense and strict.

After some asking, Lin Xun learned that last night, the Celestial Phoenix Clan had mobilized big troops for a search and arrest all over Thousand Flame Imperial City.

It was said they were after some thieves.

Of course, Lin Xun knew that the so-called ‘thieves’ were people of the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Clans!

“They reacted very quickly.” Lin Xun felt a little reassured. It proved that Luo Jia had reported back to her clan, and the matter had gotten the attention of the authorities.

This was good enough. Now that they were no longer kept in the dark, they would not be in a passive state.

While pondering, Lin Xun walked to Divine Forge Workshop A1.

“Brother Lin.”

He was halfway there when he saw Luo Jia coming toward him from afar in a long lavender dress. With features so stunning like they belonged in a painting, she attracted countless gazes along the way.

“You seem to be in a good mood,” Lin Xun greeted her with a smile. Since he still had the jade token Luo Jia had given him, it was in his expectation that she would be able to locate him.

Luo Jia nodded. “Our patriarch has agreed to open the passage and send you back to the Ancient Nebula Road after the current scourge is resolved.”

This was indeed good news, but Lin Xun perceived more than just the bright side of it and couldn't help but joke, “In other words, I won't be able to leave until this scourge is eliminated?”

“Eh...” Luo Jia was baffled for a good moment.

Lin Xun said, “I was just kidding. Besides, I’m in no hurry to leave anyway.”

Luo Jia asked, “Right, where are you going?”

Lin Xun casually replied, “Divine Forge Workshop A1.”

Luo Jia didn’t expect this. She asked curiously, “To do what?”

Lin Xun didn't answer and instead asked with a smile, “Wanna come with and see for yourself?”

Luo Jia’s face lit up with a smile. “As the host, how can I not accompany you to the end?” Her voice was soft and crisp.

When the two were a short distance away from Divine Forge Workshop A1, Luo Jia was stunned.

So many people!

This area is completely packed. What is happening?

What took her even further aback was the figures of Lian Jiuxiao, the Divine Forge Imperial Clan’s chief, as well as a sizable group of their big shots in front of the workshop. It was quite a spectacular sight.

Such an occurrence had always been extremely rare!

“Brother Lin, looking at the situation, I don’t think we can enter Divine Forge Workshop A1 today...” Luo Jia had just said this when she heard a clamor from the distant crowd.

“He’s here! Lin Daoyuan is here!”

“Look, that's Lin Daoyuan, the expert that caused a sensation in the whole city yesterday.”

“He looks so young...”

Along with those voices, countless gazes landed on Lin Xun, which caught him off guard.

Luo Jia also froze.

What’s going on?!

She had only just come out of the clan to look for Lin Xun at the first opportunity, so she hadn’t heard about the city-wide furor started by the man next to her yesterday.

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Meanwhile, Chief Lian Jiuxiao, Blacksmith Lian Hongxiu, Lian Yuntian, Lian Feijia, and a bunch of other old monsters had started walking toward them.

They were still quite a distance apart, but the old relics already put on looks of enthusiasm and respect as they greeted Lin Xun.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, you’ve finally come.”

“This is our patriarch. After hearing about you, he immediately decided to come to see your dashing style for himself.”

“Right, these old geezers are all elders of my clan. I'll introduce them to you one by one later.”

The air was lively as the group of grandmaster smiths, whose pride was so high it could reach the sky, ardently flocked up and exchanged pleasantries with Lin Xun.

Luo Jia entered a trance as she watched.

These old fellows of the Divine Forge Imperial Clan are always reserved and conceited even when dealing with the big shots of the Celestial Phoenix Clan.

But now, they are so friendly and respectful toward an outsider like Lin Xun!

What the heck even is this?

Before she could make heads or tails of this situation, Lin Xun led the befuddled Luo Jia into Divine Forge Workshop A1, all the while being surrounded by a group of Divine Forge Imperial Clan's bigwigs and under countless onlookers’ eyes.