The Lu Family had always been renowned for their close combat skills. Therefore, the sudden appearance of over thirty targeted martial arts seemed utterly incredible, causing a moment of stunned silence before the crowd erupted into a clamor.

"How is this possible? Our Lu Family boasts a long and profound lineage, constantly drawing from various sources. We have strayed significantly from the original Lu Family tradition. There simply can't exist any martial arts that could pose a threat to us!"

"Indeed! Our Lu Family thrives on the martial arts tradition and has never stagnated. We always keep pace with the Federation's progress. We may not claim to be the best at close combat, but our reputation in Jing State is outstanding! There's absolutely no possibility of such a thing suddenly cropping up..."

However, some had listened more attentively and promptly rose to address Lu Yu, who had fallen silent. "Respected Family Head, since you claim to have verified this information with the Council of Elders! Could you perhaps reveal these martial arts so that we can examine them and see who exactly is targeting our Lu Family?"

"Yes! The martial arts! We need to see the martial arts! We are the pride of the Lu Family, stronger now than we have ever been. Drawing our strength from the martial arts of the world, supported by our ancestral heritage, though we may not claim to be invincible, we are more than capable of self-defense. Since the Family Head has summoned us here because of this situation, then reveal those martial arts and let everyone see for themselves!"

Beside Lu Yu sat several expressionless Elders. They watched the crowd intently, their gazes fixed on those who, while appearing to question with righteous indignation, actually believed the Lu Family was already more than capable of protecting itself. Because these Elders had survived the Spiritual Energy disaster, they knew better. Such a perspective was detrimental to the Family, and these self-satisfied individuals truly lacked a broader vision. They had become complacent, believing the Lu Family could genuinely dominate a region. They never considered that even a small place like Jing State had its marginalized commoners and the truly affluent S district.

However, just as these Elders were about to lose their composure and teach them a lesson about the vastness of the world, they were unexpectedly stopped.

Lu Yu slowly intervened, murmuring, "Honorable Elders, didn't we agree before the meeting? The stronger the Lu Family's martial arts become, and the more invincible their close combat prowess, the closer our Lu Family will be to death. In reality, this is only the beginning!"

Lu Yu was clear. Every family, when its power accumulates to a certain point, becomes complacent.

Thus, he consoled them, "Moreover, you should all be aware of my purpose. This time, we must send someone. We can't afford to be left out, nor can we let too many people know about this matter. Therefore, we must first make them understand the severity of the situation."

The severity, naturally, referred to the news brought by Lu Pan and the underlying crisis that could potentially impact the Lu Family.

Instantly, all the Lu Family Elders fell silent. Had Lu Yu discussed this with them previously, they would have been furious, believing their judgment had failed them in selecting the seemingly useless Lu Yu.

But now, after Lu Yu's verification with them, they were certain. The news transmitted by Lu Pan, the descendant of the seventh branch currently in the Southwest, was true! The Federation had indeed developed a set of martial arts that could effectively counter the Lu Family. So, the Lu Family's immediate priority was to quickly find Lu Pan, who had sent the message, and further confirm the origin of these martial arts.

Furthermore, Lu Yu's capabilities had earned him further recognition from these old-timers; this descendant of the Lu Family had not disappointed their hopes.

Of course, the reason the Lu Family was being so cautious this time was simply that Lu Pan had not been able to relay the information about Wang Zhan. Otherwise, Lu Yu would not have been so vigilant about this mission.

Therefore, Lu Yu raised his head, scanned his surroundings, and then declared with a wave of his hand, "Since you all wish to see, then I shall certainly let you see your fill. Let them in!"

With a CLUNK, the great doors swung open.

In a moment, two children, clearly descendants of the Lu Family, appeared before everyone. One, though not yet a Martial Artist, had clearly awakened his vital energy and martial arts Talent. The other was, at best, a slightly more robust ordinary person.

Yet, at this very moment, Lu Yu made a bold declaration to everyone, "You have all seen them. These two: one is a seed of our Lu Family's martial arts lineage, and the other is a seed of our Lu Family's scholarly lineage. In an ordinary fight, there might be some exceptions. But today, I want you to see that even an ordinary person, if our martial arts cannot suppress them, will ensure that we are the first to die. So... Lu Jade, Lu Lu, you two, take the arena immediately! Let everyone see the significant progress you've made in a single day and night of cultivation. Today, I want everyone to witness firsthand what becomes of the Lu Family's martial arts when faced with someone who has mastered techniques that can suppress us! Begin!"

The arena instantly fell into a solemn silence. All eyes swiveled towards them.

Consequently, Lu Lu, the Lu Family descendant who was cultivating his vital energy, felt a surge of nervousness. Even though he was already a confirmed Martial Artist, true confidence was not so quickly shaped by real-world encounters.

Standing opposite him, Lu Jade, an ordinary youth, didn't seem particularly nervous. He simply took a deep breath and then extended a direct invitation, "Brother Lu, please make your move!"

Lu Lu gradually calmed his racing heart, though a sense of agitation still lingered. He realized he needed to suppress it quickly. Only a swift victory would prevent him from falling into a disadvantage. Otherwise, the pressure from the crowd alone could cause him to falter. As a seed of Martial Arts, his perception was far keener than Lu Jade's.

So, without any hesitation, Lu Lu leaped forward, his hands beginning to form techniques, and shouted respectfully, "Brother Jade, be careful! HIYAH, coiling dragon strength!"

A somewhat immature roar echoed. Yet, Lu Lu truly moved like a Coiling Dragon, his body coiling with power as he closed in, immediately drawing cheers from the crowd. This display of coiling dragon strength alone was enough to prove Lu Lu's Talent and diligence.

"Excellent!"

Worthy of a Lu Family descendant! Even though not yet a Martial King, he already possessed the vigor of a tiger. Truly rare.

But unexpectedly, just as Lu Lu's powerful fist, sharp and unstoppable, was about to connect, Lu Jade simply took another light breath, then sidestepped, unleashing all his strength.

Even though he didn't have the qualifications to step onto the path of martial arts, as a scion of the Lu Family, he still enjoyed the vital energy nourishment he was entitled to. The Lu Family's martial arts were also not kept secret, and at least at this stage, the gap between them wasn't large. Therefore, Lu Jade and Lu Lu were evenly matched, unless Lu Lu formally became a Martial Artist. Of course, in a protracted battle, Lu Jade still couldn't compete with Lu Lu, who could cultivate internal energy; this was the difference in Talent.

Thus, Lu Jade shifted, ducked, bent, looked up, straightened his chest, and lunged forward.

BOOM! They collided!

Then, they tumbled and maneuvered through several exchanges, both using Lu Family techniques. For a time, it was impossible to determine a clear winner.

However, just as Lu Lu was about to mobilize his vital energy to engage Lu Jade in a battle of attrition, Lu Jade suddenly spun around. Then, as if completely ignoring the Lu Family's techniques, one of his palms struck Lu Lu's shoulder hard, causing him to stumble. Instantly, a knife-hand descended.

With just a hairsbreadth of difference, Lu Lu's life was hanging by a thread!

"Stop!"

Fortunately, someone called a halt in time. But everyone in the arena stared dumbfounded at the scene, their eyes wide with disbelief. A single knife-hand strike had so easily nullified the Lu Family's close-combat tradition. How was this possible? Could Lu Jade also be a hidden expert?

However, the auras of the two Martial Emperors and several Martial Kings present suddenly intensified, their gazes turning sharp.

Is this really just a single move? they wondered. They began to replay the exchange in their minds, realizing that if they were ordinary people, their choices under that move would have been no different from Lu Lu's. Of course, they believed it was not merely a martial arts move because, in the eyes of these powerful individuals, Lu Jade's recent change in moves actually carried a certain imposing aura! An aura that could ignore the Lu Family's moves and the internal energy bonus they provided.

This also indicated that these martial arts were indeed fatal to the Lu Family. If it was like this for ordinary people, what would happen when it came to the Martial King, or even the Martial Emperor Realm?

Seeing that the situation in the arena had been decided, Lu Yu, the Lu Family Head, stepped forward. He had someone escort the two children, who were now apologizing to each other, off the stage. Then, gazing at the crowd with cold eyes, he spoke solemnly, "Everyone, you have seen it! This is the threat these martial arts pose to our Lu Family. Their existence might even cause flaws we never knew our Lu Family had to sprout like bamboo shoots after a spring rain... It's not just one move, and our Lu Family does not fear any particular set of moves. The problem is, after seeing it, I've realized that our Lu Family's martial arts are deficient, and this deficiency began from our Ancestor's era..."

Whispers rippled through the crowd; everyone felt a sense of oppression.

A glimpse reveals the whole leopard! For a family like theirs, with such an ancient heritage and countless close-combat Grandmasters, sometimes a single move was enough to understand the implications. Moreover, this wasn't just one move; it was as if someone was looking down upon the Lu Family's weaknesses from a higher realm.

So, someone murmured, "We... unless we fundamentally change our core techniques, we'll never be able to evade these kinds of moves that target vital points!..."

"Changing our core is not so simple! If the Family Head hadn't received this news, we might have already suffered a crushing defeat, with enemies at our doorstep! My suggestion is to fight back! Find the enemy and eradicate this threat at its very root..."

This, indeed, was true human nature.

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