Luo Xiu understood what Yue Tianyang meant. Yue Tianyang wanted to win him over, but he didn't quite believe in his strength. Seeing is believing, so Yue Tianyang decided to test his strength personally.

"There's no need for that, old man. You're getting on in years, and it wouldn't do to injure you."

Upon hearing this, Yue Tianyang suddenly laughed. Luo Xiu's casual remark, which even carried a hint of concern, was brimming with extreme arrogance.

"Then, I suppose I'm the one being unreasonable!"

As he finished speaking, he dashed forward like lightning and threw a punch at Luo Xiu.

A punch thrown by someone in the Late Stage of Gathering Spirits, even one without malicious intent and meant only as a test, was still incredibly powerful. However, Luo Xiu simply raised a hand casually, catching Yue Tianyang's fist steadily in his palm.

In that instant, Yue Tianyang felt the force of his punch vanish completely, as if a great stone had been dropped into the ocean. It was as if his own powerful punch had turned into a limp fist striking a wad of cotton.

He immediately leaped backward to create distance, staring in disbelief at Luo Xiu, who was still sitting calmly in his chair sipping tea.

"Mister Luo, you truly are extraordinary."

Luo Xiu looked up at him. "I have other matters to attend to, so let's not waste any more time. How about this: if Boss Yue can dodge this little thing, I'll spend some time hearing you out."

As he spoke, a cubic diamond silently flew out and hovered in the air before him.

Considering my physical condition, it's best to avoid a physical fight if possible. Besides, after that brief test, this so-called Late Stage of Gathering Spirits isn't even worth my time.

Seeing the diamond, Yue Tianyang felt a jolt of recognition. He suddenly recalled someone. But before he could speak, the diamond shot toward him at an incredible speed.

Yue Tianyang, knowing full well how terrifying the diamond was, immediately used his movement techniques to dodge left and right across the conference room. Yet, after only a few evasions, the diamond struck him in the back, sending him flying into the far wall.

Luckily, Luo Xiu had no intention of harming him and hadn't allowed the diamond to spin. If the diamond had been spinning, that single hit would have instantly pierced through his body.

When Yue Tianyang climbed back to his feet, the diamond had already stopped, hovering right before his eyes.

He swallowed hard and slowly raised his hands with a wry smile. "Mister Luo, please, call back your Divine Skills. I have made a fool of myself. With my speed, it's simply impossible to dodge it."

With a simple gesture from Luo Xiu, the diamond flew back into his hand. Then, he stood up to leave.

"Mister Luo, wait a moment!" Yue Tianyang called out from behind him.

But Luo Xiu showed no sign of stopping.

Yue Tianyang suddenly spoke again. "If I may be so bold, is Luo Ying your mother?"

Hearing this, Luo Xiu paused at the doorway. He stood with his back to Yue Tianyang for several seconds before slowly turning around.

"You know Luo Ying?"

Seeing he had successfully made him stay, Yue Tianyang smiled. "More than just know her. During the Battle of Henghai, I even worked alongside her."

Luo Xiu asked, "Why would you ask if she's my mother?"

Yue Tianyang looked at Luo Xiu and spoke slowly, "Because this diamond is one of her Magical Treasures. To be precise, it's called the Dragon Drill. She once told me during a conversation that this diamond was forged from the bones of a dragon."

He added, "The ashes from a cremated body contain two percent carbon, which can be extracted to create a diamond. A diamond refined from dragon bone is called a Dragon Drill. The reason I asked is because I once heard her say that only someone who shares her bloodline can control the Dragon Drill."

"I don't know where you obtained this Dragon Drill, but the fact that you can control it proves you must be related by blood to Luo Ying."

Luo Xiu clenched his fists. "Where is she?"

"I have a rough idea of her whereabouts," Yue Tianyang said. "But before that, I'd like to talk with you, Mister Luo."

Luo Xiu walked back and sat down in his chair. Because of Luo Ying, he was now completely at Yue Tianyang's mercy.

Yue Tianyang walked over and sat opposite him. "Frankly, I am currently in desperate need of talent. After learning that you were young Miss Xue's master, I was extremely eager to meet you. I have no ulterior motives; I simply wish to recruit an expert like yourself, Mister Luo, to assist me."

Luo Xiu nodded with a faint smile. "I appreciate your direct way of speaking, Boss Yue."

Yue Tianyang smiled. "Then, what do you think, Mister Luo? Are you willing to help me?"

"What is it you want to do?" Luo Xiu asked.

"Kill Chen Xuanbao."

Luo Xiu stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

Yue Tianyang went on, "On a personal level, he destroyed my family and ruined my name. The hatred I feel is the only thing that has kept me alive, and I think of nothing but revenge. To fight him, I was willing to become the very thing I once despised... I entered the criminal underworld just to accumulate the power to stand against him."

"As for the public good, the man's heart is corrupt. On the surface, he is the respected Admiral Sir, a guardian of this land who holds great power without pride and is loved by the people. But in reality, his crimes are monstrous, and there is no evil he won't commit. He has even joined a heretic cult, unscrupulously using his position to enrich it. For years, I have been investigating and gathering evidence. I've learned that he is conducting a secret experiment, one that could threaten all of humanity."

Luo Xiu asked, "What kind of experiment?"

Yue Tianyang shook his head. "I don't know the specifics, but I know the approximate location of the lab. And… Luo Ying is very likely there. My informant told me, just before he died, that there is a woman's corpse on the lowest level of the lab. That body must be special in some way, or it wouldn't be kept in a laboratory. And from what I know, Luo Ying was very special."

Luo Xiu lowered his head, a contemplative look on his face.

I don't know if he's telling the truth, but I do know he wants to use me to investigate that lab.

So he asked directly, "You want to use me?"

Yue Tianyang didn't try to hide it. "That's right. Because you are incredibly powerful, Mister Luo. And aren't all relationships based on mutual use?"

Luo Xiu gave a slight smile and stood up. "So, I should be glad I have some value to be used?"

"The seventh underground level of the Hengyun Technology Building should have a direct passage to that secret lab," Yue Tianyang stated.

After a long pause, the two of them walked out of the conference room together.

Ye Ningxue, who was waiting outside, hurriedly ran over and took Luo Xiu's hand. "Master, I heard everything from Lin Xiyue just now! She's going to participate in the Martial Arts Trial, and you're here to find a sword for her, right?"

Luo Xiu glanced at Lin Xiyue.

Lin Xiyue simply shrugged, imitating him. "It's not exactly a secret."

Yue Tianyang laughed. "If Mister Luo is looking for a sword, I happen to have a collection of ancient swords at home, though I'm not sure if any would be worthy of your consideration."

Ye Ningxue shot him a disdainful look. "The scrap metal in your house isn't worthy of my master."

Yue Tianyang was left speechless.

Ye Ningxue smiled sweetly. "Master, there is a sword in my family's forbidden land ranked ninth among the Hua Country's top ten famous swords. But it's stuck fast in bone, and no one has ever been able to pull it out. My grandfather said that whoever can pull it out gets to keep it."

Upon hearing this, Luo Xiu's interest was instantly piqued. He truly had no interest in any sword that wasn't one of Hua Country's top ten.

"Can I try?"

"Of course! Xiao Xue believes Master will definitely be able to pull it out!"

Yue Tianyang suddenly looked very expectant. "Then why not give it a try, Mister Luo? I would love to see it as well."

But then Ye Ningxue added, "However, my grandfather said that anyone who wants to try must first challenge him and the other elders. Only after passing their test do you earn the right to attempt to pull the sword."

...

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