Chapter 1129: Party Crashing

In the bustling hall, with everyone taking seats, Luo Yunhai arrived at his seat with his lady. He saluted everyone with a smile, "Sect Leaders, Venerables, Clan Heads, Elders, it is an honor to have all of you at my humble birthday. The Luo Alliance thanks you, as does everyone here!"

The two bowed.

"Luo Alliance Leader, you're too kind, ha-ha-ha..." The festivities began with the guests returning the gesture.

Luo Yunhai said, "As only a few days ago the nine Sect Leaders and I have discussed the border defense, the celebration has been rushed. I only hope that you may overlook any slightness."

The two bowed again.

"Please, Luo Alliance Leader, it's no trouble..." Everyone was modest.

Luo Yunhai was very nice, but all the veteran cultivators picked up on his meaning.

His talks with the nine Sect Leaders for the border defense showed the Luo clan's status, that of the Marshal over all of western lands, while calling the nine sects fellow brothers. showing their close ties. The position was special and also firm, making so any that was discontent would be shooting himself in the foot, and his future in western lands.

Such forceful declaration coming from Luo Yunhai was seen more as courtesy and benevolent.

[We're strong but not oppressive, respectful and thoughtful of all opinions.]

Or the two bows to every guest would not have happened.

It made everyone want to be friendly and to respect the Luo clan. By exercising their power, it would only shun the guests away.

Luo Alliance Leader showed that while strong, he was mild and put their minds at ease.

Luo Yunhai watched the prevalent smiles in every direction with a pleased look.

[Luo Alliance has gained even more friends.]

An obnoxious laughter then broke the jovial mood, "Ha-ha-ha, it's Luo Alliance Leader's big birthday, but I wasn't invited?"

"Sir, you can't go in. Sir..."

"Beat it!"

A three-meter tall elder with white hair strutted into the hall following the clamor outside. Next to him were five youths, fierce and, judging by the unrestrained aura, in the Genesis Stage.

The guards tried stopping them but were just shoved aside.

Some guests were startled and whispered, "Qin Society Head, Qin Hao? What's he doing here? Isn't he on bad terms with the Luo Alliance?"

"He must've come to ruin the party. This is going to be good!" The guests went silent and resumed observing the two.

"Alliance Leader, they insisted even as we tried to stop them..."

"It's fine, you may go."

The guard rushed to report, but Luo Yunhai dismissed him. He then turned to the old man with cupped hands, "Society Head Qin, to what do I owe this most unexpected visit?"

"Yea, we didn't invite you, sir. So what warranted this forced arrival?" Luo Yunchang stood up with cold eyes.

Qin Hao chuckled in derision, "Young miss, I know of your willful nature, but to think you'd not even show respect on your brother's birthday. In any case our clans, we are the largest two groups in the western lands. Shouldn't the Luo Alliance Leader have invited me as well for his birthday? I was doubtful if maybe brother had misplaced the invitation since you have been so busy with the border and neglected many things. No matter, for here I am, to wish you a long life, ha-ha-ha..."

"Humph, we don't need copycats like you around!" Luo Yunchang mocked, "It seems Society Head Qin expected the feeling to be mutual. Sorry to disappoint."

Many of the guests weren't so discreet in hiding their laughter. Qin Hao's face fell.

All of western lands knew that the Luo clan was the first to start a clan alliance, having built it to be the strongest. All the others that came later were imitations, shaky and hardly effective. Except for Qin Society, trying its damness to stick close to Luo Alliance's model.

In the eyes of all, however, the first was a hero, while the second a ne'er-do-well. With the Luo Alliance around, the Qin Society was overshadowed, doomed to be second for all eternity. The only reason it lasted for so long was because Double Dragon Manor had its back.

Luo Yunchang's copycat remark struck him to the quick, and hard. His face darkened by the second.

"Alliance Leader Luo, so you really had no intention of inviting me. But since I'm here now, you wouldn't throw a poor old man out, would you? It'll go against all your alliance stands for."

"Take a seat, Society Head Qin. Bringing another plate is of no import." Luo Yunhai chuckled and gestured.

Qin Hao gave a look of scorn, not following along, "It's not that I don't appreciate it, but seeing how Alliance Leader Luo does not wish to see me, I shall leave. But having seen Alliance Leader Luo after a long time and on your birthday no less, I couldn't leave without giving a gift. Men, present the gift!"

"Yes!"

A rugged man bowed and offered a three meter long redwood box after taking it out of his ring.

Luo Yunhai looked hard at him, trying to find his angle.

Qin Hao's eyes held a savage glint, waving and opening the box to let a flood of scarlet blind the audience.

After adjusting to the gaudy show, the people gasped, "A top 12th grade spiritual sword?"

"This is my gift to Alliance Leader Luo, a treasure fit for a hero. Please accept it, Alliance Leader!" Qin Hao sneered, giving a mock bow and challenging him with his eyes.

The hall exploded in whispers.

"A 12th grade spiritual weapon is a rarity. Where did he get his hands on such a treasure?"

"Such a high quality spiritual weapon is a marvel for every land. Even Double Dragon Manor might not have..."

"Them? I bet even the central area can't have more than a couple. As for the other lands, it's hard to say if they even have one, let alone a top one..."

...

All guests turned their eyes to the dazzling scarlet light show in awe. Luo Yunhai was also taken aback.

"Clan Head, Qin Hao has come to crash the party, that is certain. Double Dragon Manor must've put him up to this, to curb our growth. It's Clan Head's birthday and if you can't take the limelight, the Qin Society will only grow more outrageous as more social climbers would suck up to him." Leng Wuchang whispered in Luo Yunhai's ear.

Luo Yunhai nodded and took in the awe on the guests' faces.

[He came here to show off so he could poach my allies. I need to stop him or the Luo Alliance will lose to him.]

[The 12th grade spiritual weapon, even top quality, isn't the point here, but grasping the hearts of the people.]

But what could he do to fight him on this?

Luo Yunhai turned to Qiu Yanhai, whispering, "Elder Qiu, you're the best at refining in the alliance. Do you have any masterpieces?"

"Clan Head, I am a refiner, but only in the 10th grade and can make an 11th grade at best. I have nothing that can compete with a top 12th grade spiritual weapon like that." Qiu Yanhai was put in difficulty.

Luo Yunhai sighed, glaring at Qin Hao yet having no solution.

Wu Qingqiu shook his head, whispering to Wen Tao, "I heard Double Dragon Manor isn't as welcoming with the Luo Alliance, so they turned to Qin Society to keep them in check. The rumors are true, I see. It's the only explanation for the Qin Society's recent rise. Even if Double Dragon Manor hadn't given such a treasure to the Qin Society, just based on their value, they would never show it, let alone gift it. It's like giving up a part of themselves."

"People only look at gains and losses. Taking out a 12th grade spiritual weapon to strike at Luo Alliance shows that Double Dragon Manor is on the move." Wen Tao sighed, "But is Double Dragon Manor what it used to be?"

"Tch, no one was there to threaten Double Dragon Manor. Now that there is, of course it changed. Luo Alliance isn't dangerous in its growth, but in its commercial dealings with all the lands, using sacred stones as currency. Luo Alliance has outgrown Double Dragon Manor, making the latter pointless. Double Dragon Manor has no choice but to switch tactics to gain western lands under their control. Ha-ha-ha, I now see why brother Zhuo warned me to step away from the corruption of the mundane to reach Dao..."

Wen Tao nodded and sighed, looking disappointed...