Chapter 2097: Chapter 2097: No Evasion Allowed

Among the siblings, Ying Zuo can be said to be cautious and meticulous.

It’s something he can’t help; his background is not as favorable as his other brothers and sisters, and their father doesn’t much favor him either. Ying Zuo has always been worried that his father, Lord Ying Zhu, might be looking for an opportunity to cast him out of Divine Martial City.

Therefore, Ying Zuo doesn’t dare make any mistakes, fearing someone might seize upon them.

"Old Seven, shall we have our guest warriors come forth to spar with each other?" The Third Young Master said with a slight smile.

Though he spoke as if consulting Ying Zuo, he had already signaled to a black-robed guest by his side, who understood and promptly walked to the center of the square’s Battle Platform.

"Alright!" Ying Zuo responded.

Sending guest warriors to fight is an unavoidable tradition at the family meeting. If any offspring does not send their guest warriors to battle, it would displease Lord Ying Zhu.

The family meeting is an opportunity for Lord Ying Zhu to observe the overall strength of his descendants. Not sending your guest warriors to fight—what does that mean?

"Brother Cao Yi, I’m counting on you!" Ying Zuo said to his guest warrior Cao Yi beside him.

This Cao Yi is a Wanwu Realm Practitioner who always carries a large wine jug. Jing Yan had a deep impression upon seeing him.

Cao Yi half-opened his eyes as if just waking, saluted Ying Zuo, and wandered onto the Battle Platform.

Although Cao Yi’s demeanor was not impressive, nobody present, including the young masters and ladies, underestimated him. Everyone knew that Cao Yi and Lu Tuan were two Wanwu Realm Practitioners beside Ying Zuo.

While they might not like it, they must admit that Ying Zuo has indeed excelled in recruiting guest warriors. Among his father’s children, Ying Zuo enjoys the lowest status, thus the least resources. But with those few resources, he has recruited two Wanwu Realm Practitioners, indicating his remarkable capabilities.

After saluting the Third Young Master’s guest warrior, Cao Yi wasted no time in exchanging pleasantries; the two directly engaged in combat. When two Wanwu Realm practitioners fight, the power displayed is shocking. Unlike earlier duels that appeared tense but were relaxed underneath, the battle between Cao Yi and the Third Young Master’s guest was truly fierce.

Both fought with almost all their strength.

"As expected, it’s very dangerous." Jing Yan squinted as he watched the battling pair.

Cao Yi and the Third Young Master’s guest were evenly matched, causing the battle to last quite long. It went on for nearly an hour before a victor emerged. In the end, Cao Yi narrowly defeated the Third Young Master’s guest, who sustained some injuries, while Cao Yi was also substantially drained.

"Cao Yi performed well, reward him!" Lord Ying Zhu waved his hand.

"Thank you, my lord!" Cao Yi shook his body and thanked Lord Ying Zhu.

Cao Yi’s reward was a red spatial bag.

"Brother Cao Yi, thank you for your effort!" After Cao Yi returned, Young Master Ying Zuo said with a full smile.

"Seventh Young Master, you’re being too polite. I, Cao Yi, am your guest warrior, I must do my best to make you proud." Cao Yi replied to Ying Zuo.

"Brother Cao Yi, did the red bag contain a thousand Black Crystal Stones?" Jing Yan joined in playfully, asking from the side.

Cao Yi directly opened the red bag, and a thousand Black Crystal Stones flew out.

"The red bag contains a thousand Black Crystal Stones. Heh, if one could obtain a black bag, that would be splendid." Cao Yi smiled and put away the Black Crystal Stones.

A black bag contains ten thousand Black Crystal Stones. For ordinary Wanwu Realm Practitioners, ten thousand Black Crystal Stones is a substantial amount.

"Old Seven, congratulations, congratulations. Your guest warrior won the first fight. Hehe, my brother Zhao Ping is feeling a bit itchy too. Why don’t you send another guest warrior to spar with Brother Zhao Ping?" The Second Young Master stood up and said to Ying Zuo.

"Swoosh!" From beside him, a tall, thin figure leaped onto the Battle Platform in the square’s center.

This Zhao Ping stands over two meters tall and looks somewhat gaunt.

"Seventh Young Master, please indulge me!" Zhao Ping stood on the Battle Platform and saluted Ying Zuo with a stiff tone.

His demeanor was not very respectful, and there was even a bit of mockery in his eye.

Seeing Zhao Ping step forth, Ying Zuo’s expression changed slightly, as did the expressions of Huo Tong and other guest warriors of the young master; the atmosphere suddenly became oppressive.

At the last Ying Family meeting, the one who injured Lu Tuan was none other than the Second Young Master’s guest warrior Zhao Ping.

This Zhao Ping is immensely powerful, already at the Late Stage of All Things Realm, and is the Second Young Master’s number one fighter. No one on the Seventh Young Master’s side can match Zhao Ping.

Most of the young masters and ladies had expressions like watching a good show.

Ying Zuo’s expression slightly darkened as he stood up.

"My guest warrior Cao Yi just went through a battle, Second Brother, can we wait a moment?" Ying Zuo bowed to the Second Young Master.

Actually, even if Cao Yi hadn’t fought earlier, even if he was in peak condition, he still wouldn’t be able to defeat Zhao Ping.

"Old Seven, what you’re saying isn’t right. You have more than just Cao Yi as a guest warrior. You have over a dozen people with you. You don’t have to send Cao Yi on stage." The Second Young Master looked over with a sinister smile and said.

"Ying Zuo!" Lord Ying Zhu spoke.

"Father!" Ying Zuo quickly bowed in salute. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Have you made any progress in Dao Skill cultivation these past decades?" Asked Lord Ying Zhu, expressionless.

Ying Zuo’s face nearly broke into a sweat; being questioned by his father put immense pressure on him.

"Reporting to Father, your child has made no notable advancements in Dao Skill these past decades." Of course, Ying Zuo dared not lie.

Actually, this is quite normal.

Ying Zuo is already a cultivator at the All Things Realm level, a relatively powerful one. To cultivators at this level, a few decades are but an instant. Hoping for significant progress in such a short time is simply fantastical.

Jing Yan frowned, glancing at Lord Ying Zhu. Clearly, Lord Ying Zhu should know this, but since he does, asking Ying Zuo about advancements in cultivation indicates deliberateness.

"It seems Young Master Ying Zuo indeed isn’t favored by the lord." Jing Yan thought with a sigh.

"Your talent in Dao Skills is decent; you must not slack in training." Lord Ying Zhu didn’t get angry because Ying Zuo reported no progress; he sternly continued, "Your second brother’s guest warrior Zhao Ping wishes to spar with yours; you cannot refuse."