Chapter 1088 Confrontation

Chapter 1088: Chapter 1088 Confrontation
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Chapter 1088 Confrontation
The stone door loomed before them, its imposing height dwarfing even the combined stature of two Lu Yus. A groove etched beneath the door mirrored the shape of the key. With practiced ease, Lu Yu retrieved the key and slotted it into the groove.
A satisfying click echoed as the key melded seamlessly with the door. Any attempt to pull it back proved futile; the key and door were now one.
A surge of blue light emanated from the threshold, rippling outward and merging into a shimmering portal across the doorway.
“The portal’s open!” Ming Baixuan exclaimed with a tremor of excitement in his voice. “Imagine the treasures that lie beyond!”
Hu Zhan scoffed, shooting him a withering glance. “What does it matter to you? This has nothing to do with you anymore.”
“Why wouldn’t it?” Ming Baixuan bristled, his voice laced with defiance. “Lu Yu’s in my team, isn’t he?”
“Your team?” Hu Zhan snorted. “More like in name only. Standing beside Lu Yu, you hardly exude the aura of a team leader.”
A flush crept up Ming Baixuan’s neck, though he couldn’t deny the truth in Hu Zhan’s words. “Even so,” he muttered, “at least I get a taste of the broth. You, on the other hand, can’t even afford the scraps!”
“You dare mock me?” Hu Zhan growled, his playful demeanor vanishing. “You, a traitor, still have the audacity to be arrogant? Let’s see how tough you are!” Ming Baixuan’s fists clenched, anger boiling beneath the surface.
Just as he was about to retaliate, a sharp glare from Lu Yu halted him in his tracks.
Deflated, he lowered his arm, muttering under his breath.
“Alone, I wouldn’t hesitate to teach you a lesson!”
Lu Yu’s voice turned icy cold. “Another disrespectful word, and it’s your life. What use is a traitor who seeks my harm?”
Panic flickered across Ming Baixuan’s face. “Brother, I’ve cooperated! Please, forgive me. Ruthlessness won’t serve you well.”
Lu Yu sighed, the tension momentarily draining from his shoulders. “I have no desire to argue. But any further insolence will have consequences.” Ming Baixuan bobbed his head meekly. “Understood. I’ll keep a low profile.”
Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Hu Zhan clapped Ming Baixuan on the shoulder with mock sympathy. “That’s the spirit, young man. Keep your cool. There is no need for a one-on-one brawl between us, right? Pointless squabbling.”
Ignoring their bickering, Lu Yu raised a foot, preparing to step into the shimmering portal.
However, the world outside erupted into chaos.
A searing arrow ripped through the air, aimed directly at Lu Yu’s back.
Reacting with lightning speed, Lu Yu spun around, catching the arrow in mid-flight. With a snap, he broke it in two and discarded the pieces on the ground.
His gaze narrowed, his voice booming through the chamber. “Cowards! Show yourselves!”
The rustling of tall grass betrayed their presence. Figures clad in identical white armor emerged, forming a circle around Lu Yu. A single figure parted the crowd, the others giving way with a show of deference.
Lu Yu scanned his surroundings. In a blink, forty to fifty individuals had materialized from the surrounding foliage.
“Lu Yu,” the leader addressed him, a long sword gripped in his hand, “you knew we were following you, didn’t you?”
Lu Yu met his gaze head-on. “Indeed. Ming Baixuan filled me in.”
“Ming Baixuan!” The leader boomed, his voice laced with betrayal. “What is the meaning of this? Have you betrayed the Xu family? I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you. To think you’d turn on me so swiftly!”
Ming Baixuan, his head held high, countered, “Xu Mang, you’d be wise to surrender. Your scheme is exposed. He doesn’t fear you in the least.”
Xu Mang’s glare intensified as it fell upon Ming Baixuan. “You treacherous mutt! We were to be partners in this! I would’ve given you not only a share of the treasure, but a cut of the spoils as well. Yet, you betray me without hesitation! Do you think I will ever trust you again? How can I simply walk away now, empty-handed?”
“Impossible! I came here for a reason, and I won’t leave with nothing!” He bellowed arrogantly.
“Ming Baixuan, you’ve chosen the wrong side. Aligning yourself with him means facing the consequences of opposing the Xu family!”
Ming Baixuan threw his hands up in exasperation. “There’s no alliance! He saw through our plan and strong-armed me into submission. He doesn’t even see me as a teammate.”
“Enough with the lies! You still seek sympathy even now? Don’t worry, you’ll have your turn soon enough!” He barked a command. “Everyone, listen up!
Prepare for battle!”
Raising his weapon aloft, he fixated on Lu Yu with murderous intent. Just as he readied himself to strike, and the soldiers behind him poised to follow suit, Lu Yu interjected, raising a hand to stay their advance.
“Hold on there; don’t be so eager,” Lu Yu said calmly. “Attacking now would be a grave mistake. If you have no desire to live, then by all means, come at me.”
A disdainful smirk played on Xu Mang’s lips. “Fearful, are we? Afraid we’ll overpower you?”
Lu Yu’s laugh echoed through the chamber. “You flatter yourself. Don’t get ahead of yourselves. Do you truly believe I cower before you all? Laughable indeed.”
“If death is your wish, I’m happy to oblige.”
“Enough talk! Let’s get this over with!”
The vice-captain, positioned beside Xu Mang, sidled closer, a sly smile on his face. “Captain,” he whispered, “there’s no need to waste our breath on him. He’s a dead man walking. He’ll undoubtedly stall for time. Let’s simply attack. No point in dragging this out.”
“Hmph, I have no time for idle chatter. Everyone, hear me now! Charge!”
Just then, a startling transformation occurred. Lu Yu’s arms shifted and morphed into a pair of formidable dragon claws!
Razor-sharp talons, imposing musculature, and scales shimmering like
obsidian a truly terrifying sight to behold.
“Halt!” Xu Mang roared, his voice laced with panic. “Stop!”
He gawked at Lu Yu’s transformed arms, disbelief etched on his face. He rubbed his eyes roughly, certain it must be an illusion.
“Impossible! You… you possess dragon claws? That can’t be!” he sputtered.
Lu Yu, with a playful smile on his face, goaded him on. “Come at me now! Why the sudden hesitation?”
Xu Mang, beads of sweat forming on his brow, stammered a reply. He hesitantly shuffled backwards, his bravado dissolving into thin air..