The voice was not loud, yet commanding respect without anger, making people afraid to defy him. Even though Long Chen was used to seeing powerful opponents, he still felt his heart race.
A person is like their voice. Just hearing that voice, Long Chen could feel the pride and stubbornness deep in his bones, which instantly made Long Chen's heart sink halfway.
He was similar to Long Chen in some ways: once he made a decision, he would never change, and he never regretted what he had done.
In this case, it would be a direct clash. Long Chen came to the Luo family to gather news about his mother, but just hearing that voice made him feel that today might not go as he wished.
As for Luo Changwu and all the members of the Luo family, their expressions changed when they heard the Blade Sharpening Ladder, but not a single person dared to speak.
"Clan Leader, Long Chen has just stepped into the Four Extremes Realm. Is that ...?" Luo Changwu couldn't help but ask.
However, the world was silent; no one responded to him. Clearly, once the clan leader made a decision, there was no room for negotiation.
After waiting a while with no response, Luo Changwu sighed to Long Chen and said somewhat awkwardly, "
Long Chen, maybe you shouldn't have come this time. Why don't you go back first? Come back once you reach the Divine Lord Realm."
"What's wrong?" Is this Knife-Sharpening Ladder a mountain of oil from a mountain of knives? "Long Chen couldn't help but ask.
"You may not know, but the Blade Sharpening Ladder is the Luo Clan's trial ladder, with ninety-nine steps. It is one of the ancient divine artifacts passed down from the Luo Clan.
Before the forty-ninth level, it was reserved for disciples of the Four Extremes Realm, while above the forty-ninth level was the trial ladder for Divine Lord Realm experts.
My talent is limited; I can only climb the seventy-nine steps, and after that, I can never go up again.
In the modern history of the Luo Clan, only the clan leader has climbed the ninety-nineth step of the Sharpening Heavenly Staircase, and it was in the late Four Extremes Realm. For someone who has just advanced to the Four Extremes Realm to climb the Sharpening Heavenly Staircase is indeed ... A bit too much. Luo Changwu said helplessly.
After all, the Luo family had produced such a terrifying figure for generations. Now, to demand from Long Chen by his own standards—no, even higher—was truly asking too much.
But Luo Zichuan was the absolute authority of the Luo family. Whatever he said was never questioned by anyone—not even Luo Changwu, his own son, dared not go against his wishes.
But Long Chen was a benefactor of the Luo family and extremely important to them. Treating Long Chen this way was hard for him to accept; he couldn't understand what his father was thinking.
"Since the clan leader is so kind, if I don't dare to go, doesn't that mean I'm afraid?
Since the clan leader can walk across, although I dare not compare myself to him, I still have the courage to try. Long Chen smiled faintly.
He knew this was a test from his grandfather, and Long Chen was also burning with anger—this old guy was so strong-willed.
I've brought so much benefit to your Luo family. Even if your Luo family is proud and doesn't need to curry favor with me, you have no right to show me respect, do you?
If it weren't for my mother, I wouldn't have been able to resist your annoyance. Trying to test me? Then come on.
Long Chen was born with pride. Luo Zichuan used his own path to test Long Chen, so how could Long Chen back down?
Moreover, Long Chen felt that Luo Zichuan was too proud. Even though he had done the Luo family a favor, to have a conversation with him, he had to have the qualification—a qualification meant stepping onto the Sharpening Ladder.
In this world, there are people so unreasonable that Long Chen was furious. He wanted to prove with his strength: if you're awesome, I'm not bad either.
Luo Changwu could tell that although Long Chen wore a smile, he could clearly sense that Long Chen was a bit angry.
This was also what he feared most, because the Luo family's Knife-Sharpening Ladder was impossible to break through. If he didn't retreat in the face of difficulties, he would die on it.
Countless proud prodigies in the Luo family died on the Sharpening Ladder. What he feared most was Long Chen's stubbornness—knowing it was impossible but doing it. If he lost his life, wouldn't the Luo family be laughed at by the world?
He didn't understand why his father would do this, but Luo Zichuan never explained his actions, so the Luo clan could only obey orders.
He saw Long Chen's anger and couldn't help but feel deeply powerless. If he tried to persuade Long Chen now, it would make him think he looked down on Long Chen and make him want to show off even more. After all, he was young and understood what it feels like to be looked down upon.
"If that's the case, then go ahead. I hope you can stay calm. If it really doesn't work, don't force a charge—it could be dangerous." Luo Changwu patted Long Chen on the shoulder and said, expressing himself so tactfully.
"I understand, my life is precious. I value my life more than others and won't act recklessly." Long Chen smiled and said, 'This uncle is actually quite good—unlike that grandfather, who is overbearing and annoying.'
Hearing Long Chen say this, Luo Changwu felt somewhat relieved. If Long Chen could give up in the face of difficulties, that would be wonderful.
Bai Xiaole and the others were received by Luo clan members, while Long Chen followed Luo Changwu through the dense stone forest, heading toward the rear.
Along the way, Luo Changwu's expression was grave and he said nothing. Long Chen smiled and said, "Senior, there's no need to worry." Luo
Changwu shook his head and said, "You may not know, but no one knows what the clan leader is thinking."
Even though I am his son, my eldest brother and I will never know what he is thinking.
From childhood to now, we've only been responsible for completing what he assigned, only my little sister ...."
At this point, Luo Changwu suddenly stopped, a trace of sadness appearing in his eyes.
Long Chen's heart pounded wildly. He knew that the little sister Luo Changwu mentioned was actually his mother. He wanted to tell Luo Changwu that he was his own nephew.
But Long Chen couldn't. At least it wasn't time to confront his cards yet. He wanted to first use the Luo clan to find out his mother's whereabouts and reunite with his parents.
As for the grudges between his mother and the Luo clan, that couldn't be resolved by force, nor by him. The Luo clan leader was too domineering, suffocating everyone.
Clearly, Luo Changwu also held him in awe. Although he might not agree with some of his father's actions, he was powerless to change anything.
The Luo family lives in the middle of the stone mountains, with stones standing like a forest, and inside the stones is a cave dwelling for the Luo clan members to cultivate.
Along the way, Long Chen discovered that the Luo Clan was larger than he had imagined, but such a vast family had few members.
Long Chen knew that because the Chu family was restless, most of the Luo family's strength was concentrated on another battlefield.
After walking for nearly half an hour, the stone forest ahead grew higher and higher, and Long Chen saw from afar a stone peak piercing the clouds.
From afar, you can see clouds drifting along its mountainside. Its grandeur and weight give off an immense sense of oppression, making one feel a sharp pain and make one hesitant to approach.
At the foot of the mountain, there was a huge stone staircase, each step several zhang high. It seemed these steps were prepared for giants.
"This is the Sharpening Ladder. The clan leader is right up there. You must be careful—sometimes, it's the real hero who knows when to retreat." After speaking, Luo Changwu patted Long Chen on the shoulder and turned to leave.
Long Chen stood beneath the stone steps, watching them ascend and disappear into the clouds. He seemed to see a pair of eyes, straight aheadLooking down at him.
Long Chen took a deep breath and lifted his leg toward the stone steps.