Lu Zhi didn't know what others were thinking. In fact, he was a bit angry about Lu Chengxuan's impulsive behavior.
It wasn't for anything else, but for Lu Chengxuan's safety.
Because he didn't know if there were foreign apostles lurking within the Hua Rong Guild, rashly entering the enemy guild's stronghold was tantamount to handing his life over to others. It was irresponsible to himself, and it could even implicate his worried friends.
"Cough, Little Six, calm down first." It was the first time Lu Chengxuan had been 'lectured' in front of someone. He found the experience novel and awkward, especially with the members of the Hua Rong Guild watching.
Lu Zhi chuckled, "Brother, I'm very calm. You're the one who isn't." He then glanced around, "I'm not a child anymore. Some things, I feel I need to remind you, Brother. As guild leader, barging into another guild's stronghold like this, are you trying to start a war with the Hua Rong Guild?"
"Of course not!" Lu Chengxuan blurted out. He looked at the messy scene around them, then at Jiang Shi's cold expression, and the Hua Rong Guild members surrounding the barrier. Finally, he regained his composure, took a deep breath, "I apologize. It was my impulsiveness."
Lu Zhi tilted his head, "Brother, that apology shouldn't be directed at me."
Lu Chengxuan pursed his lips and said to Jiang Shi, "I apologize for the damage and losses caused to your guild. I will compensate for it. However, this apology is limited to the guild, not to you."
Jiang Shi sneered, "I don't care."
Lu Chengxuan's face darkened again.
"Brother, let me talk to Vice President Jiang." Lu Zhi knew the root of their conflict and feared another argument if they said more.
"Hello, Vice President Jiang. My name is Lu Zhi," Lu Zhi extended his hand, adding gently, "I am the impulsive and hot-tempered person behind him's younger brother."
Lu Chengxuan: ... You used to say I was mature and steady.
Jiang Shi was stunned for a moment, then responded with an emotionless "Oh." He ignored Lu Zhi's extended hand and questioned, "In what capacity are you speaking to me?"
Lu Zhi narrowed his eyes, retracted his hand without any embarrassment, and put his hands in his hoodie pockets. He said faintly, "That depends on what capacity Vice President Jiang wishes me to converse in. However, regardless of the capacity, Vice President Jiang's attitude lacks the broad-mindedness of a leader and is overly narrow."
Jiang Shi's eyes chilled, and his pressure descended like a shadow, bearing down heavily on Lu Zhi. Lu Chengxuan immediately retaliated without hesitation.
Although he knew Lu Zhi was more capable than himself, Lu Chengxuan couldn't possibly let Jiang Shi intimidate his brother.
The invisible pressure was fiercer than any real combat. The vortexes of fire and lightning that formed in the air, the sparks that flew, and the destructive force generated by the clashing pressures actually squeezed cracks into the otherwise indestructible barrier.
The onlookers from the guild began to retreat.
"Hiss, will Little Lu be alright?" Chu Shiling asked worriedly as she retreated.
Li Mei waved her hand, "Don't worry. If there were any real danger, how could that person sit there so calmly?"
The person Li Mei was referring to was Shen Qi himself.
Since entering the Hua Rong Guild, he had walked in as if no one were there, brazenly sitting in the guild leader's main seat. Yet, the members of the Hua Rong Guild, even knowing this, dared not make a move.
Among the three major guilds, the Hua Rong Guild interacted most frequently with the national guilds. Almost none of its members were unaware of Shen Qi's identity and his terrifying strength. Even their guild leader, upon returning, did not dare to express any displeasure regarding Shen Qi's seat.
Strength was everything.
At this moment, Shen Qi, seated in the main seat, propped his chin with one hand, his eyelids half-closed as he looked down at Lu Zhi in the battle zone. He noticed the beautiful black eyes gradually rising with anger, like dazzling fireworks about to explode in the night sky, deadly and brilliant.
Suddenly, Lu Zhi, at the center of the pressure, moved. The solid stone slab beneath his feet inexplicably cracked. The two evenly matched pressures were torn apart from the middle by an even stronger deterrence.
Lu Zhi said expressionlessly, "I said, you two are adults. Can you please have a proper, calm, face-to-face, serious talk!"
As his words fell, there was a deafening roar. The barrier could no longer withstand the pressure of the third force. The explosive aftermath created a powerful gust of wind that swept through all the glass, startling everyone watching.
Lu Zhi blinked, looked blankly at the collapsing barrier, and frowned, "Why did it collapse so suddenly?"
Everyone: ... Don't you know why it collapsed?!