Lan Ji stood in place, expression bewildered, remaining motionless.
On the other side, Alman grew impatient upon seeing this, urging once more:
"Lan Ji, donât make me say it a fourth time, give me the Stellar Treasure Mirror. I think you shouldnât believe the words of that old geezer Lan Gu anymore, donât you know what kind of person he is? Everything he said was to deceive you! His aim was to sow discord between us, how can you believe him? Donât forget, the blood of the Rothschild family already flows within you! We are your true family!"
Lan Ji was stunned upon hearing this, then resolutely said:
"Youâre right, Alman. He was deceiving me, someone as selfish as him couldnât possibly care about me, he just wanted to create strife! How could I easily believe him!!"
Lan Ji found a reason for himself, and then without hesitation flew towards Alman, handing the black small mirror over.
"Hahahaha! The Stellar Treasure Mirror! Itâs finally mine! This mission is finally successful! Lan Gu, oh Lan Gu, so wise your whole life yet foolish for a moment, all your elite forces of the Lan family, in the end, were swindled by such a fool, isnât it ironic, hahahaha!"
Alman carefully examined the black small mirror in his hand, couldnât help but burst into laughter, the gaze towards Lan Ji filled with a mocking expression.
"You... what did you say!?"
Even if Lan Ji were naĂŻve, at this moment he understood the meaning behind the otherâs words, things indeed developed in the worst way, the words Lan Gu said before dying were actually true!
Almanâs eyes gleamed with red light, coldly staring at Lan Ji, saying:
"Your brother is a hero; though weâre rivals, I have respect for him, but you? Just a worthless traitor whoâd betray his own kin. Do you think someone like you deserves to join our Rothschild family?"
"Lan Ji, your brother was right, youâre too naĂŻve. If you had escaped with the Stellar Treasure Mirror earlier, there mightâve been a sliver of hope... but now, itâs too late!"
With those words, he attacked unexpectedly, his palm lit with an overwhelming blood-red glow, hitting Lan Ji before he could react.
"Puh!"
Lan Ji struck by the attack, vomited a mouthful of blood, his whole body was flung backward.
Oddly, his body was suddenly frozen mid-air; from the fearful expression on his face, it was clear this was not out of his own will.
"Damn... Alman! You liar! What did you do to me!?"
Alman chuckled coldly.
"A liar, am I? For a traitor like you to call me a liar! Hahaha! Lan Ji! Donât forget, the Rothschild familyâs blood flows within you! As a member of the Rothschild family, how could you rebel against me, your clan leader?"
Zhang Xiaoman sighed inwardly, knowing this guy was finished. Almanâs earlier attack was likely a medium, channeling some power into the opponent, activating some attribute hidden in his bloodline, causing Lan Ji to lose control of his body.
"No... impossible... this canât be happening... Alman! You promised! As long as I helped you, you would accept me..."
"Haha! Lan Ji! Youâre indeed naĂŻve! Did you think we would truly accept such an outsider? Do you think replacing your blood with ours makes you a member of the Rothschild family? Donât be foolish! Everything occurring here today will be unknown to others! Just to be safe, Iâd ask you to die!"
Alman raised his hand, the blood-red light igniting, gently clenched his fist towards Lan Jiâs direction, and amidst his screams, the latter was squeezed into a twisted mass of blood and flesh, difficult to recognize his original form.
"Well, with the show over, should the honorary elder of the Lan family say a few words?"
Alman turned his gaze towards Zhang Xiaoman, a smile on his face.
"Oh? What do you want me to say?"
Zhang Xiaoman calmly asked.
"Say what? Haha, of course, about what benefits the Lan family gave you. After all, youâre just an honorary elder of the Lan family, why fight to the death for the Lan family, now that Lan Gu is dead, you have even less reason to continue the fight, might as well join our Rothschild family! With your skill, youâll certainly have a place in our Rothschild family."
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoman snorted derisively, saying:
"Oh? Is this what you said to persuade Lan Ji before? Wouldnât I, like him, believe your nonsense?"
Almanâs expression suddenly chilled, saying:
"So, are you deciding not to live?"
"Live? Do you think you can kill me?"
Alman suddenly broke into laughter as if heâd heard a super funny joke, gazing upon the assembly of powerful beings present, then looking at Zhang Xiaoman, he said:
"Ji Xing, do you really think youâve reached the Extraordinary Level? I know youâre strong, but in the face of so many experts in the Rothschild family, do you really believe you stand a chance?"
Zhang Xiaoman couldnât bother with pointless conversation, adopting a combat stance, saying:
"Come, letâs try."
Alman found Zhang Xiaomanâs casual manner infuriating, his expression growing colder.
"Alright! Since so, Iâll let you go down with the Lan family! Formation!"
With an order, all the Rothschild family experts formed an attack formation, advancing towards Zhang Xiaomanâs position.
Though Almanâs words were arrogant, he did not underestimate Zhang Xiaoman.
After all, he was someone who triggered the Purple Charm Gateâs reaction, his strength likely exceeded even Lan Guâs, fortunately, due to estimating him as just a loose cultivator likely lacking treasures like the Star Sky Ancient Mirror, hence, with so many allied, it should be enough to take him down.
"Whosh!"
Zhang Xiaomanâs figure flickered, disappearing from sight, reappearing miles away.
"Such speed!"
Alman was shocked, able to utilize Dark Speed to this extent; among outsiders, heâd only seen it with Lan Gu.
As for whether it could be teleportation ability, it never crossed his mind, as everyone knew in this relic, nobody could perform teleportation.
"Humph, donât think your speed can help you escape! To toy with speed in front of the Rothschild family is simply asking for humiliation!"
Alman snorted, having no thought of giving up, transformed into a blood light, instantly chasing after.
At the same time, the Rothschild family members who formed the formation also transformed into blood light, their speed barely lacking, all followed in pursuit.
Zhang Xiaoman looked back, the scene made him surprised, he found it hard to believe every clan member could achieve such speed.
"The cultivation technique they practice likely centers around speed, their application of Dark Speed is deeply profound, no wonder theyâre confident in capturing me here, if itâs a matter of speed, Iâm definitely not their match..."
Zhang Xiaoman thought to himself internally, but he felt no panic, since there couldnât be a limitation on teleportation for him, if he wished to leave, he could do so at any time.
"Since youâre all so persistent, let me take you to a place..."
An idea suddenly emerged in his mind.
"Just hope you can hold out until then."