The disciples of Wushuang Sect all nodded repeatedly.
They had long heard from their fellow sect members who traveled outside. Whenever a disciple of Wushuang Sect went out, the status and treatment they received made even the disciples of the Holy Lands envious, jealous, and hateful.
And what was the root of that?
It was strength!
Yun Jin also smiled faintly. "We do try to keep a low profile, but this strength of ours simply does not allow it. Do you believe me, in a short while, not to mention these minor sect disciples, even Lin Xiao, the Pavilion Master of Qingxiao Pavilion, will have to personally come to greet us."
"Wow…"
Di Ying's eyes immediately lit up with stars.
The Pavilion Master of a Holy Land! Surely that was an incredible and awe-inspiring figure.
And he would personally come to welcome them?
So this was the power of Wushuang Sect!
Di Xiao could not help but sneer. "Are you not at odds with that Lin Xiao? How could he possibly come in person to greet you? Are you dreaming?"
Although he and Yun Jin were nominally allies now, Yun Jin had a way of making even her allies want to speak in a mocking tone.
"Senior Di Xiao, care to bet on it?" Yun Jin narrowed her eyes with a smile.
At once, Di Xiao became vigilant. "I was merely speaking casually! No need for a wager!"
Much as he enjoyed needling Yun Jin, the memories of several recent humiliating slaps to the face were still fresh. Di Xiao swore he would never be tricked again.
Yun Jin showed a disappointed expression. "Is that so?"
Seeing her look so dispirited, Di Xiao suddenly felt rather satisfied.
As expected.
This woman surely had some scheme prepared for him again. Luckily, he was sharp and refused to be caught this time. How brilliant, wise, and heroic he was!
Yet Yun Jin suddenly laughed. "How could someone of Pavilion Master Lin's stature come out to welcome me, a mere Sect Master of a superior sect? I had only spoken offhand, yet to think that a few words could frighten Senior into retreating."
Her gaze turned teasing. "Who would have thought, after roaming the world for countless years, that Senior Di Xiao would turn out to be such a cautious person."
Di Xiao's face darkened. Grinding his teeth, he roared, "Yun Jin!!! Do not go too far."
"It was Senior who refused the wager," Yun Jin replied with a fox-like smile. "Originally I even planned to stake the location of the Palace Pearl as the prize."
The location of the Palace Pearl! Di Xiao's expression shifted at once.
"Such a pity. Since Senior has already declined, then naturally this bet is…" Yun Jin drawled deliberately.
"I accept this wager!" Di Xiao suddenly snapped.
Yun Jin widened her eyes in disbelief. "Senior, you cannot go back on your word at this stage!"
It was the first time Di Xiao had seen Yun Jin show such an expression. He could not help but laugh. "And what if I do? Could it be that Sect Master Yun now lacks the courage to gamble? I had heard Sect Master Yun was young and spirited, yet in this moment, you act like a coward."
He mocked her relentlessly. Yun Jin's expression flickered, looking as though she was torn.
The corners of Di Xiao's lips curled upward. To see Yun Jin finally eat a loss gave him a joy that nearly outweighed even the intelligence about the Palace Pearl.
As though forced onto the stage, Yun Jin gritted her teeth. "Fine! Since Senior insists, then I will gamble! If Lin Xiao does not appear, Senior wins, and I will tell you the information about the Palace Pearl. If Lin Xiao personally comes out to welcome us, then I win. I do not ask for much. Senior must simply keep silent for ten days—no speaking, no refuting my words."
Di Xiao snorted. "What ridiculous stakes."
"Senior only needs to say whether you agree or not." Yun Jin raised a brow.
Di Xiao kept his expression blank. "So long as you do not feel you suffer a loss."
"Then it is settled," Yun Jin said quickly.
"You had better start thinking of how you plan to win," Di Xiao shot her a sidelong look.
But suddenly, his heart gave a lurch.
The pained, reluctant look vanished from Yun Jin's face. Instead, she grinned mischievously, pulling out an enormous loudspeaker.
A… loudspeaker?
Before Di Xiao could react or grasp what she was about to do, a very bad premonition rose in his chest.
The next instant, Yun Jin's voice boomed across Sky City.
"Welcome the King of Spirit Beasts to Sky City!"
The loudspeaker even repeated the words on loop. In no time, the whole of Sky City echoed with the sound of welcoming the King of Spirit Beasts.
Nearby sect disciples froze in place.
One by one, their gazes turned toward Yun Jin's group.
The King of Spirit Beasts?
Wasn't it said that the King of Spirit Beasts had not left the Spirit Beast Forest for thousands of years? And now he was here in Sky City—together with Yun Jin?
Di Xiao's face instantly turned green. Clenching his teeth, he snarled, "Yun Jin! What are you doing!"
"Senior Di Xiao!" Yun Jin replied solemnly. "With your identity, to come here even once is a rarity. How could we allow you to sneak about in secret? Naturally the whole world must know!"
She paused. "Unless… Senior has some hesitation, and dares not show himself in high profile?"
Di Xiao immediately arched a brow, his face filled with arrogance. "Hesitation? Who in this world is worthy of my hesitation!"
"Brother, so domineering!" Di Ying gazed at him with open admiration.
Di Xiao puffed his chest out even further.
"Exactly as it should be," Yun Jin said with a sigh. "Lin Xiao may be the master of a Holy Land, but Senior is the master of spirit beasts. If you arrive here and Pavilion Master Lin does not know, then that is one matter. But if he knows and still does not come to welcome you, that would be a gross breach of courtesy."
Di Xiao nodded proudly.
Then, suddenly realizing what had just been said, he snapped his head toward Yun Jin with eyes full of fury.
"Yun Jin!!!"
He growled, "Even if Lin Xiao appears, it will be to welcome me, not you!"
Yun Jin looked unhappy. "Senior, you are wrong there. We are companions, are we not? To welcome you is the same as to welcome me."
Di Xiao's teeth ground audibly. Originally there truly was no difference. But she just had to make it the wager! This was infuriating!
"Disciples of Wushuang Sect, hear my order," Yun Jin commanded. "In case Pavilion Master Lin has not yet received word, spread the announcement loudly in all directions for Senior Di Xiao!"
"Yes!" the disciples roared in unison.
Their entire procession walked forward grandly while shouting.
"Welcome the King of Spirit Beasts to Sky City!"
The loudspeaker kept blaring, the Wushuang Sect disciples' cries following it, until the whole scene grew overwhelmingly noisy.
Watching Yun Jin happily shouting into the loudspeaker herself from time to time, Di Xiao suddenly had the urge to slip away quietly. Was it still too late to run? Why did this feel so utterly humiliating!
But then he saw Di Ying joining in with gusto, her voice loudest among the crowd.
Seeing his little sister's bright enthusiasm, Di Xiao could only sigh in resignation.
Forget it. Let them play.
The procession of Wushuang Sect moved forward like a mighty river.
Spectators began whispering fervently.
"Could Yun Jin be telling the truth? Is that really the King of Spirit Beasts?"
"Though Yun Jin is infamous for her cunning ways, I have never heard her outright lie."
"Everyone knows she just returned from a trip to the Spirit Beast Forest. The timing matches perfectly."
"If it is indeed the King of Spirit Beasts, then this would be the first time in several thousand years he has openly appeared in human territory. And the first place he shows himself is in Qingxiao's main city."
"Such an event deserves a proper reception! Someone of weight must come out to greet him."
"This is Qingxiao's main city. The one who must greet him can only be Pavilion Master Lin himself."
"Otherwise, it would make our human race look discourteous. Quick, notify Pavilion Master Lin."
Before long, Lin Xiao received the news.
A single question mark slowly appeared on his forehead.