For the sake of that Divine Palace, Di Xiao had not left the Spirit Beast Forest for thousands of years.
But now, he had followed Yun Jin into the main city of Qingxiao?
Earlier, Lin Xiao had received word that Yun Jin had somehow contracted Di Xiao's younger sister, Di Ying.
Di Xiao had even publicly declared that he would guarantee Yun Jin's safety for five years. In these five years, anyone who made an enemy of Yun Jin would be making an enemy of him.
When Lin Xiao learned of this news, he was sullen for half a day. He had intended to send Yun Jin away to forge deadly enmity, yet she not only contracted someone's younger sister but also obtained Di Xiao's protection.
The scoundrels from the Beastmaster Sect even sent messages one after another, thanking him for sending Yun Jin to the Spirit Beast Forest. If not for that, Beastmaster Sect would surely have suffered disastrous losses this time!
Last night!
Lin Xiao had nearly gone mad reading those messages, his spiritual power almost erupted from sheer anger. It took him a long time of meditation before he barely stabilized his qi.
And now.
Di Xiao had actually followed Yun Jin all the way here?
What did that mean?
Was he planning to act as Yun Jin's personal protector?
Did he not fear that once Yun Jin grew stronger, she would kill him and take the stones?
Lin Xiao absolutely did not believe that Di Xiao trusted Yun Jin to such an extent. Even if Yun Jin had contracted Di Ying, that was only an equal contract. If Yun Jin were killed, at worst Di Ying would be gravely injured. After several hundred years of recuperation, she would recover.
To think Di Xiao would spare Yun Jin solely for the sake of a younger sister, Lin Xiao did not believe it for a moment. The Divine Palace was far too important to Di Xiao. For him to leave the temple because of Yun Jin meant there must be another scheme at work.
What scheme could it be?
Suddenly, Lin Xiao's expression shifted slightly. He had been unable to make sense of it before, but what if he looked at it from another angle?
For the sake of his own safety, Di Xiao could never truly spare Yun Jin. This so-called contract with Di Ying. This so-called five-year guarantee of safety. What if… all of it was just a smokescreen crafted by Di Xiao?
By spreading these stories, he lulled Yun Jin into lowering her guard. And when the opportunity came, that was when he would unleash thunderous means and strike without warning!
What a Di Xiao!
What cunning!
What patience!
Truly worthy of the title Spirit Beast King!
Lin Xiao felt he had finally figured it all out, his complexion even gained a faint rosy glow!
To be honest, the hatred he bore toward Yun Jin had long since pierced the heavens. Even Ji Wusi, his adversary for so many years, could no longer compare.
Di Xiao's strength was extraordinary. If Lin Xiao could find an opportunity to ally with him, then together they could rid themselves of Yun Jin with ease.
Lin Xiao's eyes flickered, but his tone was calm: "The arrival of the Spirit Beast King is indeed a grand matter! Night Demon, prepare the highest-standard welcoming banquet. Ming Huo, come with me. I shall personally greet Di Xiao."
"Yes." Ming Huo and Night Demon responded in unison.
-
On the main street.
"Welcome the Spirit Beast King to Sky City!" disciples of Wushuang Sect were still marching forward shouting.
Di Xiao, from initial embarrassment, had grown accustomed to accepting it with a calm face. Some things, once endured long enough, simply became habit.
Suddenly.
A group of people came walking from the opposite direction.
Yun Jin waved her hand, and the disciples of Wushuang Sect halted in perfect order.
Lin Xiao led a host of disciples from Qingxiao Pavilion, smiling broadly as they approached.
Yun Jin smiled slightly, tilting her head toward Di Xiao: "Senior Di, remember our wager. For the next ten days, you cannot speak to me, nor can you refute a single word I say."
Di Xiao sneered and directly held his tongue.
This wager of Yun Jin's was absurd, as though it were some kind of joke.
What!
As if he were desperate to talk to her!
When Lin Xiao arrived, what he saw was a smiling Yun Jin and a dark-faced Di Xiao.
Lin Xiao's lips curled upward.
Yes, yes.
That was just right!
Di Xiao already viewed Yun Jin as his mortal enemy. And Yun Jin herself was born with the infuriating talent of driving people mad. No doubt on this journey, Di Xiao had long wished to kill her.
And that, was his chance!
"Pavilion Master Lin." Yun Jin waved enthusiastically from afar the moment she spotted Lin Xiao: "It's me, I'm back."
Lin Xiao's expression did not change as he walked forward with a polite smile.
First, he cupped his hands to Di Xiao: "Senior Di."
Di Xiao merely nodded coldly.
"Pavilion Master Lin," Yun Jin said with a beaming smile, "this time, I must thank you! If not for you, I would never have known about the whereabouts of the Xuan Yin Crystal and Tian Zhao Stone."
Lin Xiao's heart lurched, his eyes flicking toward Di Xiao.
This madwoman!
Why bring up his name all of a sudden!
Di Xiao's expression soured, unwilling to speak a word.
"Pavilion Master Lin, the information you provided was accurate. I confirmed it with Senior Di, and he truly possesses these two stones," Yun Jin continued.
Lin Xiao's face stiffened: "Is… is that so?"
"Not only that," Yun Jin went on, "he even said he would gift both stones to me."
Di Xiao's eyes flashed with fury!
This woman was spouting nonsense. When had he ever agreed to such a thing?
But because of their wager, he could not speak to Yun Jin or refute her for ten days. Grinding his teeth, Di Xiao forced himself to endure. Let her babble!
"What?" Lin Xiao's expression shifted dramatically, eyes darting to Di Xiao with disbelief.
Di Xiao promised to give Yun Jin the stones? Impossible!
Lin Xiao's gaze turned suspicious, making Di Xiao narrow his eyes.
Interesting.
Why was Lin Xiao so shocked?
Previously, Di Xiao thought Lin Xiao had only accidentally learned about the stones.
But now…
It seemed Lin Xiao knew far more than he let on. The true secrets of those two stones were known only to himself and his younger sister. Could Lin Xiao also know?
Di Xiao's eyes narrowed further.
"Yes, the moment I said I needed those two stones, Senior Di agreed immediately," Yun Jin said sweetly.
Lin Xiao instantly understood. He knew with certainty that Di Xiao would never give Yun Jin the stones. For him to seemingly agree proved his earlier guess correct.
Di Xiao was simply trying to lull Yun Jin into complacency. By staying at her side, he was only waiting for the right opportunity. Once the chance came, the Spirit Beast King would strike with thunderous ferocity!
Thinking this, Lin Xiao's smile deepened: "Then let me be the first to congratulate Sect Master Yun. With those two stones, the Tai'a Sword will surely advance further. At that time, even Ji Wusi's Heartless Sword may not be able to compare."
"All thanks to Pavilion Master Lin's guidance." Yun Jin looked sincerely moved. "I admit, I misunderstood Pavilion Master Lin before. Only now do I realize, you have always harbored a heart of care for a junior like me."
Lin Xiao replied with a gentle smile: "It is good that such misunderstandings are cleared away."
Di Xiao snorted coldly at Yun Jin's theatrics.
Lin Xiao quickly spoke: "Since Senior Di has come from afar, I must fulfill my duty as host. The banquet is already being prepared. Let us drink together until we are satisfied."
Di Xiao was about to refuse, not wanting to deal with Lin Xiao, but Yun Jin answered cheerfully before he could: "Many thanks, Pavilion Master Lin!"
Turning, she called: "Everyone, follow along. Pavilion Master Lin is treating us to wine."
The disciples of Wushuang Sect responded in unison.
Lin Xiao's smile stiffened. His intention had only been to invite Di Xiao alone.
"Pavilion Master Lin, is there enough wine?" Yun Jin asked warmly. "Senior Di loves lively gatherings. We from Wushuang Sect will accompany you and drink together, even if it means some small inconvenience."
"This…" Lin Xiao glanced at Di Xiao. Seeing his face darken but no words spoken, his thoughts stirred.
Yes.
Di Xiao was still working to make Yun Jin relax. He could hardly refuse now.
Yun Jin was arrogant and oblivious. Even with Di Xiao's displeasure plain to see, she carried on as if nothing were wrong.
All the better.
All the better!
The more intense Di Xiao's killing intent toward Yun Jin, the greater his own room to maneuver.
If wasting some wine could help, so be it.
"Then let us all go together." Lin Xiao smiled in agreement.