"Young Master Ling Xiao!"
In front of the Ling Bao Pavilion, Su Wenye watched the lovey-dovey pair in the distance who seemed about to kiss, a bitter expression instantly appearing on his face.
Unconsciously, his daughter was truly no longer the little girl who used to follow him around all day asking for candy.
Perhaps it was time to give her some freedom.
If this Ling Xiao could truly protect her for a lifetime, he might not be a bad son-in-law.
After all… his current background already felt terrifying to Su Wenye.
A sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth, capable of making the Dao Sovereign bow to him – if this news spread, it would probably cause an uproar across the entire Sacred Dynasty.
In just one day, Su Wenye's thoughts had undergone a change.
He loved Su Yan deeply, but… he also hoped the man she ended up with would be someone useful.
Someone useful to the Yun Alliance!
In Su Wenye's view, this wasn't a contradiction.
The more powerful, the more deeply connected the young man, the more stability and happiness he could provide Su Yan.
"Alliance Master Su."
Even though Ling Xiao had never met this richest man in the Sacred Dynasty, he had already guessed his identity.
Moreover, although Su Wenye's face was round, there were faint similarities to Su Yan's features. Ling Xiao immediately bowed respectfully, not showing a trace of arrogance.
"Hehe, I never expected Young Master Ling Xiao to have such a deep connection with the Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign."
A shrewd light flashed in Su Wenye's eyes, clearly intending to probe their relationship.
"Alliance Master, you misunderstand! I have no particular connection with the Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign."
Ling Xiao shook his head with a smile, but Su Wenye's face instantly showed surprise.
No connection?
No connection, and the number one Divine Emperor of the Eastern Territories bows to you, his attitude humble and respectful?
I, the Master of the Yun Alliance, am not even worthy of his salute… You…
Suddenly, Su Wenye felt Ling Xiao was insulting him.
"Hehe, it's fine if the Young Master doesn't wish to speak of it…"
"There's nothing that can't be said. I once discussed the Dao with the Tai Xuan Dao Son, and we found our temperaments aligned. The Dao Son then introduced me to the Dao Sovereign, and we explored the principles of the Dao together. If you ask what connection we have, perhaps… we are all people dedicated to the Dao! Learning knows no order of seniority. Perhaps some of my insights gained the Dao Sovereign's respect, which is why he views me differently."
Ling Xiao smiled faintly, his demeanor seemingly humble, wearing an expression of being overwhelmed by the favor.
Dammit!
That Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign was the one who killed the Holy Church's Divine Envoy. Ling Xiao very much wanted to destroy the Holy Church, but he couldn't just tell the world now… Yes, we are in cahoots!
Caution!!
"Explored the principles of the Dao?"
Su Wenye was stunned, but inwardly he was somewhat skeptical.
You, a mere seventeen-year-old child, who hasn't even stepped into the Emperor Realm, are discussing the Dao with a Dao Sovereign?
If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. Making up such a reason, who are you trying to fool?
If Su Yan weren't clinging to Ling Xiao's side, he might have already taken action to teach this ignorant youngster a lesson.
Calm down, calm down!
Probably having witnessed too many unbelievable things today, Su Wenye felt his state of mind was somewhat unstable!
"Alliance Master, you are unaware…"
The Ling Bao Pavilion Master behind Su Wenye suddenly stepped forward and whispered a few words into his ear.
At first, the Yun Alliance Master's expression remained calm, but later, it gradually showed surprise, shock, and finally, he turned to look at the young man before him with a face full of fear.
"The Dao has feeling and faith, is actionless and formless; it can be transmitted but cannot be received, can be obtained but cannot be seen."
"It is its own root, its own foundation, has existed solidly since antiquity; it divinizes ghosts and emperors, gives birth to heaven and earth; it is above the Supreme Ultimate yet not considered high, beneath the Six Poles yet not considered deep; born before heaven and earth yet not considered long-lasting, older than high antiquity yet not considered aged."
"Thus the Dao begets the One, the One begets the Two, the Two beget the Three, and the Three beget all things. All things carry Yin and embrace Yang, achieving harmony through the blending of Qi."
Listen!!
Are these words spoken by a human?!
No!!
Are these words that could come from a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth?!
This isn't just discussing principles; this contains the ultimate truths of the Great Dao!
In an instant, Su Wenye's realm actually experienced a faint… ripple!
Back when the Dao Son discussed the Dao, a group of Breakthrough Realm cultivators who heard Ling Xiao's words could gain some insight.
Su Wenye, a proper Divine Emperor powerhouse, naturally had a deeper comprehension!
But…
Did Ling Xiao truly say these words?
And if not him, then why, with his knowledge, had he never heard such profound principles before?
No wonder!!
No wonder the Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign would bow to a youth!
Everyone knew the Tai Xuan Dao Sect lived in seclusion precisely to wholeheartedly study the Great Dao!
And what Ling Xiao said was indeed worthy of respect!
There is an order to learning the Dao, but… comprehension knows no order.
Some people are born with Dao Principles accompanying them, favored by heaven and earth. Their comprehension of the Great Dao is simply beyond comparison with ordinary people!
Faintly, Su Wenye seemed to see a Son of Fate standing before him.
Around him, Dao Principles manifested, immortal phantoms flickered, inspiring awe!!
A treasure!
He truly was a treasure of a youth!!
If Su Yan could truly marry him, perhaps… it would be a blessing?
"Hehe, Young Friend Ling Xiao, why not come inside the pavilion for a chat?"
Su Wenye's attitude had clearly changed significantly now.
Joking aside, even the Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign bowed to him. What right did he, a mere third-grade Divine Emperor, have to put on airs?
The Yun Lai Merchant Alliance was indeed terrifying, but that referred to its wealth.
And when it came down to it, Su Wenye's essence was that of a merchant.
And the essence of a merchant is to seek profit.
Previously, he opposed Su Yan's relationship with Ling Xiao only because he thought Ling Xiao was useless.
Or, not very useful.
But now…
Whether it was the Tai Xuan Dao Sect or the youth's own background and talent, it was all enough for Su Wenye to take him seriously.
"As the Alliance Master wishes."
Ling Xiao remained composed, even carrying an air of profundity.
Su Wenye immediately nodded. Truly remarkable!
Although Ling Xiao was respectful towards him, he wasn't obsequious.
Unlike other proud talents of the Sacred Dynasty who, upon seeing him, practically wanted to call him father!
This Ling Xiao was indeed different, indifferent to fame and fortune, no wonder Su Yan was so persistent and infatuated.
Daughter, I wronged you!
"Young friend, please!"
Su Wenye nodded with a smile and turned to enter the treasure pavilion first.
Behind him, Ling Xiao held Su Yan's hand and followed. However, the latter's face held a trace of confusion.
Father… what's going on?
Why does he look at Ling Xiao more affectionately than I do?
Only after the three entered the treasure pavilion did Sun Ce and the other exchange a glance, their faces grave.
"Brother Sun, did you sense it?"
"Ninth-grade Divine Emperor, and even… in that palm strike… Could it be that the Tai Xuan Dao Sovereign is truly the reincarnation of an immortal?"
Sun Ce sighed helplessly, the resentment in his heart inexplicably dissipating quite a bit.
Not dying today probably meant the Dao Sovereign had already spared the Yun Alliance face.
Otherwise, with just the two of them, that single palm strike would have been enough to send them to the cycle of reincarnation!
On the second floor of the treasure pavilion, Su Wenye and Ling Xiao sat facing each other, a cup of clear tea placed on the table before each.
"Young friend, do you play Go? How about a game with me?"
As soon as Su Wenye finished speaking, the Ling Bao Pavilion Master immediately brought over a Go board and placed it on the table.
"Oh, Yan'er, didn't you say you had something to do earlier?"
"Huh? Oh! Right, I need to take the Spirit Flame out of the cauldron."
Su Yan was momentarily stunned, then remembered something. "Aunt Yun, could you help me find a divine cauldron?"
"Alright!"
After the two left, Su Wenye smiled and looked at Ling Xiao. "Young friend, your move."
"Alright!"
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly, but he couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Go?
Such an old, clichéd tactic.
Whenever Go appears in a story, it's mostly to observe the opponent's character and temperament.
Clearly, Su Wenye was testing him.