Ye Hao sat cross-legged on the bed, circulating the Saint-Grade Heaven Swallowing Technique after activating Life Force.
In an instant!
The energy within a radius of several miles surged wildly toward him, then poured entirely into his body!
"As expected of the evolved Saint-Grade Heaven Swallowing Technique! This effect… incredible! I just wonder what it would be like to use a Heaven-Tier Dou Technique."
Ye Hao was eager to try.
The power of a Divine-Grade bloodline combined with this cultivation technique.
His cultivation speed was simply twice the result with half the effort!
With a dull booming sound echoing within his body.
Ye Hao successfully broke through to Three-Star Dou Spirit!
"This child's talent is far too terrifying!! Even the young lady, and that one within the clan, may not compare to him."
Outside the room, beneath the eaves, a faint exclamation sounded from the darkness!
A shadow slowly condensed into a human figure within the dark.
His eyes peered through the crack in the window, staring intently at the young figure inside.
Rubbing his chin, he muttered softly,
"His talent is so terrifying, but why…"
"Why have I sent people to investigate for so long, yet whether in the Northwest Continent or Central Plains, there is no family with the surname Hao?"
"Could it be… this child stands alone, belonging to no family or faction at all?"
Ling Ying's eyes lit up!
"Hehe, if the young lady recommends him to the Gu Clan, then when his talent fully blossoms in the future, she will also have someone to support her within the clan."
While he was indulging in this pleasant thought.
Suddenly!
A voice sounded beside Ling Ying's ear.
"Since you are already here, why stay on the roof beam? Come in and have a drink."
Ling Ying's pupils shrank!
He had already been extremely careful, yet he was still discovered!
"Hehe, little friend, you are the first person below Dou Emperor to detect me. Your perception is truly astonishing."
Ling Ying gave an embarrassed smile as his body merged into the darkness.
Then he emerged from the shadows beneath the table inside the room.
His gaze fell upon the table.
Two cups of wine had already been placed there.
Clearly.
One of them had been prepared for him.
Ling Ying cupped his fists and explained,
"I was passing by and sensed intense energy fluctuations here, so I came to take a look. I did not expect little friend to be cultivating."
"At such a young age, you are already a Three-Star Dou Spirit. Admirable, admirable."
Facing Ling Ying's flattery.
Ye Hao smiled, raised his cup slightly, and drank it in one gulp.
Only then did he slowly speak,
"If I remember correctly, senior has already come to my place six times, hasn't he? Hehe, is there something you wish to discuss with me?"
Ling Ying was stunned, and stormy waves rose within his heart!
So he had been exposed since the very first time!
And here he had thought he was moving like a ghost without anyone knowing.
After all that time, he had been cautiously hiding, yet all along he had been under someone else's nose.
Thinking about it now, it was rather ridiculous.
Ling Ying shook his head helplessly and drained the wine in his cup.
"Hehe, I was ordered to find someone in Wu Tan City. Each time, I was drawn here by little friend's astonishing talent. I have disturbed you many times, please forgive me."
As he spoke, Ling Ying changed the subject.
"To be honest, little friend's talent surpasses even that of my young lady. I wonder if little friend would be willing to come with me and serve my young lady? Rest assured, my young lady's cultivation resources will not treat you unfairly."
The young lady Ling Ying spoke of was naturally Xun'er.
Hearing this, Ye Hao understood that Ling Ying and the others did not know his true identity.
That put his mind at ease.
But serve Xun'er?
Seriously?
Judging from their encounter at the marketplace last time.
It seemed more likely that she would be the one serving him.
Ye Hao remained silent.
Ling Ying smiled and said, "Little friend need not answer in a hurry. You may tell me next time we meet."
…
Several days later.
The Xiao Family!
Ling Ying knelt on one knee before Xun'er.
"Young Lady, this old servant is incompetent. Half a year has passed, yet I still have not found any trace of Mister Ye Hao. I beg Young Lady to punish me."
He had never expected that he, a dignified Eight-Star Dou Emperor!
Over the past six months, had searched every single house in Wu Tan City!
Yet he had not found anyone whose appearance matched the portrait.
As for the rumor spreading through the city that Ye Hao had left, he had investigated that as well.
It was false information deliberately released by someone.
He believed Ye Hao was still hiding somewhere within Wu Tan City.
If he knew that not long ago he had shared drinks with Ye Hao and even tried to recruit him, yet failed to recognize him.
He might cough up blood in frustration.
Xun'er had remained silent the entire time, her face expressionless.
Ling Ying slightly raised his head, and from the corner of his eye, he saw that Xun'er's pink fists had clenched so tightly that they had turned pale!
He lowered his head again silently.
"It is all that woman from the Yunlan Sect's fault!!"
At last, Xun'er slammed her fist heavily onto the table and stood up abruptly.
In her eyes flickered a wisp of golden flame!
That day, she had already hugged Brother Hao!
If not for Nalan Yanran suddenly losing her mind and drawing her sword to slash wildly, Brother Hao would not have been frightened away, nor would he be hiding from her now!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Xun'er took out the prepared portrait. "Elder Ling, go to the Yunlan Sect and capture this woman for me!"
"Ah!"
"What? Do my words carry no weight now?!"
"No, no, that is not it. Young Lady, it is just that not long ago I received news that people from the Soul Hall have arrived in the Jia Ma Empire, and they were even seen at Yunlan Mountain. This old servant suspects the Yunlan Sect may be acting as informants for the Soul Hall…"
"So what! Does my Gu Clan fear them?"
Ling Ying wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He knew that the Young Lady at this moment had already been blinded by anger.
He did not even dare mention the matter of recommending talent.
"It is not that we fear them. It is just that Young Lady came to the Xiao Family with a mission. If the Soul Hall discovers you are here, I worry it may cause unnecessary trouble and affect the mission…"
"No mission is more important than Brother Hao! If not for her, I might already be watching the stars and the moon with Brother Hao right now!"
The more Xun'er spoke, the angrier she became.
The golden flames in her beautiful eyes seemed as though they might burst forth into reality.
Just as Ling Ying was at a loss.
A knock sounded outside the courtyard.
Knock knock knock…
"Who is it?!"
Xun'er's voice carried anger.
After a moment.
A voice finally came from outside the door. "Little Sister Xun'er, it is me, Xiao Ning."
"I am not free!"
"Ah… Little Sister Xun'er, you misunderstand. Someone named Ri Tian sent a letter for you. If you do not know this person, I will throw it away."
Ri Tian?
"I do not know him! Throw the letter away!!"
"Alright."
Ling Ying thought for a moment and raised his head.
"That… Young Lady… could it be that the character Hao was mistaken for Ri Tian?"
Upon hearing this!
Xun'er was stunned at first, then joy flooded her face as she rushed out of the courtyard.
"Cousin Xiao Ning, wait!"
"Cousin Xun'er, is there something else?"
"Where is the letter?"
"Right here."
Xiao Ning handed over the letter he had not yet thrown away.
The fingers hidden beneath the letter lifted slightly, hoping to seize the chance for a brief physical contact with Xun'er.
But Xun'er moved quickly and snatched the letter away at once.
His wishful thinking failed.
"Thank you, Cousin Xiao Ning!"
Xun'er eagerly looked at the envelope.
Sure enough!
Just as Ling Ying had guessed!
It was the character Hao!
Illiterate Xiao Ning had mistaken it for Ri Tian!
She tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter!
The handwriting was delicate, almost like that of a woman.
[Three nights from now, meet beneath the big tree ten miles east of Wu Tan City. Come alone. If you do not come, I will leave.]
Joy appeared on Xun'er's face.
Xiao Ning stared blankly. "Xun'er, you look so beautiful when you smile."
Xun'er ignored him and returned to the courtyard clutching the letter as if it were a priceless treasure.
Xiao Ning: ...Am I the clown?
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