[Cao Ying]: Did something interesting happen?
[Yun Yun]: I learned a lesson from my master. As a sect leader, I'm not completely shameless yet.
[Cai Lin]: It's hard to explain, but to put it simply: "What does the three-year agreement between the Nalan family and the Xiao family have to do with my Misty Cloud Sect?"
[Fairy Doctor]: Is this what Sister Yun Yun said?
[Cai Lin]: Not bad.
[Feng Qing Er]: That's quite a clever way to shift responsibility.
[Cao Ying]: What does Young Master Xiao Ting wanting to take me as a disciple and teach the Yao clan a lesson have to do with me?
[Yao Ling]: Shut up. Just because Xiao Ting is backing you doesn't mean I can't do anything.
[Cao Ying]: Ah, I have Xiao Ting as my backer. Who do I need to fear? What can you do to me?
[Xun Er]: Glad we have this understanding.
[Yao Ling]: …
"Alright, alright, so you want to play it this way?"
Yao Ling's chest heaved violently with anger. Since Xun Er was backing her and all the women held copies of the Journals as shared interests, she truly couldn't do anything to her. However, if Cao Ying could gain Xiao Ting's support, why couldn't Yao Ling do the same?
Cao Ying, whatever you have, I, Yao Ling, also have it. Moreover, I'm better than you at it.
Cao Ying, whatever you possess, I, Yao Ling, still possess it. And I'm extremely skilled at using it. If I take the initiative and gain Xiao Ting's support, Cao Ying, how arrogant can you possibly remain?
"You made me do this. Just wait and see!"
Yao Ling secretly swore that from today onward, she and Cao Ying were enemies.
…
One or two hours later, the sun had set and night had fallen over Wu Tan City.
Yun Shan, Yun Yun, and Cai Lin appeared high in the sky. Cai Lin's body emitted seven-colored light and transformed into a seven-colored miniature snake. Like a streak of light, she descended into Xiao Ting's courtyard below and flew straight into his arms.
"Welcome back."
Xiao Ting opened his eyes, reached out to rub the seven-colored heaven-swallowing python's forehead, and smiled.
"Where's Yun Yun?"
"I'm outside," Yun Yun's voice came from the courtyard beyond the room.
"I thought you weren't coming back."
Xiao Ting walked out of the room toward the courtyard. His gaze first landed on Yun Yun, who looked mystical under the moonlight, then quickly shifted to Yun Shan beside her.
"Who is this person?" Xiao Ting had a vague guess. Cai Lin and Yun Yun were truly good actors—they had even brought Yun Shan as an extra.
"This is my master, the previous Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect," Yun Yun introduced.
"Misty Cloud Sect Leader, Senior Yun Shan?"
Xiao Ting clasped his hands in greeting. "Xiao family's Xiao Ting. Greetings, Senior."
"Greetings, young friend Xiao Ting." Yun Shan returned the greeting with clasped hands and looked at Xiao Ting with admiration. A six-star Dou Spirit, a third-tier alchemist in his early fifteens, and backed by a seventh-tier alchemist—he couldn't help but feel respect.
"Senior Yun Shan, it seems you didn't come to interrogate me?" Xiao Ting asked, slightly surprised.
"Young friend, are you referring to how Yun Yun was sealed by Queen Medusa and became a maidservant?" Yun Shan smiled and shook his head. "She provoked Medusa despite lacking the strength. Since her skill was inferior and she was sealed, it's only natural she pays the corresponding price."
Yun Yun: Nonsense! You always said that when encountering an enemy, don't panic—even a wind-attribute cultivator who can't win can still escape. Running without fighting is for cowards.
"Actually, I wanted to rescue Yun Yun. As her master, I couldn't just stand by and watch my disciple imprisoned. But Queen Medusa said she would listen to your opinion, young friend," Yun Shan said gently.
This attitude was completely different from what Xiao Ting had expected from Yun Shan. He inwardly thought that Yun Shan, who wasn't even a member of the Hall of Souls, was very skilled at socializing.
He smiled and said, "Since you're so easy to talk to, I'm not the type to make things difficult for others. What do you plan to offer to redeem Yun Yun? I'll decide on Cai Lin's behalf."
"Cai Lin?" Yun Shan was surprised.
Yun Yun immediately said from the side, "That's the name Xiao Ting gave to Queen Medusa."
Xiao Ting had actually given it to her, and it seemed the queen had accepted it!
Yun Shan was shocked—more shocked than when he learned Xiao Yan had become a disciple of a seventh-tier alchemist.
On the Battle Qi Continent, people experienced astonishing encounters every day. It was rare but not unheard of for a talented and lucky person like Xiao Yan to be accepted as a disciple by a powerhouse. But the name Medusa Queen now symbolized the conquest of a Dou Ancestor-level queen.
This Xiao Ting… he really has to be looked at from a new perspective.
"Young friend, what I said earlier was the original matter." Yun Shan's tone became even gentler. "Now that I have a request for you, compensation is naturally required. Yun Er's matter can only be resolved by herself. As her master, I currently lack the power to help her."
"Senior, is there anything I can help with?" A just-right look of surprise appeared on Xiao Ting's face.
"To be precise, we should seek help from Xiao Yan's alchemist teacher. Or perhaps from the person behind Xun Er. Xiao Ting, could you introduce us?"
"Eh?" Xiao Ting's expression turned serious. After a slight hesitation, he nodded. "Both of you, please follow me."
Xiao Ting led Yun Shan and Yun Yun to the small courtyard where Xiao Yan lived, not far from his own.
"Isn't this Sect Leader Yun Yun? I heard you became Brother Ting's maidservant—is that true?" As soon as Xiao Yan saw Yun Yun, he teased.
Yun Yun was no longer fazed by such sarcasm. With an unchanged expression, she said, "Xiao Yan, my master has something to ask your teacher. Could you ask him to appear? My master has brought very important information for your Xiao family."
Xiao Yan's expression turned serious. After exchanging glances with Xiao Ting, he silently sought Yao Lao's opinion.
"Since Xiao Ting brought them here, it's clearly because he thought I should meet them," Yao Lao chuckled lightly and manifested his soul form.
Yun Shan's pupils instantly contracted. A being powerful enough to exist independently as a soul was far stronger than he had imagined in his prime.
My thinking was correct after all. The Misty Cloud Sect should build good relations with the Xiao family and not provoke them.
"What do you wish to discuss with me?" Yao Lao asked.
"Eighth Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Shan. Greetings, Senior." Yun Shan respectfully bowed to Yao Lao, introduced himself, then asked, "Senior's strength and status are extraordinary. Do you know about the Hall of Souls?"
"Hall of Souls!" Yao Lao's smile vanished instantly, and a chill ran through his heart. In a deep, unfathomable tone, he asked, "The Central Plains is the heart of the Battle Qi Continent, possessing the best cultivation resources and environment. Many forces exist there, but the most renowned are the One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, and Four Pavilions."
"This is the Hall of Souls. Its main hall is located in the western part of the Central Plains. No one knows the exact location. It's not too far from the northwest continent, yet very few people come here. How did you learn of it?"
"The Hall of Souls' protector approached me seeking cooperation," Yun Shan answered honestly. "He used secret arts to allow my body to sense spatial power and helped me reach the Dou Ancestor realm. In return, I had to help him locate and record all Xiao clans and talented heretical cultivators within Misty Cloud Sect territory. The stronger they were, the more information needed to be recorded."
"In addition, the goal was to record information on all alchemists and find individuals with exceptional soul talent."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression changed drastically. He had a premonition that the Hall of Souls was targeting his Xiao clan!
…
…
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