Before he even approached the palace, Xiao Chen saw the thirty-foot-tall Bronze Gate shut tight, its surface glowing with one mysterious rune after another.
Two statues, each over ten feet tall, stood on either side, weapons in hand and Killing Intent rolling off them.
"Those statues can move, too."
A clear voice came from the side.
Xiao Chen turned and saw a young man strolling over from the side. He wore a white shirt beneath a Golden Silk Vest, with peach-blossom eyes and a face like polished jade.
A large chunk was missing from the vest around his abdomen, exposing the blue inner shirt beneath. His Cloud Boots were covered in dust, as though he had just escaped from something.
"Glad to meet you, Junior Brother Xiao."
Lin Ping'an smiled and raised a hand in greeting, every bit the graceful gentleman.
If his clothes had been neat and tidy, he would certainly have looked composed and elegant.
But as Xiao Chen watched his sleeves flutter in the wind like kelp when he waved, he could not help wondering what exactly he had been through.
"Uh, hello, Senior Brother Lin. Your clothes...?"
Lin Ping'an gave a carefree laugh and pointed at the statues. "I tried opening the gate just now and got chased by the statues. There wasn't even the slightest trace of spiritual energy from them, yet who knew they would be so fast?"
"I was careless for a moment and failed to dodge. Good thing my Magic Robe was sturdy enough."
"Never mind that. Junior Brother Xiao, you came at just the right time. I never expected that my destined helper would be you."
Xiao Chen took half a step back. "Senior Brother Lin, what do you mean by that?"
Lin Ping'an coughed lightly. "Ahem, don't misunderstand, Junior Brother