"This guy is simply a disgrace to the Kirin Clan. You could even say he has sullied the reputation of every living being in the Primordial Wilderness!" Xuanxiao looked down at the disheveled Mo Yuan with a speechless expression and couldn't help muttering inwardly.
At this moment, Mo Yuan was in complete disarray, looking utterly miserable.
But Xuanxiao saw through him perfectly. The guy was clearly putting on an act, performing this "sacrificial ploy" with astonishing realism.
When it came to handling human relationships, Mo Yuan had truly taken it to the extreme. No one could surpass him.
Mo Yuan knew that with Xuanxiao's sharp insight, he would definitely see through his little ruse.
However, having known and spent many years with Xuanxiao, he understood Xuanxiao's temperament well. He knew that this would not only fail to annoy Xuanxiao, but would instead accomplish the task Xuanxiao had assigned him—to improve the relationship between the Three Pure Ones and the others, and make the atmosphere between them more harmonious.
Besides, he could also play the victim a little and make up for having pursued the Three Pure Ones before.
"Could this guy really be putting on an act for us?" Gou Chen frowned, staring suspiciously at Mo Yuan before him. A trace of doubt rose in his heart.
Laozi narrowed his eyes slightly, hesitation showing in his gaze as he looked at Mo Yuan and muttered, "Strange. Why do I always feel that this guy's performance is somewhat suspicious? There's an indescribably strange feeling to it."
It had to be said that Mo Yuan's acting was truly superb. Aside from the meticulous and sharp-eyed Gou Chen and Laozi noticing something unusual, everyone else had been completely fooled by his lifelike performance. They all thought Mo Yuan had really been completely suppressed and was utterly powerless to fight back.
The Ancestral Witches were howling excitedly, each of them flushed with exhilaration. Their enthusiasm was impossible to conceal.
Seeing the Ancestral Witches' passionate reaction, Tongtian unconsciously showed a look of complete approval.
In his eyes, although the Ancestral Witches were simple-minded, impulsive, and not fond of using their brains, they were straightforward and bold. Their personalities clicked perfectly with his own, and the more he looked at them, the more congenial he found them.
At this moment, Yuanshi's attitude toward the Ancestral Witches had also softened considerably. He was no longer as hostile as before.
Clearly, Xuanxiao's goal had been successfully achieved.
Mo Yuan naturally noticed that matters had developed as required.
He deliberately revealed an opening without changing his expression, allowing the Primordial Sword in Tongtian's hand to "wound" him at precisely the right moment.
The Primordial Sword was no ordinary weapon. In reality, it was the Primordial Measure Ruler that Xuanxiao had previously given Tongtian.
Tongtian had never been particularly interested in ruler-type weapons, so he had asked Xuanxiao to transform it into the Primordial Sword he now wielded.
Mo Yuan looked at the spot where the Primordial Sword had "wounded" him and immediately let out an exaggerated scream. He dragged the sound out for a long time, as if he were truly suffering unbearable pain.
Hearing Mo Yuan's scream, Tongtian was instantly dumbfounded. He stared at the Primordial Sword in his hand in disbelief and muttered, "When did I become this powerful? I actually managed to seriously injure a Great Luo consummate expert with a single strike?"
The Ancestral Witches all looked at Tongtian with admiration and praised him in unison. "Brother Tongtian, you're amazing! You're practically divine!"
"Isn't this a little too fake? With Tongtian's strength, how could he possibly wound Mo Yuan, a Great Luo consummate expert, with one sword?" At this moment, Yuanshi also sensed that something was wrong and began muttering inwardly.
"Hmph, let's see if you still dare act arrogantly!" Zhurong looked at Mo Yuan and laughed smugly.
Hearing Zhurong's words, Mo Yuan's heart gave a sudden jolt. He thought viciously, If I didn't still have to keep up this act, I'd make you understand exactly why flowers are so red for daring to act this arrogant in front of me!
On the surface, however, he continued pretending to be terrified, trembling as he looked at the Ancestral Witches.
Xuanxiao watched Mo Yuan below him continue to act with all his might. He rolled his eyes helplessly, then flashed and slowly descended from the void.
"All right, all right, stop acting. You've completed your task perfectly." As he spoke, Xuanxiao casually gave Mo Yuan a light kick.
After being kicked, Mo Yuan not only failed to get angry but chuckled instead. He then nimbly climbed to his feet and respectfully said, "Greetings, Dao Venerable!"
When the Three Pure Ones saw Xuanxiao appear, delighted light instantly bloomed in their eyes. They shouted in unison, "Second Uncle!" Their voices were filled with affection and excitement.
Hearing their call, Xuanxiao turned toward them. A gratified smile appeared on his face as he said, "Not bad, not bad. It seems that during the time I was away, none of you slacked off in your cultivation." As he spoke, Xuanxiao nodded approvingly at the three of them.
After hearing Xuanxiao's praise, even Laozi, who was usually composed, couldn't help showing a trace of pride on his face.
Yuanshi even deliberately cast a provocative glance at the Ancestral Witches, his expression seeming to say, "See that? Second Uncle still likes us best!"
However, this display of Yuanshi's was completely like "winking at a blind man."
The Ancestral Witches were immersed in excitement and had not noticed Yuanshi's boastful and provocative expression at all.
Seeing the Three Pure Ones like this, Xuanxiao was filled with helplessness.
In his memories, the Three Pure Ones had not been like this. Their current personalities were practically no different from those of little pets fighting for their master's favor.
What Xuanxiao did not know was that the Three Pure Ones' true natures had never changed. It was only in front of him that they unconsciously revealed this side of themselves.
Xuanxiao did not pay much attention to the Three Pure Ones. Instead, he shifted his gaze back to Mo Yuan.
"You handled this matter quite well. Take this as your reward." As he spoke, Xuanxiao casually tossed a Yellow Middle Plum toward Mo Yuan.
When Mo Yuan saw the Yellow Middle Plum Xuanxiao had thrown him, his eyes instantly lit up. He secretly rejoiced, Wow, what a huge profit! I only put on one little performance, and I actually got a Yellow Middle Plum. If only good things like this happened a few more times in the future!
"Thank you for the reward, Dao Venerable!" Mo Yuan hurriedly reached out and caught the Yellow Middle Plum, thanking him with a grateful expression.
Xuanxiao waved his hand casually, indicating that he did not mind.
"Um... Dao Venerable, may I take my leave now?" Mo Yuan looked at Xuanxiao cautiously and asked tentatively.
In the past, whenever Mo Yuan encountered Xuanxiao, he would have done everything possible to stay by his side.
After all, amid the current chaos of the war between the three clans in the Primordial Wilderness, staying beside Xuanxiao was undoubtedly the safest choice.
But the circumstances were somewhat special now. He had pursued the Three Pure Ones for many years. Although he had never gone all out to kill them, he had still offended them to some extent.
So now he wanted to test Xuanxiao's and the Three Pure Ones' attitudes toward him.
If Xuanxiao or the Three Pure Ones strongly rejected him, he would have to flee at once and get as far away as possible.
The Three Pure Ones did not react much upon hearing Mo Yuan's words.
After all, although Mo Yuan had pursued them all these years, he had never actually killed them. The two sides had not formed any irreconcilable enmity, so they did not harbor much hatred toward him.
"All right, all right. Keep all those schemes of yours for plotting against other people." Xuanxiao looked at Mo Yuan and shook his head with a smile.
He had seen through Mo Yuan's little scheme at a glance.
"I know exactly what you're thinking, boy. You want to follow me, right? Then let me make it clear now: after the war between the three clans ends, if you still have nowhere to go, come find me at Thunder Marsh. As for becoming my disciple or son, forget it. You can be my mount." Xuanxiao looked at Mo Yuan and spoke seriously.
Originally, Xuanxiao had not thought much of Mo Yuan. But after observing him for this period, he had discovered that although the Ancestral Witches were all immensely powerful, they were too simple-minded and often acted without considering the consequences. They truly needed someone meticulous and calculating nearby to keep an eye on things.
Gou Chen was clever, but when it came to scheming against people and coming up with bad ideas, he really could not compare with the sly Mo Yuan.
With Mo Yuan around, Xuanxiao would not have to worry so much about the Ancestral Witches being easily manipulated in the future.
Mo Yuan's face lit up with joy when he heard this.
He understood that Xuanxiao's words meant he had decided to take him in. This was a fortuitous opportunity he could hardly have asked for.
"Then, Master, I'll take my leave for now." Mo Yuan respectfully saluted Xuanxiao, then turned to leave.
This boy really knows how to climb whatever pole he can find. He already recognizes me as his master. But speaking of which, he really did render the Kirin Clan a great service this time. Xuanxiao watched Mo Yuan's departing figure and pondered inwardly.
Given Xuanxiao's current status and position, even if Mo Yuan was merely his mount, he would still be connected to Xuanxiao.
With this connection, the Kirin Clan's destiny would be tied to Xuanxiao's. Its fate this time would certainly be much better than in Xuanxiao's memories.
However, Xuanxiao did not take this particularly to heart.
He turned slightly and looked at the large group of people standing not far away. He could not help giving a bitter smile inwardly. Good heavens. Without even realizing it, I've somehow gathered so many people around me.
"Let's go. You were born ahead of schedule because of my interference, and the current Primordial Wilderness is not suitable for you to continue traveling through. You should come with me." Xuanxiao looked at the Three Pure Ones and spoke.
Hearing Xuanxiao's words, the Three Pure Ones and the others hesitated briefly, but ultimately nodded one after another.
Only after personally experiencing it on this trip did they realize that they had seriously underestimated the brutality and complexity of the current war between the three clans. It was far too dangerous for the three of them to travel through the Primordial Wilderness.
After saying this, Xuanxiao led the way, guiding everyone as they slowly departed together.
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