After Xuan Luo was taken away, the Dragon Phoenix Blood Spirit Stones he had collected returned to Ye Kong's hands, successfully completing the mission of "recovering the Dragon Empress Zi Yan's lost food."
As if she had noticed something amiss, Dragon Empress Zi Yan abruptly appeared before Ye Kong and Xiao Xiao half a minute after Xiao Xiao mentioned the "Three-Year Pact" and Ye Kong readily agreed to it. Wen Qingxuan stood beside her, looking utterly bewildered.
"Greetings, Lord Envoy. Here are the goods you requested."
Ye Kong handed over the Blazing Phoenix Green Jade Fruit, Yin Yang True Dragon Leaf, and Dragon Phoenix Blood Spirit Stone in the requested quantities, keeping a tiny bit of profit for himself.
"Aunt Zi, you're here? Why are you in such a hurry...?"
Seeing Zi Yan's unmasked, helpless expression, Xiao Xiao warmly stepped forward and took her hand.
Zi Yan had deliberately taken on the form of a little girl in purple to seem closer to her niece Xiao Xiao, but her feelings were complicated now. The look she gave Ye Kong was even more complicated, filled with countless emotions.
After observing him for a while, she had confidently believed that her years of experience had allowed her to see through Ye Kong, this newly fledged little rookie. She could report both good and bad news to Sister Cailing now.
The good news: this kid really had no interest in Xiao Xiao. His mind was wholly focused on making money, and he had none of Xiao Xiao's father's glib, flirtatious charm from back then.
The bad news: this kid seemed a little too obsessed with making money and a little too slow when it came to romance. At every turn, he swore that he had no interest in anyone.
The even worse news: