Big World

As Shangguan Ye burned the calligraphy, everything returned to calm.

"Ning'er, how many days will you be staying this time?" Shangguan Ye asked.

"Two days."

"Then spend those two days at my place," Shangguan Ye said with a smile.

"Alright." Xiao Ning'er's cheeks flushed slightly.

After Shangguan Ye, no one else went up to display their work. The discussion gathering thus came to an end, and everyone gradually departed.

That night, Shangguan Ye and Xiao Ning'er were chatting in the room when clattering noises and Lu Piao's miserable cries came from the room next door.

"Those two enemies can start fighting anywhere," Xiao Ning'er said with a smile.

"Clearly, only Lu Piao is getting beaten up." Shangguan Ye pitied Lu Piao for three seconds.

"By the way, Shangguan, have you always lived here?" Xiao Ning'er asked as she looked around Shangguan Ye's room.

"Originally, after getting some spirit stones, I planned to rent a place of my own. But then I thought it would be nice for us to look out for one another if we stayed here together, so I simply remained."

"I see."

"This room is filled with Shangguan's scent..." Xiao Ning'er's face could not help turning red.

"Ning'er, you must be tired from traveling all the way from the Tianyin Divine Sect. Would you like to bathe?"

"Sure."

After Shangguan Ye prepared everything for Xiao Ning'er, he thoughtfully set up a folding screen as well.

"Shangguan, you're not allowed to peek. Just sit there and keep me company while we talk," Xiao Ning'er said, pointing at the table.

"Got it." Shangguan Ye readily agreed on the surface, while inwardly, he was already overjoyed.

As the sound of water began, Xiao Ning'er started bathing. Shangguan Ye sat at the table, constantly drinking water while occasionally glancing to the side.

"By the way, Ning'er, you haven't even entered the Mountain River Space, yet you're cultivating this quickly. It looks like that demon spirit is very compatible with you," Shangguan Ye said gently.

"Yes. Since I had just entered the sect and there were many things I hadn't figured out yet, I never had the time to go in. I'll enter when I have time someday."

"Have you been to the Big World?"

"I went once. I hunted some Dragon Blood Demon Spirits and gathered some herbs, but I didn't dare venture too deeply."

"Mm, it's good to be cautious."

As they spoke, Xiao Ning'er had already finished bathing and emerged in a bathrobe, her perfect figure faintly visible beneath it.

"Ning'er, come here. I'll dry your hair," Shangguan Ye said, beckoning to her.

Xiao Ning'er obediently sat before Shangguan Ye. The temperature around his hands gradually rose, and as Xiao Ning'er shared stories about her life in the Tianyin Divine Sect, Shangguan Ye dried her hair.

Meanwhile, in Heaven Cloud Hall.

Venerable Chi Ling slowly entered the main hall. Above the hall, an old man in green robes sat cross-legged on a cushion with his eyes closed, a radiant halo behind him.

"Master." Venerable Chi Ling cupped his hands respectfully.

"Disciple, how did it go?" an aged yet majestic voice sounded.

"Shangguan Ye and Nie Li..."

Venerable Chi Ling recounted what the two had done at the banquet that day, and Venerable Tian Yun revealed a smile.

"Since they still refuse to join any family, they must be under considerable pressure. Go speak to the Three Great Families. Tell them that I have taken a liking to those two, and tell them to stop making unreasonable trouble. Then get two pieces of their calligraphy for me to see."

"Yes!" Venerable Chi Ling slowly withdrew.

The next day, Shangguan Ye took Xiao Ning'er around the Feather God Sect. Just as they returned to their residence, Nie Li emerged from his room.

"Ning'er, you came at just the right time. Please help me bring this demon spirit back to Zi Yun," Nie Li said, handing her a Demon Spirit Stone.

"Alright." Xiao Ning'er accepted the Demon Spirit Stone.

"Oh, right. Since you have nothing to do, come meet someone with me."

"Who?" Shangguan Ye asked.

"Li Xingyun. Didn't I promise him demon spirits? They're all ready now, so we'll deliver them to him. It seems that, besides Gu Bei and Long Yuyin, we can also win Li Xingyun over," Nie Li said with a smile.

"Sure. Li Xingyun is a decent person. Let's go." Shangguan Ye and the others immediately headed for Li Xingyun's residence.

However, just as they were about to leave, they ran into Xiao Yu, who had returned.

"Where are you going?" Xiao Yu asked curiously.

"To find Li Xingyun. Do you want to come?" Nie Li asked.

"It's fine. You go ahead," Xiao Yu said slowly.

"Something's wrong. What happened to your cultivation? Weren't you already at the Sixth Realm of Destiny? Why did you drop a realm? Who killed you once?" Nie Li demanded.

"Er, alright. It was Hua Ling. I encountered him in the Big World. There were too many of them, and I couldn't handle them for a moment, so I was killed once."

"Hmph, he dared kill one of our people? We have to seek justice for you. Stop talking. Come with us to Li Xingyun's place." Ignoring Xiao Yu's resistance, Nie Li dragged him outside.

Before long, they arrived at the entrance to Li Xingyun's residence.

One of Li Xingyun's subordinates led them into the courtyard.

"Please wait here for a moment."

"Alright."

"Xingyun, I have to admit that your talent is indeed quite good, but compared to Li Yufeng, you are still far inferior," an old man in yellow robes said slowly as he sat beside Li Xingyun.

"Of the ten Elders in the family, six have already decided that Li Yufeng will be the next Patriarch. Of the remaining four, two support Li Liushui, one supports you, and one abstains. Li Liushui has withdrawn voluntarily and will fully assist Li Yufeng. We hope you can consider the bigger picture," the Yellow-robed Elder said slowly.

"Third Elder, since Li Liushui has withdrawn, then I can withdraw as well. But I absolutely cannot agree to the demands you've made. Those are my subordinates. If Li Yufeng wants to absorb them, he'll have to see whether he has the ability!" Li Xingyun said angrily.

"Isn't it just because you're afraid that I have too many subordinates and might threaten him? Then may I ask, don't you Elders have forces of your own? Why don't I see you handing over your own forces?"

The two Elders were left speechless.

"Please leave, Elders. It is absolutely impossible for me to become Li Yufeng's dog!"

"Li Xingyun, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"

"Take care. I won't see you out." Li Xingyun waved his hand.

Just after the two Elders left, the subordinate led Shangguan Ye and the others inside.

"Brother Shangguan, Brother Nie Li, what brings you here?" Li Xingyun asked with a smile.

"Of course, it's your demon spirit. I've already obtained it, and it has even mutated. I guarantee it's much stronger than Li Yufeng's." Nie Li handed over a Demon Spirit Stone. After Li Xingyun carefully examined it and confirmed there were no issues, he handed over a Spatial Ring.

"There are one hundred thousand spirit stones here. Thank you, Brother Nie Li. If you ever need anything from me in the future, just say the word."

"There actually is something. A friend of ours was killed once by Hua Ling. I hope you can lend me two hundred men, preferably some in the Heavenly Star Realm."

"No problem. I can even find a few in the Heaven Rotation Realm." Li Xingyun patted his chest.

After chatting for a while, they returned to their residence. The moment they opened the door, Gu Bei rushed out.

"You're finally back! I'll take you to see a good show!" Gu Bei dragged them out and soon brought them to the martial arts arena. The place was brightly lit and packed with people, while several stages still hosted ongoing matches.

"Big Sister!" Gu Bei first led them to Gu Lan.

"Xiao Bei, you're here." As soon as Gu Lan looked up, she saw Xiao Ning'er beside Shangguan Ye, and a flicker of disappointment passed through her eyes.

"Ninety percent of the people around this stage are from our Gu Clan. This is a competition for the Gu Clan's new disciples of this generation," Gu Bei explained.

"Just watch how I make a name for myself today." Gu Bei smiled, circulating Heavenly Dao Power to lift Gu Lan and fly toward the Elders.