Tian Ge, You Can't Blame Me for This

Xiao Yan was startled by the sudden approach and subconsciously took a half step back, quietly circulating his Dou Qi as he warily watched the Black Skirt Woman had suddenly appeared less than two meters away from him.

The Soul Bead surrounding him also crashed to the ground, making muffled thuds as they sank deep into the earth.

The woman, however, paid no heed to his wariness. Her bewitching eyes were fixed intently on Xiao Yan, and her usually charming voice trembled slightly with excitement.

"Did you just use the Taiyin Soul Refining Art and the Soul Shattering Palm? Who taught you that?"

She took a deep breath, seemingly trying to calm her turbulent emotions, but with little effect. She continued to press, "Are you Xiao Yan from the Free and Unfettered Hall?"

Xiao Yan frowned slightly, his mind racing. The other party seemed to recognize his Soul Dou Technique, but this reaction was a bit too much and very strange.

"Miss Cao Ying, these are personal privacy questions, and I regret to inform you that I cannot answer them!"

The Black Skirt Woman in front of Xiao Yan was the one known as the demoness, a leading figure in the Pill Tower, a disciple of Xuan Kongzi, and one of the candidates for the future Pill Tower Giant.

Seeing Cao Ying like this, everyone around her, except for a few who probably knew the inside story, was quite surprised.

This was the first time these people had ever seen Cao Ying, who was known for her extraordinary talent, aloofness, and lack of interest in many things, show such emotional excitement.

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Cao Ying's excitement intensified. She even subconsciously clenched her hands. Her eyes, which usually held a languid and alluring quality, now held a mixture of anticipation, nervousness, and even a touch of vulnerability.

"Then... are you Xiao Tian's younger brother? Xiao Tian... has he also come to Saint Pill City? Where is he now?"

At this moment, Cao Ying was completely devoid of her usual composure; she resembled a girl anxiously searching for news of someone important.

Those around her stared in astonishment at her words, but she had no time to pay them any attention. All she wanted now was to get Xiao Tian's whereabouts from Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment when he saw Cao Ying's current state. He hadn't expected that the cultivation techniques and Soul Skill taught by Tian Ge could make this demoness from the Pill Tower lose her composure like this.

Being able to recognize this technique meant he must have seen it before. He secretly wondered if this was some kind of romantic entanglement left behind by his Tian Ge in Saint Pill City.

He's truly a role model for us all; he's practically turned the enchantress of the Pill Tower into a lovesick fool.

Xiao Yan composed himself, and facing Cao Ying's anxious questioning, he slowly shook his head, his tone tinged with apology.

"Miss Cao Ying, to be honest, I came to Saint Pill City alone this time, not with Tian Ge. Tian Ge's whereabouts are always elusive, and as for whether he has come to Saint Pill City, I truly do not know."

Cao Ying's alluring eyes were fixed on Xiao Yan, trying to find the slightest flaw in his face.

As a demoness of the Pill Tower, her Soul Power was incredibly strong, and her perception of certain things was even more acute. Naturally, she wouldn't give up easily just because of what the other party said.

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Cao Ying took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the surging emotions in her heart.

The excitement on her face receded like the tide, and she regained her captivating, enchanting demeanor, though a barely perceptible trace of disappointment flickered deep in her eyes.

She narrowed her eyes slightly; her gaze had lost much of its former intensity, now filled only with scrutiny and skepticism. She continued to press:

"You really don't know? Since you're his brother, if he came, wouldn't he contact you?"

Her voice, though trembling slightly, held a hidden sharpness.

Xiao Yan remained calm and replied, "Tian Ge always acts according to his own methods. He usually doesn't specifically tell me where he's going."

This was half true and half false. Xiao Tian Xiao Tian's whereabouts were indeed elusive, because he would often take Sister Yun Yun and the others out for sightseeing to strengthen their relationship.

Cao Ying parted her red lips slightly, her tone regaining some of its usual languidness, but her eyes were much more serious, "Is he alright?"

Xiao Yan nodded, his tone certain. "Tian Ge is fine, there's no problem at all."

Upon hearing this, Cao Ying nodded slightly and gave Xiao Yan a deep look. "Alright, focus on the assessment at hand. Don't embarrass your older brother."

From the materials her teacher provided, she could see that Xiao Tian had already passed the examination for Rank 8 Alchemist a long time ago.

She sighed softly and turned to walk towards the Cao Family's seats.

Just as she turned and took a step forward, she seemed to suddenly remember something, abruptly turned back, and abruptly threw out a sentence:

"Is he... with Uncle Xuan Yi?"

The question was too sudden, and it directly mentioned Xuan Yi's name, completely catching Xiao Yan guard. His heart tightened instantly, and almost instinctively, he blurted out, "You..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Yan suddenly realized his slip of the tongue, his expression changed slightly, and he shook his head, "Who is this martial uncle of yours? I don't know him."

Although Xiao Yan 'Xiao Yan expression changed very quickly when she asked that question, she still noticed it as she had been observing him.

A look of extreme surprise and "I knew it!" bloomed on her slender yet delicate face, and her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. Her previous disappointment transformed into a sly smile, like that of a victorious fairy.

"Hehe..." Cao Ying chuckled, her voice regaining its usual languid allure, but now tinged with a hint of relief and pride. "Xiao Yan, thank you."

After saying that, she didn't linger. She turned around and transformed into a black streak of light, leaving the main hall and heading straight towards the location of the higher-ups of the Pill Tower.

Standing there dumbfounded, Xiao Yan looked somewhat annoyed. Watching Cao Ying's retreating figure, he shook his head helplessly and sighed inwardly, "Tian Ge, you can't blame me for this. This woman... is too shrewd."

He now fully understood what Xiao Tian had once told him, "The more beautiful a woman is, the more likely she is to deceive you."

Xiao Yan hurriedly took out his Sound Transmission Stone and sent a message to Xiao Tian. In the end, he could only silently pray for Xiao Tian, hoping that he could handle this sudden "romantic debt."

Those around were confused, but dared not ask too many questions. After all, the Cao Family was now the most powerful of the Five Great Families, and Cao Ying held the highest position. No one dared to openly discuss it.

"Alright, there was a slight mishap just now, let's continue the assessment!" Elder Sheng glanced at everyone who was discussing in the shadows and shouted loudly.

Just as Cao Ying was heading to the Pill Tower, Xiao Tian also felt the vibration of the Sound Transmission Stone and sent an urgent message.

Xiao Tian glanced at Xuan Yi, who was cleaning him, and gently patted her head before taking out the Sound Transmission Stone to read the message inside.

"Huh?" Xiao Tian sat up straight instantly.