Guarding

No one spoke in the Council Hall of the Wanxiang Sect; the atmosphere was so oppressive it seemed like water could seep out. In contrast, there was chaos and uproar within the Wanxiang Mountain.

At the fourth quarter of the hour of Wei (1-3 PM), a peaceful atmosphere prevailed within the Wanxiang Mountain. Among the buildings, thousands of disciples were either cultivating, practicing sparring, or laughing and chatting freely in the sect's teahouses and taverns.

Almost at the same moment, they all heard this sound echoing in the sky.

The sound precisely covered the entire Wanxiang Mountain; no sound could be heard outside the gate.

Many disciples of the Wanxiang Sect put down what they were doing, went to the windowsill of the tavern, or came out of their rooms, and all looked up at the sky with doubt and surprise in their eyes.

The next moment, they almost simultaneously saw the giant Mystic Eagle flapping its wings and hovering in the sky. Those with higher cultivation could vaguely see the pavilion behind the Mystic Eagle.

Inside a grand restaurant at the heart of the architectural complex, a group of men and women dressed in various styles surrounded a man in a phoenix crown standing by the railing, gazing upwards.

"Royal Army, what is that?"

"Have no idea."

"Seeking out the sect leader so publicly, something's not right."

"Something's not right. Mystic Eagle, a military-grade Class A flying Demon Beast. Not just anyone can afford to use such Demon Beast."

"It's probably the sect leader of some major sect again. The sect leader is really busy."

"Royal Army is right. Our Sect Leader has devoted himself to the Wanxiang Sect. Let us toast him with this cup!"

After those words were spoken, the restaurant was filled with laughter and conversation once again.

Most of the sect disciples, after their initial surprise at this scene, turned their attention back to what they were doing. To them, this was unusual, but harmless.

On the other side of Duanhai Waterfall,

In a quiet and elegant restaurant,

A effeminate man respectfully poured wine for a man who was sitting with his legs crossed on a cushion.

They couldn't hear the sounds coming from above the Mystic Eagle, but the young man still stared calmly at the Mystic Eagle with a wingspan of tens of feet in the sky.

Seeing the other person's expression, the old man chuckled and said:

"Young master, are you looking at that flying Demon Beast? The Mystic Eagle, Demon Beast cultivated by the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce, is rarely seen. The price is secondary; what's important is its status symbol. That old man Hua Hong really knows how to make money, but he must be a big shot."

"He's a big shot."

The young man smiled and nodded, "Moreover, it's a high-ranking figure from the Prime Minister's Estate. This Mystic Eagle's suppressive aura against other Demon Beast is stronger, so it shouldn't have cut corners."

"What?"

The effeminate man paused slightly as he carefully poured the wine, then lowered his voice and whispered, "Could it be someone from the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce? They seem to have been trying to extend their reach into the Xize Continent, which borders the Wanxing Mountain Range."

The young man took the glass, smiled, and said casually:

"It's alright, the Wanxiang Sect knows how to choose—whether to choose us or the Prime Minister's Estate. Heh, let's not talk about that, let's drink."

"Don't worry, the Wanxiang Sect definitely knows how to choose. There are smart people everywhere."

On the Mystic Eagle Pavilion, Xu Yuan gently comforted his Fourth Sister beside him while looking at the brand-new Mystic Eagle Pavilion with a rather satisfied gaze.

After traveling more than forty miles outside the city, Xu Yuan saw the carriage his father had prepared for his journey.

Back when Xu Changge was on that Mystic Eagle, because his cultivation level was insufficient and he didn't understand array patterns at all, he didn't Will Soul to carefully sense it. Now, looking at this Mystic Eagle Pavilion again, it's truly extravagant.

The pavilion is constructed from Phoenix Blood Wood mixed with Refining Crystal. The entire building is engraved with various array patterns, ensuring comfort, security, and even attacking array patterned crossbows.

"Will they really compromise?" Xu Xinyao asked hesitantly.

Xu Yuan hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice:

"Although they'll probably hesitate for a while, they'll definitely compromise in the end."

As he spoke,

Xu Yuan looked out the window and gestured with his lips:

"Look, their sect leader has arrived, hasn't he?"

Xu Xinyao followed the gaze and saw two figures rise from the group of birds and fly towards the giant eagle hovering in mid-air with a swift but not offensive speed.

Xu Yuan glanced back at Xu Xinyao at this moment and said with a smile:

"Remember not to speak. If they find out you're Xu Xinyao, your Third Brother will either have to order the massacre of the entire clan, or you'll die a violent death like your second brother. Remember that."

"."

Xu Xinyao pursed her lips and nodded seriously.

In a short while,

The figures, no bigger than peas, had already arrived, but compared to the nearly hundred-foot-tall Mystic Eagle circling in the sky, their figures still appeared tiny.

But after the two old men arrived, the Mystic Eagle's continuous low cries suddenly stopped, replaced by a fierce and wary gaze.

A deep, old man's voice drifted from the attic:

"Sir, may I ask what brings you here?"

"."

Hearing this voice, Xu Yuan, sitting in the soft armchair, smiled. He didn't reply immediately, but first glanced at Xu Xinyao beside him.

"Xin Yao, what do you think they're planning to do?"

"What?" Xu Xinyao asked, her eyes filled with confusion.

Xu Yuan prompted, "If we go to their door to cause trouble, how do they plan to respond?"

Xu Xinyao, who appears heroic and spirited, becomes gentle and tender the moment she speaks.

"Third Brother, Xin Yao doesn't know, but they should be discussing compensation."

Xu Yuan raised his hand and flicked his forehead:

"You're not stupid, so why would you have such a thought?"

Xu Xinyao raised her hand and touched her forehead, hesitating slightly:

"But if they come knocking in this situation, they should know why we're here."

Xu Yuan glanced at the two people outside, his gaze somewhat cold:

There's a saying, "You won't shed tears until you see the coffin, but you'll kneel down when you do."

Xu Xinyao lowered her head:

Is that so?

Xu Yuan's voice was slightly stern:

"Hold your head high and learn to act, even if it's just playing along. Your father and older brother protected you too much before."

"Oh, okay."

Xu Xinyao replied softly, then paused for a moment, looked at the two elderly men outside, and asked in a low voice:

Third Brother, aren't you going back to them?

"Go back to them? They're the ones begging me now, and their attitude is so bad. How can we talk like this? Let's just stand outside for a while."

Xu Yuan stretched and said, "Go and get the Pure Immortal Wine from the storage room for me."

"Okay." Xu Xinyao slowly turned and left the room.

As Xu Xinyao's footsteps faded into the distance, Xu Yuan suddenly whispered:

"May I ask which gentleman is guarding this place? Would you be so kind as to come out and have a chat?"

After saying that,

The room was silent.

Xu Yuan sighed and was about to repeat what he had just said when he heard a voice that was neither male nor female ring out in the room:

"Oh? How did you figure that out, kid?"

Xu Yuan smiled upon hearing this and said:

"My father needs a witness to relay the information he's going to use to train me. Besides, it's too dangerous here. These two outside are both of the second rank or higher. If they get carried away and kill me, my father will have nowhere to turn."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan paused for a moment, his tone becoming serious:

"Please come out for a chat, sir."

"Not bad, hehehehe~"

As she spoke, her voice gradually became softer, eventually transforming into a charming laugh.

Hearing that gradually familiar voice,

Xu Yuan's eyes twitched, and he was about to speak when everything blurred before his eyes, and his entire face was enveloped in a fragrant, soft embrace:

"My Changtian, it's been so long since I've seen you! I've missed you so much!"

Only one chapter tonight. Happy New Year everyone!