Heading to the Body Sect

Huo Yuhao nodded, appearing to understand, though he only half-grasped the meaning.

Gu Yuena, standing to the side, watched the side of Xu Yanli's face in silence, a flicker of contemplation and an indescribable emotion crossing her eyes.

This human was more interesting than she had imagined.

No, not just interesting.

He was dangerous.

A kind of danger that made one unable to resist the urge to draw closer.

The night in Tiantou City grew deep, yet the courtyard of Xiaoyao Pavilion remained brightly lit.

Xu Yanli sat before the stone table, gazing at the documents spread before him, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the stone.

It had to be said that in certain respects, the intelligence department of the Sun Moon Empire was quite capable; naturally, there were also some materials sourced from the Xuanming Sect.

Xu Yanli slowly flipped through the files.

The Body Sect, the number one sect of the Heaven Dou Empire, led by Poison Sect Master Du Busi...

These were things he already knew; they were of no importance.

For Xu Yanli, what he truly cared about were the final few pages of the report.

A large portion of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family was wary and guarded against the Body Sect. It could even be said that the rapid development of the Xuanming Sect was supported in part by the Heaven Dou Empire, in the hope that the Xuanming Sect could one day stand as a rival to the Body Sect.

Although they had sent a princess into the Body Sect, it was done more in the hope of forming a bond with that Long Aotian.

Xu Yanli slowly closed the file and smiled: "As expected, crows are black the world over. No matter how good a cooperative relationship may be, it can never withstand the weight of suspicion."

Huo Yuhao, standing nearby, asked with a look of confusion: "Teacher, the Body Sect is so repulsed by Soul Tools, yet isn't that exactly what we sell at Xiaoyao Pavilion? How can we cooperate with them?"

"Being repulsed by Soul Tools does not mean they are repulsed by everything else." Xu Yanli stood up, walked to the window, and caught a sliver of moonlight in his hand, smiling as he said, "What they want is the continuation of their sect, the survival of their legacy..."

Xu Yanli turned his gaze toward Huo Yuhao and said with a soft laugh: "And we possess the very thing he desires most."

"What thing?" Huo Yuhao looked lost.

Xu Yanli smiled but said nothing, his gaze resting calmly upon Huo Yuhao.

After a long moment, Xu Yanli spoke again: "What level are you now?"

"Level 16," Huo Yuhao replied.

Xu Yanli nodded and said: "Tell that little worm of yours that I want the item he intends to give you for your second martial soul, and as for yours, I will make better arrangements."

Xu Yanli actually knew that his own martial soul didn't have much need for such things, but didn't he have Meng Hongchen and the others?

Furthermore, rather than letting it sacrifice itself, it would be better to have it take human form and stay by his side, while also bolstering the top-tier combat strength of Xiaoyao Pavilion.

As for Long Xiaoyao, although he had his suspicions, he knew this man would not follow him forever; after all, the Holy Spirit Cult still held his old flame.

Early the next morning, Xuanming Sect Master Xu Feng came to pay a visit.

His complexion was much better than the day before, but his eyes still held a trace of wariness—especially when he caught sight of the masked figure in the corner.

"Pavilion Master Xu," Xu Feng said respectfully, "I have done as you asked. Today, I shall take you to the Body Sect."

Xu Yanli smiled faintly: "I have troubled you, Sect Master Xu."

Xu Yanli took Huo Yuhao and left Xiaoyao Pavilion, passing through the bustling streets of Tiantou City until they arrived before a continuous range of mountains to the north of the city.

The Body Sect was nestled within these very mountains.

At the mountain gate, two Body Sect disciples blocked their path.

"Who goes there?"

Xu Feng stepped forward: "Xuanming Sect Master Xu Feng, here to request an audience with the Poison Sect Master."

The two disciples exchanged a glance, and one of them said: "Wait here, I will go and report."

A moment later, a burly middle-aged man walked out from within the gate.

His aura appeared formidable; he was clearly a powerhouse at the Title Douluo level.

"Sect Master Xu?" The middle-aged man's gaze swept over Xu Feng before landing on Xu Yanli. "And who is this?"

"Body Sect Elder, Fist Douluo Zhang Fan." Xu Feng lowered his voice to introduce him to Xu Yanli, then stepped forward.

"Elder Zhang, this is the Master of Xiaoyao Pavilion, Xu Yanli. He has a matter to discuss with the Poison Sect Master."

Zhang Fan's gaze swept over Xu Yanli, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Xiaoyao Pavilion? The one that sells Soul Tools?"

Xu Yanli remained neither humble nor arrogant, bowing in greeting: "Elder Zhang, that is indeed this humble one."

Zhang Fan sneered: "The Poison Sect Master does not see outsiders, especially merchants who peddle Soul Tools. Please return the way you came."

Xu Yanli did not move.

He raised his head, looking directly into Zhang Fan's eyes.

"Elder Zhang, what if I told you that I could heal the hidden injuries of the Poison Sect Master?"

Xu Yanli knew that in this world, even a Prayer Angel could not compare to the healing capabilities of his martial soul; this was, after all, a Prayer Angel capable of resurrecting the dead.

This was also one of his bargaining chips.

As long as the goal could be achieved, anything could be utilized, including himself.

In a sense, he and this elder brother of his current life were actually quite similar.

Genes truly could influence a person, personality included.

Zhang Fan's expression changed in an instant.

Shock, vigilance, and suspicion were all churned together.

"What did you say?"

Xu Yanli smiled faintly: "Elder Zhang should know better than anyone the state of the Poison Sect Master's health over these years. Every full moon, the excruciating pain within his body and the stagnation of his cultivation—I am not wrong about these, am I?"

Zhang Fan's face darkened instantly.

He did not speak, but the soul power around his body had already begun to surge faintly.

"Little brat, who told you these things?"

"No one told me." Xu Yanli's tone was calm, "I saw it for myself."

"You?"

"If Elder Zhang does not believe me, you might as well let me try." Xu Yanli paused, "It is merely a meeting; what could the Body Sect possibly lose?"

Zhang Fan stared at him for a long time before finally stepping aside to clear the path.

"Follow me. But I warn you, if you dare to play any tricks..."

"Rest assured, Elder Zhang." Xu Yanli chuckled, "I am a person who values my own life above all else."

Inside the main hall of the Body Sect.

Du Busi sat at the very top. Xu Yanli could sense the man's frailty, yet not a hint of it could be seen in his eyes, which remained terrifyingly bright.

Xu Yanli stood in the center of the hall, his expression composed, meeting Du Busi's gaze directly.

"Little brat, I heard you claim you can cure this seat's hidden injuries?"

Du Busi's voice was hoarse and low, carrying a hint of playful scrutiny, "Tell me, on what grounds?"

Xu Yanli did not rush to argue with him, simply releasing his martial soul slowly.

After all, facts speak louder than words.

In an instant, a holy and dazzling radiance erupted from behind him. The massive phantom of a Twelve-Winged Angel appeared half-hidden, with the halos of the sun, moon, and stars revolving slowly around him, sacred and serene.

Two purple and three black, five soul rings rose steadily in perfect order beneath his feet.

Du Busi's eyes narrowed slightly in an instant.