I couldn't exactly tell her that the beginning of this story was inextricably tied to a secret chamber, could I?
"Actually, I've never quite figured that out either. After thinking it over, it was probably to grab attention," Zhang Yuan said with utmost sincerity.
"Grab attention?" Yun Yun brushed back her hair, confusion flashing through her eyes.
What was there about the words Secret Chamber Dou Emperor that deserved special attention?
If it were her, she would not have the slightest desire to listen.
"Of course." Zhang Yuan nodded. "Villain, secret chamber, Sect Leader Yun Yun—put those tags together, wouldn't people's imaginations run wild?"
Yun Yun: "..."
So that was what he meant. Suddenly, she wanted to chop something.
"Do you think you're very funny?" Yun Yun narrowed her eyes.
Zhang Yuan smiled, sliced off another piece of roasted meat and handed it to her, then asked, "So, Sect Leader Yun Yun, can you tell me why you came looking for me?"
If he did not change the subject, he might end up battling a Dou Emperor.
"You saw through me?" Yun Yun's elegant brows rose slightly.
"You weren't trying to hide it." Zhang Yuan took a large bite of meat. He was bold but not crude, smiling as he said, "The dignified Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, one of the Jia Ma Empire's foremost Dou Emperor experts, could claim she was merely passing through Qingyun Town. But having the leisure to eat meat with a minor Da Dou Shi like me and listen to me tell stories would be far too unusual."
"Finding me was definitely one of the purposes of your trip."
His invitation for Yun Yun to dine with him, and his offer to tell her a story, had merely been tests. He had not expected her to go along with it so readily. Naturally, he did not mind having a beautiful woman accompany him for a meal, especially when she had paid for it with a Fourth-tier Magical Core.
Yun Yun nodded lightly, undisguised appreciation in her eyes. "You truly are intelligent. Then you must have guessed why I came to find you as well?"
He had become famous at a young age, yet carried himself steadily. He could remain composed before her. His talent was outstanding, but he was neither arrogant nor impetuous, and he possessed wisdom far beyond that of his peers.
If such a genius could be recruited into the Misty Cloud Sect, it would undoubtedly be a wonderful thing.
"You probably want to recruit me into the Misty Cloud Sect." Zhang Yuan made a guess, though his tone was certain.
Yun Yun stared at Zhang Yuan and asked, "What do you think?"
"Sorry, I refuse." Zhang Yuan shook his head.
Naturally, Zhang Yuan could not agree. Although his surname was not Xiao, he still carried the bloodline of the Xiao Clan.
The Misty Cloud Sect might be connected to the Soul Hall. Their positions were invisibly opposed, and he could not walk into a trap himself.
But invisible opposition did not mean they had to become enemies. The Misty Cloud Sect became the so-called villain largely because Yun Yun's teacher, Yun Shan, sought a breakthrough to Dou Zong and cooperated with the Soul Hall.
Before that, Yun Shan had enjoyed a good reputation in the outside world. He was known as someone who distinguished right from wrong, acted rationally, loved quiet cultivation, and possessed refinement—not someone wildly ambitious, cold-tempered, or inclined to coerce his disciples.
If he could help Yun Shan eliminate the Soul Hall's influence, or even turn Yun Shan against the Soul Hall, then their positions might not be incompatible.
If that failed, he still had ways to make Yun Shan lose everyone's support, with Yun Yun leading the resistance.
But no matter what, he would not join the Misty Cloud Sect.
He had a clear plan for his own future.
Whether it was the Misty Cloud Sect or the Jia Ma Empire, both were far too small.
"Why?" Yun Yun's beautiful eyes flickered. "You haven't even heard what terms I can offer."
"There's no need to make things so troublesome." Zhang Yuan shook his head. "If this had been three years ago, I might have agreed. But now... Elder Ling!"
As Zhang Yuan's voice fell, a man in black robes suddenly appeared behind him.
Yun Yun's pupils shrank sharply as she instinctively circulated the Dou Qi within her body.
She was a Three-Star Dou Emperor, yet she had not sensed this man's existence beforehand, nor had she seen how he appeared.
Upon closer inspection, he gave her an incomparably dangerous feeling.
His strength was certainly above hers.
"This is my protector," Zhang Yuan said to Yun Yun.
It would be foolish not to wave a banner when he had one.
Xun Er had given him this protector, which meant he was his.
A protector?
Yun Yun's heart trembled.
Having a protector meant Zhang Yuan had already joined some faction.
This protector was stronger than her, the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect. That faction was at least a second-rate force on the continent with a High-level Dou Zong overseeing it, perhaps even a first-rate force with a Dou Zun.
As for a top-tier force with the legendary Dou Saint experts, Yun Yun did not dare imagine it.
But even a second-rate force could easily wipe out the Misty Cloud Sect, which was not even particularly strong among third-rate forces.
For a moment, Yun Yun felt bitter. A genius like Zhang Yuan could not possibly be someone she could pick up by chance.
"Greetings, Senior." Yun Yun cupped her fists toward Ling Ying.
Ling Ying glanced at Yun Yun and said indifferently, "Yun Potian once made something of a name for himself on the continent. I never expected the Misty Cloud Sect he founded to decline to this extent. Its current sect leader is merely a Three-Star Dou Emperor."
Zhang Yuan: "..."
As expected of someone from the Ancient Clan. He was ultimately somewhat arrogant.
Yun Yun immediately felt awkward. Since beginning her career, she had never been looked down upon so much.
But given Ling Ying's strength and his background from at least a second-rate faction, it was normal for him to disdain her.
"Senior's lesson is correct. Yun Yun will certainly work hard and not disgrace my ancestor's name," Yun Yun could only say.
Ling Ying said nothing further.
Zhang Yuan did not want the atmosphere to become awkward, so he said, "Elder Ling, withdraw."
Elder Ling: "..."
You called me out to support your act, and you will not even give me a piece of meat?
"This is for you!"
Zhang Yuan sliced off a thigh as tall as a person and tossed it to Ling Ying.
"And this." Zhang Yuan took out some wine he had brewed himself.
This wine was made by tempering spiritual fruits and Second-tier Magical Cores with Three Dragon Thunder Gang Fire. It could speed up Dou Qi recovery and tasted exceptionally good.
"Thank you, Young Master."
With the roasted meat and fine wine in hand, Ling Ying withdrew in satisfaction.
Ever since his protection had shifted from the shadows into the open, Zhang Yuan had made frequent use of him. But Zhang Yuan also gave him sufficient respect and benefits, so overall, it was not a loss.
After Ling Ying withdrew, Zhang Yuan and Yun Yun looked at each other for a long while. The latter spoke first. "How can one eat meat without wine? Aren't you going to give me some of that wine?"
Her voice held a little more softness and a little less nobility. She had already placed Zhang Yuan on equal footing with herself.
As long as Zhang Yuan did not fall midway, surpassing her was inevitable. He would certainly become a Dou Zong in the future.
"My wine isn't cheap." Zhang Yuan smiled.
Yun Yun smiled gently. In that instant, she was like a snow lotus blooming, breathtakingly beautiful, and Zhang Yuan lost focus for a moment.
"Take this. It was originally the greeting gift I intended to give you on this trip."
Yun Yun took a jade box from her Storage Ring and tossed it to Zhang Yuan.
Zhang Yuan opened it and swept his gaze over it, discovering a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill inside.
Well then, a Fourth-grade Pill as a greeting gift. He believed her.
This was clearly an attempt to invest in him early and build goodwill.
"It's rather valuable." Zhang Yuan put away the jade box and smiled. "Then I'll gladly accept it."
Yun Yun felt the urge to roll her eyes. This man truly did not stand on ceremony.
Still, she did not dislike that unpretentious manner.
"Take it." Zhang Yuan took out a gourd and tossed it over.
"Excellent wine. It can even serve as a First-grade Pill." Yun Yun opened the stopper, took a small sip, and her eyes brightened slightly.
The two drank wine, ate meat, and chatted about trivial matters. They were thoroughly carefree, and eventually even began addressing each other as older sister and younger brother.
Ling Ying: Was this mutual affection, or were they birds of a feather?
Remember this, remember this. It might come in handy someday.
"Zhang Yuan, I should be leaving."
After eating and drinking her fill, Yun Yun rose to leave.
Ever since becoming the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, she could no longer remember how long it had been since she had felt so relaxed.
Although she had not picked up a genius for the Misty Cloud Sect today, learning Zhang Yuan's background and making an early investment to build goodwill was still a good result. If Zhang Yuan became an expert she would need to look up to in the future, this friendship would be worth a fortune.
At that thought, Yun Yun suddenly thought of her disciple. She could not help asking Zhang Yuan, "Zhang Yuan, you surely know Yan Ran's feelings for you. How do you plan to respond?"
Zhang Yuan raised his head to meet her gaze. Smiling, he asked, "Sister Yun Yun, you surely know Pill King Gu He's feelings for you. How do you plan to respond?"
Yun Yun: ?
I asked you, and you asked me?
Before you continue