See Qing Lin Again

Tianlan City, Heavenly Snake Mansion.

Even this branch in Tianlan City was exceptionally lavish, fully displaying the foundation of the Heavenly Snake Mansion, one of the strongest forces in the Northwest Region. At this moment, twenty seats were arranged in the council hall. At the head sat a lean middle-aged man. Though male, he possessed an unusual suppleness. He was Yang Yue, the master of the Heavenly Snake Mansion, renowned throughout the Northwest Region of the Douqi Continent.

The people seated in the twenty chairs all had formidable auras, each possessing at least the strength of a Dou Emperor. Of course, there was one exception: Qing Lin, the young girl sitting boredly in her chair.

"Elders, the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly is approaching. What are your thoughts on the candidates?" Yang Yue asked.

An old man on the left spoke up. "Mansion Master, with the Saintess and the Young Mansion Master participating, our results at this Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly should not be poor."

The woman Qing Lin called Aunt Chu frowned at those words. "The Saintess is still young. I'm afraid she is not yet suited to participate in this Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly."

Quite a few people nodded slightly. They all knew of the terrifying power of Qing Lin's Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils. Such a genius would be an immensely useful asset to the Heavenly Snake Mansion in the future. Exposing her so soon was somewhat more loss than gain.

"Mansion Master, every Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly affects the balance of power in the Northwest Region. We still have ample time to prepare candidates for the next one, but this time's results will immediately affect our Heavenly Snake Mansion," another elder promptly replied.

Yang Yue sat in the seat of honor without commenting, merely asking, "Have you investigated the situation of the other sects this time?"

The first person on the left answered, "Mansion Master, the Heroes Alliance, Mystic Pattern Sect, and Elephant Rhino Mountain have all been confirmed. Their leaders all possess the strength of at least a five-star Dou Emperor."

At those words, the expressions of Aunt Chu and several others became conflicted. After all, everyone knew the Young Mansion Master's strength. Compared with those three freaks, he was still somewhat inferior. Moreover, the other factions might not be weaker than those three sects. They understood perfectly well how important the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly was.

Just as Yang Yue was caught in indecision, someone entered the council hall and said, "Mansion Master, three people have arrived outside. They say they are friends of the Saintess."

Upon hearing this, Qing Lin frowned slightly in confusion. After all, how could she possibly have any friends in Tianlan City?

Yang Yue's expression turned impatient. "Don't they know what time this is?"

The messenger leaned close to Yang Yue's ear and whispered something.

"In that case, invite them in."

Xiao Yan and the other two entered the Heavenly Snake Mansion's council hall. The moment Qing Lin saw them, her green eyes filled with excitement and joy. Startled, she immediately rose from her chair.

Walking to Xiao Yan's side, she said, "Young Master Xiao Yan, why are you here?"

Xiao Yan smiled upon seeing Qing Lin standing timidly before him. "After learning where you were, I came to see you."

At those words, mist immediately welled up in Qing Lin's eyes.

"You are Xiao Yan?" Yang Yue, seated at the head, asked with a hint of displeasure.

Xiao Yan clasped his hands in greeting. "That's right. You must be Mansion Master Yang of the Heavenly Snake Mansion?"

"What brings Mister Xiao Yan to the Heavenly Snake Mansion?"

"Qing Lin was originally a member of the Desert Iron Mercenary Company. Upon learning that the Heavenly Snake Mansion had saved her, I came specifically to offer my thanks."

"There is no need for thanks. Qing Lin is now the Saintess of the Heavenly Snake Mansion. Taking care of her is simply our duty."

Hearing that, Xiao Yan was startled inwardly. The Saintess of the Heavenly Snake Mansion—Qing Lin likely had not suffered any mistreatment.

Hearing the exchange between Xiao Yan and Yang Yue, Qing Lin thought that Xiao Yan would not take her away. Panic rising within her, she said, "Young Master Xiao Yan, please don't leave Qing Lin here."

The expressions of everyone in the hall changed at once. Xiao Yan said clearly, "Mansion Master Yang, since Qing Lin is unwilling, would you permit me to take her away?"

As soon as Xiao Yan said this, Yang Yue rose directly from his chair, his tone unfriendly. "Mister Xiao Yan, those words are far too absurd. How can the Saintess of my Heavenly Snake Mansion be taken away so casually?" The aura of a Dou Sect powerhouse spread from Yang Yue's body, and invisible pressure enveloped Xiao Yan and the other two.

Yet neither Xiao Yan nor Xiao Xun'er and Zi Yan showed the slightest change under such pressure.

Everyone in the room had already formed an encirclement, but Xiao Yan and the other two displayed not a trace of fear.

"Mister Xiao Yan, guests are welcome, but if you intend to take away the Saintess, do not blame my Heavenly Snake Mansion for using force to suppress you," Yang Yue said coldly.

"Yang Yue! Yang Yue! Get out here!" A vigorous yet somewhat impatient voice rang out.

"Elder Su, Elder Su, they are holding a meeting inside. You cannot enter casually," a guard said anxiously.

But the doors were shoved open directly. Su Zhang ignored the complicated situation inside and asked, "Yang Yue, is there someone named Yan Xiao here with you? Where is he? Call him over."

Yang Yue was also startled. Su Zhang had once helped him when his cultivation technique developed a problem, so the two had a deep friendship. Yet this was the first time he had seen his old friend, who was always composed, so frantic.

"There is no Yan Xiao here. Old Su, why are you in such a hurry?"

Seeing Xiao Yan behind Su Zhang, Xu Yingwu immediately stepped forward. "Brother Yan Xiao, you really are here! This is my teacher, Su Zhang."

He then said to Su Zhang, "Teacher, this is Brother Yan Xiao, whom I met."

The people in the hall all wore somewhat strange expressions. Yan Xiao, Xiao Yan—who would have thought someone could choose such a careless fake name? Seeing this, Xun'er and Zi Yan also smiled.

Su Zhang looked at Xiao Yan and asked, "You were the one who refined that sixth-tier medicinal pill? Who taught you to gather scattered Dou Qi?"

Xiao Yan was also taken aback. Su Zhang was clearly of no low status, but his loud and excitable manner truly left Xiao Yan baffled.

"My teacher taught me. Why?"

At those words, Su Zhang's eyes became extraordinarily excited. Looking at Xiao Yan, he seemed to have a thousand words he wished to say.

However, Su Zhang had not lost his composure entirely. He said to Yang Yue, "Old Yang, find me somewhere quiet. I have something to say to him."

Yang Yue understood his old friend's personality. For something to make him this excited, it had to be extremely important. He replied, "I'll take you there."

"Brother Xiao Yan." Xiao Xun'er looked at Xiao Yan with some concern.

"It's fine. Stay here and watch over Zi Yan and Qing Lin. Trust me, even if something happens, they won't be able to take me down anytime soon," Xiao Yan said softly.

A piece of jade was placed in Xiao Yan's hand. "If anything happens, crush the jade piece." Xiao Xun'er's gentle voice sounded.

Warmth filled Xiao Yan's heart, and he nodded. He had always been at ease with Xiao Xun'er. This girl had never revealed the limits of her strength before him. No matter how strong he became, Xun'er would only display strength just a little weaker than his. Even Yao Lao could not see through her true strength. As for himself, with Yao Lao possessing him, even if everyone in the hall attacked together, he could still leave safely.

Su Zhang anxiously followed Yang Yue to a room. Yang Yue withdrew, saying, "Speak freely."

The moment Yang Yue left, Su Zhang asked in a trembling voice, "Venerable Yao... is he well?"