Unknown Changes

The pressure surrounding Xiao Yi Xian had long since quietly vanished, leaving her like an ordinary person. No matter how Yao Lao examined her, he could not make sense of it.

Xiao Yi Xian looked at Yao Lao and smiled. No one knew that more than half the Dou Qi within her had already been depleted...

For some reason, Xiao Yan, watching Xiao Yi Xian continue to smile beside him, felt goosebumps rise all over his back. He truly had no idea what kind of scheme lay behind that pretty little face of hers.

Yao Chen looked at Xiao Yi Xian and said with a smile, "Little girl, you did not take the chance to ambush me while I was talking earlier. So, do you have something to ask of me?"

Yao Lao was no fool. Having lived for so long, how could he possibly be compared to the Xiao Yi Xian before him?

Which long-lived person was not an old fox?

If she had a grudge against him, that earlier opportunity would have been enough to deal him a fatal blow.

Xiao Yi Xian walked over to Yao Chen and said with a smile, "Naturally, I have come to discuss a partnership with you, Senior!"

"A partnership?"

Yao Chen was deeply puzzled upon hearing Xiao Yi Xian say that. Was it truly a partnership?

Not for some other purpose?

Xiao Yi Xian did not answer his question immediately. Instead, she turned, smiled, and glanced at Xiao Yan. "This partnership will actually benefit you the most!"

Xiao Yan found that rather baffling. The beautiful young lady before him and this unfathomable person were going to cooperate, yet he would gain the most?

What could it be?

Putting on a mysterious air, Xiao Yi Xian smiled softly. "He can give you a direction—a direction for becoming stronger, even for catching up to Nalan Yanran."

"And..." Xiao Yi Xian looked at Yao Lao, then hesitated before saying, "It will also be a rebirth for both Senior and me!"

Yao Chen was even more confused. What was she even talking about?

Xiao Yan sank into slight confusion. Should he trust this powerful person before him, who had wanted to kill him?

And what should he do?

He could not make sense of the current situation at all!

But if this could truly allow him to surpass Nalan Yanran, even if it merely pointed him toward a path, what harm was there in agreeing?

Xiao Yan nodded and said, "Even if it is only a direction, I hope Senior can offer me guidance. Xiao Yan will never forget this kindness!"

The strong were revered. There was nothing wrong with calling her Senior. Who knew whether this woman, who looked so young, was some shameless old hag!

One looked like a young girl and the other like a youth, but judging by their tone and strength, both seemed exceptionally powerful.

Xiao Yi Xian smiled upon hearing the answer she wanted. "This path actually lies with this..."

Xiao Yi Xian looked at Yao Chen with a solemn expression. "Yao Lao, I need your help!"

"Hm?"

The moment Yao Chen heard the words "Yao Lao," his expression changed instantly. An aura of King's Descent... Upon the World erupted from his body.

Though he possessed only the cultivation of a Dou Ling, the pressure bore down so heavily that Xiao Yi Xian's forehead was covered in sweat. The sword case on her back seemed to have been provoked as well, releasing the pressure of a Dou Zun.

"Wait, there's... there's something... we can discuss properly..."

Xiao Yan was utterly dumbfounded by how things had developed. He rushed between the two, stammering as he tried to stop them!

If these two started fighting, he had no idea whether the Xiao Clan would still exist!

The Xiao Clan was right beside them...

And both of them were connected to him. Perhaps...

"Move aside, this has nothing to do with you!"

The two spoke in unison, and their auras instantly sent Xiao Yan flying.

Xiao Yan lay against the wall, on the verge of tears. He had only come to break up a fight. Who had he offended? "I'm really going to cry. Why am I always the unlucky one?"

"Who exactly are you?"

The soul force around Yao Chen grew increasingly intense, as though he intended to burn his soul and attack the very next moment.

Xiao Yi Xian felt somewhat uneasy. Although the pressure from the sword case had been drawn out, if they truly fought, she would definitely be the one utterly crushed.

The appearance of two overwhelmingly powerful auras drew the attention of countless people. Xiao Xun'er looked toward the east, frowning as she said, "Ling Lao, go take a look!"

At some point, a figure appeared before Xiao Xun'er like a ghost, kneeling on one knee. "Yes, Miss."

Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran, who had not yet left Wutan City, sensed a pressure comparable to—or perhaps even stronger than—her master's. She calmly said to the person beside her, "There is a powerful expert here. Let us remain in Wutan City and observe for now!"

Xiao Yi Xian frowned, then said seriously, "Rest assured, Yao Lao. I am not from the Soul Hall, nor do I bear you any ill will. This is not the place for us to talk!"

"If I had ill intentions, would I have waited until now?"

Yao Chen calmed down as well, and the two auras vanished completely in an instant, as if they had never appeared.

He knew that the little girl before him was telling the truth. After all, she had not acted despite having such an excellent opportunity.

He simply did not know how she had learned of him and found him so precisely...

Xiao Yi Xian, Yao Chen, and Xiao Yan headed toward the rear mountain of the Xiao Clan. They all knew this was definitely not a place to linger.

Not long after Xiao Yi Xian left, Ling Ying appeared there. Sensing the lingering auras around him, he said calmly, "One powerful soul and one unknown aura. Both seem very powerful."

"Hm?"

Just as Ling Ying was about to continue investigating, he sensed someone approaching and instantly hid in the shadows, as if he had never appeared.

"Whoa!"

Ge Ye stopped the carriage, and Nalan Yanran stepped out. She could sense an unfamiliar Dou Huang aura there.

Ge Ye respectfully asked Nalan Yanran, "Should we inform the Sect Leader that an unfamiliar Dou Huang expert and another expert of unknown cultivation have appeared here?"

Nalan Yanran nodded, then said, "We will rest in Wutan City for three days. It would be even better if we discover something. If not, we will leave after three days."

"Yes, Miss!"

Ge Ye respectfully drew back the curtain for Nalan Yanran to enter, then steadily drove the carriage toward an inn.

The young man following behind the carriage was also overjoyed. With more time to spend with the Young Sect Leader, how could he not be happy?

Ling Ying watched this scene from the shadows without saying anything. He investigated the site again and discovered Xiao Yan's aura. Finding nothing else, he vanished back into the darkness.

The three great clan leaders of Wutan City also convened a family meeting. That oppressive feeling definitely belonged to powerful experts, so the three great clans instructed their subordinates to be more tactful in their dealings and not provoke anyone they should not provoke.

Ya Fei at Wutan City's auction house gazed in the direction of the Xiao Clan, a glimmer of hopeful light flashing through her eyes.

To break free from her family's restraints, she needed the support of a powerful expert. Ya Fei immediately gave orders to investigate information about this expert.

At the edge of the territories controlled by Wutan City's three great clans, the City Lord of the City Lord's Mansion frowned deeply as he gazed toward the source of those powerful auras.

He also sent word to the Jia Ma Empire about Nalan Yanran's broken engagement earlier that day, as well as the fleeting appearance in Wutan City of two experts suspected to be Dou Huangs.