Yu Yan's Kiss

After Yang Xiu finished handling his affairs, he did not rush off to cultivate. Ning Fengzhi and the others were still waiting for him, after all. Naturally, he could not forget them. Soon, Yang Xiu took Guo Jia with him to find them at the Inheritance Tower.

Meanwhile, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were reporting on the situation, including the matter of Yu Yan. They did not know that Yu Yan already belonged to the Flame Emperor Sect. They still believed Yang Xiu was lustful and had taken a fancy to her. Before leaving, they had instructed Yu Yan to beguile him. As they spoke about Yang Xiu, their voices trembled slightly, though they also carried a trace of excitement. After all, they had made this decision themselves. Whatever else might be said, Yu Yan was a level 89 Soul Douluo and held a certain standing in Spirit Hall.

Bibi Dong slowly rose and paced through the great hall.

Unmatched confidence shone in her eyes. At last, she said coolly,

"Well, well. What a Flame Emperor Sect. It seems I underestimated them. Four Titled Douluos actually appeared. You did well this time, planting so many people inside the Flame Emperor Sect. Remember to send intelligence back at any time. The Flame Emperor Sect has finally exposed itself to the world. Even if they are reasonably strong, they are no longer frightening. As for Yu Yan... hmph. There will be no next time."

Bibi Dong's final snort allowed Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed His Holiness the Pope would not pursue the matter. Although she was angry, she had not blamed them for making the decision without permission. It also made them feel that they still carried some weight in Bibi Dong's heart. Of course, they understood that she had no one else to use and needed them for many things. They had already considered that when making the decision about Yu Yan.

"Thank you, Your Holiness," Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo finally said.

Bibi Dong paid them no heed.

"You may leave."

"Yes."

Just then, an alluring figure walked in and nodded to Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo as they left.

She was Hu Liena. Upon seeing Bibi Dong, she said happily,

"Teacher, I'm back. I successfully obtained my fifth soul ring."

Bibi Dong smiled gently at her. She did not maintain a stern face before her own disciple, though she still carried the dignity of the Pope.

"Nana, did you encounter any danger on this trip?"

"No, Teacher. With that Soul Douluo helping me, nothing happened at all."

Hu Liena was a little unhappy by the time she finished speaking. She disliked having everything arranged for her, but she knew the others meant well, so she did not show her displeasure.

Bibi Dong finally said coolly, "Since nothing happened, go and focus on your cultivation. There is just over a year before the next Elite Tournament begins. I intend to offer some fine rewards for you. Don't disappoint me."

"Yes, Teacher."

Hu Liena took her leave. Bibi Dong was left alone in the vast Papal Hall. At that moment, she felt cold and lonely. A flash of madness flickered through her eyes.

Inside the Flame Emperor Sect's great hall.

Yang Xiu had just taken his seat in the sect master's chair. Guo Jia sat beside him, his thin, frail body looking as though a gust of wind could knock him over. Yet not a single person in the hall underestimated him.

Yang Xiu addressed Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, who stood a short distance across from him.

"Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, please sit. This is one of our sect's elders. His name is Guo Jia, also known as Guo Fengxiao. From now on, he will have full authority over matters between our sect and your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If you have anything to discuss, go ahead. I'll listen today as well."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi glanced at Guo Jia and smiled at him. He could discern nothing of Guo Jia's strength, but he knew the limits of his own abilities. Anyone who could become an elder would not be weak. He immediately sent a voice transmission to Sword Douluo.

"Uncle Jian, this man is an elder? I wonder what level of strength it takes to become an elder in the Flame Emperor Sect. Can you discern his strength?"

"Fengzhi, I can't sense it either. If he gives me that feeling, it can only mean that he is far stronger than I am."

Ning Fengzhi's heart sank upon hearing Sword Douluo's reply. The Flame Emperor Sect felt increasingly terrifying to him.

It was even more frightening than Spirit Hall—the terror of the unknown. He already knew of seven Titled Douluos in the Flame Emperor Sect, several of whom were stronger than Sword Douluo. The only thing that let him breathe a little easier was that the Flame Emperor Sect had shown no ambition to dominate the continent. He did not doubt that, either. After all, some people simply had no interest in power and such things. Perhaps it was precisely that mindset that had allowed the Flame Emperor Sect to become so strong without anyone ever knowing. In Ning Fengzhi's opinion, if the Flame Emperor Sect had not chosen to reveal itself, no one would have known of it. Finally, he assumed a composed expression and said,

"Since Sect Master Yang has put it that way, let us open the door and get straight to the mountain."

"First, we came to pay your esteemed sect a visit."

"There is also another matter, concerning Spirit Hall. With your intelligence network, I imagine you are aware of the moves Spirit Hall has been making in secret over the past few years. So I came this time to ask where the Flame Emperor Sect stands. Could we join forces against Spirit Hall?"

With a playful expression, Yang Xiu said, "Where we stand? What do you mean? Have you misunderstood something, Sect Master Ning? The Flame Emperor Sect has never concerned itself with these matters. Spirit Hall won't come looking for trouble with us, so why would there be a conflict?"

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi knew Yang Xiu was dodging the issue. Finally, he said helplessly,

"I understand your sect's customary approach. My main purpose in coming was to ask whether your esteemed sect could lend us a hand if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect comes into conflict with Spirit Hall in the future. Of course, your compensation would depend on how much assistance you provide. What do you think?"

Initially, he had come to seek cooperation. But as he learned more about the Flame Emperor Sect and its unfathomable strength, he felt he had lost any bargaining chips for a partnership. In the end, his visit had become a plea for assistance. Moreover, Yang Xiu's words just now had left him with no hope of cooperation.

At last, Yang Xiu said with a chuckle, "Sect Master Ning, now that you put it that way, I understand. You should have said so from the start. Rest assured, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is a friend of the Flame Emperor Sect. When our friends are in trouble, we will lend a hand."

"If there is anything else, discuss it with Fengxiao. I'll take my leave."

Seeing Yang Xiu behave this way, even Ning Fengzhi, with all his self-restraint, felt a little displeased. However, he was the one seeking a favor, and he had come to their door of his own accord. Thus, he showed nothing and addressed Yang Xiu with a smile.

"Thank you, Sect Master Yang, for considering the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a friend. You can rest assured that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is also very generous toward its friends. Since you would like us to speak with Elder Guo Jia, we won't keep you."

Looking pleased, Yang Xiu said,

"Sect Master Ning, you truly are understanding. I'll be off, then."

Finally, Yang Xiu said to Guo Jia,

"Fengxiao, take good care of our friends."

"Rest assured, Sect Master."

Guo Jia spoke with a smile. Yet the worldly irreverence on his face and the confidence in all things that seemed etched into his soul made it impossible to tell what he truly meant. Once Yang Xiu left, Guo Jia addressed Ning Fengzhi, seemingly oblivious to Sword Douluo's displeased expression.

"Sect Master Ning, let us continue our discussion."

Ning Fengzhi remained as composed as ever and replied with a smile, "Certainly."

Elsewhere, Yu Yan and Yang Xiu met at the Flame Emperor Foundation Tower. Watching Yu Yan run toward him in delight, Yang Xiu knew why she was so happy. She must have broken through to level 90. He quietly waited for her to reach him.

"Sister Yu Yan..." Before Yang Xiu could finish, a pair of warm lips sealed his mouth, and two arms wrapped around his waist. Feeling something soft slip into his mouth, Yang Xiu's mind went blank. What's happening? Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing? Roughly ten seconds later, he came to his senses and pushed away Yu Yan, who was still kissing him. Seeing the glistening thread at the corner of her mouth, how could he not know what had happened? Finally, he said warily,

"Sister Yu Yan, you... how could you do that?"

"I already have someone I like."

A trace of disappointment flashed through Yu Yan's eyes at his words, but she quickly returned to normal. Today, she had followed Yang Xiu's advice and taken that elixir, soon breaking through to level 90. Then she had planned to visit the Foundation Tower to obtain whatever good thing Dragon Nine had mentioned.

After spotting Yang Xiu, she had raced over, casting aside all a girl's reserve. She did not know why she had been so bold, either. In a sudden burst of excitement, she had kissed him. If Yang Xiu had been in any state to check Yu Yan's affection for him, he would have discovered that it had already reached 85 points. He had never considered what a girl might think after he gave her an elixir that helped her break through.

"My little sect master, don't go getting the wrong idea. Your elixir helped me break through, so I was happy and gave you a reward, that's all."

Afraid Yang Xiu would think she was a loose woman, Yu Yan added,

"That was my first kiss. You got quite a bargain, so don't pocket the advantage and then play innocent."

Yang Xiu's mind was a complete mess. He had always considered himself devoted to one person, and he had no idea how to explain today's incident to Zhu Zhuqing, even though she did not yet know about it. At the same time, Yu Yan's figure began appearing in his mind, little by little. Now he did not know how to face her.

"Sister Yu Yan, I still have something to do. I'll be going." With that, Yang Xiu ran off in a panic.

Watching his flustered retreat, Yu Yan covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "What an innocent little fellow."

There was a hint of infatuation in her gaze as she watched him leave. In the end, however, she could no longer hide the disappointment in her eyes.

Yu Yan stood alone for an unknown length of time before finally heading toward the ninth floor of the Foundation Tower.