Zi Yan's large, limpid eyes turned toward Han Yue among the group, and she exclaimed delightedly, "Han Yue, you're here too!"
Back in the Inner Academy, she and Han Yue had been on good terms.
When a tall woman with a shapely figure called her name, Han Yue froze for a moment. But she soon sensed something familiar about Zi Yan and recognized her.
"Zi Yan, you've grown so much!" she exclaimed in shock.
"Hmph, of course! Did you think only you were allowed to grow up?"
Han Yue then turned to Xiao Xun'er. "Junior Xun'er, I never expected to see you here too."
Xiao Xun'er had stayed briefly at the Inner Academy and had met Han Yue a few times.
Xiao Xun'er smiled faintly. "Senior Han Yue, it's been a long time!"
"Yes, it has!"
Han Yue sighed wistfully. She had left the Inner Academy several years ago, and meeting old acquaintances again filled her with emotion.
Her life over those years had taken far too many twists and turns. Had she not happened to meet Ye Xinlan, her family would probably have been destroyed long ago!
Meanwhile, Ye Xinlan followed up by introducing Xiao Yan to the woman beside her, whose demeanor was as cold as frost.
"Elder Xiao Yan, this is a friend I met during my travels. Her name is Yao Ling."
Yao Ling!
Upon hearing that name, Xiao Yan immediately cast her a surprised look.
Clearly, Ye Xinlan had invited Yao Ling to help the Ye family secure its elder seat in the Pill Gathering.
Xiao Yan truly had not expected Ye Xinlan to have such a fortuitous encounter.
After all, members of the Ancient Eight Clans rarely ventured into the outside world, especially prodigies like Yao Ling.
Besides Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er and Yao