Besides his confusion over the evil aura, Huang Xiao had another question: weren't the Heavenly Evil Sect's people here for the Phoenix? Judging by the strange phenomenon he had seen in the sky, its source should have been somewhere nearby.
Now that the Heavenly Evil Sect's people had gathered here, Huang Xiao believed they must be after the divine beast Phoenix, yet he had seen no trace of it anywhere around.
Just as these questions filled Huang Xiao's mind, a faint noise came from behind him. He hastily flipped aside toward a nearby rock face, turning swiftly to face behind him and taking a defensive stance.
When he saw who had come, a wry smile appeared on his face. He said quietly, "I didn't expect you to find me so quickly! You certainly live up to your reputation as the Sword Pavilion's second-ranked genius expert."
Jiang Liuli stood a little over ten feet from Huang Xiao, staring coldly at him. The Lihuo Sword slowly slid from its sheath in her hand, and she pointed it at Huang Xiao without a word.
Although Jiang Liuli said nothing, Huang Xiao naturally understood her meaning. She wanted to fight him.
Not daring to speak aloud, Huang Xiao hurriedly gestured with both hands. When he realized he could not seem to explain things clearly that way, he hastily transmitted his voice. "Miss Jiang, this isn't a suitable place for a match. Could we go somewhere else later?"
Jiang Liuli's expression darkened. Huang Xiao's earlier escape had infuriated her. No one had ever dared defy her wishes, so his actions had provoked her.
Seeing Jiang Liuli's murderous look, Huang Xiao knew she still had not noticed the situation in the secluded valley below.
Because of the evil aura, those below had difficulty sensing those above,