Although Ye Lingling did not speak, her eyes were full of longing as she gently leaned on Xuan Ming's shoulder.
"This matter is very important. The situation in Heaven Dou City is about to become very chaotic, so be careful," Xuan Ming said.
"I think you should be more careful," Dugu Yan said, pursing her lips with a worried look.
Her grandfather was infamous, and no one dared to mess with her. Ye Lingling and she were like sisters, inseparable, so there was no need to worry about her safety.
However, she couldn't even count how many people Xuan Ming had offended by making all these commotions.
"I'm fine, you don't need to worry," Xuan Ming said.
"By the way, have you thought about what to do after graduating from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
With Dugu Yan and the others' strength, they could have graduated long ago. They stayed in the academy for the Soul Master Tournament.
However, they will inevitably graduate after the Soul Master Tournament ends.
"Graduation?" Dugu Yan tilted her head, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
"I really didn't think about it, Lingling, what about you?"
Ye Lingling gently raised her head and gripped Xuan Ming's right hand tightly. "I'll stay with you."
Dugu Yan's eyes twitched slightly, feigning anger. " Lingling, that's not fair."
"But that's exactly what I intend to do," Ye Lingling said with a gentle smile. "Wherever he is, that's where I'll be."
Xuan Ming remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "No."
Ye Lingling was taken aback, her eyes filled with confusion. "Why?"
"After the tournament ends, I'm going to the Slaughter City," Xuan Ming said.
" The Slaughter City?" Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling exclaimed in unison.
"Why did you go to a place like that?" Dugu Yan asked anxiously.
Xuan Ming paused for a moment, then handed the letter he had shown Bibi Dong and the others to Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling took the letter and quickly scanned it. As their gazes moved down, their expressions became increasingly solemn.
Ye Lingling gripped Xuan Ming's sleeve tightly, "You didn't kill any innocent people. The life-or-death battles in the Great Soul Arena were fair and square; they all know that!"
Many people know about Xuan Ming's Martial Soul problem, but this was not his intention, and he has never indiscriminately killed innocent people.
In that arena of life and death, whose hands have not been stained with blood?
Stepping onto that field means life and death are in the hands of fate, and it's all up to your own abilities!
"That's not how it is." Dugu Yan's face was extremely pale, her brows furrowed.
"Everyone knows it's okay, but we can't say it outright."
The Fallen" refers to those madmen who have no moral compass and indiscriminately kill innocent people in order to elevate themselves.
Xuan Ming's actions certainly cannot be equated with those of the Fallen, but once this matter blows up, countless busybodies will inevitably add fuel to the fire and wantonly smear him.
At that time, even white can be smeared black!
Not to mention Xuan Ming, who is already operating in a gray area!
"Who did this?" Dugu Yan's eyes turned cold, revealing a ruthless edge.
"I had my grandfather wipe out their entire family!"
"Don't just kill someone's whole family like that." Xuan Ming patted Dugu Yan's hand helplessly.
"But this is clearly an attempt to smear you!" Dugu Yan said indignantly. "Once things escalate, you won't be able to defend yourself!"
"If you can be called Fallen for this, then what about the Spirit Hall, which waged war against the Clear Sky Sect for its own selfish interests, causing countless families to be torn apart and killed?" Ye Lingling's eyes were red, and her voice was choked with sobs.
"What are two great empires anyway?"
Are they really good people?
Xuan Ming gently pulled Ye Lingling into his arms. "Don't cry, it's alright."
"This is exactly the effect I wanted."
"You want it?" Ye Lingling raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Why?"
Xuan Ming gently stroked Ye Lingling's hair, "Only if they all want to kill me can I kill them with a clear conscience."
"..."
After entering the city, Xuan Ming led Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling towards the Seven Treasure Pavilion.
He wasn't sure how long this trip would last, but it would take at least a month. He knew something might go wrong during that time, so he needed to talk to Ning Fengzhi and ask him to keep an eye on things.
What kind of stance is this?
Upon arriving at the Seven Treasure Pavilion, Xuan Ming saw Ning Fengzhi and Liu Erlong's group waiting there.
Ning Fengzhi for a moment, then stepped forward and briefly explained the current situation of the Yu Luomian Xuan Ming.
Because Yu Xiaogang and the others used the Golden Sacred Dragon to disrupt the Winter Ice Prison, but failed to break through it in one go, the cold air spread wildly.
To rescue Yu Luomian, a Soul Master with powerful healing abilities is needed to provide treatment.
I'm not going.
Before Xuan Ming could say anything, Ye Lingling immediately refused.
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang looked at Yu Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng stepped forward, his face earnest. " Lingling, that's my second grandfather, he's now..."
"I'm not going." Ye Lingling clung tightly to Xuan Ming's side, her eyes cold and unwavering.
Yu Tianheng was taken aback, not expecting Ye Lingling to be so resolute. But considering Yu Luomian's current critical situation, he had no choice but to speak again, his tone filled with anxiety. " Lingling, the situation is extremely critical. Second Grandfather is trapped inside. Every moment that drags on increases the danger. If you're willing..."
"I'm not going!" Ye Lingling's voice turned colder, as icy as ice.
"If it were anyone else, I might help out of consideration for you, but this person, absolutely not!"
"This..." Yu Tianheng looked at Dugu Yan with some anxiety.
" Yanzi, you..."
" Yu Tianheng, do you know how your second grandfather became like this?" Dugu Yan asked coldly, her eyes filled with accusation.
"My second uncle said he was assassinated," Yu Tianheng said, looking bewildered.
"Ambush?" Dugu Yan glanced coldly at Yu Xiaogang, her eyes full of mockery.
"You'd better understand the situation clearly before deciding whether or not to ask for help."
After saying that, Dugu Yan and the others walked straight into the Seven Treasure Pavilion, leaving Yu Tianheng standing there dumbfounded.
"Second Uncle, what's going on?" Yu Tianheng asked, puzzled.
Although Ye Lingling is introverted and aloof, she is not a heartless person. She often doesn't mind helping even strangers. This is the first time he has ever seen someone refuse her so bluntly.
" Grandmaster, you all explain to him, I'll go in and try to persuade him." Ning Fengzhi nodded to Yu Xiaogang and his group, and walked into the Seven Treasure Pavilion with Gu Rong.
Yu Xiaogang paused for a moment, then said, " Tian Heng, I just received the news about this myself."
" Xuan Ming trespassed into the forbidden area of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and stole our family's most treasured possession, which has been guarded for a thousand years."
"His second uncle came to arrest him, and that's why he was Ice Seal."
"A forbidden treasure?" Yu Tianheng was taken aback.
"Isn't that just a legend?"
legend?
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, who hadn't gone far, exchanged a glance.
So even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan themselves didn't know what they had lost?
Inside the Seven Treasure Pavilion, in a private room.
Ah Rou and her group, having already ordered their food, were waiting early. Ning Rongrong also rushed in after receiving the news.
"Powerful healing Soul Master are rare, but with your connections, you shouldn't be unable to find one, right?"
The door opened, and Xuan Ming, Ning Fengzhi, and the others walked in.
"We can find them, of course, but the opportunity to make the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan owe us a favor isn't always available," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.
Powerful healing-type Soul Master are indeed extremely rare, but with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's capabilities, this is not a difficult task.
However, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Xuan Ming are now at odds, and Yu Luomian is the second-in-command of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If something happens to him, given the old dragon's temper, the matter will inevitably escalate to an irreconcilable point.
It's no secret that Ye Lingling and Xuan Ming have a special relationship. If they can smooth things over in this matter, at least he'll have some room to mediate.
"If you're hoping to play peacemaker, don't get your hopes up too high; this matter can't be resolved," Xuan Ming said.
Ning Fengzhi's expression changed slightly. "Are you really planning to flip the table?"
Xuan Ming casually handed the two threatening letters to Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong.
The two exchanged a glance, opened the envelope, and quickly began to read.
"This..." Gu Rong's expression changed.
"Do you think there's still room for negotiation?" Xuan Ming sat down, and Ah Rou went out to call for the food to be served.
"If you give way, there's still room for maneuver," Ning Fengzhi said.
"But thinking about it, it's probably impossible."
A blatant threat!
If the Seven Great Families hadn't reached this point, he could still have tried his best, since Xuan Ming cares a lot about his friends.
But now that the other side is bringing this up, it's practically the same as a complete falling out.
"What do you plan to do?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
"They're only sending threatening messages now, which means they haven't made up their minds yet. Otherwise, they would have told me in person," Xuan Ming said.
"But since they've already set their sights on this, it was only a matter of time."
"Are you planning to deliberately ignite this trouble?" Ning Fengzhi frowned.
"There are other ways to cover this up, no need..."
"There's no need," Xuan Ming said.
Ning Fengzhi silent for a moment, then asked, "What do you want me to do?"
The relationship between Xuan Ming and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is common knowledge. Once this matter is blown up, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will not be able to remain unscathed!
"Do what needs to be done," Xuan Ming said.
I'm telling you in advance just to give you some time to prepare.
"Although you have ulterior motives towards me, I can't really take advantage of you for Rongrong's sake."
Ning Fengzhi paused for a moment, then asked, "Will the Pope be involved in this?"
"Yes," Xuan Ming said.
"Which side are you on?" Gu Rong couldn't help but ask.
Xuan Ming thought for a moment, "It always was, but it's not anymore."
"From now on... he'll probably become the target of everyone's criticism."
Previously, he was registered under Dugu Bo's name and was close to Xue Qinghe. Because of Xue Qinghe, he became friends with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. And because of Xue Qinghe, he met Tang Yuehua.
Then, because of his performance in the Great Soul Arena, he was regarded as a cash cow and was promoted.
Ultimately, it's because everyone feels they can control him and don't need to worry about him getting out of control, and his existence aligns with the interests of all parties.
But next, his biggest "weak point" is about to explode, and he will become uncontrollable. Not only will he fail to bring more benefits to everyone, but he will also cause huge losses.
The situation has changed.
Yesterday's "darling of everyone" may become tomorrow's "hated by everyone."