In the courtyard, Yuan Qing stood before Xiao Yan with tears streaming down his face, bowing deeply to the latter. The respect in his eyes was astonishing to all who saw it.
Could this young man in black robes also be from the Cloud Immortal Sect, where Yuan Qing belongs?
Behind Yuan Qing, Fang Cheng couldn't help but look at the two people in front of him with surprise, especially when his gaze fell on Xiao Yan, a sense of shock gradually rose in his heart.
Fang Cheng had assumed that this Five-Star Dou Di would be an elderly man similar in appearance to Wang Xiang, but unexpectedly, he turned out to be a young man with such a youthful appearance. Coupled with Yuan Qing's respectful attitude towards Xiao Yan, this led Fang Cheng to mistakenly believe that the black-robed youth in front of him was from the Cloud Immortal Sect.
"Hehe, Brother Yuan Qing, why bother? By doing this, aren't you shortening my lifespan?"
Upon seeing Yuan Qing perform such a grand ceremony right away, Xiao Yan was taken aback for a moment before quickly stepping forward to personally help him up.
"Mr. Xiao Yan, you flatter me. It was you who saved my old life back then. If it weren't for you, my old bones would probably have died in the Southern Region long ago. How could I have the opportunity to meet you here today?"
While inwardly marveling at Xiao Yan's strength, Yuan Qing respectfully clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiao Yan. Then, Fang Cheng stepped forward and approached Yuan Qing, whispering a question to him:
"Brother Yuan Qing, is he also a member of your Cloud Immortal Sect?"
"No, Mr. Xiao Yan is not a member of our Cloud Immortal Sect..."
Yuan Qing shook his head, rejecting the Fang Cheng's conjecture.
"Oh?"
Fang Cheng raised an eyebrow. It was truly astonishing that Xiao Yan possessed such strength, given that he was not a member of the Cloud Immortal Sect.
"But Mr. Xiao Yan is my savior. I, Yuan Qing, owe my current cultivation level entirely to Mr. Xiao Yan!"
Yuan Qing once again clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Xiao Yan, the respect in his words surprising Fang Cheng.
"Brother Fang Cheng, do you remember me telling you that I came to the Western Region to find someone?"
"You mean this gentleman?"
Fang Cheng raised an eyebrow and said in a surprised tone.
Back then, Yuan Qing had told him that the reason he came to the Western Region was to find someone. For the past few years, he had been Fang Xun in the Western Wilderness Region, trying to find that person, but he had never revealed the latter's name to him.
To his surprise, the person that a Four-Star Dou Di would pursue so relentlessly was actually a young man in black robes who looked so young.
"Hehe, since we're all on the same side, let's sit down and talk."
Although they were surprised by Xiao Yan's background, since he was a Five-Star Dou Di and happened to know Yuan Qing, they figured that if the young man could stay, they would have no fear when facing the Wang Clan three days later.
With a Five-Star Dou Di, plus a Four-Star Dou Di and Three-Star Dou Di, the Fang Clan has one more Dou Di expert than the Dou Di Wang Clan. As a result, the Wang Clan's plan to annex the Fang Clan is bound to fail.
Thinking of this, Fang Cheng felt a surge of joy. At the same time, when facing Xiao Yan, the smile on his face became even brighter. He unconsciously showed the latter Gong Jin's smile, and even his tone of voice became a little lower.
Then, led by Fang Cheng, the group entered the hall. The three sat down in Fang Cheng rows, and servants immediately served them tea. Xiao Yan, however, was oblivious to this good fortune, chatting and laughing with Yuan Qing about their experiences over the years.
Fang Cheng looked at the two people in front of him with a surprised expression, hoping that they could talk for a longer time and preferably keep Xiao Yan here, which would be a great help to the Fang Clan.
However, just as they were chatting and laughing, a servant suddenly burst in, approached Fang Cheng, and respectfully said:
"Master, the young lady is back!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback, while Fang Cheng and Yuan Qing exchanged a glance, quickly revealing smiles. Fang Cheng let out a long sigh and laughed:
"This girl, I was so worried that those bastards from the Wang Clan might pull some dirty tricks along the way, but thankfully, it seems she's alright!"
Yuan Qing smiled and nodded upon hearing this. As for Xiao Yan, upon hearing the name of the so-called young lady, he realized that he had unintentionally arrived in Helan City, and the Fang Clan he was currently in was the same family that Fang Ruyan belonged to.
Just a day ago, he had no intention of helping her, but now he found himself in her family's home. It was truly ridiculous. He wondered what kind of expression Fang Ruyan would have when she saw him.
A short while later, a young girl hurriedly entered the hall. The first thing she saw was Fang Cheng and Yuan Qing inside, and she immediately bowed respectfully to them.
"Father, Uncle Yuan Qing, Ruyan is back!"
Hearing Fang Ruyan's words, the two elders in front of him both nodded with smiles. Fang Cheng's eyes revealed a doting look as he smiled and said:
"Good, good, it's good that you're back. You have no idea how worried we were about you on the way back. We were afraid that those bastards from the Wang Clan would try to ambush you halfway. But thankfully, our worries were unnecessary, hehe."
"Father, your worries are not unfounded. It was just that I was lucky enough to be rescued by a master, which is why I was able to return to the family unharmed. Otherwise, now..."
As she finished speaking, Fang Ruyan lowered her head with a solemn expression. She hadn't expected the Fang Clan to join forces with Jin Ge of Wuyou City. If the two sides joined forces, it would undoubtedly be a devastating blow to the Fang Clan.
Then, amidst the somber expressions of the two people before her, Fang Ruyan recounted the events of the previous day to them in detail.
"What! Jin Ge has actually been won over by the Wang Clan!"
"If those two families join forces, the two of us alone are no match for them!"
Yuan Qing looked at Fang Cheng with a gloomy expression. The latter's face was equally gloomy, and even a hint of killing intent appeared in his eyes.
Fang Ruyan was his most precious daughter. Anyone who dared to touch her was undoubtedly courting death, no matter who they were. In Fang Cheng's mind, they were already labeled as doomed.
"In that case, what about that sir? He saved you; you can't just leave like that. If possible, we should try to get him to help our Fang Clan. No matter the cost, we must get his help!"
Immediately afterwards, Fang Cheng noticed the Five-Star Dou Di mentioned by his daughter. It was because of his appearance that Fang Ruyan was able to turn the tide.
Hearing her father's words, Fang Ruyan shook her head helplessly. She raised her eyes and swept them over the two people in front of her. She was about to speak when her bright, beautiful eyes suddenly caught sight of a black-robed figure sitting on the side of the hall, half of whose figure was blocked by Yuan Qing.
When Fang Ruyan saw the handsome half of the black-robed man's face, the girl froze on the spot like a statue, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, her jade hand slowly trembling as she raised it, pointing at Xiao Yan.
"He... he... he... how could he..."
Upon hearing Fang Ruyan's words, Fang Cheng frowned immediately. Xiao Yan was an extremely important guest to the Fang Clan. If Fang Ruyan's attitude offended him, wouldn't that harm the Fang Clan?
However, just as Fang Cheng was about to reprimand Fang Ruyan, Xiao Yan, dressed in black robes, shrugged helplessly, stood up from his seat, looked at the latter with an innocent expression, and smiled wryly:
" Miss Fang, we meet again."