"Xuan Yu? What are you doing here?"
Ye Ling's eyes flickered with surprise as he saw the woman standing at the city gate. He hadn't expected to run into Xuan Yu here!
Xuan Yu, who had been beaming with joy, frowned slightly upon seeing Tian Xing beside Ye Ling. She then said to Ye Ling, "I heard from the city guard that you were outside the city, so I came to take a look. I didn't expect it to be you."
Ye Ling smiled at Xuan Yu, "I also didn't expect to meet you here. Haven't you gone through reincarnation?"
Xuan Yu replied, "My father is Shan, so naturally, he has a way to allow me to transcend reincarnation."
"This is a vital defense area of the City of Good and Evil. Let's not talk here. I'll take you to the Emperor's Palace first."
"Alright." Ye Ling didn't want to linger at the city gate. He nodded slightly and followed Xuan Yu into the city.
On the way, Xuan Yu asked Ye Ling, "Are you here at the Emperor's Palace this time to find a way to the Origin Upper Realm?"
Ye Ling was surprised, "You already know?"
Xuan Yu nodded, "I went back to the Domain Universe a while ago and heard about it from Xiao Ling. I just didn't expect you to progress so rapidly. Without realizing it, your strength has surpassed mine, and you're about to venture into the Origin Upper Realm... I've only heard of that place. I don't know what it's like."
"And I didn't expect you to have made such a 'friend'."
As she said this, Xuan Yu glanced at Tian Xing beside Ye Ling, clearly recognizing her.
Tian Xing, not to be outdone, nodded and smiled at Xuan Yu.
Seeing that Xuan Yu recognized Tian Xing, Ye Ling explained, "Tian Xing no longer works for the Lord of the Upper Realm. She is currently with me and is on our side. You don't need to worry that she will do anything detrimental to the Emperor's Palace. I can vouch for her."
"Moreover, once I get the key to the Origin Upper Realm, I will take her and leave immediately. You don't need to worry."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Xuan Yu trembled slightly, then said to Ye Ling, "You don't need to explain these things to me. Since you can vouch for her, I naturally recognize her as a friend of our Emperor's Palace. I don't doubt her. It's just that many people in the Emperor's Palace hate Tian Xing to the bone. You should be careful."
"Also, if I may be so bold, how did you meet and manage to 'kidnap' Tian Xing?"
Ye Ling smiled, "When I arrived at the Chaos Battlefield, there was an accident, and I fell into the territory of the dark creatures. In order to find a way to the Origin Upper Realm, I went to find Tian Xing first. Then, thanks to Shan and E, I took her in without much effort."
Xuan Yu teased, "It seems you're quite skilled at winning over beautiful women. If Tian Xing were a man, would you have simply killed him?"
Ye Ling replied, "That would depend on my mood. If he were useful, I would still keep him, just not by my side. But to be honest, having a beautiful woman by your side, to look at occasionally, is indeed pleasing to the eye and lifts one's spirits."
Xuan Yu asked again, "Then, am I not good-looking?"
"You are good-looking too," Ye Ling blurted out. "But speaking of which, Xuan Yu, what's with you today? Why do I feel like you're a bit jealous? You're comparing beauty with someone. This isn't like you!"
Xuan Yu glared fiercely at Ye Ling and said angrily, "What am I jealous of? I just didn't expect you wouldn't let go of even the Grand Marshal of the Dark Army. I have other things to attend to. You go to the Emperor's Palace yourself!"
With that, Xuan Yu vanished from the spot.
"Xuan Yu?"
Ye Ling, seeing Xuan Yu suddenly leave, didn't understand what had happened and looked at Tian Xing innocently, asking, "Did I say something wrong? Why did she get angry?"
Tian Xing chuckled, bowed slightly to Ye Ling, and smiled, "Lord Ye is not wrong. I am wrong."
"You are wrong?"
Hearing Tian Xing's words, Ye Ling's expression became serious. "I didn't expect the rift between you and the Emperor's Palace to be so deep that even Xuan Yu is so displeased."
"It seems we need to be careful from now on. If the powerful individuals in the Emperor's Palace who hate you to the bone see you, and a misunderstanding arises, we might end up fighting."
Tian Xing smiled, "I'll do whatever you say. How about I disguise myself as a man? That might reduce some misunderstandings."
"Alright." Ye Ling nodded seriously.
Seeing Ye Ling's serious expression, Tian Xing couldn't help but laugh again. She then transformed, changing from women's attire to men's. At first glance... she looked quite like a handsome young master.
Ye Ling surveyed Tian Xing's current appearance and nodded with satisfaction, "This should reduce many misunderstandings. Let's go to the Emperor's Palace. We'll leave once we get the key."
Saying this, Ye Ling wasted no more time and led Tian Xing towards the Emperor's Palace.
The headquarters of the Emperor's Palace was in the center of the City of Good and Evil, situated atop a towering mountain that pierced the clouds.
Looking up from the foot of the mountain, one could not see its full form.
When Ye Ling brought Tian Xing to the mountain gate of the Emperor's Palace, they were stopped by two gate guards.
"This is a sacred ground of the sect. Residents of the city are not allowed to enter. Please return."
Ye Ling cupped his fists and smiled at the two guards, "Esteemed guards, I am Ye Ling, the chosen one from the main timeline. I have matters to discuss with the Lord of the Emperor's Palace."
Upon hearing Ye Ling's words, the expressions of the two guards changed, and they frowned, asking, "You are Ye Ling?"
Ye Ling cupped his fists and smiled, "Indeed. Since you know of me, please inform your superiors. I have urgent matters to discuss."
Clang!
As Ye Ling finished speaking, the two guards directly crossed their halberds, blocking Ye Ling outside the mountain gate, and said coldly, "The elders have ordered that no one named Ye is allowed to enter. Those who trespass will be killed without mercy!"
Ye Ling was stunned by the sudden change in attitude of the two guards and asked, "May I ask which elder issued this order? We are friends with Xuan Yu."
The guards said coldly, "It is Elder Xuan's order. Please return... If you attempt to trespass, you will be enemies of our Emperor's Palace!"
"Elder Xuan's order?"
Ye Ling was taken aback by the guards' words.
He wanted to ask further, but seeing the guards' aloof and unwelcoming demeanor, he knew that no words would be of any use. He could only temporarily lead Tian Xing away.
After all, he was seeking something from the Emperor's Palace this time. If he came into conflict with the people of the Emperor's Palace, it would mean falling out with them, and it would be difficult for him to ask the Lord of the Emperor's Palace for the key to the Origin Upper Realm.
Ye Ling retreated outside the mountain gate and asked Tian Xing, "What's going on with Xuan Yu? Why did she suddenly block me from entering the Emperor's Palace?"
Tian Xing said, "Perhaps you angered her. Why don't you go and explain to her alone?"
"What should I explain to her?"
Ye Ling still didn't understand what had angered Xuan Yu. However, he didn't want to provoke Xuan Yu at this time. He then said, "Since the people of the Emperor's Palace don't want us to enter, let's sneak in."
Tian Xing said, "What if we are discovered? Once we fall out with the Emperor's Palace, it will be difficult to get the key. I still think you should go and explain to Xuan Yu, and let her bring us in."
"There's no need! She's angry right now, and she seems to dislike you. If we go now, it will likely be adding fuel to the fire. Let's wait until she calms down a bit."
"With our strength, coupled with my Myriad Worlds Insight ability, sneaking into the Emperor's Palace should not be a problem. Even if we are discovered, as long as we don't attack any disciples of the Emperor's Palace, I don't think they will pursue the matter."
Seeing that Ye Ling still hadn't grasped the key issue, Tian Xing sighed slightly and said, "Alright, I'll listen to you. Let's sneak in."
Ye Ling skillfully opened a passage outside the mountain gate of the Emperor's Palace and whispered, "Let's go!"