"I've been waiting for you day and night!"
"Brother Zhenghao, you've kept me waiting!"
Seeing Wan Mingxuan emerge to greet him, Ye Zhenghao smiled faintly and cupped his fists in greeting. "My apologies, it was all because of Yinlong's injuries that we were delayed..."
"No matter, no matter!"
Wan Mingxuan waved his hands repeatedly, then continued with a smile, "As long as you've come, I am satisfied. Please! Let's talk inside!"
After a short while, Wan Mingxuan escorted everyone inside, and his gaze immediately fell upon Yinlong.
"Mr. Yinlong, how is your injury now?"
Wan Mingxuan feigned concern. There was no choice; Yinlong was implicitly the leader among the three of them.
Yinlong smiled and glanced at Wan Mingxuan. Although it was a peaceful smile, it sent a shiver down Wan Mingxuan's spine.
"Wan Mingxuan, let's not beat around the bush."
"Regarding the death of Wang Ying's family, you promised me an explanation. To this day, I've seen nothing!"
"Also, I was attacked at the entrance of Swift Wind City, and you still have no explanation afterward. Doesn't that seem unreasonable?"
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian let out a cold snort and continued, "I believe I have every reason to suspect that you have colluded with the Flying Cloud Pavilion to assassinate me!"
"This..."
As the accusations piled up, Wan Mingxuan's face turned increasingly red, and his brow furrowed.
He was both angry and aggrieved, feeling utterly speechless.
It was true that these two matters had happened some time ago, and they still hadn't provided an explanation. It was no wonder the other party was suspicious.
But the problem was, he was truly innocent. Neither of these matters had anything to do with him; they were definitely the work of the Flying Cloud Pavilion.
However, he hadn't apprehended a single disciple of the Flying Cloud Pavilion, making it impossible to dispel their suspicions!
After a long pause, Wan Mingxuan finally spoke, "Mr. Yinlong, please do not jump to conclusions!"
"If we were colluding with the Flying Cloud Pavilion, why would I have invited you here time and time again? Doesn't this demonstrate my sincerity?"
"Alright, I'll believe you this once!"
Hearing Wan Mingxuan's words, Ye Cangtian shrugged his shoulders and let the matter drop.
Seeing this, Wan Mingxuan's eyes lit up. The fact that they weren't pursuing the matter further indicated their willingness to cooperate.
With that in mind, he quickly seized the opportunity and said, "Mr. Yinlong, I'll be direct. I invited you here today to continue our previous discussion, primarily to finalize the cooperation with the Blazing Fire Institute..."
As he spoke, Wan Mingxuan cast a questioning glance.
Sensing his gaze, Ye Cangtian fell silent, then punted the ball to Ye Zhenghao.
"Wan Mingxuan, I believe you've asked the wrong person with this question!"
"The future dean of the Blazing Fire Institute is over there. Why ask me?"
Uh...
Wan Mingxuan was slightly taken aback by this. Everyone knew that Ye Cangtian was the leader of the three, so why was he acting coy?
However, Ye Cangtian's words were not entirely unfounded.
The next moment, he could only look at Ye Zhenghao awkwardly and ask, "Brother Zhenghao, what do you think of my proposal?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhenghao remained silent for a moment, then said, "To be honest, forming an alliance with the Swift Wind Tower is indeed mutually beneficial. Anyone else, I wouldn't refuse."
"But if it's you, I think it's best we refrain!"
Huh?
As the words fell, Wan Mingxuan was stunned. He couldn't help but rub his ears as if he had misheard.
"Brother Zhenghao, what did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly," Wan Mingxuan asked.
Ye Zhenghao smiled faintly and said, "You heard correctly. I've decided to refuse cooperation with you!"
"Why!"
As the words landed, Wan Mingxuan leaped up in agitation, his anger reaching its peak!
He had shown the utmost sincerity, even swallowing his pride and repeatedly inviting them.
He had even personally come out to greet them, yet this was the result he received.
He truly found it unacceptable.
Seeing this, Ye Zhenghao reached out to stop him and said calmly, "Don't get agitated. Since I'm refusing to cooperate with you, there's naturally a reason. You can ask Yinlong about it!"
Ye Zhenghao directly passed the ball back to Ye Cangtian. He was always straightforward; if the matter were left to him, the two sides would likely come to blows immediately.
Therefore, to achieve the maximum effect, he let Ye Cangtian handle it.
Otherwise, all his restraint in the guest hall would have been in vain.
"Yinlong! Tell me, what do you mean by this!"
"Is our Swift Wind Tower not showing enough sincerity?"
Wan Mingxuan roared in anger.
He was already furious that they were refusing to cooperate with him, and now they were batting him back and forth like a ball, which was enough to make him explode.
Ye Cangtian glanced at Wan Mingxuan and said calmly, "Don't be impatient. Since I promised to give you a reason, I naturally will."
With that, Ye Cangtian slowly stood up and said with a smile, "We've heard some rumors these past few days."
Rumors?
Wan Mingxuan was instantly puzzled. Aside from visiting Feng Lingzi once, the rest of the time they had spent in the inn.
And in this Swift Wind City, who would dare speak ill of him?
Thinking of this, Wan Mingxuan's face suddenly darkened. Could it be that Feng Lingzi had said something to Ye Cangtian?
The next moment, Wan Mingxuan remembered something.
According to Yan San earlier, Yinlong had entered the grand formation alone to see Feng Lingzi. Perhaps the two of them had discussed some secrets.
With that thought, he looked at Ye Cangtian and said, "Yinlong, I'd like to know what rumors you've heard that have changed your willingness to cooperate!"
Ye Cangtian heard him and slowly began to speak, "Rumor one: It is said that you almost died in the Hidden Group before, and it was the Second Tower Master, Yi Pengfei, who saved you!"
"That's right, it was the Second Tower Master who saved me. I will be eternally grateful for his immense kindness!"
"At the same time, I also swear again to kill Ye Cangtian and avenge the Second Tower Master!"
Wan Mingxuan said, even making a vow to win over support.
Later, he looked at Ye Cangtian and continued, "Yinlong, is there a problem with this rumor?"
Ye Cangtian glanced at him and said faintly, "There's no problem, but the version I heard does not match what you said. The rumor is that you harmed the Second Tower Master!"
"What!"
At these words, Wan Mingxuan's eyes widened.
What he said was the truth, but where had this truth originated from?
After all, he had silenced all his subordinates who had followed him to the Hidden Group after poisoning Yi Pengfei.
Therefore, logically speaking, this truth should have remained hidden from the light!
Could it be Yi Pengfei? Is he not dead yet?
Wan Mingxuan recalled that Yi Pengfei had broken through the siege at the cost of severe injuries.
Although Yi Pengfei's body was not found afterward, nor was any news of him heard, they had assumed he had died from poisoning.
Now, it seemed Yi Pengfei was definitely not dead, otherwise, such rumors would not have circulated.
With that in mind, he turned to Ye Cangtian and said, "Yinlong, how can rumors be believed so readily? Besides, he is my savior. Even if I were a scoundrel, I wouldn't do such a thing!"
He paused, and Wan Mingxuan continued to explain, "Moreover, the Second Tower Master is a Heaven-rank expert. With my cultivation, even if I were to ambush him, I wouldn't succeed, would I?"
"Don't rush, there's also Rumor Two!"
Regarding Wan Mingxuan's defense, Ye Cangtian smiled faintly and extended two fingers, continuing.
"Rumor Two: You collaborated with the Five Poisons Sect, first poisoning Yi Pengfei, and then joining forces to surround and kill him, ultimately forcing Yi Pengfei to break through the siege at the cost of severe injuries..."
What!
Upon hearing this, Wan Mingxuan's eyes widened even further. This was like a live replay!
How could this rumor be so accurate? He was now even more certain that Yi Pengfei was alive.
Damn it, this was going to be difficult!
A Heaven-rank expert hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike, especially one known for his speed, made it impossible to guard against!
Cold sweat poured down his back, but outwardly, Wan Mingxuan maintained his composure, saying, "These rumors are pure fabrication and entirely impossible!"
"Our Swift Wind Tower is a righteous sect. How could we possibly cooperate with the Five Poisons Sect!"
As he spoke, Wan Mingxuan cast an indignant glance, continuing, "Mr. Yinlong, if possible, please tell me who spread these rumors. I will make him pay the price for slandering the Swift Wind Tower!"
"Don't be impatient. I will tell you who spread the rumors in the end!"
"Now, please listen to the rumors quietly!"
Ye Cangtian then extended his third finger and said, "The third rumor is that you poisoned Feng Lingzi, imprisoned him in a secret realm, and also used his daughter as a threat. Is this true..."