The mountain forest outside the city.
Xuan Liu stood quietly behind Po Xiao, her eyes growing more and more tense.
Ever since being rescued by the other party, they had remained silent, not asking a single question, maintaining their silence throughout.
This made her heart race, giving her the illusion of a calm before a storm.
"This is the rendezvous point with Qing Dao, Lan Yue, and the others. They will be here soon."
"While we have this time, give me a shoulder massage. I remember your skills are quite good."
Ye Cangtian's voice echoed.
Even though he had his back to Xuan Liu, he could sense her nervousness from her heartbeat, which was why he brought up a topic.
You!
Upon hearing this, Xuan Liu instantly recalled that when they were in Dongying, this Po Xiao was Xuan Qi. And at that time, she had been bullied by this person, causing her face to flush red.
Finally, she couldn't suppress the闷 in her heart and asked through gritted teeth, "What exactly do you want?"
Ye Cangtian shot Xuan Liu a disdainful glance and said, "I just want you to massage my shoulders. Is it that big of a deal? It's not like you haven't done it before."
"Don't you want to know why I appeared here?"
Xuan Liu's gaze was fixed on Po Xiao, and she let out a soft snort. She didn't believe that the other party wasn't curious about this at all!
Heh heh.
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and said playfully, "What if I told you I've already guessed the whole story? Do you believe me?"
Believe your ghost!
Xuan Liu thought disdainfully, but outwardly she fell silent.
She felt there was no need to argue with Po Xiao about this matter.
Since Po Xiao had already determined the reason in his mind, let him think what he wanted.
Whether he was right or wrong had nothing to do with her, and it also saved her the trouble of racking her brains to concoct an excuse.
Thinking this, she looked at the gaze still flickering in Po Xiao's pupils, fixed on her.
Xuan Liu then let out a soft snort and slowly walked forward.
Although she was unwilling, the other party had saved her after all. Giving Po Xiao a shoulder massage was simply repayment.
...
Time ticked by, second by second.
After an unknown duration, under the moonlight, the figures of a small team appeared.
Leading the group were a man and a woman, both wearing golden masks. They were Qing Dao and Lan Yue.
Behind them were all Xuan level deacons.
"Haha, Brother Po Xiao, I'm truly sorry, we're a step late and kept you waiting."
As they met, Lan Yue nodded gracefully at Ye Cangtian, a form of greeting, while Qing Dao appeared more rugged and casual.
Back when Po Xiao was still Xuan Qi, Qing Dao had taken a liking to Xuan Qi and intended to recruit him into his faction.
Now that the other party had become an Earth level deacon, this was no longer possible, but it didn't diminish his good impression of Po Xiao.
Furthermore, as Po Xiao gradually made a name for himself, Qing Dao recognized reality; fostering a good relationship with Po Xiao would undoubtedly bring benefits.
"It's been a long time, honored sirs. You've had a tiring journey."
"I'm truly sorry. Originally, I should have traveled with you, but I couldn't help myself and took the liberty of coming ahead."
Ye Cangtian began the pleasantries, but Lan Yue on the opposite side did not pay him any mind.
Her beautiful eyes were currently fixed on Xuan Liu behind Po Xiao.
The next moment, she couldn't help but question, frowning, "Xuan Liu, I've been trying to contact you. Why are you here?"
"I..."
Xuan Liu was stunned for a moment and quickly replied, "I was captured by people from Ting Feng Lou, and then Lord Po Xiao rescued me..."
Upon hearing this, Lan Yue's gaze became even more somber, and she sternly said, "I'm asking why you are on Sun and Moon Twin Islands!"
At this question, Xuan Liu lowered her head, appearing as if she didn't know how to answer.
Hmm?
On the other side, Ye Cangtian, who was conversing with Qing Dao, couldn't help but frown.
Although he was engaging in pleasantries, he was still keeping an eye on the situation between Xuan Liu and Lan Yue.
Now, hearing Lan Yue's consecutive questions, a hint of suspicion arose in his mind.
He didn't know if Lan Yue was acting or genuinely questioning Xuan Liu.
Pondering this, he walked over, nodded at Lan Yue, and smiled, "I apologize. I came here in a hurry and didn't have any capable assistants with me. By chance, I met Xuan Liu and Huang Yi, so I brought them along..."
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian kept his eyes on Lan Yue, but he didn't detect any ripple in her eyes.
Could it be that he was mistaken? Was Lan Yue not from Yu Long Villa?
On the other side, Xuan Liu's mouth twitched at Ye Cangtian's intervention, her gaze also flickering, but she offered no rebuttal.
Lan Yue glanced at Ye Cangtian and said calmly, "So that's how it is. Then this matter is dropped. However, Po Xiao, next time you intend to use my subordinates, could you give me a heads-up?"
"Of course, of course. It was all my oversight. Please forgive me, Lan Yue-daren. I promise such a thing will not happen again."
Ye Cangtian responded with a series of apologetic smiles, then handed Xuan Liu over to Lan Yue, saying sheepishly, "Now that Lan Yue-daren has arrived, Xuan Liu should be returned..."
Hmph!
Lan Yue let out a soft snort upon hearing this and said faintly, "Stop calling me Lan Yue-daren. It should be us addressing you as 'daren.' This operation is entirely under your command. I dare not accept such a title."
"Haha, in front of you two, how could I possibly have the authority to command?"
"In my heart, both your capabilities and strength surpass mine by several times. I am willing to relinquish command."
Ye Cangtian laughed heartily and then spoke.
He had already anticipated such a situation before Qing Dao and Lan Yue arrived.
After all, Qing Dao and Lan Yue had established their reputations long ago, and in their eyes, Po Xiao was merely a rising star, not comparable to them in status.
It was for this reason that he chose to advance by retreating, wanting to see if Qing Dao and Lan Yue dared to accept command.
"Hmph! I don't have such boldness to challenge Lord Xing Yuan's authority."
Lan Yue snorted coldly. Although she was displeased about being under Po Xiao's command, it was an order from above, and she dared not disobey.
"Haha, Brother Po Xiao, don't be so formal!"
"You should still be in command. Whatever happens, we can discuss it."
Qing Dao on the other side also chimed in, saying with a smile.
"Alright, I'll do as Big Brother Qing Dao suggests."
"Big Brother Qing Dao, your subordinates are becoming more and more talented. It truly makes me envious..."
Ye Cangtian agreed with a smile, then his gaze swept towards the Xuan level deacons behind Qing Dao, those wearing silver masks.
Listening to Ye Cangtian's words, Qing Dao waved his hand with a smile, saying, "They are just so-so, not worth mentioning. What is truly enviable is that Ye Cangtian of Huaxia..."
As he spoke, an envious gaze flickered in Qing Dao's pupils.
It was said that Ye Cangtian had taken in Gui Wu and Nan Xi. Both women were beautiful and could be pleasing to the eye on a daily basis.
Furthermore, the capabilities and strength of the two women were also very good, fully capable of standing on their own. In Qing Dao's opinion, having such subordinates was truly enviable...
"Haha, you have a point."
Ye Cangtian replied after hearing this, then said, "Let's not waste any more time here. We should return to the base first and host a welcome feast for the two esteemed lords!"
...
Ting Feng Lou.
The Ting Feng Lou was very quiet at night, with most of the lights extinguished.
However, a figure arrived at Filarf's room and directly woke Filarf from his sleep.
"Lord Filarf, the楼主 has an urgent matter to discuss. Please come immediately," the guard quickly reported.
"Damn it, do they want people to sleep or not!"
Filarf grumbled angrily upon hearing this. He couldn't understand why something had to be discussed in the middle of the night.
Although he was furious, he couldn't not go.
What if he missed something truly important, and couldn't explain it later.
Especially since he had just become a Cardinal, he couldn't give anyone a chance to pass the buck.
Ting Feng Lou Great Hall.
Upon seeing Filarf arrive, his eyes half-closed with sleep, the楼主 and the elders all wore faint smiles.
Filarf did possess some abilities, but he didn't think much of their Ting Feng Lou, so he had been causing them trouble for the past few days.
Therefore, the楼主 and a few elders deliberately made Filarf come over, and seeing his sleepy appearance now, they felt quite pleased.
"楼主, what exactly happened?"
Filarf didn't notice the expressions of the楼主 and the others. He was currently focused on finding out what had happened so he could return to rest as soon as possible.
"We just received news that something happened at the training camp. Dark Association's Xuan Liu has been abducted!"
The楼主 stated the news calmly.
"Useless!"
Filarf's eyes widened, and he roared. Then, he scanned the楼主 and the others, angrily saying, "Are all of you at Ting Feng Lou useless? What were so many people doing!"
Hearing this, a flicker of anger quietly flashed in the楼主's eyes, and he said, "Now is not the time to assign blame. Moreover, I think it's normal for such a thing to happen!"
Filarf turned his head and asked darkly, "What do you mean?"
"Hmph! The one who came to rescue her was Po Xiao of the Dark Association. Facing an Earth level expert, it's normal for those disciples to be unable to hold their ground."
The楼主's words made Filarf's expression change, and he was left speechless.
Only then did he continue, "So, young man, you should understand things clearly before getting angry. Otherwise, you will appear incompetent!"
Ever since the楼主 first met Filarf, he had been very displeased.
Coupled with Filarf's escalating behavior in recent days, completely disregarding everyone else, it had already caused his anger to simmer.
And the previous indiscriminate scolding had been the final straw, causing the楼主 to explode completely.
Therefore, when he spoke, he showed Filarf no quarter.