Inside the top-floor suite of the Hiedon Hotel.
Upon seeing Ye Cangtian return, Zi Long immediately greeted him. Although he wore a mask, his excitement was evident in his eyes.
"Brother Xuan Qi, oh no, I should call you Brother Po Xiao now!"
Zi Long said with a smile. Xuan Qi had certainly lived up to expectations, breaking through to the Earth level shortly after returning to headquarters, placing him on equal footing with Zi Long.
This was definitely good news. His status within the Dark Association would be even more solidified in the future.
"I must thank you for your nurturing, sir. Whatever your orders, your subordinate will do their utmost!"
Seeing Ye Cangtian's respectful demeanor, Zi Long's heart soared with joy. He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "This is all due to your own efforts. I merely did what I should have."
Then, Zi Long changed the subject, saying, "I heard you offended Hong Mo severely at headquarters? You rascal, I told you not to provoke him, but you wouldn't listen!"
When Zi Long first heard that Xuan Qi had offended Hong Mo, he had been extremely nervous, thinking Xuan Qi was doomed.
But who would have thought Xuan Qi had miraculously survived? Not only that, but he had also broken through to the Earth level and become an Earth-level deacon. It was almost unbelievable.
"Heh, I didn't want to! But Hong Mo insisted on causing trouble for me, so I had no choice!"
"Fortunately, all that is over for now."
"Right, what did you need from me, Lord Zi Long?"
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and then steered the conversation away. He wasn't here to reminisce with Zi Long.
"Haha, I heard you were back, so I decided to welcome you and see if you needed any help."
Zi Long chuckled and said.
"Thank you."
Ye Cangtian cupped his fists and continued, "I do have something I need your help with! I've just arrived and am unfamiliar with the situation in Kyoto..."
"No need to understand the situation."
Zi Long glanced at him. He knew full well what mission Po Xiao was here for.
However, he believed the Dark Association had no need to act this time, as Ye Cangtian was surely doomed!
"Hm? What situation?" Ye Cangtian asked Zi Long, looking confused.
Zi Long smiled playfully upon hearing this and said, "You don't know about the experts dispatched by the various factions yet, do you? The lineup is quite impressive!"
As he spoke, Zi Long took a document from his drawer and casually handed it to Ye Cangtian, which he had just received that morning.
Taking the document, Ye Cangtian scanned it. It listed the leaders dispatched by each faction.
For example, the leader from the Temple of Light this time was one of their Cardinal Bishops, Bedra.
And the one acting from the Shinobi Division was his old rival, Jonin Sasaki.
As for Heaven's Net, they had dispatched Killing God Carol. It was worth noting that Heaven's Net only had two Killing God-level existences.
One was the true master of Heaven's Net, and the other was Killing God Carol.
Similar information filled a whole page. Reading this, Ye Cangtian's head felt like it was about to explode!
He only knew that various factions, with different objectives, had all become involved.
But who could have imagined that these factions would treat him as if he were their father's murderer, sending one stronger person after another? They were truly willing to spare no expense.
Now, Ye Cangtian truly wanted to ask if they weren't worried about these individuals being lost in China.
"Heh, shocked?"
"With such a powerful lineup, even if Ye Cangtian wanted to live, he couldn't!"
"If you ask me, Lord Xing Yuan is really looking out for you, clearly sending you here to gain merit!"
Seeing Ye Cangtian fall silent, Zi Long smiled and said playfully.
Ye Cangtian was only at the peak of the Profound level. With so many Earth-level experts, one could say they could drown him with a single spout of spit.
In this way, Po Xiao wouldn't need to lift a finger, just wait for news of Ye Cangtian's death.
"You can't say that."
Ye Cangtian glanced over and said, "The focus is on the Temple of Light. They are always insidious and cunning. Who knows what tricks they'll play. Besides, the Hidden Organization is not to be underestimated!"
Mentioning the Temple of Light, Zi Long's gaze noticeably shifted.
When they had dealt with the Rattlesnake and the Shinobi Division, the Temple of Light had defected at the last moment, greatly toying with the Dark Association. This had caused Zi Long to lose all face.
Thinking about it now, he wished he could eradicate all the scoundrels of the Temple of Light.
With that thought, a murderous intent flashed in Zi Long's eyes, and he said, "Forget it. Let them make a fuss for now. This time, we'll be the true mantises stalking the cicada."
Ye Cangtian nodded in agreement.
He could tell Zi Long harbored deep resentment towards the Temple of Light, which was good news. It might be useful in the future.
...
Returning to the Kyoto branch company.
Glancing at the time, it wasn't long before Tang Xin Wan finished work. Ye Cangtian decided to wait in the parking garage and didn't go upstairs.
However, just as he got into the car and was about to rest, a figure flashed in the rearview mirror.
It was a woman, dressed entirely in black leather clothing, wearing purple sunglasses, looking like a hot biker chick.
Ye Cangtian didn't think much of it at first.
But the next moment, the woman's small, rosy lips tilted into a wicked smile in his direction.
Ye Cangtian was certain she meant him no good.
The next moment, without a second thought, Ye Cangtian got out of the car and chased after her.
This was the Kyoto branch company, and quitting time was approaching. Many employees would be passing by, and Ye Cangtian didn't want them to get involved.
Not long after, Ye Cangtian caught up with the woman.
The woman's speed wasn't fast, as if she hadn't noticed him. She walked straight ahead, without looking back.
Ye Cangtian hesitated for a moment before giving up on approaching her directly. There were too many people around, making it unsuitable for a confrontation.
Thus, Ye Cangtian maintained a distance, following her all the way.
Soon, following the woman, Ye Cangtian entered a small grove in a nearby park. There were few tourists here, and the woman finally stopped.
"Long time no see, hope you've been well!"
The woman turned around, greeting him as she took off her sunglasses, revealing a sweet, pretty face.
"It's you!"
Seeing the woman's face, Ye Cangtian was stunned for a moment. He was extremely familiar with this face. It was Nan Xi, the talented Purple Bishop of the Temple of Light.
And precisely because it was Nan Xi, Ye Cangtian was somewhat perplexed.
The Temple of Light was always insidious and cunning, always plotting against others. With various factions not having made their move against him yet, why did Nan Xi appear first?
This didn't align with the Temple of Light's usual modus operandi.
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian asked, "What? Has your Temple of Light changed its ways? Do you not scheme behind people's backs anymore?"
"Hmph! I don't need to for dealing with you!"
Nan Xi snorted upon hearing this and continued, "Ye Cangtian, you should know you're doomed, right? I've come this time to give you an opportunity: to die at my hands!"
"Heh heh."
"You mean I should be grateful to you and thank you?"
Looking at Nan Xi's demeanor, Ye Cangtian chuckled, a look of disdain on his face.
"You should thank me!"
"You have no chance of winning against those old fogeys. If you fall into their hands, your fate will be even more tragic!"
"I'm giving you this chance to fight me honorably and die at my hands. This way, you'll be spared much suffering!"
Nan Xi glanced at Ye Cangtian and said indifferently.
The reason she had sought out Ye Cangtian privately, disregarding the plan, was for a fair battle.
Both were elites of their respective factions, leaders among the young talents of their generation. If they never crossed swords in this life, Nan Xi would feel great regret.
She wanted to prove to everyone, through a fair victory, that she was the strongest among the younger generation!