Xiao Man felt Ze Fang’s body relax in her embrace, and she gently stroked his back, contemplating the old man’s identity.
“Xiao Qi, when I go to participate in the elimination tournament of the Seven Great Sects…”
“I’m going with you,” Ze Fang said without hesitation. This elimination tournament was extremely dangerous for Xiao Man. Although she didn’t know what the Five Poisons Sect intended to do, as long as it involved the Land of No Return, there was only one objective: the Illumination Torch of the Land of No Return.
What puzzled him was that the Five Poisons Sect was a branch of the Four Great Sects, so why would they be involved with the Illumination Torch? Moreover, the Illumination Torch was a matter from tens of thousands of years ago. Even many high-ranking officials of various sects were unaware of these events. How could a small sect like the Five Poisons know about the existence of the Illumination Torch? Or was this just a misunderstanding?
Ze Fang didn’t care about the Illumination Torch matter, but he feared Xiao Man getting entangled. Once this matter involved the Illumination Torch and the Four Great Sects found out, Xiao Man would inevitably be suspected. With their nature of killing ten thousand by mistake rather than letting one go, Xiao Man would suffer devastating harm.
“Daddy, can’t you not participate?”
“No, Father’s friends are inside, and I cannot let them venture alone.” Xiao Man said softly. Furthermore, there were people within who wanted Xiang Jian’s life, which she could not tolerate. “Very well, I’ll bring you along. The City Lord’s Mansion is also not safe. If chaos erupts, they might not be able to look after you.”
After his Golden Core was reforged, Xiang Jian cultivated day and night, wanting to make up for the regrets of not advancing in recent years.
Xiao Man pushed open the door and walked in. Seeing Xiang Jian meditating and cultivating, she didn’t disturb him. Instead, she sat down beside him, took out a pot of water from her spatial artifact, poured a cup, and placed it on the table.
Xiang Jian completed twelve cycles of circulation before ceasing his practice. He stood up and asked, “Boss, you were looking for me?”
“Drink this.” Xiao Man pushed the cup of water towards Xiang Jian. Xiang Jian, without suspicion, immediately picked up the cup and drank it down in one gulp. After finishing, he smacked his lips, “What is this? It tastes a bit sweet.”
“Medicine,” Xiao Man said slowly, “Disguise medicine.”
Xiang Jian was slightly stunned. “Disguise?”
Xiao Man’s gaze was calm, her expression composed and indifferent. “You need to change your appearance.”
Xiang Jian instantly understood. They still wouldn’t let him go. If he continued to walk in Boundless City with this face, his death would be insignificant, but it would implicate Xiao Man and the others.
“You can proceed.” Xiang Jian sat down beside Xiao Man and closed his eyes. In his opinion, disguising was equivalent to destroying his face, making it unrecognizable to others. Although he didn’t want to become an ugly monster, compared to his life, he would rather give up this face.
A flicker of admiration flashed in Xiao Man’s eyes. Xiang Jian had always been clear about the situation. The enemy was too powerful now, and they had no ability to fight back. But that didn’t mean they had to be slaughtered. “Xiang Jian, remember the pain of today. One day, we will return the suffering we have endured tenfold, a hundredfold, even a thousandfold!”
The pain spread throughout his body, as if someone was slicing his flesh with a knife, one cut after another. If it were simple disguise, it wouldn’t be this painful. However, simple disguise would not deceive those astute individuals. Moreover, outsiders in Boundless City were too conspicuous, and Xiang Jian’s physique was quite recognizable. Just changing his face would be of no help!
Therefore, Xiao Man had to choose another method to help Xiang Jian undergo a complete transformation!
Screams echoed far and wide, drawing the attention of the surrounding people. Fan Ting, worried, rushed over but was blocked by Xiao Man at the door.
“Young Master Xiao.”
Xiao Man nodded in response.
“Is Xiang Jian alright?”
“He won’t die,” Xiao Man said calmly and composedly. “Captain Fan, go about your business. I’m here.”
Fan Ting didn’t linger. Whether Xiao Man’s subordinate lived or died was not his decision to make. All he could do was obey orders. Moreover, this person had publicly killed three Foundation Establishment cultivators in Boundless City yesterday with her own strength, and their cultivation levels were all higher than hers. She was now quite famous in Boundless City!
In just one day, more than a dozen groups of people had come to inquire about Xiao Man’s background. He knew Xiao Man was very powerful, but her ability to cause trouble was even greater than her own strength!
As Fan Ting walked out of the courtyard, he encountered Yan Yan and her group.
“Fan Ting.”
“Miss.”
“What happened? We seemed to hear screams.”
Fan Ting glanced behind him. “It should be Xiang Jian screaming. As for why he’s screaming, this subordinate doesn’t know. Young Master Xiao Qin is blocking the door and won’t let anyone in.”
“Is Xiao Qin here?” Yan Yan suddenly nodded. “Since Xiao Qin is here, there won’t be any problems. Let’s go back to cultivating.”
Fan Ting watched the backs of the three as they left together, a hint of bewilderment in his eyes. Didn’t Miss trust Xiao Qin too much? As long as Xiao Qin was here, there would be no problems? Were they not afraid that Xiao Qin would slaughter Xiang Jian? Although the possibility was very low.
“Captain, he’s screaming so miserably, could he have been beaten by Young Master Xiao Qin?”
“Doesn’t seem like it,” Fan Ting frowned. “It’s rather similar to the screams the old City Lord made during his treatment. Xiang Jian… could he be injured?”
Chu Xing’s gaze flickered. He had followed Zhou Yan for many years and had heard about Xiang Jian’s affairs. He quietly glanced back. When Zhou Yan found Xiang Jian, Xiang Jian was covered in wounds, his tendon in his hand severed, yet he was extremely ferocious, killing all those who intended to bully him.
Zhou Yan was quite interested in Xiang Jian, so he took him back and spared no effort to help him heal.
Fan Ting caught a glimpse of Chu Xing with the corner of his eye. He inherently disliked Chu Xing. If not for Xiao Man, Chu Xing would likely still be struggling in the Land of No Return. It was with Xiao Man’s help that Chu Xing was able to leave the Land of No Return. But as soon as he emerged, in the face of profit, he immediately betrayed Xiao Man.
Such a person had no principles, no bottom line, and only saw profit. As long as it was beneficial to him, he would probably betray even his own parents. Therefore, even though he kept Chu Xing as promised, he only assigned him menial tasks.
“Alright, everyone go on patrol.”
“Yes, Captain.”
The group quickly divided into small teams and went on their respective patrols. Fan Ting’s gaze fell on Chu Xing, his eyes deep. “Someone.”
“Captain.”
“Keep an eye on him. If you find him secretly contacting the people from the Seven Great Sects…” Fan Ting hesitated. Although Chu Xing was now a member of the City Lord’s Mansion, he was, after all, brought out by Xiao Man and the others. He wasn’t sure if killing Chu Xing would displease Xiao Man. But if he allowed this person to run rampant, it might bring disaster to the City Lord’s Mansion. In the past, such a person would have been killed without hesitation. But this person was brought out by Xiao Man. It was like hitting a dog while considering its owner. For a while, he didn’t know how to deal with it.