Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”So, are you saying, not only should I not blame you, but I should also thank you?”

Yun Xiao naturally understood that Xue Ningxiang’s reasoning was justified, but the next moment he coldly spoke, helping Ling Wan to sit on a stone bench nearby, his expression still somewhat displeased.

”Brother Yun Xiao, please don’t blame Senior Sister Ningxiang. She’s actually been looking out for me; today was just an accident!”

Seeing his brother’s face still somewhat disgruntled, and observing that Xue Ningxiang was unwilling to compromise, Ling Wan started mediating.

In fact, Ling Wan knew well that several times when he was humiliated, as long as it wasn’t too excessive, Xue Ningxiang would turn a blind eye. But once he was in real danger of serious injury, this Lady Xue would surely appear.

Especially given today’s situation, perhaps even Xue Ningxiang didn’t expect that right as Xuanyin Cave was about to open, Chen Zhiheng would come to cause trouble?

”Actually, if you look at it strictly, it’s still your fault, Yun Xiao!”

With Ling Wan’s support, Xue Ningxiang suddenly remembered something and spoke up: ”Haven’t you heard the rumors outside? Now it seems everyone regards you as an imaginary enemy, even guys like Gu Changsheng and Chen Zhiheng aren’t exceptions!”

Blurting out in the heat of the moment, Xue Ningxiang seemed to realize something as she continued, her face suddenly becoming a bit flushed because those so-called rumors were precisely about her developing feelings for Yun Xiao.

Perhaps even Xue Ningxiang herself wasn’t sure if she had feelings for Yun Xiao, but through several interactions, she undoubtedly favored Yun Xiao more than those strangers with unfamiliar faces.

Yet such things, especially for a young girl, are somewhat improper to openly discuss. Ironically, at this moment, Xue Ningxiang used it as a reason to argue with Yun Xiao, and thinking of this, her face flushed even more.

”That despicable guy, Su Jian!”

Xue Ningxiang’s words left Yun Xiao at a loss for words. Thinking about it, it might indeed be the case, or else why would someone of Gu Changsheng’s stature come to trouble Ling Wan?

Initially not too concerned about Su Jian’s schemes, Yun Xiao now couldn’t help but curse, leaving Xue Ningxiang somewhat baffled about what the genius of Douling Commerce had to do with this matter.

”Those rumors were deliberately spread by Su Jian!”

Xu Hongzhuang, having witnessed the conversation between Su Jian and Long Xiwawa at the tavern, explained immediately upon seeing Xue Ningxiang’s confusion.

These two had actually met once before at the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, although they hadn’t spoken. However, due to her interest in Yun Xiao, Xue Ningxiang had inquired about Xu Hongzhuang’s background, knowing that there seemed to be some unclear relationship between her and Yun Xiao.

”Oh? Isn’t this Sister-In-Law?”

At this moment, Ling Wan finally noticed Xu Hongzhuang after she spoke, and the words slipped out, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.

”Sis... Sister-In-Law?!”

Xue Ningxiang felt her mind explode with a buzzing sound. Although she had never admitted to developing feelings for Yun Xiao, hearing the term ”Sister-In-Law” made her feel as though something was slipping away from her.

As for Xu Hongzhuang, her face turned a shade of red. Despite the bashful appearance, she felt secretly delighted. This chubby boy’s innocent demeanor was truly charming, and she indeed had not misunderstood him.

Smack!

However, the next moment, Yun Xiao extended his hand and knocked hard on Ling Wan’s head, scolding, ”Who do you think is your Sister-In-Law? Stop calling her that!”

Although Yun Xiao had put down the past and knew that the Shang Family’s extermination was not significantly related to Xu Hongzhuang, the two of them could never resume the engagement again.

In Yun Xiao’s heart, only Shen Xingmou, with whom he had been intimate, was the one he pursued for life. He understood Xu Hongzhuang’s feelings somewhat, but he knew that between them, it could never be.

While Yun Xiao’s words disappointed Xu Hongzhuang, they made Xue Ningxiang happy. She inwardly thought that this chubby boy’s slip of the tongue had truly given her a fright; after all, this woman named Xu Hongzhuang was not his actual Sister-In-Law.

”Alright then!”

Being knocked by Yun Xiao, Ling Wan pulled a face but dared not call her that again. At this moment, Yun Xiao turned his head and looked at the Xuanyin Hall’s lady, a trace of confusion crossing his face.

”What’s the deal with the Illusion Yin Grass?”

Perhaps this was Yun Xiao’s point of confusion. He initially thought that Xuanyin Hall must have a treasured Illusion Yin Grass, and he only needed to concoct the Earth Rank Advanced Illusion Yin Pill with it, using some unique methods, to completely cure Xue Ningxiang’s Innate Pulse Cutting. But unexpectedly, things turned out to be so complicated.

”Alas, it’s a long story!”

Upon hearing this, Xue Ningxiang sighed and said, ”Father originally had an Illusion Yin Grass, but for some reason, it suddenly withered. And this Illusion Yin Grass only exists in the Xuanyin Cave, which only opens once every ten years. Coincidentally, the time has come for Xuanyin Cave to open, so father he... he...”

Xue Ningxiang first explained the matter of the Illusion Yin Grass, but when it came to the word ”marriage proposal,” those words ultimately remained unspoken. In fact, she always held a resistant attitude towards this matter.

However, Xue Ningxiang could understand her father’s intention. After all, Xuanyin Cave only allowed cultivators under a hundred years of age to enter. If there was no hope or incentive, how could the geniuses from various forces be willing to risk their lives searching for Illusion Yin Grass in Xuanyin Cave?

”Yun Xiao, will you go to Xuanyin Cave?”

For some reason, Xue Ningxiang found herself unable to figure out Yun Xiao at this moment. She continued, ”Inside Xuanyin Cave, besides Illusion Yin Grass, there are many other Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. My father said that anything found in Xuanyin Cave belongs to those who found them. Xuanyin Hall won’t take a single fee!”

This might be yet another great benefit for those geniuses from various forces to search for Illusion Yin Grass. The name Xuanyin Cave is known far beyond just Xuanyin Hall.

The Xuanyin Cave, which only opens once every ten years, is rumored to contain countless treasures, even treasures of Heavenly Rank levels.

However, Xuanyin Cave is filled with dangers; various vein demons and even strange spirits reside within. It’s normal to end up losing one’s life in pursuit of those precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

”Since I’m here, of course, I want to check it out. I’m just afraid those guys can’t recognize the Illusion Yin Grass!”

Yun Xiao nodded, a decision he had made much earlier. Now, hearing that anything obtained from Xuanyin Cave could be kept, he was even less likely to give up.

”If you find the Illusion Yin Grass...”

Xue Ningxiang seemed not to know what she was thinking of, seemingly wanting to ask something, but hesitated. At that next moment, Yun Xiao had already taken over the conversation.

”Don’t worry, I won’t marry you!”

Yun Xiao worried that Lady Xue was troubled by this matter and stated his position immediately. With those words, not only Xue Ningxiang but even Xu Hongzhuang who stood by revealed a strange expression.

Yun Xiao and Ling Wan, these two blunt fellows, lacked romantic sense. But Xu Hongzhuang, being a fellow woman, had long discovered through Xue Ningxiang’s words and actions that this lady from Xuanyin Hall’s affections for Yun Xiao were far from those of an average friend.

Xu Hongzhuang herself liked Yun Xiao, so she was exceptionally sensitive to these matters. Hearing Yun Xiao utter such words, she couldn’t help but silently curse him as being insensitive, yet she also felt a different kind of emotion.

”You... Bastard!”

As expected, upon hearing Yun Xiao’s words, Xue Ningxiang jumped up from the stone stool, pointing at Yun Xiao with an angry expression, only to be at a loss for words in the end.

Under normal circumstances, if Xue Ningxiang indeed had no interest in Yun Xiao, his words would not be wrong and might help Miss Xue resolve some unnecessary troubles.

But the reality was different; Xue Ningxiang had developed feelings for Yun Xiao subconsciously. So when Yun Xiao said ”I won’t marry you” to her face, she found it hard to accept.

Yet this was not something one could argue. Could Xue Ningxiang possibly say, ”I really like you; you should work hard to get the Illusion Yin Grass and marry me?” Clearly, it was not possible.

So ultimately, Xue Ningxiang’s face changed several times, but she said nothing. She merely stomped her foot hard and quickly left the courtyard, afraid that if she stayed longer, she’d end up being infuriated to death by this bastard.

”Did I say something wrong?”

Watching Xue Ningxiang leave in anger, Yun Xiao rubbed his nose, then turned his head to ask. To be honest, he truly didn’t know what was wrong.

”No!”

Ling Wan, simple and honest by nature, certainly couldn’t grasp the intricacies involved. He replied with a clueless look and saw Xu Hongzhuang beside him give them a fierce glare.

”Insensitive!”

Although she was happy that Yun Xiao hadn’t developed feelings for Xue Ningxiang, seeing his infuriating appearance, Xu Hongzhuang still rolled her eyes dramatically, uttering those four words lightly.

”Forget about her; tonight we’ll stay at Ling Wan’s place. He and I have lots to catch up on; you sleep in the room over there!”

Unable to figure it out, Yun Xiao simply decided not to think further. He gestured to the side, making Xu Hongzhuang nod. At Xuanyin Hall, she didn’t have many acquaintances.

The courtyard of Ling Wan, though small, had two rooms. Yun Xiao and this good brother hadn’t seen each other for years; there were naturally countless things to talk about, and even extensive storytelling wasn’t enough. In such matters, Xu Hongzhuang knew it wasn’t her place to join in.

In the following two days, Yun Xiao stayed in Ling Wan’s courtyard without anyone causing trouble, allowing him two days of peace. But as dawn broke on the third day, Xuanyin Hall suddenly became bustling.

The day has arrived for Xuanyin Cave to open!