Xu Yi grinned and left, Long Haotian’s face immediately fell, and he reluctantly entered the Sect Master’s main hall.
"Greetings, Sect Master."
Seeing Long Haotian’s dejected appearance, Qinglian Zhenren couldn’t maintain his dignified demeanor as Sect Master and berated him, "It's just calling Xu Yi over for a few questions, and you're acting as if your father committed some heinous crime that angered heaven and earth."
"Father!" Long Haotian frowned in dissatisfaction, "What does this have to do with Xu Yi?"
"How is it unrelated? The moment I asked you to find her, you started giving me the cold shoulder. Now that she has safely left, who are you putting on this act for? Are you trying to anger me to death!"
Qinglian Zhenren felt that this son was sent to torment him.
One after another, neither of them made him worry less.
"Father, I didn't mean it like that."
Long Haotian felt his father was speaking strangely today and didn't want to deal with his inexplicable temper anymore. He asked, "What did you say to Xu Yi when you called her over just now?"
Seeing the joy in Xu Yi's eyes when she came out, he knew it couldn't be bad news, but he couldn't help but be a little curious.
"Just asked her to do a small favor for me."
Qinglian Zhenren knew his son and Bei Xinghan didn't get along well, so he didn't reveal the specific agreement. Instead, he countered, "Xu Yi is your friend, so you should know her background, right?"
"Of course, I know." Long Haotian nodded, "But I won't tell you. It's her private matter."
Long Haotian finally understood why Xu Yi had suddenly asked him to keep a secret. It turned out she had anticipated that his father would inquire about her background.
Qinglian Zhenren knew his son’s temperament very well. Seeing his resolute expression, he gave up the idea of prying further.
Xu Yi's current identity wasn't important. As long as she could help Xinghan overcome his inner demons, he would turn a blind eye, even if she had ulterior motives.
Believing everything was under control, Qinglian Zhenren had no idea that in two months, he would deeply regret his arrogance today.
The next day. Xu Yi received a storage bag sent by Qinglian Zhenren, containing all the items he had promised yesterday.
Xu Yi paid no mind to the disciple's astonished gaze, smiling as she counted the items inside. Confirming nothing was missing, she said, "I've received the items. You can go back and report."
The disciple was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "This disciple is ordered to escort Senior Sister Xu to the Sword Practice Stage."
The Sword Practice Stage was Bei Xinghan's exclusive cultivation ground.
Xu Yi was also silent.
Was it starting so soon?
Glancing at the storage bag, Xu Yi quietly closed the door and followed the disciple towards the Sword Practice Stage.
After less than half a cup of tea's time, Xu Yi looked at the familiar scenery on both sides and hesitated, "This seems to be the way to the Sect Master's Hall?"
The disciple nodded, "Yes, Senior Brother Bei's Sword Practice Stage is on the platform behind the Sect Master's Hall."
Xu Yi suddenly understood and remained silent until they were outside the Sword Practice Stage. The disciple stopped abruptly and said, "Senior Sister Xu, the Sword Practice Stage is inside. Senior Brother Bei dislikes being disturbed, so you can only go in alone."
Xu Yi nodded to him and, as she walked in, thought about how high Bei Xinghan's prestige was in the Xuanqing Sect.
As soon as she rounded a corner, Xu Yi's eyes were drawn to a dazzling sword light.
She concentrated and realized with a jolt that the sword light was coming directly at her.
Her eyes narrowed, and she drew her admonishment ruler in return. Stomping her feet, she charged towards the direction of the sword light.
Fighting?
She was ready anytime.
Sword Qi permeated the air, and Xu Yi's figure darted through it like a lone boat in a stormy sea.
Inside the Sect Master's Hall, Qinglian Zhenren closed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.
His items were not so easily obtained.
An hour later, Xu Yi split the diagonally slanted Frost Sword with a sweep of her ruler, panting, "Can we, can we rest for a bit before continuing?"
Bei Xinghan's expression remained unchanged. His answer to Xu Yi was another burst of sword energy.
Xu Yi narrowly dodged the sword energy, lamenting her misfortune internally.
This Bei Xinghan was like a puppet that only knew how to practice sword. No matter what she said, he showed no reaction.
She took a deep breath, her eyes sharp. Since words wouldn't work, she would have to force him into submission.
Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!
The deafening roars sounded again!
...
"Senior Sister Xu, where have you been these past few days?"
Long Haotian and the other two waited outside Xu Yi's room for two hours before finally seeing the姗姗 returning Xu Yi, looking astonished.
Xu Yi's eyes were now dark circles, and she swayed as she walked, feeling as if her spirit and energy had been drained by something.
"Ah, it's you guys."
Xu Yi lifted her eyelids, nodded at the three, pushed open her room door, walked to the bed, and fell onto it.
So tired.
"Senior Sister Xu, what exactly did you go do?"
Chen Tao scratched his head. Xu Yi looked like he did when he first started mining in that secret realm. He exclaimed in shock, "You weren't tricked into mining, were you?"
Xu Yi, with her face buried in the bed: ...
Long Haotian and Wang Yian, suddenly attacked by dead memories: ...
Chen Hao Tian belatedly realized that the Xuanqing Sect did indeed have several spirit stone mines hidden away, but they were usually guarded by elders of high seniority. How could they possibly let Xu Yi get close?
Not to mention that Xu Yi was full of schemes; how could she be tricked?
He didn't feel embarrassed about his foolishness and asked again, "Then why are you so exhausted?"
Xu Yi shot up from the bed, looking at the three with a solemn expression, "Do you think there's a possibility that your Senior Brother Bei isn't actually human?"
The Xuanqing Sect trio froze for a moment, then tacitly understood the implication of Xu Yi's words.
Chen Tao: "Although Senior Brother Bei's personality is a little cold, he's quite a good person."
Wang Yian: "Senior Sister Xu is joking."
Only Long Haotian sneered, "He is human, but his blood is cold, and his heart is cold. Only his outward appearance resembles a person."
Xu Yi heard the resentment in Long Haotian's tone and realized there must be a story between him and Bei Xinghan.
She sat up straighter and asked curiously, "Come on, tell me, what happened between you?"
Chen Tao and Wang Yian also quietly pricked up their ears.
They had known Long Haotian for many years and knew he had always disliked Bei Xinghan, but they didn't know the specific reason.
"There's nothing to say between him and me."
Long Haotian's expression grew uglier.
Xu Yi touched her chin, thinking to herself, "Long Haotian's resentment runs deep."
She crossed her arms and said lazily, "If you don't tell me, then I won't tell you where I've been."
"You're threatening me again!" Long Haotian exclaimed in exasperation.
Chen Tao and Wang Yian quickly stepped forward, one on each side, to appease him quietly, implying that Xu Yi's personality was inherently bad and that he should have gotten used to it by now.
Xu Yi: ...
I'm right here, couldn't you two whisper when you talk badly about me?
Ultimately, Long Haotian's curiosity suppressed his awkwardness.
"Actually, there's really nothing between him and me..."