五月丁香五月丁香激情

As Yue Longxiao reeled from shock, he heard Ling Buyang’s voice ring out.

Turning his head, he saw the Vice Hall Master standing in the middle of the hall with a wide smile on his face.

Realization dawned on Yue Longxiao. He looked at Mo Qing again, trying to understand why he was “leaking.” Just then, a horse inexplicably appeared, blocking his view. One hoof held a rag, the other a teapot, and its massive head grinned at him foolishly.

“…” Yue Longxiao’s eyelids twitched.

He must be seeing things—how could a horse serve tea and clean?

“Didn’t we just part ways, Lord Yue? Why are you back so quickly?” Zhang Xuan looked over, puzzled.

“Well, Vice Hall Master Ling mentioned three days, but I felt that was too long. To avoid complications, I thought I’d discuss matters with you again…” Yue Longxiao explained quickly.

After delivering the message from Xie Feng, he had hurried back without rest. The stakes involving the three geniuses were far too high for him to relax even for a moment.

“Ah, I had thought of discussing it too, but my senior brother arrived and expressed his interest in taking these geniuses away. He even offered a price I couldn’t refuse…” Zhang Xuan looked troubled.

Hearing this, Yue Longxiao’s heart sank. He quickly turned to Mo Qing. With the horse no longer blocking his view, he saw the expert from Zouyi City sitting serenely in his seat, eyes closed and face expressionless. He seemed inscrutable and unfathomable.

“No wonder he’s a master at the Star River Realm! Not only is his aura and cultivation unreadable, but I can’t even sense his breathing or heartbeat… Such strength is incredible!”

Yue Longxiao grew more cautious.

In Hanyuan City, aside from Emperor Han Qianchou, he feared no one. But against a Star River Realm expert who excelled in offensive techniques tied to destiny, he felt some trepidation.

More importantly, while the man could easily discern Yue Longxiao’s cultivation level, Yue couldn’t even tell when the other breathed—a gap in strength too vast to ignore.

Taking a deep breath, Yue Longxiao gritted his teeth and spoke, “Everything is negotiable. Vice Hall Master Ling mentioned that the highest offer wins. If that’s the case, we can bid against each other. The Mo Dao Sect may be strong, but compared to our Wanchang Sect, they’re far inferior!”

Though both were titled “sects,” the Wanchang Sect spanned the entire Source World and was brimming with experts. They boasted countless Destiny Masters above Seven Stars, while the strongest figure in the Mo Dao Sect, Mo Baiye, was merely a Three-Star Destiny Master.

The difference was staggering.

Though Yue Longxiao himself lacked strength, he hoped his declaration would intimidate the other party. After speaking, he glanced again at Mo Qing, who remained motionless, his eyes still closed. It was as if he hadn’t heard anything.

What composure, what a calm mind… This was truly an extraordinary figure, a difficult opponent to deal with!

“Vice Hall Master Ling, what’s your opinion?” Yue Longxiao cupped his fists.

“I…” Zhang Xuan, unsure of what to do, hesitated before looking at Mo Qing nearby. “Senior Brother, what do you think?”

“Hmm, bidding is acceptable. However, mere Source Pool Realm cultivators are unqualified. Send someone competent from your side to negotiate with me!” Mo Qing snorted.

His voice was sharp and piercing, giving the impression that any significant movement might cause his head to fall off.

“Alright!” Yue Longxiao breathed a sigh of relief. “But I’ll have to trouble Lord Mo Qing to wait a little while. Someone from the Wanchang Sect headquarters is on their way. I’m unsure of their arrival time, but it won’t be later than tomorrow!”

The message from headquarters didn’t specify who was coming or their level of expertise.

“I’m not in a rush,” Mo Qing replied curtly and said no more.

The room fell silent. Yue Longxiao, feeling awkward, stood in place, unsure whether to stay or leave.

Unknown to him, the Mo Qing sitting before him was already dead, his demise recorded on the Hunter’s List in the Zouyi Dynasty. However, this information had not reached Hanyuan City.

“In that case, Lord Yue, why not rest for now? When your people arrive, we can proceed with the bidding,” Zhang Xuan suggested, hoping to clear the area.

The room was already in disarray, and he needed time to deal with his “senior brother.” Otherwise, if Mo Qing’s head fell off during a conversation, there would be no point in continuing negotiations.

“No need. I’ll stay here. It’s only a day or two; I’m sure Vice Hall Master Ling won’t mind my presence,” Yue Longxiao insisted.

Not knowing Mo Qing’s intentions, he decided to stay put. If he left, the other side might take the geniuses and disappear—then he’d have no recourse but to cry.

If they returned to the Zouyi Dynasty and the Mo Dao Sect, tracking them would be manageable. But if they vanished entirely, even the headquarters’ experts couldn’t search the entire continent.

Most importantly, if the three geniuses underwent a Destiny Baptism and their fate alignments were confirmed, imparting any legacy to them would become exceedingly difficult.

Seeing Yue Longxiao refuse to leave, Zhang Xuan frowned. If this man wouldn’t go, there was no way to take Mo Qing away. Sitting still, Mo Qing could barely keep his head on; if he got up, it would surely fall off…

What to do?

Of the two living people in the room, both were lost in their thoughts.

After a moment of silence, Yue Longxiao couldn’t help but glance at Han Xiao and sent him a voice transmission. “Hall Master Han, what happened earlier? Are the three geniuses still here?”

Given their good relationship, Han Xiao had shared much about Ling Buyang’s activities.

Han Xiao nodded slightly and replied via voice transmission, “Don’t worry, they’re all here. It’s just that Lord Mo Qing sparred with Vice Hall Master Ling…”

Yue Longxiao asked, “Who won?”

Han Xiao replied, “Of course, Lord Mo Qing. He defeated Vice Hall Master Ling with a single move. The crater on the ground and the hole in the wall—those were caused by him.”

Yue Longxiao frowned, puzzled. Mo Qing and Han Xiao were covered in dust and dirt, while Ling Buyang was spotless… And they expected him to believe it was Ling who got beaten?

“What did Lord Mo Qing offer that Vice Hall Master Ling couldn’t refuse?” Yue Longxiao pressed.

Han Xiao shook his head and advised, “I’m not sure; their discussions were private. But I suggest you prepare to increase your bid. The higher your offer, the better your chances.”

Yue Longxiao nodded, about to ask more, when hurried footsteps echoed. A chubby figure entered the room.

Sun Qiang bowed. “Master, there’s a woman outside asking to see you…”

“A woman? Who?” Zhang Xuan asked, confused.

Why was it suddenly so lively here today? First Mo Qing, then Han Xiao, followed by Yue Longxiao—and now a woman?

Could this be another of Ling Buyang’s unresolved flings?

“She’s wearing a veil and didn’t reveal her identity. She only said you helped her in the past, and she’s here to repay you. It won’t take long,” Sun Qiang explained.

“Repay me?” Zhang Xuan was even more baffled. Whoever it was, he’d figure it out once he saw her. If it were someone Ling Buyang had provoked, he could just smooth things over with a few words.

“Let her in,” Zhang Xuan said, nodding.

Sun Qiang left and soon returned with a veiled woman. Clad in green, her features were obscured, but her figure was graceful, and her exposed skin suggested she was in her early twenties.

The woman frowned slightly upon seeing Zhang Xuan and the others. She bowed and said, “I greet Vice Hall Master Ling.”

Her voice was altered, making it impossible to discern her identity.

Zhang Xuan nodded. “What brings you here?”

The woman hesitated. “I wish to speak with Vice Hall Master Ling privately. Would that be convenient?”

“Privately?” Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow.

Could she really be one of Ling Buyang’s romantic escapades? That guy’s abilities might be questionable, but he sure seemed popular…

“Yes. It’s a matter of great importance and urgency. I hope Vice Hall Master Ling can decide quickly,” the woman said earnestly.

“Alright,” Zhang Xuan agreed. The woman didn’t seem particularly strong, so she likely wasn’t a threat. “Please wait in the side hall.”

Nodding, the woman followed Sun Qiang to the side hall. Zhang Xuan turned to Mo Qing and the others. “Senior Brother, Hall Master Han, Lord Yue, I’ll join you after handling this.”

Yue Longxiao nodded. “Go ahead, Vice Hall Master Ling.”

Zhang Xuan said no more and headed for the side hall. Upon entering, the woman turned to face him, her eyes sharp and piercing.

“Teacher Zhang Xuan, it’s been a while,” she said.

Zhang Xuan’s scalp tingled as his eyes narrowed immediately.

Author\'s Note