Chapter 555 - 361: A Great Change

Chapter 555: Chapter 361: A Great Change

"Haha, how ironic. Just when nearly everyone, including those commoners in Shushan City who fanatically believed in Ling Xiao, began to suspect that Ling Xiao was finished and the Shushan Sword Sect was done for, he appeared. With a single, vicious slap, he annihilated the Zhe Family. And that slap was also a slap in the face to everyone who was just waiting to watch the drama unfold!

He was telling everyone, ’If you want to cause trouble for me, first take a good look at yourselves and see if you’re even qualified!’ The Ouyang Family is very powerful, and their power in the Holy Sanctuary is even greater! But have any of you ever heard of anyone coming back from the Holy Sanctuary? Since they can’t return, what does it matter how powerful they are there?

Or are you saying that if Ling Xiao deals with them, he’ll be hunted by their clan after entering the Holy Sanctuary? Don’t be ridiculous! The Demon Race has been in the Holy Sanctuary for hundreds of thousands of years, and aren’t they still doing just fine? So, in my opinion, the Ouyang Family... they’re just asking for death. Who can they blame but themselves?"

Sikong Yang sat casually on a felt mat inside the tent. Between him and the man opposite was a small table laden with simple food and wine. The man across from him was an elder who looked to be in his twilight years, as if his life’s lamp was about to flicker out. He was so gaunt and withered that if he were lying in bed with his eyes closed, most people would refuse to believe he was still alive!

And yet, this was the very man who was the Clan Leader of the Guardian Sikong Clan, Sikong Tengfei!

Sikong Tengfei was over one hundred eighty years old and possessed only the power of a Sword Emperor.

Some people are simply not destined to advance far on the Martial Dao. For them, even the backing of the Holy Sanctuary’s Secret Techniques and Spirit Medicines is not enough.

However, Sikong Tengfei was an exceptionally brilliant clan administrator. Though he now appeared frail, he was in fact an iron-fisted leader. In a great clan like theirs, with a legacy spanning countless generations, there were plenty of members with greater seniority and strength than Sikong Tengfei. But one fact remained: throughout the entire Sikong Clan, there was not a single person who would dare disobey the commands of Clan Leader Sikong Tengfei!

Everyone has their own specialization. It was impressive enough for those genius Martial Artists who had reached a high realm on the Martial Dao to be competent in other areas; expecting them to be masters of all trades was simply asking too much.

Fortunately, most of them were self-aware enough not to have an amateur tell an expert how to do their job. Thus, Sikong Tengfei’s position within the Sikong Clan was unshakeable.

But even Sikong Yang hadn’t expected that a single rogue move by the Ouyang Family would actually stir Clan Leader Sikong Tengfei into action, prompting him to personally come to the Mesopotamia Grassland. This alone showed how highly he regarded Ling Xiao.

In Sikong Tengfei’s mind, ’when it came to the Guardian Clans... there was no such thing as a small matter!’

Because a single wrong decision could lead to consequences no one could afford.

"So, by your logic, even with all their numbers, the Ouyang Family is no match for this Ling Xiao?" Sikong Tengfei’s eyes were half-closed, making it impossible to read his thoughts. The deep, ravine-like wrinkles on his ancient face furrowed together even more tightly.

"Clan Leader, do you think the person favored by *them* would be some mediocre talent?"

Sikong Yang sneered, "That’s why I suggest we have Sikong Liu go to Shushan City personally. If the Ouyang Family truly dares to wage war on the Shushan Sword Sect, then we will unequivocally declare our support for Ling Xiao!"

"That..."

A troubled expression crossed Sikong Tengfei’s old face as he sank into contemplation.

’This really is a difficult decision. On one side, there’s a great clan whose power is no less than our own. On the other, a dark horse who came out of nowhere—and one who is favored by a major power in the Holy Sanctuary, no less!’

’Sikong Yang is right. Once you enter the Holy Sanctuary, it’s like vanishing into a deep sea; no one ever seems to return. But the Sikong Clan’s influence in the Holy Sanctuary isn’t particularly strong. If we bet correctly on Ling Xiao, we could elevate the entire clan to a new level!’

’Even if I never make it to the Holy Sanctuary myself, making such a great contribution to the clan would ensure my name is remembered for eternity, wouldn’t it?’

After a long moment of thought, Sikong Tengfei finally gritted his teeth. "So be it!" he declared, then continued, "This Ling Xiao is a formidable figure. Before I set out, I received another directive from the Holy Sanctuary. Our ancestors there have requested that we befriend Ling Xiao... but preferably without offending the other clans."

As he said this, a faint blush crept onto Sikong Tengfei’s old face. "You know as well as I do that our power in the Holy Sanctuary is nowhere near that of the Nangong Clan. While we don’t have to bend to their every whim, it’s best not to offend them. That’s why I was still hesitating before coming here. But you are right—fortune favors the bold! Although Ling Xiao is powerful, he has yet to fully establish himself. It is far better to offer help when it is desperately needed than to simply add to his glory later on. Let’s do this: in addition to Sikong Liu, we’ll send four more people. Hmm, two fifth-tier and two fourth-tier. They should avoid a direct confrontation with the Nangong Family, but make sure our stance is understood."

Sikong Yang smiled and nodded. "Excellent, Clan Leader. It’s settled, then. You’ve made a wise decision!"

Sikong Tengfei shook his head with a wry smile, then stood and exited the tent. A rain shower had just passed. It was winter, and even this southern climate carried a slight chill. Still, in a place that was like spring year-round, there was no true cold. The rain had breathed new life into the Mesopotamia Grassland. A fresh scent drifted to his nose, and Sikong Tengfei took a deep breath, thinking, ’This is a risky decision. I hope it’s the right one!’

...

"That girl Yun’Er is so lucky, I could just die! We all made fun of her for taking that noble etiquette elective. I mean, she’s already a noble, so why bother? But it turns out she’s a clever little devil. Noble etiquette might seem complicated, but for someone who grew up with it, it was a piece of cake. She ended up applying for early graduation six months ago and is already home now. How wonderful is that! And then there’s that pig-headed Ling Xiao, completely ignoring us. Hmph, just you wait until I see him!"

Feng Ling grumbled to Yisha. Several years had passed, and Yisha had blossomed, growing even more beautiful. She was no longer as shy as she once was, though her disposition remained as serene as still water.

She spoke gently, "Brother Ling Xiao has been very busy since he came out of seclusion. Didn’t they say in their letters that he’s done many more amazing things? Besides, Feng Ling, you were sleep-talking last night, and you said..."

"Don’t say it!"

Feng Ling’s face flushed crimson. Of course she remembered the shameful, lustful dream she’d had last night. Thinking back on it now, she felt a mix of embarrassment and sweet recollection.

’Sleep-talking is such a bad habit!’ Feng Ling thought, both mortified and annoyed. ’When I see Ling Xiao, I’ll have to demand a few Elixirs from him to stop me from talking in my sleep! If he doesn’t have any... then he’ll just have to invent them! Hmph, that can be his punishment!’

Yisha smiled gently. Knowing Feng Ling was easily embarrassed, she dropped the subject and said wistfully, "If only Brother Ling Xiao could come now."

"I know, right? Look at that crowd down there. They’re so infuriating! It’s a shame Yun’Er isn’t here, otherwise the seven of us could go out and use a Sword Array to teach them a lesson!" Feng Ling said resentfully.

Just then, a sudden wave of shouts erupted from outside. Countless voices mixed in surprise, disbelief, and general commotion, the din growing louder with each passing moment.

Feng Ling stood up, annoyed. "So noisy... huh? Little Yisha, you have to come see this..."

"See what? Don’t tell me Sister Ming Yue actually accepted that jerk’s proposal? Haha." In front of her close friend, Yisha would occasionally make a heartless joke. Though all the girls were close and stood united, it was only natural for women to harbor such petty thoughts from time to time.

"Just come here! I see that pig-head!"

Yisha didn’t register it at first. But a moment later, her beautiful, wide eyes suddenly lit up, and her voice rose several pitches. "What did you say?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down!" Feng Ling mumbled, leaning over the windowsill without even turning her head.

Yisha rushed to her side, her body freezing as if she’d been put under a spell. She stood at the window, her eyes radiating endless longing and affection. She bit her lip hard, but it did nothing to stop the tears from streaming down her face. Yisha carefully glanced at Feng Ling, only to find that her friend’s face was already soaked with tears.

"That heartless jerk..."

Feng Ling’s voice was muffled by a sob. Then she fell silent, her gaze fixed just as intently on the figure below.

...

Ling Xiao held the two women he was closest to, his heart a whirlwind of emotions. Time flowed like water; so many years had passed in the blink of an eye. Back in the Cultivation Realm, a decade or two would have meant almost nothing to him.

But on the Canglan Continent, every year—every day, even—held a unique significance.

"There now, don’t cry. I’m here, aren’t I?"

Song Mingyue and Ye Zi suddenly felt shy. Though both were intimate with Ling Xiao, the three of them had never been together like this before. Hearing his words, they both let out a soft "Pfft!" and wriggled out of his embrace. Nevertheless, both pairs of beautiful eyes remained fixed on him, shimmering with adoration.

"Who’s that person down there?" Ling Xiao asked, listening to the clamor from below. For some reason, he felt a flicker of discomfort—a feeling that he found rather surprising.

Even Song Mingyue and Ye Zi gave Ling Xiao a surprised look before glancing at each other. Ye Zi giggled. "Oh, that’s one of Ming Yue’s suitors. What’s this? Could our great lord husband be feeling jealous?"

Song Mingyue glared at Ye Zi. "Oh, please. Don’t make it sound so awful. What do you mean, ’my suitor’? I have nothing to do with him!"

Ling Xiao scratched his head, grinned, and said, "I don’t like him."

The two women were stunned for a moment, then they looked at each other and burst into laughter. Seeing Ling Xiao again, they had to admit, brought a joy that went far beyond a simple reunion after a long absence.

At that moment, both women had the same thought: ’He’s changed so much!’