Chapter 740 - 741: Ye Anyun

Chapter 740: Chapter 741: Ye Anyun

Chu Xingchen appeared not to notice the slight awkwardness on Ye Antao’s face. He strode toward her with purpose.

Behind him, the Xiaoyun Hall Sect Master, Yunxiao, and a group of elders followed suit.

Ye Antao stood rooted in place, watching the entire assembly of heavyweights heading straight for her. The smile she had forced onto her face looked even more artificial under the pressure.

This kind of reception — she had certainly never experienced it before.

Chu Xingchen walked up to Ye Antao with an eager, nostalgic expression and chuckled warmly:

"Back in Northern Julu Continent, the time Fellow Daoist and I worked together — that memory is still vivid."

Ye Antao returned the courtesy, her voice slightly tense:

"That day I was a bit... embarrassing..."

Chu Xingchen shook his head with a smile, then reached over and tugged at Daoist Yuyang beside him:

"Come to think of it, Daoist Yuyang was also there that day."

Daoist Yuyang looked at Chu Xingchen with confusion. He had no recollection of Ye Antao whatsoever, and today seemed to be their first meeting. But seeing Chu Xingchen’s raised eyebrow...

Could it be that Chu Xingchen was making this up and wanted him to play along?

Ye Antao ignored the comment, allowing only a faint smile to appear.

The group they had been plotting to beat up back then was none other than Daoist Yuyang. Now the very person who was going to get beaten was being pulled into this conversation as an "observer"...

This was a threat, wasn’t it? It was absolutely a threat!

Especially with Xu Jin eyeing her with that evaluating look, and the smile playing at his lips seeming somewhat... strange.

Chu Xingchen ignored Ye Antao’s mortified expression entirely, his tone still brimming with sentiment:

"Embarrassing? Far from it. Before today I was actually troubled, but running into you like this — I can only call it heaven’s will!"

Chu Xingchen placed particular emphasis on the words "heaven’s will."

Ye Antao’s mouth fell open slightly, her mind racing with alarm — whatever Chu Xingchen was about to say was definitely not something she wanted to hear.

Chu Xingchen turned and cupped his hands toward the Xiaoyun Hall Sect Master:

"This Fellow Daoist Ye and I have worked together before. I have the utmost confidence in both her abilities and her character. Why not let Fellow Daoist Ye lead the coordination for this joint operation?"

The Sect Master’s expression remained calm, his gaze drifting briefly to Ye Antao.

It was Yunxiao who spoke first:

"Fellow Daoist Chu, Fellow Ye is only at Spirit Transformation cultivation. This matter is of critical importance — isn’t this rather hasty?"

A cold smile appeared at the corner of Chu Xingchen’s mouth:

"Fellow Daoist, are you suggesting I would take a hasty risk with my own life? Do you understand that cultivation alone does not determine everything? But stupidity does."

"You—" Yunxiao’s voice was sharp.

Chu Xingchen raised a hand to cut him off, then cupped his hands toward the Xiaoyun Hall Sect Master once more and said:

"That is my position. Whether you agree or not, I — Chu — await your response. Today’s discussions have been tiring. I bid you farewell."

With that, Chu Xingchen gave Ye Antao another warm smile and a nod, then beckoned Xu Jin and Daoist Yuyang and departed.

Before the great hall, only the people of Xiaoyun Hall remained.

"I won’t agree to this." Yunxiao spoke again, his scrutinizing gaze fixed on Ye Antao. "If Chu Xingchen looks down on me, that’s one thing. But this mission cannot go to Ye Antao."

Ye Antao heard this and her gaze turned unyielding as she looked straight at Yunxiao:

"Why? Just because your cultivation is higher than mine?"

"Your temperament — do you think I don’t know it? You’re headstrong and impulsive." Yunxiao stepped forward, his voice cold. "That Chu Xingchen clearly has ulterior motives. If something is important enough for him to handle personally, do you have any idea how dangerous it truly is?"

Ye Antao’s breath caught, especially seeing the barely contained anger in Yunxiao’s eyes.

Yunxiao seemed to realize his tone had been too harsh, and softened somewhat:

"Don’t accept this mission. I’ll handle Chu Xingchen on my end. You’ve just returned — go rest properly."

Ye Antao was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Yunxiao." The Sect Master suddenly spoke. "Why not agree to Chu Xingchen’s terms and let Ye-zi lead this mission?"

Yunxiao’s gaze shifted, his tone firm:

"Master, she’s my only sister!"

"Ye-zi leads the squad; you serve as deputy commander." The Sect Master chuckled, not reprimanding Yunxiao’s tone, and continued. "After all, the team composition is our decision. You’ll be the deputy in name, but all decisions will be yours."

"We make the first concession, and then Chu Xingchen cannot push too far."

"As for danger — you, as her brother, wouldn’t toss your sister into a fire, would you?"

Ye Antao looked up at Yunxiao again.

Yunxiao pondered for a moment, his gaze lingering on Ye Antao.

The Sect Master, seeing this, tossed out a light remark:

"To spread one’s wings and soar, one must first pass through the flames. Seeing the great struggle of the world early, watching the heroes of the realm rush by like crucian carp crossing a river, prodigies falling like a downpour — this is what truly tempers a person. No one can watch over someone for their entire life."

Yunxiao listened, then let out a soft sigh and cupped his hands in assent.

The Sect Master nodded with a smile and added quietly: "Regardless of whether Chu Xingchen’s purpose here is genuine or not, our Xiaoyun Hall must give our full effort. Taking a small loss now and then is fine. Our Xiaoyun Hall is large — we can afford it."

"He has been granted heaven’s mandate, and so he carries himself with pride. But within that pride, he also bears the weight of the world’s great tribulation."

"None of it is easy. Do not be impulsive."

Yunxiao replied:

"Your disciple understands."

The Sect Master gave Yunxiao a gentle pat on the shoulder, then turned to Ye Antao:

"Listen to your brother. After all, he is your only brother."

Ye Antao bowed: "Your disciple understands."

With that, the Sect Master looked back at the elders. Seeing no objections, he waved a hand, signaling they could disperse. He then took his leave without lingering.

Yunxiao let out a soft sigh: "Come on. Let’s go rest."

Ye Antao turned to follow, then suddenly called out: "Ye Anyun!"

"If you call your brother by his real name again, he really will hit you." Yunxiao shot her a glare, then said coldly, "Enough nonsense. Tell me first — how do you know Chu Xingchen? Why does he act like you two are so close?"

Ye Antao hurried to catch up with Yunxiao, walking behind him, her tone playful:

"Simple — your little sister showed off her skills in Northern Julu Continent. Chu Xingchen himself had to follow in my wake. I was quite impressive back then."

Yunxiao slowed his pace, his voice gentling:

"Drop it. Northern Julu Continent back then... you got dragged into the Incense Divine Path incident. I have the full records. You were beaten into running for your life — whether you actually performed heroically, I can verify."

Ye Antao pouted in mock grievance:

"Fine, fine, your little sister got beaten and ran away. Happy?"

"I know. I only got into the main peak and snagged a direct disciple’s spot because I had a core disciple for a brother."

Yunxiao stopped, turned to face Ye Antao, pressed his lips lightly together, and said softly:

"I just wanted..."

"For us siblings to never be bullied again."

Ye Antao froze, her gaze instinctively lifting to meet Yunxiao’s.

Yunxiao had long been rumored to be petty, hard to approach, and lacking the magnanimity expected of a core disciple.

Perhaps back then...

He had truly suffered greatly.

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