Seeing Jiang Wang turn around, Du Ruhui remained calm, continuing his words, “The Kingdoms of Zhuang and Yong share a deep history, connected as branches of the same tree. Minor squabbles are inevitable, but they won’t lead to war. What do you think?”

Jiang Wang had imagined countless times what it would be like to meet Du Ruhui, but none of those scenarios resembled this moment.

Such an unprepared encounter, so close, so sudden.

He exerted all his effort to appear calmer, more detached, forcibly suppressing the tumultuous waves in his heart, and retorted, “Are you asking me, old sir?”

Du Ruhui smiled, his expression warm and kind, like a beloved elder in the family, “Besides you and me, is there anyone else here?”

“If you’re asking me… I don’t know.” Jiang Wang shook his head, “I don’t care whether Zhuang and Yong fight or not. I’m more concerned about the demon beasts in the Qichang Mountains, and the Opening Meridian Pills.”

“Is that so?” Du Ruhui looked at him, “I see your cultivation is quite impressive, and you’ve been lingering here for quite some time. I thought you were very concerned about the conflict between Zhuang and Yong.”

“Old sir, you jest. I’m just taking a look.”

After a few casual words, Du Ruhui suddenly asked, “Who do you represent in surveying this terrain?”

Jiang Wang wore a troubled expression, “Old sir, I truly don’t know what you’re asking. Look at me, so young, you could even say I’m a child. Who could I possibly represent?”

“Then I’ll rephrase the question.” Du Ruhui remained unmoved, continuing to scrutinize him, “Where did you come from, young friend?”

Jiang Wang knew this was the crux of the questioning.

Despite the old man’s current cordiality and gentleness, he would not hesitate to strike mercilessly if he deemed him a threat to the Kingdom of Yong.

“Lingxiao Pavilion.”

Jiang Wang was concise with his words. Before someone like Du Ruhui, when forced to respond, it was best to say as little as possible, and make as few mistakes as possible.

Du Ruhui tilted his head slightly, as if contemplating something.

Jiang Wang noticed that Du Ruhui’s hands, previously clasped behind his back, had loosened. Or perhaps, he deliberately wanted him to notice.

“Mount Chiyun?” Du Ruhui asked.

While many might know of Mount Chiyun, few knew what lay within. Before a being like Du Ruhui, the secret connection between Mount Chiyun and Lingxiao Pavilion was likely no secret.

Jiang Wang’s mind raced, and he said earnestly, “Indeed, it is related.”

His eyes were clear, gentle, yet firm, appearing trustworthy. Not a trace of hatred was revealed, as if he were truly unfamiliar with Du Ruhui.

Du Ruhui offered a wry smile, “Speaking of which, I am truly curious, after all these years, what is the secret that Ye Lingxiao has guarded so jealously?”

“I’m afraid it’s not convenient for me to say.” Jiang Wang bowed respectfully, “Please forgive me.”

“It matters not, keeping secrets is an excellent quality.” Du Ruhui was magnanimous, “This old man hasn’t seen Ye Lingxiao in many years and was just about to pay a visit to Lingxiao Pavilion. How about we travel together?”

Jiang Wang knew that Du Ruhui wanted to see if he truly came from Lingxiao Pavilion. The offer of traveling together was in name only; in reality, it was an escort. If he were proven to have no connection to Lingxiao Pavilion, these vast green mountains below would likely become his burial ground.

His heart was in extreme turmoil, yet his expression remained calm, “I dare not refuse the elder’s command.”

“You seem a bit nervous?” Du Ruhui asked.

Jiang Wang gave a wry smile, “It’s hard for me not to be nervous in front of a powerhouse like you.”

Du Ruhui remained noncommittal, “It’s been a long time since I’ve visited Lingxiao Pavilion. Please lead the way, young friend.”

Jiang Wang breathed a sigh of relief and turned to fly swiftly.

Before Du Ruhui, he had absolutely no chance of escaping. Nor did he have room for resistance. He was only grateful that he hadn’t randomly named a different place.

Coming from Lingxiao Pavilion, after all, wasn’t a lie.

Flying back to the Kingdom of Yun from the Qichang Mountains, Du Ruhui occasionally spoke a few words along the way, but none of them were of any particular importance. He seemed like an ordinary, lonely old man, simply finding someone to chat with.

Jiang Wang dared not judge, nor dare be careless. He firmly adhered to the principle of sparing words, saying as little as possible and glossing over whatever he could. He painstakingly endured until they reached Mount Baoxue.

The capital of the Kingdom of Yun, the beautiful Cloud City, was located atop this mountain.

Perhaps due to Du Ruhui’s presence, before they even approached, they saw the sea of clouds surge as Ye Lingxiao stepped out from the clouds.

He glanced at Jiang Wang before turning his gaze to Du Ruhui, “The esteemed Prime Minister of the Zhuang court, what brings you to visit my humble sect?”

Du Ruhui smiled, “I heard that Pavilion Master Lingxiao has comprehended the Cave Profound realm. This old one has come to offer his congratulations.”

Both sides were very polite, mutually flattering each other.

“If you truly came for this matter, your information is rather out of date,” Ye Lingxiao smiled.

“The Kingdom of Zhuang is small and weak, naturally not as well-informed as a great sect like Lingxiao Pavilion.” Du Ruhui glanced at Jiang Wang, his words carrying hidden meaning, “You are quite knowledgeable about the affairs of my Kingdom of Zhuang.”

“Oh? What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing but joy.” Du Ruhui’s face was filled with smiles, “To send out such a talented disciple from your esteemed sect to observe the affairs of the Kingdom of Zhuang, this old one is truly honored.”

Ye Lingxiao glanced at Jiang Wang, probably understanding what was going on. However, he did not expose him, only saying, “What, are my people from Lingxiao Pavilion not allowed to pass through the Kingdom of Zhuang?”

“Naturally not.” Du Ruhui shook his head. With these words from Ye Lingxiao, he no longer needed to regard Jiang Wang as a thief.

Nor would he offend Ye Lingxiao because of it.

Knowing Ye Lingxiao’s temper, he directly skipped over the matter, sighing, “After so many years, we have become estranged.”

Ye Lingxiao sneered, “Besides being busy with eliminating demons and defending the Dao, you also didn’t forget to guide Ouyang Lie to interfere with my breakthrough. Old Du, how can we not be estranged?”

Du Ruhui sighed, “If this old one were to say that he knew nothing about it, I suppose you wouldn’t believe it.”

“Some things are not a matter of whether or not you believe them, but whether or not you can.” Ye Lingxiao looked at him, “Do you still remember these words?”

There seemed to be a story between the two great figures. Jiang Wang pursed his lips tightly, observing calmly, without saying a word.

Du Ruhui was silent for a moment, “Regardless, I am truly happy for you that you have comprehended the Cave Profound realm.”

Looking at his appearance, which was clearly a Golden Body and Jade Essence, an indestructible body, yet showing signs of age, Ye Lingxiao retracted the sharp parts of his temperament, saying, “The Kingdom of Zhuang has delayed you.”

The two men were both dressed in white, Du Ruhui in a white robe, Ye Lingxiao in white clothes. One was showing signs of age, his eyes weary, the other was handsome and refined, ethereal and otherworldly.

But Du Ruhui smiled very openly, “You are not a fish, how can you know the fish’s joy?”

Ye Lingxiao flicked his finger, and from who knows where, a fish leapt out, flying to this high altitude, falling straight down in front of him. Its scales fell off, its internal organs vanished…

He turned to Jiang Wang, “Can’t you be a bit more observant?”

Only then did Jiang Wang pull himself out of his spectator state, realizing that he was also a member of the play. He tactfully sent out a ball of ordinary flames, carefully roasting the cleaned fish.

Ye Lingxiao looked back at Du Ruhui, his smile much more sincere, “I am not this fish, but I think it must not be happy at this moment. What do you think?”

Regarding Ye Lingxiao’s wicked teasing and provocation, Du Ruhui showed no anger, only saying,

“I find joy in myself.”