Not long after, an icy wind suddenly rose, bringing with it an oppressive, malevolent aura.

Dugu Qingli instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword.

A cackling laugh emanated from the icy wind: “Where does this righteous female swordswoman come from, how dare she enter our Yanluo Dian… huh?”

Before the words were finished, they turned into a颤音 (chànyīn, trembling sound), and the cackling laugh became an obsequious one. A gaunt, pale old man suddenly appeared from the icy wind, bowing so low that his body was almost touching the ground: “G-Greetings, Lord Panguan.”

Lu Xingzhou asked, “You know me?”

The Icy Wind Elder said cautiously, “When I first joined the Yanluo Dian, Mister Ji showed us images of important allies and enemies. Among them, the appearance of Lord Panguan was one Mister Ji explicitly ordered us to remember, saying that if we ever offended you, Tan Xinhong was a prime example.”

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

The Icy Wind Elder glanced at Dugu Qingli’s hand on her sword hilt and the chilling killing intent that involuntarily emanated from her, and cautiously said, “Has Lord been threatened by this woman? Lord, rest assured, with this subordinate here, I will immediately capture this woman and offer her to Lord…”

Dugu Qingli: “?”

The Icy Wind Elder quickly realized his mistake and added, “So she was originally Lord Panguan’s jieyuhua. It was our misunderstanding…”

Dugu Qingli searched her mind for what kind of flower a jieyuhua was, but couldn’t find it for a while.

Lu Xingzhou couldn’t bear to look directly at him: “You should stick to dealing with corpses. Communicating with humans doesn’t seem to suit you very well.”

The Icy Wind Elder smiled ingratiatingly: “Lord’s teachings are correct.”

Lu Xingzhou didn’t bother to emphasize that he wasn’t Lord Panguan. He just smiled, “You were once a hegemon in your own right, and now you are one of the Five Ghost Emperors, second only to the Yan Jun. Why do you act like a small fry? Even a Panguan isn’t your superior…”

“No, no, no, Lord Panguan is indeed second only to the Yan Jun.” The Icy Wind Elder quickly said, “The Yan Jun has now ordered our Western Division to fully cooperate with Panguan’s actions. May I know what instructions Lord Panguan has for this conscription?”

Lu Xingzhou was almost at a loss for words because of him.

Even in the past, he hadn’t reached the status of “second only to the Yan Jun.” This was mainly because his insufficient cultivation made it difficult to command respect. Not to mention Tan Xinhong’s faction, even with his best friend Ji Wenchuan, he couldn’t speak to him from a superior position, and he had always been on equal footing with the various Ghost Emperors.

Now that he had left, he had actually become “second only to the Yan Jun.” This new Western Ghost Emperor truly treated him like a grand overlord… It was hard to keep a straight face.

He thought to himself that since the Yinshi Zong had such a high level of cooperation, there seemed to be more that could be done. His previous plan could be discarded, and he could think of a more direct approach.

Previously, the “Yan Jun” had taken Xiao Baimao away, and Ling Qixuan had witnessed it. Even if he saw Xiao Baimao alone now, he would assume that the Yan Jun and Tianyao Shengdi had reconciled, and would definitely not cause any more trouble. He had originally planned to have the Icy Wind Elder inquire about how they intended to use Xiao Baimao as the core of a formation, saying that the Yan Jun regretted letting Dugu Qingli go and wanted to know Ling Qixuan’s original plan.

How should one describe this plan? Ling Qixuan wasn’t a fool, so the probability of getting the truth was still not high. It was just a matter of trying.

Now that the Icy Wind Elder’s cooperation was like that of a subordinate, a different strategy could be considered. For example…

Lu Xingzhou thought for a moment and quietly asked Dugu Qingli, “Do you want to uncover the connection between yourself and Dongyue Hanchuan?”

Dugu Qingli nodded: “Of course.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “Then are you willing to make some sacrifices…”

Dugu Qingli looked at him warily: “If it’s the kind of thing you’re thinking of, then no.”

This person, even a machine, could now predict human thoughts. It seemed that the previous data fed to it was all of that type, leading to extremely sensitive reactions to related questions.

Lu Xingzhou gently coaxed: “It’s not like it hasn’t happened before…”

“Clang!” Dugu Qingli subconsciously drew her sword, wanting to hold it to his neck, but couldn’t reach out. She could only clench it in front of her: “You are my Shishu now! Even if you intentionally say it doesn’t matter about seniority, it’s useless!”

Look how stressed Xiao Baimao is… Lu Xingzhou helplessly pinched the tip of her sword and moved it away: “Where did your mind go? I just meant to create the illusion that you’ve been sealed by the Yan Jun and gifted to me. And I, knowing that the Bingyu Zong wants to capture you, and having my own little schemes, would then use you to exchange for benefits with the Bingyu Zong. This would be more believable than the original plan of having the Icy Wind Elder inquire on his own.”

Dugu Qingli looked at him suspiciously: “If that’s all it is, why say ‘it’s not like it hasn’t happened before’?”

“If I took you directly to the Bingyu Zong, something would go wrong. We must set the location at the Yanluo Dian branch, on our home turf,” Lu Xingzhou said. “I will ‘toy’ with you at the Yanluo Dian branch and send the Icy Wind Elder to inform Ling Qixuan, asking if he’s still interested in the Bingpo Jiant 体 (tǐ, body/physique). If so, he can come to the branch to discuss. This is both safe and more realistic.”

Dugu Qingli’s blue eyes were like ice, staring fixedly at Lu Xingzhou without speaking.

In reality, her mind whirled several, dozens of times, but she couldn’t find a way to refute Lu Xingzhou’s scheme. No matter how she thought about it, it was indeed very realistic, very consistent with the actions of a demonic cultivator, and Ling Qixuan would very likely believe it.

Dugu Qingli thought for a long time, then hesitantly said, “Are you sure it’s just an act?”

“Of course it’s just an act. I can’t beat you, so why would I be afraid of your divine sword if I got serious?”

Dugu Qingli thought to herself that if I really fought you, Shizun wouldn’t know who to help, it’s infuriating.

Oh no, if I said you molested me, Shizun would definitely kill you.

With that thought, Dugu Qingli’s courage suddenly swelled. She sheathed her sword: “Then it’s settled. Where is the Yanluo Dian branch?”

The Icy Wind Elder, on the side, had witnessed the entire drama. The icy melon of the Tianshuang Kingdom was refreshing, but it was also poisonous.

Given Ji Wenchuan’s attitude, the Yan Jun must still harbor old feelings for Panguan. Yet here, Panguan was openly flirting with the Tianyao Sheng Nü, and from their conversation, it even seemed the Yan Jun knew about it and allowed it to be an act for Panguan’s “amusement.”

One could only say that their circle was truly chaotic; those of us who deal with corpses truly don’t understand.

If he didn’t understand, he wouldn’t try to. Just enjoy the show. The Icy Wind Elder was very calm: “It’s in Yingyue City. Please follow me, both of you.”

Meanwhile, Ye Tinglan, who had crushed a jade talisman when her obedient disciple was in danger, was inspecting the Tianyao disciples’ foothold in the Tianshuang Kingdom with Su Yuan. However, she was still deeply worried and kept her divine sense fixed on her disciple and the man, never moving it away.

Seeing that the two of them were perfectly fine and had even followed the Icy Wind Elder into the city, Ye Tinglan was even more surprised. Her divine sense followed a little closer, fearing that they might be tricked by the Icy Wind Elder.

However, she found that the Icy Wind Elder respectfully led the two into a large mansion, arranged the best guest rooms for them, then bowed and withdrew, heading straight in the direction of the Bingyu Zong.

A large group of servants was left to attend to Lu Xingzhou and Dugu Qingli. Lu Xingzhou only asked them to serve tea, pastries, and fruit, then dismissed them all: “Do not approach without a summons.”

All the servants retreated far away, leaving only Lu Xingzhou and Dugu Qingli, a man and a woman, in the room.

Ye Tinglan: “???”

Why did this development seem wrong?

Are you two really just friends?

What kind of friend would willingly be alone in a room with a man like this? It’s not like there were no other rooms nearby. And to be so calm and composed as if nothing was happening… Could it be that her disciple’s cultivation had truly reached a state of heart like ice, almost catching up to her own realm?

Ye Tinglan perked up her ears.

“Sect Master, Sect Master?” Su Yuan called from the side.

“Wait a moment,” Ye Tinglan said. “Even if the sky falls now, don’t disturb me.”

Su Yuan: “…”

Inside the room, the incense was warm, and the hibiscus gauze curtains created an extremely ambiguous atmosphere, no wonder Ye Tinglan was terrified.

But in reality, the two did nothing. Lu Xingzhou sat at the table, calmly brewing tea, his posture elegant and composed: “Don’t be so nervous with a sword in your hand. I said it’s an act. Come, have some tea.”

Dugu Qingli placed her sword in the most accessible spot beside her and silently took the tea.

Lu Xingzhou asked, “Did you see Tangtang and Anu in the early morning?”

“Mm.”

“Are they all right?”

“They’re fine. Anu said she misses you very much.”

“Originally, I was going back after this matter was done, but then I found that things kept coming up one after another. For example, if it weren’t for your matter, I would have gone back after recovering from my injury, or even gone back to recuperate while still injured…”

Dugu Qingli said calmly, “Isn’t it rather that you’re so happy with my Shishu that you’ve forgotten about Xiazhou?”

Lu Xingzhou was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, “Qingli…”

“Hmm?”

“Your Shishu, though she has a reputation that rivals the world and leads the masses, in reality, carries too many burdens. Everything is weighing her down, and she has never truly been happy. When I first met her, I felt she worried too much. As an outsider, it didn’t matter, but since you became her disciple, I hope she can be a little more relaxed. At that time, I didn’t have any improper intentions.”

Dugu Qingli was silent for a moment, then whispered, “I am unqualified.”

“No, I didn’t say that to criticize you, don’t misunderstand. Everyone has their own place. As long as you cultivate well and live in peace and joy, that’s the best reward for her.” Lu Xingzhou refilled her cup of tea: “What I mean is, you criticize us for forgetting about Xiazhou because we’re happy here, but I want to say that being able to make her forget about Qian for this period of time is my greatest contribution to her…”

Dugu Qingli was stunned for a long time, then actually stood up and bowed: “Thank you.”

Ye Tinglan, on the other side, also stood there, completely unresponsive even as Su Yuan and a group of Tianyao disciples watched from the side.

Her beautiful eyes shimmered, so enchanting that they seemed to be dripping with water.

Lu Xingzhou then said, “Regarding your matter, the so-called use of you as the core of a formation actually cannot happen at the moment. If you go back directly, nothing will happen. It’s not urgent to pursue your origins now; you can wait until your cultivation is higher. The reason I want to investigate is not for your origins.”

Dugu Qingli looked at him intently: “Then what is it for?”

“What the Bingyu Zong plans to do could lead to chaos in the icy ocean. When that happens, the accumulated sorrow in some people’s brows… I just feel distressed thinking about it. To nip this in the bud, I must take over. To put it plainly, it’s still to make her a little more relaxed.”

Ye Tinglan took a deep breath and withdrew her divine sense.

She didn’t want to listen anymore. If she kept listening, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to move.