Ye Anyun

Chu Xingchen seemed completely oblivious to the slight embarrassment on Ye Antao's face as he strode directly toward her.

Following his lead, the sect master of Xiaoyun Palace, Yunxiao, and a group of elders also walked over.

Ye Antao stood rooted to the spot. Watching a group of bigwigs approaching her, the forced smile on her face looked even more artificial.

Naturally, she had never seen such a grand lineup before.

Chu Xingchen arrived in front of Ye Antao with an eager expression. Looking nostalgic, he chuckled lightly,

"The time we joined hands back in Beiju Luzhou is still vivid in my mind, fellow Daoist."

Ye Antao returned the greeting once more, her tone slightly nervous,

"I made quite a fool of myself that day..."

Chu Xingchen smiled and shook his head. As he spoke, he reached out and pulled Daoist Yuyang over:

"Speaking of which, Daoist Yuyang was also present that day."

Daoist Yuyang looked at Chu Xingchen with a puzzled gaze. He had no impression of Ye Antao whatsoever, and today seemed to be the first time they had met. However, seeing Chu Xingchen slightly raise an eyebrow...

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

Ye Antao ignored this remark, simply revealing a faint smile.

Back then, the person their group had schemed to beat up was precisely Daoist Yuyang. Now, pulling the victim in and saying he was present that day...

This was a threat, right? This definitely had to be a threat!

Especially with Xu Jin sizing her up, the smile at the corner of his mouth seeming somewhat... bizarre.

Chu Xingchen completely ignored Ye Antao's incredibly awkward expression, his tone still brimming with emotion:

"How could you say you made a fool of yourself? Before today, I was still somewhat troubled, but I never expected to run into you. This must be ordained by heaven!"

Chu Xingchen placed heavy emphasis on the words ordained by heaven.

Ye Antao slightly opened her mouth, somewhat dazed, and panic welled up in her heart—whatever Chu Xingchen was going to say next was definitely not something she wanted to hear.

She watched as Chu Xingchen turned around and cupped his hands toward the sect master of Xiaoyun Palace:

"I have dealt with Daoist Ye before. I trust her completely, both in her capabilities and her way of conducting herself. For this collaboration, why not let Daoist Ye take the lead in coordinating?"

The sect master's expression remained calm as his gaze briefly shifted toward Ye Antao.

Instead, it was Yunxiao who spoke up first:

"Daoist Chu, my fellow disciple Ye is only at the Soul Formation stage. This matter is of utmost importance. Isn't this a bit too hasty?"

A faint sneer appeared on the corner of Chu Xingchen's mouth as he replied:

"Are you implying, fellow Daoist, that I would gamble with my own life so hastily? You should understand that sometimes cultivation level doesn't determine everything. But stupidity does."

"You!" Yunxiao's tone grew sharp.

Chu Xingchen raised a hand to interrupt him, cupped his hands to the Xiaoyun Palace sect master once more, and said,

"That is my intention. Whether you agree or not, I will quietly await your good news. Today's discussions have been tiring, so I shall take my leave first."

With that, Chu Xingchen smiled and nodded at Ye Antao again before calling for Xu Jin and Daoist Yuyang to leave.

In front of the main hall, only the people from Xiaoyun Palace remained.

"I do not agree," Yunxiao spoke again, looking at Ye Antao with a scrutinizing gaze. "It matters not if Chu Xingchen looks down on me, but we cannot let Ye Antao handle this."

Hearing this, Ye Antao suddenly glared back at Yunxiao without showing any weakness:

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

"Do you think I don't know what you're like? You're hot-headed and prone to acting on impulse." Yunxiao took a step forward and said coldly, "Chu Xingchen clearly has an ulterior motive. Do you have any idea how dangerous a matter must be for him to handle it personally?"

Ye Antao held her breath slightly upon hearing this, especially seeing the unconcealed anger in Yunxiao's eyes.

Yunxiao seemed to realize his tone had been too harsh, and he softened his voice slightly:

"Don't agree to this. I will deal with Chu Xingchen. You just returned, so go get some proper rest."

Ye Antao remained silent for a moment before finally nodding.

"Yunxiao," the sect master suddenly spoke up. "Why not agree to Chu Xingchen's proposal and let Little Ye take on this mission."

Yunxiao turned his gaze back, his tone firm:

"Master, she is my only biological sister!"

"Little Ye will be the leader, and you will act as the deputy leader." The sect master chuckled, not blaming Yunxiao for his tone, and continued, "After all, we are the ones who decide how the team is formed. You will be the deputy leader in name, but you will make all the decisions."

"If we make a concession first, Chu Xingchen won't be able to push things too far."

"As for the danger, you, as her older brother, wouldn't just throw your sister into a sea of fire, would you?"

Hearing this, Ye Antao slightly raised her eyes to look at Yunxiao again.

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

Seeing this, the sect master casually tossed out a remark:

"If one wishes to spread their wings and fly, they must first bathe in fire. Getting an early look at the great struggles of the world, seeing the heroes of the realm as numerous as carp crossing a river, and witnessing geniuses falling like a torrential rain—only then can a person be truly tempered. No one can truly watch over another for a lifetime."

Hearing this, Yunxiao sighed softly, then cupped his hands in agreement.

The sect master smiled and nodded, gently instructing, "Whether Chu Xingchen's purpose for coming this time is true or false, our Xiaoyun Palace must always do our best. It's fine to take a loss when necessary. Our Xiaoyun Palace is large enough to afford a loss."

"Since he bears the mandate of heaven, it is only right for him to be arrogant. But amidst his arrogance, he also shoulders the great calamities of the world."

"It's not easy for anyone. Do not act out of spite."

Yunxiao replied:

"This disciple understands."

The sect master patted Yunxiao's shoulder lightly, then said to Ye Antao:

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

Ye Antao bowed and said, "This disciple understands."

With that, the sect master looked at the elders behind him. Seeing that no one had any objections, he waved his hand lightly, signaling that they could disperse. He did not linger any longer and left the area.

Yunxiao sighed softly. "Let's go. Go get some rest."

Ye Antao turned her steps slightly and suddenly called out, "Ye Anyun!"

"If you call your brother by his real name again, I will actually hit you," Yunxiao glared at her, then said coldly. "Cut the nonsense. First, tell me how you met Chu Xingchen and why he acts like he's so close to you."

Ye Antao followed Yunxiao's footsteps alone, walking behind him, and joked,

"Naturally, it's because your sister displayed great divine might in Beiju Luzhou. Even Chu Xingchen had to follow behind me. I was so impressive back then."

Yunxiao slowed his pace, his tone softening:

"Stop bluffing. Back in Beiju Luzhou... you must have been dragged into the matter of the Incense Divine Dao. The archives and records are all there. You were beaten up and had to run away. If you really displayed such divine might, I would have been able to look it up."

Ye Antao pouted her lips aggrievedly:

"Alright, alright, your sister got beaten up and ran away, happy now?"

"I also know that it's only because I have a core disciple for a brother that I managed to sneak into the main peak and occupy a spot as a legacy disciple."

Yunxiao stopped walking, turned to look at Ye Antao, pursed his lips lightly, and then said softly:

"I just wanted..."

"For us siblings to never be bullied by others again."

Hearing this, Ye Antao froze, her eyes subconsciously looking up to meet Yunxiao's gaze.

Yunxiao had always been rumored by outsiders to be petty and difficult to approach, completely lacking the magnanimity expected of a core disciple.

In truth, perhaps it was because of those early years.

He had truly suffered a great deal.