Guardian

Inside the council hall of the Wanxiang Sect, no one spoke. The atmosphere was so suffocating it felt heavy enough to wring water from, standing in stark contrast to the chaos and clamor erupting across the sect grounds. It was mid-afternoon, the fourth quarter of the Wei hour. Just moments before, peace had reigned over the Wanxiang Sect, where thousands of disciples among the sprawling complexes were cultivating, sparring, or laughing and chatting away in the sect's teahouses and taverns. At almost the exact same instant, every one of them heard the voice reverberating across the sky. The sound precisely blanketed the entire mountain gate, yet beyond its perimeter, not a whisper could be heard. Disciples all across the Wanxiang Sect set down what they were doing, stepping to tavern windows or walking out of their chambers to gaze up into the sky in unison, their eyes filled with bewilderment and astonishment. The very next moment, almost all of them caught sight of the enormous black eagle hovering in the sky with beating wings. Those with deeper cultivation could faintly make out the pavilion perched upon its back. Inside a towering restaurant at the heart of the complex, a group of men and women in varied attire gathered around a man wearing a phoenix crown, leaning against the railing and gazing outward. "Senior Brother Wang, what is that?" "I don't know." "To seek out the Sect Master in such a high-profile manner... something isn't right." "What could be wrong about it? That's a black eagle, a military Grade-A flying demonic beast. Not just anyone can afford to use one of those." "It's probably the leader of another major sect. The Sect Master really is a busy man..." "Senior Brother Wang is right! The Sect Master pours his heart and soul into our Wanxiang Sect, so let this cup be a toast to him!" With that, merry laughter and lively chatter filled the restaurant once more. Beyond their initial surprise, most of the sect disciples quickly returned their attention to whatever they had been doing. To them, while unusual, it was nothing of serious concern. Meanwhile, across the Duanhai Waterfall, Inside a quiet, elegant tavern, An effeminate man respectfully poured wine for a man lounging with one leg crossed over the other against soft cushions. From where they sat, the voice from atop the black eagle could not be heard, yet the young man still stared calmly at the eagle hovering in the sky, its wings spanning dozens of zhang. Seeing his expression, the old man chuckled and said, "Young Master, are you looking at that flying demonic beast? A black eagle—the flagship beast bred by the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce. They rarely leave their hands. Price is beside the point; what matters is the status it represents. That old man Hua Hong truly knows how to make money. Still, whoever is aboard must be a major figure." "A major figure indeed," the young man agreed with a smile and a nod. "And one from the Chancellor's Manor. The suppressing aura this black eagle exerts over other demonic beasts is slightly stronger; they certainly didn't cut corners on it." "What?" The effeminate man's hand paused slightly as he carefully poured the wine. Lowering his voice, he whispered, "Could it be someone from the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce? They seem to have always wanted to extend their reach into Xize Province, bordering the Wanxing Mountain Range." The young man took the wine cup and smiled, speaking casually. "No matter. The Wanxiang Sect knows how to choose—whether to choose us, or the Chancellor's Manor. Heh, enough of that. Drink." "Rest assured, the Wanxiang Sect will certainly know what to choose. Clever people are found everywhere." *** Aboard the pavilion atop the black eagle, Xu Yuan softly comforted his fourth sister beside him while surveying the brand-new pavilion with considerable satisfaction. After riding more than forty li out of the city, Xu Yuan had come upon the transport his father had prepared for this journey. Back when he had ridden atop Xu Changge's black eagle, his insufficient cultivation and total ignorance of array patterns had prevented him from sensing it carefully with his intent-soul. Now taking another look, this pavilion was luxurious to an absurd degree. Constructed from Phoenix Blood Wood laced with refined crystals, the entire building was inscribed with all kinds of array patterns—some ensuring comfort, some ensuring security, and even an array-inscribed ballista intended for offense. "Will they really compromise?" Xu Xinyao asked with slight hesitation. Xu Yuan pondered briefly, then said in a low voice, "Though they'll most likely drag their feet and put on an act at first, they will definitely compromise in the end." Saying so, Xu Yuan turned his gaze out the window and pointed his chin toward the distance. "Look, see? Isn't their sect master coming right now?" Xu Xinyao looked over as well. Two figures took to the air from among the palace complexes, flying toward the giant eagle hovering midair at a speed that was swift yet deferential. Xu Yuan glanced back at Xu Xinyao and smiled. "Remember, don't say a word. If they realize you're Xu Xinyao, your Third Brother will either have to order the sect slaughtered, or end up dying an unnatural death just like Second Brother. Be sure to remember that, alright?" "......" Xu Xinyao pursed her lips and nodded earnestly. In moments, the figures, once small as beans, arrived before them, though compared to the nearly hundred-zhang black eagle hovering in the sky, their silhouettes still appeared diminutive. Yet upon the two elders' arrival, the low, steady cries the black eagle had been making suddenly cut off, replaced by a fierce, vigilant glare. The deep voice of one of the elders drifted into the pavilion: "Your Excellency, may we ask what brings you here?" "......" Hearing this voice, Xu Yuan, seated in a plush armchair, smiled. Instead of rushing to reply, he glanced at Xu Xinyao beside him. "Xinyao, what do you think they're planning to do?" "What?" Xu Xinyao looked puzzled. Xu Yuan prompted, "We've come knocking looking for trouble. How do you think they're preparing to handle it?" Though Xu Xinyao looked heroic and valiant, the moment she spoke, her entire demeanor softened like water: "Third Brother, I don't know, but they probably want to discuss reparations." Xu Yuan flicked her forehead. "You're not stupid, so why would you think that?" Xu Xinyao rubbed her forehead, hesitating slightly. "But with us coming to their door under these circumstances, they should know what we're here for." Xu Yuan glanced at the two outside, his gaze turning slightly cold. "There's a saying: people don't shed tears until they see the coffin, and once they see it, all they do is kneel." Xu Xinyao hung her head. "Is that so?" Xu Yuan's voice took on a touch of sternness: "Lift your head up. You have to learn how to act—even if it's just playing along for the occasion, you must learn it. Father and Eldest Brother protected you too well in the past." "Oh, alright," Xu Xinyao replied softly. After a brief pause, she looked at the two elders outside and asked in a low voice, "Third Brother, aren't you going to answer them?" "Answer them? Right now, they're the ones pleading with me, yet their attitude is still so poor. How can we negotiate like this? Let them stand outside for a while first." Xu Yuan stretched lazily. "Go fetch the Chunxian wine from the storage room for me." "Alright." Xu Xinyao turned and slowly walked out of the room. Listening to Xu Xinyao's footsteps fade into the distance, Xu Yuan suddenly spoke in a low voice: "May I ask which honored sir is guarding me here? Would you care to show yourself for a chat?" With those words, silence descended upon the room. Xu Yuan sighed and was about to repeat himself when an androgynous voice rang out within the room: "Oh? How did a brat like you figure it out?" Hearing this, Xu Yuan smiled and replied, "If my father intends to groom me, there has to be a witness to relay what happens. Besides, coming here is far too dangerous. Those two outside are both second-rank or higher. If an impulse strikes and they butcher me, my father wouldn't even have a place to weep." Pausing for a beat, Xu Yuan's tone turned more solemn: "Please, come out and have a word." "Not bad at all. Hehehehe~" As the speaker spoke, the voice grew progressively delicate, finally dissolving into a seductive, coquettish chuckle. Hearing this increasingly familiar voice, Xu Yuan's eyelid twitched. Just as he was about to speak, a blur flashed before his eyes, and his entire face was buried in fragrant softness. "My dear Changtian, it's been so long since I saw you! Big Sister missed you to death~"