Open and Aboveboard

A true Saint could summon clouds with a wave of a hand and bring rain with a turn of the palm, using their own life as bait to scheme across ten thousand years, ruthless and decisive. A fake Saint scurried about like a dog, clinging shamelessly to life, utterly clueless whenever questioned, knowing less than a mere Soul Condensation expert. Looking at the azure-clad beauty before him, her long hair drifting in the wind and snow, Xu Yuan suddenly felt that Old Man Luo was rather pathetic by comparison. After speaking, Luo Xiran stared at him for a moment before turning her gaze toward the ground below. Just as she looked, a slender figure was already flying up from the ground into midair. A red robe fluttered against the snow-filled sky, the fierce wind tracing out a flat yet graceful curve from waist to hips. Well then, wrapped up tightly again. Li Qingyan glanced at the blue-gowned woman whose face was identical to the aberrant ghost's original appearance, nodded in greeting, and said, "While this princess doesn't know what you two have left to settle, it's best not to do so here." "Quite true. I was only joking with him." Hearing this, Luo Xiran glanced back at Li Qingyan. Meeting her eyes for a brief breath, she smiled gently and said, "The formation below has completely broken down, and the underground palace can no longer keep those trapped inside. If that Saint chooses to force his way up through the rock strata, judging by the time, he should be almost to the surface by now." "Cough." Xu Yuan cleared his throat lightly and chimed in, "Qingyan, let me introduce you. This is Luo Xiran, my newly sworn younger sister." "..." Wind and snow whipped through her long, straight black hair. Li Qingyan chose to selectively ignore the rascal's glib tongue, asking with a trace of doubt, "Luo Xiran?" Xu Yuan explained with a soft chuckle, "This sworn sister of mine was a Holy Venerable of the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion ten thousand years ago. That aberrant ghost fell for her trick and mistook itself for her, sleeping for ten thousand years. Thanks to me waking her up, we managed to make it out without further mishap." "..." The moment their eyes met, no words were needed. Li Qingyan immediately grasped what Xu Yuan was trying to convey to her. Sleeping for ten thousand years meant that Luo Xiran's stance toward the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion was, in all likelihood, the same as it had been ten millennia ago. Moreover, this woman was exceedingly dangerous, requiring utmost caution in word and deed. Thoughts flashed by in an instant. Meeting Luo Xiran's appraising gaze, Li Qingyan performed a courtly salute and said softly, "Thank you, Senior." Poised, dignified, and perfectly courteous. "Pfft—" Seeing this, Xu Yuan burst out laughing and waved a hand. "Qingyan, you actually know how to do court etiquette like that? No need for such formality. She's my sworn sister, so in terms of seniority, you outrank her." "..." The corner of Li Qingyan's phoenix eyes twitched slightly. Ignoring the idiot, she said in a low voice, "Senior, Changtian's temperament has always been unruly and carefree like this. Please do not take his insolence to heart." Luo Xiran likewise paid Xu Yuan no heed, nodding with a faint smile. "I thought human morality had deteriorated after ten thousand years, but it turns out only this little brat knows no respect for his elders. No need to be polite—I am nothing more than the remnant soul of a spirit monster now." As she spoke, she paused and asked softly, "Qingyan, may I ask what the state of the realm is today? And does the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion still endure?" As expected. Unlike that traitorous Old Man Luo, his sister's first thought upon emerging was returning to her sect. Li Qingyan hesitated not in the least, speaking softly with a mix of truth and fabrication: "Today, the realm is shared between dynasties and sects. In recent months, the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion happens to have sent an envoy mission to the capital to negotiate affairs with our Great Yan Dynasty. As for the specifics..." At this point, her crimson phoenix eyes flicked coolly toward Xu Yuan. "Changtian is far more familiar with that than this princess. He seems to be on quite good terms with your Overseeing Heaven Pavilion's Saintess." "..." A hint of surprise surfaced in Luo Xiran's eyes. She was surprised both that the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion still endured and that this little brat seemed deeply entangled with its contemporary Saintess. Xu Yuan smacked his lips and rubbed his chin. "You could say we're pretty close." Luo Xiran gave him a deep, penetrating look. As if realizing something, amusement danced in her beautiful eyes. "In that case, my seniority should be far higher than yours, brat." Pausing for a breath, she continued, "And in that case, did your intelligence regarding this underground palace come from the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion as well?" "..." As her gaze bore down, Xu Yuan subconsciously prepared to spin a lie and agree, but immediately realized he could not answer that way. If the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion knew about this underground palace, with a stake as massive as the aberrant ghost, they would certainly have dispatched people to explore it. That they had not explored it across ten thousand years meant there was inevitably a gap in their historical records. With Luo Xiran's depth of thought, there was no way she hadn't considered this. She was setting a trap for him. Under the watchful eyes of both women, Xu Yuan kept his expression unchanged and bluffed, "Nope, it came from your brother." Get the lie out first. As for how to patch it up after returning to the Imperial Capital... Whatever. Old Man Luo would deal with it. "..." Paying no more mind to the suspicion in Luo Xiran's eyes, Xu Yuan spoke softly to Li Qingyan, "Qingyan, bring Muxi along. She doesn't seem able to fly. Now that we've dealt with Qi, we should leave at once before we run into the Barbarian King." Li Qingyan cast a sweeping glance over the two of them and raised no objection. Leaping downward, she returned in an instant, hoisting Xiao Bai up by the back of her collar. Bai Muxi hung from Li Qingyan's grip like a kitten, looking thoroughly pitiable. Yet the moment she saw Xu Yuan, profound gratitude immediately welled up in her eyes. Struggling slightly, she bowed. "Young Master, thank you for bringing Muxi to the surface." Xu Yuan gave Li Qingyan a sidelong glance. "Why must you be so petty?" Li Qingyan snorted coldly without a word, scooping Bai Muxi up into a princess carry with crisp, dashing grace. "As you wish. Let's go." Xu Yuan arched a brow and asked softly, "From the look of it, you know where it's safe?" Li Qingyan looked out into the endless dark wind and snow. "While you two were dealing with that aberrant ghost over the past two days, this princess naturally couldn't just sit and wait down below. I inspected the surrounding perimeter and found some special markings. Following them, we should be able to find Uncle Mu." Just as his past life had encrypted telegrams, this world possessed special identification markers for allied forces to recognize one another. The Beifeng Army... Reaching this thought, Xu Yuan felt a subtle surge of joy. Even if they couldn't reach Marquis Wucheng himself, as long as Li Qingyan had access to a military array, they would be virtually guaranteed absolute safety. Against the might of a military array, even a Barbarian King turned Saint would find himself helpless. Back when they were teleported into the heart of the Barbarian army's main camp, Li Qingyan had drawn upon only the residual power of a military array to instantly slay the Transcendent Realm Barbarian King with a single slash. While Xu Yuan remained lost in thought, Luo Xiran suddenly spoke up, "Brat, do you two have an elder nearby?" Hearing this, Xu Yuan's expression didn't waver as he smiled and replied, "Yes. Once we reach his side, the Barbarian King will no longer be a threat." Even as he spoke, Xu Yuan was observing Luo Xiran's countenance. He was somewhat worried that Luo Xiran might reject the suggestion. After all, someone capable of warding off a Saint would be equally fatal to her... "Phew..." Seemingly seeing right through Xu Yuan's thoughts, Luo Xiran sighed, her gaze carrying a hint of sternness. "A man may possess cunning schemes, but he should also stand tall between heaven and earth, open and aboveboard. Even if the dynasty behind you is at odds with my Overseeing Heaven Pavilion, I would not refuse to seek shelter by your elder's side. If you seek to put me to death when the time comes, it would merely repay the debt of you, little brat, rescuing me." "..." Her words fell into silence amidst the bleak wind and snow. Looking at the magnanimous, gentle woman in the blue gown, an admiring gleam flashed through Li Qingyan's phoenix eyes. Meeting Xu Yuan's bizarre look, Luo Xiran's beautiful eyes curved slightly. "What, you don't believe my words?" "..." Xu Yuan stayed silent for a long time before asking in a hushed whisper, "Um... you... and that old man Luo Daofan aren't full-blooded siblings, right?" "..." Luo Xiran.