As Ye Xuan left, the refined woman’s right hand slowly clenched, clearly itching to act.
Though Ye Xuan’s strength was formidable, his cultivation realm was low, making others subconsciously underestimate him.
Just then, Nan Ning glanced at her and shook her head.
The woman hesitated, then relaxed her grip.
Nan Ning called after Ye Xuan, “Young Master Ye!”
But he ignored her, vanishing into the distance.
Nan Ning’s brow furrowed slightly.
The refined woman stepped beside her, voice low, “Commander, who is he?”
Nan Ning paused, then said, “A guy with a mysterious background.”
The woman’s expression stayed calm, but a chill flashed in her eyes. “Why’s he so arrogant?”
Nan Ning shook her head silently, gazing out the window with a trace of worry. Ye Xuan’s origins were too obscure. She’d investigated him through her channels but found nothing.
A black-armored middle-aged man appeared, looking at Nan Ning. “Miss, is someone causing trouble?”
Nan Ning shook her head. “It’s nothing. You can go.”
The man hesitated, then vanished.
Nan Ning turned to the woman. “Keep an eye on him discreetly. Don’t provoke him.”
The woman nodded. “Understood.”
She turned and left.
Nan Ning stared into the distance, murmuring, “That sword…”
…
After leaving, Ye Xuan headed deep into the ancient city.
The buildings exuded an ancient aura, and he sensed several powerful, subtle presences.
The city had no shortage of strong fighters.
Curious, he wondered if there were any beyond the Realm of Freedom.
With that thought, he ventured deeper.
Before long, he stopped, turning to see a man watching him.
Recognizing him, Ye Xuan froze.
It was Hei Yan, from the Shen Yong Mercenary Group, his body now restored.
Seeing Ye Xuan, Hei Yan also paused, clearly surprised to meet him here.
Ye Xuan smiled. “Brother Hei Yan, what a coincidence!”
Hei Yan’s expression was odd.
Ye Xuan strolled over, grinning. “What’re you up to?”
Hei Yan hesitated, then said, “Taking a job.”
Ye Xuan frowned. “A job?”
Hei Yan nodded.
Ye Xuan glanced behind him, spotting a task board plastered with notices.
Curious, he approached and scanned them. The rewards were hefty—one task, escorting someone, offered 22 star veins!
Twenty-two!
Pointing excitedly, Ye Xuan asked, “Brother Hei Yan, this… isn’t it a scam?”
Hei Yan glanced at it. “No scam. Posting requires a 30% deposit to the Mercenary Association. If the client reneges, every mercenary would turn on them. Even the six major powers wouldn’t dare.”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Mercenary Association?”
Hei Yan explained, “An organization of various mercenary groups.”
Ye Xuan turned back to the board, eyeing the task. Hei Yan shook his head. “Can’t take that one.”
“Why not?” Ye Xuan asked.
Hei Yan sighed softly. “You know who posted it?”
Ye Xuan shook his head. “No clue.”
Hei Yan said, “The former Spirit Realm Princess. Recently, the old Spirit King died mysteriously. She was supposed to inherit, but the second-in-command, Elder Ling Tian, seized power. She fled to this Ancient Realm and posted this task, hoping someone escorts her to the distant Spirit Palace Temple.”
Ye Xuan frowned. “Spirit Palace Temple?”
Hei Yan nodded. “A sacred place for the Spirit Realm. If she reaches it, Ling Tian wouldn’t dare touch her, no matter her guts. But she’ll do anything to stop her. The princess alive is a threat—she’s the rightful heir.”
Ye Xuan paused, then asked, “The Spirit Realm doesn’t come here to grab her because they’re at odds with the Ancient Realm?”
Hei Yan nodded. “The Ancient and Spirit Realms have bad blood. The Ancients once captured Spirit beings, nearly sparking all-out war. It calmed, but they’re still hostile.”
Ye Xuan got the picture. The Ancients let the princess stay to spite the Spirit Realm but wouldn’t fight them over her.
Hei Yan asked, “What’re you doing here?”
Ye Xuan grinned, “Just looking around.”
Hei Yan glanced at him, silent.
Suddenly, the princess’s task notice vanished from the board.
Both froze.
Then a new notice appeared, still hers. Reading it, they gaped.
The task was the same, but the reward jumped from 22 to 52 star veins!
Fifty-two!
They thought they’d misread.
Ye Xuan looked at Hei Yan, who hesitated, then said, “Leaf… I’ll take my leave.”
He vanished.
More divine senses flooded the area—clearly, the princess’s reward had stirred countless powerhouses.
Ye Xuan stared at the notice, stunned.
Fifty-two star veins!
A massive sum.
Some might risk it.
Great rewards breed brave men.
Then Hei Yan reappeared. Ye Xuan opened his mouth, but Hei Yan spoke first, “Brother Leaf, our commander requests your presence.”
Ye Xuan frowned. “White Robe?”
Hei Yan nodded. “Yes.”
Ye Xuan grinned, “What’s he want?”
Hei Yan gave an awkward smile. “I don’t know. You’ll find out.”
Ye Xuan thought, then said, “Lead the way.”
Thrilled, Hei Yan said, “Brother Leaf, this way!”
He turned and left.
Following Hei Yan, Ye Xuan entered a black grand hall. Inside, he froze.
Four people were there. Two he knew—White Robe and Nan Ning. The others were a fat man in a wide robe, belly like he was ten months pregnant, and a black-clad man holding a slender jade flute, smiling faintly.
After bringing Ye Xuan, Hei Yan left.
White Robe stood, approaching with a smile. “Welcome!”
Once enemies over profit, now they had no conflict.
Ye Xuan smiled, “Commander White Robe, is this about the Spirit Realm Princess?”
White Robe nodded. “Yes.”
He sat, gesturing to Ye Xuan. “Please.”
Ye Xuan sat, glancing at the fat man and flute player, who eyed him back.
White Robe introduced, “Brother Leaf, these are Commander Fat Dragon of the Tuanzi Mercenary Group and Commander Xiao Nie of the Shen Ge Mercenary Group.”
Tuanzi Group!
Fat Dragon!
Ye Xuan’s expression turned odd. Such a quirky name for a chubby guy.
Fat Dragon grinned at Ye Xuan, “If it’s funny, laugh away, haha!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Your name’s quite… unique.”
Fat Dragon chuckled, then asked, “And you are…?” He looked at White Robe.
White Robe glanced at Ye Xuan. “Ye Xuan.”
Just two words.
Fat Dragon’s brow furrowed.
White Robe spoke, “Everyone, thoughts on the princess’s task?”
Xiao Nie laughed, “Tempting, but risky. Outside the city, the Spirit Realm will hit hard. Our groups can’t withstand their onslaught.”
Fat Dragon nodded. “Her sudden reward spike means the Spirit Realm’s up to something…” He glanced at Nan Ning.
Nan Ning paused, then said, “I hear they’re negotiating with the Ancients, but I don’t know details.”
Xiao Nie grinned, “Unless *they* join, we can’t pull it off.”
Silence.
*They* meant the top-ranked mercenary group.
White Robe looked at Ye Xuan. “Brother Leaf, your take?”
As Ye Xuan opened his mouth, he sensed something, turned, and vanished from the hall.
Inside, the others blinked, baffled.
What happened?
White Robe and the rest exchanged confused looks.
…
Outside, Ye Xuan sped on his sword. Inside him, Little Tower urged, “Young master, left—hurry, faster!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
