The person before him was, in fact, the little girl who had once given Dongfang Mingyue a headache, Dugu Ling.
Dugu Ling had heard the news about Ye Cangtian and had specifically come to greet him.
Her words caused Dracula's expression to darken instantly. It was clear that Ye Cangtian knew this girl, which meant he couldn't make a move.
The next moment, he snorted coldly, turned, and left.
Dugu Ling made a few punches towards Dracula's receding back before speaking, "Brother Ye, Ling'er isn't being difficult. Ling'er specifically came to escort you to the Dugu family..."
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly. Because of Dugu Ling, he had some acquaintance with Dugu Changfeng.
Now that he had returned to Wucheng, it was only natural for him to visit.
With that thought, Ye Cangtian said, "Alright, after I've settled the team, I'll accompany you home for a visit."
Listening to Ye Cangtian's words, Dugu Ling smiled mischievously, "Heh, I'm afraid you won't be settled even by this time tomorrow."
"Hm? Why?"
Ye Cangtian was taken aback and asked.
Dugu Ling didn't conceal anything and directly replied, "Affected by you, all the inns in the city are full. These people can only sleep on the streets."
Oh?
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian burst into laughter.
He naturally knew the purpose of those who had occupied the inns – it was to follow them on their adventure and perhaps gain some benefits.
But now that the main force's rooms were snatched by them, it was rather amusing.
"It's fine. These are all elites of the Guangming Hall. Enduring wind and dew is commonplace for them."
Ye Cangtian waved his hand, then called Yang Chen and Lan Yue to his side. He then said loudly, "Dracula, did you hear that? I'm going to see an old friend now. You find your own place to settle!"
After speaking, Ye Cangtian didn't wait for Dracula's reply. He changed to his warhorse and left with Dugu Ling.
That scoundrel!
Watching Ye Cangtian's departing back, Dracula gritted his teeth in hatred.
They had agreed to rest in the city for a night, but Ye Cangtian had left the team and was going out with his subordinates. How could he not be angry?
Just then, Brandon walked up and asked, "My lord, all the inns in the city are full. What should we do?"
"Hmph! What else can we do? Follow Ye Cangtian!"
Dracula said fiercely. He wasn't stupid. Dugu Ling, at such a young age, had already reached the Earth level, and there was definitely a force behind her that couldn't be ignored.
Since that was the case, he might as well follow them. It couldn't be worse than them having food and accommodation, could it?
...
Dugu Family Mansion.
Ye Cangtian and his group slowly arrived with Dugu Ling. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard hearty laughter.
In an instant, Dugu Changfeng flashed before them.
He sized up Ye Cangtian and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder, saying, "Good lad, how long has it been since we last met, and you've already reached a point where even I can't gauge your depth!"
"Haha, you jest, senior."
Ye Cangtian chuckled and walked into the room with Dugu Changfeng.
Dugu Changfeng was extremely enthusiastic towards Ye Cangtian. If it weren't for Ye Cangtian before, the Dugu family might have been usurped by villains.
Dugu Changfeng had always remembered this kindness.
"Report!"
After they had chatted for a while, a voice announcing a report came.
A servant of the Dugu family walked in and said, "Patriarch, people from the Guangming Hall have followed. They wish to stay at the Dugu residence for one night. What do you think?"
Hearing the servant's voice, Dugu Changfeng's brows visibly furrowed.
Although his location was very far from the hidden city entrance, he had heard about how the Hidden Group had sacrificed countless people to keep the Guangming Hall out.
Therefore, he also harbored great hatred for the Guangming Hall.
However, now that the Guangming Hall was cooperating with Ye Cangtian, he couldn't directly order them to be driven away. He could only look at Ye Cangtian and ask, "Lad, what do you think of this matter?"
"Letting them stay would disturb the Dugu family, which is naturally inappropriate."
"I think it's fine to find an empty spot in the bamboo forest for them to settle. As for food and drink, there's no need to concern yourselves; they won't starve to death!"
Ye Cangtian said with a half-smile.
Upon hearing this, Dugu Changfeng burst into laughter. He then looked at the guards and said, "Did you hear that? Go and make the arrangements!"
As he spoke, Dugu Changfeng looked at Ye Cangtian, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Lad, actually, this time, I have another impertinent request."
Hm?
Ye Cangtian looked at him curiously and then made a gesture of invitation.
Seeing this, Dugu Changfeng braced himself and said, "It's like this, I want Ling'er, along with some elite disciples from the family, to go out and experience the world with you."
"This..."
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian revealed a troubled expression.
He could feel Dugu Ling's aura; she had indeed reached Earth level cultivation.
Moreover, Dugu Ling had not relied on any medicinal pills, which demonstrated her talent.
But talent didn't mean she could go on an adventure with him!
After all, in this adventure, the weakest among them were the cardinal bishops of the Guangming Hall.
Most importantly, Ye Cangtian was quite certain that the majority of these nearly a hundred cardinal bishops belonged to the cannon fodder category, and ultimately, there would be no survivors.
In such a situation, how could he dare to take Dugu Ling along?
With that thought, he looked at Dugu Changfeng and slowly said, "Senior, it's not that I want to refuse you, but this operation is too dangerous. Even we cannot guarantee a one hundred percent chance of returning alive."
"It's alright, life and death are predestined, wealth and honor are in heaven!"
"And I believe that only by experiencing life and death can one truly grow."
Dugu Changfeng gritted his teeth, and his gaze became firmer.
Hm?
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian sensed something was amiss. Dugu Ling was the only daughter of the Dugu family, the undisputed beloved pearl, doted upon.
Why would Dugu Changfeng want to let Dugu Ling take such a great risk?
In other words, even for Dugu Ling's training, there was no need for her to risk accompanying him; she could simply go to the Hidden Group and find any exploration mission!
With that thought, he looked at Dugu Changfeng and said, "Senior, if you have any unspoken difficulties, please state them directly!"
"Alright, I'll tell you the truth. The younger generation of the Dugu family has grown up, but I cannot give them a better future."
"Therefore, letting them adventure with you might allow them to obtain some medicinal pills to help them break through..."
Dugu Changfeng glanced at Ye Cangtian, remained silent for a moment, and finally spoke slowly.
"Senior, you are not telling the truth! If that is the case, please forgive me for being unable to help!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at him and said indifferently.
He believed that the younger generation of the Dugu family had grown up, but he absolutely did not believe the latter part of his statement.
The reason was simple: if the elites of the Dugu family followed him, it would be equivalent to sending them to their deaths, and very few would return alive.
After all, those elites had not yet reached Earth level cultivation. With such strength, even if he had the intention to protect them, it would be difficult to ensure their safety.
And Ye Cangtian did not believe that Dugu Changfeng could not have considered all of this, thus he was certain that Dugu Changfeng had another purpose.
Alas!
Under Ye Cangtian's interrogation, Dugu Changfeng finally sighed. He slowly said, "It's Chang Snake, Chang Snake from the Snake Hall of the Five Poisons Sect."
Dugu Changfeng gritted his teeth and explained. The Five Poisons Sect, relying on its powerful influence, wanted to forcibly annex the Dugu family.
However, Dugu Changfeng had led his men and repelled them several times.
Although they had repelled the enemy, the Dugu family still suffered many casualties, and many were poisoned. The situation was not good, to say the least.
It was for this reason that Dugu Changfeng decided to have Dugu Ling lead the Dugu family's elites to temporarily leave the family, and Ye Cangtian was clearly a very suitable person to entrust them to.
Five Poisons Sect?
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian's expression became solemn.
He knew that the Five Poisons Sect had defected to Chen Yi, but Chen Yi had not informed him that they had already made a move on the Dugu family before his death.
Could all of this be the spontaneous action of the Five Poisons Sect?
With this thought, Ye Cangtian looked at Dugu Changfeng and asked, "Senior, are there many people in the family who have been poisoned?"
"There are more than twenty people in the family who have been poisoned. Their symptoms are relatively stable..."
Dugu Changfeng briefly described the condition of the poisoned individuals.