Ghost City.
After a long journey, Ye Cangtian finally brought Guiwu back to Ghost City.
After careful consideration, he decided to leave Guiwu in the room, entrusting her to the care of the Mandala sisters, before heading to the main hall alone.
...
Headquarters Main Hall.
Xing Yuan occupied the main seat in the hall, discussing something with Hong Mo, Luoluo, and Huangshan.
Seeing Ye Cangtian arrive, Xing Yuan set aside the documents and cast a glance at him.
"Lord Xing Yuan, I have returned." Ye Cangtian cupped his fists in a salute.
"Hmph!"
Hong Mo snorted. Upon seeing Poxiao's return, a fierce light flashed in his pupils.
On the other side.
Xing Yuan ignored Hong Mo and looked at Ye Cangtian, saying, "Was the mission completed?"
Ye Cangtian quickly replied, "Apologies, Lord. Your subordinate did not find a suitable opportunity, nor did I have complete certainty. He has already broken through to the Earth level realm..."
"What a waste!"
"With so many international forces acting together, you actually say there was no suitable opportunity. I think you've been traumatized by Ye Cangtian and dare not make a move against him!"
Before Xing Yuan could speak, Hong Mo on the side coldly snorted.
He already disliked Poxiao, and now that the mission had failed, he naturally had to add insult to injury and sow discord.
Moreover, he had fought Poxiao before and had some understanding of his strength, at least at the mid-stage Earth level.
Ye Cangtian had only just broken through to the Earth level. If they were to face Poxiao, Poxiao would likely win.
And don't forget, Poxiao wasn't fighting alone; he had Zi Long by his side. Given the relationship between Poxiao and Zi Long, Zi Long would definitely cooperate with Poxiao to kill Ye Cangtian.
This didn't even include other forces!
However, Ye Cangtian was still alive, which could only mean Poxiao was a waste, or that Poxiao hadn't tried his best to kill Ye Cangtian.
"Hmph, if you're so capable, why don't you go!"
"That's right, there are indeed many forces who want Ye Cangtian dead, but are they a united front?"
"They are not, and conflicts have occurred among them. I presume Zi Long has already submitted the mission report, right? In such a situation, it's already difficult to ensure the Dark Association doesn't suffer heavy losses!"
"Moreover, assassinating Ye Cangtian is not a secret. Wouldn't China have made preparations and not ignore it?"
...
Ye Cangtian's successive retorts left Hong Mo speechless.
In fact, he had already seen the mission briefing, and the situation was indeed more complicated than he had imagined.
Especially when the Ninja Clan suddenly attacked Poxiao at the end, something he truly hadn't expected.
Coupled with the pressure from Chinese forces, it was normal for Poxiao to have few opportunities to act.
However, thinking about the Ninja Clan's attack on Poxiao, Hong Mo's eyes darted, and he finally abandoned the idea of confrontation.
It was simple. Since Zi Long had reported it this way, and given Zi Long's relationship with Poxiao, Poxiao should also know the content of the briefing.
Since he knew, he must have prepared to respond to any questioning.
This meant that even if he wanted to confront Poxiao about this matter, it would likely be impossible.
Thinking this, Hong Mo quieted down for the time being.
On the other side, Xing Yuan, from the main seat, seeing that Hong Mo had fallen silent, slowly spoke, "Poxiao, if the mission wasn't completed, why did you return? Also, have you found Shangguan Yanran's whereabouts?"
"Shangguan Yanran's whereabouts have been found. She has been sent to Ruin Site No. 1 by the Hidden Group."
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian paused before continuing, "Your subordinate returned this time for two reasons: first, Ye Cangtian has come to our Ruin Site again, and second, to request something."
"Heh heh, Ye Cangtian is here again? What nerve! Does he really think the Dark Association has no one!"
Xing Yuan smiled coldly and changed the subject, saying, "Never mind, we'll discuss that later. I am rather interested in your request."
"Reporting to Lord Xing Yuan, during the battle in China, Guiwu had her cultivation crippled by Bedra, was subsequently abandoned by Sasaki, and was finally rescued by me."
"Your subordinate believes Guiwu has significant value, so I specifically brought Guiwu back and request Lord Xing Yuan to bestow a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir to help her recover her cultivation!"
Ye Cangtian recounted Guiwu's situation immediately.
Although Hong Mo was present, and he would surely oppose him on such matters, he believed Xing Yuan was a man of vision.
"What!"
"You brought Guiwu back?"
However, to his surprise, before Hong Mo or Xing Yuan could speak, Lvluo on the side exclaimed in astonishment.
Perhaps realizing she had lost her composure, Lvluo calmed down a moment later and slowly said, "Poxiao, according to the intelligence I have, Guiwu and Lusceus were hijacked in Jieying City, weren't they?
How did you bring Guiwu back?"
"You are correct, Guiwu and Lusceus were indeed rescued by members of the Anti-Dark Alliance."
"But with the efforts of various branch cities, some clues were still found!"
"We discovered that Guiwu, for some reason, fell into the hands of Ye Cangtian and the Hidden Group. Eventually, Ye Cangtian and I fought, and he fled when he couldn't defeat me..."
Ye Cangtian smiled and began to explain, fabricating some fictitious battles.
Upon hearing this, Lvluo and Huangshan exchanged glances and finally fell silent.
Seeing Huangshan and Lvluo quiet down, Hong Mo's voice sounded again, "Waste, why didn't you continue the pursuit!"
"Hong Mo, stop spewing filth!"
"Besides, Lord Xing Yuan is here. He hasn't questioned me, so who do you think you are!"
Ye Cangtian coldly looked at Hong Mo. He hadn't intended to pay attention to Hong Mo, but the repeated use of the word "waste" finally made him unable to endure it.
"Who do I think I am?"
"Very well, very well!"
"Today, I will show you who I am!"
Hong Mo spat out three "well"s in succession, his killing intent instantly spreading, and then his figure flashed as he charged towards Ye Cangtian.
He extended a claw, like a phantom, aiming for Ye Cangtian's chest.
Hiss...
Seeing this, Huangshan and Lvluo couldn't help but gasp. Hong Mo's speed was too fast. If it were them, they would likely be unable to resist.
Hmph!
On the other side, Ye Cangtian's reaction was not slow. He snorted coldly, and an Ice Flame Dagger instantly appeared in his hand, thrusting towards Hong Mo's chest simultaneously.
At the critical moment, Ye Cangtian ultimately chose a desperate fighting style.
There was no other way. Hong Mo's speed was too fast, and he made the first move. It was unrealistic for him to dodge, and if he tried to block, he would likely be injured.
How could that be acceptable? He was not one to suffer losses.
Since the other party wanted to claw him, he would return a stab, and only then would it be acceptable!
Moreover, although his speed was slower, it wasn't by much. The moment he was hit or sent flying, he was absolutely confident that he could stab the dagger into the opponent's chest!
"Hmph!"
As the two unleashed their killing moves, a cold snort came from afar.
The voice wasn't loud, but Ye Cangtian and Hong Mo's bodies involuntarily trembled, and their attacks stopped simultaneously.
The two would not stop their attacks obediently, but they found that in front of each of them, there seemed to be an invisible wall of energy.
No matter how they attacked, they couldn't penetrate this energy wall.
"Are you done playing around!"
"How dare you cause such a ruckus in the main hall!"
"If you don't stop, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Xing Yuan's gaze was extremely grim. To dare to attack each other in the main hall in front of him, and with killing moves at that, was simply showing him no respect!
"Hmph, kid, you're lucky today!"
Hearing Xing Yuan's voice, Hong Mo snorted coldly and slowly withdrew his attack.
Although he said that, Hong Mo's heart had developed a hint of apprehension towards Poxiao.
The reason was simple: during the recent attack, Poxiao had been too frenzied.
In that situation, he wasn't thinking about defending or dodging, but about a mutual destruction.
Fortunately, Xing Yuan intervened in time, otherwise, even if he didn't die, he would have been severely injured.
And for such a frenzied person, even if he had the strength to crush Poxiao, he had to be wary, as he didn't want to die.
On the other side, Ye Cangtian also snorted coldly, his gaze showing no sign of evasion, and said, "Hong Mo, it's best you restrain yourself in front of me. Others may fear you, but I don't!"
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian put away his dagger.
He naturally knew when to stop. In fact, he had already been certain that Xing Yuan would intervene.
Otherwise, the Dark Association would face the risk of losing two Earth level stewards. He believed Xing Yuan would never want to see that.