The next morning, the sun rose again.
Ye Cangtian came alone to the Heaven-tier Cell Number One. After a few words with the guards, he walked directly to the room where Gui Wu was imprisoned.
"31 days, at most one more month..."
A sigh came from the prison cell, and Ye Cangtian couldn't help but stop. It seemed that this kind of life was making Gui Wu feel like years were passing by.
Thinking this, he pushed open the room door.
Everything came into view. Gui Wu was curled up on the bed, hugging her knees. Her face had become even more haggard than the last time he visited.
However, upon seeing Ye Cangtian, Gui Wu managed to force out a faint, calm smile.
"I thought you wouldn't be back for two months!"
Her voice reached him. Ye Cangtian slowly walked over and said, "Things went smoothly, so I returned earlier."
He paused, then continued, "I haven't forgotten what I promised you. Now I'll give you a choice: come with me to the Dark Association headquarters, or stay here?"
Huh?
Gui Wu heard this and cast a confused glance. She then slowly said, "Are you sure someone like me can survive coming out with you to the Dark Association headquarters?"
"You don't have to worry about safety. I'm here!"
Ye Cangtian glanced over. He was direct with Gui Wu and told her the purpose of his trip to the headquarters.
He intended to ask Xing Yuan for a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir. If successful, Gui Wu's strength could be restored.
But if he failed, Gui Wu would have to wait for another opportunity.
The reason he wanted to bring Gui Wu along was mainly to let her display her value, to let everyone know that investing in her yielded returns.
Of course, he also needed to prevent certain things.
For example, the matter of killing Sasaki in Kyoto before. At that time, the Dark Association and the Ninja Clan were still in a cooperative phase.
Although he had explained the matter clearly to Zi Long, and Zi Long had reported it to the headquarters, he didn't know if someone would stir up trouble after he returned.
Bringing Gui Wu along would also serve as bringing a witness.
On the other side, hearing that Po Xiao was actually going to ask for the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir for her, and that it was already on the agenda, Gui Wu couldn't help but look at Po Xiao a few more times.
In the past, she had wished she could tear him to pieces, but unknowingly, that feeling had vanished without a trace. Now, she found him somewhat more pleasing to the eye.
"Alright, I'll go with you."
"It's not like I've seen the Dark Ruins before!"
Gui Wu pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.
In her opinion, the Dark Ruins might be quite dangerous for her at this moment, but it was still better than being here.
"You should know that by going to the Dark Association, we are like grasshoppers on the same rope. You should also be able to figure out why I would ask Xing Yuan for the elixir. So, what you should do and what you shouldn't do, I don't need to elaborate, do I?"
Seeing Gui Wu's decision, Ye Cangtian's expression became serious, and he spoke slowly.
Hearing this, Gui Wu nodded again.
Although her cultivation was crippled, her mind was still quite sharp.
With this statement, she understood Ye Cangtian's meaning. It was nothing more than a warning to her in advance.
After all, who would give you a precious elixir for no reason?
Moreover, Xing Yuan was not a fool!
Therefore, the only way to make Xing Yuan hand over the elixir was to demonstrate her capabilities and to be useful to the Dark Association.
And all of this was equivalent to Po Xiao vouching for her. If she caused any trouble, Po Xiao would be unable to escape responsibility!
In other words, Po Xiao was essentially entrusting his life to her.
For a moment, Gui Wu was truly touched.
She glanced at him and asked, "Is it worth it to do this?"
After all, they had been on opposing sides before, and she had tried to kill Po Xiao several times. Now, him doing this seemed foolish to her, and she couldn't quite understand it.
"Heh heh, whether it's worth it or not, that's up to you to decide."
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly, not giving a direct answer, but changing the subject. "Since you've decided, pack up and come with me."
On the other side, Gui Wu's eyes sparkled as she stared at Po Xiao for a moment, her heart struck as if by a heavy hammer.
For something she didn't even know if it was worth it, he chose to take the risk. Was this person brainless?
However, for some reason, she was deeply touched by this seemingly brainless act.
The next moment, seeing Po Xiao turn and leave the prison cell, leaving the door wide open, Gui Wu cast aside her chaotic thoughts. She quickly tidied herself up and followed him out shortly after.
...
Leaving Heaven-tier Cell Number One.
The two of them headed straight for the Hilton Hotel, returning to Zi Long's room.
In the room, besides Zi Long, there was also a burly figure, who was Lu Thes.
Ye Cangtian ignored Lu Thes's indignant gaze and simply had a brief exchange with Zi Long before taking Lu Thes away from the hotel together.
...
Traversing the endless desert of Xijiang.
Ye Cangtian, following the Dark Association's guide team, along with Gui Wu and Lu Thes, successfully arrived at the Reception City.
However, ever since arriving at Reception City, perhaps due to the enhancement of his spiritual power, Ye Cangtian always had a feeling that someone was monitoring him.
Ye Cangtian ignored this.
In the Dark Ruins, dragons and snakes coiled. With a golden mask symbolizing a Heaven-tier deacon, he was bound to attract a lot of attention.
All of this was normal. He didn't need to expose these people; doing so would be doing a great favor for the Dark Association.
Therefore, he naturally wouldn't do such a thing.
At this moment, he had already arrived at the Reception City branch and was sitting in Xuan Forty's office.
When Xuan Forty saw Po Xiao, his attitude was exceptionally good!
Firstly, Cheng Hai had died in Reception City, and he should have been implicated.
The reason he wasn't implicated was that Po Xiao, who was then known as Xuan Seven, had resolved the crisis for him.
Secondly, the other party had already become a Heaven-tier deacon, holding a much higher position than him. It was only natural to treat Po Xiao well.
Lastly, Xuan Forty wanted to get closer to him.
He had figured it out. Po Xiao was definitely a favored individual in front of Xing Yuan. Otherwise, how could he have offended Hong Mo multiple times and still managed to keep his life, even becoming a Heaven-tier deacon?
Therefore, if he could receive Po Xiao's support, perhaps in the future, he could also gain Xing Yuan's favor, and then he would soar to prosperity.
It was for this reason that he was exceptionally attentive to Po Xiao, insisting on keeping him there and even arranging for a lavish banquet.
Ye Cangtian remained silent for a long time, and in the end, he tacitly agreed, only telling the other party that he disliked noisy occasions.
The journey was all desert, with extremely harsh conditions, and they had endured wind and sand.
He could tolerate it himself, but he was also bringing Gui Wu and Lu Thes.
Regarding Lu Thes, Ye Cangtian naturally wouldn't bother, but Gui Wu was different. He was confident in winning Gui Wu over, so he had already begun to regard Gui Wu as one of his own.
For his own people, he naturally had to take better care of them.
...
The banquet.
Since Ye Cangtian had reminded him, only Xuan Forty accompanied them at the banquet, but the dishes were quite sumptuous.
For Ye Cangtian, Gui Wu, and the three of them, this banquet seemed quite wasteful.
Gui Wu disliked interacting with people from the Dark Association, so after a few bites, she returned to her room. Seeing this, Xuan Forty's face immediately broke into a smile.
To him, the fewer people, the better.
The next moment, he raised his wine glass and said, "I heard that Lord Po Xiao displayed great power in the outside world. It's truly regrettable that your subordinate did not have the honor to witness it..."
Facing Xuan Forty's flattery, Ye Cangtian merely smiled, not showing much reaction.
He was well aware of the other party's intentions, but he didn't have the time to deal with them now. Furthermore, he didn't know Xuan Forty well and had no idea of his background, so he didn't intend to recruit him.
To avoid causing trouble.
"Your subordinate is willing to serve you diligently. I wonder if I am qualified for such a role."
Xuan Forty's words were very direct.
In his opinion, since the other party did not respond, he must not like being flattered. So, he decided to be more direct.
"That's too kind of you. Wouldn't it be a waste of your talents to follow me?"
"I am ranked at the bottom among the Heaven-tier deacons, with the worst strength and status. How could I dare to employ a city lord!"
"Besides, you are so carefree and content here, why would you need to suffer by following me?"
Ye Cangtian politely declined.