Sovereign Yue's gaze frequently swept towards Xiao Man, his eyes holding an unreadable glint. Upon observing Yue Ran's solicitous attention towards Xiao Man, the glint in his eyes grew even more somber.
Jin Ling had been in a state of confusion ever since he discovered Xiao Man was a woman. The master he had addressed for so long was actually a beautiful girl, and he had never realized it!
"Yan Yuqing, did you know she was a girl?" Jin Ling asked Yan Yuqing, who sat beside him.
"You didn't?" Yan Yuqing questioned in shock. "You really didn't know?"
Jin Ling was so taken aback by the counter-question that he didn't know how to respond. He truly hadn't known! But it seemed rather inexcusable not to have known.
"She didn't tell me," Jin Ling said dryly. "Besides, what does it matter if she's a girl? It doesn't change the fact that she's powerful, and she's my boss."
Yan Yuqing glanced at Jin Ling with admiration. Covering his mouth with his wine cup, he lowered his voice. "I have a feeling something is going to happen today. Let's be careful."
"Something's going to happen?" Jin Ling glanced at Wen Ting, who was provocatively glaring. He thought to himself, how could it not? Their boss always avenged grievances. Wen Ting had played such a trick on her, how could she let him leave unharmed? A fight would be inevitable.
"Yes, something big will happen." Yan Yuqing's gaze fell on Madam Yue, seated at the head of the table, his expression odd. His mind was filled with doubt. He looked towards Xiao Man, but Xiao Man hadn't looked his way at all, nor had she looked at Madam Yue. Instead, Madam Yue kept glancing at her uneasily.
"Happy birthday." Yue Ran presented the gift he had prepared earlier to Xiao Man. "My wish has come true, now it's time to fulfill yours. Don't worry, I will definitely help you find your mother."
Xiao Man glanced at Yue Ran. "No need."
"Why?" Yue Ran asked, confused. Why was there no need?
"Because I don't want to look anymore," Xiao Man said slowly. "A'Ran, I have to leave."
"Leave?" Yue Ran leaned forward nervously. "Where are you going? When will you be back?"
"To where I should go." Xiao Man looked up, her gaze meeting Sovereign Yue's. His eyes held a cold, bloodthirsty gleam, as if Xiao Man were a lamb awaiting slaughter.
"Xiao Qin, I hope you can stay at the Sky Sword Sect," Sovereign Yue's deep voice resonated. "After all, you are the first to pass the Purgatory Tower."
"Thank you for your kind offer, Sovereign Yue. However, I am used to a free and unrestrained life and dislike rules. After A'Ran's birthday, I will take my leave." Xiao Man looked at Yue Ran. "I came to the Sky Sword Sect this time to see him."
"You and Ran'er have a good relationship, and I've heard you have nowhere to go..."
"Sovereign Yue, that's not quite right. How could she have nowhere to go?" Wen Ting interjected. "The gates of my Myriad Beast Sect are always open to her."
Wen Ting's voice reached Xiao Man's ears: "There are many experts outside the Divine Martial Hall, not to mention those at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. What did you do?"
Xiao Man looked at Wen Ting but saw him remain silent. He must have used telepathic communication, which only she could hear.
Wen Ting toyed with his wine cup, his gaze fixed on the area outside the Divine Martial Hall. He noticed that the hidden powerhouses were all staring at Xiao Man, as if she were their prey.
Xiao Man released her divine sense and indeed, the Divine Martial Hall was surrounded. Leading the charge were several Nascent Soul stage experts. What was Yue Tianxia trying to do? Who was his target? Was it the attendees of the birthday banquet or herself, who had just emerged from the Purgatory Tower?
Jin Ling also sensed something was amiss and quietly tugged on Yan Yuqing's sleeve. "Yan Yuqing, something's not right."
"I noticed," Yan Yuqing whispered. "Is it aimed at her?"
"Ever since boss appeared in the Divine Martial Hall, the place has been surrounded. It's likely aimed at her," Jin Ling prepared for the worst. "Today, I'm afraid we won't be able to resolve this peacefully."
"What exactly does Yue Tianxia want?" Yan Yuqing's brow furrowed. His gaze fell on Madam Yue at the head of the table. Xiao Man suspected Yue Tianxia had captured her mother, yet now her mother was Yue Tianxia's wife and had a son with him, who was only two years younger than Xiao Man. If Yue Tianxia was truly the mastermind, they were all likely to be trapped here today!
The banquet was drawing to a close, yet no one departed. Sovereign Yue wasn't in a hurry; he was merely waiting for Yue Ran's coming-of-age ceremony to conclude before dealing with other matters. After all, a coming-of-age ceremony happens only once in a lifetime, and he didn't want to leave Yue Ran with any regrets.
"The coming-of-age ceremony of my son has come to a successful conclusion. Thank you all for gracing us with your presence." Yue Tianxia rose. "Next, my sect has some private matters to attend to. I ask that all fellow cultivators do not interfere."
"Since Sovereign Yue needs to handle private matters, should we perhaps excuse ourselves?" Sang Hua inquired. After all, the attendees were all younger generation disciples, and it was proper for them to withdraw when the elders handled private affairs.
"No need." Yue Tianxia dared not let anyone leave. If Xiao Man escaped amidst the chaos, it would be difficult to capture her. "Guards, apprehend her."
At Sovereign Yue's command, guards filed in, led by the Grand Elder and the Enforcement Elder, who had left midway through.
As the guards surrounded Xiao Man, Madam Yue and Yue Ran's expressions changed.
"Father, what is this?" Yue Ran asked, bewildered.
"Young Sovereign, come back quickly," Elder Ping called out urgently.
Yue Ran faltered slightly, glancing at Xiao Man beside him, then turned to Sovereign Yue. "Father, what are you doing?"
"Apprehend her."
"Who dares to touch her!" Yue Ran immediately stepped in front of Xiao Man. "Father, why are you arresting her?"
"Yue Ran, step aside. She touched something she shouldn't have," Yue Tianxia said coldly. "Move aside."
"I won't!" Yue Ran insisted stubbornly. "I know her; she's always been sensible. She would never touch something she shouldn't have!"
"Why don't you ask her if she indeed touched something she shouldn't have?" Sovereign Yue looked at Xiao Man and said slowly.
"Husband!" Madam Yue grabbed Yue Tianxia's arm. "It's just children playing, there's no need for such a fuss. Xiao Qin, you are a good child. If you took something, just put it back, and the Sovereign won't make things difficult for you."
Xiao Man gazed at Madam Yue quietly, her voice melancholic. "Based solely on his word, with no evidence and no witnesses, you have already convicted me and believe I took something I shouldn't have? In your eyes, am I such an unbearable person?"
Madam Yue's heart skipped a beat. She had truly lost her head, convicting without proof. "No, I just meant it's a small matter, right, husband?"
"Wife, you are tired. Go back and rest. Today's matters are of great importance," Sovereign Yue comforted Madam Yue and had someone escort her back, fearing she might be agitated and recall things she shouldn't.