"You actually dare to become public enemies of the continent. Once this news spreads, you will be hunted by all factions."
"At that time, let alone this half-human, even your entire group will not escape. Every single one of you will die without a burial place."
Long Xuan spoke her mind, feeling an immense sense of release, and burst into hearty laughter.
Her appearance and attire were originally of a sweet style, but it was estimated that due to her recent inability to find Shen Xiaoyan and others, her accumulated anger, coupled with the many events that had transpired today, had dealt her various blows.
She had already fallen into despair, but unexpectedly, she had found a way out of her predicament.
Her excitement manifested as a touch of madness.
Shen Xiaoyan couldn't help but interject, "Are you really sure you can get out and spread this news?"
"Even if you manage to get out alive, who would believe what you say?"
"Do you think because you are the daughter of a Grand Elder of the Sun Heat Sect, people will believe your words? You are not the Sect Master's daughter, so you really think your single word can tip the scales?"
"And who told you he is a half-human? Just because you say so? Proof?"
Shen Xiaoyan's series of questions left Long Xuan speechless.
She had simply not thought that far ahead.
"But he is a half-human, I recognize his face. And on that day at the auction, so many people saw it. You can even go to the Sacred Language Auction House to verify. Everyone there can testify."
Listening to Long Xuan's words, Shen Xiaoyan wanted to say, little sister, don't be too naive.
Even if what she said was true, her current words truly matched her face.
"Enough, you shut up."
Long Hao really couldn't listen anymore.
Although Long Xuan always refused to acknowledge him as her brother, he did not want to have such a foolish sister.
But hearing her nonsensical words, he truly wanted to give her two resounding slaps.
However, Long Xuan did not accept his good intentions at all. She roared at Long Hao, "What are you yelling at me for? Don't forget, I am the young lady, and you are merely my head steward!"
Upon hearing this, Long Hao sneered, "Fine, since I am the head steward, then I will do what I am supposed to do."
With that, he stopped arguing with Zheng Wei, retracted his hand, and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Long Xuan's face paled, "Where are you going?"
"Since I am the head steward, naturally I will be your head steward. If I don't go back home, how can I manage?"
Long Hao's tone was filled with sarcasm, making Long Xuan's chest burn with anger, but she dared not continue.
If Long Hao really left, she would be in grave danger today.
She truly regretted her previous defiance towards Long Hao, secretly telling Bai Ge'er about Yi Zixie, and then believing Bai Ge'er's words to come here and cause trouble for Yi Zixie.
Not only did she fail to cause trouble, but she also ended up implicating herself.
Only now did she understand what it meant to try to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice.
"Don't go, if you leave like this, how will you..."
"How will you explain to your father?"
Long Hao asked, slowly turning to look at Long Xuan, "It would be easier if I simply didn't come back."
Hearing Long Hao say this, Long Xuan finally became truly anxious.
She had always been complacent because Long Hao desperately wanted Long Ting's recognition.
But if Long Hao gave up this idea, he would leave.
The Sacred Spirit Continent was vast, and with his current abilities, he could forge a path for himself. Why would he endure such humiliation here?
Realizing this, Long Xuan's expression gradually changed.
"Long Hao, you... you won't abandon me alone, will you?"
The person who had always ordered her around had suddenly softened her attitude, leaving even Long Hao a bit flustered.
However, he still said coldly, "Your attitude has changed quite quickly. However, it seems you've forgotten our current predicament. It's not as simple as us saying we'll leave."
By the end of his sentence, Long Hao's tone was quite pleased.
Although they couldn't leave anyway, being able to make Long Xuan yield to him was indeed something that put him in a good mood.
Long Xuan realized she had been played by Long Hao and was exasperated.
Just as she was about to say something else, she was interrupted by Yi Zixie.
"Alright, we've watched you siblings bicker for half the day. Have you said all you needed to say? Now, we should discuss matters between ourselves."
With that, Yi Zixie looked back and forth between Long Hao and Long Xuan's faces. "If you want to leave alive, it's very simple. We can escort you home directly, or rather, back to the Sun Heat Sect. Saying it this way should be clearer."
Long Xuan's eyes lit up upon hearing this. She hadn't expected there to be room for negotiation.
Long Hao, however, was not as joyous. Yi Zixie saying this clearly meant he had conditions.
As expected, Yi Zixie stated his conditions directly.
"We will accompany you back to the Sun Heat Sect."
"You are originally from the Sun Heat Sect, so you can go back whenever you want. There's no need to explain yourself to us," Long Hao said coolly.
Long Xuan, however, glanced at Long Hao, then smiled at Yi Zixie and said, "Since we are all fellow disciples and are all returning, why don't we travel together? That way, we can look out for each other."
Long Hao rolled his eyes.
Look out for each other, my foot!
Entering the space-time transmission gate from Ying City would take them directly to a city closest to the Sun Heat Sect.
From that city to the Sun Heat Sect was only half a day's journey.
Adding it all up, it was less than a day's journey. What kind of looking out for each other was needed?
Yi Zixie, however, was very pleased with Long Xuan's words, nodding with a smile and saying, "I didn't expect that even though Madam Long Xuan is young, she is so clever and perceptive. She understands immediately."
Although Yi Zixie's words sounded like a compliment, everyone knew that Yi Zixie was not complimenting Long Xuan.
Yet Long Xuan acted happy, as if she hadn't noticed at all.
"Thank you for the compliment. In terms of age, although you are much older than me, in terms of seniority, we are of the same generation. I will call you 'Big Brother,' Brother Yi Zixie. When shall we depart? You haven't been back for many years, and your father and mother must be very worried. Why don't we leave now?"
Listening to Long Xuan's words, Shen Xiaoyan had to admire her.
To escape their company as soon as possible, she had thrown all pretense of dignity away.
Shen Xiaoyan turned to look at Yi Zixie and saw him smiling lightly. "Since that's the case, then we shall bid farewell to the Fort Master and leave early."
Long Xuan was overjoyed upon hearing this.
Regardless of anything else, she would return to the Sun Heat Sect first. Once she got back, she would immediately tell her father about these matters, and her father would surely avenge her.
Looking at Long Xuan's expression, Shen Xiaoyan and the others could guess her thoughts without even needing to ask.
However, some people just enjoyed indulging in their own beautiful dreams.
Shen Xiaoyan and the others bid farewell to Wu Yihao, and Wu Yihao generously said goodbye to them.
Upon learning the identities of Yi Zixie and Namuzhong, he knew that Shen Xiaoyan and the others would not be staying here for long. However, he hadn't expected them to leave so soon.
Wu Shuai felt a slight reluctance in his heart, but he also knew that they were not on the same path and would eventually part ways. He forced a smile and said goodbye to Shen Xiaoyan and the others.
Looking at the awkward expression on Wu Shuai's face, Shen Xiaoyan found it a little amusing.
Although Wu Shuai's reputation in Ying City was not very good, Shen Xiaoyan still felt that he was a rather lovable person.
Such a spirited person had his own path to follow.
The current parting might not be a final one.
Perhaps they would meet again in the near future.
Shen Xiaoyan took out a space ring and gave it to Wu Yihao. Seeing Wu Yihao's puzzled expression, she explained, "This contains some celestial vegetables, as a thank you for the care the Fort Master has given me during this time, and also thank you, brother Wu."
Wu Shuai's eyes lit up instantly at this, but then his face fell.
"Madam Zheng, why did you give it to my father and not to me?"
Shen Xiaoyan laughed heartily, "What's the difference between giving it to you and giving it to the Fort Master? Don't you eat together?"
"That's true, but..."
"No more 'buts'." Wu Yihao sternly interrupted Wu Shuai's words. Then, turning to Su Yiyu, his face was once again full of smiles, "Madam Zheng, you are too kind. If you ever return to Ying City, you must stay at the Fort Master's mansion, so I can fulfill my duties as a host."
Wu Yihao felt truly embarrassed.
Just as he was planning to entertain Shen Xiaoyan and the others properly, these events had occurred before they had even settled in.
Since they had decided to leave, Shen Xiaoyan and the others did not delay any further.
Wu Shuai escorted Shen Xiaoyan and the others to the entrance of the teleportation array and was about to pay the crystal coins for Shen Xiaoyan and the others to use the teleportation array.
Shen Xiaoyan quickly stopped him. Wu Shuai, however, said with dissatisfaction, "Are you not considering me a friend? This is also my gesture of goodwill."
Shen Xiaoyan shook her head and generously looked at Long Xuan, but said to Wu Shuai, "We naturally know that this is brother Wu's kind intention, but with Miss Long here, we are escorting Miss Long back to the Sun Heat Sect. We cannot possibly pay for ourselves, can we, Miss?"
Long Xuan gritted her teeth upon hearing this. Was she expected to pay for their teleportation?
Although it only cost 10,000 Qing Crystal Coins for one person to travel back to the Sun Heat Sect, there were already 20 of them. All of them had crystal coins given by Bai Ge'er, so they didn't need her to pay.
But Shen Xiaoyan and their group also had six people, which amounted to 60,000 Qing Crystal Coins.
Even if she had the money, she was unwilling to be such a fool.
Turning to look at Long Hao, Long Xuan prepared to have Long Hao pay the crystal coins.
After all, the crystal coins on Long Hao were given by her father, and he was merely entrusted with their safekeeping.