Chapter 956: Meeting Xiao Xinghe

At Qingdi City, Lu Ye stated his name.

Che Zixiong was surprised. He had assumed that some soldier here had performed exceptionally and caught the attention of the Judicial Department, prompting this conscription. He never expected it to be Xiao Xinghe. To be honest, Xiao Xinghe was indeed decent, having performed commendably at Jinglan Lake Pass. However, he was still far from the level where an organization like the Judicial Department would directly come to transfer him. Especially since Xiao Xinghe's cultivation wasn't very high, only at the third level of the True Lake Realm. Why would such a large Judicial Department suddenly come to conscript him?

Suddenly, he reacted, looking at Lu Ye. "You're that Lu Yiye from the Blood Sect?" When Lu Ye had introduced himself earlier, Che Zixiong had only casually listened, vaguely finding the name somewhat familiar without thinking much of it. Now, he remembered. No wonder they came to conscript Xiao Xinghe; so this was the underlying reason.

"Yes."

Che Zixiong's brows furrowed slightly, and he felt a secret headache. Logically, with Lu Ye holding Qian Wudang's order to transfer someone, Che Zixiong couldn't possibly refuse. Both emotionally and rationally, he ought to give Qian Wudang face. Jinglan Lake Pass had numerous cultivators; one more or one less Xiao Xinghe made no difference. There was no reason to object. However, he knew better than anyone why Xiao Xinghe was at Jinglan Lake Pass. If he rashly let him go, wouldn't he offend that person? Although he was also at the Divine Sea Realm, he only came from a third-grade sect and absolutely could not afford to offend that individual.

Just as he was considering how to resolve the matter, a notification suddenly came from his battlefield imprint. He quickly checked it, overjoyed, and slammed the table, exclaiming, "This is truly good!" Saying this, he was about to rush out.

Lu Ye frowned. "What's the matter, sir?"

Che Zixiong hurriedly said, "A Divine Sea Realm cultivator from Dark Moon Forest Pass has mobilized! I must go and intercept them. You two stay calm; I'll be back shortly!" The moment the last word fell, he had vanished. Lu Ye couldn't tell if the Divine Sea Realm cultivator from Dark Moon Forest Pass had truly mobilized. Lu Ye couldn't verify this, but the timing of the opponent's Divine Sea Realm cultivator's mobilization was indeed quite coincidental. He had long known that this transfer wouldn't be easy, but it had only just begun, and the Pass Lord of Jinglan Lake Pass had already vanished.

"Captain," Lin Yinxu said. Although she was simple-minded, she vaguely sensed that something was amiss. After all, she was a seventh-level True Lake Realm cultivator; simple, but not foolish.

"It's fine," Lu Ye said lightly. The host had left, leaving them two guests behind. Lu Ye roughly understood what Che Zixiong was thinking: he clearly felt his request was troublesome and didn't want to handle it. If he wasn't willing to handle it, someone else would eventually appear who was.

"Let's go." Lu Ye nodded to Lin Yinxu, and they walked out of the main hall. He looked around, then stopped a hurrying cultivator, cupping his fist. "Excuse me, fellow Daoist, may I ask if Xiao Xinghe of Qingdi City is within the pass?"

"You're looking for Xiao Xinghe?" The cultivator eyed Lu Ye up and down, confirming he hadn't seen Lu Ye before, and couldn't help but be wary. "What's the matter?"

"I am from the Judicial Department, sent here on official business."

The cultivator's expression changed slightly. "Has Brother Xiao made some mistake?" From the way he addressed him and his attitude, he likely had some acquaintance with Xiao Xinghe. Xiao Xinghe's situation at Jinglan Lake Pass was indeed not very good; he was openly and covertly suppressed. But just as one kind of rice feeds a hundred kinds of people, some followed orders and aided tyranny, some remained indifferent, and naturally, some stood up for justice. Although Liu Yuemei held absolute power at Jinglan Lake Pass, she couldn't prevent people from befriending Xiao Xinghe. So, as soon as this person heard that Lu Ye was from the Judicial Department on official business, he instinctively became wary.

"No," Lu Ye shook his head. He hesitated, then said, "Xiao Xinghe is my senior brother."

"Oh, you're from Qingdi City!" The cultivator couldn't help but have some misunderstandings, then slightly relaxed and said, "In that case, follow me."

"Thank you." Following the cultivator in one direction, they soon arrived in front of a house.

"Senior brother lives here?" Lu Ye looked around, his brows furrowing slightly. This location was undoubtedly terrible, as it would be directly in the path of attack if Jinglan Lake Pass's defenses were breached. Moreover, his senior brother's house was noticeably smaller than the other houses he had seen along the way.

"Brother Xiao sustained some injuries earlier and should be recuperating now," the cultivator said, gently flicking his finger three times in the air in front of them. Since Xiao Xinghe was recuperating, the house's protective barrier must have been active. As the cultivator flicked his finger, a transparent light screen appeared, and ripples spread deeper within.

"Are senior brother's injuries severe?" Lu Ye asked in a deep voice.

"Not light. Our Jinglan Lake Pass launched a strong assault on Dark Moon Forest Pass recently, and many people died. Your senior brother was lucky to have survived. After recuperating for these past few days, he should have recovered quite a bit."

As they spoke, the protective barrier deactivated, and the door opened. A man with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a heroic physique, and a slightly pale complexion appeared in Lu Ye's sight. Who else could it be but Xiao Xinghe? He looked at the cultivator who had brought Lu Ye. "Brother Wang, is something the matter?"

The cultivator surnamed Wang said, "Your junior brother came to find you. I just led the way." He pointed to Lu Ye.

"Junior brother?" Xiao Xinghe looked at Lu Ye doubtfully, then at Lin Yinxu behind him, momentarily bewildered.

"What, Brother Xiao, you don't recognize him?" The cultivator surnamed Wang grew wary again, looking at Lu Ye with a strange gaze, perhaps thinking of something unfavorable.

Xiao Xinghe glanced at the long saber at Lu Ye's waist, his heart stirred, and he suddenly laughed heartily. "Of course I recognize him! Junior brother, how did you find your way here?" He had already guessed Lu Ye's identity.

Their eyes met, and Lu Ye cupped his fist. "Greetings, Third Senior Brother."

Xiao Xinghe raised his hand to support Lu Ye's arm. "We're family; no need to be so formal." He turned sideways. "Come, let's talk inside."

Lu Ye nodded and, leading Lin Yinxu, stepped inside. At the doorway, Xiao Xinghe thanked the cultivator surnamed Wang.

"It was nothing," the cultivator surnamed Wang said, waving his hand. He looked around. Seeing many eyes openly and covertly watching the place, he sighed slightly: "Brother Xiao, you must recover from your injuries quickly. Now that you've appeared, I fear the Pass Lord will not let you remain idle." If his previous injuries hadn't been quite severe, Xiao Xinghe wouldn't have had the opportunity to recuperate. But now, several days had passed. Even if his injuries weren't fully healed, once the Pass Lord gave the order, he would have to go to battle; otherwise, it would be insubordination, and he would face severe consequences.

"I understand."

After a brief chat, the cultivator surnamed Wang hurried away. Although he intended to befriend Xiao Xinghe and disliked the actions of some higher-ups, he was just an ordinary soldier within the pass and could not change anything.

Turning and entering the house, closing the door, Xiao Xinghe looked at Lu Ye with a delighted expression. "Good lad, you're already in the True Lake Realm!"

"Third Senior Brother," Lu Ye respectfully bowed again.

"I said we're family!" Xiao Xinghe feigned anger and glared at Lu Ye, then enthusiastically motioned, "Come, sit down and talk."

The house didn't look large from the outside, and it was even narrower inside. Furthermore, for the convenience of his cultivation, Xiao Xinghe had no bed or table inside, only a single meditation mat.

"When did you come to the Provincial Guard?" Xiao Xinghe asked as they both sat cross-legged.

"More than four months ago."

"That was quite a while ago... Is Elder Sect Master doing well?"

"The Sect Master arrived in Haotian City the day before yesterday. The old man is in excellent health. He just arrived and enthusiastically exchanged greetings with several old friends..."

Although Lu Ye didn't speak too plainly, how could Xiao Xinghe not understand the meaning of his words? He couldn't help but laugh heartily. "The Sect Master is still so spirited! And Senior Sister Shuiyuan?"

"Second Senior Sister is also doing very well, Third Senior Brother, you don't need to worry. Now that the Sect Master isn't in the sect, Second Senior Sister is overseeing it. If Senior Brother has time, you can just go back and visit."

Xiao Xinghe nodded. "After wasting so many years, it's time to go back and see. I wonder if Second Senior Sister will give me a good beating when she sees me."

"That's a certainty. I won't be helping you then," Lu Ye heavily nodded.

Xiao Xinghe laughed wryly. Although it was their first meeting, there was no awkwardness or unfamiliarity between them. Lu Ye secretly thought this was probably the bond of fellow disciples, just like when he first met Shuiyuan and Li Baxian in the Spirit Stream Battlefield.

"Junior brother, have I seen you somewhere before?" Xiao Xinghe suddenly showed a puzzled expression.

"Where do you think you've seen me, Third Senior Brother?" Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.

Xiao Xinghe shook his head. "I'm not sure. I don't think I've seen you before, but there's always a very familiar feeling."

Lu Ye smiled without speaking. What Xiao Xinghe saw was Li Taibai, so it was natural for him to feel an unusual sense of familiarity.

"Oh, right, I was so engrossed in talking to you, who is this...?" Xiao Xinghe slapped his head, finally remembering Lin Yinxu, who had entered with Lu Ye.

"This is my team member, Lin Yinxu." Lu Ye briefly introduced her. They exchanged greetings, and Xiao Xinghe couldn't help but be puzzled. "Your team member?"

Lu Ye's expression became serious, and he said, "I have now joined the Judicial Department. By order of the Department Head, my purpose in coming to Jinglan Lake Pass this time is to transfer Senior Brother to serve in the Judicial Department."

"The Judicial Department..." Xiao Xinghe was astonished. That's a good place. Although they often face dangers during missions, serving at the pass is no less dangerous. Jinglan Lake Pass had been peaceful for a long time, but then a battle erupted suddenly, and many familiar faces were gone. So, even though the Judicial Department had a high casualty rate, many cultivators still desperately wanted to join it. Besides other benefits, the sheer deterrence that the Judicial Department itself commanded was unmatched by ordinary official positions. When cultivators from the Judicial Department traveled outside, everyone gave them a degree of respect.

He, of course, also wanted to join the Judicial Department, but with Lu Ye personally coming to conscript him, the matter seemed somewhat unusual. After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Xinghe guessed some things and smiled slightly. "It's good that Junior Brother is valued by Department Head Qian Wudang, but one should act cautiously. I, your senior brother, will not go."

***

This time, Tang San's grasp of time, position, and distance was extremely precise. He knew very well that even with his Tang Sect secret arts and his third-rank Xuan Tian skill cultivation, the wolf demon was naturally gifted and physically strong. If he were to face it head-on, he might not be its match. Especially since he was young and lacked sufficient vitality, he certainly couldn't fight for long. If that transforming human hadn't forcibly killed one wolf demon, he might not have even acted against two third-rank wolf demons, as his own life was paramount.

However, if he were to strike, he had to hit his target.

The wolf demon was in a state of extreme rage at this moment. So, it only realized Tang San's presence when his palm had already slapped the side of its eye. With a fierce twist of its head, its maw lunged directly at Tang San. Tang San's other hand, however, grabbed its fur at that moment. Using his small stature to his advantage, he tugged the wolf's fur, changing his direction. He flipped to the other side of the wolf demon, almost brushing against its third-rank chest.

His right index and middle fingers formed a sword-finger gesture. With the Xuan Yu Hand activated, his two fingers shimmered with a pure white jade color, stabbing like lightning towards the wolf demon's eyes as it turned its head back. *Thud!* His slender fingers almost instantly pierced into something warm. In terms of physical strength, Tang San was certainly far inferior to this third-rank wolf demon, but once he hit a vital point with energies of the same level, there was no room for luck.

With the injection of Xuan Tian skill through the Xuan Yu Hand, it almost spun and slammed into the wolf demon's brain. As a result, the wolf demon's other eye also burst open instantly, and its brain was pulverized into a mush. Its roar choked abruptly as if its neck had been caught, and its strong body subsequently fell to the ground.

Tang San pushed off its body with his toes, flipping to land some distance away. This strike achieved such results thanks to his rich combat experience from his previous life. The child's slender body and the darkness provided the best cover, coupled with the fact that the third-rank wolf demon was in a fit of rage, which weakened its perception. In a direct confrontation, Tang San's Xuan Yu Hand might not even be able to break through the wolf demon's thick hide. However, the eyes were the most vulnerable spot; piercing an eye and injecting Xuan Tian skill energy meant certain death.

His feet landed, and the other third-rank wolf demon on the other side was also still. Tang San finally breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't rush to check on the human but quickly lay on the ground, pressing his ear close to the earth, listening for any surrounding movements to see if any pursuers were still coming. With his current strength, directly confronting a third-rank wolf demon was very difficult. No matter how good his technique was, his young body was too fragile. If the wolf demon managed to hit him once, it would likely be fatal. That seemingly simple attack just now was, in fact, his full effort, raising his mental will to the highest degree.

No other movements appeared around him. Clearly, only two third-rank wolf demons had been pursuing the human who could transform. This also relieved Tang San; otherwise, he would have had no choice but to flee.

Only then did he walk towards the human, while maintaining his vigilance. When he approached the person, he immediately noticed that the fur that had previously grown on the person's body had disappeared. This caused Tang San's heart to beat a little faster. Given his young age and having no relation to the transforming human, the safest course of action previously would have naturally been not to intervene and wait for the wolf demons to leave. Yet, he still chose to act. One reason was that the pursued individual was human. Another important reason was the transformation he had just witnessed. In Tang San's original world of Douluo Continent, there was a type of Soul Master with beast martial spirits who possessed similar abilities. They could also continuously grow stronger by cultivating their beast martial spirits. If similar abilities existed in this world, learning them would naturally be greatly beneficial for his own strength improvement, and it would make it easier for him to integrate into this world!