Chapter 777: Xiao Wanfeng, Setting the Table, Brewing Tea

At the trade fair.

Initially, the venue was orderly under the control of the White-Robed and Red-Robed personnel. However, during the final wave of sacred blast attacks from the Royal City, whether intentional or not, the black raindrops from the exploding ice-fire sacred seed seemed to target the South District with significantly greater intensity than other areas.

The explosive power was terrifying. All Red-Robed and White-Robed individuals were also drawn away by Yao Yao during that moment, leaving the site completely unguarded. In such circumstances, those who already intended to leave the trade fair would not miss such a golden opportunity.

Thus, almost immediately after the Red-Robed, White-Robed, and others had all departed, driven by the principle of self-preservation, everyone at the trade fair dispersed like birds and beasts. They were all leaders of various factions, all respectable individuals, and at this moment, they did not overtly violate the rules set by the Red-Robed and White-Robed. Not all ghost beasts stayed behind to await judgment. Now that crisis had struck, surely self-preservation was permissible? Even if they couldn't protect others, merely preserving their own lives to cooperate with the subsequent investigation, by relocating to less densely blasted areas, would surely be forgivable?

Therefore, even the high-ranking members of Night Cat did not attempt to stop anyone's "self-prespreservation" actions during this wave. Such a move, which would provoke widespread anger, was something the Holy Divine Palace might dare, but Night Cat certainly lacked such courage!

In the South District, moving towards the center, a large group of fleeing Throne-level masters did not stop even after the explosions ended. Adhering to the principle of "since we've already run, why stop and continue to hinder the Red-Robed and White-Robed seniors from apprehending the dark forces," they reasoned that choosing to stay would only increase the workload of the Red-Robed and White-Robed and distract them.

Consequently, even after the explosions concluded, everyone desperately exerted themselves, pressing onward towards their respective sects and factions. At this point, the review team, led by Red-Robed Night Watch, was actually powerless to stop the great escape of so many factions. Even if these individuals could be gathered again, not even Yao Yao could fault the actions of those at the trade fair. Everyone knew these were the elites of the Royal City. If they had united, they could have easily blocked the aftermath of the blast.

However, the Red-Robed and White-Robed were well aware of these individuals' desire to avoid investigation. Their final choice was to leave amidst the chaos… What was wrong with that? Unity was one way to resolve the situation, and flight was another. Choosing either was perfectly normal, especially since they had ample excuses. "If Red-Robed and White-Robed couldn't protect everyone's safety, then their choice to flee was simply the most correct one."

Therefore, all Night Watch could do was to divide their teams and pursue the routes of the organizations most suspected of being ghost beasts or dark forces. Without a doubt, Heaven's First Tower was one of them, and Night Watch would certainly investigate.

In the Central District, in mid-air near the ground, several flowing figures sped like lightning towards Heaven's First Tower. Xiao Wanfeng, clinging to Xin Gugu's back, felt the howling wind lash his face, causing his skin to ache.

Truthfully, Xiao Wanfeng was somewhat puzzled. Why were they all running? Although Heaven's First Tower usually acted capriciously, their actions were always traceable, and Young Master Xu always had sufficient reasons. The Red-Robed and White-Robed couldn't constrain Heaven's First Tower, especially given Young Master Xu's identity as a half-saint successor. It was understandable for others to run, but Xiao Wanfeng felt that, given Heaven's First Tower's reputation, they should have stayed until the very end, waited for the White-Robed seniors to finish their inquiries, then Young Master Xu would proceed as usual, criticizing the White-Robed, and finally, they would be respectfully escorted back to the Pilgrim Tower in a grand sedan chair. That would have truly befitted Young Master Xu's style!

But Xiao Wanfeng wasn't foolish. From the moment the trade fair ended and the Red-Robed and White-Robed appeared, everyone from Heaven's First Tower began to appear somewhat uneasy. This was a clear sign that "something was amiss." At one point, Xiao Wanfeng even felt that the Red-Robed and White-Robed seniors seemed to be specifically looking for Heaven's First Tower. And Young Master Xu was not only a representative of the dark forces, but Heaven's First Tower also harbored ghost beasts. Perhaps even Brother Xin, carrying him, was one of the ghost beast hosts.

Unthinkingly, Xiao Wanfeng braved the wind and voiced his confusion, shouting, "Brother Xin, are you a ghost beast host?" Xin Gugu didn't even pause, shouting back against the wind, "No." Spiritual Refiners could communicate calmly, but Xin Gugu shouted so that Xiao Wanfeng, a mortal, could hear him. None of the other Heaven's First Tower members reacted unusually. Instead, Xiao Wanfeng, who had just asked if Xin Gugu was a ghost beast host, was the most embarrassed. He was silent for a moment, then shouted again, "Then why are we running?" Xin Gugu, carrying him, scratched his head, equally perplexed. "I don't know! But everyone else is running, and if we just stand here waiting, don't you think that would look a bit foolish?"

Xiao Wanfeng thought, "That does seem right!" Brother Xin was guileless and wouldn't lie. If he had asked Young Master Xu, it might have been a different story. But as for whether he was a ghost beast host, Xiao Wanfeng felt he had already deduced it from Brother Xin's physical reaction to the question. He wasn't lying! Brother Xin's utterly calm response was like answering an everyday question. Such a simple person couldn't possibly have rehearsed or practiced similar questions in advance to avoid exposure. As Xiao Wanfeng saw it, if Brother Xin were a ghost beast host, he would have been exposed long ago and wouldn't have survived until now. Yet, even though the topic ended, the invisible tension still hung over everyone. Xiao Wanfeng hesitated. If they weren't ghost beast hosts, why were they so nervous?

Beside him, Mu Zixi was running furiously, gritting her teeth. Xiao Wanfeng could tell that, with Grandma Mu's innate cultivation, keeping up with Brother Xin's Throne-level pace was difficult. He turned his head and shouted, "Grandma Mu, are we a dark force? Like the Holy Servants?" Mu Zixi struggled for a long time, finally replying as she gasped for breath, "No!" "If not, why are you so nervous and pale?" Xiao Wanfeng felt he had found a flaw. Mu Zixi, catching her breath again, glared at Xiao Wanfeng, annoyed. "You try running like this!" Xiao Wanfeng flinched. That seemed reasonable.

But everything felt so unreal. Xiao Wanfeng's male intuition told him that he had only partially stepped into the threshold of Heaven's First Tower. His understanding of things seemed to differ from that of Young Master Xu's true confidantes. How to describe this feeling? It was as if everyone was conspiring to deceive him! Thinking this, Xiao Wanfeng couldn't help but turn and look at Young Master Xu, who was slumped on Mo Mo's back. This Young Master Xu was the primary source of his profound sense of unreality! It was as if... even Young Master Xu wasn't the real person, but had been replaced. So Xiao Wanfeng shouted from his perch, "Young Master Xu, why are we running? Grandma Mu looks so tired, and you look tired too. Do we need to stop and rest?"

Xin Gugu growled, "Are you the only one with so much to say? How about we switch, and you carry me for a bit?" Xiao Wanfeng was choked and dared not respond. He felt he had discovered a blind spot. When it came to Young Master Xu in his current state, Brother Xin's and everyone else's reactions seemed a little off. The wind on his back was too strong. Everyone was still running frantically. Xiao Wanfeng couldn't clearly see everyone's expressions, but he keenly sensed that Mo Mo, Brother Xin, and Grandma Mu all felt a bit strange. Young Master Xu was still in his "Half-Saint Dao Comprehension" state. Xiao Wanfeng didn't know what Young Master Xu was comprehending; the trade fair was over, and he still hadn't succeeded in his comprehension. He was simply the epitome of falling apart at a critical moment. This was very unlike Young Master Xu!

Just as he was about to speak, facing the skepticism, Young Master Xu on Mo Mo's back suddenly extended his hand and weakly gestured. "Stop!" Everyone was startled, their steps abruptly halting. Even Xiao Wanfeng couldn't help but rub his eyes and look again. He felt that Young Master Xu on Mo Mo's back now seemed like a different person. Although still very weak, his aura had completely changed.

"Young Master Xu, has your 'Half-Saint Dao Comprehension' state ended?" The first to be overjoyed was none other than Liu Changqing. The old man's heart swelled with inexpressible joy at seeing Young Master Xu "reconnect." This was because, at this moment, beyond Xiao Wanfeng's perception, the others present could sense Red-Robed Night Watch's aura rapidly approaching. "Young Master Xu?" Mo Mo was also pleasantly surprised, turning to immediately put Young Master Xu down. "Young..." Mu Zixi's pale face, previously drained by frantic running, instantly regained its color, turning rosy as if painted on by an artist, the moment they stopped. Xin Gugu let out a huge sigh of relief, unceremoniously dropping Xiao Wanfeng to the ground. Then, as if his tense mind had completely relaxed, he said heavily, "You've finally... recovered!" Xiao Wanfeng observed everyone's reactions. He could tell that Young Master Xu's emergence from his "Half-Saint Dao Comprehension" state seemed to instantly bring everyone a sense of... hope for survival? But why would they feel this way? Would they die if Young Master Xu didn't wake up?

Under Xiao Wanfeng's puzzled gaze, the "useless" Young Master Xu, whom Mo Mo had been painstakingly supporting, became radiant again after stretching his limbs. He seemed to have instantly gone from a weak state to peak condition. Xu Xiaoshou, having arrived before Night Watch and replaced Xu Xiaoji, acted as if the previous battle had nothing to do with him. He simply followed Xiao Wanfeng's words, interjecting, "Xiao Wanfeng is absolutely right. I had an epiphany just now, and your handling, Mo Mo, was indeed a bit inappropriate. We really didn't need to run, but there was no need to stay there as targets either. The key is, since you chose to run, why did you choose to run together? When chaos erupts, everyone who runs is suspicious, and if you're all suspicious and run together, wouldn't everyone be interrogated if caught?" Mo Mo, inwardly rolling her eyes, bowed apologetically to save face, "It was my fault." "No." Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand, "You weren't wrong. The mistake was that everyone shouldn't have run together. When chaos arises, those who run are all suspects. Since you're all suspects, if you run together and get caught, won't everyone be interrogated?"

Liu Changqing, thrilled that Young Master Xu was communicative again, asked excitedly, "Then, Young Master Xu, what do you mean?" "Run separately!" Xu Xiaoshou sensed a great danger approaching. Mo Mo, Mu Zixi, and Xin Gugu had all come from Tiansang City, so Night Watch might have investigated them. Even with disguises, they might be directly recognized upon meeting. Xu Xiaoshou dared not gamble. He had transformations and concealment abilities, fearless of the Red-Robed's intuition. But he couldn't vouch for the others. So, with a flick of his sleeve, Xu Xiaoshou said to the three, "Now, run separately. Flee in different directions, then regroup at Heaven's First Tower."

The three were startled, but having already sensed the distinct aura around them, they immediately nodded. "Yes!" With that, the three, under the gaze of Xiao Wanfeng and Liu Changqing, scattered in three directions and instantly vanished. Liu Changqing's pupils constricted. "This..." They just disappeared? It was understandable that Xin Xiaoku (Xin Gugu), with his Throne cultivation, could use some special ability to evade his Dao-Slicing perception. But how did the innate-level Mu Xiaogong and Mo Mo do it? Even a ghost beast host erupting couldn't achieve that, could it? And that faint spatial energy that flashed by... Was this the super teleportation ability Young Master Xu comprehended after his "Half-Saint Dao Comprehension" ended, directly teleporting the three away?

Xu Xiaoshou, who had waved his three companions into his Yuan Mansion, did not pay attention to the strange gazes of Xiao Wanfeng and Liu Changqing. But at this moment, Liu Changqing couldn't hold back: "Young Master Xu, what about me?" "You..." Xu Xiaoshou hesitated for a moment, then transmitted, "Communicate with the one inside you. He doesn't want to die either. The Heavenly Secret Art can save your life. You run on your own first!"

Liu Changqing: ??? At that moment, he felt discriminated against. Young Master Xu could instantly teleport the other three after his "Half-Saint Dao Comprehension" ended, but he was merely told to save himself? But then, Liu Changqing, who had roamed the world for a long time, understood something. He had only just joined Heaven's First Tower, so Young Master Xu's distrust was understandable. Yet, at this moment, having offered his sincerity only to receive such treatment, Liu Changqing couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. People generally dislike being treated differently, especially when they are the ones deemed less important.

Xu Xiaoshou naturally knew Liu Changqing's thoughts. But his Yuan Mansion world could not accommodate unstable factors. Therefore... he had to use some less-than-righteous methods on Liu Changqing! "Changqing, my friend," Xu Xiaoshou sighed, becoming earnest, "Some things are not as simple as you think. Heaven's First Tower, a half-saint force, still needs to observe your loyalty. The only thing I can remind you is... your current state, if it goes in a good direction, is a broad path; if it develops in a bad trend, there will be endless trouble. How you choose is your business. But the last thing I want to tell you is that the door of Heaven's First Tower is always open for you. Seize this sudden pressure as an opportunity to remove obstacles, understand the principles of the Heavenly Secret Art, and breaking through will not be difficult for you." Xu Xiaoshou's gaze was sincere. He paused, then finally said, "After mastering these abilities, then decide whether you want to return."

Liu Changqing was stunned. He hadn't expected that Young Master Xu's actions contained an intention to use the pressure from the Red-Robed to force the ghost beast within Liu Changqing to quickly unite with him. Yes, if Young Master Xu didn't help, the only one who could help him was the ghost beast that controlled the Heavenly Secret Art. And if Liu Changqing and the ghost beast Xuan Wuji could truly accept each other and learn the strongest Heavenly Secret Art, then for Liu Changqing, Heaven's First Tower might become optional. "Young Master Xu's vision is truly far-reaching!" Liu Changqing marveled. This was just a young man! He himself hadn't even begun to consider this level, yet Young Master Xu had already clearly understood the self-inflating psychology that would result from combining his power with the ghost beast's. Pondering this, Liu Changqing had never seen such a calculating master before. Therefore, after clearly seeing the brilliant future for Young Master Xu, Liu Changqing felt he had no other choice. After all, even the first step—the chance to communicate with the ghost beast—was given by Young Master Xu. Thus, without further hesitation, Liu Changqing's eyes were filled with sincere emotion as he solemnly declared, "Young Master Xu, rest assured, I will overcome this ordeal myself. But afterwards, I will certainly return to Heaven's First Tower to assist Young Master Xu!"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded with satisfaction, "It's best if you don't misunderstand my intentions." Thus, Xiao Wanfeng, listening to this bewildering exchange, watched Liu Changqing depart with great excitement. "M-me?" He looked at the suddenly empty street, his lips trembling, and stammered, "Young Master Xu, how should I run? On foot?" "You don't need to run..." Xu Xiaoshou laughed softly and tapped the boy's head. He was too foolish and endearing, "running on foot"... He collected his thoughts, swept his sleeve, and looked towards the blurred red-robed figures appearing at the end of the long street, saying calmly, "It is a joy to have friends come from afar. Xiao Wanfeng, set the table, brew the tea!"