311: powerful figures in the shadows

In the shadows.

Xiao Weiqing and the Xie Zhiyuan were together, and the Great Xia experts had not noticed them.

However.

Others might not be clear, but could Ning Xing possibly be unaware?

That golden dragon, those golden flames.

"Aren't you coming out yet?"

Ning Xing shouted angrily.

The experts were startled, suddenly remembering that an expert had just assisted them; in that moment, that expert's voice had echoed in all their minds.

But they hadn't noticed anything unusual, indicating this expert's strength was far beyond theirs.

At the very least, his Mental Energy was much stronger than theirs.

But.

Wei Cangbai, an Eighth Realm Peak Spirit Cultivator, was here, yet even he hadn't noticed; could it be a Ninth Realm Expert?

But in the century since the Spiritual Qi recovery, no one besides Dongfang Hao had broken through to the Ninth Realm.

"Ning Xing?"

Wei Cangbai asked in confusion.

Ning Xing didn't respond.

He simply shouted again:

"You brat, do I have to personally invite you out?!"

Ning Xing was certain he wasn't mistaken; although the voice was familiar, it didn't belong to Xiao Weiqing, yet that golden dragon and those flames were definitely the Samadhi True Fire.

Just then.

A sharp rebuke sounded from behind everyone.

"Show some respect, Ning Xing. Who are you calling yourself 'old man' to?"

Everyone turned around, horrified that someone was behind them and they hadn't noticed at all.

Ning Xing spun around, his eyes narrowing.

He saw an old man with a buzz cut and a bald patch staring at him in anger.

"You are—"

"Xie Zhiyuan!"

"You're not dead?"

Wei Cangbai exclaimed.

As fellow Spirit Cultivators, Wei Cangbai naturally knew the Xie Zhiyuan and was quite familiar with him; as experts of the same era, they had sparred more than once in private, and the Xie Zhiyuan's disappearance in the Demon Realm had truly saddened Wei Cangbai.

He never expected.

To see the Xie Zhiyuan again today.

Moreover.

The Xie Zhiyuan had clearly broken through to a higher Realm; when his Mental Energy probe reached the Xie Zhiyuan's side, it was like a stone sinking into the ocean.

This indicated that the Xie Zhiyuan's Mental Energy was now more than just a level stronger than his.

"Old Ghost Wei, if you're not dead, how could I be!"

"Scram! You can't get ivory out of a dog's mouth. You people from Luo Jiang Academy are all the damn same!"

Wei Cangbai cursed angrily.

The experts finally reacted.

"Xie Zhiyuan from Luo Jiang Academy?"

"He's back?"

"Didn't he go missing in the Demon Realm?"

"Unbelievable."

Many of the experts had never met the Xie Zhiyuan, but they had heard of him; after all, he was a powerhouse, a top-tier Spirit Cultivator, and the principal of one of Great Xia's top academies.

The Xie Zhiyuan cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, everyone."

Dongfang Shouzhen returned the gesture, "Greetings, Principal Xie."

"Greetings, Principal Xie," the experts greeted him one after another.

However.

Ning Xing's face remained cold, and a flash of killing intent even crossed his eyes.

"Who are you, really?!"

Everyone was startled. What did he mean?

Ning Xing shouted again:

"How do you know the Samadhi True Fire?"

It wasn't Xiao Weiqing. How could it not be Xiao Weiqing? Why wasn't it Xiao Weiqing!

"Xie Zhiyuan?"

Although the appearance and aura were correct, the Xie Zhiyuan simply didn't know the Samadhi True Fire.

The Samadhi True Fire was a True Art and was unique.

Only Xiao Weiqing knew it.

A terrifying and unbelievable thought flashed through Ning Xing's mind: the person before him had stolen Xiao Weiqing's Extraordinary Talent.

If that were true, even if it was the Xie Zhiyuan, he would kill the person before him today!

"Hmm?"

"You bastard, what's with that look in your eyes!"

The Xie Zhiyuan was furious. Dammit, had this brute Ning Xing's head been kicked by a donkey? He actually doubted him.

"Xiao Weiqing, Xiao Weiqing, get the hell out here."

Everyone was shocked. There was someone else?

Wei Cangbai was stunned. "Xiao Weiqing?" Had the Xie Zhiyuan just called for Xiao Weiqing? He hadn't misheard, had he? Was it that Xiao Weiqing?

The hidden Xiao Weiqing sighed. He hadn't wanted to appear; fame brings trouble, just as the tallest tree is the first to be buffeted by the wind.

But.

Given the situation, if he didn't show up, Ning Xing might actually attack the Xie Zhiyuan. He couldn't blame Ning Xing, though; while Ning Xing's actions moved him, they also left him helpless.

"Teacher, don't attack. I'm here."

A handsome young man wearing animal skins appeared beside the Xie Zhiyuan.

Now.

The experts were completely dumbfounded, especially Wei Cangbai, who knew Xiao Weiqing.

Xiao Weiqing was now standing in mid-air just like them. What did that mean?

Xiao Weiqing had already entered the Seventh Realm.

But how was that possible?

Even more terrifying was that he hadn't noticed Xiao Weiqing from beginning to end; if Ning Xing hadn't caused such a misunderstanding, Xiao Weiqing probably wouldn't have come out on his own.

Dongfang Shouzhen also looked as if he'd seen a ghost; Xiao Weiqing's aura was currently no weaker than his. He was at the Seventh Realm Peak, and one more step—successfully Constructing a Divine Body—would allow him to enter the Eighth Realm.

How old was Xiao Weiqing? The last time he saw him was at the Exchange Competition two years ago.

Back then, Xiao Weiqing was in high spirits, defeating Zang Yu to win the Exchange Competition championship. Thinking about it now, that golden dragon was indeed familiar—wasn't it Xiao Weiqing's Innate Skill?

But.

Back then, Xiao Weiqing was just a kid; how could he have strength comparable to his in the blink of an eye?

Xiao Weiqing gave an awkward smile, "Greetings, General Dongfang. Greetings, Seniors."

The moment Ning Xing saw Xiao Weiqing, his face turned shades of blue and red, and his heart skipped a beat.

It's over!

"You bastard, I'll deal with you later!"

Ning Xing dropped those words and bolted.

The Xie Zhiyuan roared, "You're the bastard! Stand still! If I don't beat the crap out of you today, my last name isn't Xie!"

"You son of a bitch, you actually doubted me! Back when you stole something on Azure Dragon Island, I was the one who went there to bail you out. Your damn conscience has been eaten by dogs!"

"You son of a bitch!"

"Stop right there, dammit!"

The two experts—one with unhealed injuries and the other severely wounded—chased each other toward the base.

Seeing this, the experts didn't know whether to laugh or cry; they had many questions, but they would have to wait.

"Seniors, I shall take my leave as well."

"Xiao Weiqing, wait, let's go together."

Xiao Weiqing turned around, "Senior, you are?"

"My surname is Wei, Wei Cangbai," Wei Cangbai said with a beaming smile.

"Old Ghost Wei, he doesn't even know you, so there's no need to try and get close."

Although all the experts were curious about Xiao Weiqing, now wasn't the time to get acquainted; they still had to guard the Demon Realm entrance. They could only get to know this favored son of heaven when they rotated shifts.

To their surprise.

Under the watchful eyes of the experts, Xiao Weiqing's expression changed slightly, and he said somewhat obsequiously, "Greetings, Wei..."

"Wei what? Call me Grandpa!"

The experts: "..."

"Old Ghost Wei, that's going too far," one expert said.

"Exactly, how can you just demand to be someone's grandfather right off the bat!"

Wei Cangbai ignored them, his face still full of smiles. "What, you're unwilling?"

Xiao Weiqing smiled, "No, greetings, Grandpa Wei."

Wei Cangbai feigned anger, "What 'Grandpa Wei'? Just call me 'Grandpa'."

Xiao Weiqing said helplessly, "Yes, Grandpa."

"Good."

"Let's go, the two of us will head back to the base."

Under the stunned gazes of the experts, Xiao Weiqing followed Wei Cangbai toward the base.

"That works too? Are young people nowadays so easy to dupe?"

An Eighth Realm Expert slapped his thigh, "That shameless Old Ghost Wei beat us to it."

Dongfang Shouzhen shook his head and quickly explained, "Senior Wei has a granddaughter, and she and Xiao Weiqing are a couple."

"Oh, so that's how it is," the experts realized.

The expert who had just slapped his thigh did so again, "What a pity, Old Ghost Wei's granddaughter beat us to it. How old is Lu Jian? 35? Too old. Lu Xiaoyi just had her 15th birthday, too young. Who else was there..."

The Old man surnamed Lu began to recall the eligible girls in his family.

Dongfang Shouzhen: "..."