seven
The Ailao Mountains, due to their geographical location and climate, are shrouded in mist year-round, appearing like a fairyland from afar, and have been regarded as a sacred mountain by the people of southern Xinjiang since ancient times. Within these mountains, the Southern Xinjiang religion has been passed down in a mysterious and unknown manner for nearly a century. This has also made the once beautiful Ailao Mountains sparsely populated, a paradise for birds and beasts.
Due to the treacherous mountain path, Xuan Yuan Tianyi and her companions abandoned their horses and used their lightness skills to hurry towards the summit. As they traveled, a white shadow lunged at Xuan Yuan Tianyi. Before she could react, Zhan Zhao spun in mid-air, pulling her into his arms and narrowly avoiding the white shadow. The white shadow missed its target and stopped ten paces away, looking somewhat aggrieved at Xuan Yuan Tianyi, who was being shielded by Bai Yutang and struggling to break free from Zhan Zhao's embrace, letting out a low, mournful cry.
"Little White." Xuan Yuan Tianyi, as if chatting with an old friend, bypassed Bai Yutang and gently walked towards the white tiger, affectionately stroking its forehead. The king of beasts was unusually docile in front of Xuan Yuan Tianyi.
The two men behind him exchanged bewildered glances at the enormous creature's docile behavior. Upon hearing the name "Little White," Zhan Zhao, who had been suppressing his laughter, finally couldn't help but chuckle, earning him a furious glare from Bai Yutang. Bai Yutang's eyes darted around, and he said with a hint of smirk, "Cat, you've got a quick reaction."
"White Mouse, you're not slow either." Seeing that Xuan Yuan Tianyi's attention was on the tiger, Zhan Zhao couldn't help but get playful and started bantering with Bai Yutang.
"Tsk tsk, not bad." Bai Yutang became interested when he saw Zhan Zhao retort. "Someone seemed quite nervous just now."
"I'm not the only one who's nervous, am I?" Zhan Zhao knew that Bai Yutang wouldn't say anything nice next, so he became more vigilant.
Seeing that Zhan Zhao didn't respond to his words, Bai Yutang teased him further, saying, "Hero saves the beauty, that move was quite well coordinated with your apprentice."
Upon hearing Bai Yutang's words, Zhan Zhao's handsome face flushed slightly. He raised his head slightly, his voice no longer calm: "White Mouse, my disciple seems to be called Xiao Bai."
Seeing Zhan Zhao evade the question, Bai Yutang chuckled inwardly, thinking that this had hit the nail on the head: "If you like someone, just say so."
"Bai Yutang, what nonsense are you talking about!" Zhan Zhao knew that although he and Bai Yutang were not speaking loudly, it was enough for Xuan Yuan Tianyi to hear. He couldn't help but steal a glance at Xuan Yuan Tianyi, only to meet her gaze. His handsome face turned even redder.
Seeing Zhan Zhao's embarrassed and angry expression, Bai Yutang was secretly delighted, but he put away his smile and said, "Oh... I was just talking nonsense. Well, since you don't like her, I can pursue her openly and honestly."
"You're not allowed to chase after him!" Zhan Zhao blurted out without thinking, which drew sidelong glances from Bai Yutang and Xuan Yuantianyi, making him feel extremely embarrassed.
Seeing Zhan Zhao being cornered by Bai Yutang, Xuan Yuan Tian couldn't help but speak up to defuse the situation: "Let's go." He then led the way with Bai Hu. Zhan Zhao, not wanting to entangle with Bai Yutang any further, followed the two. Bai Yutang, engrossed in his game, wasn't about to give up. Seeing them walking ahead, he quickly took a few steps, put his hand on Zhan Zhao's shoulder, and continued his earlier conversation: "Cat, a beautiful lady is a gentleman's desire. If you don't like her, why won't you let me pursue her? You're just being hypocritical. If you like her, you like her, what's there to be afraid of? She's Lord Bao's adopted daughter, surely Lord Bao would be happy to see this happen."
Seeing that Bai Yutang was still fixated on the matter, Zhan Zhao felt a surge of annoyance and shook off Bai Yutang's hand that was on his shoulder: "Bai Yutang, are you ever going to stop?"
Seeing that Zhan Zhao was annoyed, Bai Yutang, who knew his personality well, knew that there must be a reason. He did not want to ask any more questions, but thinking of the scene between the two of them on the way, he lowered his voice and asked, "Cat, she is not heartless towards you. Do you have any concerns? Even so, if you two are really interested, I think Lord Bao will definitely grant your wish."
Zhan Zhao knew that although Bai Yutang was usually casual, he would get to the bottom of things once he took something seriously. He figured that Bai Yutang wouldn't give up until he explained things clearly today, so he slowed down and said in a deep voice, "Her surname is Xuanyuan."
After saying that, he quickened his pace, leaving Bai Yutang still stunned: "I know her surname is Xuanyuan... Ah? Xuanyuan..." Bai Yutang, realizing what was happening, hurriedly caught up with Zhan Zhao. There weren't many people with the surname Xuanyuan in the martial arts world, and the only one Zhan Zhao would deliberately mention was Xiaoyao Tower. "Xuanyuan Tianyi? She's the head of the Xuanyuan family?" When he saw Zhan Zhao nod affirmatively, Bai Yutang was still unwilling to give up. "So what? There's no rule that says the head of the Xuanyuan family can't get married. If they're in love, it's a beautiful thing."
Looking at Bai Yutang's serious expression, Zhan Zhao was moved, but could only show a sad expression: "Brother Bai, let's not mention this matter again."
Bai Yutang glanced at Zhan Zhao's somber expression, then at Xuan Yuan Tianyi's back, seemingly one with the heavens and earth. Such a well-matched pair, how could…? A sense of unease crept into his heart. Little did he know, Zhan Zhao was even more troubled than he was. It wasn't that he hadn't been moved, but faced with the mutual affection between Zhao Zhen and Xuan Yuan Tianyi, what right did he have to compete? Faced with the woman the emperor loved, what could he, as a subject, offer? Originally, this was merely wishful thinking on his part; if he didn't confront it, no one would know. It was all Bai Yutang's fault for knowing him too well. His long-suppressed feelings had been laid bare before Xuan Yuan Tianyi because of Bai Yutang's words today. Zhan Zhao didn't know how he would cope if his carefully maintained relationship was broken. Looking at Xuan Yuan Tianyi walking ahead, Zhan Zhao wondered how awkward it would be if they faced each other directly.
The three men and the tiger each had their own thoughts. Although Bai Yutang didn't like to travel in silence, he couldn't say anything more because he had made the atmosphere so awkward.
When they were still some distance from the summit, Xuan Yuan Tianyi suddenly stopped. Her white tiger, alert, scanned their surroundings. Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang, sensing the unusual atmosphere, flanked her, protecting her in the middle. At that moment, a clear bird song echoed from the dense forest to the left, followed immediately by a harmonious call from the right. The two calls rose and fell, sounding like flirting or arguing.
Xuan Yuan Tianyi, who had been expressionless, revealed a playful smile: "Why bother with all this? Just have your four elders come out together." His voice wasn't loud, but it had a penetrating quality.
Unexpectedly, Xuanyuan Tianyi could understand the Holy Sect's secret language. After a moment of silence, two disciples of the Holy Sect walked out from the right front.
Looking at Xuan Yuantian and his group, one of them spoke in broken Chinese: "May I ask which side you're from, friend?"
Xuanyuan Tianyi did not answer, but instead took out a pitch-black token from his pocket and tossed it to the person who had spoken.
Upon receiving the token, the cultist glanced at it and a look of surprise appeared on his face. He then politely clasped his hands in greeting to Xuan Yuantian, asking, "May I ask how you are addressed, young lady?"
"Xuanyuan Tianyi." Xuanyuan Tianyi's lazy voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear.
Upon hearing Xuanyuan Tianyi announce his name, the two disciples of the Holy Sect hurriedly bowed respectfully: "So it's Patriarch Xuanyuan. We have been very rude..."
Impatiently interrupting the Holy Sect disciple, Xuan Yuan Tianyi's voice carried a hint of authority: "Lead the way."
The two disciples of the Holy Sect looked at Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang beside Xuan Yuan Tianyi and asked with some difficulty, "Who are these two?"
"When did it become your place to interfere with my people?" Xuan Yuan Tianyi narrowed his eyes, and a dangerous aura rose from his body.
The two disciples of the Holy Sect exchanged a glance, and one of them replied with a forced smile, "Patriarch Xuanyuan... please forgive me, but I am only acting on the orders of the Holy Maiden. No unauthorized persons are allowed to enter the Holy Altar."
"Oh? Very well then, I'll wait for Siyi here." Xuan Yuan Tianyi looked at the Holy Sect disciple in front of him, a charming smile playing on his lips. "Have Siyi come out to greet me."
"This..." The two disciples of the Holy Sect were already intimidated by the invisible pressure emanating from Xuan Yuan Tianyi. Upon hearing Xuan Yuan Tianyi's words, they dared not speak. They would never dare to report that the Holy Maiden had come to pick up the Xuan Yuan family head.
"It's been years, and you've certainly grown quite a bit more haughty." Accompanied by ethereal music, a charming female voice drifted from afar.
Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang exchanged a glance. The owner of the voice must be ten miles away. Judging from her profound internal strength alone, this woman is no ordinary person.
Hearing this clearly coquettish tone, Xuan Yuan Tian's smile returned to its lazy form: "It's because your people don't welcome me."
Before the words were finished, a woman dressed in Miao clothing landed gently in front of the three of them, the silver ornaments around her making a crisp sound.
They exchanged another glance, and Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were surprised to find that the woman in front of them possessed such remarkable lightness skills.
"Wow, those two are quite handsome!" Si Yi chuckled, her eyes boldly scanning Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang beside Xuan Yuan Tianyi. She had long known that women from the Southern Frontier were bold, but she hadn't expected them to be so bold as to flirt with men. Bai Yutang managed a stiff smile, while Zhan Zhao simply turned to look at Bai Hu, who had left alone after seeing Si Yi.
Seeing the two blushing because of Siyi, Xuanyuan Tian smiled and said, "You've never even looked at me properly since you came here. It seems these two are quite charming. Your people just wouldn't let them into the altar."
Siyi glanced at the two Holy Sect disciples who had been kneeling beside her since she appeared, and scolded, "Get down now." Then, with a charming smile, she took Xuan Yuantianyi's arm, "When did you become so vengeful?"
"I only became like this after meeting you." Xuan Yuantian tapped Si Yi's head.
Seeing that Xuan Yuan Tianyi had no intention of introducing the two of them, Si Yi let go of Xuan Yuan Tianyi's arm and hadn't taken a step towards Zhan Zhao when Xuan Yuan Tianyi grabbed her arm: "You're not just going to leave me standing here halfway up the mountain, are you?"
"Look how nervous you are. I'm not going to eat them." Siyi watched as Xuanyuan Tianyi subtly protected Zhan Zhao behind him. Although she was a little dissatisfied, she still obediently took Xuanyuan Tianyi's arm, and the two walked towards the altar together.
Behind him, Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao with a puzzled expression, and Zhan Zhao returned the look with the same blank expression. From any perspective, the two women in front of him were the closest of friends imaginable. If he was simply unaware of the situation and only believed the journey was dangerous based on rumors, then what danger did Leng Moyan mean by that? Zhan Zhao watched the two women's backs as he walked away, pondering this inwardly.
Bai Yutang knew Zhan Zhao was coming to Ailao Mountain because he received a message from Bao Zheng that Zhan Zhao's journey would be dangerous, which prompted his hasty arrival. Since Xuan Yuan Tianyi was Bao Zheng's adopted daughter, and seeing her so protective of Zhan Zhao, there was no reason for her to harm him. If the members of the Holy Sect intended to harm Zhan Zhao, given Xuan Yuan Tianyi's relationship with the Holy Maiden, it seemed unlikely. So what was the danger Bao Zheng spoke of? Bai Yutang was utterly perplexed.
Whether Siyi was deliberately letting the people behind her hear or because women from the Southern Frontier were truly unconventional, the faint sounds coming from behind still made Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang quite uncomfortable.
"Tianyi, can you give me one of these two? I really like them." Siyi's sweet voice was captivating.
"You're quite the outsider, even eyeing my people." Although Xuan Yuan Tianyi's voice was low, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang could still hear it clearly. Bai Yutang glanced at Zhan Zhao upon hearing Xuan Yuan Tianyi's "my people," only to see him lower his head and continue walking. Although Xuan Yuan Tianyi had subtly helped Zhan Zhao out of a difficult situation, Bai Yutang instinctively sensed a hint of tension in Xuan Yuan Tianyi. He truly didn't understand what was going on between these two; he'd definitely have to ask Mao'er about it sometime. Meanwhile, the two behind them were preoccupied with their own thoughts, while Si Yi ahead was relentlessly pleading, "Tianyi, you want two more? Give me one! Why are you being so stingy?"
"Siyi, I'm warning you, don't mess with either of them." Xuan Yuantian said, his tone carrying a warning under his breath.
"Tch..." Siyi pouted in dissatisfaction, not forgetting to turn back and wink at the two behind her. Seeing Siyi's reaction, Zhan Zhao lowered his head slightly, while Bai Yutang returned a big smile, only to be met with a warning look from Xuan Yuan Tianyi, his smile instantly freezing on his face. This only fueled Siyi's unrestrained giggles, which lingered in the Ailao Mountains for a long time...
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