Hou Yuxiao''s aura trembled slightly as he attempted to control Zhantai Wuyuan and calm him down before questioning him further. But just as his aura extended, a sudden burst of blue light appeared behind Zhantai Wuyuan.

    The blue light contained a powerful aura, and within a few breaths, it congealed and solidified, gradually transforming into a graceful figure, outlining a face of serene beauty.

    As the blue light''s humanoid form gradually solidified, and the facial outline became fully saturated, Hou Yuxiao''s pupils contracted sharply. He backed away more than ten meters in an instant, his expression full of caution.

    "Wuyuan, what''s wrong?"

    A gentle and composed voice sounded. Hou Yuxiao''s body shuddered violently, even though ten years had passed, he still remembered this voice clearly. That casual yet seemingly all-seeing calmness was Sikong Yue, it was definitely Sikong Yue!

    Why would Sikong Yue appear here?

    What is her strength now?

    For a moment, Hou Yuxiao''s mind was in turmoil. He didn''t even listen to the conversation between Sikong Yue and Zhantai Wuyuan, just continuously speculating about Sikong Yue''s power and her motive for coming here.

    "Master of Hou Family, it''s been ten years, hope all is well with you!"

    After a separation of ten years, the status and positions of both had undergone earth-shaking changes. Hou Yuxiao certainly would not bow and scrape to Sikong Yue as he did before. Upon hearing Sikong Yue address him, his expression showed wariness but no longer the humility and reverence of the past.

    "Sikong Sect Leader, I hope all is well. With the Bingzhou warfare so tense, I didn''t expect you to have such leisure to come to Nanjiang specifically."

    It seemed that Sikong Yue heard the lack of former respect and submission in Hou Yuxiao''s tone, her eyes slightly narrowed, staring at Hou Yuxiao with a composed face. It took over ten breaths before a faint smile appeared on her face as she softly said, "Master of Hou Family, don''t worry. This is merely my projection, placed on Wuyuan out of concern for his safety. As you guessed, the Bingzhou warfare cannot do without me. If it weren''t for this, Nanjiang wouldn''t be yours for the taking, right?"

    ...

    Hou Yuxiao, who had just relaxed, was suddenly jolted by Sikong Yue''s final retort. His face slightly hardened, and he said in a deep voice, "In that case, you should know that relying solely on Duanmu Hong to swallow Five Elements Heaven is unrealistic. Why not call him out; I won''t be greedy, just give Hexi half of Five Elements Heaven. What do you say?"

    Sikong Yue lowered her gaze and said softly, "If I don''t give it to you, what do you plan to do?"

    "The life of this Xiao Shengzi you value is still in my hands!"

    Hou Yuxiao''s heart was beating faster than it ever had before. Even though it was only his second conversation with Sikong Yue and his own strength was already top-notch, the mere act of speaking with Sikong Yue on equal terms gave him an overwhelming sense of panic and suffocation.

    Especially after using Zhantai Wuyuan''s life as leverage, Sikong Yue''s steady gaze always filled him with an inexplicable sense of guilt.

    "I really didn''t expect you would actually threaten me with Wuyuan''s life!"

    "Aunt, don''t mind him, this despicable person doesn''t dare to kill me. After the battle of Nanjiang, if he dares to kill me, once the Bingzhou war ends, my Holy Church will advance eastward, and Hexi will be a dead end."

    Zhantai Wuyuan''s provocations caused the slight hope that had just arisen in Hou Yuxiao''s heart to sink. If he had any means, he would surely want to shut this little miscreant''s mouth. If Sikong Yue were truly persuaded, he would be caught between a rock and a hard place... S~ea??h the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "I agree with you!"

    Hou Yuxiao''s eyes suddenly brightened as he looked at Sikong Yue.

    Until she actually agreed with him.

    This Zhantai Wuyuan truly mattered so much to Sikong Yue!

    It seemed like this was the first time he had a hold on Sikong Yue...