CHAPTER 1052: CHAPTER 1049: SECRET STRUGGLE

"My husband is young and may not speak well, please pardon him, esteemed elder."

Zhou Youwei spoke gracefully and calmly.

However, Zhou Youwei’s actions made the gray-robed elder cough intensely, bending over with the effort.

Zhou Youwei was surprised, and tentatively asked, "Is the elder catching a cold?"

The gray-robed elder quickly waved his hand and said, "It’s nothing, please have a seat, young lady."

"Elder, please feel free to sit." Zhou Youwei said politely.

The gray-robed elder waved his hand again; "No need, I’ve been sitting all day, my back is a bit sore so it’s good to stand for a while."

Zhou Youwei felt a slight suspicion arise in her heart; this elder seemed somewhat peculiar...

But recalling that this elder was a friend of her husband, she was reassured.

It made sense because her husband was the Undying Night Emperor, and since this was her husband’s friend, some peculiarity seemed understandable.

Thus, Zhou Youwei sat back beside Ye Xuan.

Only then did the gray-robed elder secretly breathe a sigh of relief, but when he caught Ye Xuan grinning mischievously from the corner of his eye, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

This little rascal really...

He felt an urge to curse.

Ye Xuan naturally noticed the gray-robed elder secretly evaluating him, he pretended not to see, and softly said to Zhou Youwei as he held her jade-like hand:

"Youwei, let me tell you something, my old friend here knows everything from astronomy to geography, nothing escapes him. If you have any questions, feel free to ask him."

As he spoke, Ye Xuan noticed the gray-robed elder’s expression turning dark.

But this was exactly the effect Ye Xuan wanted!

Zhou Youwei’s attention was focused entirely on Ye Xuan, and upon hearing this, her eyes lit up and she turned to the gray-robed elder, softly saying, "Elder, I do have a few questions, may I ask for clarification?"

"Emperor Ye..."

The gray-robed elder, originally glowering at Ye Xuan, felt an urge to act, but as soon as Zhou Youwei looked over, he quickly put on a smile and waved his hand, saying, "There is nothing, Emperor Ye just likes to boast, don’t believe him."

Ye Xuan immediately chimed in, "Old friend, don’t be modest, I managed to find Youwei thanks to you."

Zhou Youwei was taken aback: "You found me because of this elder?"

Ye Xuan nodded and said, "That’s right, he is the benefactor of our reunion."

Upon hearing Ye Xuan’s tone, Zhou Youwei instinctively grew suspicious.

However, when she saw Ye Xuan’s subtle gesture, she understood.

Her husband was trying to get the elder to talk.

Though Zhou Youwei did not know what her husband was up to, she understood the importance of supporting her husband.

So Zhou Youwei looked at the gray-robed elder, stood up, and solemnly bowed: "Youwei thanks the benefactor."

"Pfft———"

The gray-robed elder obviously didn’t expect Ye Xuan to pull this trick, almost spitting blood, he discreetly avoided Zhou Youwei’s bow and returned to his Taishi Chair, glared at Ye Xuan, wanting to warn him with a secret communication, but with Zhou Youwei by Ye Xuan’s side, he swallowed the words back down.

After closing his eyes briefly, the gray-robed elder’s mood stabilized somewhat and he figured out Ye Xuan’s approach. He responded to Zhou Youwei with a friendly smile, then turned to Ye Xuan, calmly saying, "If you have nothing else, you should leave immediately, the calamity in Empty Ancient City is not over yet."

Ye Xuan grinned and said, "No rush, the calamity in Empty Ancient City can’t affect me."

The gray-robed elder frowned: "So confident?"

Ye Xuan softly replied, "The ancient characters have been collected."

The gray-robed elder shook his head, saying; "Stop bragging, it’s impossible to have collected them all."

Ye Xuan silently took out three sheets of Saint Paper.

Four ancient characters printed on them.

The gray-robed elder: "......"

The next moment, he suddenly stood up, two beams of tangible light shot from his eyes, murmuring, "Impossible..."

But soon the elder realized his loss of composure, regained calmness, but his gaze was heavy, staring at Ye Xuan, he said, "How did you accomplish this?"

Ye Xuan retrieved the sheets of Saint Paper, observing the elder’s change in expression thoroughly, a gleam of brilliance flashed in his eyes.

Previously when he inquired about the ancient characters, the old fellow didn’t show this behavior, appearing quite calm.

Or rather...

Indifferent.

But now having obtained the ancient characters, the old fellow seems incredulous.

As if he never believed Ye Xuan could acquire the ancient characters.

Ye Xuan slowly and deliberately said, "Collecting some ancient characters, is it really so difficult?"

The gray-robed elder squinted at Ye Xuan, suddenly grinned: "Hey, I admit I underestimated you kid."

"However, this thing involves many aspects, your collection may not necessarily be a good thing."

Ye Xuan shook his head, replying, "Whether good or bad doesn’t matter, what’s important is that these characters help me greatly."

The gray-robed elder shook his head, saying, "That’s only temporary."

Ye Xuan remained calm, indifferently replying, "So what do you mean to say?"

The gray-robed elder fell silent, seemingly unsure of what to say for a moment.

Zhou Youwei originally planned to ask after her bow, but seeing the intense conversation between the two, she decided not to interrupt and sat obediently beside Ye Xuan.

However, the dialogue between the two intrigued Zhou Youwei.

Were those ancient characters the source of mysterious powers that shot from her husband’s forehead?

"Oh..."

The gray-robed elder sighed, rubbing his forehead forcefully, as if experiencing a headache.

After pondering for a while, the gray-robed elder looked at Ye Xuan and said softly, "Some matters cannot be spoken of."

"Such as?" Ye Xuan asked calmly.

The gray-robed elder subconsciously glanced at Zhou Youwei, then said, "The gravity of the ancient characters, you should have some guesses."

Ye Xuan took out the Old Ghost’s willow branch again.

The gray-robed elder inhaled deeply, saying firmly, "If you don’t plan to sell it to me, don’t flaunt it, or I might forcibly take it."

Ye Xuan grinned, saying, "You wouldn’t dare, nor could you."

The gray-robed elder’s complexion darkened.

Being repeatedly thwarted today had left him very displeased.

"Enough, I won’t ask you anymore." Ye Xuan remarked thoughtfully, looking at Zhou Youwei, and softly said: "Youwei, do you have anything you want to ask?"

Meeting Ye Xuan’s gaze, Zhou Youwei hesitated, seemingly deliberating whether to ask a particular question.

Ye Xuan gave a slight nod.

Receiving Ye Xuan’s affirmation, Zhou Youwei firmed her resolve, stood up, and saluted the gray-robed elder.

The gray-robed elder’s eyelids twitched strongly, followed by another fierce cough, bending over as he coughed.

Coincidentally avoiding that bow once again.

"Elder, Youwei has a question, regarding a dream I often have."

"May I ask for your guidance, elder?"

Zhou Youwei asked straightforwardly, without hesitation.

This question seemed to catch the gray-robed elder off guard for a moment, his eyes turned to Ye Xuan again.