"Heh heh, nothing much, it's just that the Dean probably doesn't know that the two geniuses you're praising are also students of your Four Symbols Academy," Mu Qingqing said with a smile.
"What?! Liu Mu Ming and Bai Ting are also students of the academy I founded?!"
Dao Yuan Ming's eyes widened in disbelief.
He had only founded the Four Symbols Academy in the Eastern Continent on a whim back then, never expecting it to produce two prodigies like Xin Ci and Mu Qingqing. Now, it had gained two more geniuses from aristocratic families, Liu Mu Ming and Bai Ting.
"Damn it, if I'd known, I should have returned to the Eastern Continent more often to check on the Four Symbols Academy. Perhaps I could have recruited more geniuses as disciples or fostered good relationships," Dao Yuan Ming said with a grin.
Ming Huang, however, saw through his ulterior motives without mercy. "Fostering relationships is just an excuse. I think you really just want someone to cover your tracks when you cause trouble." He thought to himself, "I was also tricked by this old gambler, which is why I'm always getting into trouble because of him."
"Heh heh, so what? Anyway, I have many talented students, with both strength and background. I'm destined to have my disciples spread far and wide. You can't envy me, hahaha."
Seeing Dao Yuan Ming's smug expression, Shen Wei curled his lips. "As if these students were taught by you..." He then instinctively glanced at Nie Li, who stood beside him, and sighed. "Disciple, when will you make me proud too...?"
Nie Li's mouth twitched. He lowered his head and muttered, "Uh... why bring me up suddenly? Besides, Master, didn't you always say I was your proudest disciple? Why the sudden change of attitude? You can't do this."
Ming Huang soon shifted the topic back to the invitation from the Xin family. "When Dao Yuan Ming and I became guest elders of the Xin family with their help, the family head of the Xin family was not Xin Li then."
"The current Xin Li has become the sole ruler of the Xin family. The Xin family's reputation is long past its prime, and Xin Li is extremely ruthless. He never hesitates to deal with those who do not submit to him."
"That's why Senior Ming Huang is so worried." Mu Qingqing understood Ming Huang's predicament. Although Ming Guang City had many Saint Emperors, and Ming Huang was a formidable fighter, they were still far inferior to the Xin family in the Holy Pilgrim True Realm. The Xin family was an ancient aristocratic family, with at least one Great Emperor sitting in power, and likely more. Ming Guang City could not contend with them. Combined with Xin Li's personality, Ming Huang and the others had no choice but to attend the wedding banquet between the Xin family and the Changyang family. Mu Qingqing and Xin Ci naturally understood Xin Li's nature. If Ming Huang refused, Ming Guang City would inevitably suffer repercussions.
In the consciousness space, Xin Ci also understood why Xin Li had spared his sister's life back then. It was to use her as a bargaining chip for an alliance with the Changyang family. His heart filled with anger, Xin Ci vowed to avenge his parents.
"Senior Ming Huang, when will the Xin family and the Changyang family's marriage take place?"
"In half a year."
Mu Qingqing lowered her head in thought. This meant there was still time. It should be enough for them to travel to the Holy Pilgrim True Realm.
"Mu Huang, are you also attending the wedding banquet between the Xin family and the Changyang family?"
"Of course."
"Although the Xin family hasn't invited you, it's no problem for me to bring you along as a guest elder of the Xin family," Ming Huang said.
"No need, Senior Ming Huang. I plan to travel to the Holy Pilgrim True Realm alone," Mu Qingqing said firmly. Because of Xin Ci, the Xin family could detect them through the Spirit Blood Jade Token. If she were to travel with Ming Huang and the others to the Holy City, it might implicate Ming Huang and the Dean.
"Alright then. With your strength as a peak Saint Emperor, I believe you'll be able to establish yourself in the Holy Pilgrim True Realm." Ming Huang didn't insist on her joining them. He added, "However, the Holy Pilgrim True Realm is very far from Ming Guang City. Even a Saint Emperor at full speed might take more than ten years to reach the Holy City."
"But I happen to have a teleportation array in my mansion that is positioned to the Holy Pilgrim True Realm's Holy City. If Mu Huang needs it, I can lend it to you." Hearing Ming Huang's words, Mu Qingqing's eyes lit up. She had indeed wanted to reach the Holy Pilgrim True Realm via teleportation array, but she hadn't expected Ming Huang to have one, and one that directly led to the Holy City. This would be much more convenient.
"Senior Ming Huang is truly generous, unlike a certain Dean grandpa who extorted three million mid-grade spirit stones from me in the Mirror Dust Kingdom..." Mu Qingqing muttered. Ming Huang chuckled, knowing this young girl was talking about Dao Yuan Ming. So this little lass had also been swindled by Dao Yuan Ming.
Upon hearing this, Dao Yuan Ming became displeased. "Mu girl, although I extorted some spirit stones from you, I also brought you to Ming Guang City to find Saint-level demonic beast essence blood..." Before he could finish, Dao Yuan Ming felt Ming Huang's icy gaze.
"You scoundrel, so it was you who spread the word about the Saint-level demonic beast essence blood in the Saint Dragon Tower!" Ming Huang was so angry his teeth ached. No wonder this old gambler was so kind as to return to Ming Guang City.
"Uh... Shen Wei, we've been friends for a long time. It's just a bit of Immortal Golden Dragon Blood, don't dwell on it so much. Besides, didn't I promise to be a tool for guarding Ming Guang City for three years? It balances out..." Dao Yuan Ming said with a sly, unreserved grin.
Shen Wei felt that he had made a loss by befriending this treacherous friend. Immortal Golden Dragon Blood was incredibly precious. If he had known, he should have made this old gambler work for him in Ming Guang City for ten years, no, a hundred years.
The next morning, Mu Qingqing used the teleportation array in the City Lord's mansion to head to the Holy Pilgrim True Realm. Before she left, Shen Wei informed her that the teleportation array had been modified by the Nine Provinces Chamber of Commerce. Therefore, the destination was the Nine Provinces Chamber of Commerce branch within the Holy City. Upon arrival, she just needed to explain the situation to an elder named Ji Qiu from the Nine Provinces Chamber of Commerce. As the teleportation array activated, a flash of light streaked past, and Mu Qingqing vanished.
Watching Mu Qingqing depart, the Saint Emperors who were present also prepared to leave. Suddenly, Shi Huang seemed to remember something and said to Ming Huang, "Lord Ming Huang, haven't we forgotten about that brat Xin Ci? Is he still in the Saint Dragon Tower?"
Upon Shi Huang's mention, the other Saint Emperors also reacted. "Yes, the previous demonic beast crisis was too sudden. We really seem to have forgotten him!"
"Lord Ming Huang, we should quickly go to the Saint Dragon Tower to check on that brat's situation."
"Indeed, I wonder if that brat has passed the ninth level trial of the Saint Dragon Tower."
...httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
As they were discussing, Ming Huang calmly said, "No need. Xin Ci has already left Ming Guang City."
"Left? No, that brat should still be in the Saint Dragon Tower."
"And when did he leave? Why didn't we notice?" The other Saint Emperors were filled with confusion.
"Just now, Xin Ci left. Wouldn't you agree, old gambler?" Shen Wei glanced at Dao Yuan Ming, revealing a knowing expression.