"A sneaky little mouse, hiding your head and tail, since you've come, why not show yourself?"
Xiao Yi calmly looked ahead at the silent void.
Fang Qingzhu's expression changed slightly.
She had not sensed the presence of any powerful being.
An icy laugh suddenly pierced the silence, and with it came a bone-chilling wind that swept over, instantly covering Green Valley Town with a thick layer of snow, "Interesting, a mere Dharma Manifestation Realm Peak can detect my presence, no wonder Ye Qingyu couldn't handle you!"
In the calm void before him,
a sudden burst of light came forth as if the void was being torn apart.
Snowflakes fluttered out from the crack in the void.
These snowflakes were pure and unblemished, as clear as crystal, floating in the air, accentuating a proud young man as he slowly emerged.
With hair as white as snow draping over his shoulders, he had an elegant and extraordinary demeanor.
His features were handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and eyes that shone like stars.
His figure, tall and straight as a longsword piercing the sky, stood between heaven and earth, exuding an unparalleled sharpness.
Especially the aura emanating from him, it was like the vast, endless ocean, invisible to the eye and profound as the starry sky, unfathomable. Just standing there, the space around him buzzed and trembled lightly, like ripples spreading on a calm lake surface.
Fang Qingzhu's face changed slightly, a mix of anger and shock appearing on her face as she instinctively stepped in front of Xiao Yi, "How, how are you here?"
Foremost among the four Saint Heirs of Baiyu!
His cultivation had already reached the Longevity Secret Realm.
He was not like Ru Long Sihai, who had only just entered the Longevity Secret Realm. Even compared to some of the older generation within the same realm, Zhang Sixiang was a force to be reckoned with.
Before Fang Qingzhu was found and brought back,
Zhang Sixiang had always been the adopted son of the Saint Ruler of Baiyu, being raised as a successor. That changed when Fang Qingzhu returned to Baiyu. She took over the position of the heir, and the Saint Ruler arranged for Zhang Sixiang to mentor Fang Qingzhu in her cultivation. Over the days they spent together, Zhang Sixiang gradually developed feelings for Fang Qingzhu.
More often than not, like Ye Qingyu, it was merely for the position of the heir.
This time, when Fang Qingzhu left Baiyu, Zhang Sixiang knew that she was seeking Xiao Yi.
He had been intent on getting rid of Xiao Yi quickly.
However much he asked, Fang Qingzhu refused to disclose his whereabouts until Ye Qingyu passed the information to him.
So, he hurried along the way, full of urgency.
Seeing Fang Qingzhu protecting Xiao Yi behind her, Zhang Sixiang showed no jealousy, only indifference, and he coldly reprimanded, "Qingzhu, as the Saintly Lady of Baiyu, you should keep yourself pure. Except for a chosen one like me, no man is allowed within a hundred meters of you. Associating with this ordinary man, not only do you not fear losing your status, but you should also consider the dignity of our Baiyu..."
Fang Qingzhu clenched her teeth tightly and said, "Zhang, Xiao Yi is my husband. No one can stop me from being with him."
Zhang Sixiang's eyes flashed with a cold light as he said icily, "How could such a commoner be worthy of being your husband?"
The void around them trembled violently.
The bitter cold wind howled, carrying a sharp killing intent that made one's soul shudder.
Fang Qingzhu's complexion changed repeatedly as she angrily rebuked, "Zhang Sixiang, if you dare touch a single hair on Xiao Yi, I won't let you off even if it costs me my life!"
Zhang Sixiang's expression shifted slightly, and the icy killing intent that permeated the surroundings surged tenfold in an instant.
He thought Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu were childhood friends who had known each other for a long time, which was why he could occupy a place in her heart. Now it seemed, Fang Qingzhu truly had fallen in love with Xiao Yi. This realization cut him like a knife, and a storm of jealousy brewed, terrorizing his heart.
The cold light in his eyes grew even more biting.
"Boy, you should know Qingzhu's identity. She is worlds apart from you. Insisting on keeping her by your side is harming her. Do you have any idea that she even tried to sneak out the Longevity Spirit prepared for her by the Saint Heir, only to be discovered and confined for six months?"
Zhang Sixiang suddenly exhaled a turbid breath, looking past Fang Qingzhu at Xiao Yi, "She sneaked out to see you as soon as she was released. The Saint Mother had to intervene, or even the Saint Heir himself would have come to capture her and take her back. By being with her, you're only dragging her down..."
"Zhang Sixiang, shut your mouth!" Fang Qingzhu snapped, her face flushed with rage.
She quickly turned her head towards Xiao Yi, "Xiao Yi, don't listen to his nonsense, I, I..."
Tears welled up in Fang Qingzhu's eyes in her urgency.
Knowing Fang Qingzhu as well as he did, Xiao Yi instantly knew that Zhang Sixiang spoke the truth.
She truly had considered sneaking out the Longevity Spirit for him.
Xiao Yi gently caressed her face, a bitter smile on his lips, "You silly girl, that's the Longevity Spirit..."
Though Xiao Yi possessed the Longevity Cauldron and had no need for the Longevity Spirit.
To any mighty being, that was a treasure indeed!
Even within the Holy Lands...
Not everyone could obtain the Longevity Spirit.
Fang Qingzhu had actually thought of bringing it to him; her feelings were stronger and more sincere than any words or vows could convey.
Seeing that Xiao Yi wasn't angry, Fang Qingzhu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Watching the intimate interaction between the two.
A flash of fury sparked in Zhang Sixiang's eyes. He had been present for so long, and yet Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu continued their affectionate behavior, oblivious to his presence, which he found extremely insulting. Taking a deep breath, Zhang Sixiang coldly said, "Qingzhu, the Saint Heir is aware of your location. If you don't want to provoke him and implicate the whole Southern State, come back with me immediately! From now on, cut off all ties with this man!"
"Impossible, I am Xiao Yi's wife. Once husband and wife, we will be together for life; I can't leave him!" Fang Qingzhu firmly stated.
"If you don't leave him, not only will he die, but all the people of the Southern State will pay with their lives! And you, Xiao Yi, I know you won't let go of Qingzhu after learning she is the Saintess of Baiyu. You think just by staying with her, you'll soar from being a nobody to riding the coattails of the mighty Baiyu. Don't be in a rush to deny it..."
Zhang Sixiang's voice was icy, as if he were a divine being devoid of life, looking down upon the masses as insignificant as ants, his cold gaze fixing upon Xiao Yi, "Just like now, do you think the Daqian Dynasty would be able to establish itself without invoking the name of Baiyu? How about this, if you're willing to leave Qingzhu, not hinder her anymore, I will go to the Nantian Dynasty and ensure they won't make things difficult for the Daqian Dynasty, how about that?"
Xiao Yi let out a long breath, fixing his gaze on Zhang Sixiang, and said deliberately, "The Daqian Dynasty has me for protection; it doesn't need to rely on anyone else. As for what lies between Qingzhu and me, it requires no interference from others. Understand?"
Leaning slightly forward, their eyes locked, they faced off needle against needle.
Their gazes collided in the void, sparking a blinding display of fiery light.
Zhang Sixiang's lips curled up slightly, a chilling intent of murder unfurling, "Refuse a polite drink, and you'll have to drink a penalty one, don't blame me then…"