Bai Xiong was somewhat dazed, having never expected that these two seemingly fragile women were the junior master’s life-saving benefactors.
Seeing Ye Qiu’s attitude towards the two women, Bai Xiong did not dare to be careless, followed behind them, and was fearful of neglecting these two strangers.
As a member of an ancient clan, Tang Surou possessed a quality not found in ordinary women. She walked into the villa gracefully and appropriately, sitting on the sofa. Beside her, Huan’er’s big eyes blinked rapidly, continuously observing the decorations inside the villa with curiosity.
Thinking of life in the ancient land, Ye Qiu guessed that Huan’er must seldom have left it and was probably not very familiar with the mundane world outside.
"How did the benefactor think of coming to my place?" Ye Qiu asked with a smile.
Tang Surou said, "Don’t keep calling me benefactor; just call me Tang Surou."
"I shall call you Miss Tang then," Ye Qiu said with a smile.
"Recently, brother Ye, you have indeed become quite famous. Your prestige has spread throughout the martial arts community, silencing Japan from top to bottom, and everyone is talking about you."
"Miss Tang flatters me. This little reputation of mine may intimidate some in the martial arts community, but it amounts to nothing in the ancient land," Ye Qiu said. He sounded casual, but to Bai Xiong standing beside him, it was a profound shock to learn these two women were from the ancient land. No wonder the young master valued them so highly; indeed, they held such status.
Bai Xiong was acutely aware of the horrors of the ancient land. Having had the fortune of accompanying Elder Mo there once, he profoundly understood what it meant when True Qi conditions were commonplace and legendary statuses were nothing unusual—it was indeed a terrifying miniature world of gods and Buddhas.
At that moment, Bai Xiong felt a deeper respect for both Tang Surou and Huan’er; thinking perhaps these two unassuming women were among the geniuses, possessing strength far surpassing his own, would not be surprising.
"Brother Ye should not underestimate himself. At such a young age, to stand at the pinnacle of the martial arts world, looking back over a hundred years, no one in the martial arts community has achieved the same," Tang Surou said with a smile.
"Miss Tang is too kind. However, I would still like to know why Miss Tang has come here?" Ye Qiu said, genuinely puzzled. Since Tang Surou, a member of an ancient clan, came personally to his villa, she surely had not come to chat. As for seeking a return of favor, Ye Qiu thought he might not be able to help much.
As the saying goes, without a purpose, no one visits the temple of the Three Treasures. Ye Qiu was quite curious about Tang Surou’s intentions.
"I have a request. I wonder if brother Ye might agree?" Tang Surou said, getting straight to the point.
"Oh?" Ye Qiu was taken aback and said, "Miss Tang saved my life; if I can help, I, Ye Qiu, will certainly not refuse!"
Tang Surou said, "I would like to invite brother Ye to join me in entering a secret land. It is extremely dangerous, but opportunities also exist there. Could you agree to this condition?"
Ye Qiu pondered for a while. Seeing Tang Surou’s serious expression, it seemed no joke, but entering a secret land outlined as dangerous by her could potentially hold great peril.
Seeing Ye Qiu’s hesitant expression and not speaking, Huan’er pouted and said, "Our Miss personally came to ask for your help; you won’t refuse her, will you? To save you, our Miss used up her only top-grade Crystal Stone."
"Huan’er!" Tang Surou immediately stopped Huan’er’s loquaciousness, glaring at her.
Huan’er pouted her lips. Although she was resentful of Ye Qiu’s hesitation, she dared not defy Tang Surou’s words, instantly silencing herself. Instead, her big eyes glared at Ye Qiu, her expression almost suggesting that their Miss had saved an ingrate, wasting good intentions.
Ye Qiu could clearly see Huan’er’s thoughts. The girl harbored no ill intentions; in fact, she was simply naively adorable. Ye Qiu did not take it to heart, yet the words "top-grade Crystal Stone" from her mouth gave Ye Qiu a jolt of surprise.
Top-grade Crystal Stone!
Ye Qiu recalled the strange Energy Baryte he had encountered after his cultivation was completely lost, which Mr. Mo had later explained in detail to him.
Only then did Ye Qiu understand that what helped him recover his energy was a high-quality Crystal Stone. As for its level, he was not quite sure, but it was at least higher than a second-grade Crystal Stone.
After Huan’er slipped up, Ye Qiu finally completely understood the grade of the Crystal Stone Tang Surou had used to save his life.
A first-grade Crystal Stone! Even Mr. Mo couldn’t obtain this top-level Crystal Stone; no wonder Huan’er was so angry. In the ancient land, there were only a few who possessed a first-grade Crystal Stone.
And there was he, Ye Qiu, a lad from the mundane world, whose life had been saved by Tang Surou at the substantial cost of a first-grade Crystal Stone.
"Brother Ye, I know what you’re worried about. If you really don’t want to take the risk, I, Tang Surou, won’t force you," Tang Surou said with a calm gaze. There was truly not a hint of blame in her eyes.
Ye Qiu shook his head, "Miss Tang is mistaken, never mind following Miss Tang to the secret realm, even if Miss Tang asked me to ascend a mountain of swords or plunge into a sea of flames, I would not refuse!"
"Pfft..." Huan’er burst out laughing, "My miss didn’t ask you to ascend a mountain of swords or plunge into a sea of flames. You make it sound so dreadful. All the young talents of ancient clans are cracking their heads to get into the secret realm; it’s a huge opportunity that others can’t even beg for."
"Huan’er, stop being disrespectful," Tang Surou scolded, reprimanding Huan’er once more.
Ye Qiu touched his nose and said, "Miss Huan’er is direct and frank; I thank Miss Huan’er for her kindness."
"Hmph." Huan’er turned her head away, lifting her little head high.
"The reason I didn’t immediately agree was because I was worried whether I could be of any help to Miss Tang in that secret realm with my strength; I feared I might drag Miss Tang down, which would be very bad," Ye Qiu explained the reason for his earlier hesitation.
"So that was it, Huan’er was being overly concerned. However, Brother Ye’s concerns are not unreasonable. Although there are restrictions to enter the secret realm, not surpassing the Legendary Realm, I believe with Brother Ye’s capability to overcome legends, you might indeed be of help," Tang Surou said.
Tang Surou had no other choice. Among the Tang family’s younger generation, besides her reaching the Legendary Realm, only two other legends, due to special reasons, couldn’t go; the rest of the family members were stuck at the True Qi Realm, so she had no choice but to turn to Ye Qiu.
"Miss Tang, are you not aware that our young master has already broken through to the Legendary Realm?" At this point, Bai Xiong chimed in.
"What? You’ve reached the Legendary Realm?" Bai Xiong’s statement made Tang Surou’s calm gaze suddenly burst into a brilliant light, and she instantly stood up.
"Brother Ye, is what he said true?" Tang Surou stared at Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu did not blame Bai Xiong for interrupting and nodded, "Correct, I’ve only just stepped into the Legendary Realm."
Seeing Ye Qiu remain so calm, Tang Surou smoothed out the surprise in her heart and showed a hint of joy on her face, saying, "With Brother Ye by my side, I now have a better chance in the competition in the ancient land."
"Miss Tang, could you tell me more about the secret realm?"
Tang Surou nodded, "It might be good for you to be prepared. This secret realm is a Great Emperor’s tomb in the ancient land, inside are the remains of an ancient Emperor Level powerhouse..."
An hour later, Tang Surou and Huan’er left the villa.
Ye Qiu was processing the information about the opening of the Great Emperor’s tomb brought by Tang Surou, his heart unable to calm down for a long time. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel⸺fire.net
"All the young talents from the great ancient clans will enter to seek opportunities..." Ye Qiu’s eyes flickered with fighting spirit. He hadn’t expected to face the descendants who had once destroyed his Du Gu clan so soon; a fierce killing intent emanated from Ye Qiu!