Chapter 147: A Secret Tryst

"Formless Immortal Venerable, I can't even beat him, and the Immortal Venerable is nothing special!" the youth sneered and laughed.

These words spread throughout the Heaven and Earth Domain, intended to humiliate.

Xu Yanzhi's face darkened; he gripped his longsword, about to slay this ghost-faced youth, but discovered he had already activated a transport scroll and left.

Everything returned to calm.

But Xu Yanzhi's mood was uneasy; he coldly swept his gaze over the authorities standing on the high building's eaves, as a warning.

The authorities were startled, quickly raised their hands in a salute, and lowered their heads.

At this moment, Xu Yanzhi said to the newly appeared Fan Quan Immortal Venerable: "Please trouble Fan Quan Immortal Venerable to thoroughly investigate the ghost-faced youth's whereabouts within the Heaven and Earth Domain."

Fan Quan Immortal Venerable heard this, nodded, and said: "Certainly. It is our Heaven and Earth Domain's negligence that allowed a person of unknown identity to mix in, startling the Formless Immortal Venerable."

Xu Yanzhi nodded slightly.

He said in a deep voice: "I hope Fan Quan Immortal Venerable can discipline and restrain his subordinates; this venerable one does not wish tonight's events to spread."

If the news of his severe injury and greatly diminished strength were to spread, it would surely invite revenge from his enemies.

But this appearance of the ghost-faced youth was not truly to kill him, but to let everyone know that the Formless Immortal Venerable's strength has greatly diminished over this period...

Xu Yanzhi's eyes turned cold.

It was his carelessness; he fell into the youth's scheme.

Facing Xu Yanzhi's warning, Fan Quan Immortal Venerable naturally understood the stakes. He quickly replied: "Formless Immortal Venerable, rest assured; this old man will do his best to discipline and restrain."

After the Formless Immortal Venerable disappeared into midair, Fan Quan Immortal Venerable ordered the crowd: "Do not spread tonight's events."

…

Yuan Yao also understood.

That guy Xie Yan came here just to cause trouble for the Formless Immortal Venerable.

Yuan Yao couldn't help but laugh.

Although she dislikes Xie Yan, she had to admit, this was done beautifully!

Yuan Yao no longer had the mood to look at the lanterns; she prepared to return to the Carefree Travel Institute.

On her way back to the Carefree Travel Institute, several young male disciples came over to flirt.

Yuan Yao smiled and said to them: "Do you also want to confess to me?"

"What confession?" they didn't understand.

Until Yuan Yao drew her sword, they understood.

They all ran away.

Yuan Yao saw roasted bird eggs on the road, hurried over, and told the vendor: "I want a serving of roasted bird eggs."

"Sure, wait a moment." Seeing such a pretty little girl, the vendor's eyes widened, and he quickly agreed.

While waiting, Yuan Yao suddenly caught a familiar white figure out of the corner of her eye.

Her heart stirred, and she quickly stepped forward to follow.

"Little girl, your bird egg..."

"No thanks!"

The white-clad youth seemed to notice she was following him, constantly turning left and right, apparently trying to shake her off.

She is top-notch at fleeing, and top-notch at tailing.

Soon, the youth turned into a secluded alley.

Yuan Yao hesitated for a moment, then followed him in; but the instant she entered the alley, she sensed danger, quickly raised her hand—yet the youth seized her, pressing her entire body against the wall.

Yuan Yao struggled, but found he exerted great force, tightly locking her movements.

She had just raised her knee to strike him when the youth blocked it.

The two locked eyes.

The youth wore a pure white mask, revealing a pair of deep eyes.

"Why are you following me?" his voice low.

"Xie Yan..."

As soon as she spoke, the youth thrust his strong, powerful arm against her neck.

Yuan Yao felt a pain in her throat, brows furrowed, and she coughed sharply.

Seeing this, the youth's eyes flickered, and he loosened his arm slightly.

"You haven't seen me today." The youth returned to his usual clear, melodious voice, gazing at Yuan Yao at this moment, discovering she wore a green dress and her hairstyle had changed, making her look indescribably charming and alluring.

The two stood very close, close enough to hear each other's faint breathing.

He released his hand.

But the next moment, Yuan Yao suddenly reached out and clenched the youth's slender, fair neck, her motion swift and decisive, without any warning!

Xie Yan only felt his neck tighten, a pain transmitting from his throat.

His eyes instantly turned gloomy; just as he was about to grab her arm, she quickly released her hand.

She nimbly slipped to the side, quickly putting distance between herself and Xie Yan.

Yuan Yao frowned, touching the spot on her neck that had become red from the impact.

Xie Yan's gaze also fell on her slightly reddish spot, faintly seeing her collarbone, his eyes deepening slightly.

He withdrew his gaze, just about to leave—

"Fellow Daoist Xie, can we have a peaceful chat?"

Xie Yan's steps paused slightly, he turned his head to look at her; at this moment, her jade-like face showed a hint of false smile.

"Don't move your hands or feet!" Yuan Yao said while cautiously approaching.

Hearing this, Xie Yan let out a sudden snicker.

The one who likes to move hands and feet — is that you?

He was kicked several times by her.

The kick was…

Upon thinking of this, Xie Yan's eyes grew dark.

He stared at the girl's slender neck before him, unable to help thinking that if he squeezed hard he could break her neck, and if he used a sword he could take off her whole head.

"Do you bear a grudge against that Formless Immortal Sovereign?" Yuan Yao had already stepped up to him, asking softly.

Xie Yan lowered his gaze, seeing her curiosity now, a hint of mischief in her brows and eyes, like a cat about to steal a snack.

"What does it have to do with you?" he said coldly.

Yuan Yao raised a brow. "Because the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

No sooner had she spoken than the sound of Heaven and Earth Domain guards searching came from outside the alley.

"Search the alley!" one guard said.

"Yes!"

Xie Yan's eyes darkened a bit; he had meant to slip away, but he felt several powerful spiritual senses covertly scanning the area.

Yuan Yao also heard the guards' approaching steps; her face shifted, and she whispered low: "Even if you changed masks, your clothes haven't changed much—they'll surely think you suspicious, so get out fast!"

The youth looked down at her. "Are you afraid I'll drag you into trouble?"

"Afraid."

Yuan Yao didn't hesitate in the slightest.

No sooner had she spoken than Yuan Yao's pupils narrowed and Xie Yan stepped forward.

"What are you doing?" Yuan Yao stepped back until her back hit the wall, then urged, puzzled: "Get out fast!"

Just then——

The guards had already entered the alley.

At the same moment, a shadow lunged, a cold hand covered her eyes, and the faint sound of a mask being undone followed.

Yuan Yao went rigid, her fists clenching.

Xie Yan's threatening voice whispered in her ear: "Cooperate with me, or you won't get away with it."

She felt his warm breath on her face as he leaned in, a faint, indescribable scent lingering.

"What are you two doing?" the guards shouted, seeing the pair hidden in the gloom.

The youth tilted his head toward the guards.

The guards' eyes widened in astonishment as they took in the youth's features.

The youth's lips parted slightly, his tone hinting at something ambiguous.

"An affair."