Chapter 699

Yun Tinglan watched Yun Lingsong and the others depart, her heart overwhelmed with complex feelings.

Although she had made up her mind, they were still her blood relatives, and she could not pretend nothing had happened.

A tap on her shoulder made Yun Tinglan turn around, seeing Ye Qingran standing beside her.

In that moment, she was filled with courage.

Since they had already abandoned her, why should she struggle so desperately?

Let everything just go with the wind!

From now on, she will no longer be trapped by the past!

"What? You want to sneak into the inner city at night?"

Yun Lu jumped up from his chair in surprise.

Ye Qingran gave him a sideways glance, her eyes deep and mysterious.

Yun Lu seemed to realize his reaction was a bit over the top and restrained himself.

"But the inner city is heavily guarded, mechanisms everywhere, countless formations big and small; if we rush in, we'll easily be discovered." Yun Lu's tone conveyed his disagreement.

To keep Yun Batian from learning of Ye Qingran's existence—or any news about Yun Ling—Yun Lan placed many spies and set up numerous traps and formations in the inner city, so not even a fly could get in!

"Since I've decided to do this, I naturally have my considerations."

Yun Lu pressed his lips together and said nothing more.

"Although you've left Yunzhong City for a long time, I believe you still know the inner city like the back of your hand, right?"

Yun Lu looked at Ye Qingran and said, "You mean...."

"Help me draw a map of the inner city. Remember to draw the area around Yun Batian's residence in detail!"

"You're going to..."

Yun Lu's eyes widened.

Ye Qingran smiled but said nothing.

Not bad—she plans to sneak into the inner city at night to see Yun Batian.

The earlier news said Yun Batian's health was deteriorating, but since she hadn't seen him herself, she dared not readily believe it.

That night.

Yunzhong City.

The inner city.

Two figures slipped in silently, evading all the guards, breaking through layer after layer of mechanisms, and arrived at a courtyard situated on a floating island.

This courtyard is located in a remote spot and looks quite ordinary, making it hard to imagine that it is actually the residence of the esteemed Yun Tribe's clan leader.

"This should be the place." Ye Qingran took out Yun Lu's map again, confirming that this was Yun Batian's residence, Jieyu Ge.

It is said that Yun Batian's wife, who is also her grandmother, was named Hua Jieyu; this residence was renamed after her passing, showing Yun Batian's love for his deceased wife.

"Fu Hanxiu, let's go, let's go inside and have a look."

"Mm." The tool-man Fu Hanxiu held Ye Qingran, and with a light flick of his form arrived in the courtyard.

Yun Batian should have already gone to sleep; the courtyard was very quiet, only the occasional insect chirring could be heard.

The air was suffused with a faint medicinal scent, causing Ye Qingran to frown slightly.

"It seems the rumors are true; Yun Batian's health is indeed poor," Ye Qingran thought to herself.

On one hand, as Yun Batian's granddaughter and a Pill Emperor, if possible, she would naturally be willing to do her best to cure him.

On the other hand, since she hardly knows Yun Batian, she doesn't know his attitude and worries that he might be in league with Yun Lan.

"Who goes there?"

At that moment, a calm voice came from the room, seemingly unfazed by their arrival—or perhaps he simply didn't regard these two midnight visitors as worth noticing.

Ye Qingran and Fu Hanxiu also showed no embarrassment or worry at being discovered.

After all, Yun Batian is one of the top experts of Nan Yin Zhou; even though his health has recently deteriorated, it does not affect his strength.

"I am Ye Qingran; I have long heard of the Yun Tribe's clan leader's great name, and tonight I have come to pay a visit."

This excuse is pretty lame; even Fu Hanxiu felt a bit speechless.

Yun Batian would naturally not believe it.

"Nonsense!" came an angry, exasperated shout from inside.

Ye Qingran rubbed her nose, thinking that this grandfather of hers had quite a temper.

However, she had said that on purpose, merely to get Yun Batian to come out and meet her.

"You can go; I can pretend I didn't see you."

Ye Qingran froze.

"No way—if she just left like that, wouldn't she have come for nothing?"

"Fu Hanxiu, give him a taste of your strength!"

Fu Hanxiu turned his head to look at Ye Qingran, his eyes deep, as if asking her, "Are you sure you want to give this future grandfather of yours a little color?"

"I suspect you're digging a pit for me."

Ye Qingran gave him a white-eye look, "You're overthinking! I mean, let you show your strength so he takes notice, without actually having you beat him up!"

Fu Hanxiu released his aura, a terrifying pressure sweeping over instantly; the next second the door opened and a white-haired elder walked out.

Under the moonlight and starlight, Ye Qingran saw this legendary grandfather for the first time in her life.

He wore a white robe, his hair and beard completely white!

Ye Qingran's heart gave a slight tremor.

Actually, Yun Batian isn't that old; given his cultivation level, he shouldn't look so aged.

Ye Qingran wondered, could it be that Yun Ling's disappearance truly dealt him a heavy blow?

Ye Qingran pressed her lips together, not entirely sure.

Toward strangers, she habitually maintained vigilance and suspicion.

Thus, at this moment she still wore a disguise, far from her true appearance.

As for Fu Hanxiu, he too wore a mask, hiding his handsome features.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Yun Batian eyed the uninvited guests in the courtyard, his brows slightly furrowed, his expression cold.

He seemed spirited, but as a physician Ye Qingran could see at a glance that his breath was feeble, his five organs failing, his life force gradually waning.

He was indeed in poor shape; if left unchecked, he wouldn't live much longer.

"I am... Ye Qingran. I have long heard of the Yun Tribe Clan Leader's great name; seeing you today, the reputation is well deserved."

Ye Qingran flashed a bright smile.

Yun Batian stood with his hands behind his back; despite his aged appearance, one could still see he bore four‑tenths resemblance to Yun Ling and five‑tenths to Yun Zhongyue—when young he must have been a peerless beauty who could captivate countless maidens.

Ye Qingran couldn't help wondering what Yun Batian's reaction would be if she weren't disguised right now.

"Heh! Now that you've seen me, can you go?"

Ye Qingran pursed her lips; this grandfather is so weird—every three words he tells her to scram.

But it's fine; she's thick‑skinned.

"Since you're here, does the Yun Tribe Clan Leader want to exchange a couple of moves with my man?"

Fu Hanxiu: "......"

He was saying that, Ye Qingran must be doing it on purpose!

"No, no! Hurry up and leave, or I'll call someone!" Where did this strange little girl come from?

"All right!" Ye Qingran stepped forward, "I'll lay my cards on the table—I actually came to discuss a business deal with you."

Yun Batian was rather speechless.

This girl must be out of her mind—staying up past midnight, running over to him and claiming she wants to do business.

Does he look like someone short on money?