Chapter 502

After a few days, both sides had their own thoughts; on one hand they cooperated to kill enemies, on the other hand they didn't say much.

On the surface, however, Yan Buji and Xiao Ran maintained a friendly attitude, probing each other.

"By the way, Daoist Xu, you are a martial cultivator; have you seen any other martial cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage?"

Yan Buji froze for a moment: "What do you mean? Besides me, are there others?"

Xiao Ran raised an eyebrow and smiled: "That's right; we are not cultivators from the Dongxing Sea Region, we came from the Nan Ting Mountain Region. Over there, in recent years, a Martial Dao Nascent Soul has also appeared."

"Who?" Yan Buji asked, somewhat curious.

"His name is Ye Zhilong; he is now a disciple of the Profound Gate."

Ye Zhilong?

The Dragon Might General of Kan Dao?

Who would have thought that back then, using a depleted Martial Dao Golden Core actually produced a Martial Dao Nascent Soul?

It's a pity that the two sides were originally enemies, but after entering the cultivation world, worldly affairs hardly concern them anymore.

Speaking of which, I suppose I also owe Ye Zhilong a favor.

Yan Buji looked astonished and said: "Really, such a person exists? If I had the chance to go to the Nan Ting Mountain Region and meet him, that would be great."

Ling Yan frowned and said: "You'd better not go; the Nan Ting Mountain Region's attitude toward martial cultivators is not favorable, unlike the tolerance of the Dongxing Sea Region. Ye Zhilong is only able to do so because of special circumstances..."

Yan Buji said arrogantly: "I, Xu, am also a Martial Immortal; in what way am I inferior to that Ye Zhilong?"

"This..." Ling Yan was speechless, as if speaking of it made Ye Zhilong seem not as formidable as this Xu Long before us.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ran asked curiously: "Daoist Xu, your Martial Immortal realm—could it be different from Nascent Soul?"

"Of course they're different, judging by what you mean. That Ye Zhilong merely follows the ancient martial artist's path, while I, Xu, walk my own way!" Yan Buji displayed an arrogant attitude, which left Xiao Ran and Ling Yan somewhat puzzled.

"Then what is the difference between Martial Immortal and Nascent Soul? Martial cultivators can also form a Nascent Soul; since you are not taking that path, how do you possess such great power?"

"Hmph, Daoist Xiao, that question is going too far." Yan Buji said coldly.

Xiao Ran came to his senses and hastily bowed: "I have offended you."

Wu Qian hurried out to mediate, smiling: "Ah, Brother Xu, don't take it to heart; Daoist Xiao is merely curious why Brother Xu is so strong. Moreover, from ancient times to now, many cultivators have forged their own paths, but those who can establish a new method and open the way forward are truly few. Thus, Daoist Xiao is just curious."

Xiao Ran went along with the situation, smiling: "That's right; I was momentarily curious and inadvertently broke the rules—I hope Daoist Xu will not hold it against me."

Yan Buji pretended to soften his expression and nodded: "I, Xu, understand, but the path I cultivate is far from ordinary; it's really not something I can readily disclose."

Ling Yan wore a strange expression and muttered: "Perhaps he stumbled into a breakthrough by accident, not even understanding it himself."

Xiao Ran's face changed, and he quickly glared at Ling Yan: "Ling Yan, don't talk nonsense! Daoist Xu's combat power is astonishing; his talent is not something you and I can guess. Apologize to Daoist Xu!"

Ling Yan pouted, looking at Yan Buji: "Sorry, Daoist Xu."

A clumsy provocation tactic.

However, their back-and-forth was merely an attempt to gauge my true strength.

Thinking this, Yan Buji snorted coldly: "Whether it's real or not, we'll know after a couple of moves! I don't know whether Daoist Xiao or Fairy Ling will come test my mettle, or if you two come together—I, Xu, am not afraid!"

Seeing the atmosphere grow tense, Wu Qian hurriedly said: "Brother Xu, don't get angry; this is the Abnormal Region, if you want to spar, let's wait until we're outside."

Xiao Ran bowed and said: "Daoist Xu, we have not doubted your strength; we are merely curious. As for sparring, if we can leave the Abnormal Region safely, we will gladly accompany you."

"Then that's fine; just don't disappear when we go out. Especially you, little miss, don't think you can speak recklessly just because you have a man outside."

Ling Yan widened her eyes, her face flushing: "You!"

"What? He isn't your man?"

Xiao Ran hastily grabbed the flaring Ling Yan and accompanied her with a smile: "We two are merely traveling companions; Daoist Xu, please don't say that."

Yan Buji narrowed his eyes, seeing the flicker of loss in Ling Yan's gaze, he narrowed his eyes.

Interesting.

Dealing with this Ling Yan is much easier than dealing with Xiao Ran.

But still, that saying holds: since we're in the Abnormal Region, neither side naturally wants to break ties completely. Xiao Ran and Ling Yan are also deliberately provoking him to test his strength.

From this, they probably don't realize that I am Yan Buji, his uncle and her enemy.

If so, after we get out, we should plot well—first kill them, then talk!

"But why are Xiao Ran and Ling Yan so interested in a martial cultivator named Xu Long? With my arrogant demeanor, they could hardly imagine I am Yan Buji. If that's the case, then something else must be drawing their attention."

Is it my mysterious skill?

However, the Blood Heaven Ascension Degree, after Yan Buji's years of arduous practice, has long differed greatly from what the Great Demon Wuji employs; as for martial techniques, they are gathered by Yan Buji himself, so even if they are similar to what they have seen, they would not cause such wary probing just because of mysterious skills and martial techniques.

No!

This kind of probing.... isn't it like when I previously beat someone to death in the Heavenly Spirit Realm for no particular reason, also a probing without cause?

What exactly do I have that makes them pay such attention?

Not kin nor acquaintance, they cannot discern my true face; there is no love or hatred...

Nor is it mysterious skill or martial technique; could it be that my possession of magical power has been exposed?

Also not, if they knew of the existence of the Patterned Mysterious Skill, I had not exactly concealed it before; if others knew the origin of this Patterned Mysterious Skill, it's not that everyone would know.

Moreover, this Patterned Mysterious Skill is so formidable; if I had exposed it, it shouldn't be mere probing but an ambush designed to kill him.

In short, both sides harbor ulterior motives; Wu Qian, in the middle, although feeling that both sides' attitudes are somewhat off, did not think deeply about it.

He still thinks Xiao Ran and Xu Long are not bad people; perhaps it's just a simple clash of personalities.

After a long while more.

The four fought while walking; along the way, several Nascent Soul cultivators were discovered, joined the group, and mutually supported each other.

"By the way, have you encountered the Black Wind Sea Pirates? Those guys are truly no good; even though the Abnormal Region is already this dangerous, they still come to kill and loot!"

"Yeah, I was lucky to run into them just when I saw them being chased by Abnormal Beasts; they didn't dare come over. However, lately I haven't seen them at all."

"The Abnormal Region is so vast; maybe they're hiding somewhere."

Wu Qian smiled: "Everyone need not worry; the Black Wind Sea Pirates have all been slain by Xu Long, Daoist Xu!"

What?

Impossible.

Ling Yan also chimed in from the side: "That's right, the Black Wind Sea Pirate Gang's lackeys wanted to ambush Fellow Daoist Xu, but he has already slain them."

Yan Buji stepped forward, drew the True Phoenix Bow: "Look, what is this?"

"Phoenix Flame's True Phoenix Bow?!"

"Fellow Daoist Xu is mighty! He even killed Phoenix Flame!"

The surrounding Nascent Soul Cultivators were astonished, and again asked: "Fellow Daoist, you must be careful; the Black Wind Sea Pirate Gang has more than just one Nascent Soul stage..."

"The others also died by my hand; the Black Wind Sea Pirate Gang had a total of five Nascent Soul cultivators, all of whom I have slain!" Yan Buji said arrogantly.

Wow!

Is this really true?

It should be; the True Phoenix Bow is in his hands....

Everyone believed Yan Buji's words, which also boosted Xu Long's reputation.