Chapter 1759: Sworn Brothers of Different Surnames

"Brother Murong, what's wrong?" At this, the other Cultivators nearby noticed their companion's strange reaction and asked with concern.

"N-no, nothing..." Murong Tuo quickly lowered his head, daring not let anyone see his expression.

Seeing this, the group continued walking inward.

These few hailed from prestigious families and naturally carried an air of nobility; except for Cultivators of equal status, they held no one else in regard.

The Cultivators in the main hall understood this principle as well, so upon seeing this group approach, they all stepped aside to make way.

Only Xu Que stared straight at Murong Tuo, as if trying to see right through him.

"System, what was the content of that Destiny Fragment Illusion you just created?" Xu Que asked in his heart. "Why does this lad seem a bit off?"

This time, the System remained silent for a long while, seemingly finding it difficult to speak of.

"System?" Xu Que frowned slightly and asked again.

The System spoke mournfully: "... You wouldn't want to know."

Just then, the group arrived beside Xu Que, and Murong Tuo couldn't help but glance at him several more times.

He was certain that this youth was the very person he had seen within the River of Destiny.

Murong Tuo subconsciously slowed his pace and stopped beside Xu Que.

If such things were to happen in the future, it was necessary for him to understand beforehand exactly what kind of person this individual was.

After carefully choosing his words, he cupped his fists and said, "Fellow Daoist, I observe that your bearing is impressive and you are no ordinary person; may I ask your honorable name?"

Seeing their companion inquire, the several Cultivators nearby also halted their steps, their gazes sweeping between Xu Que and Murong Tuo.

Xu Que was also somewhat surprised; could this person have detected something? Why was he suddenly probing my background?

Yet he remained unperturbed, cupped his fists, and displayed a perfect smile as he replied, "I am Zhizun Bao of the Awesome Heaven Gang; may I ask your honorable name, esteemed one?"

As he spoke, he casually deployed a Soundproofing Array around them to prevent other Cultivators from hearing his origins.

Er Gouzi had caused too much impact, but giving up the Awesome Heaven Gang's name was impossible; he could only find a way to rectify the gang's reputation.

Watching the other's smile, Murong Tuo's eyes gradually grew hazy.

It had to be said, he really was quite handsome...

If it were with such a handsome youth, perhaps it wouldn't be so hard to accept?

Xu Ye was rather curious and pressed further: "Brother Murong, what scene did you see just now? Was someone plotting to ambush us?"

"No, it wasn't me, impossible!" Murong Tuo, lost in thought, was suddenly questioned and shrieked abruptly like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

He suddenly snapped back to clarity, his mind shaken violently.

Damn! What am I thinking?

Am I actually accepting reality?

I'm a pure man, damn it! How could I be with another man!

"I am Murong Tuo!" He composed his expression and said solemnly, "I wish to know, Fellow Daoist, what relation do you have with my Murong Family? Why do I sense a Bond between you and my Murong Family?"

He absolutely had to figure out why such a situation had arisen.

Previously he had clearly sensed killing intent, and what he extracted from the River of Destiny were scenes related to that killing intent, so why did what appear instead be a scene of himself kissing this youth?

Upon hearing this, the several Cultivators nearby turned unfavorable gazes toward Xu Que.

As members of top-tier families, each of them possessed a Buddha Secret Art; if an outsider attempted to kill them, a Bond with their family would inevitably be left upon the attacker.

As long as one was a member of that family, they could sense this Bond.

Since Murong Tuo had asked such a question, it meant this person had most likely once attempted to kill someone from the Murong Family.

Yet none of them could have imagined that the Bond between Xu Que and the Murong Family existed purely because the System had fabricated a false Destiny Fragment of the two kissing!

Hearing this, Xu Que was momentarily stunned, thinking it was most likely due to that Destiny Fragment issue.

What kind of Destiny Fragment did the System actually create?

Why did this lad, instead of being distracted, focus directly on himself?

"Ahem, I hail from a wild mountain region and do not understand the meaning of your words, esteemed one," Xu Que coughed and began playing the fool.

Anyway, with the System in hand, there was no way this lad could see through anything.

Hearing this, Murong Tuo frowned tightly: "Or... has Fellow Daoist encountered any strange figures before? Perhaps even a senior of my Murong Family?"

"Uh, actually, yes; earlier by the roadside I met an old beggar, and seeing him truly pitiful, I rewarded him with a steamed bun," Xu Que said deliberately.

"A beggar?" Murong Tuo immediately fell into deep thought.

On the contrary, the expressions of the other several Cultivators changed drastically.

Among them, Xu Ye even shouted sternly in rebuke: "Impudent fool! How dare you insult Brother Murong so!"

Just now Murong Tuo had asked Xu Que if he had encountered any strange people, and immediately Xu Que claimed to have met an old beggar; wasn't this implying that a senior of the Murong Family was a beggar?

The Murong Family was a top-tier family; how could it possibly have a senior who was a beggar?

Xu Ye's loud rebuke immediately drew the attention of other Cultivators in the main hall, and everyone turned to look in this direction.

Most of the Cultivators who came to participate in the Selection had distinguished family backgrounds, and they recognized the identities of Murong Tuo and his companions at a glance.

Now seeing Xu Ye sternly rebuking that young Cultivator, many faces displayed expressions of schadenfreude.

"Now there's a good show to watch; that youth has actually provoked someone from the Xu Family."

"Not only that; look at who is beside him—the Murong Family and the Yue Family."

"This lad is dead for sure; these three families are closely linked, so provoking one is equivalent to provoking all three. What a pity for such a handsome young man."

The crowd immediately began discussing animatedly, looking at Xu Que with great interest to see what disadvantage he would ultimately meet.

Murong Tuo was instead the calmest among them, frowning tightly as he pondered carefully.

An old beggar; the Murong Family shouldn't have such a senior... Wait!

His eyes suddenly brightened as he recalled someone!

Years ago, the Murong Family had a senior of supreme cultivation who, after reaching Half-Step Immortal Emperor, claimed he wished to go out and comprehend the Great Dao, so he left the family to travel the world.

It is said that someone once saw this senior, and it seems he was begging as a beggar!

Murong Tuo suddenly felt a startled throb in his heart; this senior's temper was very strange, and if anyone went against his arrangements, he would show no mercy even to members of his own clan!

In other words, this youth had been arranged by the senior.

If he forcibly tried to change things, it would be tantamount to defying the senior!

No wonder he had sensed killing intent!

Xu Ye turned to look at Murong Tuo: "Brother Murong, this person has insulted your clan; how do you think we should handle it?"

Murong Tuo pondered for a moment, then suddenly gripped Xu Que's hand firmly and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist, we feel an instant kinship; why not become sworn brothers of different surnames?"

The crowd: "..."

Xu Que: "..."