After hearing this, Li Yan stole another glance at Meng Shangmo. Seeing that the other's expression was normal, unlike the hesitant look of the Giant Wood Clan's Ancestor, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Senior, it's like this. Senior Shuang was once a cultivator of the Tianli Clan. Back then, she was…"
Li Yan began to recount some of Shuang Qingqing's story. Of course, he could only share what Shuang Qingqing had permitted him to. At the same time, he also mentioned that he had requested the help of the two Nascent Soul cultivators, Chongfeng and Shuiyue.
The gray-robed old man just listened quietly, not interrupting. It was only after Li Yan had finished that he smiled faintly.
"Fellow Daoist Shuang's experiences are truly remarkable. We shall not discuss the rights and wrongs of her past. As for this current matter, with Fellow Daoist Chongfeng and Fellow Daoist Shuiyue stepping forward, Shuang Fengyan will certainly not act immediately. This old one can be sure of that. Those seven clans are native to the Verdant Continent. On the surface, they appear to be just a seven-clan alliance, but in reality, they have intricate ties with the other vassal races of the former Peacock Bright King's clan. The Tianli Clan truly wouldn't dare to act rashly against them. If they don't even grant this bit of face, they might just provoke a punitive expedition from the many races of the Sparrow Plume Pagoda Domain."
"How about this: I have some friendship with Shuang Fengyan. I will find him in advance and explain some things to him. As long as that disciple of Fellow Daoist Shuang's hasn't come to harm yet, then she will be fine from now on. In a moment, you can record her appearance and some of her features on a jade slip for me. You need not worry about the rest. However, I won't bring her out for the time being. Didn't that Fellow Daoist Shuang want to explain the situation herself? Then we shouldn't alert the enemy and let Bai Yihe know. As for what happens after, given that their clan's internal grievances are so entangled, it is of course better for Fellow Daoist Shuang to resolve it herself!"
The gray-robed old man said to Li Yan. Li Yan was overjoyed to hear this. With his intelligence, how could he not understand that this Late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator was willing to make a trip himself? And it seemed he would be able to protect Bai Rou very soon. The other party clearly knew that Shuang Fengyan would need some time to return to his clan, yet he still promised to ensure Bai Rou's safety. This meant that even before Shuang Fengyan returned to the clan, this Great Cultivator would be protecting her in secret. With him secretly watching Bai Yihe, Bai Rou's life would surely be safe.
Shuang Qingqing's offensive power was only comparable to some Great Cultivators, giving her a chance to escape from one with her life. But in terms of true control over power, she was no match for a Great Cultivator like Meng Shangmo.
Finally, Meng Shangmo also expressed his stance: he would not participate in Shuang Qingqing's insistence on settling old grievances with her clan.
The gray-robed old man's words were simple and few, but his reasoning was crystal clear, and he gave a definite reply, further highlighting his wisdom and steadfastness.
If Li Yan had asked him to save Shuang Qingqing at a critical moment, he probably would have agreed. After all, he had promised Li Yan three chances, and this was still within his capabilities. But Li Yan didn't ask, because Shuang Qingqing had said before she came that she only asked for a chance to defend herself and to have Bai Rou rescued. As for her own escape, Shuang Qingqing was confident, because she still had a defensive treasure, a cloak given to her by Gu Jiuqi. That magical treasure had provided her and Bai Rou with great protection in the Chaotic Flow Space. Its defense could block a full-powered strike from a Great Cultivator, which would naturally buy her time to escape.
"Many thanks, Senior Meng!"
A look of joy appeared on Li Yan's face, and he immediately bowed again, only to be stopped by a gentle force.
"That's enough. Record the information of that disciple named Bai Rou for me now. It's better not to be careless about some things. This matter should be handled sooner rather than later!" The gray-robed old man didn't move at all, yet a force materialized out of thin air, lifting Li Yan from his bow.
A short while later, Li Yan handed a jade slip to the gray-robed old man.
"You should head out now. I imagine Yi Xiaowu is getting anxious. Don't worry too much about the rest. Also, I think there's one matter that can be handled like this…"
The gray-robed old man immediately shared his suggestion. Li Yan nodded frequently as he listened. It wasn't that he hadn't thought of it before, but his own side's strength and circumstances didn't allow for it. Now, with the gray-robed old man's help, Li Yan naturally had a plan in mind. Subsequently, the gray-robed old man took out two Voice Transmission Talismans and handed them to Li Yan with a smile.
Throughout their conversation, just as he himself had said, he did not inquire about Li Yan's sect. He didn't even mention the teleportation formation that Meng Zhiyuan and the others had used to return.
At this point, the matter had come to a close. Li Yan didn't dare to disturb the other party any longer. He could guess that Meng Shangmo was likely about to set off immediately to find Bai Rou.
After a bow, and with a smiling nod from the gray-robed old man, Li Yan walked quickly towards the exit. But just as he was about to reach the cave entrance, the gray-robed old man's light laughter suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Oh, right. Little friend Zhang, that expert in your Spirit-Storing Pouch had better not cause any trouble in my clan. Otherwise, you all are free to do as you please!"
Li Yan, who was about to step out of the cave entrance, froze in his tracks. His body jolted violently, and the expression on his face froze.
When he turned his head, stiffly, bit by bit, the gray-robed old man had already vanished from the garden-like Cave Residence. Even the parrot was gone.
'He… he… he can sense my spiritual connection?'
A tempestuous wave crashed through Li Yan's mind.
Of course, in terms of cultivation, as long as Li Yan used his Divine Sense, even cultivators of the same realm might detect his actions, let alone this opponent. But that situation was the result of spreading one's Divine Sense.
However, magical treasures and storage or spirit-storing pouches that Li Yan had personally refined already bore his Divine Sense. From any perspective, it was normal for these items to have his Divine Sense on them; they were one and the same. Li Yan's communication with the Spirit-Storing Pouch was, to be precise, just using his mind to communicate with his own Divine Sense. The restriction on the Spirit-Storing Pouch was formed by his Divine Sense to begin with.
This was something that even Shuang Qingqing should have been unable to detect. Otherwise, she wouldn't have proposed such a plan.
Yet, the gray-robed old man could still discern the abnormality in Li Yan and even state that there was an expert in his Spirit-Storing Pouch. This was too terrifying.
Although Li Yan's mind was constantly connected to the Spirit-Storing Pouch, at this moment, he suppressed the shock in his heart and did not immediately notify Shuang Qingqing.
After leaving the Cave Residence, Li Yan indeed saw the young man in red martial attire standing outside like a long spear. Upon seeing Li Yan come out, a smile appeared on Yi Xiaowu's somewhat stiff face.
"Benefactor…"
"Don't call me Benefactor anymore. To be frank, this was a transaction. Calling me Zhang Ming or Fellow Daoist feels more cordial!"
Except for the very beginning when he had called Li Yan "Fellow Daoist Zhang" in front of the black-robed man and the other clansmen, Yi Xiaowu had been calling him "Benefactor" ever since, showing his respect for Li Yan.
"This…"
A look of difficulty appeared on Yi Xiaowu's face.
"Alright, I must be leaving now. Since you have all returned to the normal path of cultivation, I wish you all a smooth journey on your immortal path!"
"Ben… factor, you're leaving already? Then the Ancestor's side…"
"Hehe, Zhang Ming. My name is Zhang Ming! To have met you all is also a strange encounter on my immortal path. Senior Meng has already agreed to my request. It's just that I have urgent matters to attend to, so I won't impose any longer for now. I may come to trouble you again in the future if I have the time!"
Li Yan rarely spoke such heartfelt words, which could be considered a small repayment for Yi Xiaowu's genuine display of emotion.
After Li Yan flew away from the heavy fog, he only stopped after flying thirty thousand li away from the "Dark Spirit Demon Bat" territory.
With a thought, a white light flashed from his waist, and two beautiful figures appeared before him.
"Little fellow, what happened? It's been so long and no news?"
As soon as the figures appeared, a voice that was bewitching to the bone sounded out…
After several tens of breaths, stunned expressions appeared on the faces of both Shuang Qingqing and Zhao Min.
"Just like that? You managed to get a Late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator to act?" Shuang Qingqing asked again, still in disbelief.
"Yes. If there are no surprises, Senior Meng may have already set out for the Tianli Clan!"
Shuang Qingqing stared at Li Yan's face for a long while before finally confirming that he was speaking seriously.
"Say what he said at the end one more time!"
Li Yan then repeated Meng Shangmo's final pointed words. After hearing them, Shuang Qingqing narrowed her beautiful eyes.
"That old fellow Meng Shangmo is truly formidable. However, you don't need to see him as that terrifying. He should have discovered the abnormality of the Spirit-Storing Pouch through some of your actions, but he couldn't be sure what was inside. Otherwise, given his attitude towards you, it's highly likely he would have pointed it out directly. That would have made him seem even more magnanimous and made you trust him even more. He probably guessed that you came to their clan with some reservations and so you kept some tricks up your sleeve. In his mind, it was either me in the Spirit-Storing Pouch, or the Ancestor you spoke of left some protective measure. However, it's also true that this old man is truly remarkable. There are still divine abilities at the Great Cultivator level that are simply beyond my comprehension…"
Shuang Qingqing fell silent for a moment. She had always been proud and aloof by nature. Back then, relying on the "Purple-Winged Ice Phoenix," she had even lured a Late-stage Demonic General into the "Flying Sand Grotto-Caves." In that confined space, the decisive and resolute Shuang Qingqing had unhesitatingly detonated her Nascent Soul, instantly turning that Late-stage Demonic General into nothingness. And under the protection of the "Purple-Winged Ice Phoenix," she had unexpectedly managed to leave behind a remnant soul. After waking up, Shuang Qingqing believed that a Late-stage Nascent Soul was nothing special.
But there were so many experts in the world. Meng Shangmo, also a Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, now gave her that feeling—he was ridiculously stronger than some of the other Great Cultivators she had seen.
'He has never ascended. His realm might be infinitely close to the Spirit Transformation Realm. Never underestimate any cultivator!' Shuang Qingqing warned herself against her own pride.
Although she could use the "Purple-Winged Ice Phoenix" to fight a Late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator and achieve the ability to protect herself, this was something many Mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators could not do. But the "Purple-Winged Ice Phoenix" could only enhance her combat power; it had no other divine abilities. For things like powerful Divine Sense, she had to rely on her own cultivation.
"I really have to thank you this time, Li Yan!"
Shuang Qingqing suddenly said such a thing, and even more rarely, she said Li Yan's name.
Indeed, Li Yan, a Golden Core cultivator, and a Mid-stage cultivator who had only just arrived on the Verdant Continent, had, after a few turns of events, unexpectedly helped her solve her most difficult problem.
Of course, if she hadn't mistakenly brought Bai Rou here herself, Shuang Qingqing could have resolved this old grievance on her own this time. If worst came to worst, she could have torn space herself and risked escaping into the Chaotic Flow Space. Once there, even a Spirit Transformation cultivator would not dare to use instantaneous movement. Trying to catch up to Shuang Qingqing, who had the "Purple-Winged Ice Phoenix" to rely on, was easier said than done.