"Miss Ningxiang, why are you here?"

Unlike the bewilderment of the onlookers and the doubts of Li Gongnian, Yun Xiao recognized the identity of the frail girl at first glance; she was indeed Xue Ningxiang, the Xuanyin Hall Master's daughter, who had once suffered from Innate Pulse Cutting!

Yu Shu, standing nearby, had evidently also seen Xue Ningxiang in the Xuanyue Imperial City years ago. Upon realizing her background, he finally felt relieved.

After all, Xuanyin Hall and Douling Commerce are among the four top forces on the Tenglong Continent. Given her relationship with Yun Xiao, she wouldn't leave him unattended, right?

"Do you still have the face to talk about me? Who was it who promised to seek me out at Xuanyin Hall to completely cure my Innate Pulse Cutting once you broke through to the Earth-rank Pulse Refining Master level? I say, Yun Xiao, you're not planning to go back on your word, are you?"

Upon Yun Xiao's simple inquiry, Xue Ningxiang retaliated swiftly, her words laden with a peculiar resentment, as if feeling wronged by his failure to keep his promise.

"I... I just made the breakthrough!"

Faced with such questioning, Yun Xiao felt somewhat guilty and could only find a casual excuse. In fact, Xuanyin Hall was located in the northeast center of the Tenglong Continent, so even if he needed to go there, he had to pass through Lianyun Mountain.

"Xuanyin Hall? Miss Ningxiang? Innate Pulse Cutting?"

During the conversation between Yun Xiao and Xue Ningxiang, Li Gongnian finally recalled why the girl seemed familiar. It was because he had seen a portrait of this Xuanyin Hall Lady at the Douling Commerce headquarters.

For eighteen years, Xue Ningxiang was plagued by Innate Pulse Cutting, remaining confined within Xuanyin Hall, unnoticed by other forces' cultivators on the continent. They never encountered this Xuanyin Hall Lady.

However, for unknown reasons, more than two years ago, Miss Xue Ningxiang's Innate Pulse Cutting was suddenly cured, and her cultivation talent restored. In a short time, she reportedly reached the Spiritual Rank Third Realm.

Upon receiving the news, major forces on the continent, including the other three top forces, all restrained their disciples from provoking this Xuanyin Hall Lady lightly.

Comparatively, other forces' prodigies couldn't match the protection Xuanyin Hall Master bestowed upon his beloved daughter, known by all on the Tenglong Continent. Many High Rank Pulse Refiners had even been forcibly brought to Xuanyin Hall to treat her.

Xuanyin Hall Master Xue Tianao's protectiveness was known throughout Tenglong Continent, especially for this only daughter, a cherished treasure cherished deeply after spending eighteen years afflicted by Innate Pulse Cutting.

Thus, an unwritten rule emerged over the past two or three years on the Tenglong Continent; while offending the super geniuses of other top three forces was risky, offending Xuanyin Hall's Lady Xue Ningxiang was worse. It would provoke Xuanyin Hall's relentless pursuit until there was no rest until death.

"So, it's her?!"

Onlookers' reactions weren't much slower than Li Gongnian's. After all, Xue Ningxiang mentioned "Xuanyin Hall" and shocked the crowd, unaware of why the Hall Lady visited Lianyun Mountain.

Everyone knew Lady Xuanyin was not a Pulse Refiner, so she couldn't possibly participate in the Lianyun Mountain disciple selection. Considering her words earlier, many had thoughts about her intentions.

"Could she be here for Yun Xiao?"

Some insightful individuals thought of this possibility and immediately displayed vibrant expressions, directing glances at Li Gongnian, their emotions fluctuating.

Though Li Gongnian was from Douling Commerce and counted among the top geniuses at the Douling Commerce headquarters, with Origin Seeking Realm Late Stage cultivation, it couldn't compare to Xue Ningxiang, only at the Peak of Spirit Vein Realm.

Yet, despite this disparity, when they compared Li Gongnian and Xue Ningxiang, it seemed the Douling Commerce genius fell short, lacking any semblance of comparability.

This might be the difference between those with blood ties and ordinary prodigious disciples. If Xuanyin Hall killed Li Gongnian, Douling Commerce might not stand against Xuanyin Hall for a young genius, both being top four forces.

However, should Li Gongnian dare harm Xue Ningxiang, everyone had absolute reason to believe that the protective Xuanyin Hall Master Xue Tianao would unleash fury on Douling Commerce without regard for consequences. These two had distinct characteristics.

This could be due to differing power holders' personalities or differences in Li Gongnian and Xue Ningxiang's status. Ultimately, at this moment, everyone knew with Xue Ningxiang defending Yun Xiao, no fight would ensue.

If people previously felt disdainful towards a Peak Spirit Vein Realm girl making such statements, upon learning Xue Ningxiang's identity, she now represented a different significance, even the attitude of Xuanyin Hall itself.

Indeed, the onlookers guessed correctly; even if Xuanyin Hall Master Xue Tianao was here today facing the Douling Commerce President, he couldn't compromise in the slightest.

After all, this youth named Yun Xiao was crucial in curing Xue Ningxiang's Innate Pulse Cutting completely, key to solving his precious daughter's condition. For her, Xue Tianao could stand against anyone on the Tenglong Continent.

"Li Gongnian, why are you still standing here? Are you waiting for us to invite you for tea?"

Faced with Yun Xiao's words, Xue Ningxiang was at a loss for words. However, when she turned to face Li Gongnian, her slender figure exuded an innate authority, making Li Gongnian's expression undoubtedly even darker.

"Yun Xiao, out of respect for Miss Ningxiang, I'll let you off today, but your grudge with my Douling Commerce isn't over. You'd better prepare yourself!"

Li Gongnian knew that with Xue Ningxiang present, there was no way he could make a move against Yun Xiao today. So he glared viciously at the rough-clad boy before turning to leave.

"You..."

Hearing this, Xue Ningxiang was somewhat displeased. Although the other party claimed to be showing her respect, it was clear he had no intention of letting Yun Xiao go forever, which made her quite angry.

"Miss Ningxiang, let it be. They're just tough talk, no need to bother. Besides... can you even beat him?"

Seeing Xue Ningxiang wanting to argue further with Li Gongnian, Yun Xiao quickly tugged at the young lady's sleeve. However, the last sentence he uttered instantly drew a look of anger.

"I can't beat him, and whose fault is that? If you had cured my Innate Pulse Cutting earlier, I could take on ten of those guys at once!"

For some reason, this topic irritated Xue Ningxiang. It must be said that women can be unreasonable creatures. Her words left even Yu Shu beside them dumbfounded.

"My dear young lady, at least I've saved your life. Is this how you treat your lifesaver?"

Yun Xiao helplessly shrugged, thinking that if it weren't for his treatment method, Xue Ningxiang wouldn't be so lively now, clawing at him. She'd probably still be bedridden, or worse, dead.

"I don't care. Once you start helping, you must see it through. Since you stepped in, you're responsible for me!"

Xue Ningxiang wasn't about to engage Yun Xiao in a reasoned discussion. When she spoke her last sentence, the looks from the surrounding people turned odd, and even Yun Xiao's face showed awkwardness.

"Lady Xue, can't I be scared of you? But as for taking responsibility, let's not say something like that lightly, okay?"

Yun Xiao felt increasingly helpless. Previously, he wasn't familiar with Xue Ningxiang and had never seen this side of the young lady. Suddenly, in his mind, the image of the unpredictable Liu Hanyi appeared, and it seemed these two had similar dispositions.

"Taking responsibility is fine. If anyone dares bother you again, just mention my name, and I'll back you up!"

Xue Ningxiang seemed to carry a natural authority inherited from the Xuanyin Hall Master. Her words made everyone's faces change, thinking that with such a statement, that boy Yun Xiao might be able to walk freely across the entire Tenglong Continent.

Xue Ningxiang's own Meridian Qi Cultivation wasn't anything impressive, but her background was remarkable. Coupled with being the beloved only daughter of the Xuanyin Hall Master, the weight she represented was something entirely different.

Moreover, from Xue Ningxiang's words, it seemed people could infer that Yun Xiao had some capability to aid with her Innate Pulse Cutting condition. In such a situation, if someone killed Yun Xiao, wouldn't it mean leaving Xue Ningxiang without a healer? That would be a grave provocation!

...

"I really didn't expect that kid Yun Xiao to have a connection with the young lady of Xuanyin Hall!"

Not far from the trading area, two familiar figures to Yun Xiao stood quietly. The speaker was Lu Zhang from Sky Thunder Valley.

Earlier, when the conflict arose on this side, Xu Changgui and Lu Zhang had already been watching from nearby. Seeing Yun Xiao dare to offend even Li Gongnian, they were undoubtedly gloating.

After all, compared to the talented figure of Douling Commerce headquarters, even being called Earth Mine of Sky Thunder Valley paled in comparison at least in terms of strength.

In the eyes of these two, they couldn't handle Yun Xiao, but surely Li Gongnian could. Once the conflict exploded, it would be as if these brothers were indirectly getting back at Yun Xiao.

But who would have thought the outcome would be entirely contrary to what these brothers expected, as the sudden appearance of Xuanyin Hall's lady crushed the entire development of events.

Moreover, because of Xue Ningxiang's last sentence, both Xu Changgui and Lu Zhang knew that if they ever wanted to make a move against Yun Xiao again, they would seriously need to think it over.