Chapter 136: A Meeting of Kindred Spirits?

Upon seeing Meng Chao and Wang Bo, Xiao Yu immediately flashed a cold, mocking smile. At that very moment, as if sensing something, the two men turned their gazes toward where Xiao Yu was standing.

The instant they locked eyes with him, an expression of indescribable rage crossed their faces. They pushed through the crowd and marched straight toward him. The onlookers, noticing the dark expressions on Meng Chao and Wang Bo’s faces and then catching sight of Xiao Yu nearby, began to whisper in confusion.

"Xiao Yu! Let’s see where you can run to today!" Meng Chao bellowed upon reaching him.

The crowd, sensing a spectacle, began to gather around in anticipation. With a little time still left before the sacrificial ceremony, everyone was eager to witness the drama. While those around him were electrified, Xiao Yu remained remarkably calm. He coolly picked at his ear with his pinky finger and said, "Keep it down. I can hear you just fine."

Seeing Xiao Yu’s composure, the memory of his son’s death ignited a fire of fury within Meng Chao. A surge of powerful spiritual energy radiated from his body, leaving the surrounding onlookers stunned. It seemed as though Meng Chao intended to strike, but this was not the Law Enforcement Hall. To resort to violence within the Xuan Yuan family, especially on the day of their sacred ceremony, would be a direct insult to the clan. Even as an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, Meng Chao had to exercise some restraint.

As expected, Wang Bo, seeing that Meng Chao was on the verge of losing control, stepped forward and whispered a few words into his ear. What was said remained a mystery to the crowd. After listening to Wang Bo, Meng Chao flicked his sleeve, shot Xiao Yu a cold glare, and allowed his formidable aura to fade away.

"Once the ceremony is over, I will settle the debt for my son’s life with you properly!" Meng Chao snorted, turned around, and left the plaza, showing no interest in the ceremony any longer. Wang Bo cast one last vicious glance at Xiao Yu before following in his footsteps.

"Bah, I thought we were going to see a real fight. The Law Enforcement Hall people just left like that. How boring."

"This is the Xuan Yuan family, after all. Even if the Law Enforcement Hall claims to be the most powerful organization, they are still wary of a clan with hundreds of years of heritage. Besides, Meng Chao is only an elder; what right does he have to cause trouble here?"

"Let’s disperse. The ceremony is about to start. If we can't see a fight, we can at least witness the legendary sacrificial ritual of the Xuan Yuan family. At least it won't be a wasted trip."

The crowd murmured as they drifted away to return to their seats. Xiao Yu shrugged helplessly as the two men departed. Just then, a hearty, unrestrained laugh rang out beside him. Xiao Yu turned to see a man in white robes approaching him with a wild grin.

"You look like a fresh face, brother. Which sect or faction do you belong to? To make those two from the Law Enforcement Hall back down—that is truly a delight to see." The man, Gu Jian, bowed slightly with a friendly demeanor as he approached.

"I am Xiao Yu, of no sect or school. I had nothing to do with them backing down; they probably just didn't dare to act recklessly because this is the Xuan Yuan family's territory," Xiao Yu replied with a respectful bow.

"Not necessarily, not necessarily. Based on what I just saw, it seems you have a history with the Law Enforcement Hall. That alone makes you someone extraordinary," added another handsome young man who had stepped forward with a smile.

The Law Enforcement Hall was known as the supreme power in the hot summer lands. Ordinarily, people would avoid anyone who had offended them at all costs. Yet, looking at Gu Jian and the handsome youth, Xiao Yu sensed no hostility—rather, they seemed to be showing a hint of affinity, which left him puzzled.

"Gentlemen, I have a deep, blood-soaked vendetta against the Law Enforcement Hall. Aren't you afraid that by talking to me, they might mistake you for my accomplices?" Xiao Yu asked.

The two men paused, looked at each other, and burst into laughter. "Brother Xiao, you worry too much. We martial artists have never gotten along with those cultivators. Never mind your grudge; the scores we have to settle with the Law Enforcement Hall are just as significant."

Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback. He was aware of the deep-seated hatred between martial artists and cultivators, though he couldn't quite put his finger on the cause. He only knew that whenever he saw a cultivator, he felt an instinctive, burning urge to crush them. It felt as innate as breathing.

Just as Xiao Yu was about to speak again, the sound of bells and drums echoed across the plaza, drawing everyone’s attention. On the sacrificial altar, disciples of the Xuan Yuan family in traditional robes were playing their instruments with fervor. Simultaneously, a disciplined procession began to file in through the entrance.

"Brother Xiao, the ceremony is starting. Shall we have a proper talk once it concludes?" Gu Jian suggested, glancing at the procession before looking back at Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu felt a strong sense of rapport with Gu Jian, perhaps due to the frank, open nature of a swordsman.

"Agreed," Xiao Yu replied.

With that, Xiao Yu, Gu Jian, and the handsome youth returned to their respective places to await the ritual. As the Xuan Yuan family’s procession advanced, the aura emanating from them made it clear that these were the elite of the younger generation. The person leading them, in particular, exuded an aura even stronger than Gu Jian’s. Xiao Yu had a rough guess as to his identity: this must be the strongest of the Xuan Yuan youth, the eldest son of that old man Xuan Yuan Huangdao—Xuan Yuan Jian.

As if confirming his thoughts, Gu Jian leaned in when he saw the look of curiosity on Xiao Yu's face. "The one leading the group is Xuan Yuan Jian, the young master of the Xuan Yuan family. He is ranked second on the Dragon List. Those behind him are the elite of the younger generation; any one of them could stand alone as a master in the outside world."

Xiao Yu nodded, his eyes fixed on Xuan Yuan Jian. Sensing the gaze, Xuan Yuan Jian turned his head slightly toward Xiao Yu, and the two exchanged a faint smile. This reaction left Gu Jian and the handsome young man visibly astonished.