“This… well…”
Ling Xiaoyou stiffly scratched her cheek, seemingly realizing that her reaction just now had indeed been a bit too intense.
“Oh, Elder, please don’t worry about such small details.”
Unable to find a suitable excuse, Ling Xiaoyou quickly hugged Li Xueman’s arm and acted cute, trying to get through by acting cute.
Fortunately, Li Xueman only gave her a strange look, still curious about her earlier agitation, but she didn’t dwell on it further.
Instead, she asked, “So, Xiaoyou, are you familiar with that Exorcist from just now?”
Li Xueman paused for a moment before speaking again with some uncertainty.
“Wasn’t that Bai Shuanglian, who once came to New Sea City? When did you get involved with her, Xiaoyou?”
Hearing Li Xueman’s inquiry, Ling Xiaoyou finally remembered that she hadn’t mentioned this matter to Old Lady Li at all.
She quickly replied, “We are indeed quite familiar. We met by accident during a previous job, and after a few interactions, we became friends.”
Ling Xiaoyou did not intend to tell Li Xueman the specific details of that time.
Given how much the old lady doted on her, she would certainly go to Bai Shuanglian to demand an explanation!
To ensure the two could get along harmoniously in the future, Ling Xiaoyou decisively glossed over those events.
As she spoke, a sudden doubt crossed Ling Xiaoyou’s mind.
‘Huh, why am I already thinking about how the two of them will get along in the future?’
Senior Li and Bai Shuanglian shouldn’t have anything to do with each other at all.
Unable to find an answer, Ling Xiaoyou stopped worrying about it.
She looked at Li Xueman, her expression suddenly turning solemn.
“By the way, Elder, do you remember when you posted a photograph of Bai Shuanglian in the work group?”
“At that time, you said the ghost who took the photograph of Bai Shuanglian went missing afterward, and that it was very likely Bai Shuanglian’s doing.”
Hearing Ling Xiaoyou’s description, Li Xueman quickly recalled the incident.
After all, it hadn’t been that long ago.
“Xiaoyou, do you think this matter has nothing to do with Bai Shuanglian?”
“Yes.”
Ling Xiaoyou nodded seriously.
Although she hadn’t questioned Bai Shuanglian specifically about this, it wasn’t hard to guess that it had nothing to do with her.
During that time, the Devils hadn’t been completely eliminated, and coupled with the recent frequent incidents of Devils kidnapping spirits, the answer was quite obvious.
She shared her speculations and some previous experiences with Li Xueman.
The latter frowned slightly and whispered, “Devils? I see. No wonder there are so many powerful auras near the Imperial Capital. I originally thought they were here to watch the Xuantian Martial Tournament, but now it seems they are inextricably linked to this Devil incident.”
Hearing Li Xueman’s soft mutterings, Ling Xiaoyou was momentarily stunned, then nodded her head in understanding.
After all, even she could tell that the Devils were definitely going to make a move during the Xuantian Martial Tournament, let alone those from the Regulatory Division or the Exorcists Association.
“Then, Xiaoyou, since this matter is being taken so seriously by so many people, you’d better not—”
Li Xueman looked at Ling Xiaoyou, prepared to offer some advice or a warning, only to see Ling Xiaoyou shake her small head.
“Elder, I have already decided. I’m going to find the spirits who went missing because of the Devils, and I’m going to crush the Devils’ conspiracy!”
Furthermore, her system mission also required her to thwart the Devils’ plot.
There was no way she would give up!
Li Xueman was stunned for a moment.
Looking at Ling Xiaoyou’s determined eyes, she smiled helplessly, as if recalling her own youth.
She murmured softly, ‘It’s so nice…’
Then, Li Xueman nodded and said, “Since you have made up your mind, I won’t try to dissuade you.”
“I can understand you, after all. When I was young, I was just like you—always full of passion for these things, always wanting to do something about injustice.”
Hearing Li Xueman’s words, Ling Xiaoyou breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Senior Li didn’t force her to walk away from this dangerous matter; otherwise, she really wouldn’t have known how to handle it.
Seeing Ling Xiaoyou’s relieved expression, Li Xueman gave a kind smile and rubbed her head.
“However, even though I won’t stop you, as your elder, I will keep a constant watch on your safety.”
As she spoke, Li Xueman raised her aged right hand.
In her previously empty palm, a Wooden Plaque appeared out of nowhere.
It looked primitive in design and didn’t seem particularly extraordinary, but it was carved with a mountain forest amidst falling snow.
Even if it wasn’t magical, the carving made it look exceptionally exquisite.
“If you encounter danger, crush it. I will come to save you immediately.”
Li Xueman pressed the Wooden Plaque into Ling Xiaoyou’s hand and spoke to her seriously.
Holding the solid Wooden Plaque and feeling the concern within it, Ling Xiaoyou was deeply moved.
This incident was clearly not simple, and there might be things that even a powerhouse like Senior Li could not handle.
Yet, she was still willing to rush to her rescue.
How could she not be moved?
Seeing Ling Xiaoyou’s touched expression, Li Xueman said with a light laugh, “Alright, remember, if you encounter danger, you must crush it in time. Your safety is more important than anything else!”
“I understand. Thank you, Elder!”
Ling Xiaoyou nodded her head solemnly.
***
After everyone came out of the elevator, Li Xueman led the group from the Ghostly Resentment Office out of the hotel.
Exiting the Spirit Gate of the hotel, Ling Xiaoyou looked back at the place where she had stayed for several days, feeling that the hotel seemed much smaller than she had imagined.
Perhaps this hotel was specifically for cultivators, and many space-expanding Law Arrays were used inside.
Thinking this, Ling Xiaoyou followed Li Xueman away from the area.
Fortunately, their entire group consisted of spirits who could freely choose whether or not to manifest before ordinary mortals.
Otherwise, such a large group of young girls traveling together would surely have drawn a crowd of onlookers.
Following Li Xueman, who walked with a cane but at a speed that was not slow at all, Ling Xiaoyou soon saw a place that looked like a sports field.
She stopped and looked at the plain-looking venue, feeling a bit disappointed.
This place was too small.
Could it really accommodate cultivators fighting inside?
If a passerby who didn’t know the specifics came by, they would probably think this was just a village brawl!
Noticing Ling Xiaoyou’s disappointment, Li Xueman also stopped and said with a light laugh, “Do you feel that this place isn’t qualified to be the venue for the Xuantian Martial Tournament?”
Ling Xiaoyou didn’t speak, but her expression said everything.
Seeing this, Li Xueman smiled and lightly tapped her cane.
“Actually, this is just the exterior. The real venue is elsewhere.”
As her words fell, a wide Portal tore through space and appeared before everyone.
Looking at the surprised Ling Xiaoyou and then at the equally shocked others, Li Xueman smiled and said, “This is merely a Portal leading to the true venue.”
“The real arena is beyond that Portal!”