Zhao Shuning stared blankly at the purple Soul - Condensing Pearl in her hand.
"Ning'er, what's wrong?"
Yan Ruyu noticed Zhao Shuning was out of sorts and quickly asked.
Zhao Shuning then came to her senses. At this moment, her heart was filled with intense oppression.
"Master, I feel so stuffy in my chest."
"It's okay. Don't worry too much. Let me check on you."
After the call, there was no movement at the door for a long time.
Yan Ruyu helped Zhao Shuning up and said to her, "I'll take care of everything, Ning'er. You don't need to be afraid."
Some things would come, even if Zhao Shuning was afraid.
"Elder Xia?"
"Is it Elder Xia from the Chang'an Sect in the capital?"
"Is she on good terms with Zhao Shuning? Why did she even come to her birthday banquet?"
"I don't know. Think about it. Since the Grand Master is here, it's reasonable for the elder to come too."
"Have you heard? Elder Xia from the Chang'an Sect in the capital is a great beauty."
Although Xia Wanning hadn't arrived yet, her presence was already strongly felt.
Zhao Shuning frowned slightly and looked out the door unhappily. Although Xia Wanning was a child raised by her, Zhao Shuning now felt an inexplicable aversion towards her.
"Master, I don't like her."
Zhao Shuning suddenly blurted out.
Yan Ruyu looked at Zhao Shuning, sighed, and then reached out to stroke her hair.
Xia Wanning was the child Ye Ling had liked the most back then.
After the voice faded, Xia Wanning rushed in, covered in blood and looking rather disheveled. At this time, the Zhao Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. Many people were startled by Xia Wanning's appearance.
Seeing that Xia Wanning had caused a commotion, Yan Ruyu also stood up.
As soon as he stood up, Xia Wanning saw him. Then she rushed towards Yan Ruyu.
"Emperor Venerable, something's wrong, Emperor Venerable!"
Xia Wanning knelt down with a thud in front of Yan Ruyu.
"Emperor Venerable? What Emperor Venerable?"
Zhao Zhen and Lin Miner exchanged a look.
Old Man Zhao also stood up immediately upon hearing the words "Emperor Venerable".
"Emperor Venerable? Yan Ruyu, the Millennium Imperial Teacher?"
At this moment, all the nearly a thousand guests in the Zhao Mansion looked in Yan Ruyu's direction.
Yan Ruyu's face was extremely displeased. He hated this kind of situation.
"Elder Xia, what happened?"
He responded? Elder Xia Wanning of the sect would never be so humble even in the face of a Grand Master. So, this person was really Yan Ruyu, the Millennium Imperial Teacher?
Zhao Zheng sat back down on his chair with a thud. Lin Miner also bit her handkerchief and couldn't say a word.
Zhao Xiangxiang said to Xie Yu, "Didn't you say his name was Feng Buran? How could he be the Emperor Venerable?"
"Yan Ruyu, the Emperor Venerable and the Founding Ancestor. Why would he appear here? Does this legendary figure really exist in reality?"
When everyone came to their senses, they immediately knelt down. Even Old Man Zhao knelt down on the ground shakily.
"Everyone, there's no need for this."
Yan Ruyu gently raised his hand. It was as if a gentle force lifted everyone up from their knees.
With the Emperor Venerable present, no one dared to speak. The large Zhao Mansion was so quiet that only the sound of everyone's breathing could be heard.
You should know that the dignity of the Founding Ancestor was inviolable. He could turn his hand to create heaven and flip it to form earth. Every word and deed of his was something that even kings looked up to.
"Emperor Venerable, something has happened in the Ghost Domain."
"I see."
"And you?"
Wasn't the Emperor Venerable concerned about all the people and the world? Since such a big thing had happened in the Ghost Domain, why could he still sit here so indifferently?
"Elder Xia, if you have anything to report, wait until this matter is over."
Today was Ning'er's sixteenth - birthday banquet. After today, Ning'er would officially enter adulthood.
Yan Ruyu knew that the barrier of the Ghost Domain had been broken, but this was a very important day for Ning'er. He didn't want to miss it. Besides, even if he rushed to the Ghost Domain now, it would be of no use.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough—"
Xia Wanning coughed violently. Then, she spat out a mouthful of dark, filthy blood.
Yan Ruyu frowned tightly. He didn't like any dirty things on himself. He casually picked up a handkerchief on the table and handed it to Xia Wanning.
Xia Wanning took it happily.
"Thank you, Emperor Venerable."
"Wipe it clean."
Zhao Shuning watched this scene and suddenly felt it was extremely dazzling.
"Emperor Venerable, the barrier of the Ghost Domain has been broken, and the Supreme Alien Beast has awakened. I discovered this situation while patrolling the sea area and did my best to stop it. In the end, the Supreme Alien Beast still escaped."
Yan Ruyu said, "You're already very lucky to have survived his attack."
"Thank you for your concern, Emperor Venerable."
Jun Jiu couldn't help but frown. Where did Elder Xia hear that the Emperor Venerable was concerned about her?
Yan Ruyu also asked, "Did you come today just to tell me this news?"
Xia Wanning shook her head. Then, she looked at Zhao Shuning.
"I'm here to return something to the Zhao family."
She stood up. Zhao Shuning was watching her not far away.
Xia Wanning walked towards Zhao Shuning step by step. Zhao Shuning also stared at her steadily without moving an inch.
The aura of the sect elder was extremely strong, but the young girl opposite her showed not the slightest sign of fear at this moment.
Xia Wanning's steps were originally very firm, but the look in Zhao Shuning's eyes made her feel scared from the bottom of her heart.
How could this be?
Zhao Shuning was only sixteen years old today. She was just a girl who hadn't grown up yet. How could she have such a terrifying look in her eyes?
Zhao Shuning looked at Xia Wanning as if she could see through her.
Xia Wanning stopped three steps away from Zhao Shuning. The girl's eyes were really too terrifying and too familiar. Xia Wanning was a bit scared.
"Zhao Shuning, do you still remember what I said before?"
Zhao Shuning didn't answer her.
The stench of blood on Xia Wanning made Zhao Shuning feel nauseous.
"Child, why do you look at your teacher like this?"
Zhao Shuning asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to fulfill the promise I made a few days ago."
Xia Wanning leaned forward and whispered, "I said I would give you a gift. Do you still remember?"
Her voice was so soft that only the two of them could hear it.
"The Zhao family doesn't welcome you. I also disdain your gift."
Xia Wanning shrank back, looking sad. Her tears welled up and fell immediately.
Such a sudden change made everyone even more confused.
Xia Wanning turned around and walked in front of Old Man Zhao. She knelt down again.
The scene of a sect elder kowtowing to the head of the Zhao family in public was something they had never seen in their lives.
"Elder Xia, why are you doing this?"
"Mr. Zhao, I'm sorry. We of the sect failed to protect your grandson."
The walking stick in Old Man Zhao's hand fell to the ground with a thud.
The grandson of the Zhao family was none other than Zhao Huai.
"Elder Xia, what, what do you mean?"