So it's Crown Prince Xiao Yan."
Ling Xiao hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing to Xiao Yan's invitation. After all, this was the heart of the Northern Wasteland—and as local powers here, Xiao Yan and the others were certainly well-versed in the major forces and local secrets.
The fundamental reason Ling Xiao was searching for Chosen Ones now was that he hoped to use the destiny within them to find the fortune calling to him. But pinning all his hopes on Ye Fan alone was far too risky. So he planned to ask these top prodigies of the Northern Wasteland about the secret realms scattered across the land.
"Young Master, we've been waiting for you in Qingfeng City for three days. We implore you to grace us with your presence."
Xiao Yan's attitude was sincere, but Ling Xiao only nodded indifferently, saying nothing more.
"The rumors are indeed true—this young noble from the Holy State is cold and unapproachable."
Xiao Yan and the others sighed inwardly, but it didn't stop them from acting like sycophants. They bowed slightly as they stood beside Ling Xiao, doing their best to curry favor.
Soon, they arrived at Zui Xian Lou (Drunken Immortal Pavilion). That day, the pavilion was packed with guests—and all of them were renowned prodigies and saintesses of the Northern Wasteland. Even reclusive ancient clans, rarely seen on ordinary days, had sent disciples to pay their respects to Young Master Ling Xiao.
The group marched upstairs in a grand procession, and Zui Xian Lou immediately hung up a "closed" sign. When everyone saw the indifferent young man in black at the front of the crowd, deep awe filled their faces.
When Ling Xiao had arrived in Qingfeng City earlier, they had only caught a glimpse of this Holy State noble from below his flying pavilion. But now, standing so close, they finally felt the terrifying, abyss-like aura emanating from him. His noble bearing, like that of a celestial deity from the Ninth Heaven, made even these usually arrogant dynasty crown princes, ancient clan heirs, and sect saintesses feel insignificant—like ants in his presence.
No—they were ants!!
"Greetings, Young Master Ling Xiao!"
The prodigies bowed in unison. Wherever Ling Xiao went, everyone's faces were filled with indescribable excitement. A few saintesses even couldn't hold back their happy tears.
"Young Master looked at me just now!"
"You're lying! He was looking at me!"
"You're the one lying!"
"Boom!"
The entire pavilion erupted into chaos. Ling Xiao only glanced indifferently at Xiao Yan, who trembled instantly and drove out all the young masters and ladies from minor clans.
"Much quieter now."
Ling Xiao nodded with a smile and took a seat at the head of the table. Ye Qingchan and Feng Jiao'er still stood on either side behind him. Only Ye Sheng hesitated for a moment before actually kneeling at Ling Xiao's feet—like a pet dog.
At that moment, he felt no shame; instead, he was filled with immense pride. Were they kidding? Hadn't they seen the envy in the eyes of those usually lofty prodigies and saintesses along the way? Being able to stand by Young Master Ling Xiao's side—even as a dog—would make him the most prestigious dog in the Northern Wasteland!
"Young Master, allow me to introduce you. This is Ying Que, Crown Prince of the Great Qin Dynasty; this is Jiao Yun, Young Master of Fuhai Sect; and this is Huang Qi, Young Master of the Ancient Phoenix Clan…"
Xiao Yan began introducing everyone's identities to Ling Xiao one by one. The prodigies from ancient sects and dynasties also did their best to impress him. The saintesses, in particular, were like they'd been injected with chicken blood—striking coquettish poses. This filled Ye Qingchan with disdain.
She was indeed the most beautiful woman in the Northern Wasteland, but the women present were all stunning in their own right. Though Ling Xiao seemed uninterested now, Ye Qingchan knew this young man was secretly quite mischievous. So she felt nervous, afraid Ling Xiao might take a fancy to some other saintess and keep her by his side.
Without realizing it, this former Xuanjian Sect young lady—who had initially only wanted to follow Ling Xiao to the Holy State—had begun to develop genuine feelings for him. Of course, even if Ye Qingchan felt jealous, she knew a Holy State noble like Ling Xiao would be the most dazzling wherever he went. A man like him could never have only one woman. But jealousy was a woman's nature; Ye Qingchan only hoped that after returning to the Holy State, she could still stay by Ling Xiao's side as she did now.
"Huang Qi?"
Ling Xiao's gaze lingered on the Phoenix Clan young master for a moment, a faint, playful smile tugging at his lips. Ever since Huang Qi had entered, his eyes had been fixed on Feng Jiao'er. Clearly, this was another young prodigy who had fallen for the Qianmei Sect Saintess. But liking her was fine—Ling Xiao would have pretended not to notice if Huang Qi had snuck glances at him. After all, they were both men. But what did Huang Qi mean by staring openly at Feng Jiao'er?
Seemingly sensing Ling Xiao's gaze, Xiao Yan froze for a moment, then turned to look at Huang Qi.
"Ahem, Brother Huang."
He knew full well that this Phoenix Clan young master was Feng Jiao'er's most devoted suitor. Earlier, a young master from a powerful force in the Northern Wasteland had liked Feng Jiao'er and declared he would marry no one but her—unless he died. The very next day, he was dead. His body was hung below his sect's gate, and his manhood had even been brutally cut off. Later, some people speculated he had been castrated while still alive. No one knew how they'd figured that out, but no one dared ask—afraid of offending this Phoenix Clan young master.
"I heard Young Master Ling Xiao is from the Holy State. I wonder if you've ever heard of the Phoenix Clan of the Holy State?"
Huang Qi snorted coldly—his expression was the only one among the Northern Wasteland prodigies that carried arrogance.
"The Phoenix Clan of the Holy State?"
Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow. Another fool who didn't know when to stop.
"Hmph—it seems your status in the Holy State isn't worth much. Our Phoenix Clan ancestor ascended to the Holy State three hundred years ago. Now, he's a renowned powerhouse there, having founded the Phoenix Clan and dominating a region."
Arrogance filled Huang Qi's face. The Phoenix Clan had been passed down for generations and had always been the head of the Eight Ancient Clans of the Northern Wasteland. The fundamental reason was that the Phoenix Clan had an ancestor who had ascended to the Holy State. Though the ancestor had never returned, he sent down his spiritual sense from time to time, showing great concern for the Phoenix Clan. Everyone in the Northern Wasteland knew this. So under normal circumstances, major forces rarely opposed the Phoenix Clan—after all, they had someone "backing them up in the upper realms." If the Phoenix Clan ancestor ever returned, who in the Northern Wasteland could stand against him?
"So what?"
Ling Xiao picked up a cup of clear tea and took a gentle sip. Seeing this gesture, a hint of sympathy flashed in Ye Qingchan's eyes. Clearly, Young Master Ling Xiao had already decided to kill Huang Qi.
"I said it—Feng Jiao'er is mine. Anyone who tries to take her… dies!!"
"Oh? Is that so!"
Ling Xiao suddenly looked up. A powerful aura surged out from around him in an instant. At that moment, the entire Zui Xian Lou fell eerily silent for a breath. Then, the faces of all the Northern Wasteland prodigies turned completely pale.