Chapter 545: A Reunion and a Mysterious Evil Entity

During the brief moment the three of them spent communicating through voice transmissions, Ximen Xuanji had already walked over. After carefully examining Fu Young, he spoke with a faint, amused smile. "With a face this similar to mine, you wouldn’t happen to be a child my father left behind somewhere, would you?"

"I’m certain I’m not," Fu Young replied with the same faintly amused expression.

At that moment, Fifth Young Lady Murong, who was still bound by chains, suddenly jumped up excitedly.

"It’s really Young Master Xuanji! I knew it! I clearly heard that you had arrived in Brightcrest City, so how could we fail to find you and end up finding a counterfeit instead? It turns out you were visiting Cousin Ah Shuang’s residence!"

"Hahaha! Murong Wan, I heard you had caused another huge commotion, so I came over specially to see what you were up to. Tsk, tsk! Why is it that every time I see you, you’re always tied up in chains like this?" Ximen Xuanji laughed.

"However, calling someone a counterfeit is rather rude. In fact, if outsiders were to compare us in person, I’d say I’m the one who looks more like the counterfeit!"

After finishing his words, Ximen Xuanji cupped his hands and gave Fu Young the formal greeting used by scholars of equal rank.

"Ximen Xuanji pays his respects to the newly acclaimed most handsome man in the Mystic Jade Realm."

"Heh... Fu Young greets Young Master Xuanji as well, Your Handsome Excellency." Fu Young returned the greeting with the customary salute exchanged between cultivators of equal standing, smiling as he spoke.

"Hahaha... Watching two nearly identical faces smile at each other like this is a little creepy. How about we stop here?"

As they spoke, another man leisurely entered from outside. He appeared to be in his thirties, carried himself with dignified composure, and wore official robes. With his hands behind his back, he continued, "Compared with watching the two of you exchange fake smiles, I’m much more interested in the matter those three mentioned earlier. What kind of evil entity could possibly require an eighth-grade noble spirit to exorcise it?"

"Greetings, City Lord!" The dark skinned man surnamed Mo and the other two hurriedly stood up to pay their respects to Murong Shuang.

After greeting him, the dark skinned man glanced around at everyone present. His gaze lingered on Xiao Shou and the other two for an extra moment, and he hesitated before speaking.

"This matter is rather complicated to explain..."

"Then hurry up and give us the short version," Murong Shuang replied immediately.

As soon as he finished speaking, Murong Wan rolled her eyes in an utterly unladylike manner and bounced over beside Ximen Xuanji. Staring at him with undisguised admiration, she said, "Young Master Xuanji, it’s been so long since we last met! How about I treat you to a casual meal at the Rare Delicacies Restaurant later?"

"Thank you for your kind offer, Fifth Young Lady, but I’ve already eaten with Brother Shuang." After replying, Ximen Xuanji turned toward the dark-skinned man surnamed Mo. "Besides, I’m more interested in this matter. I wonder whether what he has to say is related to the reason I came here."

While Ximen Xuanji and Murong Wan were talking, Murong Shuang, who wa s quite skilled at reading in expressions, glanced at Xiao Shou and the other two before walking over with a smile.

"The three of you must be the distinguished guests from the Spirit Fox Realm whom Daoist Shen mentioned. My subordinates were rather discourteous just now. Please forgive them."

"It’s nothing. Compared with Fifth Young Lady, your subordinates have actually been quite polite to us. They have made us feel almost embarrassed for having to make this trip." Fu Young glanced meaningfully at the chains binding Murong Wan.

Ignoring her awkward expression, Tushan Shanhe asked, "Then, can we leave now?"

"Of course. However, it’s rare for distinguished guests like you to visit us. Would you be willing to stay here for a few days? Allow me to fulfill my duties as a host and properly entertain guests who have traveled from afar." Murong Shuang spoke courteously.

Tushan Shanhe was just about to refuse when Fu Young spoke first.

"City Lord, you’re too kind. In that case, we’ll gladly accept your hospitality."

"Hahaha! I appreciate straightforward people like you. Beichen, take our three distinguished guests to the guest quarters so they can rest. I’ll personally entertain them later and hear all about the scenery and wonders of the Spirit Fox Realm."

Murong Shuang called over the feather-crowned man from earlier and gave his instructions with thoughtful courtesy.

The three nodded and turned to leave the City Lord’s waiting room, accompanied by Murong Wan’s repeated calls that she wanted to join them later.

Not long after they left, a flash of light passed through the waiting room. A solid barrier enveloped the area, sealing it off so completely that no sound from inside could be heard.

Meanwhile, among the three following Beichen, Fu Young’s expression continued to change subtly throughout the journey. Xiao Shou noticed these changes and grew increasingly worried. He had already been concerned that Fu Young might have some connection to Ximen Xuanji, and the thought had put him in a bad mood.

Therefore, after Beichen had escorted them to the guest courtyard, settled them in, and departed, Xiao Shou immediately turned to his beloved disciple with concern.

"Young’er, whatever relationship you might have with Ximen Xuanji, you’re still my one and only, most important disciple. So you don’t need to feel sad over any of this."

"Uh! Master, what are you thinking? Ximen Xuanji and I aren’t related by blood at all."

We only have a slight connection through our souls...

However, that was difficult to explain, and Xiao Shou did not want his master to know the details. He simply changed the subject.

"I’m not upset. I’m just a little concerned about something they were talking about."