Chapter 492 - 332: Changes and Development

Chapter 492: Chapter 332: Changes and Development

Shangguan Yutong stood there in a daze. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and with an expression like she’d seen a ghost, she walked around the heavy desk to Ling Xiao’s side. She reached out a delicate hand and gently touched his handsome face. Feeling the warmth unique to a human body, a blush crept up Shangguan Yutong’s cheeks. She snatched her hand back and stared at Ling Xiao in disbelief, asking, "You... you’re Ling Xiao?"

"Heh, surely not. It’s only been less than three years. Have you already forgotten what I look like?"

After three years apart, Ling Xiao seemed much more cheerful than before, and the smile on his face was genuine. Indeed, seeing family and friends again filled him with a comfortable warmth from the bottom of his heart. Ling Xiao had snuck in just in time to see Shangguan Yutong returning to her residence from afar, and he decided to play a little prank on her.

"N-No, that’s not it. How could I forget you?" Shangguan Yutong suddenly felt like a little girl who had just fallen in love, even stumbling over her words. She took a deep breath, sat back down across from Ling Xiao, and tucked back a stray strand of hair from her forehead. She couldn’t help but blame herself. ’I’ve been so busy with the Shushan Sword Sect’s affairs every day, and with Ling Xiao gone, I haven’t had the heart to dress up. He’ll definitely hate the way I look right now.’ But an even greater curiosity was bottled up inside her, one that would keep her from sleeping if she didn’t get an answer.

"How did you know what I was thinking?"

This was what truly shocked Shangguan Yutong!

She hadn’t muttered a single word just now; it had all been entirely in her mind. Although her residence was relatively quiet, she couldn’t guarantee no one would pass by. If someone heard the highly respected Elder Shangguan of the Sword Sect complaining about the Sect Leader like a little girl, the news would probably spread throughout the entire Inner City before morning!

"You’ve all suffered these past few years."

Ling Xiao didn’t answer Shangguan Yutong. With his current strength, he was capable of catching particularly active and persistent thoughts. This was different from the Mind Reading Skill; Ling Xiao had not yet reached such a terrifying level of power. However, at his current realm, it wasn’t difficult for him to perceive someone’s fixated thoughts.

It was a very profound and mysterious state, one that Ling Xiao believed no one else in this world understood!

On one hand, he was happy for Shangguan Yutong’s progress. On the other, Ling Xiao hated his enemies to the bone. In truth, he was the only one they had a feud with. Besides, it was always his enemies who came looking for trouble; he had only ever fought back in self-defense.

Was he supposed to just let them show up at his door, screaming for his head, and not be allowed to fight back?

With him, the main target, away, his enemies had actually forced Shangguan Yutong and the others to keep the Mist Array active for three whole years! Ling Xiao could tell how long the Array had been running at a glance. He figured that unless their enemies had been pressing them relentlessly, no one would be willing to hide like a turtle with its head constantly tucked in its shell.

Ling Xiao’s words caused Shangguan Yutong’s bright eyes to quickly well up with tears. Forgetting to ask how he knew her thoughts, she lightly bit her rosy lower lip and said softly, "We... we’ve been doing well! But you... you’ve changed so much. I thought the speed of my own progress these past few years was already exceptionally rare, but compared to you, it’s... you’re simply absurd, Ling Xiao!"

Shangguan Yutong truly didn’t know how to describe Ling Xiao’s power, because even at her current realm as a Tier Six Sword Emperor, she couldn’t detect any fluctuations from him at all!

’How is that possible?’ Although she was certain she was no match for a master in the Sword Venerable Realm, Shangguan Yutong believed that even if a Tier One or Tier Two Sword Venerable stood before her, she would still be able to sense the fluctuations of their aura. It was impossible for there to be nothing at all!

For some reason, Shangguan Yutong felt that Ling Xiao’s current aura gave people an irresistible urge to get closer to him. The nearer she was, the more distinct that urge became.

"Heh." Ling Xiao saw that Shangguan Yutong was finally starting to act a little more like her old, feisty self, at least when she was around him. In truth, Ling Xiao preferred her this way. ’It’s always best to be yourself!’

’While that water-like gentleness she can show because she cares is certainly endearing, it feels like it lacks her original spark.’

Ling Xiao suddenly thought that Shangguan Yutong must have had a great fortunate encounter. ’If Lengning Palace knew about this, they would surely regret it endlessly!’

"It’s better when you’re like this. I’m happy for your progress!" Ling Xiao said, standing up. He then walked over to Shangguan Yutong’s side and said with a smile, "Let’s go see everyone together!"

Shangguan Yutong had been nervous and a little expectant, thinking Ling Xiao might do something when he came over. But when he made no move, she felt like a little girl head over heels in love, and a pang of bitterness suddenly rose in her heart. She lamented to herself, ’You’re older than him, Shangguan Yutong. Maybe he really does just see you as an older sister!’ But then she heard his words.

She automatically ignored everything else, focusing on that single word—"we."

"Oh, okay, yes!" Shangguan Yutong quickly stood up and gave Ling Xiao a radiant smile, all the while thinking, ’We, we!’

"Let’s go right now!" With her fair face flushed like cherry blossoms, Shangguan Yutong added, trying to cover up her excitement, "They’ll be overjoyed to know you’re back!"