Chapter 131: Meeting Xu Xiaosheng

Upon seeing the suddenly appeared youth, Yingying Xie furrowed her brows slightly, a flicker of caution shining in her eyes. "Who are you?"

Anyone who appeared unannounced in the Peach Blossom Wonderland was indeed suspicious and warranted extra vigilance.

The youth had a delicate and refined appearance; he spoke softly, "I am from the Medicine Sect."

His tone carried a cold, aloof pride.

Yingying’s eyes suddenly brightened—she had finally found someone. Just as she was about to step forward, he stopped her.

"Miss, I assume your purpose for coming to Peach Blossom Wonderland is only one: you must pass the previous trial to obtain the sword. Be cautious."

A trace of joy flashed swiftly in Yingying’s eyes. "Young sir, may I ask what trial you speak of? Could you please tell me?"

At last, she had found someone from the Medicine Sect.

"It cannot be told, it cannot be told," he said with a grand air, shaking his head and muttering a few words before vanishing instantly before her.

Yingying was exasperated. She shouted toward the dissipating mist, "Hey, don’t leave yet! You haven’t told me what the trial is!"

Only her echo answered in the empty surroundings.

Biting her lip, Yingying was momentarily at a loss. She knew nothing—how was she to face this trial?

Looking up and around, not a single living soul was in sight. She had also lost track of Bai Shengyun; at this critical moment, she had no one to consult.

With no other choice, she pressed forward, hoping that at the next moment she might find Bai Shengyun.

She walked for a long time. Here, day and night were indistinguishable; sunlight was ever-present.

Peach blossoms stretched endlessly over the hills, a breathtaking sea of pink petals.

Suddenly, Yingying seemed to sense something. Her gaze fixed on a particular spot. There, amidst the central peach tree, stood a man clad entirely in red. His skin was paler than snow, his features exquisitely chiseled, a perfect jawline uniting his striking visage.

The red garments hugged a slender frame, exuding an aura of untouchable grandeur.

This man was truly a rare specimen.

Perhaps because she had Bai Shengyun’s peerless beauty fresh in mind, Yingying’s usual resistance to allure was stronger than before, yet her eyes still softened slightly.

It was said that no one outside the sect was allowed into Peach Blossom Wonderland. For this man to appear here alone was certainly suspicious.

As Yingying scrutinized him, the man sensed a sudden chill in the air. Sensing someone nearby, he slowly opened his eyes—deep black orbs resembling bottomless obsidian, gleaming with dark light.

His gaze fixed steadily on a certain point, and upon seeing a woman, a trace of unusual color flickered in his eyes.

It had been a long time since a woman had entered Peach Blossom Wonderland. Intriguing—truly intriguing!

He rested his hands behind his head, a faint, curved smile playing on his lips as he called out to her, "Young lady, where do you come from?"

The voice snapped Yingying back to reality. She felt a twinge of embarrassment—perhaps caught peeking.

But Yingying was nothing if not thick-skinned. She quickly recovered, striding forward confidently to face the man and arched an eyebrow in challenge. "Shouldn’t you introduce yourself before demanding mine?"

Though she smiled sweetly, her mind was calculating.

That sect youth had said something about a trial but left it vague. Now, this man was the first person she’d met in Peach Blossom Wonderland. Perhaps meeting him was the first trial itself.

With this thought, Yingying’s gaze grew more intense, as if a wolf eyeing a bone—staring fixedly, as if afraid it might vanish.

Xu Xiaosheng, as leader of the Immortal Sect, was all too familiar with such admiring looks. Seeing the girl’s adoration, his heart swelled with pride.

For some reason, the usual flattery of the sect’s disciples stirred no emotion in him, yet meeting this girl today kindled a rare warmth.

Perhaps it was the monotony of seclusion in the Immortal Sect dulling his senses. Seeing such an interesting person, a trace of patience softened his expression.

"I am Xu Xiaosheng. And you—now you can tell me, can’t you?" he said.

If his subordinates saw their leader compromise, they would surely be stunned.

Xu Xiaosheng!

Yingying froze for a moment upon hearing the name. Xu Xiaosheng was a major supporting character in "Young Emperor Demon Sovereign," the sect’s master, and a fellow disciple of the Medicine Sect’s master—also her target this time.

She pondered for a moment. The book had little portrayal of Xu Xiaosheng, but he was undoubtedly a high-ranking figure. Moreover, the wildly imaginative author had even crafted a character profile for this sect leader.

Though Xu Xiaosheng appeared cold, aloof, and otherworldly, he was secretly a hidden masochist—a secret known to no one.

But Yingying Xie had thoroughly studied "Young Emperor Demon Sovereign." Now that she had transmigrated into Yingying Xie, that secret was no longer one.

Whether or not there was a trial mattered little; hugging the sect master’s thigh was a must.

A smile blossomed across Yingying’s face as she lavished praise. "What a splendid name, as noble as yourself!"

Xu Xiaosheng’s thin lips curled into a smile. "You speak honestly."

Yingying’s mouth twitched. Now that she had a favor to ask, flattery was indispensable.

"Seeing you wandering among these peach groves, Sect Master truly has exquisite taste," she said with an innocent smile.

Xu Xiaosheng lazily raised an eyelid. "You do have an eye for it."

He was unsurprised that she recognized him and glanced at her with casual interest.

Just as Yingying prepared to speak, a piercing roar rent the sky.

Following the sound, she looked to the distant heavens, where a massive Roc bird, its wingspan blotting out the sun, swooped down vertically.

Its sharp wings gleamed as it aimed directly at Yingying.

She gasped and promptly summoned the Purple-Gold Bell. However, no sooner had it appeared than the Roc bird struck it back.

The giant bird circled once more in the sky before plunging straight down toward Yingying.

At that moment, Xu Xiaosheng leapt from the tree, his red sleeves billowing as he pulled Yingying aside.

The Roc bird, unable to alter course in time, collided headlong into the spot where Yingying had just stood.

A painful screech echoed.

A crater large enough to hold two or three people appeared where she had been.

Covering her heart, a wave of relief washed over Yingying. "Thank you, Sect Master, for saving my life. I never imagined Peach Blossom Wonderland harbored such a formidable Roc bird. Truly, this land nurtures mighty creatures."