"It seems… there is some truth to that," Ye Yun mused, considering Ye Yao's words. After all, as a ascender from the Profound Heaven Continent, he himself was a victim of the Heavenly Dao Divine Palace's autocratic rule over the Heavenly Domain. Being labeled an illegal ascender simply because the ascension channel number ninety-nine did not allow companions was something Ye Yun found extremely displeasing.
"See, see? It's all the Heavenly Dao Divine Palace's fault!" Ye Yao exclaimed indignantly upon seeing his agreement. However, for some reason, Ye Yun felt something was amiss with her words. Putting aside other matters, was the Heavenly Dao Divine Palace's suppression of the Abyss Continent truly just about not wanting more people to share the pie? Unfortunately, to clarify such matters, one would likely have to ask the Palace Master of the Heavenly Dao Divine Palace directly.
"Forget it, let's end this topic…" Ye Yun's rationality told him that Ye Yao likely had something she wasn't revealing. He then changed the subject and continued, "So, the last question. Xing Wu, she is one of your Abyss race, isn't she? Tell me everything you know about her."
Unexpectedly, Ye Yao, who had been so lively moments ago, fell silent upon hearing the name. "I know nothing about her."
Ye Yun frowned and reminded her kindly, "Answering this question properly could mean your freedom."
"If I don't know, I don't know. I have nothing to say to you about her."
"Hmm?" This startled Ye Yun. He even deliberately adopted a stern, icy demeanor and said, "Little girl, do you think I truly wouldn't dare do anything to you?"
He intended to scare her, but to his surprise, Ye Yao didn't fall for it this time. She pursed her lips, adopting a look of heroic sacrifice. "Even if you torture me, I won't say anything!" In fact, under Ye Yun's threat, she was already somewhat fearful, her delicate body trembling. Frankly speaking, her only remaining defiance was her stubborn refusal to speak. After all, what she had explained earlier was mostly common historical knowledge known to everyone in the Heavenly Domain and the Abyss Continent. However, concerning Xing Wu, it involved the secrets of the Abyss Continent, and even the war between their abyss dwellers and the Heavenly Domain. In such matters of great importance, she chose to sacrifice herself for the greater good.
"You…," Ye Yun raised an eyebrow. He truly hadn't expected her to be so resolute in this regard. Seeing that threats wouldn't work, he decided to appeal to emotions. "Listen, you don't need to worry about me harming Xing Wu at all. Our relationship is very good."
Ye Yao blinked in surprise and looked at him fixedly. "Your relationship is very good? How good?"
"Well… let's just say, to the point of seeing each other's true selves."
"Seeing each other's true selves is…," Ye Yao was about to scoff, but before she could finish, her pretty face flushed crimson. "Impossible! How could it be? How could Lord Xing Wu fall for someone like you, who hasn't even reached the Celestial Immortal realm!"
Hearing this, Ye Yun said playfully, "I didn't realize you knew so much?"
"Uh…" Ye Yao's face reddened further, and she immediately retorted, "It's not what you think!" However, in Ye Yun's eyes, her denial was rather weak. Seeing Ye Yun's disbelief, Ye Yao simply snorted, "In any case, she definitely wouldn't fall for you!"
"Aren't you looking down on me a bit?" Ye Yun glanced at her and said indifferently, "After all, I have such outstanding looks and peerless talent."
Ye Yao, however, merely cast a disdainful glance at him. "So narcissistic!" Ye Yun, too lazy to argue with her sarcastic remarks, simply threw out the cultivation encyclopaedia jade slip that Xing Wu had originally left him. "If you don't believe me, take a look yourself. This is what she left behind back then."
Upon hearing this, Ye Yao hesitantly looked at it and quickly showed an expression of disbelief. "This… this is impossible…" As a fellow tribesman of Xing Wu, and given her special identity, she could confirm the authenticity of the jade slip. Yet, it was precisely this that made it so unbelievable for her. "You and Lord Xing Wu are truly…"
Ye Yun nodded. "Indeed. Now do you believe me?"
At this, Ye Yao fell silent. Even now, she couldn't quite fathom that the esteemed Lord Xing Wu would actually fall in love with a man, and moreover… "Even if what you say is true, I still can't tell you." Ye Yao took a deep breath and said with a serious expression, "Since she didn't tell you these things, then I certainly can't. If I were to say it, and something happened in the future, I would become a sinner to the entire Abyss race. This is something I absolutely cannot accept, even if he is that Lord's husband…"
Now, Ye Yun was helpless. He hadn't expected this little girl to be so stubborn. Finally, he sighed, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, then I'll just ask her myself later. You can go now."
Ye Yao was stunned and asked in surprise, "Really? You're just letting me go?"
"I always keep my word," Ye Yun nodded and said calmly. "Be careful outside and don't get caught again. Otherwise, there won't be any kind souls to save you next time." With that, Ye Yun turned around and left directly. Although he had guessed that her identity within the Abyss race was probably not low, it was no longer his concern. Strictly speaking, she might even be a future relative, so he had no intention of making things difficult for her.
Behind him, Ye Yao gazed at Ye Yun, who didn't look back, and fell into thought. "He actually just let me go? Could there be some other trap?" But looking at his demeanor, he didn't seem like that kind of person, and moreover, there was that connection with Lord Xing Wu… Finally, Ye Yao pursed her lips, as if having made a decision, and her expression became resolute.
After leaving, Ye Yun intended to find Feng Qingxian. He hadn't walked far when he stopped and turned back, frowning. "Little girl, didn't I tell you to leave? Is there something else?" Behind him, Ye Yao was following closely, looking as if she had something to say but hesitated. Their eyes met, and after a moment of contemplation, Ye Yao slowly said, "Um, can I ask you for one thing?"
"Oh, tell me," Ye Yao took a deep breath and uttered the words. "Can I take you as my master?"
This sudden request left Ye Yun somewhat surprised. "Take you as my master? Why do you suddenly have this idea?" Ye Yao gazed at him and slowly said, "I feel that you will be a very formidable person in the future, and you treat your disciples very well. If I follow you, I will surely do very well in the future." She actually had another objective she didn't voice: to understand some unknown aspects of Lord Xing Wu through Ye Yun. Of course, this stemmed from a desire for knowledge born from idol worship. She desperately wanted to know what exactly about him had earned Lord Xing Wu's affection.