[Flashback ends]
"Are you okay?"
Yang ding was shot back to reality as Su Yang pulled him by his sleeve. Yang Ding was lost as he was recalling old memories. He had a vacant look on his face.
Cold sweat poured down from Yang Ding's forehead. He realized that he was in a sticky situation.
'Why is he here?'
Yang Ding turned his head to Qian Qui. This man already knew about his identity and now another lunatic has appeared who might still be after Yang Ding's life.
Yang Ding who had gone through a lot of life and death battles didn't fear death. But to die such a horrible death? Without even able to put up a decent fight, he cannot accept that. But how would he exert himself to put up a fight with a body so weak?
Furthermore, if he dies here, all of his dreams would be crushed to sand. His clan would be crushed fiercely without any mercy. The clan needs a patriarch and Yang Ding hadn't yet raised a successor for himself. That's the greatest mistake Yang Ding had ever made.
Noticing Yang Ding's state Quian Qui ducked closer to him and whispered in his ears.
"Don't worry he doesn't know of your identity"
Long Bai's brow twitched as he saw Qian Qui whisper into Yang Ding's ears.
'Seriously what's so special about him? He just seems to be a talentless cultivator to me who couldn't even get to the earth Profound Realm.' Long Bai thought.
'Don't worry, my ass. Isn't he with you? How does it matter if he has figured me out or not? When you already know who I am.' But he didn't say so aloud.
Yang Ding couldn't even begin to fathom what kind of person this Qian Qui might be, being on the freindly terms with Long Bai. What's more, he has amazing skills in his arsenal and isn't even afraid to reveal some of his cards.
'I have researched Long Bai thoroughly, turned all his comrades into my men. But never had I ever got a glimpse of anyone even close to Qian Qui… Just who is he?'
"This doesn't seem simple," Yang Ding whispered. Yang Ding chose to keep quiet and judge his surroundings.
But even his whispering didn't pass unnoticed to the Qian Qui beside him.
"What's not so simple?" he asked as he grinned.
"Stopping the war… Yes stopping the war is not simple." Yang Ding came up with an excuse.
"So what are you planning to do? Back off?"
"Ha... I might not be the brightest cultivator out there but I never back off"
"Haha," the man laughed, "Nice joke you got there."
"Are we going to do this, or are you guys gonna chit chat the whole day?" Long Bai asked. He looked annoyed as he rolled his eyes.
"Oh sorry to interrupt you"
Long Bai felt conflicted. Normally he would have chased out a man as powerless as Yang Ding but he seemed like some old friend to the now laughing Qian Qui so he chose otherwise.
"But what do you want me to explain to him? What's his role in all of this anyway?"
"The whole thing?"
"What! Why should we do that? What if he ruins our plans?"
"He won't do that or rather should I say he can't do that. Aren't I right?" Qian Qui grinned as he knew that Yang Ding was in a tight situation.
Yang Ding didn't reply but just nodded.
"Whatever," Long Bai rolled his eyes.
"But what about that kid?" Long Bai asked as he pointed towards Su Yang.
"You should know better by now that he is trustworthy. Just leave it… you are never gonna do it. I am explaining."
Yang Ding couldn't believe his ears. Long Bai and Qian Qui were fighting like brothers. He had always thought of Long Bai as some kind of shameless lunatic. He had never thought that he had this side to him too.
Qian Qui took out a scroll from within his sleeve as he laid it on his arm for Yang Ding and Su Yang to see. It was a map, one specifically made for Pheonix disciples. Qian Qui pointed at a big patch of red in the middle of the map slightly to the left.
"Do you know what this is?"
"What is it, master?" Su Yang asked.
"The Haven of Pheonix" Yang Ding said nonchalantly.
Qian Qui nodded.
"Yes, you are right. This is land owned by the Pheonix clan where they train their disciples while at the same time hunting for beast's cores. It has a formation set up around it. In here only those who have the Pheonix clan's blood flowing through them can enter. Anyone else is actively rejected by the formation. I don't know if you guys know this but here somewhere there is a villa."
Qian Qui rubbed the red area.
'Villa? Well, it's the first time I am hearing this. I had never researched much on the Pheonix clan but…'
"But why are you telling us all of this. What does it have to do with the war? There is no way that a place that is owned by the Pheonix will turn into a battlefield is there? At best it could be used as an evacuation location for the children and weak of the Pheonix clan."
Qian Qui smiled.