"The reason is simple. Who doesn’t know that the Four Seas Gang has the backing of the Profound Sun Sect, one of the three sects? Without a powerful background, who would dare to mess with the Four Seas Gang? In Yan Capital City, apart from the three sects, two institutes, and one manor, I reckon no one else has such power."
"Could it not be someone else?" Zhao Ya inquired.
Chen Xiao’Er chuckled, "Who else could it be? Those noble families are all in cahoots with the Four Seas Gang. If there’s no conflict of interest, they would never fight among themselves."
Zhao Ya gave Chen Xiao’Er a deep look.
It wasn’t surprising that Chen Xiao’Er knew about other matters, but for him to be aware of the collusion between noble families and the Four Seas Gang was something a mere street punk shouldn’t know.
"Don’t look at me like that. Even though I’m down and out now, I can read. Even Blind Chen, the fortune teller, said I would rise to great heights in the future and wouldn’t always be stuck on the streets." Chen Xiao’Er boasted.
Zhao Ya smiled. He increasingly felt that although this young man was currently humble, he was adaptable and quite sharp-minded, not comparable to the average street punk.
He casually tossed another piece of silver over.
"What are you doing?" Chen Xiao’Er asked in surprise.
"Take it. The information you provided is quite useful to me. This is a reward for you, and in the future, if you have any important information, you can come to me anytime, and I will reward you generously."
Chen Xiao’Er hesitated for a moment, but seeing the silver in his hand, he eventually nodded, "Alright!"
Zhao Ya then provided an address.
He didn’t give Shang Luoluo’s home address, as it was best to keep a distance from such matters.
He gave the address of an inn located in Anshan Square, and then arranged with Chen Xiao’Er the means of meeting and how to contact him if he wasn’t there.
After finalizing the details, Zhao Ya said to Chen Xiao’Er.
"Since you can read, you should know what’s at stake. If our meetings or arrangements are leaked, I don’t mind, but I fear your life might be in danger. Do you understand?"
Chen Xiao’Er gave a carefree smile, "Don’t worry, since I promised you, I have already considered the consequences."
Zhao Ya nodded.
Talking to smart people has this advantage, no need for much effort, a hint is enough.
Believing that since Chen Xiao’Er understands the stakes, he wouldn’t have to worry about him acting accordingly.
Zhao Ya’s figure leaped, disappearing from Chen Xiao’Er’s sight in the blink of an eye.
Despite being prepared, Chen Xiao’Er was still surprised and immediately gazed enviously in the direction Zhao Ya had left.
He dared to accept Zhao Ya’s promise because he sensed that this young man, not much older than himself, had exceptionally high martial arts proficiency.
But he didn’t expect his skills were so remarkable that he disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Yet the more this was so, the more certain his heart felt.
He must have encountered the benefactor that Blind Chen had spoken of.
With these thoughts in mind, Chen Xiao’Er glanced around to ensure no one was present, then hurriedly left.
Zhao Ya, meanwhile, rented a room in the inn he had arranged with Chen Xiao’Er, set it up, and then returned to Guangde Square.
At the same time, Yan Peng rode a horse, following a carriage out of Jingyao Gate in the north of the city, heading toward Dragon Head Mountain.
Washing Sword Manor was located on Dragon Head Mountain, about twenty miles from Yan Capital City, a short journey.
Upon reaching the mountain, a magnificent manor stood atop the summit, known as Washing Sword Manor, renowned throughout the capital city.
At this moment, many people were still gathered in front of the manor, most of them from the Great Yan royal family.
Though it had been a day since Yan Xizhao completed her breakthrough to the Fifth Realm, these people still couldn’t conceal their excitement, gathering in groups, chatting fervently.
When Yan Peng’s carriage arrived in front of the manor, the crowd quickly parted.
"It’s the heir, Yan Peng, from Prince Qi’s Mansion."
"Who’s in the carriage?"
"I don’t know!"
At this moment, Yan Peng dismounted, cupped his hands in salute to these close and distant relatives, and then approached the entrance.
The guards at the door recognized him. After exchanging a few whispered words, they slowly opened the gates to the manor.
Yan Peng and his companions then passed through Washing Sword Manor’s gates under the envious eyes of the crowd, quickly disappearing from their sight.
Once inside Washing Sword Manor, Yan Peng asked, "Where is Senior Sister Yan now?"
"Senior Sister is meeting with a few important guests in the reception hall."
"Important guests?"
Yan Peng pondered a moment, then ensured the carriage was well cared for and proceeded to the reception hall.
At this moment, in the reception hall of Washing Sword Manor, Yan Xizhao sat in the center with two men and a woman seated before her.
Leading the group was a straightforward man, who remarked, "Junior Sister Yan, achieving a breakthrough to the Fifth Realm using the Realm-Breaking Guide at the age of twenty-three is truly impressive."
"Senior Brother Wang, you’re too kind. I remember you also ascended to the Fifth Realm before turning twenty-five," Yan Xizhao replied softly.
She appeared even more beautiful than when she was in the Earth Cave of Yunxiao County.
The commanding aura she once exuded was gone, like a sharp sword returning to its sheath, presenting the guise of an ordinary person.
Yet upon closer observation, one would notice a sword-like brilliance in her eyes, causing others not to stare directly.
Gu Chaoyue felt bitterness in her heart.
Why could Yan Xizhao achieve such success at such a young age?
Her background was excellent, she was beautiful, truly a winner in life.
In contrast, Gu Chaoyue felt she had nothing, even though she also ascended to the Fifth Realm through talent and hard work.
But she knew her talent had reached its limit, and further success in Meridian Opening would be unlikely without vast cultivation resources.
That’s why she had been frantically accumulating resources, hoping to make another big effort before turning forty.
She had previously gone to Yunxiao County for this purpose but returned empty-handed, only to hear about Yan Xizhao’s breakthrough upon her return to the capital city, deeply lowering her spirits.
If not for accompanying Wang Tiancheng and Xu Niannian this time, she would not have come at all.
As she wallowed in self-pity, Xu Niannian, beside her, perked up his fan and laughed.
"Miss Xizhao, there’s no need for modesty. Your ascent is a significant event in the capital’s Martial Dao circles, as you’re the first in many years to break through with a Realm-Breaking Guide."
Yan Xizhao, indifferent and joyful, just shook her head.
"It’s merely luck. I didn’t expect this Blood Bat Pearl to fit so perfectly with my cultivation technique, allowing me to break through so swiftly."
Admiring the radiant Yan Xizhao, Wang Tiancheng couldn’t help but sigh.
Over the past two years, there have been more and more young prodigies.
First, in Yunxiao County, a prodigy not yet twenty proved to be a half-step to the Fifth Realm, mastering blade techniques to great success, and now he witnessed the breakthrough of this daughter of the Great Yan royal family.
Wang Tiancheng also felt the pressure mounting.
If he slackened even slightly, he risked being surpassed by newcomers.
While reflecting on this, Yan Xizhao suddenly looked toward the door.
"Junior Brother Yan Peng, is there something you wish to discuss?"
Yan Peng was startled.
He had just arrived at the door, intending to wait there as he saw Senior Sister speaking inside, yet Yan Xizhao immediately sensed him.
He entered the room with his head lowered, cautious not to let his gaze wander.
He knew well that those who came to congratulate Senior Sister must be the elite of various sects, likely all Fifth Realm experts, while his Fourth Realm prowess was hardly noteworthy.
He spoke solemnly, "Senior Sister, there’s a slight issue; my younger sister Yan Fei is afflicted with a mysterious poison. I’m helpless, so I hoped to bring her here for your assessment."
A mysterious poison?
This news surprised everyone in the room.
Though there were those in the Jianghu who delved into the Poison Dao, these individuals were either extremely powerful elders or eccentric Demon Sect members.
But why would such people poison a daughter of the Great Yan royal family?
Yan Xizhao also frowned.
"I’ll go take a look."