In an instant, the situation reversed.
Just now, it was Zhao Ya running in front with Xu Suanzi chasing behind, but now it was Xu Suanzi running in front.
Seeing Zhao Ya getting closer and closer, Xu Suanzi couldn’t help but grit his teeth, fully activating his Lightweight Body Technique, rushing out of the city like an arrow released from a bow.
In the blink of an eye, the White Tiger Hall guards chasing them were left far behind.
Yet, even so, Xu Suanzi still couldn’t shake off Zhao Ya after leaving the city.
Finally, after reaching a wooded area, Xu Suanzi suddenly stopped and turned to look at Zhao Ya.
"Friend, why are you chasing me?"
Zhao Ya also stopped, standing a short distance away, looking at Xu Suanzi with a light laugh, "The way you say it, it sounds like you were chasing me first."
Xu Suanzi took a deep breath, "At the time, I saw you noticed my whereabouts, and thought you intended to report to the White Tiger Hall, so I followed you."
"How did you know I noticed your whereabouts?" Zhao Ya was somewhat surprised.
"Because of your eyes," Xu Suanzi said.
Zhao Ya was speechless.
He hadn’t expected Xu Suanzi to be so vigilant; he was detected just by giving him a glance.
It seems that those who scrape by on the edge of a knife are not easy to deal with.
"But now I know I misunderstood because, with your Lightweight Body Technique, you surely aren’t from the White Tiger Hall."
Xu Suanzi subtly complimented Zhao Ya while his eyes searched around for an escape route.
Zhao Ya laughed, "Alright, there’s no need to be so tense. At the inn, I looked at you out of pure curiosity."
"After all, although you concealed it well, your unique walking habit gave you away, as only those skilled in Lightweight Body Technique would have such a habit."
"I’m chasing you now just because I have a few questions. I have no malicious intent."
Xu Suanzi secretly breathed a sigh of relief; Zhao Ya’s subtly emitted imposing aura had kept him on edge.
Even without a fight, Xu Suanzi could sense that this man skilled in Lightweight Skill was not weak.
Unless necessary, Xu Suanzi would never want to make an enemy of someone like this.
So hearing that Zhao Ya had no malicious intent, Xu Suanzi slightly relaxed and asked.
"What do you want to ask?"
"I just arrived in this place Beyond the World today, so I want to know the current situation here," Zhao Ya asked.
For someone like Xu Suanzi, news must be very well-informed, or else stealing from the wrong people could lead to big trouble.
Asking him shouldn’t go wrong.
After hearing Zhao Ya’s words, Xu Suanzi was initially taken aback, then gave Zhao Ya a suspicious look, finally saying.
"Newly arrived in the land Beyond the World, are you here to attend the Thirteen Sects’ Opening Ceremony?"
Opening Ceremony?
A hint of doubt arose in Zhao Ya’s heart.
Xu Suanzi also picked up on this, relaxing, "That makes sense. With your strength, not even some slightly weaker True Disciples of the Thirteen Sects Beyond the World could match you, so why would you attend this opening ceremony? You should be directly recommended into the sect."
"So what exactly is this Opening Ceremony?" Zhao Ya asked.
"To put it simply, it’s a recruitment event held every three years by the Thirteen Sects Beyond the World and other major sects. During this time, martial artists from the land Beyond the World and surrounding regions come, hoping to join their desired sects and make greater strides in the Martial Dao."
Only then did Zhao Ya realize.
"So how are the sect forces in this region Beyond the World divided now?"
"Buddy, it seems you know nothing. Don’t you have any friends or relatives in the land Beyond the World?" Xu Suanzi asked in surprise.
Zhao Ya shook his head, "No, I came alone with no sources of information."
Xu Suanzi gave a thumbs up, "Impressive, let me explain it to you."
"The first tier naturally belongs to the Thirteen Sects Beyond the World. These are long-standing, powerful clans and the top sects in this region."
"Next are the major sects slightly weaker than the Thirteen Sects, like the Cyan Lotus Gang, Hidden Dragon Square, which have gained fame in recent years. Some of these are not even weaker than the Thirteen Sects when it comes to raw power."
"Then come the medium-sized sects. Although they are somewhat weaker in overall strength, they are the most numerous, such as the White Tiger Hall, West Mountain Mansion, and others."
"Finally, there are the lesser-known small sects, some of which consist of only a dozen people or so, but don’t underestimate them, as some of these small sects possess formidable strength."
After determining Zhao Ya’s lack of malice, Xu Suanzi relaxed and meticulously introduced the sects of the land Beyond the World.
After listening, Zhao Ya finally got a general impression of the power structure in the land Beyond the World.
Then he asked the most crucial question.
"How is the Azure Dragon Temple ranked among the Thirteen Sects?"
"Azure Dragon Temple?"
Upon hearing the name, Xu Suanzi gave Zhao Ya a strange look.
"Friend, after all this talk, do you have a past with the Azure Dragon Temple or are you planning to join?"
"Neither, just curious," Zhao Ya replied.