Chapter 397: Wan Caixuan Returns

“I knew I couldn’t hide it from Master Lin.”

As Lin Xiao’s words fell, Lei Qianting walked out from the nearby shrubbery with a bitter smile on his face, followed by his two disciples. Ji Wei and Tang Heng looked deathly pale.

After sensing an ambush in the southeast corner of the manor, Lei Qianting quickly realized it was likely people from the Wan family. Though he didn’t know how they had learned the duel’s location, this was not the time to dwell on that.

He had initially wanted to notify Lin Xiao, but by the time he saw Lin Xiao leaving the manor, he was already within sight of the ambushers.

This made Lei Qianting hesitate. The Wan family wasn’t easy to provoke. While his own cultivation wasn’t lacking, offending the Wan family for no reason would be troublesome.

On top of that, having depleted his inner strength during his duel with Lin Xiao, and with a certain speculation lingering in his heart, Lei Qianting chose not to interfere. He instead hid nearby to restore his inner energy. If Lin Xiao truly faced mortal danger, he would naturally step in.

Then came the scene of Lin Xiao sweeping through the ambushers like a hurricane, and the confrontation with the middle-aged man, during which Lei Qianting’s hiding place was exposed.

“Master Lin, I heard everything just now. My apologies,” Lei Qianting said, full of guilt. He then turned to the pale-faced Tang Heng beside him. “You ungrateful disciple, get out here!”

“Master… Master… please spare me. It was them, they forced me! They forced me!” 

At Lei Qianting’s shout, Tang Heng’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, pleading desperately.

The moment he saw Lin Xiao kill those ambushers like chickens, he knew it was over for him. Completely over.

His heart was filled with regret. Jealousy had blinded him. Being defeated by Lin Xiao in a single move made him envious. How could someone younger than him have such deep cultivation?

But he never imagined Lin Xiao would be this powerful, this monstrous, even capable of defeating his own master.

“From this day forth, you are no longer my disciple, and I no longer have a disciple like you,” Lei Qianting declared, full of fury.

“Master… Master…” Tang Heng pleaded, eyes full of despair, but Lei Qianting ignored him entirely.

Lei Qianting turned to Lin Xiao and said, “Master Lin, it was my failure in teaching. I sincerely apologize.”

“No problem,” Lin Xiao replied with a smile.

To him, Tang Heng wasn’t worth mentioning, but Lei Qianting’s attitude did satisfy him.

Seeing that Lin Xiao wasn’t angry, Lei Qianting let out a breath of relief. If Lin Xiao were only at peak Dark Force, he wouldn’t act this way. But Lin Xiao’s performance just now confirmed the suspicion in his heart. Though hard to believe, it was the only possible explanation.

After a moment’s hesitation, Lei Qianting asked Lin Xiao in a low voice, “Master Lin, have you already broken through to Flowing Force?”

“Yes. I’ve reached Flowing Force,” Lin Xiao answered with a nod, not hiding it.

“Good… good… truly a young hero.” Upon hearing Lin Xiao’s confirmation, Lei Qianting looked as if he had aged several years.

After parting with Lei Qianting, Lin Xiao drove the Cayenne back to Yuan Yu’s home on Maple Leaf Street.

***

Jinghai City Airport.

A luxurious private jet slowly landed on the tarmac.

The cabin door opened, and a graceful figure stepped out.

No words of praise in the world could fully capture her stunning, world-shaking beauty.

Her sleek, silky hair flowed like a waterfall, tied at the ends with a white ribbon. Her brows were like distant mountains, eyes like autumn waters, nose delicate, lips rosy—her exquisitely perfect features came together to form a breathtaking face.

She wore a white blouse on top, black straight pants below, and black high heels on her feet. The simple black-and-white pairing exuded elegance and nobility, outlining a flawless figure.

Ordinary people rely on clothing to bring out their looks. On her, no matter how beautiful the outfit, it dimmed in comparison.

“Jinghai, I’ve returned.”

A fleeting trace of emotion crossed Wan Caixuan’s flawless face, but it quickly returned to its cool calm.

Behind her followed a beautiful woman whose age was indiscernible. At first glance, she looked like she was in her thirties, but her eyes carried a composed understanding of the world’s many faces.

“Aunt Meng, you can go back now. You don’t need to protect me anymore,” Wan Caixuan said, turning back. “My friend will be here to pick me up shortly.”

“Friend?” Aunt Meng raised an eyebrow with a half-smile. “Miss, I remember you once said that no one is qualified to be your friend.”

“Just because there wasn’t one before doesn’t mean there isn’t one now,” Wan Caixuan said coldly.

“Then I’d like to see what kind of person is worthy of being Miss’s friend.” Curiosity gleamed in Aunt Meng’s eyes. “Is it the person you talked to on the phone a few days ago?”

“Aunt Meng, this is my personal matter. Please don’t ask.”

“If you won’t tell me, then I’ll just have to see for myself.”

Aunt Meng glanced around, but the large tarmac held only the two of them. “When will your friend arrive?”

“You can watch if you want,” Wan Caixuan said calmly, “But do not act, do not speak, and definitely do not tell my parents.”

Wan Caixuan was cold and aloof, unapproachable to strangers, but helpless against Aunt Meng, who had watched her grow up. “If you can agree to that, I’ll let you meet him.”

“Why so mysterious? Don’t tell me he’s your boyfriend?” Aunt Meng was startled by her seriousness and asked nervously.

“Of course not,” Wan Caixuan denied instantly, but then realized her reaction was too sharp and softened her tone. “Aunt Meng, you know who I am. I don’t want to bring trouble to my friend, alright?”

“Got it. I’ll do whatever you say.”

Aunt Meng gave her a once-over, her curiosity growing. “I won’t bring anything but my eyes. Once I see him, I’ll leave and won’t say a word, okay?”

Wan Caixuan glanced at her, confirmed she wasn’t lying, hesitated slightly, then pulled out her phone and dialed Lin Xiao’s number.

On the other end—

Lin Xiao had just finished showering. He hadn’t dressed yet, wearing only a pair of boxers, and picked up the phone from the table. “Hello?”

“Lin Xiao, I’m back in Jinghai. Come pick me up at the airport.” Wan Caixuan’s cool and pleasant voice came through the line.

Lin Xiao paused mid-way through drying his hair, then replied calmly, “Alright. Which airport?”

“Jinghai Airport. I’ll be waiting at the same place as last time.”

“Got it. I’m on my way.”

He set the phone down, quickly got dressed, and drove off toward Jinghai Airport.