The Legend of the Netherworld

Chapter 213 Meeting Li Yuan

Lin Xiao chose to temporarily reside at the Shangguan family's residence. He knew that if he could stay safely in the Shangguan family's territory for a period of time, he would not only gain a deeper understanding of the family's roots, but also accumulate more resources and strength for himself. Although he did not completely trust Shangguan Chaoran, for the time being, this place was undoubtedly a relatively safe place.

Shangguan Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Lin Xiao agreed to stay for a while. She extended a finger and gently tapped her lips. "In that case, I'll take you to familiarize yourself with the Shangguan family's environment, and we'll also take a trip to the city to see if you need any medicinal herbs."

Lin Xiao nodded in agreement. He knew that being familiar with the surrounding environment would not only help him better integrate into the family life, but also facilitate his future activities here.

Together, they walked out of the Shangguan family's inner hall and into the outer courtyard. Beyond the courtyard lay a vast garden, shaded by green trees, gurgling streams, and filled with the chirping of birds and the fragrance of flowers. It felt like entering a secluded paradise. However, Lin Xiao knew that behind such facades lay hidden conspiracies and power struggles.

Shangguan Qingqing led Lin Xiao through a narrow path, out of the Shangguan family's gate, and onto a bustling street. Tall buildings and shops lined the streets, and a bustling crowd of monks and ordinary people mingled among them. The air was filled with the aroma of various spices and medicinal herbs.

Shangguan Qingqing raised her chin slightly and pointed to the herbal medicine shop in front. "That's the Shangguan family's herbal medicine shop. The herbs there are very fine. Our family's doctors often purchase there. I think you can find what you need."

Lin Xiao nodded and followed her into the herbal medicine shop. A strong herbal aroma wafted through the shop, and a dazzling array of herbs filled the shelves. Lin Xiao couldn't help but feel relieved. After all, the herbs here were not only diverse, but most of them had been carefully selected and processed, far exceeding the quality of those sold outside.

He began searching the shelves for the herbs he needed, while Shangguan Qingqing quietly inquired with the shopkeeper, seemingly looking for some specific herbs the family needed. Just as Lin Xiao was searching for herbs, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps, followed by a deep male voice at the door of the shop.

"Are you Lin Xiao?" This voice came without any warning, carrying a strong sense of oppression.

Lin Xiao turned around abruptly and saw a man in a black robe standing at the door. His eyes were sharp as a knife, carrying an undeniable pressure. The man was tall and imposing, with an extraordinary bearing. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, as if he could see through everything.

"It's me." Lin Xiao responded calmly.

The man sneered slightly and walked into the herbal medicine shop with a firm step. "So it's you, Lin Xiao. I heard that you've been staying quite well in the Shangguan family recently. I wonder if it's because of Shangguan Qingqing's protection?"

Shangguan Qingqing's face changed when she heard this. She immediately turned around and looked at the person warily: "Li Yuan, what are you doing!"

Lin Xiao's heart fluttered. Li Yuan—this name was familiar to him. Rumor had it that this Li Yuan was a scion of the Li Family, a powerful faction in Tianyuan City. The Li Family was renowned throughout Tianyuan City, renowned not only for their immense strength but also for their ruthlessness and cunning. As a gifted disciple of the Li Family, Li Yuan possessed extraordinary abilities, particularly adept at exerting psychological pressure on his enemies, putting them in unseen difficulties.

"Shangguan Qingqing, I've long heard of your great name." Li Yuan bowed slightly, with a hint of irony in his smile. "However, how can you, the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family, protect Lin Xiao?"

Lin Xiao sneered, his eyes sweeping over Li Yuan's figure, a calculation already in mind. He knew that Li Yuan was clearly here to provoke him, and Shangguan Qingqing's reaction also proved that Li Yuan's relationship with the Shangguan family was not good, and there might even be hostility.

"What do you want from me?" Lin Xiao was calm, his eyes were steady and his tone was cold.

Li Yuan was stunned for a moment, then revealed a playful smile. "I don't intend to waste my time with you. I came to you because I heard you've been fighting for some treasures recently. Since you're so smart, you should know that these things will eventually belong to my Li family. If you don't know what's good for you, I'm afraid you'll have to pay the price for your momentary greed."

Lin Xiao looked at Li Yuan coldly, laughing in his heart: "Li family? You really think you are the overlord of Tianyuan City."

"You are just a guest of the Shangguan family. If you don't leave obediently today, I'm afraid even Shangguan Qingqing can't protect you." Li Yuan's tone gradually became threatening. He stepped towards Lin Xiao, and the murderous intent in his eyes gradually appeared.

Shangguan Qingqing's face changed, and she was about to speak, but was stopped by Lin Xiao's eyes. Lin Xiao's eyes were as calm as water, looking at Li Yuan without any ripples, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "In that case, then I can only play with you for a round."

Before he finished speaking, Lin Xiao instantly unleashed his "Illusionary Body Technique: Imitative Moves." Four phantoms of Lin Xiao appeared simultaneously, quickly disorienting Li Yuan's vision. A flicker of surprise flashed across Li Yuan's eyes, and then he swung his fist, sending a fiery palm force lashing out at Lin Xiao.

"Good timing!" Lin Xiao shouted, his sword already unsheathed, and he quickly met Li Yuan's attack. He knew that this battle could not be delayed at any cost and had to be resolved quickly, otherwise more weaknesses would be exposed.

The battle erupted instantly, sword light and palm power intertwined, sparks flying everywhere. In this fierce exchange, Lin Xiao's body movements were as agile as a ghost, and each move was carried out with unpredictable speed. Although Li Yuan's offensive was fierce, it was also skillfully deflected by Lin Xiao.

Shangguan Qingqing stood aside, watching the two men's fight intently, thinking to herself, "Lin Xiao is truly remarkable. He's been able to hold his own against Li Yuan for so long. This man is truly remarkable."

However, just as the two were fighting fiercely, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from the side of the street.

On the other side of the street, the sudden sound of footsteps made Lin Xiao's heart tremble. He quickly gathered his thoughts and scanned the surroundings with his eyes like lightning.

"Li Yuan, you're nothing special." Lin Xiao said coldly while fending off Li Yuan's attack. He knew that he couldn't let himself be surrounded and had to end this battle as soon as possible.

Li Yuan's expression changed slightly, clearly having not expected Lin Xiao's decisive and forceful response. He leaped, avoiding Lin Xiao's sword. Then, with a sudden turn, a powerful aura of fire erupted from him, forming a barrier of flames that scorched the surrounding air to the point of nearly distorting it.

"I advise you to be sensible." Li Yuan sneered, "If you don't listen to my advice, don't blame me for being rude today."

Lin Xiao knew that Li Yuan was really going to use this move. He narrowed his eyes, shook the sword in his hand slightly, and unleashed the "Sword Qi Strike". A thin sword energy pierced through the flame barrier and headed straight for Li Yuan's chest.

A fierce look flashed in Li Yuan's eyes. He pinched his fingers together, and the flame barrier instantly expanded, forming a powerful firestorm that violently rushed towards Lin Xiao. In the storm, the flames danced wildly, and the temperature around them rose sharply, and it seemed as if the air was burning.

"Can you take this?" Li Yuan sneered, having completely immersed himself in the fire storm. Seeing that Lin Xiao was somewhat suppressed.

At this moment, footsteps from the other side of the street grew closer, gradually converging into a powerful aura. Lin Xiao sensed the shift in aura, his eyes flashing as he realized this aura was not simple. His heart tightened, and he knew he might be facing even greater trouble.

Suddenly, a clear voice broke the firestorm before them.

"Li Yuan, aren't you afraid of death?"

The voice was cold and sharp, carrying a powerful aura. The air around them seemed to freeze. Then, Lin Xiao felt a strong pressure surge from behind him, as if a pair of invisible hands were slowly approaching.

Li Yuan was startled and immediately turned around to see a man in a black robe slowly approaching. He had a stern face and an extraordinary demeanor, emitting a powerful aura that was hard to ignore. Behind him was a young woman with a cold expression and a temperament as sharp as ice.

"Xuanyuan Ling." Li Yuan's voice was filled with a hint of fear, and he obviously didn't want to conflict with this person.

Lin Xiao also turned to look, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He recognized the black-robed man as Xuanyuan Ling, the Xuanyuan family's gifted disciple. And the icy woman was Xuanyuan Ruoxue, a key member of the Xuanyuan family. The moment they appeared, the atmosphere on the street immediately grew tense.

Xuanyuan Ling's eyes swept over Li Yuan coldly, and her voice was neither hurried nor slow: "If you dare to embarrass Lin Xiao again, today I will make an irreconcilable feud with your Li family."

Li Yuan's eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly suppressed it and said with a smile: "Xuanyuan Ling, when did your Xuanyuan family become the law enforcers of Tianyuan City? You are just meddling in other people's business."

Xuanyuan Ling took light steps and appeared in front of Li Yuan in an instant. The air around them seemed to freeze: "It's just a reminder." His tone was flat, but it carried an irresistible pressure.

Li Yuan's eyes widened, realizing this conflict was unavoidable. Xuanyuan Ruoxue, standing nearby, spoke coldly, "Li Yuan, today's decision isn't yours alone. If you want to continue stalling, you might as well test your own abilities."

Li Yuan's face darkened. He knew that if he confronted Xuanyuan Ling and Xuanyuan Ruoxue, even if he didn't lose, he would still lose face. Furthermore, he was not entirely unaware of the Xuanyuan family's power. If they fell out, he would inevitably be isolated.

He took a deep breath, lowered his head and sneered, "Do you really think you can protect him?" Li Yuan suddenly raised his head, his eyes cold, "Today, even if I, Li Yuan, am no match for Xuanyuan Ling, if I let go, I will make you pay the price."

After saying this, Li Yuan turned around and prepared to leave. Before he left, a ruthless look flashed in his eyes: "Lin Xiao, remember, you have offended the Li family today, and we will not let it go easily. The Xuanyuan family can protect you temporarily, but not for your entire life."

Lin Xiao's expression remained unchanged. He knew this dispute wouldn't end there. Although Li Yuan had retreated, the trouble ahead was likely to be even more complicated.

Xuanyuan Ling did not pursue him. Instead, she turned and looked at Lin Xiao with a calm expression: "You can go now. I will pretend that what happened today never happened."

Lin Xiao nodded slightly, but a hint of vigilance flashed in his eyes: "Thank you. However, if something similar happens again in the future, the Xuanyuan Family may not be able to take it so easy."

Xuanyuan Ling smiled and said, "I won't help you fend off all the enemies, but in this round, Li Yuan is not worthy of being a real opponent."

Xuanyuan Ruoxue looked at Lin Xiao coldly: "If you don't want to cause more trouble in the future, you'd better think carefully about your next path."

Lin Xiao secretly took note of these words in his heart, lowered his head slightly and said cautiously: "Thank you for the reminder."

Lin Xiao bowed his head and thanked him with a slight smile: "Thank you Brother Xuanyuan for your help." He knew that although Xuanyuan Ling seemed indifferent on the surface, his help today was undoubtedly giving him a chance to avoid getting into greater trouble.

Xuanyuan Ling simply nodded, her expression still stern: "Next time, be prepared."

Lin Xiao understood that Xuanyuan Ling's words were merely a simple reminder, but they held profound meaning. Every decision, every action, could potentially alter the trajectory of fate.

Just as Lin Xiao was about to turn around and leave, Shangguan's gentle voice sounded behind him: "Brother Xiao."

Lin Xiao turned around and saw Shangguan approaching gently, a warm smile on her face. Her gentle eyes seemed to contain endless care and concern.

"Brother Xiao, are you okay?" Shangguan Qingqing looked at Lin Xiao nervously, a hint of anxiety flashing in her eyes. "I just saw Xuanyuan Ling. I didn't expect you to know someone from the Xuanyuan family."

Lin Xiao smiled slightly and shook his head gently: "It's okay, don't worry." He didn't intend to tell her everything, especially the complicated power struggle behind Li Yuan and Xuanyuan Ling. After all, it was not appropriate for her to be involved in these things too early.

Shangguan Qingqing was still a little worried. "Brother Xiao, your situation is too dangerous, especially with someone like Li Yuan. Tianyuan City isn't a place you can easily handle on your own." She paused, then added, "But since you've returned safely from Xuanyuan Ling, I'm relieved."

Lin Xiao smiled softly. "If it were anyone else, it might be a little troublesome, but I believe I can handle it." He glanced at Shangguan Qingqing, his tone carrying a hint of confidence. "Besides, I plan to go to Shangguan's house with you tonight."

Shangguan was stunned for a moment, then a soft light flashed in her eyes, and she nodded: "Then let's go now." Her tone was gentle, with a hint of anticipation.

Lin Xiao then followed Shangguan Qingqing out of the street and returned to Shangguan's home. Along the way, the air was filled with a sense of tranquility. The shops on both sides of the street were still bustling with activity, but to them, the hustle and bustle seemed unimportant.

After arriving at the Shangguan family, Lin Xiao was placed in a quiet courtyard surrounded by tranquility and lush greenery. The Shangguan family was indeed extraordinary. Every blade of grass and tree in the courtyard was carefully arranged, as if every detail was telling of the Shangguan family's profound heritage.

Shangguan Qingqing prepared dinner for Lin Xiao. The table was filled with a variety of delicious food, and the aroma was fragrant. The two sat down and had a simple conversation. The atmosphere was warm and comfortable.

"Brother Xiao, it's so quiet here." Shangguan gently raised his head and looked around, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes. "You've suffered so much outside. Being able to calm down here may help you adjust yourself better."

Lin Xiao nodded gently, his eyes thoughtful: "Indeed, if you calm down, you can see more things."

Suddenly, Shangguan gently put down his chopsticks and looked at Lin Xiao with a hint of curiosity: "Brother Xiao, you mentioned Li Yuan and Xuanyuan Ling before. I feel that Tianyuan City seems to be hiding a lot of unknown secrets. Aren't you afraid of these people?"

Lin Xiao smiled slightly, his eyes deep: "The world is so big, there is nothing we can't be afraid of. However, fear means failure. Only by not being afraid can we truly be unaffected."

Shangguan Qingqing was silent for a moment, seemingly pondering Lin Xiao's words. Then, she suddenly spoke, "Brother Xiao, have you ever encountered many unforeseen things? People like Li Yuan must have a huge, unknown force behind them. I'm afraid they won't be easy to deal with."

Lin Xiao's gaze fell on the dining table and he whispered, "Yes, he is not a simple enemy. Although I can deal with him temporarily, I will need more strength to face the real challenge."

Shangguan sighed softly, "You... have truly reached a point of no return." She was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke with a firm tone, "Brother Xiao, if you need anything, tell me and I will do my best to help you."

Lin Xiao was stunned for a moment, looking at her with a complicated look: "You have helped me a lot, I will remember this favor in my heart."

Shangguan Qingqing blushed slightly, lowered her head, and said softly, "Brother Xiao, although we are not relatives, I regard you as a friend, even... someone closer. You don't have to be so polite."

Lin Xiao's heart trembled, realizing the deep meaning behind her words. He didn't say anything. After a moment's silence, he said softly, "Thank you, Shangguan Qingqing."

The two people's eyes met in the air, and it seemed that at that moment, some subtle feelings quietly grew.

At this moment, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard, breaking the brief silence. Shangguan frowned slightly and said softly, "Brother Xiao, something seems to be wrong outside."