Xiao Yexuan sensed that Tang San had taken Xiao Wu and fled. The corners of his mouth curled upward—the real show was finally beginning.
Immediately after, Xiao Yexuan took action.
He first went to the place where A-Yin was being kept.
A-Yin was currently just a stalk of Blue Silver Grass that looked a bit longer than normal, with golden streaks along its leaves. It swayed slightly, emitting a gentle aura.
When Xiao Yexuan approached, given A-Yin's current power, she couldn't detect him at all.
But when Xiao Yexuan used his life energy, A-Yin instantly gained the ability to take human form.
A-Yin now looked to be in her thirties. A luxurious blue-gold gown draped her body, her elegant and noble presence highlighting a beauty not of this world.
Her sapphire-blue eyes were flawless like blue crystals. Golden ribbons curled gracefully around her skirt hem, and a faint fragrance lingered in the air.
Her long azure hair flowed freely down her back. She was the embodiment of the world's beauty—she seemed like the very center of the universe. Her breathtaking appearance made everything else pale in comparison.
A-Yin was overjoyed. She had actually transformed? That meant the next time she saw her daughter, Tang San, she wouldn't have to interact with her in the form of a plant.
She really wanted to hug her adorable daughter in her human form.
"So beautiful... Tang San's looks must have mostly come from you."
Suddenly, a voice of admiration from behind startled her—Xiao Yexuan.
A-Yin froze. This man was strong—he had approached so silently that she hadn't even noticed.
She became alert. After all, she knew she was a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast—any strong Soul Master would instantly recognize her value.
Anyone would covet such a treasure.
Still, she wondered—how did this man know her daughter's name?
Could it be… what she'd been sensing these past days wasn't just her imagination?
She turned around calmly and saw a man so handsome he could cause an explosion just by being looked at.
Too handsome. If she weren't already a mother, she would've wanted to marry him on the spot.
But then again, she did have a daughter. Such a handsome young man, and clearly powerful—maybe he could be her son-in-law?
In A-Yin's eyes—and in the eyes of many outsiders—
Her Tang San was an absolute stunner.
Anyone who saw her would fall for her.
"My dear San... she may not have told me anything directly, but as her mother, I've seen how much she's been hiding from me. I bet it's all because of you."
A-Yin pointed at Xiao Yexuan as she spoke, with no fear in her tone.
Xiao Yexuan was slightly surprised. First time meeting, and she was already saying things like this?
Truly bold. And she wasn't the least bit afraid of him.
"Oh? Then what else have you guessed?" Xiao Yexuan didn't explain himself—instead, he was curious what kind of misunderstanding A-Yin was caught up in.
A-Yin eyed Xiao Yexuan from head to toe, tapping her chin with admiration, then said:
"That girl San—she doesn't need to say it. I can tell she has a boyfriend. I'm guessing... you're the guy. And..."
She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence—too embarrassed.
The scent on Tang San... it was a man's scent.
Way too familiar. It was the same scent as Xiao Yexuan standing in front of her.
Was it really that hard to guess?
"Haha!" Xiao Yexuan burst out laughing. Did he really look that harmless? A-Yin hadn't even considered that he might be a bad guy.
Though to be fair, he had done quite a lot to Tang San—boyfriend-like things, to be honest.
And Tang San never denied anything A-Yin guessed. She just smiled and said:
"Let's not talk about how I treat San for now. But right now, San's off eloping with her little girlfriend."
"What did you say? Girlfriend?" A-Yin was shocked. Her daughter had... a girlfriend?
Impossible. How could something like this happen? Two girls? How would they continue the bloodline?
Such a handsome young man standing here, and she picked a girl?
But A-Yin was kind and gentle by nature. Even if she felt Tang San had made a mistake, she wouldn't deny her.
After all, Tang San was her precious daughter. Whatever her daughter did, she would support her.
"Anything can happen. But what's about to happen... will show you who Tang San really is. Her shamelessness and double standards!" Xiao Yexuan said firmly.
"Shameless? You... you can't say that about my San. Maybe she dumped you and ran off with someone else, and now you're bitter. I don't blame you—it's not your fault. But you can't speak about a girl like that. Take those words back, and I'll pretend none of this ever happened."
A-Yin was really kind. Judging by her expression and body language, she wasn't even angry at Xiao Yexuan.
"A-Yin, you misunderstood. Tang San running off has nothing to do with me. I'm just stating facts—Tang San is a despicable, shameless, double-standard scumbag," Xiao Yexuan said with conviction.
A-Yin frowned slightly but still responded seriously:
"Everyone has their own perspective. You may be biased. But to me, my San is a good child. She would never hurt anyone."
"Is that so? Well, right now, Tang San is hurting someone. And that someone trusts her completely—so much so they'd die for her. Oh, and that person? Just like you—a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form. Can you guess what Tang San really wants?" Xiao Yexuan grinned wickedly.
"A hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form!" A-Yin looked like she had been hit with a painful memory. She had been hunted down by Spirit Hall, and she knew all too well the human greed for soul beasts.
A hundred-thousand-year soul ring... and a hundred-thousand-year soul bone—each priceless treasures.
No one would remain unmoved at the sight of one.
But A-Yin quickly shook her head and spoke with firm conviction:
"No! My San would never do such a thing. She told me herself—even if I'm a soul beast, she would still love me as her mother. She said she'd be like Hao-gege~ and always protect the one she loves."
"Looks like we don't see eye to eye. In that case, let's make a bet. A bet on whether Tang San will go after that hundred-thousand-year soul beast or not!"
Xiao Yexuan finally revealed his true intention.
A-Yin frowned. A bet? She didn't like the sound of that, and refused outright:
"I don't bet."
"No bet? I haven't even said what the stakes are. Are you sure you want to give up your freedom—and Tang San's—just like that?" Xiao Yexuan grinned confidently.
(End of Chapter)