A soft chuckle escaped Xiaoyao Wuqing, his gaze intensifying as he fixed it upon Yang Yi, seeming to search for some hidden meaning. Consequently, it wasn't just Yang Yi, the subject of this scrutiny, who felt bewildered; Xuan Yuanbing and Feng Shi standing nearby were equally taken aback, staring at him in silent surprise.

"It seems the legendary figures are indeed different from the rest. The Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang appears so ordinary. I had imagined the Black God Gang's Dragon Lord to be some exceptional talent with three heads and six arms!" As Xiaoyao Wuqing finished speaking, a hint of amusement softened the intensity of his stare.

However, upon hearing these words, most people might assume he was being sarcastic. Simultaneously, they would question how he instantly knew Yang Yi's identity. Yet, Yang Yi didn't think so. Although he was curious about how Xiaoyao Wuqing had discovered who he was, what concerned him more was what Xiaoyao Wuqing intended to say.

The familiar smile reappeared on Yang Yi’s face, the corners of his lips tilting up as he asked with a laugh, "Young Master Xiaoyao, surely you haven't sought me out merely to tease me like this?"

"Hah, truly worthy of the title, Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang. Far more capable than Qing Long of the Azure Gang. No, to be precise, you can be compared to the old man in my family. Perhaps even surpass him!"

"Heh!" Yang Yi chuckled dismissively. He certainly didn't take this compliment at face value; one had to know when to stop. The laughter ceased, and he said, "Young Master Xiaoyao, I suggest you get straight to the point!"

"Very well, I shall be direct with you," Xiaoyao Wuqing replied, his face adopting a smile that commanded respect.

A fleeting, almost otherworldly glint flashed in Yang Yi's eyes, vanishing instantly. He watched as Xiaoyao Wuqing moved to stand before the window, appearing lost in thought, his expression a mosaic of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. He glanced back at Yang Yi, and his eyes suddenly held a slightly altered quality.

"Your Excellency, the Dragon Lord, I trust you are aware of the current situation in Huaxia?"

"Situation? What situation?"

"Heh, the Four Great Sects of Huaxia!"

"Ah, I have some understanding," Yang Yi responded immediately, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he regarded Xiaoyao Wuqing with keen interest.

"The Four Great Sects: the Mystic Gate, the Xiaoyao Sect, the Dragon Gate, and the Demonic Gate! They are sects inherited from antiquity, realms unattainable and unknown to the common folk," Xiaoyao Wuqing paused, turning back to face Yang Yi, his frame leaning against the edge of the window. He looked at Yang Yi and continued, "I know a fair bit about your affairs. The head of the Mystic Gate indeed possesses the strength to dominate the underworld of Huaxia."

"Hmm?" Yang Yi grew increasingly astonished. This Xiaoyao Wuqing, who looked utterly devoid of physical strength, possessed a mind far from ordinary, and his demeanor was becoming increasingly surprising.

"I know you are puzzled as to how I know your background?" Xiaoyao Wuqing seemed to hold all the initiative, but he was mistaken in this assumption. Beneath the deepening smile on Yang Yi's face, no one could truly discern his thoughts.

At the same time, Xiaoyao Wuqing seemed to sense this. After uttering his question, his eyes never left Yang Yi, yet he could glean nothing. A sudden shadow of discouragement crossed his face, and he sighed, "It seems I truly overestimated myself."

"Heh!" Yang Yi once again responded with a smile. Only now did he grasp the extent of Xiaoyao Wuqing's previous performance: the man had been testing him all along. A new awareness dawned in his mind: he must not underestimate this person.

"Regarding how you learned my identity, how you know I am the Mystic Gate's Master, and even why you've suddenly brought these matters up—I am indeed curious. However, my curiosity has not descended into blind obsession! Therefore, you have not overestimated me."

"It seems you truly are capable of assisting me."

Hearing Xiaoyao Wuqing's words, Yang Yi felt no surprise, but instead asked with a broad smile, "Indeed, a man doesn't visit the Three Treasures Hall without a reason, nor does he seek out a monk without a need!"

"Excellent, Dragon Lord, what you just said is brilliant!" This time, Xiaoyao Wuqing offered a genuine compliment. After a brief pause, his expression turned intensely serious. "In truth, I have long desired to meet you. My purpose is to secure your aid—an act that will offer you a chance to glimpse beyond the Mystic Gate and into the other three great sects, while simultaneously helping me ascend to the position of Xiaoyao Sect Master!"

"Oh?" Yang Yi found what Xiaoyao Wuqing proposed rather amusing, and he laughed, "May I ask why you phrase it that way, Young Master Xiaoyao? As far as I know, you are the sole legitimate heir to the current Xiaoyao Sect Master; by rights, the position should naturally fall to you...!"

"No... Your Excellency the Dragon Lord, if you think that, you are mistaken—greatly mistaken. There are things you do not yet know."

"En? I am eager to hear the details!"

Glancing at Yang Yi, then back at Feng Shi and the others, Yang Yi waved a hand. "Rest assured, this is a private ocean-view villa. No one outside can eavesdrop, and everyone here is my trusted associate; nothing you say will leak."

"Ah, my apologies for my earlier rudeness. What I am about to tell you concerns not only my life but also the other three major sects. If a single whisper gets out, I dare guarantee that within three days, regardless of the power you command—the Black God Gang, the Mystic Gate, even your forces in Japan and Britain—the entire world will descend into chaos!"

Was this statement an exaggeration? A blatant fabrication? Or was Xiaoyao Wuqing merely posturing?

No... Yang Yi did not believe so. He could sense that not a single word Xiaoyao Wuqing had uttered from the beginning contradicted his true intentions.

"Why don't you ask me?"

"Ask you?"

"Yes, ask me why I speak with such hyperbole," Xiaoyao Wuqing frowned slightly as he questioned Yang Yi.

"Hah, I have no need to doubt your words, because I am already quite aware!"

"It seems you truly are well-informed. In that case, I shall be brief!" Xiaoyao Wuqing felt a slight internal shock and continued, "The position of Xiaoyao Sect Master is held by my father, Xiaoyao Qingxiong. And the Dragon Gate is led by Long Linsheng! Regarding these two sects, as the Master of the Mystic Gate, you might be able to disregard them. However, the Master of the Demonic Gate, you absolutely cannot underestimate."

"If I'm not mistaken, you mean the current heir of the Ye family among the Eight Great Families of Huaxia is the Demonic Gate Master, correct?" Yang Yi asked with a smile.

"Exactly. I am surprised you already know about him." Xiaoyao Wuqing took a deep breath, as if steadying his slightly agitated thoughts. "The Ye family heir, his name is Ye Han! He is the rising prodigy of the new generation of the Ye family. He commands the top three figures on the Heavenly Ranking, controls two of the world's four major organizations, holds sway over the Xiaoyao Sect and the Dragon Gate among the Four Great Sects. Furthermore, he governs an Ancient Reclusive Family!"

"An Ancient Reclusive Family?" Suddenly, Yang Yi felt that Xiaoyao Wuqing was growing more profound. Everything he mentioned was factual, yet the mention of this Ancient Reclusive Family sparked a confusing, inexplicable suspicion within Yang Yi.

"This Reclusive Family dates back to the Tang Dynasty, commonly known as the Exorcist Clan. They not only understand the Five Elements mystic arts but also possess knowledge of things rarely known to others. Back in the era of Emperor Qin Mu Leng, they stirred up a veritable storm of bloodshed throughout Huaxia."

"Emperor Qin Mu Leng?" At these words, Yang Yi's eyes filled with a cold chill. Feng Shi and Xuan Yuanbing, standing nearby, exchanged looks of utter disbelief.

"Heh, please forgive me. I feared that detailing everything would be too much to absorb, so I could only touch upon the most critical points." Sensing the unique, icy aura emanating from Yang Yi, Xiaoyao Wuqing felt an involuntary tremor in his chest.

"The Reclusive Family is the ancient Exorcist Clan? Then what are they called now? Why have I never heard of them? Even the Elders in the Mystic Gate never uttered a word. And what exactly is Qin Mu Leng?" Yang Yi was deeply perplexed; everything Xiaoyao Wuqing spoke of was utterly novel to him.

"The Reclusive Family has begun to wane with the passage of time. They have now concealed themselves in the Jiangnan region, commonly referred to as the Jiangnan Household."

"The Jiangnan Household?" Yang Yi's heart sank. It was exactly as he had suspected, but at that moment, he didn't dwell on it, asking directly, "Then what about Qin Mu Leng?"

"Qin Mu Leng," Xuan Yuanbing suddenly interjected, "I once read about it in an ancient text in my father's study. It is described as a colossal hidden treasure secretly buried by Qin Shi Huang before his death."

"It seems I guessed correctly; this must be Miss Xuan Yuan of the Xuan Yuan family, Xuan Yuanbing!" Xiaoyao Wuqing inquired.

"You certainly know a great deal," Xuan Yuanbing replied, her tone remaining icy cold.

"Uh!" Xiaoyao Wuqing paused momentarily, unconcerned, and continued, "As Miss Xuan Yuan stated, Qin Mu Leng is indeed a treasure, but it is a false treasure."

"A false treasure?" Not only Yang Yi, but Feng Shi and Xuan Yuanbing all wore expressions of intense concentration upon hearing this.

"In the past, Qin Huang set this up to keep the world intoxicated by his power, and also as a trap for the traitors who opposed him. You all understand his motives without my need to elaborate. At that time, the myth of Qin Mu Leng caused the deaths of countless people, and even today, many still believe in the existence of this massive Qin Mu Leng treasure."

"Wait a moment!" Before Xiaoyao Wuqing could finish, Yang Yi interrupted him, asking, "Are you suggesting that Ye Han, the heir of the Ye family, who is also the head of the Jiangnan Household, genuinely believes that such a colossal treasure has always existed?"