A rare opportunity

Duan Kaishan quickly stood up and bowed to Li Yu and Xi Wuyou, saying:

"The achievements of our White Dragon Sect today are truly due to the prestige of our Venerable Lord, the strategic planning of our Sect Master, and the concerted efforts of all our fellow disciples! I have only contributed my meager strength; how dare I claim credit for it?"

"Brother Duan, you jest! The White Dragon Gate's current status is the result of your own hard work. Besides, Li Yu is an unknown figure; what reputation does he have?"

Li Yu immediately shook his head. He considered himself a mere passerby on Xuanyuan Star; how many people knew his name? And what reputation could he possibly have?

Little did he know that after the battle with the Immortal Cultivator Sect, his fame had spread throughout the entire cultivation world of Xuanyuan Star!

"Hey! Elder, there's no need to be so polite! I'm just a hands-off manager. The White Dragon Gate owes its current success to you, Elder! If you're going to be any more polite, it would be a bit hypocritical! I'm not like Gu Changfeng, I don't like being flattered!"

To be honest, during the reconstruction of the White Dragon Gate, Xi Wuyou had used Li Yu's name to intimidate people quite a bit! Therefore, he was genuinely startled when he heard Duan Kaishan's words! Thus, as soon as Li Yu finished speaking, he said with a stern face, intentionally omitting the mention of Li Yu's formidable reputation.

Upon hearing their words, Duan Kaishan's face flushed red and then turned pale. He stood there awkwardly, unsure whether to stand or sit.

Flattery had become a habit for him when dealing with his superiors! He couldn't help it; Gu Changfeng simply enjoyed it. Originally, he was a straightforward person and despised those who liked to flatter. But Gu Changfeng was stubborn and wouldn't listen to any advice. For survival, he had to go against his principles and become the kind of person he once hated! Over time, it became a habit!

I had hoped to win their favor, but they didn't seem to appreciate it at all! It just made me look like a sycophant!

Especially after hearing Xi Wuyou deliberately avoid mentioning his flattery of Li Yu, he knew that Li Yu must dislike using his name, and his heart became even more uneasy!

Xi Wuyou was also a little worried that Li Yu would get angry. She secretly glanced at Li Yu and, seeing his calm expression, finally relaxed! Clearly, Li Yu didn't intend to hold him responsible. Seeing that Duan Kaishan was still awkwardly standing there, she quickly gave him a wink.

He was already drenched in sweat from clearing the mountain, but upon seeing Xi Wuyou's expression, he felt as if he had been granted a pardon! Without a word, he simply bowed to the two of them before slowly sitting down. It wasn't that he didn't want to speak, but his throat was so dry that he simply couldn't utter a word!

Of course, he wasn't afraid of Xi Wuyou, but of Li Yu! This was a killing god! He had personally witnessed him burn dozens of Saint-level cultivators to death without even blinking!

Apart from those who came with Li Yu, the elders of the White Dragon Sect didn't dare to utter a sound in the entire hall!

To ease the awkward situation in the hall, Xi Wuyou made conversation by saying:

"Since this is your first time visiting the Ziyang Mountains, Your Excellency and all the seniors, would you be so kind as to allow me to guide you on a tour?"

To be honest, Li Yu's words were simply because he didn't want to claim any credit; he never imagined they would use his name. Moreover, Li Yu had no idea what value his name could possibly have.

Even if he knew, he wouldn't mind as long as Xi Wuyou didn't use his reputation to do heinous things. After all, he believed Xi Wuyou had helped him. At least, countless humans and demons had been spared because of him!

The fear of Xi Wuyou and the others was simply because they had something to hide.

Li Yu hadn't expected Xi Wuyou to use his name, but Hou Rujing, Yin Zijuan, and the others had gleaned some issues from Duan Kaishan's words. However, like Li Yu, they didn't take it seriously! They figured that during the reconstruction of the White Dragon Gate, they wouldn't, and wouldn't dare, use Li Yu's name to do anything wrong.

"Oh! Forget about sightseeing! Please, Sect Leader Xi, send someone to take me to see Fairy Hu Mei! We still need to visit the four sect leaders, so we can't stay any longer."

To be honest, if it weren't for wanting to see Hu Mei one last time before leaving, he wouldn't have stayed at all. Although he remembered Xi Wuyou's help in getting him out of trouble, he also left behind more than a dozen Saint-level experts for the White Dragon Sect, which could be considered as repaying his kindness.

Xi Wuyou was taken aback! She had thought Li Yu had come for her, but it turned out he had only come to see Hu Mei! She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed!

But upon further reflection, he felt relieved! Whatever Li Yu's purpose in coming here, what others saw was that he had ultimately arrived at the White Dragon Gate! That was an undeniable fact! That was enough! He immediately smiled and said:

"How could I dare trouble Your Excellency? I will immediately send someone to invite the fairy here!"

"No need! The fairy has been kind to me, so I should visit her in person! Please, Brother Xi, have someone show me the way!"

Seeing that Li Yu was determined to go, Xi Wuyou could only stand up and say:

"In that case, please follow me, Your Excellency!"

He immediately led Li Yu and the others out of the hall.

Li Yu and the others followed Xi Wuyou through the woods and alleys to a courtyard enclosed by a fence. Outside the courtyard, fragrant grasses grew lushly, and a small stream flowed through it. Inside, there were more than ten houses, their front yards overflowing with flowers, a truly delightful sight!

Li Yu couldn't help but nod inwardly! It seems that Xi Wuyou has done his best and hasn't mistreated Hu Mei!

Just as Xi Wuyou was about to push open the gate, a terrified scream suddenly came from inside one of the rooms:

"Don't come here! Don't come here!"

Li Yu recognized Hu Mei's voice and assumed she was in danger! She glared at Xi Wuyou fiercely before rushing over!

Just one glance! A chill ran down Xi Wuyou's spine! He had no idea what had happened. In that brief moment of surprise, he saw Hou Rujing and the others rushing over with Li Yu!

Xi Wuyou didn't have time to think and immediately followed!

The door was ajar. Of course, even if the door were locked, it wouldn't stop Li Yu!

With a 'bang!', Li Yu kicked the door open and rushed inside!

"Ah...! Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer!..."

With a piercing scream, Li Yu suddenly stopped, staring blankly at the scene before her!

Yin Zijuan, who was following closely behind, couldn't help but tear up when she saw the scene before her!

Hu Mei, like a frightened mouse, huddled on the bed, desperately covering herself with the blanket, leaving only her eyes peeking out as she stared at Li Yu and the others in terror!

Yin Zijuan was heartbroken! Afraid of frightening her, she dared not move too quickly. She simply approached her slowly, comforting her as she went:

"Don't be afraid, Sister Hu! I am Yin Zijuan, you've met me before! We won't hurt you!"