Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 197: Xun'er's Great Love

"Lin Ying, and 'Miss'..."

Upon hearing this name and title, Mo Yu immediately understood. As expected, the "Miss" this old man referred to was likely Xun'er, that little girl.

In the original story, Xun'er was sent to the Xiao family under the arrangements of the Gu Clan's higher-ups from a young age. However, to protect this young Gu Clan heir, the Gu Clan had also assigned a Dou Huang-level guardian to her, named Lin Ying.

During Xiao Yan's three-year agreement, this guardian, Lin Ying, had appeared to confront the Yun Lan Sect, ensuring Xiao Yan's safe departure.

It seemed that Lin Ying had come to protect Xiao Yan under Xun'er's orders, and while doing so, had also taken notice of Mo Yu—only to be discovered by the greatly empowered Uncle Snake.

Reflecting on this, Mo Yu couldn't help but ponder the "butterfly effect" in action. But since Lin Ying was Xun'er's guardian, he was one of their own, and Mo Yu's initial wariness gradually faded.

"Sir, when you mentioned 'Miss,' were you referring to Xun'er?" Mo Yu asked calmly, even though he had already guessed the answer.

The old man chuckled and nodded, "Hehe, Miss Xun'er always said that Young Master Mo Yu was not only exceptionally talented but also sharp and insightful. Now that I've met you, I see she was right. I am Lin Ying, a clansman of Miss Xun'er. You may call me by my name."

Seeing how quickly Mo Yu had deduced Xun'er's identity, Lin Ying was a bit surprised. The matter of Xun'er's infiltration into the Xiao family was extremely secretive; even the Xiao family's elders were unaware of the massive power behind her. But with just a few words, the young man in front of him had figured it out, showing a keen sense of perception.

"So, you're Lin Ying, a clansman of Xun'er. How is she doing at Jia Nan Academy?" Confirming the old man's identity, Mo Yu gave a nod to Uncle Snake, then asked with a light smile.

Seeing Mo Yu's gesture, Uncle Snake understood that the old man was not an enemy but an ally. Although he didn't know why a peak Dou Huang-level expert was being so polite to Mo Yu, Uncle Snake retracted his hostility.

"Miss Xun'er is doing well at Jia Nan Academy. As for Miss Xiao Yu, she's undergone quite a change since returning to the academy," Lin Ying replied.

"Oh? What happened to Xiao Yu?" Mo Yu asked with concern, thinking of his fiancée.

"Hehe, there's no need to worry, Young Master Mo Yu. Miss Xiao Yu hasn't encountered any trouble. However, since returning to the academy from Wu Tan City, it seems she's had quite a fortuitous encounter. Her cultivation speed has greatly increased. Nowadays, Miss Xiao Yu's reputation at the academy is almost on par with Miss Xun'er's," Lin Ying said, narrowing his eyes slightly as he observed Mo Yu, as if probing for a reaction.

Hearing this, Mo Yu was momentarily stunned but then smiled and shook his head. Before parting ways with Xiao Yu when he left the clan, he had given her a set of Earth-level cultivation techniques and combat skills. He intended for her to enhance her strength for self-protection, but it seemed she had taken full advantage of this opportunity. However, catching up to Xun'er was likely an exaggeration on Lin Ying's part.

As for Lin Ying's probing, Mo Yu didn't explain directly but instead changed the subject, "Lin Ying, as Xun'er's guardian, is there a particular reason you've traveled so far back to the Jia Ma Empire?"

"There's nothing urgent," Lin Ying replied, pausing momentarily at the change of topic before smiling wryly and shaking his head.

Both Lin Ying and Xun'er suspected that the Earth-level techniques and combat skills Xiao Yu possessed had come from Mo Yu. After all, the declining Xiao Clan had no way of obtaining such valuable resources, and Xiao Yu's only close relationship outside the clan was with Mo Yu. However, neither Lin Ying nor Xun'er could figure out how Mo Yu had acquired such precious items, and they chose not to delve into the matter further.

Lin Ying understood his lady's intentions regarding Mo Yu: they were to use all means to build a good relationship with him and never to provoke him. If Lin Ying had once harbored doubts about this, meeting Mo Yu today had firmly convinced him of Xun'er's wisdom.

This change in his thinking wasn't just due to the appearance of Uncle Snake—though a Dou Zun might be rare, it was nothing extraordinary to the Gu Clan. What truly shook Lin Ying was Mo Yu's terrifying speed of cultivation.

As Xun'er's guardian, Lin Ying had been monitoring the Xiao Clan for some time and was familiar with its members. He had witnessed Mo Yu's rise over the past three or four years. In such a short time, Mo Yu had progressed from a novice at the Dou Zhi Qi stage to a high-level Da Dou Shi. This speed would be impressive even among the top talents in his own clan.

Calming himself, Lin Ying looked at the composed young man before him and continued, "I've returned to the Jia Ma Empire because Xiao Yan's three-year agreement with the Nalan family is approaching. Miss Xun'er fears that Xiao Yan might suffer when facing the Nalan family and the Yun Lan Sect, so she sent me to provide support. However, I didn't expect that with a strong protector like you by his side, my journey might have been unnecessary. With you here, Xiao Yan likely won't suffer."

Lin Ying glanced at Uncle Snake, a cautious gleam in his eyes. A Dou Zun, especially one with the ancient Seven-Winged Purple-Gold Serpent bloodline, was a formidable figure. Even though this Dou Zun was merely a soul form and couldn't wield his full power, the earlier display of strength suggested that not even a Dou Zong could easily handle him. And in the Jia Ma Empire, a Dou Zong was already considered an elite among the strong.

Hearing Lin Ying's words, Mo Yu couldn't help but smile and shake his head. There was no denying that Xiao Yan was indeed lucky to have Xun'er, a fiercely protective and charming guardian. Even before the three-year agreement began, she had already prepared an escape plan for Xiao Yan.

In the original story, if Lin Ying hadn't intervened, Xiao Yan might have struggled to escape unscathed.

"Lin Ying, do you need to meet Xiao Yan? He's staying in this same inn," Mo Yu offered.

"Hehe, there's no need. Miss Xun'er instructed me not to reveal myself unless absolutely necessary," Lin Ying replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Mo Yu couldn't help but admire Xun'er's deep and selfless love. To secretly send someone to protect Xiao Yan without revealing it—such an act of love was truly noble, especially to someone like Mo Yu, who didn't fully understand love.

"In that case, I won't keep you. As for Xiao Yan, if he encounters any difficulties, I'll do my best to help," Mo Yu said with a light smile.

"With you here, I doubt Xiao Yan will suffer any setbacks. But if the Yun Lan Sect tries to pull any underhanded tricks, even though I'm old, I can still be of some use," Lin Ying said with a cheerful laugh.

Mo Yu raised an eyebrow at this. A peak Dou Huang was a top-tier force in the Jia Ma Empire, a deciding factor in any battle. For Lin Ying to downplay his significance seemed overly modest.

(End of Chapter)

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