Increasing the 'Friend' Count

Yi Huo couldn't help but be impressed by Zuo Feng's lightning-fast reflexes as he expertly used his Hidden Tug Gu to pull Liu Sheng away from him. But what truly caught his attention was Liu Sheng's astonishing display of skill, unleashing a deadly killer move, utilizing not one, not two, but four different Gu. Despite only being a rank-2 gu master, Liu Sheng's mastery over his own Gu was truly impeccable. But before Yi Huo could express his admiration for the impressive display of abilities, the sudden arrival of Wei Yang, disrupted his thoughts.

Wei Yang, also known as "White Light Swordsman", is well known for his capabilities of evading as fast as light and quick as lightning, his current rank is rank-3 peak stage.

He had just returned from settling a dispute among Gu masters, when he noticed his superior Yi Huo, had brought in a guest, and decided to remind him of the clan rules, "Rule 11-4, unless one is designated as an arena caretaker or above, no one may enter under the clan arena, unless given prior authority by the clan leader."

Yi Huo sighed before first apologizing to his guest with a light bow, "I do apologize for the disturbance, it will only be a moment."

This surprised Wei Yang, leading him to contemplate, "Although breaking Rule 11-4 isn't a major offense, Yi Huo's apology suggests that this man is either of great power or that Yi Huo owes him a significant debt," there was also the third option of the clan leader already having given the man permission and somehow by poor luck, he had not been informed, but Wei Yang didn't even consider that possibility, for the chances of that were far too low.

Standing up, Yi Huo walked past Wei Yang while giving him a glare, "I will go ask the clan leader for permission now," he paused to lower his head down to Wei Yang, before asserting, "I ask kindly that in the meantime you don't kick him out."

Shrugging his shoulders in compliance, Wei Yang responded, "No problem, besides I'd like to ask this person, why you're treating them like a king."

Yi Huo shook his head, "No need to ask him, the man gave me a rank-4 Gu."

Wei Yang's expression immediately turned to surprise and then to unease as he muttered to himself, "If this man can casually give away a rank-4 Gu, he must either be the son of a rich clan, in other words, one of our competitors, or he's a thief unable to safely hold onto his spoils."

Yi Huo interrupted Wei's muttering, stating firmly, "Do you think I wouldn't have done a background check on someone before letting them in?" He continued to stare down Wei Yang before revealing, "Based on what I've collected so far, he's a lone cultivator who happened upon a very rich inheritance, and has only recently left his secluded cultivation. Nothing more, nothing less."

Xie Ling still sitting down, listened to the two talking and couldn't help but smirk at Yi Huo's statement. Any information that Yi Huo could have gathered on him must have come from the information path gu master, Hai Yi.

The moment Yi Huo had left, Wei Yang turned to Xie Ling with a small inquisitive smile on his face. As he opened his mouth to speak, he was quickly interrupted.

"Even a drop of water can carve its way through the hardest rock, but only if it's willing to flow," Xie Ling spoke with a hint of mysteriousness in his tone.

Wei Yang paused, contemplating the meaning behind Xie Ling's words, before questioning, "Are you saying I am too rigid?"

Xie Ling turned his head to Wei Yang, before raising one of his brows and stating, "I was actually talking about one of the gu masters in the arena."

This caused Wei Yang to grip his fists in anger and frustration, however, he then realized that Xie Ling was once again testing him on how to be less rigid in his thinking, "I'm impressed, somehow you taught me, angered me, and taught me again, yet for some reason instead of hate for you, I feel respect."

Xie Ling grew a smirk and laughed, "Don't reprove a fool or heal despise you, but if you reprove a wise man and he will love you", he then muttered, "If I remember correctly I think that was from proverbs."

When making it to where Xie Ling sat, Wei Yang extended his palm for a handshake, "I understand now why my superior thinks highly of you. It seems we got off to a bad start earlier. My name is Wei Yang."

Xie Ling accepted the handshake with an 'innocent' smile on his face, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Wei Yang. I've heard about your nickname as the 'White Light Swordsman.'"

As Wei Yang pulled back his hand after the handshake, he couldn't help but feel a strange sensation lingering on his skin, as if Xie Ling's touch had left an imprint on him. It was a feeling that he couldn't quite put his finger on, but just like a fleeting memory, it was gone the next moment.

He then noticed Xie Ling looking at him with a raised brow. Instantly he corrected his rude behavior, "Ah, sorry about that. The White Light Swordsman is just a nickname given to me by my peers. I still have a long way to go before I can truly master the sword."