Chapter 1250: A Sudden Inspection
Zhong Siyu, who had been cooped up in her room for several days, naturally wouldn't refuse Yang Haoran's suggestion. Moreover, she could tell that Yang Haoran coming to find her at this moment wasn't merely about going out for some fresh air. Far from refusing him, she seemed quite excited.
The moment they stepped out of the hotel, a colossal boom suddenly reverberated throughout Corpse Ancestor City. Yang Haoran needed only a brief moment to discern that the sudden, explosive roar had originated from the west side of the city.
This thunderous boom not only captured the attention of Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu but also that of everyone else in Corpse Ancestor City. However, some lacked the necessary status, daring only to be curious rather than rush to the scene for a closer look. Those who believed their status was sufficient harbored no such worries; thus, driven by curiosity, they hastened toward the epicenter.
For a time, the sounds of figures streaking through the air incessantly echoed across Corpse Ancestor City, as many rushed towards the source of the enormous boom. These were no ordinary people; common folk dared not join such a spectacle, nor did they possess the qualifications to do so.
Yang Haoran glanced at Zhong Siyu beside him, a faint smile playing on his lips. Though he said nothing, she understood instinctively. Immediately after, the two also hurried towards the west side of the city, where the loud boom had come from. However, to avoid exposing their identities, neither used their own powers, instead acting like two ordinary, fearless onlookers rushing to join the commotion. While this approach was slower, it ensured they wouldn't attract undue attention.
Furthermore, the alley in West City wasn't too far from Yang Haoran's current location; this was precisely why Yang Haoran had chosen this particular hotel for their temporary stay. Thus, even without utilizing any of their powers, it wouldn't take him and Zhong Siyu too long to reach the scene.
Given Zhong Siyu's personality, she naturally preferred not to sneak to the site of the incident. If it were up to her, she would have gone in the most ostentatious manner possible. However, considering Yang Haoran, despite her dissatisfaction with this approach, she still suppressed her impulses.
By the time Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu arrived at the scene, the area had already been cordoned off by members of the Corpse Driving Sect, who had also set up a considerable restrictive barrier. Looking into the barrier from the outside, one could only see a hazy, misty expanse. Neither the buildings nor the personnel enveloped by the barrier were visible in the slightest, nor could any internal movement or sound be heard. This restrictive barrier not only obstructed visual prying but also completely isolated all sound.
A large number of Corpse Driving Sect disciples surrounded the area, allowing no one to approach. From the attire worn by these disciples, their identities were easily discernible: without exception, they were all inner disciples of the Corpse Driving Sect.
Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu likewise belonged to the group observing from a distance. As they had sealed their own power fluctuations, and with a considerable number of people also watching from afar, coupled with their choice of a secluded corner, no one noticed them for the time being.
. . . . There were also others like Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu who chose secluded corners to observe covertly. They gave the impression of wanting to avoid trouble while still satisfying their curiosity, which was why they hid in out-of-the-way spots to watch surreptitiously. It was precisely because there were many such individuals that no one paid any particular attention to the two of them.
"What, is your good friend involved in this?"
Zhong Siyu glanced at the distant restrictive barrier, then lowered her voice to ask Yang Haoran, who was beside her. She suddenly posed this question because she didn't believe Yang Haoran had rushed here merely to watch the commotion; it was highly probable that his friend was inside.
"That's right, my friend is inside this restrictive barrier. If nothing unexpected happens, the Corpse Driving Sect is targeting him."
Yang Haoran also lowered his voice, responding with a faint smile. Zhong Siyu, however, looked anxious, though her urgency wasn't due to worry or fear, but rather excitement and eagerness. From this, it was easy to see that her hands were already itching for action.
"Since that's the case, why aren't you making a move? If you wait any longer, you might not even get a chance to collect his corpse."
Yang Haoran remained unmoved, his expression not shifting in the slightest. Compared to Zhong Siyu's urgency, he appeared remarkably calm.
"Haha, no rush. My friend isn't as weak as you think."
Yang Haoran's reply greatly displeased Zhong Siyu. She had no fear of Yang Haoran to begin with, and with her irritation rising, she naturally spoke without reservation.
"Still no rush? They've already trapped him like a dog in a cage! If something really happens to him, who do you think will solve your problems then?"
Yang Haoran's expression remained unchanged, still showing no intention of acting immediately. Seeing Yang Haoran as stubbornly impervious as a seasoned rogue, Zhong Siyu felt both furious and helpless. If she weren't facing Yang Haoran but someone else, she would have undoubtedly strangled them already, then stormed out, torn through the restrictive barrier in one go, and gone on a rampage. How could she possibly still be suppressing the urge to strike?
Although Yang Haoran didn't make a move, his gaze remained fixed on the restrictive barrier. With his naked eye, he couldn't discern the situation inside the barrier, but by focusing his attention on it, he would be able to detect any anomaly the moment it appeared and react accordingly.
As for whether his friend would immediately meet a tragic end within the restrictive barrier, it was, of course, impossible to say he had no worries at all. However, he wasn't overly concerned, because from the information Tang Shi had gathered for him, even though his friend's current strength was far inferior to his own, the unique methods and different domain of expertise involved made him no easy opponent. Therefore, Yang Haoran believed his friend wouldn't simply kick the bucket so easily.
While he appeared before Zhong Siyu as if he wasn't particularly aware of his friend's current strength, in truth, he had a considerable understanding of him.
"Who are you two? What are you doing lurking around like ghosts?"
No sooner had Zhong Siyu's dissatisfied voice faded than a cold shout entered their ears. Following the sound, they saw a young man, clad in the attire of an inner disciple of the Corpse Driving Sect, striding towards them, his expression clearly hostile.
. . . . "Hmph, let's see what you do now!"
Zhong Siyu let out a cold snort, lowering her voice as she spoke to Yang Haoran. Although her voice was barely above a whisper, the dissatisfaction in her tone was no less than before. From her demeanor, it seemed she intended to enjoy Yang Haoran's predicament.
Yang Haoran's expression remained impassive. He scanned the other secluded spots and discovered that it wasn't just their location that had been targeted by the Corpse Driving Sect's inner disciples; other hidden areas were also being approached by them.
Judging by the situation, these inner disciples of the Corpse Driving Sect intended to clear out all the onlookers outside the restrictive barrier. They must have just received the order, otherwise, they would have driven away those secretly hiding to watch the spectacle from the very beginning, instead of waiting until now.
Just as Yang Haoran was secretly speculating on this, the inner disciple walking towards them suddenly vanished from his spot, only to reappear directly in front of Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu. He had showcased a display of instant movement right before their eyes.
However, this inner disciple didn't know that his so-called "instant movement" was as slow as a snail in the eyes of Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu, for the disparity in their strengths was simply too vast.
Despite the immense difference in their powers, Yang Haoran showed not the slightest hint of arrogance before this inner disciple. Instead, he flashed a benevolent smile and responded before the disciple could speak again.
"Esteemed Senior Brother, my sister and I just heard a tremendous boom here and knew something big must have happened. So, we immediately dropped what we were doing and hurried over, hoping to offer some assistance. However, seeing how tightly you all have cordoned off the restrictive barrier, not allowing anyone near, my sister and I knew our status wasn't enough to enter. Yet, a bit of curiosity lingered, so we hid in this secluded spot to observe covertly. Firstly, to satisfy our curiosity, and secondly, we still hoped to contribute to our Corpse Driving Sect at a critical moment, earn some merit, and step into the inner sect, becoming inner disciples just like you, Senior Brother."
Yang Haoran explained, his attitude humble, his tone gentle. He not only lowered his and Zhong Siyu's standing but also subtly buttered up the inner disciple. After his speech, not a single fault could be found.
However, his words, upon reaching Zhong Siyu's ears, caused her to roll her eyes dramatically.
The inner disciple puffed out his chest, raised his head, and revealed undisguised smugness and pride on his face. The look he cast at Yang Haoran was now overtly disdainful.
"From what you're saying, you two siblings are outer disciples of our Corpse Driving Sect?"
Yang Haoran nodded hurriedly, then pulled a black token from his pocket and respectfully presented it to the inner disciple with both hands.
"My sister and I are indeed outer disciples of this sect. This is my identity token."
As his words fell, Yang Haoran looked at Zhong Siyu beside him, then feigned an anxious expression and urged her in a low voice.
"Sister, quickly take out your identity token for Senior Brother to inspect."
Zhong Siyu was not as adept at feigning as Yang Haoran. Upon hearing his words, she openly displayed her displeasure on her face. Nevertheless, she forced herself to suppress her irritation, retrieved an identity token from her person, and handed it to the inner disciple.
Neither of their identity tokens had been placed in a spatial dimension. On the way here, Yang Haoran had not only taken his own token out and kept it on his person but had also instructed Zhong Siyu to do the same. This was to prepare for any sudden identity checks. If they were to retrieve their identity tokens from a spatial dimension during an inspection, the other party would undoubtedly know they were imposters; after all, it was obviously impossible for outer disciples to possess their own spatial dimensions. Taking an identity token directly from one's person was how an outer disciple should appear.
Although there were no issues with how they produced their tokens, Zhong Siyu's attitude when handing her token to the inner disciple was far from as respectful as Yang Haoran's. Not only was her face displeased, but she also nonchalantly handed the token directly to the inner disciple with a single hand.
To Zhong Siyu, her actions were already exceptionally courteous. Had it not been for Yang Haoran, she would have long since slapped this inner disciple to death. There was no way she would have behaved so civilly. Yet, in the eyes of the inner disciple, her conduct was a sign of disrespect, a blatant provocation against his status as an inner disciple of the Corpse Driving Sect.
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