"Your relationship with Young Master Xiang is...?" Green Ghost asked doubtfully.

Tang Zhan replied with a smile, "He's my nephew."

"Nephew?" Green Ghost was still doubtful.

He knew almost everything about the past events involving Xiang Shaoyun in the Bloodsin City. He had never heard of Xiang Shaoyun's relationship with Tang Zhan. Hearing about it now caused his imagination to run wild.

Shortly after, he recovered from his shock and smiled as he said, "I am pretty close with Young Master Xiang as well. In the future, the Ghostface Sect will rely on your care, governor."

Green Ghost could put on airs when facing any other people but not Tang Zhan. After all, they were both based in the same city. It would naturally be better if there was some sort of cooperative relationship between them.

"Haha, you're too polite, Sect Master Green. Everyone knows that the Ghostface Sect has been standing tall in the Bloodsin City for 10,000 years. The city hall is the one needing your care," said Tang Zhan with a chortle.

As Xiang Shaoyun listened to their conversation, he could sense that the two were probing each other. Inwardly, he thought, Bringing Uncle Tang here is the right choice. Otherwise, Green Ghost definitely wouldn't have been so polite even with Devouring Ghost here. He is, after all, someone who has lived an incredibly long life.

Next, Green Ghost had his people serving Tang Zhan and Xiang Shaoyun with some liquor and food. During the banquet, Devouring Ghost was becoming increasingly cold as he could sense the disregard Green Ghost was showing Xiang Shaoyun, and he was unhappy to see that.

During the banquet, Xiang Shaoyun remained silent. He did not request any help, nor did he mention Lady Shura. When the banquet ended, he left with Tang Zhan.

Devouring Ghost waited until Tang Zhan and Xiang Shaoyun were gone before snapping, "Little Green, looks like after growing your own wings, you are now capable of disregarding your own master."

Green Ghost anxiously replied, "What are you saying, master? This disciple has always viewed you as a second parent!"

"That's what you say, but what is your attitude when my young master is around?" questioned Devouring Ghost.

"I showed him no disrespect!" denied Green Ghost, speaking somewhat disingenuously.

"Haha, looks like you really think you can lie to your master's face because my cultivation is below yours now. Fine, I'll leave with your martial uncle. From today onward, there is no longer any relationship between us. We will walk our separate paths," said Devouring Ghost furiously. He then turned to leave the main hall.

Green Ghost hurriedly said, "Master, please calm down and listen to me. I don't know why you’re so sure that Xiang Shaoyun is Lord Xiang Dingtian, but I don't think that's the case."

Before he could finish, Devouring Ghost interrupted him, "Enough. Do you think both me and your martial uncle are blind? It is not your place to decide if he is our master. You are merely unwilling to submit to him and can't let go of your position as the sect master. You really think the young master would covet this tiny sect of yours? How foolish!"

After saying all that, Devouring Ghost left without waiting for a reply. He headed straight for Scarlet Flame Monarch's place. Green Ghost watched on with a complicated expression, not knowing what to say.

It was true that the Ghostface Sect was an organization he had painstakingly built over a period of 10,000 years. It had grown sufficiently, and he only needed a good opportunity to rise to become the city’s strongest organization. With Devouring Ghost and Scarlet Flame Monarch by his side, he had become even more confident in doing so. Thus, he was definitely unwilling to hand away his sect to someone else.

Xiang Shaoyun returned to the city hall and had a short chat with Tang Zhan. He then returned to the Skeleton Gang. Along the way, many thoughts crossed his mind. He was now sure that he definitely wouldn't be able to borrow Ghostface Sect's strength. He had innocently believed that with Devouring Ghost around, Green Ghost would fall in line. Alas, that was merely wishful thinking on his part.

"It is always the best to rely on oneself. Looks like I was too innocent," muttered Xiang Shaoyun as he took in a deep breath.

Tuoba Wan'er nestled against his chest and said softly, "Do you want to talk with me? I might be able to get the Holy Hall to give you some help."

Only then did Xiang Shaoyun recall that he still had a beauty by his side. He wrapped his arms around her and told her about Ziling Sect. He told her the full story, hiding nothing from her.

After Tuoba Wan'er listened to the whole story, she said, "Holy son-in-law, we can return to the Holy Hall and have the hall deploy an army to help you."

Xiang Shaoyun shook his head, "I want to reclaim what's mine with my own hands. I understand your intentions, but I don't need the help."

"Even so, I want to go with you," said Tuoba Wan'er seriously as she gazed at him with her luminous eyes.

Tuoba Wan'er was extremely intelligent. She knew what Xiang Shaoyun wanted, so she did not insist on getting the Holy Hall involved. She decided to support his choice instead. Xiang Shaoyun was touched, and he felt his love toward her deepen. He couldn't help but land a peck on her tender cheek.

Instantly, her face turned bright red, and she buried her head in his embrace. He lightly stroked her hair and enjoyed the rare moment of peace with her as the carriage brought them back to the Skeleton Gang.

When they arrived, Tuoba Wan'er pulled at his sleeve and said, "You may come to my room tonight."

She then skipped away, not daring to look at him anymore.

A blissful smile formed on Xiang Shaoyun's face as his mood improved considerably. Inwardly, he thought, What an amazing Wan'er.

However, he did not go looking for Tuoba Wan'er that night. Rather, he opted to cultivate in seclusion. In any case, the Skeleton Gang would take some time to gather all their members. He could not afford to waste any time. Only when he himself was strong enough would he be able to deal with anything that might happen.

After the end of the competition between the four academies, he had been too busy to go through his gains during the competition. Now that he had some time, he had decided to rearrange them.

Among his many gains, he was most interested in the dao of yin and yang. He was also interested in the dao of five elements. The two were most definitely among the strongest powers one could muster in the path of cultivation.

The dao of yin and yang had been learned from Devil Concubine, but that was something he had forcefully imitated. His comprehension was incomplete, so he needed some time to deepen his comprehension to further increase his combat strength. There was no need to mention the five elements' prowess. If he could grasp the five elements, it would be greatly beneficial in perfecting his cultivation of nine powers.