The other people there immediately noticed Senior Nie's sudden movements and watched as he approached the Dragon Essence Temple.
"S-Senior Nie?!" Long Yijun and the others were shocked by his sudden appearance, and they hastily went to bow to him.
However, almost as though he couldn't see them, Senior Nie ignored them and stared at Xiao Hua with wide eyes filled with surprise. How could such a young girl emit the aura of a Spirit King?
He then clasped his hands and bowed to Xiao Hua in a courteous manner, "What is someone like you doing here, Fellow Daoist? And if you don't mind me asking, where are you from?"
The entire place was dead silent as everyone there watched Senior Nie lower his head and treat a little girl as though they were equals, shocking them greatly.
Nobody there could comprehend the situation. Why was Senior Nie, an envoy from the Spirit Heavens, acting so respectful towards this little girl? However, even more shocking was the way Senior Nie addressed this little girl— Fellow Daoist, which implied that they were on equal footing to a certain extent.
"Xiao Hua's reason for being here doesn't concern you." Xiao Hua said to him in a calm voice that shook the heart of everyone there when they heard it.
How could she treat Senior Nie with such a lack of respect?! Courting death would be an understatement!
A rigid smile appeared on Senior Nie's face after hearing Xiao Hua's disregarding words, but he didn't get angry, even acting like it never happened and said, "Then allow me to ask you another question. How did you, a Spirit King, come down here? Unless one receives permission from the Ji Family, they cannot travel to the Lower Heavens, and as far as I'm aware, I was the only one who'd received permission to come down here in the last 1,000 years."
'A Spirit King?! That little girl?!'
The spectators were shocked to the core after hearing Senior Nie's words. How could a little girl who only appeared to be around 10 years be a Spirit King? Even if she had consumed some sort of appearance-changing pill to alter her appearance, it couldn't possibly change her appearance in such a drastic manner!
However, despite Senior Nie's questioning, Xiao Hua shook her head, seemingly adamant about remaining silent.
"Hmm…" Senior Nie narrowed his eyes at Xiao Hua with a suspicious gaze.
He was only a first level Spirit King whilst Xiao Hua appeared to be at the third level, so there was a good chance he won't be able to defeat her even if they fought. Furthermore, as a Spirit King who came from the upper heavens, Senior Nie has several restrictions placed upon him and cannot cause too much drama in the Lower Heavens or he'll be punished by the heavens.
'This little girl… She doesn't appear to be using any treasures to change her appearance… A Spirit King at such a young age and I don't recognize her… Perhaps she came from a place even higher than Spirit Heavens…?' Senior Nie's body shuddered at the thought that Xiao Hua could be from a place even higher than the Spirit Heavens!
'If that's really the case, I cannot offend her no matter what!' Senior Nie took a deep breath before speaking again, "I apologize if my curiosity has bothered you, Fellow Daoist. If you do not want to say anything, I won't pursue it any further."
Just as Senior Nie prepared to leave, his gaze subconsciously looked at Yuan, who was standing directly next to Xiao Hua.
'A Spirit Master? Wait… I can sense the token on him! Does this mean he's participating in the Mystic Realm— that he's under the age of thirty?!'
Senior Nie was greatly surprised to find such tremendous talent in the Lower Heavens, and his anticipation for the Mystic Realm increased significantly.
Although Senior Nie wanted to stay there a little longer to speak with Yuan, he didn't dare to linger too much because of Xiao Hua's presence!
After Senior Nie left the place and returned to his original spot in the air, Long Yijun spoke in a dazed voice, "D-D-Disciple Yuan… T-They are..."
Yuan then said, "Sorry for the late introduction, but they are Xiao Hua and Feng Yuxiang. They're both precious friends who are traveling with me, and they also give me guidance on certain things."
'Xiao Hua? Her voice sounded so familiar… Was she the one who…' Elder Shan subconsciously covered her head when she recalled Xiao Hua's voice who warned her to stay away from Yuan.
"W-Wait a moment… Feng Yuxiang? Golden Phoenix Bazaar's Madam Feng?" Elder Xuan recognized Feng Yuxiang's name because of her widespread fame.
Everybody there was speechless. Why are there two god-like presences so close to Yuan? Had they been following and guarding him this entire time? And just what is Yuan's true background? Not even people from the Four Ancient Families would have a Spirit King and a peak Spirit Grandmaster as bodyguards!
Meanwhile, at the Heaven and Earth Palace's group, their Sect Master, Qi Jiguang, looked at Xiao Hua with wide eyes.
'That little girl! I remember seeing her at the Azure Phoenix Auction House! She was a Spirit King this entire time!?' He easily recalled Xiao Hua mostly because of her distinctive small figure and powerful aura.
No matter how much they tried, the people there could not take their eyes off Xiao Hua and Feng Yuxiang because of their immense presence that overshadowed even Senior Nie's presence!
In their eyes, Xiao Hua was a mysterious expert whom Senior Nie acknowledges as a fellow Spirit King Cultivator! And although it took some time, the people there eventually recognized Feng Yuxiang and her beauty as the number one expert of Phoenix City and also the owner of one of the most prestigious shops in the Lower Heavens!
Why on earth were these two incredibly powerful individuals in this place? And why are they standing with the Dragon Essence Temple? It was incomprehensible for everybody there except the person who brought them to this place— Yuan!