Otherworldly Affairs Office

Chapter 914 914: The Transformation of Ye Ruozai

Returning to Yirong Pavilion, Pei Yan's transformation naturally caused a stir among the caretakers staying behind. After briefly introducing his situation, Pei Yan began to live a reclusive life. During this period, people from various planes learned of Pei Yan's return, and they sent representatives to visit, but Pei Yan had Elder Lin politely refuse them, citing health reasons.Such days changed on the fifth day after Pei Yan's return, with the group trained by Lin Junzhao returning to the base together at noon. Their return brought lively energy to Yirong Pavilion once again.

"How did you become like this?" Just like others upon seeing Pei Yan for the first time, Pei Jin was also shocked and distressed upon seeing his younger brother's condition.

"Am I really that miserable?" Pei Yan looked at his old sister's tearful eyes, touched his own face, and teased self-deprecatingly: "I think I look quite mature and handsome now!"

"You do look quite weathered; this white hair is striking, but it's just a bit long!" Xia Yu, carrying a travel bag, dropped her package and smoothed Pei Yan's hair with a smile: "You don't suit long hair; with shorter hair, you'd look better!"

"Right! I thought so too, but I couldn't find anyone to cut it after I came back!" Pei Yan laughed, making light of the situation, and joked while touching his hair.

"Let me cut it for you!"

"Ah!"

The roomful of people instantly gasped in shock; the reason was that the one who uttered such words was none other than the typically aloof and solitary Ye Ruozai. No one could figure out why he would offer such a request. According to everyone's thoughts, even if Pei Jin didn't find a hair stylist, it would be Pei Jin or perhaps Zhao Yuanhu taking the task, since Ye Ruozai offering was out of character and the two weren't close enough for such intimacy.

"Oh, alright!" In contrast, Pei Yan considered the request deeply and nodded in agreement.

After exchanging greetings at the dining table, the group briefly shared their training experiences. From their accounts, Pei Yan learned that although his sister and Xia Yu, along with others, did not undergo the hardships he faced in the Hell Plane, their special training was equally life-threatening. Even with the subtle source energy they radiated now, Pei Yan could detect impressive changes in them.

Especially Ye Ruozai, sitting opposite, who seemed no different from the past, yet Pei Yan could sense his restrained aura, like a longsword poised to strike, waiting for the moment to draw and drink blood.

After the meal, Pei Yan briefly discussed family matters with his sister, letting her have a basic understanding. They agreed that after the competition, they would selectively reveal their current occupations to family members if questioned. After aligning their statements, Pei Yan went to Ye Ruozai, who had been waiting for him in the porch, looked at the clear weather, and playfully patted his shoulder, saying: "Let's go! The weather is good today; you can cut my hair in the yard."

"Alright!"

Ye Ruozai responded, and the two walked toward the courtyard. Whether it was due to discretion or Gu Shenghui's intent, the other members of the investigation team deliberately avoided them, leaving the usually bustling courtyard empty, with only the two walking side by side down the corridor.

"Are you her now? Or...?" Pei Yan hesitated, stopping midway.

"It's still me now, but when I cut your hair, it'll likely be her! The suggestion came from her, not me!" Ye Ruozai knew exactly who Pei Yan referred to, pointing to his own body with a bitter smile.

"I knew it was her!" Pei Yan rolled his eyes, stretched lazily with relaxed limbs, and said: "I suppose she's been tormenting you quite harshly; you're really strong now! On you, I can feel a hint of danger, a feeling I've rarely encountered from anyone outside my source body since my level increased."

"Just a hint of danger?" Ye Ruozai tilted his head, lightly placed his hand on his sword's hilt, and as his hand slowly pushed the longsword out by an inch, Pei Yan suddenly felt his body hair standing on end, an overwhelming sense of killing intent and danger rushed upon him. Just that mere intent triggered Pei Yan's instinctive reaction, releasing similar momentum to counteract, as the two forces clashed in the corridor, slicing through the surrounding pillars with countless subtle cuts, producing constant sounds of splintering.

"What kind of special training did you undergo?" Pei Yan naturally didn't think Ye Ruozai was targeting him deliberately, yet he was equally shocked by Ye Ruozai's inadvertent display; merely the aura stirred his body instinctively, indicating his opponent reached a level capable of threatening him.

This couldn't help but astonish Pei Yan. He respected Ye Ruozai's strength, but this respect had been rooted in Pei Yan's sense of superiority. In his eyes, though Ye Ruozai was powerful, there remained an insurmountable gap between them. But today's performance showed he had evidently crossed that chasm.

"I'd like to ask you what kind of training you went through!" Ye Ruozai remarked, releasing the sword, gazing into Pei Yan's eyes for a long moment before shaking his head with a bitter smile: "I thought I endured enough hardship in half a year to catch up to you, but only by comparing did I realize we still have a sizable gap. Yet, Pei Yan, I won't give up. On the road to being the strongest, I will always follow closely behind you. While you lead for now, don't slacken because if you do, I might surpass you!"

"Ah, I look forward to that day, where after all battles end and peace reigns, we could seize a chance for a real spar!"

Confronted with Ye Ruozai's challenge, Pei Yan gladly accepted. Unlike Wang Wenze, fundamentally Pei Yan and Ye Ruozai were more alike, yet the more similar, the harder it is to be friends; becoming rivals is far more likely.

Such worthy adversaries are a joy for them!

"We suffered quite a bit this time. The lord residing within us spared no effort, if we don't win we're bound to face her scorn!" While speaking, the two had crossed the corridor into the garden. Pei Yan walked to the pond, settled in a picturesque spot, casually conjured an iron chair, and sat down broadly saying: "Have you chosen your opponent for this match already?"

"I don't mind the others, fate will decide, but if we meet the Magic Squad again, please definitely leave Flamel for me to handle!"

"Sure!" Pei Yan anticipated this result long ago, ran his hand through his hair pretentiously and said: "Come on, someone cut my hair."