Upon hearing Xuner’s words, Xiao Yan was taken aback. He did not stubbornly try to maintain some so-called male dignity. Instead, he lightly nodded. Such bravado could be seen as either full of spirit or reckless. With his experience, he naturally would not act like an ordinary young man and stubbornly hold his ground at such a time. Doing so would only invite ridicule. “Be careful,” Xuner’s smile grew warmer when she saw that Xiao Yan had not refused. She did not like the idea of keeping too much distance between them.
Seeing Bing He’s gaze turn towards her, she locked eyes with him, her brows furrowing slightly. “Who are you? This is my Ice River Valley’s matter,” she said slowly. Bing He, who had become the leader of the Ice River Valley and reached his current position, was no fool. From Xuner’s appearance, he could tell this woman had a strong background. However, the Gu clan always kept a low profile, to the extent that even many ordinary people had never heard of this ancient lineage. For this reason, even Bing He, upon seeing Xuner and others for the first time, found it difficult to identify them. The Dou Qi Continent was vast, teeming with countless powerful figures; even Bing He dared not claim to recognize every strong person under the heavens.
“Such a domineering Ice River Valley,” Xuner said, her bright eyes locking onto Bing He, a faint smile on her face.
Bing He’s expression darkened at her laughter. He knew she was not praising him. His gaze swept over the two black-robed elders, quickly realizing that their strength was comparable to his own. “I only want the Calamity Poison Woman. If she is your friend, I can let her go. But the Calamity Poison Woman must not be spared!” Bing He’s eyes flashed past the two black-robed elders, then settled on Little Healer Immortal, speaking in a deep voice. He could see that this mysterious woman and the young man named Xiao Yan had a close relationship.
Xuner’s bright eyes scanned the direction where Little Healer Immortal stood. The latter’s gaze also turned towards her. Their eyes met briefly, sharing a meaningful look before they both subtly averted their gazes.
“Elder Bing, Xiao Yan cannot be allowed to escape!” Qing Hai, who was standing nearby, hastily said. Xiao Yan was a target personally designated by the Soul Temple’s leader. If he were to leave, how could he account for it?
“If you want to capture him, do it yourself!” Bing He’s expression darkened, cursing the old man for his lack of sense. In such a situation, he still dared to be so outspoken.
Hearing Bing He’s scolding, Qing Hai’s expression also changed. A coldness flashed in his eyes, followed by a low snort. Though he was a respected elder of the Soul Temple and showed some politeness to Bing He, it did not mean he needed to bow down to him.
“You two needn’t argue. You’re not taking anyone away from here. Leave this city within one minute, and I will let you go,” Xuner said, lifting her beautiful eyes with a calm tone.
Bing He and Qing Hai’s expressions became even more sour. The forces behind them were not ordinary. Especially Qing Hai, who had the Soul Temple as his backer, felt almost invincible. On the Central Plain, very few forces could make the Soul Temple wary. Despite the two black-robed elders’ formidable presence, they weren’t enough to force them to retreat.
“Hehe, quite a bold statement. Not many people dare to speak to the Soul Temple like this on the Central Plain,” Qing Hai’s aged face turned grim, and he chuckled oddly. “Little girl, don’t offend a force you can’t afford to offend just for a man.”
“Only the Soul Temple’s leader has the right to say that, but you—don’t have the qualifications…” Xuner’s lips curled into a slight, half-mocking smile. There seemed to be even fewer forces that the Gu clan couldn’t afford to offend…
“Thirty seconds left…” Xuner’s bright eyes flickered, and a small golden flame swirled in her hand.
Bing He and Qing Hai’s expressions grew darker. After a moment, Bing He finally smirked. If he retreated now, the Ice River Valley would lose face.
“I’ve been in the Central Plain for so long, and this is the first time I’ve met someone so arrogant!” Bing He sneered, a strange light flashing on the black snowflake on his brow. A chill rose from his body, and with a clench of his hand, a bizarre black ice cone formed.
The tip of the cone was exceedingly sharp, covered in spiral patterns. It radiated a chilling presence, and a hit from it would likely create a head-sized hole.
“Two elders…” Xuner’s face remained calm as she turned to the two black-robed elders nearby.
The two black-robed elders immediately bowed and grinned, “Miss, leave it to us…”
The white-haired elder with the black robe turned to Bing He and smiled, “I’ve heard about the Ice River Valley leader’s mastery of the Ice Respect Technique. Let me see for myself…”
As he spoke, the white-haired elder stepped forward, appearing in front of Bing He with a warm smile on his aged face.
“Since you’re taking the lead, I’ll handle these two,” the other black-robed elder shook his head and turned to Qing Hai and Tian Shuang Zi.
Bing He’s eyes hardened as he gazed at the white-haired elder’s smiling face. Stomping his foot, he summoned strange black ice, which transformed into several black ice spears. They shot towards the white-haired elder with lightning speed.
The white-haired elder merely smiled, his hand emitting a vast, deep yellow aura. A solid wall of earth formed in front of him, blocking the ice spears with a series of puffs.
“Miss is impatient. I’ll engage you quickly!” The white-haired elder stomped again, his deep yellow aura morphing into a menacing earth dragon. With a roar and a surge of power, he lunged at Bing He.
Despite Bing He’s strength, he had to take this seriously. The strange black ice cone spun rapidly, aimed at the white-haired elder.
As the other black-robed elder approached, Qing Hai’s expression grew increasingly grim. “Tian Shuang Zi, let’s join forces and deal with him,” he said to his companion.
Tian Shuang Zi, watching the fierce battle between the white-haired elder and Bing He, nodded. The situation was not looking good, and there were two more unengaged Dou Zun-level experts on the opposing side. Furthermore, the mysterious woman in green seemed unusual…
“We have to fight,” Tian Shuang Zi gritted his teeth. Since Bing He had not given the order to retreat, he could not leave. So, he had to fight.
“Gan Da, attack Xiao Yan!” Qing Hai ordered the Soul Temple’s strong men coldly.
Gan Da and the others, hovering in the air, were startled. Looking at the two Dou Zun-level experts by Xiao Yan, it seemed like suicide. Yet, they had no choice but to comply.
“Ice River Valley elders, assist the Soul Temple and capture Xiao Yan!” Tian Shuang Zi also gave the order, and the Ice River Valley elders reluctantly followed.
Qing Hai nodded, turning his cold gaze to the approaching black-robed elder. Exchanging a glance with Tian Shuang Zi, they both released their aura, splitting up to attack.
As the battle erupted, Gan Da and the others spread out in a fan shape, surrounding Xiao Yan and Xuner. No one dared approach the Little Healer Immortal and the Heavenly Fire Venerable, but they also stayed back, knowing the mysterious woman in green was no ordinary figure.
Xiao Yan frowned, noting that the Soul Temple’s Gan Da was as strong as Wu Huo. Against one, he could handle it, but with so many, even a peak Battle Sect-level expert would struggle.
As Xiao Yan hesitated, Xuner gracefully stepped forward, her palm curving, and a golden, liquid-like flame flickered. Xiao Yan’s face changed instantly as he realized his inner fire was reacting violently!
“Is this… another Inner Flame?!” Xiao Yan stared at the gold flame in Xuner’s hand, his eyes filled with shock.
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