Xiao Yan levitated in the night sky, his gaze locked on the place where the shadow had vanished. His brows furrowed tightly. This person did not confront him directly, so he could not gauge their strength, but the eerie green light gave him a sense of danger. “I wonder who this person is and why they attacked Zi Yan?” Xiao Yan muttered to himself. With more and more powerful figures being drawn to the ancient ruins, he knew not how many hidden masters lurked among them. He had to be extra cautious on this trip.
“Whoosh!” Suddenly, several whizzing sounds echoed through the night sky, and a few figures swiftly darted toward them. As they passed by, they paused, their sharp gazes scanning Xiao Yan.
“There’s the scent of that person here. Should we capture him for interrogation?” A muscular man with a vicious look stopped and snarled, his eyes gleaming with ferocity as he looked at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan’s eyes also carefully examined the four newcomers. Their auras were all extremely strong, with three of them reaching the peak Battle Sect level. The leader, with his slightly cold and sinister aura, was already at the Dou Zun level. His power was certainly not to be underestimated.
“Nine Serpent Clan people?” Xiao Yan’s gaze suddenly fixated on their unique vertical pupils, and he muttered quietly to himself.
“That scent went into the mountain forest. They must have engaged in combat.” The gray-clothed elder leading the group hesitated, his eyes lingering on Xiao Yan. He could sense that the latter was also a Dou Zun, and it would be unwise to provoke him unnecessarily. Therefore, he shook his head, his gaze shifting to the forest where the shadow had vanished. “After him!” he barked, his body transforming into a black streak and rushing towards the forest. Three other men, exuding murderous intent, followed closely behind.
“Nine Serpent Clan, quite domineering,” Xiao Yan mused, watching the group depart. If his strength had been weaker, they would likely have taken him back.
“Perhaps that shadow earlier was the mysterious figure causing upheaval in the Nine Serpent Clan, but I don’t know why she attacked Zi Yan.” Pondering, Xiao Yan turned back to the mountain top, where everyone had been startled awake by the commotion. Seeing him return, Little Healer Immortal and the others hurried to greet him.
Landing, Xiao Yan recounted the events. Hearing that the attacker was the mysterious assassin, everyone looked shocked.
“Isn’t that person specifically targeting the Nine Serpent Clan? Why did they suddenly attack Zi Yan?” Little Healer Immortal frowned, her brow creasing.
Xiao Yan shook his head and glanced at Zi Yan, smiling. “Maybe they thought she was also from the Nine Serpent Clan.”
“Pfft, those stinky big snakes,” Zi Yan pouted, then rubbed her forehead, her face growing serious. “When that person’s green light hit me, I felt like I was about to be controlled. Fortunately, my bloodline protected me; otherwise, even if I weren’t completely controlled, I would have lost my defenses in a short time.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan and the others were clearly startled. Zi Yan had only encountered the shadow briefly, yet nearly fell under control?
“Such a strange individual, able to control one’s mind. When did such a powerful and strange figure appear on the Central Plains? Why have we never heard of them before?” Heavenly Fire Venerable said, frowning.
“Damn it, if I see her again, I’ll smash her head. If something happens to that little girl, I’ll be in trouble too,” Bear Fighter cursed.
Xiao Yan thought for a moment, then looked at Little Healer Immortal. “For now, Zi Yan should stay close. This person is too bizarre and of unknown origin. We can’t let them take advantage. I suspect those missing Nine Serpent Clan members have already been controlled…”
“What?” Everyone was shocked. Among the missing, there were even Dou Zuns. If this person could control Dou Zuns, it was truly terrifying.
“I could have stopped her earlier, but a Dou Zun with a similar cold energy, like the ones from the Nine Serpent Clan, suddenly interfered…” Xiao Yan mused.
“I’ve never heard of such mental control, even for sound-based skills, it’s hard to fully control a Dou Zun,” Little Healer Immortal said, shaking her head.
Xiao Yan nodded. “This world is indeed full of wonders. The Nine Serpent Clan has drawn a dangerous figure. Everyone, be more cautious these next few days. The ancient ruins will open soon, and we need to enter at the first opportunity. If someone else gets the Soul Infant Fruit first, it’ll be a problem.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. After that night, there were no more disturbances. The crowds around the Bone Mountains continued to grow, and the noise rose, with multitudes waiting for the opening of the ruins.
In this atmosphere of anticipation, two days passed like sand through an hourglass.
Two days later, as the dawn light pierced the darkness, the mountains erupted with vitality. The sound of breaking wind filled the air, and countless figures rushed toward the center.
On the mountain top, Xiao Yan and the others prepared early. Due to the dangers, only a few would enter, leaving the Falling Star Pavilion disciples and elders to handle logistics.
Although disappointed, no one opposed Xiao Yan’s command. His authority within the pavilion grew stronger.
Standing at the mountain’s edge, Xiao Yan watched the throng of figures, marveling at the appeal of the ruins. “Let’s go.” Without delay, Xiao Yan took off, turning into a bright glow and leading the way, followed quickly by the others.
The Bone Mountains buzzed with activity, so much so that the normally chilling aura was diminished. As Xiao Yan and the group approached, he sensed hidden auras in the mountains moving, transforming into streams of light.
“The real battle for the ancient ruins has begun,” Xiao Yan sighed inwardly, feeling the strength of the auras. Obtaining the Heaven-tier skill wouldn’t be easy.
Driven by greed, the mountain would soon witness a bloodbath. Approaching the center, the warped space appeared in view.
Xiao Yan descended on a giant tree, scanning the vast bone-filled basin. The area was white with bones, eerie and chilling. Figures stood around, their eyes fixed on the warped space, ready to rush in once it opened.
Surveying the crowd, Xiao Yan noted five Dou Zuns of the third-tier. “Heaven-tier skills are irresistible,” he thought, also curious about his own destructive fire lotus. Just as he pondered, the space began to ripple, signaling the imminent opening of the ancient ruins.
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