The pitch-black night sky saw two streaks of light speeding across, like meteors. Nalan Jie and Mittel Tengshan, with somber expressions, stared intently towards the distant northwest, where the imperial royal mausoleum was located—a place that was usually extremely secluded. Unexpectedly, two Battle Emperor powerhouses had appeared there tonight.
“Hmm?” While flying, Mittel Tengshan suddenly sensed something and gradually slowed down, turning his head to look at the approaching figure. “Is that… Yan Xiao? How can he also condense wings with Dou Qi?”
As Mittel Tengshan turned his head, Nalan Jie also sensed the vibration in the air, a look of surprise appearing on his aged face. Although they were surprised, their extensive experience meant they did not lose their composure. Even though Xiao Yan now had a pair of wings, his aura was still only at the level of a Dou Shi.
“Old man, do you remember a certain lost Dou Technique from before?” As they slowed, Tengshan, looking at Xiao Yan catching up, suddenly asked Nalan Jie.
“You mean… the flight Dou Technique, right?” After a slight pause, Nalan Jie understood.
“Yeah, I didn’t expect Little Friend Yan Xiao to have such a strong foundation, even managing to get his hands on a lost flight Dou Technique. It seems… his teacher, or the force behind him, has considerable power.”
Nalan Jie nodded slightly, his respect for Xiao Yan increasing significantly.
“Two old sirs, at this slow speed, the battle might be over by the time we get there,” Xiao Yan, flapping his wings, appeared behind the two, smiling.
“Hehe, Little Friend Yan Xiao, you always manage to surprise us. This flight Dou Technique is so rare, yet you managed to get it. Impressive, truly impressive,” Tengshan said with a laugh.
Xiao Yan was slightly surprised that Tengshan recognized the source of his wings but quickly understood. These old men, with their long lives and broad experiences, naturally could recognize the flight Dou Technique easily.
“Pure luck, just good fortune,” Xiao Yan smiled, then pointed toward the northwest. “Let’s go, both of you.”
With that, he flapped his wings and took the lead.
“Hehe, sure.” Nalan Jie and Tengshan nodded, following closely behind Xiao Yan.
Not long after Xiao Yan and the others disappeared into the night sky, Mu Zhan and the others, panting, appeared. Seeing the three blurry lights in the distance, everyone shook their heads in resignation. With wings, their speed was truly out of reach.
…
As they got closer to the site of the battle, Tengshan furrowed his brows, then hesitantly asked Xiao Yan, “There’s a familiar aura… isn’t it the Sea Elder?”
Having been in seclusion for decades, Haidong returned to the capital recently. Because of the distance, Tengshan couldn’t recognize it earlier. Now, up close, he felt a sense of familiarity.
“Indeed, it’s Sea Elder,” Xiao Yan confirmed with a nod.
“Sea Elder?” Nalan Jie’s dry skin twitched. After a moment, he finally asked Tengshan, “Old man, do you know one of those two Battle Emperor auras?”
Tengshan’s face showed a hint of pride. “Hehe, you’ll see soon enough…” He winked at Xiao Yan.
Their speed increased again, rushing towards the site of the clash.
Frowning, Nalan Jie muttered, “What’s going on? Does he really know the owner of that aura?”
Shaking his head, Nalan Jie followed, still puzzled.
As they neared the site, the three slowed down, stopping in the air above the mausoleum, their faces serious as they watched the two large energy spheres.
One was white, the other yellow. The terrifying auras emanated from these spheres, flashing and weaving. Two figures could be seen within, their movements swift and agile.
Each collision between the spheres released a powerful energy ripple, making Xiao Yan and the others, despite their distance, feel a tightness in their chests.
The dark night sky in this area was nearly as bright as day. The white sphere carried an overwhelming icy aura, causing the water vapor around it to freeze. The yellow sphere, however, felt solid and steady, dodging the white’s fierce attacks effortlessly.
“Ha! Ice Old Man, I never thought your strength would regress after all these years. Your ice attacks once made me wary, but now, they’ve weakened,” the yellow sphere’s voice, ancient and deep, laughed.
“Hmph, Old Monster, you haven’t improved much either. Your age suggests you’re near your limit. If you don’t break through, you’ll face your end, and without you, the royal family won’t be so peaceful,” the white sphere, Xiao Yan’s familiar cold voice, retorted.
“Hehe, I’m not done yet…”
Although the tone was calm, Xiao Yan and the others could sense the gravity in the words.
“Ha, do you even believe that yourself? Ice Emperor?” Nalan Jie, hearing the title, was stunned. “Ice Emperor? That’s Haidong? He’s still alive?”
“Hehe, Haidong wouldn’t fall so easily; he was just in seclusion,” Tengshan explained, pleased by Nalan Jie’s shock.
Nalan Jie’s face changed, recalling the history between Haidong and the Mittel clan. An empire’s major families, especially those with a Battle Emperor, held significant power. If the Mittel clan had a Battle Emperor, they could easily surpass the other clans, even the royal family.
“This is getting complicated,” Nalan Jie sighed, then focused on the mausoleum.
Despite the complexity, Nalan Jie wasn’t too worried. The Nalan family, due to Nalan Yanran, had a good relationship with Yunlan Sect. If things escalated, even Haidong wouldn’t dare offend the Nalan family or Yunlan Sect. Tengshan understood this, so any action against the Nalan family was unlikely.
“Sounds like the yellow sphere is the royal family’s Ji La?” Nalan Jie mused.
“Yes, no one else in the capital could speak to Haidong like that,” Tengshan agreed.
“Turns out they’re sparring… All that worry for nothing,” Xiao Yan sighed in relief.
“Little Brother Yan Xiao, do you know Haidong?” Nalan Jie asked, noticing Xiao Yan’s expression.
“Hehe, Yan Xiao helped Haidong return, so he’s also our benefactor,” Tengshan added, hinting at a close relationship.
Nalan Jie’s face changed, but he quickly composed himself, smiling. “This guy is mysterious, even contacting a Battle Emperor… What is his identity?”
As they discussed, the battle in the mausoleum was nearing its end. Mu Zhan and the others, panting, arrived outside, climbing trees to watch Xiao Yan and the others in the air.
“That aura… is my great-grandfather,” the little princess said, surprised.
“Who’s the other? In the empire, Battle Emperors are few, and in the capital, it’s just Yun Yun, right?” Mu Zhan asked.
“It’s not my teacher,” Nalan Yanran replied, shaking her head.
“Then who?” Everyone was puzzled.
Inside the mausoleum, another collision occurred, the white sphere clearly at a disadvantage, retreating.
“Ah, no point. I’m not your match now,” Haidong admitted, somewhat dejected.
“Hehe, Ice Old Man, your strength has truly declined,” the yellow sphere’s light dimmed, revealing a white-haired old man in a simple robe. He smiled at Haidong, whose aura had also faded.
Haidong rolled his eyes. “My strength will recover. Don’t worry. And, I’m not here to take over the Mittel clan. The younger generation can handle it.”
“Agreed. We’re old, why bother with such troublesome matters? Let’s enjoy tea and travel,” the old man said, smiling.
“Sure, but I know what you’re worried about,” Haidong smirked.
Laughing, the old man turned to the group outside. “Looks like we caused quite a stir tonight.”
His gaze fell on the little princess, and he shook his head.
“Ji La, it’s been years, and you’re still robust,” Tengshan and Nalan Jie greeted him.
“Apologies for disturbing you both. I’m getting old and more impulsive,” Ji La chuckled.
“No, Ji La, you’re too kind,” Nalan Jie smiled.
Ji La’s gaze swept over the group, pausing on Xiao Yan. Noticing the wings, he exclaimed, “Eh, a flight Dou Technique? Who is this young man?”
“Yan Xiao, at your service, Ji La,” Xiao Yan bowed slightly.
“Hehe, impressive. Such a young man with a rare Dou Technique, you must be extraordinary,” Ji La praised.
“Hehe, didn’t expect to see you here,” Haidong, appearing in a flash, smiled at Xiao Yan.
“Thought you’d run off after disappearing for two days,” Xiao Yan teased.
“Couldn’t, this old monster caught me and gave me a lecture,” Haidong laughed.
“Hey, you two seem close. Is he your disciple, Ice Old Man?” Ji La asked, noticing their interaction.
Mu Zhan and the others perked up, and even Nalan Jie was curious.
Haidong, surprised, laughed. “My disciple? I wish, but I don’t have the qualifications.”
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