After Xiao Yan’s awakening, life once again regained its former tranquility. Though each appearance within the Inner Academy would draw many gasps and a variety of gazes, he had grown accustomed to it over time, allowing him to ignore such reactions. Although the grand tournament had concluded, perhaps to allow the contestants ample time for rest, the entry into the lower levels of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower was delayed, which left Xiao Yan feeling impatient with anticipation.
Having just ascended two star levels, Xiao Yan did not enter the tower for training in this period but instead chose to quietly hone the suddenly burgeoning Dou Qi within him. Such a rapid increase in strength was certainly exhilarating, but such a sharp rise was not as solid as gradual progression. Hasty and unstable, it was a taboo in advancement. Thus, for the sake of long-term benefits, Xiao Yan must always maintain a truly full state within his body, rather than an ephemeral and unstable one.
The young Sect Master of the Blood Sect, whom he had slain in the Black-Corner Region, was the perfect example. Though he had reached the Dou Spirit level at a young age, his true combat power was weaker than that of a regular Dou Spirit, due to the instability and lack of solidity in his Dou Qi.
In the daily, peaceful cultivation, the originally somewhat unsteady Dou Qi in Xiao Yan gradually became more solid, aided by the refining properties of the Green Lotus Earth Heart Fire. This allowed Xiao Yan to expend less energy and time in honing his Dou Qi compared to others. In this re-established tranquil life, Xuner, for some reason, developed a fondness for taking Xiao Yan into the depths of the mountains alone, where they would lie on the lush grass, basking in the warm sunlight, leaning against each other.
Days were filled with contentment and happiness. However, amid this serene and fulfilling mountain retreat, Xiao Yan felt as though something was about to happen…
This was a slightly sloping patch of ground covered in lush green grass, like a green carpet stretching to the horizon. Not far below, there was a wide, deep ravine, with faint clouds swirling around, giving it the appearance of a fairyland.
Xiao Yan and Xuner lay quietly on the grass, their bodies bathed in the warm, sleep-inducing sunlight. Turning her head slightly, Xuner’s gem-like eyes gazed at the black-robed youth beside her, his eyes closed, face relaxed. A slight smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, but then, seemingly thinking of something, her eyes dimmed, and she said softly, “Brother Xiao Yan, you must study the scroll I gave you carefully when you reach the Dou Wang level.”
Hearing the soft, gentle voice, Xiao Yan opened his eyes and smiled, patting Xuner’s head, “Of course, how could I not put all my effort into something Xuner gave me?”
Xuner then smiled lightly, her laughter like a mountain spring splashing against rocks, clear and melodious. “But, little girl, you seem a bit strange these days,” Xiao Yan said, looking directly at Xuner’s captivating smile.
Slightly taken aback, Xuner’s gaze flickered, avoiding Xiao Yan’s, and she said softly, “No, I don’t feel any different from before.”
“Is that so?” Xiao Yan smiled, but before he could speak, Elder Pharmacist’s solemn voice sounded in his mind, “A large number of powerful auras are approaching you. These auras are extremely strong, and it seems their target is the two of you!”
Upon hearing Elder Pharmacist, Xiao Yan first froze, then his expression changed. Without time to ponder why such unfamiliar, powerful auras appeared in the deep mountains of the Inner Academy, he got up and pulled Xuner, ready to leave.
As Xiao Yan pulled Xuner up, she seemed to sense something, her pretty face changing instantly. She hurriedly pushed Xiao Yan into the forest, saying anxiously, “Brother Xiao Yan, quickly hide, don’t come out no matter what!”
“What’s wrong? Are those people after you?” Xiao Yan grabbed Xuner’s hand, his face darkening.
Xuner’s gaze swept toward the distant northern sky, sensing the rapidly approaching auras. She placed her hand on Xiao Yan, and with a burst of energy, a gentle gust of wind pushed Xiao Yan into the forest. She instructed, “Brother Xiao Yan, suppress your aura, don’t let them find you!”
Pushed into the forest, Xiao Yan’s expression was uncertain; he couldn’t understand why Xuner had become so anxious all of a sudden.
“Who are they?” Following Xuner’s gaze toward the northern sky, Xiao Yan slowly clenched his fists, a strange anger rising in his heart.
Shortly after Xiao Yan was pushed into the forest, a loud, whistling sound came from the sky, and soon, several small black dots appeared in the northern sky. Their trajectory was clear, heading straight for Xuner.
As the whistling grew louder, the black dots swiftly grew larger, finally appearing within sight. Peering through the gaps in the leaves, Xiao Yan was shocked to see the ten or so black figures. They were not human, but rather massive, entirely black beasts with a silver horn extending from their heads, covered in strange patterns, and emitting faint sounds of wind and thunder. Their backs bore large, four-winged appendages, creating fierce gusts of wind as they flew.
These unfamiliar magical beasts, Xiao Yan had never seen or heard of, but that didn’t stop his shock. He could sense a fierce aura emanating from them, indicating they were not ordinary transport beasts but rather battle-ready flying beasts.
Flying beasts were rare, and those used for combat even rarer, usually found only in immensely powerful forces capable of breeding and taming them. Xiao Yan’s gaze shifted from the four-winged unicorns to their broad backs, only to find a figure standing on each one. Clad in dark purple robes, they were expressionless, their eyes sharp and chilling.
Xiao Yan was alarmed to realize that the auras of these ten figures were like deep, unfathomable waters, similar to the auras of the Inner Academy elders. The ten giant four-winged unicorns flapped their wings, hovering above the ravine, their gazes sweeping over the grass where the green-clad girl stood.
“Haha, Miss Xuner, we’ve finally found you,” the man atop the leading four-winged unicorn said, smiling at Xuner.
This man was not very old, perhaps in his late twenties, with a handsome appearance comparable to Lin Xiu Ya. His dark purple robes gave him a more composed demeanor. He seemed to be the leader, as the other nine figures were positioned behind him, highlighting the hierarchy.
“I am the newly appointed deputy commander of the Black Annihilation Army, Ling Quan, sent by the Clan Lord to bring you back,” the man introduced himself, bowing respectfully to Xuner.
“I said I would return on my own. There was no need for you to travel such a distance,” Xuner replied coldly, her voice tinged with frost.
“The Clan Lord has given his orders, and we must follow them,” Ling Quan smiled slightly, but then his gaze suddenly hardened, focusing on the forest. “Who’s eavesdropping?”
At Ling Quan’s shout, the nine motionless figures on the unicorns’ backs also turned cold, instantly dashing into the forest. Soon, low, clashing sounds could be heard.
“Stop!” Xuner shouted, her face changing sharply.
As Xuner’s shout rang out, a figure suddenly emerged from the forest, flapping its wings and landing beside Xuner. It was Xiao Yan, his clothes slightly disheveled.
“X… Are you alright?” Seeing Xiao Yan’s slightly labored breathing, Xuner’s face showed concern, though she quickly composed herself and asked calmly.
Xuner’s change in demeanor made Xiao Yan frown slightly. “What’s going on?”
After Xiao Yan emerged, the nine figures also returned, lining up behind Ling Quan, their sharp gazes locking onto Xiao Yan.
“You…” Xuner’s facial changes did not escape Ling Quan’s notice. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he turned to look at Xiao Yan. When he saw Xiao Yan’s face, he paused, tapping his forehead lightly. With a half-smile, he said, “If I’m not mistaken, this should be the Xiao Yan from the Xiao family, the one who was once considered a waste. I’ve seen your portrait.”
“Who are you?” Xiao Yan’s voice was flat, his expression stony.
“Deputy Commander of the Black Annihilation Army, Ling Quan. But it doesn’t matter, you, or the Xiao family, have no qualifications to be in this circle,” Ling Quan replied, his tone filled with disdain. The current Xiao family was far from the glory of the past.
Hearing Ling Quan’s scorn for the Xiao family, Xiao Yan’s expression grew colder, and his hand slowly tightened around the heavy ruler.
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