Not too far from the inner courtyard lied a remote mountain hideout, originally an uninhabited and deserted spot. Yet now, it was crowded with figures, their gazes all falling upon the black-robed youth at the front, whose face smiled warmly amid the faintly solemn atmosphere brought by impending farewells.
“So, you’ve decided to leave today?” Su Qian studied Xiao Yan before him and softly sighed aloud.
“Huhuhuh, Second Brother’s business is already settled; it’s high time,” Xiao Yan slightly dipped his head and shifted his gaze slowly across the now-familiar faces gathered in the remote mountainside. After a pause, he softly chuckled. “I’ve gathered everyone here because I fear causing undue gloom among members of the Pan Gate inside the academy upon announcing my departure.”
Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and others silently assented while Xiao Yan prepared to depart. This departure visibly caused their hearts and mood to droop in quiet sadness.
“Grand Elder, over the passage of all these years I cannot thank you enough for looking after me—such a generous favor is unforgettably precious in Xiao Yan’s eyes.” Fixing his gaze on Xiao Yan once again, Su Qian spoke while bowing respectfully.
Su Qian gave off a casual waive with a grin on. Soon, he reached out and pat Xiao Yan’s shoulder, saying, “Kid, travel safely on the journey ahead! Your Pan Gate organization here shall be safeguarded by the arrangements I shall oversee so ensure when your return takes you back you’ll certainly encounter the gate exactly as complete as was left.”
Nodding, Xiao Yan took slight steps back then clenched fists towards everyone, addressing with firm respect.
“All gathered today! Over our shared three years of interaction, these bonds won’t ever be left untender in my mind—so if help is required someday from you, know my word will remain valid while Xiao Yan draws breath, and thus any can confidently seek my aid in Jia Ma Empire.” Hearing the martial spirit-filled declaration with that slight Black Corner Domain touch to it, laughter rose amidst those gathered. The sorrow of impending farewell momentarily ebbed from the air.
“When we Hu Jia and I complete graduation and breakthroughs into Tuo Wang, my next destination shall involve coming to locate you at Jia Ma; we’ll add our strengths to bolster yours then and assist on your journey there,” Wu Ha’s gently warm smirk adorned on expression said.
“To that day, count Xiao Yan to share cups until they empty their depths without restraint—to honor atonement from hasting off too soon today and leaving all thus!” Cried Xiao Yan, bursting laughter again.
“Is it ready to commence?” Cut abruptly a cold voice from high above atop tree branches; at once raised their heads collectively to observe that familiar striking beauty of Meidou Sha appearing there amidst their reverent admiration before quickly looking else-where, since this was an individual no small feat to confront directly; indeed a woman before whom, even masters like Su Qian showed considerable wariness let alone commoners like they.
Hearing the urging, Xiao Yan allowed a small smile to grace his lips before no further delay, with one last salute. “Take good care of everyone. Let this moment then be the final adieu, may reunion be fated anew!”
The moment the words concluded, he swung attention back immediately towards his close companions: Lin Yan, Lin Xiu Ya, Liu Qing and Zhi Yan and nodded toward them with a hand gesture.
“Proceed then.”
Hearing Xiao Yan thus instructing, the quartet also slightly acknowledged and offered their own bow amidst crowd before wings began emerging slowly from all of their back. A flapping motion and they gradually rose to air.
“Yan… Be careful. Please take no rash actions on impulse!” When all else watched as another dazzling set of emerald green wings unfollowed, Xiao Yue’s emotion overflowed her control as she took one brave advancement forward with red-tinged eyes imploring aloud.
“Aye, have confidence. Upon sorting Jia Ma matters, I will be sending word,” Xiao Yan offered warm nods and spun with gallant confidence. With an uplifting of those flame-enveloped wings beneath him, not a delay traceable within the swift transformation of himself into an emerald flame shadow, swiftly taking flight beyond into bound endless mountains—follow by Meidousha, Lin Yan, Zhi Yan five trailing quickly thereafter.
Watching their silhouettes disappear in distant skyline gaze lingered; long paused silence eventually concluded before glances pulled reluctantly off. Understanding that, the level of danger which awaited them in home-bound Jia Ma Empire was no small one. After years of dominance, Yun Yan Zhong’s deep roots and substantial resources made the mountain uncrushable, even with aid of Meido’s Queenly form alongside him, gaining decisive advantage against them likely formidable; what lay awaiting, surely an epic tiger-dragon clash of might.
Success or failure hinged alone on his own shoulders’ strength.
“Gee Leader, do you think Xiao Yon will prevail on this one?” Pulling back focus with uncertainty Hu Jia inquired, and upon hearing this all others trained attention on Su Qian whose arms remain behind him in stance.
“Hm… That’s tough to judge.” Su Qian exhaled softly. He spoke. Jia Ma possesses heavy inward leaning which birth singular major clan across the dominion – Yu Yan Zhong. Due to lengthy heritage even considering the entire southwest it qualifies as reputable force. While Xiao Yan displays extraordinary talent roots of him are too fragile to sustain advantage. Though he has gained strong allies for this cause, outcome uncertainty will only reveal in time when we’ll grasp whose fortune holds.
At hearing the assessment from gee elder, the expression of the gathered like Wu Hao too darkened somewhat; Yet all understood even with concerns amplified there’d offer no real help. Given current strength to accompany him may only add burden rather help.
“Ho-Hah alright all of you cease these darkened minds, victory or defeat will reveal its count inevitably. Yet should Xiao Yan achieve total destruction against Yun Yan Zhong, his name shall surely echo entire southwestern continent,” Su Qian gave off light amused chuckle while moving about heading back toward inner academy with all gathered Wu Ha group silently glancing among before reluctantly falling into trailing steps carrying subdued spirits behind him.
“Little one. In this instance, it will be sink or survive solely on own. Everything is indeed relying on yourself now…” As the elder neared the verge of forest passage, a last pause held then final backwards gaze sent towards where silhouettes disappeared. Inward whispering drifted from thoughts: “Pray news travels sooner of success from afar ahead.”
Far across the corners, upon a distant height near枫城 in The Black Angle Domain, figures stirred constantly amidst occasional echoing growl of beasts echoing from hidden groves.
“Number Two Commander, we confirm all Xiao Gate forces gathered. Together with gathered power these passing days along with us three brothers included—we have eight Dou Wang-level warriors in total—whilst other ranks were stringently selected mostly comprising Dou Ling fighters, all fearless to the point of death, many reaching peak Dou Ling status,” a massive build figure addressed one standing at the edge of cliff.
At hearing his report fellow slowly returned gaze revealing the cold composure of Xiao Li who had previously mobilized might near枫城. Glimpsed and nodded. “You’ve done well.”
Words ending, Xiao Li turned attention towards slopes shadowing. Gathering there, approximately one hundred dark figures stood absolutely still, and standing right before the crowd of figures seven more tall shadows remained straight, emitting invisible might from bodies around them: unmistakingly all at Dou Wang standard strength.
Although numerous people crowded up slope there remained complete silence around that mountain range. Tension filled air, suffocating that previously bold wild roar from woodlands had all ceased significantly.
“News available regarding Heavenless Sect, Sheol’s Gate or Wild Lion Coalition forces? Why the absence?” When words returned to shadows on hill, Xiao Li’s brows slightly furrowed.
Before姚达 could reply answer came aerially through the sky—a woman’s laugh rang out:
“Gigigi~! How restless Xiao Bocai has gotten! Our departure could extend well beyond months from Black Angle… Rushing before complete readiness risks returning home only to find family ruins!”
When the laugh ended then a large series of breaking wind sounds followed—soon revealing over a dozen large flying beasts speeding towards this mountainside before swiftly alighting, as silhouettes dropped down and landed either upon various treetop regions around or directly upon mountaintop amidst gathering shadows.
A rough estimate placed their numbers well within one-hundred persons, all obviously non-ordinary fighters given the overwhelming atmosphere exuding from each presence there.
After all figures landed accordingly, then finally the top presence figures appeared. Displayed Dou Qi wing upon their backflapping motion they descended from overhead toward the mid-height airborne suspension point before sending gaze sweeping over Xiao Li’s gathered forces. Surprise barely hidden beneath smiles.
“Xiao Yan’s reputation stands deserved, impressive. To pull such strength together in scarcely past month? That certainly earns awe, friend!”
Xiao Ya allowed smile. Unworried tone retorting:
“When he already possesses a sixth-level pharmaceutical master as his younger brother the capability comes as no wonder. No need of great surprise there, truly.”
The trio of Tie Niao reflected slight glance with one-another before responding with agreeing tones,
“Indeed. Should Xiao Gate head disclose fully about sixth stage master’s identification publicly – not only Dou Wang grade fighters but maybe even Battle Emperor might flood in willingly.”
Smiling with nonchalance, Xiao Ya continued conversation forward,
“What of strength levels with the forces each of you all brought alongside today?”
Hearing that, Tie Niao, Yin Valley Elder, and Missy Su swapped glances—replied amidst smiles:
Each faction sent two Dou Wang-level masters, alongside our current ranks totaling three Battle Emperor, together. Other fighters are selected elite from various units and certainly not inferior to the Inner Yun Yan disciples.”
“Only six Dou Wangs from your forces? Seems surprisingly modest compared to what expected by each of you in standing in Black Angle Domain. “
Xiao Li commented with faint irony,
Smiles fell slightly yet all answered together:
“Well imagine how strained positions back there must be… The Black Angle is unlike other regions—remove too many elite warriors then perhaps return only see nests entirely cleared.”
Xiao Li frowned for slight contemplation moments yet yielded, since reality did match their justification. Nevertheless he couldn’t deny having three Battle Emperor fighters would offer considerable leverage still.
Giggling again woman started inquiry anew, voice edged with slight eagerness:
“Speaking friend Xiao Yan, your host remains unfound even while everyone gathers? Why’s that?
Upon those words both Missy Su and Tie Niao fixed their attention upon Xiao Li with subtle probing; Indeed if this long-distance confrontation awaited them against such an enemy back JIAMA Empire and should its leader himself remain unavailable then none here dare advance willingly…
“We’ve already conveyed notice my third Brother, should arrive around now,” answered Xiao Li smiling before being interrupted suddenly; From sky’s end rose soft echoing laughter, reaching ears swiftly reverberating across the entire mountaintop.
Before fading chuckles even cleared, a series flying shadows emerged from horizon—each blink narrowing distances and soon manifesting upon mountaintop clearly.
From midst this arriving silhouettes strode first black robe draped youth lifting chin forward greeting with smile all gathered:
“My thanks to everyone for all your extended waiting — truly appreciate your patience on this!”
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