*Puff! Puff! Puff!* The low, guttural sounds of flesh bursting echoed repeatedly within the vast manor, a sound akin to the scythe of the Reaper, each occurrence marking the disintegration of a disciple of the Yunlan Sect. The disciples surged towards the innermost layer of the manor like a tide, the ones at the back oblivious to the carnage ahead due to their obscured view, forcing them to press onward blindly. Yet, as the crowd’s momentum gradually reached a critical point, the Reaper’s scythe silently sliced through the air. With an increasing number of disciples mysteriously burning to ashes, a sense of fear and chaos began to spread like wildfire. Driven by terror, their collective morale plummeted, and they could no longer endure, initiating a frenzied retreat.
The white wave that had once flooded the manor now scattered in panic, fearing the same eerie self-immolation would befall them. In this horrifying display, the massive assault of the Yunlan Sect began to crumble, all faces marked with identical dread and astonishment. The invisible and colorless force capable of causing death was, in fact, more terrifying than any sharp blade, eroding one’s courage far more effectively.
As the Yunlan Sect’s disciples fled the outer perimeter of the manor, the strange phenomenon of self-immolation finally subsided. However, the losses were already severe, with at least half of them turning to ash under the mysterious self-burning.
As the disciples retreated, the manor was left with a thick layer of gray-white powder, almost a finger deep. A gentle breeze sent the powder dancing, filling the sky with a spectral, chilling atmosphere. The entire area, both inside and outside the manor, fell into a deathly silence, with everyone’s hearts frozen in terror.
After a moment of silence, all eyes turned to the black-robed youth suspended in the air, a heavy ruler on his back. His hands slowly extended, and if one looked closely, they could see a faint, yet roaring flame upon his palms. It was clear that the ghastly wave of self-immolation was his doing.
The surviving Yunlan Sect disciples, outside the manor, stared at Yan Xiao with horrified expressions, as if beholding a bloodthirsty demon. The severity of his actions would leave an indelible shadow in their minds, a devilish figure that would haunt them, instilling perpetual fear.
Inside the manor, the Miter family members gazed at the powder on the ground, swallowing hard. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock. Those who had just been beating them mercilessly were now eliminated like fireworks, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of human life in the eyes of true power.
Yaffira, equally shocked, watched the black-robed youth, her face slightly pale. She sighed; Yan Xiao’s hatred for the Yunlan Sect had reached a visceral level. Understanding his nature, she knew he wouldn’t typically act so ruthlessly. Clearly, the Yunlan Sect had brought this upon themselves.
Xiao Ding, observing the slaughter, felt a sense of satisfaction. He smiled, a tinge of relief mixed with a sigh.
Before Yaffira could speak, a thundering sound of hooves broke the silence. Turning, she saw a black flood of soldiers rushing in from all directions, surrounding the surviving Yunlan Sect disciples.
“Are these the royal troops?” Yaffira asked, surprised by the sudden appearance of the armored soldiers. Recognizing the swift political maneuver, she noted the royal princess, Yuner, had acted quickly, hoping to curry favor with the Mitels.
Xiao Ding nodded, acknowledging the strategic value of the alliance.
As the Yunlan Sect disciples were being taken away, Princess Yuner, wearing a phoenix crown and a purple-black robe, observed the situation. She ordered the arrest of the Yunlan disciples, who, perhaps shaken by the earlier carnage, complied without much resistance.
Yuner, seeing the compliance, relaxed. She then turned to the black-robed youth, addressing him with a charming smile, “Mr. Rock Pytho, or should I say, Mr. Xiao Yan?”
Xiao Yan, momentarily confused, recognized the voice. It was the same woman he had met before, Yuner, the future empress of the Gama Empire.
Recognizing her, Xiao Yan smiled politely, “Princess Yuner, I’m afraid I don’t have time for pleasantries. Let’s talk after I’ve finished here.”
Yuner, unperturbed by his cold tone, nodded with a gentle smile. As Yan Xiao’s green fire wings flared, he shot into the chaotic battleground above, swiftly overwhelming the Yunlan fighters.
Minutes later, several Douwang experts were gravely injured, falling from the sky, their blood misting in the air. The entire city was silent, watching the Yunlan Sect’s downfall.
One final punch, and another Douwang expert plummeted, his fate unknown. Breathing heavily, Xiao Yan’s gaze fixed on a distant, hazy mountain, a fierce aura surging from his body, sweeping across the sky.
On the distant Yunlan Mountain, Yun Shan, and the white-robed woman in the forbidden hall, both abruptly opened their eyes, their faces filled with disbelief and shock.
“This aura… how is it possible?!”
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