Upon seeing the sudden change in Xiao Yan’s attitude, the man named Medir and the girl in purple were momentarily stunned. Then, the former cautiously said, “I am a mentor of the Gama Academy, and this is my student, Moli.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan slightly nodded and then smiled. “In that case, come with us.”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s smiling face, Medir and the girl in purple were both at a loss, their minds reeling. After a while, the man hesitantly led the girl in purple, swiftly heading towards Xiao Yan and his group.
“You little brat, you’re asking for death!” The leading cloaked man’s eyes flashed with a menacing glare, he coldly exclaimed.
“Kill them all! Don’t let a single one escape!”
Upon hearing the command from the leader, the group of cloaked men immediately responded, tightly gripping their sharp swords, and with a swift move, they rushed straight towards Xiao Yan and his companions, the air suddenly thick with a murderous aura that caused the atmosphere of the forest to freeze.
Feeling the abrupt surge of such sinister killing intent, Medir’s face drastically changed. He grabbed the girl in purple, and they desperately sprinted towards Xiao Yan’s trio.
However, their speed was evidently no match for the cloaked assailants. In just a blink, two swords gleaming with a chilly light appeared behind them, shooting out like poisonous snakes.
The chilling sensation from behind was also felt by Medir and the girl. Both of them were instantly taken aback, realizing that in their current state, there was no way they could evade such a brutal attack.
As the overwhelming murderous aura closed in, a sense of panic surged through both, and just as they closed their eyes preparing to accept their fate, a subtle rumble of thunder resounded from within the forest. Suddenly, they felt their bodies being lifted off the ground. Within a fleeting moment, they found themselves situated amidst Xiao Yan and his two companions, with a hand still on each of their shoulders.
Blinking in confusion, Medir slowly turned around, and a young, clear face filled with a smile came into view.
“Sir… Thank you so much.” Now understanding, even if he were slow to figure it out, Medir knew that this seemingly young man, probably only around twenty, possessed far more strength than he initially thought. His heart now full of unbounded joy and gratitude, he spoke excitedly.
Standing beside him, the girl named Moli, her small mouth agape, fixed her large, lively eyes on this man she had earlier disdainfully deemed too fearful, surprised beyond measure that the man who didn’t leave a good first impression was, in reality, many times stronger than Mentor Medir.
“Ziyan, take care of them.” With a casual glance toward the approaching cloaked assailants, Xiao Yan’s voice was flat and unruffled.
At this, Ziyan by his side pursed her lips, muttering under her breath a complaint about underage workers, before reluctantly stepping forth.
“Careful, they’re all Great Warriors. The leader, in particular, is a Star Warrior… You… uh…” Witnessing Xiao Yan’s decision to have a young girl handle the situation, Medir was startled, but before he could finish his warning, Ziyan’s figure transformed into a blur of motion, dashing across the space. Then, dull sounds indicating physical collisions echoed in the air, followed by falling figures, crashing heavily onto the ground around, leaving their fate uncertain.
With a soft clapping sound, Ziyan descended, dusting off her hands with a pout, “A bunch of second-rate Great Warriors daring to challenge us?”
To the shock of Medir and Moli, observing the defeated opponents sprawled on the earth, in under ten seconds, a dozen or more seasoned Great Fighters met their downfall. This girl’s strength… It was horrifying!
“Take care of that one too,” said Xiao Yan, shifting his eyes upward, glancing casually at the leader perched in the branches.
“Who…Who are you people exactly? We are from the Demonflame Valley!” Upon catching Xiao Yan’s look, the color drained from the leader’s face as he attempted to put up a show of fierce resolve, bellowing.
Hardly had the shout left his mouth when Ziyan impatiently waved a hand. In an eyeblink, she teleported right in front of the black-cloaked man, fist cocked, delivering a heavy blow directly onto his armored torso.
Facing Ziyan’s astonishing velocity, the man frantically mustered his Dou Qi, forming a robust barrier; barely had the armor solidified when Ziyan’s petite punch crashed into it, an unstoppable deluge of terrifying force crushing the defense and pounding his ribcage viciously. A mixture of blood and torn organs spouted forth and the man fell limp to the earth beneath the tree.
“A mere Dou Ling dares to confront my strike, hmph, seeking death…” Casting an indifferent sideglance at the corpse plunging down, Ziyan tapped the branch lightly with her toes, twirled gracefully in midair, and then landed firmly. She addressed Xiao Yan haughtily, “After today’s action, you must return that Bloodspirit Grass to me.”
To which, Xiao Yan merely rolled his eyes. He shifted his gaze to rest upon Medir and Moli. Meeting Xiao Yan’s steady look, Medir hastened to bow respectfully, “Sir, our sincere thanks for saving our lives. May I know your name?”
“Ha-ha, Mentor Medir, no need to be so formal, call me Xiao Yan. After all, we’re on the same side…” answered Xiao Yan cordially, with a chuckle.
“We’re on the same side?” Hearing this, Medir appeared baffled for a split second before realization broke through, and joyously cried out, “Could you possibly be affiliated with the Gama Academy too?”
This revelation also stupefied Moli, prompting her unique azure gaze to sweep over the robed youth, youthful in appearance yet unbelievably ferocious, pausing in astonishment and softly murmuring, “Xiao Yan? That name… rings a bell…?”
“Xiao Yan… Is… Could you be THE Inner Yard Xiao Yan?” Furrowing his brows, Medir pondered a while, something clicking, disbelief coloring his exclamation.
Noticing the duo’s flabbergasted reaction, Xiao Yan chuckled, remarking, “Assuming there is not another in the Inner Yard with that name, you refer indeed to me.”
Concurring with a nod from Xiao Yan, bewilderment amplified on Medir’s and Moli’s faces. In recent years, Xiao Yan had blossomed into a well-esteemed figure in Gama Academy. All knew, though he trained only three years in the inner yard, serially humbled the most ruthless strongmen from Black-Corner Region. The Pan Gate established under his command had risen to become the foremost force across the whole academy, its name on the lips of new admissions. And further, within the tumultuous region, Xiao Gate stood vigil, a staunch protector of countless students undertaking survival training there – an entity built and revered as nothing short of a heroic figure.
Despite nearly two passing years since Xiao Yan quit Gama Academy, time eroded not his reputation but nurtured it, transforming Xiao Yan into someone idolized and almost mythically idealized. Particularly, numerous female students harbored beautiful fantasies about this unseen upperclassman.
And to Moli, after listening to gushing accounts from dear friends recounting tales of Xiao Yan’s deeds with stars in their eyes, despite a facade of calm, the seed did lodge in her heart – however subtly. But, now, this person who, through hearsay in Gama, gained almost godly reverence manifested physically, making everything feel quite surreal.
“To think two years gone and someone would remember my name. Not expected,” Xiao Yan mused wryly, regarding their stupefied forms.
Coming out of their daze at Xiao Yan’s laughter, Medir impulsively darted forward, clutching his arms fervently, exclamatory tones bubbling in anticipation, “We’re saved! Elder Wu, and the others…saved!”
“Elder Wu? What happened?” Frowned Xiao Yan, tone low and questioning.
“This story… Long-winded it might get, but semiannually, Gama sends out scores of disciples for practical experience. Accompanying these missions oftentimes lurk elders or higher-ups,” started Medir with an awkward grin, before sighing, “Elder Wu took the lead this round; seamless progression until some intel seemed compromised, culminating here – ambushed by agents of the Demonflame valley whilst hunting in this mountain range. Under duress, Wu heroically covered their retreat, guiding everyone into refuge – a nearby ravine, trapped. Both Moli and I fought our way through – originally aimed to fetch help, instead pursued…”
“Senior Brother Xiao … thirty plus trainees, besieged, cornered. If caught – dire prospects, certain. That damnable Demonflame valley, perpetual adversary to Xaio Gate, has always harboured ill will against Gama.” Interjected LiMo, gnashing tiny white teeth, words delivered solemnly.
Listening, Xiao Yan’s expression turned thoughtful, emotions deeply tied to Gama surging forth. Resolute, he determined, regardless of motivations, intervention was warranted.
“Elder Wu’s strength, how would one classify? Unfamiliar with this designation in Gama…”
Medir hastened to elaborate: “Promotion bestowed posthaste last annum. Student formerly of inner Gama, identity: Wu Huo—”
“Wu Huo?” Mention stung. Initial puzzlement, rapidly, grim realization washed over Xiao Yan.
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