The figure of Black擎 (Heiqing) cast an astonished glance at the lean silhouette that had appeared beside him. When he saw the latter’s hand softly pressed on the crown of Redfaced Elder’s head, his eyelid twitched violently……
“Who, by Heaven, are you?” asked the redfaced man whose entire body had completely frozen; he did not dare budge even slightly—for he sensed the terrible power held by that single palm placed upon his cranial point, and understood full well that with just a flick, his head would instantaneously burst into blood mist…
“Where in this world has such an enigmatic figure arisen? Why haven’t I sensed the tremor of his approach?” The elder’s eyes swirled wildly, changing expressions swiftly beneath his inner turbulence.
“Step back, step back your hand.” Xiao Yan gave him a faint glance, coolly speaking forth.
Upon hearing such words, Redfaced man’s face changed faintly while a rapid twist stirred behind his gaze: “How about this—counting down to three—we both retreat together!”
“Yanran, end him now! He is among semi-Sage level, far superior to me; his worth would outweigh a life for a trade—it would worth the sacrifice,” snapped Heiqing lowly, his face filled with fury at such injustice.
Eyes glinting in anger, Redfaced immediately longed to crush this lowly man’s skull in response. Yet recalling the unseen mystic standing by, restraint won within the heart, and so a deeper voice followed thus: “How say you, honored stranger?”
“Affirmative…” murmured Xiao Yan amicably.
“Wonderful—One! Two! THREE!” Delighted, the elder called them swiftly. As soon as these final syllables fell, he perceived the frigid weight atop his cranium indeed vanishing, allowing swift withdrawal alongside rapid retrogression, fleeing Black擎 immediately.
“My noble friend, pray reveal yourself as honored sage? This matter belongs to Ancient Great Dragon lineage; thus, we request thy non-interruption. Rest easily, for our three Dragon Islands have Great Dragon Monarchs near at hand—Should their presence summon unto this confrontation, surely an exit for one of your standing would be perilous,” warned he as he fled backward; only now he discerned for a full vision the one who dared strike. He was astounded momentarily by the stranger’s surprising youth, yet regained solemn expression promptly.
Yet for said words cast Xiao Yan, silence became answer in his demeanor. The young figure crouched to help lift up Heiqing onto sturdy support before offering forth a pill which shot forth into the latter’s lips: “How now?”
“Far from biting Death!” Black擎 gave dry a chuckle of resignation; casting but once backward, he said in a hush laced of bitter regret, “You should’ve ended him right there outright. He is but no lesser figure of the semi-Sage! That act could’ve severed a vital flesh wound on our Northern Dragon Isle—an opportunity that seldom arises…”
Black擎’s words bore strong the sting of bitter scold—For his thoughts, offering even his life against this foe could prove infinitely rewarding…
“Master Firewar!” shouted a leader-mixed dragon figure who paused slightly in mid-fight against Elder Zhuli to call out in curiosity toward this disruption, brow furrowing with scrutiny as each strike remained relentless even in conversation; every swipe of the fierce talons pushed Zhuli back slightly, barely keeping from his wounded disadvantage crumbling beneath them fully,
“Some slight mishap,” replied Fire Warrior, whose gaze remained fixed on Xiao Yan warily, detecting subtle pressure seeping beneath his figure’s outward stillness, thus not daring rash action.
Upon hearing his reply, Master Dragon narrowed his sight and with brutal swiftness unleashed upon Elder Zhuli sending him staggering from the shock; redirected his gaze further until landing squarely upon Xiao Yan, peered into his shadow with suspicion. In a cutting tone then spoke:
“Friendly stranger, intervening amidst Void Domain for the affairs of this Ancient Dragon Race proves far from an astutely chosen step!”
“Zhuli…” murmured Candle-Elder Zhuli taking a slight breath of relief amidst sudden calm reprieve; observing he who supported Black擎 in astonishment, then as realization dawned, color paled faint; his frame surged, standing instantly besides Xiao Yan: “You! Why have you come back? This is none of your concern! Leave with him Heiqing—I’ll cover you!”
“Withdraw? Nay! This here is perhaps your final call…” Redfaced glared now darkening in ill regard, eyeing Xiao Yan with growing intensity. “Mid-tier Semi-Sainthood dares confront me openly?”
“You dare to provoke with but Intermediate Semi-Sage? Xiao Yan furrowed his brow suddenly stomping forth, vanishing as a shadow in the next frame…
Watching his action, Fire Warrior’s face contorted instantly. In rapid succession became radiant blur as his body reeled from danger when abruptly a giant hand pierced space itself landing firmly back upon that crown from where its previous occupance fled, issuing chillingly the decree from hidden void:
“Should you flinch once—prepare to face your fated revere.” Eyes widening at such sudden appearance forming before his presence, the figure gasped inward as his tone wavered unnaturally through clenched teeth: “You…YOU ARE YOU TRULY? Are…Are you the Dragon Supreme!?”
His question echoed in awe not only through this elder’s lips, however—as Heiqing and Master Zhuli gazed dumbfounded, struggling even in present sight to make grasp of all. Not too distant from when Xiao Yan left Eastern isle—barely ranked at five star Dou Zun, and just but years had swiftly brought one forth leaping past from mere Zun rank unto ultimate Sage status—
“Awww… This realm beyond realms defies comprehension,” gasped Heiqing stunned as whispers left his dry lips amidst dazed thoughts—the trials endured across prolonged cultivation, rising meagerly to merely stand eight transformations from that Dou Zun Apex, still yet so far from Semi-Saint; yet here now, Xiao Yan surpassed such boundaries long held impossible by many even now…
Fingers resting still the elder at cranial apex, Yan observed pale complexion further washing out crimson features. Pressed then gently with fingertip atop said elder’s brows where, with a stroke, blood bore a gaping aperture; power dwindled as though tide falling away, and at a single swipe sealed runes adorned forth upon said brow—therein binding Fire War itself to helpless stillness.
Once this deed complete, Xiao Yan simply seized the formless man, flickered a flash to meet Heiqing’s position, cast it aside, then smiling: “Seizing him need not cost your life.”
Heiqing received it numbly, scarcely believing that he beheld his once unreachable opponent in this pitiful condition—before Xiao Yan, once merely frail and far off… Within mere minutes, previously proud being collapsed like slain hound… no different…
“Swallowed…” gulped Candle-Elder Zhuli aside, swallowing deep as even at peak power, defeating Fire War required extensive battle effort; yet here against such might from Xiao Yan…
“RETREAT!” called Dragon-half Leader from a distance, as equally dazed yet rallying back resolve—horror creeping spine as decisive scream followed—this being capturing Fire War with trivial effort bore undeniable proof of ultimate Saint tiered power; foes none of their group could match, for further lingering assured same as the other man’s fate.
Thus commanded Dragon Leader who turned to flee—flash after flash until vanishing beyond darkness—to promptly report these happenings. Higher powers would surely follow.
Observing, Zhuli’s expression jolted at once—hastily urging: “Brother Xiao Yan! Let us seize them lest warning bells arise! I hadn’t foreseen this man to retreat as coward.”
Nodding, Xiao Yan chuckled in agreement, yet took no motion forward. Instead he beheld the direction where escaping masses ran for their lives. After around two silent minutes, a radiance appeared beyond.
In moments, streaks of movement surged outwardly. In a moment, figures burst forth amidst air shimmering wildly—the figures belonging indeed were Yana and others with one each caught in grip tightly.
Included among these captives, was none other than this Dragon Elder himself—the very coward who fled moments past.
“Hah… This old rat proves slippery! Although with naught but Intermediate Semi-Saint standing behind! Whatevr daring uprising could he incite?”
Laughing, Yan handed the unconscious form directly toward Yan who sealed it likewise.
Flashing his sight towards Zhuli, thus spoke he: “An honor introducing—the Elder of Shadowless Nine Maledictive Serpents, Elder Yama.”
“Nine Maledictive?…” Candle Zhuli’s face stirred briefly, gazing in wary suspicion.
“Report claims: it were Three Lurid Lure Isles approached once seeking alliance against ourselves—the Eastern isle.”
“Haha…Worry not elder, it was the agreement made foolishly by my elder kin—since whom I stripped bare all leadership rights,” replied Yana with grin.
“Thus am here as summoned by Brother Xiao Yan. If the Eastern Dragon holds no grudge against Shadow Maw kin, we wish humbly to offer aide!”
Stunned by such revelation, even Zhuli’s glance shifted surprised back toward Yan. Upon confirming Xiao Yan nod gently in assurance… joyous wonder burst forth in the Zhuli Elder’s gaze—an allied reinforcement that, precisely amidst Eastern Dragon Isla’s greatest need—it now most desired desperately…
“How does matter proceed upon our homeland island now?” Yan questioned next, concern evident upon visage.
Zhuli elder sighed heavily: “Dire, indeed… Three Dragon Archipelago forces all gathered against; united as intent to quell our Dragon Deity Emperor even before reaching Absolute Zenith… thus Eastern Island now writhes beneath chaos unleashed as that Deity Sovereign is besieged by Three Dragons of Dominion united…”
Grimacing faintly at this report, Yan’s countenance grew even graver still—the peril that Eastern Isla endured worse far than previously foreseen.
“So now—it is to Eastern Isle then!” Xiao Yan exhaled deeply, slowly. His sleeves trembled; his fists curled tighter within folds. No matter how powerful that Dragon Trinity—never ever could allow the peril facing Little Zi Yan go ignored and abandoned…
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