Observing the astonished expressions on Xiao Yan and Mu Qingluan, Elder Hu also smiled and said, “This matter has recently been spreading like wildfire here. Many people are very curious. Who could this culprit be, daring to provoke the Nine Nether Earthly Serpent in the Beast Region? This is truly a bold move.”
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. Being one of the three major clans in the Magical Beast Realm was enough proof of the strength of the Nine Nether Earthly Serpent Clan. Moreover, this was their territory. As they say, ‘the strong dragon does not suppress the local snake.’ Even if it were a prestigious power from the Central Plains, they would have to give the Nine Nether Earthly Serpents some face unless they were really hotheaded. No one would want to easily offend them. That’s why he felt so surprised when he heard that someone had actually bothered the Nine Nether Earthly Serpents in the Bone Mountain Range.
“Perhaps it’s some old enemy,” Mu Qingluan hesitated and said.
“Who knows? If it’s an enemy, then surely they would exterminate the Nine Nether Earthly Serpent Clan without mercy. But from the news we’ve gathered, the target of this person is always the strong ones in the clan. The weak ones, even if they met the mysterious culprit, were not harmed,” Elder Hu said with a wry smile, perplexed by the mysterious assailant’s strange methods.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan frowned slightly. This person was indeed rather odd. As the saying goes, ‘it’s easy to squeeze a soft persimmon,’ but this individual went against the norm, specifically targeting those who were hard to deal with. Wasn’t this just courting trouble for oneself?
“All the Nine Nether Earthly Serpents who encountered this mysterious culprit disappeared without a trace. Even their bodies cannot be found. This is what makes the Nine Nether Earthly Serpent Clan feel somewhat panicked. For a clan, the most important thing is their bloodline. No one knows if this mysterious culprit has some ulterior motives in taking so many strong fighters from the Nine Nether Earthly Serpent Clan,” Elder Hu explained.
“Let’s put it aside. This matter is not our concern. We should stay safely on the mountain top these few days and keep an eye on any movements from the ancient ruins. Also, instruct everyone not to wander around. Now that the Bone Mountain Range is in turmoil, any incident will bring us more trouble,” Xiao Yan mused for a moment, came to no conclusion, and shook his head, shifting his thoughts away from the matter.
“Yes!” Hearing this, Elder Hu hurriedly responded respectfully.
“Next, let us wait for the opening of the ancient ruins.” Xiao Yan’s gaze passed through the layers of peaks, looking towards the slightly distorted space at the center of the mountain range, muttering softly.
After driving away the Wind and Lightning Pavilion, Xiao Yan and the others settled down on this mountain peak again. In the following days, the Star Falling Pavilion disciples heeded Xiao Yan’s instructions and did not leave the mountain. They mostly spent their time practicing and sparring. After all, the mountaintop provided ample space for their activities.
During this quiet waiting period, Xiao Yan and the others noticed that more and more strong fighters were gathering in the Bone Mountain Range. By later, even in the dead of night, the mountain range was bustling with voices reaching the sky.
Amidst the waiting, three days passed in a blink.
During these three days, the Wind and Lightning Pavilion, which had been driven away, never returned to cause more trouble. Although Xiao Yan and the others knew that the Lightning Venerable would not take this lightly, at least until he believed he could defeat four Dou Zuns, he wouldn’t foolishly seek humiliation.
The group spent three days on the mountain top, undisturbed and undistracted. Their leisurely wait contrasted sharply with the chaotic environment of the surrounding mountains where brawls erupted everywhere.
With the passing of three days, the distorted space at the center of the mountain range became increasingly faint. Evidently, the spatial seal that had existed for countless years was about to dissipate. The thinning of the seal also made the atmosphere in the entire mountain range extremely tense. Under the allure of the ancient ruins, everyone seemed to be getting more irritable. Even the slightest provocation would escalate into a fight to the death in no time.
Following the rate at which the seal was diminishing, it would likely dissipate within two days. When that happens, the ancient ruins that had existed for countless years would once again appear in the mortal world…
Night, as clear and cold as water, the cool moonlight poured down from the sky, shining on the brightly lit mountain range, enveloping the entire area in a mysterious veil…
Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on a boulder at the edge of the mountain top. From here, he could overlook a large part of the mountain range. Below, he could vaguely see figures and flickering firelight.
Gazing at the bright moon in the sky, Xiao Yan’s spirit was slightly dazed. A beautiful, delicate figure appeared before him, seemingly coming and going, like a celestial descending from the moon.
“Xun, wait for me. Once I solve the problem with Master’s body, I’ll set out for the Ancient Clan!” Xiao Yan’s fist tightened slowly, a determined look flashed in his eyes. Regardless of how mysterious and powerful the Ancient Clan was, nothing would stop him from being with Xun!
Now, Xiao Yan could truly be called a top powerhouse in the world of Dou Qi. Among his peers, he found it hard to find an opponent. He was confident that even facing the young talents of the Ancient Clan, who possess the Emperor Bloodline, he would be no less than equal!
Xiao Yan exhaled softly, and the graceful figure in his mind suddenly fluctuated, then a beautiful, enchanting, and icy face appeared.
“Cai Lin…”
As his mind flashed with this beautiful face, a complex smile appeared on Xiao Yan’s face. He muttered, “I wonder if the child in her belly has been born…”
Thinking of this, a taut string deep in Xiao Yan’s heart was touched. Unexpectedly, he was already close to becoming a father. He wondered if, if his father knew, he would be overjoyed…
“Che!”
In a daze, Xiao Yan heard a faint whistling sound in the night air. Although the sound was barely noticeable, it caught Xiao Yan’s sharp senses. He turned his head abruptly and saw a black figure diving down from the night sky like an eagle. With a clap of its hands, a tent burst open.
The tent bursting revealed Zi Yan, asleep inside, but she was alert and quickly awakened. She gazed at the black figure with surprise, barefooted, and quickly backed away.
“Who goes there!” Xiao Yan exclaimed, his eyes flashing with anger. He slapped the boulder beneath him and rushed out like a giant bird, charging toward the black figure.
As he neared, Xiao Yan realized that the shadow was small, with clothing that vaguely showed her curves. Her face was covered by a grotesque mask, giving her an especially eerie appearance.
Ignoring Xiao Yan’s shout, the black figure released a strange green light. The light flashed, shining on Zi Yan’s face.
When the light hit, Zi Yan’s vision became blurry, and her consciousness started to waver.
“Roar!”
In the midst of her confusion, Zi Yan’s face was suddenly engulfed in purple qi. A half-foot-long purple dragon emerged, coiling up and roaring angrily to the sky.
The draconic roar reverberated, and the green light instantly collapsed.
“Huh… Why not a snake?” Seeing the purple dragon on Zi Yan’s face, the black figure paused, and a confused voice echoed faintly.
Before the black figure could react, three nearby tents exploded, and Little Healer Immortal, Heavenly Fire Venerable, and Bear War flashed out. Seeing the black figure attacking Zi Yan, their faces changed.
“Watch over Zi Yan!” Xiao Yan shouted sternly, and in a flash, he appeared in front of the black figure. His palm clenched, and a large hand formed of purplish-brown flames slammed down on the figure’s head with great force.
Faced with Xiao Yan’s fierce attack, the black figure evaded, the mask flashing with a strange green light, deftly blocking the fiery hand. Then, in a swift motion, it dashed off the mountain, clearly realizing it had no reason to stay.
“Leaving so soon?” Seeing this, Xiao Yan’s expression darkened. This person was too peculiar, and their obvious target was Zi Yan. If he didn’t capture and interrogate them, he would undoubtedly have future troubles.
With this thought, a silver light flashed on Xiao Yan’s foot, and he rapidly chased after the black figure. In an instant, he appeared above the black figure and slammed his flaming fist down once more.
Feeling the powerful wind rushing from above, the green light under the mask flickered again, and a robust black figure suddenly appeared behind it. A thick black liquid covered the figure’s fist, and it punched out, colliding with Xiao Yan’s flaming fist.
“Bang!”
The two fists collided, sending a terrifying shockwave. Xiao Yan staggered, retreating a few steps, while the robust figure also retreated, its form trembling. In another inexplicable manner, it vanished. When Xiao Yan regained his senses, the black figure had already fled deep into the mountains, using the night as cover, vanishing in an instant.
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