After successfully exiting the Ten Thousand Serpents Gorge, the entire convoy was consumed by a kind of euphoria that comes after narrowly escaping death. The previously tense atmosphere had completely dissipated, and everyone was animatedly discussing the scene that had just unfolded. The terrifying strength displayed by that mysterious powerhouse was indeed a huge shock to them all.
“Haha, when Xia Mang that hairy snake fled just now, he looked like a dazed, stupid serpent. It was so satisfying. Although we almost got killed, seeing that notorious snake Xia Mang in such a sorry state was worth it.”
“Of course, it’s because that senior is strong. Based on what Xia Mang said, that senior should be an Alchemist. My guess is that he must be at least a Grade 6 Alchemist. Otherwise, it would be hard to retreat Xia Mang with just the power of the soul.”
“Wow, a Grade 6 Alchemist! I remember our Han Clan’s Chief Alchemist is only a Grade 5, right? And even at that, even the Clan Head shows him great respect.”
“Yeah, we’re lucky this time, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to see that senior. A Grade 6 Alchemist! Even in North City, they are among the top ranks.”
“Don’t dream. High people have their own pride. We should be grateful for the chance rescue.”
Xiao Yan sat in the carriage, listening to the lively conversations outside, and couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He was glad he hadn’t shown his face.
While Xiao Yan sighed, the carriage curtain was suddenly lifted, and a beaming Han Chong strode in, casually tossing a water bag to the former, laughing, “Not scared, huh?”
Xiao Yan took the water bag, drank a sip, and smiled, nodding, “It’s okay.”
“Ah, we were lucky this time. We met a senior to help us. Otherwise, we might have all perished in the Ten Thousand Serpents Gorge.”
Han Chong also sat down in the carriage, looking quite relieved, “But, you know, that senior was really nice. Usually, if you don’t know someone, nobody bothers to help.”
Xiao Yan smiled. The man in front of him, Han Chong, seemed to still be unloading the fear he had experienced in the gorge. For his continuous praise of that mysterious “senior,” Xiao Yan could only nod with a slightly strange expression.
After rambling for nearly ten minutes, Han Chong finally stopped, not entirely satisfied, and laughed at Xiao Yan, “Now that we’re past the Ten Thousand Serpents Gorge, it’s mostly smooth sailing. There are some bandits and refugees along the way, but they’re not much of a threat to us. Originally, we shouldn’t have passed through the Ten Thousand Serpents Gorge, but we got lost in the desert during a sandstorm. If we went back, it would take too long, so we had to tough it out.”
“Brother Han, how much longer until we reach North City?”
Xiao Yan, somewhat realizing, was still puzzled as to why the Han Clan hadn’t sent a strong player to assist them when they knew they had to pass through the Ten Thousand Serpents Gorge. Hearing this, he understood that their route had been changed. He nodded lightly, hesitated, and then asked, “About six days, if everything goes well.”
“Six days, huh…”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan murmured, secretly relieved. Six days, his injuries should be mostly healed. In those cities, there would certainly be many strong players. If he didn’t regain his strength quickly, it could be troublesome. No matter where, having strength meant having the power to speak and protect oneself.
He planned to start inquiring about the Soul Temple once they reached North City. If possible, he wanted to go to the Blazing Flame Valley and obtain the remaining two transformations of the Heavenly Fire Three Mystical Changes. With these two, even without using the Lotus of Buddha’s Fury, he should be able to contend with Battle Sect level experts.
Unaware of Xiao Yan’s thoughts, Han Chong chatted with him for a while, then told him to rest well and stepped down from the carriage.
The convoy followed the road south toward North City, still a fair distance away. Knowing that Xiao Yan was seriously injured, no one bothered him much after Han Chong. This gave him some quiet time to rest.
After a while, the jolting of the carriage gradually ceased. Xiao Yan opened his eyes, saw the sky, and knew the convoy was preparing to set up camp. Traveling at night in the desert was dangerous, so few did it.
By the afternoon, the excruciating pain in Xiao Yan’s body had lessened, and he could even detect some flow of Qi in his meridians. Though still minimal compared to usual, the speed of his healing was quite reassuring.
When the carriage stopped, Xiao Yan opened the curtain and descended. He knew Han Xue’s nature and didn’t want to be scolded again.
Getting out, Xiao Yan carried some tent poles towards the chosen camping spot. As he walked, he caught a faint, delicate fragrance and looked up to see Han Xue in front of him, smiling and nodding.
Han Xue stood on some broken stones, her beautiful eyes fixed on the youth before her. His rough hemp clothing made him look more ordinary, but his face, though not strikingly handsome, was pleasantly appealing. Her gaze met his, and she was slightly taken aback. His dark eyes showed no unease or uncertainty. Instead, they held a calmness with a hint of a gentle smile, like deep, still water.
“Is something wrong, Miss Han Xue?” Unable to withstand her gaze, Xiao Yan spoke first, smiling.
Hearing this, Han Xue’s eyelashes fluttered, and her hand slowly extended. Amidst the surprised gazes around, she grabbed Xiao Yan’s arm, and a probing Qi swiftly entered his body.
Feeling the Qi enter his body, Xiao Yan’s expression remained unchanged. His mind stirred, and the Qi immediately dispersed into his meridians.
After circling his body, the Qi returned to Han Xue, who then released her grip. A trace of disappointment flashed in her eyes. Her inexplicable guesses seemed to be unfounded. In Xiao Yan’s body, she only found serious internal injuries.
“It’s nothing,” she shook her head, glancing at the tent poles on Xiao Yan’s shoulder, “Your injuries are severe. You don’t need to work. Let others handle it.”
“Hehe, it’s fine. Although I’m injured, I’m not incapacitated,” Xiao Yan replied with a hearty laugh, shook his head, and continued carrying the tent poles, walking around Han Xue towards Han Chong and the others.
Turning slightly, Han Xue watched the lean back. She couldn’t help but laugh at herself. Her thoughts were unrealistic. Judging by appearance, Xiao Yan was probably her age. At that age, even a cultivation genius would find it hard to make a Battle Emperor level expert retreat with just a few words, right?
“It seems it was just luck…”
The night in the desert remained cold and desolate. A faint silver glow covered the endless land. From a high vantage, there was no end in sight.
The camp was quiet, except for the occasional crackling of the fire. Outside the camp, there were sentries patrolling, protecting the area.
In a simple tent, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged, his body smeared with cultivation medicine. Energy threads flowed in, following his breath and entering his body.
His Qi increased bit by bit, and the sense of strength slowly returned to his weak body.
This cultivation continued for a long time, until the first light of dawn appeared in the desert sky. Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, revealing a tinge of surprise.
He opened his palm, and emerald-green Qi slowly emerged. Staring at the Qi, he faintly saw a sliver of silvery energy, which seemed to be… spatial force?
Taking a deep breath, a gleam of delight appeared in Xiao Yan’s eyes. Spatial force, a wondrous power that could only be controlled by a Battle Sect level practitioner. Before reaching that level, even peak Battle Emperors didn’t possess it. But the silver energy within his Qi was, indeed, a thread of spatial force!
“This spatial force was probably left in my body after the destruction in the spatial passage. It didn’t dissipate but instead merged with my Qi. Misfortune and blessing truly go hand in hand.”
“But regardless, it seems I now have a little control over spatial force. Though faint, it’s real,” Xiao Yan mused, a smile forming on his lips. He extended his palm, then clenched it, and to his amazement, the space in front of him distorted!
Distorting space, a power typically possessed by a Battle Sect, was now being displayed by a still Seven Star Battle Emperor, Xiao Yan!
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