After a long journey that lasted for over two months, Xiao Yan and his companions were growing closer to their destination. According to the map, they would soon reach the borders of the Jia Ma Empire… Time passed in the tedious flight. As they traversed another grand mountain range, a massive fortress silhouette appeared faintly at the horizon. The fortress, built into the mountains like a fierce tiger, guarded the essential passageway out of the empire. Anyone wanting to leave the empire had to go through this immense and heavily fortified structure. Over the years, this fortress had swallowed countless souls from battlefields, making it a place of dread for surrounding empires.
Hence, the fortress bore a rather ominous name—Ghost Suppression Pass!
When Xiao Yan’s gaze fell upon the distant outline of the great fortress, the smile on his face gradually froze. Standing up from the head of the enormous Sky Serpent Eagle, he stared at the city fortress, which, despite being so far away, still exuded an eerie aura. After a while, a smile curled on his lips, expanding swiftly until finally, a thunderous roar, suppressed for nearly three years, echoed across the sky!
“Jia Ma Empire, I, Xiao Yan… am back!”
His roaring laughter resounded like thunder in the sky. Fortunately, this area was usually sparsely populated; otherwise, it would have drawn innumerable curious glances. Gazing at the rarely discomposed Xiao Yan, those atop the other flying beasts turned to him with astonished gazes. This was the first time they had seen such a loss of composure from a young man who always seemed calm and composed.
“Is this the Jia Ma Empire?” Lin Yan and the others asked curiously, looking towards the distant fortress.
“This is a border fort of the Jia Ma Empire. Once we get past here, we’ll be within the empire’s territory.” Xiao Li nodded. “Back then, when I was pursued by the Yun Clan, I escaped from here. I never imagined I would return this way after three years.”
Xiao Yan’s wild laughter slowly subsided as he turned to Lin Yan and the others, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips. “Haha, if that’s the case, what are we waiting for?”
Xiao Li laughed, patting Xiao Yan’s shoulder. Years ago, when Xiao Yan narrowly escaped from the pursuit by the Yun Clan, it caused quite a stir in the Jia Ma Empire. The numerous perils of that time were far more thrilling and dangerous than any stories.
Xiao Yan chuckled lightly, extending his slender palm from his sleeve, causing the deep-sea ring to flash and summoning the giant dark black heavy ruler. “I wonder how many in the present Jia Ma Empire still remember my appearance.”
With the Heavy Ruler slung over his back, its length almost equal to his height, he patted the ruler, smiling. Lin Yan and the others gazed at the black-robed youth, carrying the black ruler, standing on the Sky Serpent Eagle’s head, sensing a sharp and violent aura gradually emanating from him. A glance was exchanged, and they all inwardly thought that the Jia Ma Empire wouldn’t remain peaceful with this fellow’s return.
“Everyone, increase speed!”
With a light wave of his hand, Xiao Yan’s voice clearly rang in everyone’s ears, his usual calm tone now imbued with a sense of urgency. Upon hearing his command, there was a chorus of affirmations from above. Amid a few roars, the flying beasts flapped their wings, riding the strong wind towards the distant fortress. Despite appearing to be over a thousand meters away, with straight-line flight, it took less than ten minutes for Xiao Yan and his group to come within view of the massive fortress.
As they neared, Xiao Yan waved his hand, halting the formation. All eyes focused on the young figure slinging the heavy ruler in front.
Although the distance to the ground was over a thousand meters, with Xiao Yan’s keen vision, he could see all the movements on the ground. His gaze swept over the massive red characters written on the gate of the fortress. The familiar name sent a surge through his body, a tingling feeling boiling in his blood.
“Ghost Suppression Pass… After three years, the city remains unchanged, but people have changed dramatically.”
Sighing softly, Xiao Yan murmured, “Younger brother, something seems amiss… This Ghost Suppression Pass seems too quiet today. As far as I know, this is the largest stronghold in a hundred miles and is extremely bustling even at night. But now…”
Hearing Xiao Li’s words, Xiao Yan was taken aback, his gaze sweeping over the silent fortress, a surprised look flashing in his eyes. “Indeed, when I left, this place was bustling. Why is it so quiet today?”
“Do you think news of your return has already spread?” Lin Xiu Ya interjected.
“How is that possible? The Black-Corner Region and the Jia Ma Empire are so far apart. My return should not be known,” Xiao Yan replied, shaking his head.
“There are traces of fighting in the city, and a considerable number of powerful figures are gathered in one spot,” Medusa suddenly interjected, her voice flat.
Hearing Medusa’s words, Xiao Yan closed his eyes, and a robust soul power radiated from his brow, sweeping over the entire fortress below.
Watching Xiao Yan close his eyes, Xiao Li and the others stopped speaking, awaiting his findings. A moment later, Xiao Yan opened his eyes, shifting his gaze from the city gates to the central square, a surprised smile forming on his lips.
“This fortress is indeed not tranquil, and surprisingly, I just returned and am encountering some familiar faces.”
“Familiar faces?” Xiao Li exclaimed, startled.
“Let’s go and take a look…” With a laugh, Xiao Yan directed the Sky Serpent Eagle to swoop down. The other flying beasts followed closely behind.
In a spacious courtyard of the City Lord’s Mansion, the air was tense, as two opposing forces faced off, their shining weapons gleaming ominously under the sun. Clearly, this was no mere show, but a genuine struggle.
“Monti, to dare attack me, the Commander! If news of this reaches the capital, your head will surely not be safe!” In the midst of his group, a stout middle-aged man resembling an iron tower glared furiously at the smirking man before him.
“Hehe, Mumtang, don’t give me that. Though I’ve planned this for a long time, I wouldn’t do such a treasonous thing without support.”
Clad in yellow robes, Monti laughed in a sinister tone. “Support? You mean… the Yun Clan?!” Mumtang’s pupils shrank in shock. “What does the Yun Clan aim to achieve? If the royal family finds out, they will certainly send troops to exterminate them!”
“Ha! The royal family? What can they do against the strength of the Yun Clan? I’ll kill you and then find a way to control ‘Ghost Suppression Pass’! These troops, despite the difficulty, can also be subdued due to my established authority!”
“Do you actually want to subdue the imperial army?” Mumtang gasped, his heart in turmoil. He knew if word of this reached the capital, the Jia Ma Empire might suffer a massive shock, unable to believe the extent of the Yun Clan’s audacity.
“Though this City Lord’s Mansion will be your grave, there are some things better left unknown.”
“With your peak Dou Ling strength, do you truly think you can kill me?” Mumtang scorned, his laughter edged with rage.
“I know you recently broke through to the Dou Wang stage, but you’re not yet stable. Do you really think you can act so brazenly?” Monti spat, raising his voice. “Elder Yunsuo, I entrust this person to your hands!”
With Monti’s voice, a sharp sound sliced through the air, and several white-robed figures flashed onto the towering walls of the courtyard. The leader, an elder with a serene expression, brought with him a suffocating pressure that enveloped the City Lord’s Mansion.
“Yunsuo? An Elder of the Yun Clan?” Looking at the elder, Mumtang felt a deep, oppressive darkness. Having just broken through to the Dou Wang stage after years of wandering in peak Dou Ling, he wasn’t even a true one-star Dou Wang. How could he oppose the formidable three-star Dou Wang Elder of the Yun Clan?
“Commander Mumtang, hand over the command symbol. Your Mu Family is one of the three major clans. Betrayal could earn you more from our Yun Clan. Refusal means destruction.”
“The Yun Clan’s betrayal is dishonorable! I’m an officer of the empire. Surrendering to you is disgraceful, even to myself!” Mumtang shouted angrily.
“Stubborn fool!” Shaking his head, Yunsuo’s expression chilled, gripping a deep blue sword. The tip rose, pointing at Mumtang. “Anyone who opposes the Yun Clan is doomed. Your foolish stubbornness leaves me no choice but to end you.”
“Hahaha, so be it. Since breaking through to Dou Wang, I haven’t faced a worthy opponent. Death at your hands won’t be in vain, but your clan’s ambitions will never succeed!”
Listening to the cold, murderous intent in Yunsuo’s voice, Mumtang’s fighting spirit burned. Knowing he couldn’t win, dying in battle was a better fate than surrender. Yunsuo’s eyes narrowed, cold and relentless, a vast, indomitable Dou Qi seeping from him, compelling others to retreat.
In the presence of Yunsuo’s overwhelming force, Mumtang drew a giant axe, gathering all his Dou Qi…
Just as the atmosphere tightened and a battle between Dou Wangs loomed, a clear and unhurried laughter reverberated from the heavens, swirling in the courtyard, echoing for a long time.
“Haha, after three years, the Yun Clan’s arrogance is astounding. Old mutt Yunshan’s ambitions must be grand, indeed…”
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