The sudden turn of events in the sky made everyone in the arena start, their gazes fixed on the slowly emerging figure of the elderly man. The faces of some of the well-informed instantly changed. “Old Hai? Why… why did he intervene?” Jia Xing Tian asked, his face filled with astonishment. Fa Ma’s expression was also one of shock. He hadn’t expected that Hai Bo Dong would risk a conflict with the Yun Lian Sect to help out. The two exchanged glances, both sensing something amiss. With Hai Bo Dong’s personality, he didn’t seem like someone who would do such a rash thing for just anyone. “It seems Xiao Yan’s allure is quite significant for Old Hai, even to the point where he’s willing to intervene and stop the Yun Lain Sect. This young lad is becoming more and more intriguing.” Jia Xing Tian shook his head, his words betraying an undeniable admiration. He was very familiar with Hai Bo Dong’s character. Unless there was something that could truly move him, this ice-cold man would never do such a thing. But what magic did a young man under twenty possess to sway a Battle Emperor level expert?
Fa Ma nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping toward the sky. In a low voice, he said, “Let’s see how things unfold from here. Sigh, the situation is really unpredictable.”
Hai Bo Dong’s sudden intervention immediately made the situation in the arena somewhat strange. The weight of a Battle Emperor level expert was something no one dared to take lightly, including the Yun Lian Sect. From the way Hai Bo Dong acted, it was clear he was standing on Xiao Yan’s side. Now, if the Yun Lian Sect wanted to easily touch Xiao Yan, they would have to think twice. If not handled properly, a great battle might erupt.
In the arena, only a few recognized Hai Bo Dong. Most of the Yun Lian Sect disciples, having little impression of this reclusive elder, were shocked beyond belief when they saw him effortlessly break through the energy barrier set up by three elders. The three elders, who had swiftly retreated, now stood staring at the old figure beside Xiao Yan, their faces turning grave. After carefully examining Hai Bo Dong for a while, the oldest elder of the Yun Lian Sect suddenly recalled something, his face changing dramatically. “Hai Bo Dong? The Ice Emperor, Hai Bo Dong? You’re still alive?”
Upon hearing his exclamation, the other two elders also remembered the name that once shook the Empire of Jia Ma, their expressions changing. Their powerful Dou Qi began to circulate almost involuntarily. They were from the same generation as Hai Bo Dong, but back then, he was already a famous strongman, while they were merely officials in the Yun Lian Sect. Seeing him appear, they immediately became wary.
Glancing at the three, Hai Bo Dong turned to Xiao Yan and asked, “Are you alright?”
“If you hadn’t intervened, I wouldn’t be,” Xiao Yan replied, lifting the massive Heavy Scale Ruler with a bitter smile.
“Ah, today is troublesome… I can’t hold them off alone,” Hai Bo Dong murmured.
“Don’t fight them head-on. As long as we can leave, that’s all that matters,” Xiao Yan said, his gaze scanning the surroundings. His expression darkened as he noticed nearly a hundred Yun Lian Sect disciples, clad in different robes and brimming with powerful Dou Qi, had appeared on the surrounding trees. Their strength was clearly not inferior to his.
“I don’t mind leaving, but taking you along is a bit tricky. They aren’t easy to deal with. Fortunately, Yun Yun isn’t here, or we’d be in real trouble,” Hai Bo Dong said, his eyes darting around with a hint of relief.
“Then I’ll rely on you, Old Hai,” Xiao Yan nodded, with a wry smile.
“I’ll do my best…” Hai Bo Dong’s face was devoid of much mirth. Even for a Battle Emperor, fighting against so many experts from the Yun Lian Sect wouldn’t be easy.
…
“Hai Bo Dong, it’s surprising to see you again after so many years. Truly unexpected,” Yun Ling said, his unpleasant expression gradually easing as he looked up at Hai Bo Dong. Not long after the latter entered the capital, he received the exact news. So, seeing Hai Bo Dong now, he wasn’t too shocked, though he hadn’t expected him to help Xiao Yan.
“Heh, Yun Ling, you’ve risen in status, haven’t you? Back then, you were just an official in the Yun Lian Sect’s council. I didn’t expect you to become the chief elder now,” Hai Bo Dong chuckled.
“Haha, it’s just that the Sect Master trusts this old bone of mine,” Yun Ling laughed, his face then becoming serious as he stared at Hai Bo Dong. “We can catch up later. You should know our purpose for detaining Xiao Yan. This matter concerns the reputation of the Yun Lian Sect, so I hope you don’t act recklessly and damage the relationship between the Yun Lian Sect and the Mi Te Er family.”
Hai Bo Dong smiled faintly. “I apologize, but for certain reasons, I must ensure Xiao Yan’s safety today. So, please, as a favor, let him go. I, Hai Bo Dong, will not forget this kindness.”
Hearing this, Yun Ling’s brows furrowed. “Hai Bo Dong, you know that’s impossible. Mo Cheng has contributed greatly to the Yun Lian Sect over the years. If such a hero dies unjustly and we do nothing, how can we make our disciples feel at ease?”
“Ah, I have my own difficulties…” Hai Bo Dong sighed, shaking his head. Yun Ling’s attitude made it clear that leaving with a few words was impossible. Without further ado, he looked around and grabbed Xiao Yan. However, before he could move, Yun Ling, who had been watching intently, shouted, “Yun Li, you three stop him! Yun Lian Sect officials, form the Cloud Mist Formation!”
At his command, the three elders in the sky moved, forming a semicircle to lock down Hai Bo Dong. The hundred or so Yun Lian Sect officials on the surrounding trees roared, their powerful Dou Qi surging out. A white mist-like energy, like a waterfall, shot out from their palms, intertwining and spreading rapidly. In a moment, it formed a bowl-shaped energy shield, completely covering the square.
“Boom, boom…” As the energy shield formed, Hai Bo Dong, protecting Xiao Yan, violently broke through the elders’ defense and rushed to the shield. With a wave of his hand, a massive column of icy energy surged out, crashing into the shield, causing it to shake. But it stubbornly held.
“Damn, such a hard turtle shell,” Hai Bo Dong cursed softly. As he was about to strike again, three fierce streams of energy hit him from behind. They merged, their power skyrocketing, forcing Hai Bo Dong to turn and form a hard ice mirror to deflect them.
“Step back and be careful. Give me ten minutes,” Hai Bo Dong said, using a clever force to push Xiao Yan out of the fight.
After pushing Xiao Yan away, Hai Bo Dong’s expression grew cold, and his icy Dou Qi erupted. The water vapor in the air around him instantly froze into countless ice particles. With a flick of his hand, the ice particles, accompanied by a whistling wind, crashed towards the three Yun Lian Sect elders.
Facing the former Ice Emperor, the three elders did not dare to underestimate him. Their Dou Qi surged out, merging into an impenetrable defense. In the distant sky, Hai Bo Dong launched relentless attacks, forcing the three elders to retreat. If not for their coordination, they would have been defeated long ago.
In the sky covered by the white energy shield, cold winds blew, and the sounds of energy collisions were constant. The intense battle left all the Yun Lian Sect disciples below in awe. Narrowing his eyes, Yun Ling saw Hai Bo Dong overpowering the three elders and then glanced at Xiao Yan, hovering in another part of the sky. He sneered, his shoulders trembling as a pair of Dou Qi wings unfolded.
With a flutter of his wings, Yun Ling rose into the air, heading straight for Xiao Yan. Hearing the sound of the wind, Xiao Yan hastily ducked, his expression changing. Spreading his wings, he quickly retreated.
“Heh, want to run? No matter why Hai Bo Dong is protecting you, once we capture you, he won’t dare to do anything,” Yun Ling sneered, his speed increasing as he approached Xiao Yan.
Seeing Yun Ling close in, Xiao Yan quickly took to the sky. Above, two figures chased each other, but the distance between them was closing. At one point, Yun Ling finally entered attacking range. Stepping forcefully on the void, he transformed into a blur, appearing right in Xiao Yan’s path. Lunging forward, his withered claw, sharp and fierce, grabbed for Xiao Yan’s neck.
Yun Ling’s speed was lightning fast. By the time Xiao Yan realized it, the claw was mere inches from his face. In his black pupils, the claw loomed larger and larger, slicing through the air, aimed at his throat.
In the distance, Hai Bo Dong noticed the situation, his face changing. He desperately tried to rescue, but the three elders, like madmen, risked severe injury to delay him, preventing him from helping.
All eyes were on Xiao Yan and Yun Ling. If Xiao Yan was captured, the battle would end.
“Looks like it’s over. Hai Bo Dong alone can’t get Xiao Yan out safely,” Jia Xing Tian clicked his tongue, sighing.
Fa Ma nodded, about to speak when his face suddenly changed, his gaze shifting to where Xiao Yan and Yun Ling were. “Something’s wrong. What is it?”
Another sudden change occurred in the battle!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage