The Lightning Silver Tiger was immobilized in mid-air, and Rong Ye and Zhao Yuan, along with others, were momentarily stunned. Rong Ye looked at Gu Qingqing with eyes full of astonishment, but only for a moment, as he quickly realized this was the perfect opportunity to deal with the Lightning Silver Tiger. He struggled to get to his feet.
"Heavenly Awakening: All Talismans Unite!"
With Rong Ye's words, the Heavenly Awakening Record floating in the air transformed into thousands of talismans. Under Rong Ye's control, they pierced into the Lightning Silver Tiger's eyes, finally exiting from its tail, and disappeared without a trace.
Zhao Yuan also reacted at this moment, adding his most powerful attack after Rong Ye's assault on the Lightning Silver Tiger.
Although it seemed like a long process, it actually happened in a very short time. Gu Qingqing saw Rong Ye and Zhao Yuan attacking the Lightning Silver Tiger simultaneously and knew the beast was doomed. She finally fainted.
"Geng Geng." Rong Ye cried out in shock, rushing forward to catch Gu Qingqing, and in doing so, he aggravated his own injury, causing both of them to collapse to the ground together.
The immobilization released, and the Lightning Silver Tiger instantly sprayed profuse blood before finally crashing to the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Once they confirmed the Lightning Silver Tiger was truly dead, Zhao Yuan and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief, then turned their gaze towards Rong Ye and Gu Qingqing.
At this moment, Gu Qingqing had fainted, cradled in Rong Ye's arms, while Rong Ye had popped a healing pill into his mouth, his condition slightly better than before.
"I am Zhao Yuan, the second elder of the Shangyang Sect. Just now, I have to thank you, sir, for your assistance. Your life-saving grace is something I cannot repay. In the future, if you have any requests that do not violate my principles, please feel free to instruct me." Compared to the younger members, Zhao Yuan's injuries were lighter. He let the younger ones heal themselves and walked over to Rong Ye, speaking respectfully and gratefully.
"It was a casual effort, and not solely to save you all, no need to take it to heart." Rong Ye waved his hand, indifferent to the matter. Although the Shangyang Sect was one of the four major sects on Xuantian Continent, it did not concern him. If not for Gu Qingqing and the people of this place, he wouldn't have intervened, especially since he was more worried about Gu Qingqing's condition at that moment.
"While it may be a minor effort for you, it's a significant kindness to us four. We will certainly repay your grace." Zhao Yuan, having practiced cultivation for many years, had encountered many people, and he was very familiar with those with high cultivation from various sects and noble families on the Xuantian Continent, yet he did not recognize Rong Ye, whose cultivation was obviously above his. He guessed Rong Ye might be a disciple of a Hidden Sect, so his attitude was very respectful.
Rong Ye was worried about Gu Qingqing's condition and did not want to chat with Zhao Yuan about these things. Just as he grew impatient and prepared to send Zhao Yuan off, he suddenly heard a bird's call from above. He quickly looked up and felt much more relaxed upon seeing the familiar figure.
Zhao Yuan and the others also heard the bird's call, and quickly looked up only to see an Immortal Crane descending slowly. Uncertain of who was arriving, Zhao Yuan and the others tightly gripped their weapons and were on guard.
The Immortal Crane landed quickly, and a man dressed in blue descended from it.
The man appeared to be about the same age as Rong Ye, with long hair half-up in a jade hairpin. His skin was very fair, with even hints of blue veins visible under the sunlight.
His eyebrows were slightly thinner than those of the average man, and his eyes were not pure black but light brown, with downturned corners, giving a hint of a melancholic feel.
His lips were a pale pink, giving an unhealthy look, standing over 1.8 meters tall, yet his overall appearance was thin—an image of a sickly beauty.
The man was none other than Mu Chen, Rong Ye's fourth senior brother.
Though Rong Ye had just taken an elixir, having just experienced a fierce battle, he had some wounds, and his hair was quite disheveled, making him look very disheveled. Mu Chen was a bit surprised at this sight.
"Rong Ye, how did you get so injured?" He glanced at the Lightning Silver Tiger's corpse beside him, frowning, not believing that a rank-six demon beast could hurt Rong Ye like this.
"Cut the chit-chat and help me check on this girl first?" Rong Ye, anxious about Gu Qingqing's injuries, urged directly, not bothering with small talk with Mu Chen.
Mu Chen raised an eyebrow in surprise, his gaze falling on Gu Qingqing in Rong Ye's arms, and became even more shocked upon realizing she was a little girl, knowing Rong Ye was the most averse to children among their brothers, yet here he was holding a little girl.
"Hurry up." Seeing Mu Chen staring at Gu Qingqing, Rong Ye, worried about Gu Qingqing's injuries, couldn't help but remind him, "She's my savior!"
Realizing Rong Ye was about to get angry, Mu Chen suppressed his surprise and curiosity and crouched beside Rong Ye to examine Gu Qingqing's condition.
"How is she? Is she alright?" Seeing Mu Chen let go of Gu Qingqing's hand, Rong Ye quickly and nervously asked.
"It's nothing serious, she just fainted from depleted Spiritual Power." After saying this, he noticed the expression of clear relief on Rong Ye's face, and Mu Chen raised an eyebrow, thinking that Rong Ye seemed genuinely very concerned about the little girl in his arms.
Learning that Gu Qingqing was alright, Rong Ye breathed a deep sigh of relief. Reflecting on Gu Qingqing's earlier actions, he glanced at her with a complicated expression, deciding in his heart to treat Gu Qingqing like his sister in the future, given that she saved him twice!
At the same time, he was puzzled by Gu Qingqing's earlier condition.
Previously, Gu Qingqing clearly couldn't speak, but the voice earlier definitely came from her mouth, leaving him a bit perplexed!
"Since she's alright, let's head back." Rong Ye stood up with Gu Qingqing in his arms and said to Mu Chen.
"Okay." Mu Chen naturally had no objections. He had come out after receiving Rong Ye's message, specifically to take Rong Ye back, although he hadn't expected to bring along a little girl.
Watching Mu Chen and Rong Ye prepare to leave, Zhao Yuan quickly stepped forward.
"Sir, it was you who killed the Lightning Silver Tiger. Regarding its body, please..." Knowing that every part of a rank-six demon beast was a treasure, Zhao Yuan naturally couldn't snatch Rong Ye's spoils after saving their lives.
Rong Ye glanced back at the Lightning Silver Tiger's corpse on the ground, thought for a moment, then looked at Mu Chen, "Fourth Senior Brother, help me take out that thing's Demon Core." He then turned to Zhao Yuan, "You all also contributed to defeating the Lightning Silver Tiger, I'll only take its Demon Core, the rest is yours."
Zhao Yuan was stunned for a moment, then tried to decline, but upon seeing Rong Ye's gaze, he bowed again with cupped fists toward Rong Ye, "As I said before, should you ever need anything from me, I, Zhao Yuan, am at your service."
Rong Ye waved his hand, and over there, Mu Chen had already extracted the Lightning Silver Tiger's Demon Core. The two then boarded the Immortal Crane with Gu Qingqing and soared into the sky.
After the Immortal Crane's silhouette disappeared from sight, Zhang Qi walked to Zhao Yuan's side and spoke, "Second Uncle, who were those two young men and the little girl just now? That gentleman's cultivation was profound, and the spells he used were extremely formidable, yet I've never seen him before. And that other gentleman, he seemed extraordinary as well. The Immortal Crane they rode is not an ordinary creature; are there such sects or families on Xuantian Continent?"
Zhao Yuan shook his head, "I'm not sure either. Xuantian Continent is so vast, there are always some Hidden Sects or noble families that we are unaware of; remember to be cautious when you travel outside in the future."
"Yes, Uncle." Hearing Zhao Yuan's words, Zhang Qi quickly cupped his hands and bowed, indicating that he understood and would remember.