Chapter 364: The Top of the Black Ranking, Elder Xiao Yu
The vast plains of the Black Region were a familiar sight to Mo Yu, having passed through them several times. Once they crossed these plains, they would be entering the Black-Corner Region.
Following the route from his memory, the large group flew low to the ground, only stopping in certain cities along the way to rest when necessary.
In one of these bustling cities, the sky suddenly darkened, causing the citizens to panic. They looked up in awe at the ten enormous flying beasts hovering above, their shadows casting over the city. Though the beasts were flying high, people could still vaguely see the hundreds of powerful figures standing on their backs.
What shocked the onlookers the most was that even the weakest among them appeared to have the strength of a Dou Ling! And as for the figure standing on the lead beast, their power felt unfathomably deep and oppressive, like a bottomless abyss.
"What a terrifying display... Who are these powerful individuals?" a black-clad Dou Zhe asked, his face pale with shock as he stared up at the sky.
"The Black-Corner Region is a chaotic place. Every year, sects defeated elsewhere come here to settle. Could these people be like that?" a white-clad Dou Zhe speculated.
"Wait, isn't that Su Mei, the beauty from the Black Ranking? It's her!" an observant Dou Zhe exclaimed, recognizing the famous figure.
"Su Mei? Didn't she join Yuan Mansion along with two other sects? Could it be...?" As Su Mei's identity was revealed, the onlookers connected the dots, their gazes filled with astonishment as they looked up at the large group.
Yuan Mansion—the superpower that had rapidly risen in the Black-Corner Region in recent years—was a name known to everyone, even in the outer regions of the Black-Corner Region. Many people had been scrambling to join Yuan Mansion, but with its growing influence, Yuan Mansion now had strict entry requirements, with the lowest rank being a high-level Da Dou Shi.
As the crowd looked up with hopeful eyes, they realized that the figures on the flying beasts were likely the high-ranking members of Yuan Mansion, possibly even the leader himself—Mo Yu, who was ranked first on the Black Ranking.
In the air, Mo Yu remained unaware that he had reached the top of the Black Ranking, but even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared. The Black-Corner Region's ranking was nothing more than the judgment of frogs in a well. His next target was Zhongzhou!
As Mo Yu looked down at the lively city below, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully before instructing Fu Ao, who was standing on a nearby flying beast, "Go down and find out if anything significant has happened in the Black-Corner Region or Yuan Mansion while we've been gone for the past six months."
Fu Ao nodded and, with a flap of his Dou Qi wings, flew down to the city below. Having accompanied Mo Yu to the Jia Ma Empire and fought against the Yun Lan Sect and the Mulan Empire's powerful figures, Fu Ao's strength had surged. Though he had not yet fully stepped into the Dou Wang level, he was already on the cusp, capable of barely forming Dou Qi wings.
Fu Ao worked quickly and returned to Mo Yu just ten minutes later with a report. "Master, there have been no major events in the Black-Corner Region over the past six months. As for Yuan Mansion, when we left, the Great Elder of the Demon Flame Valley led an attack on Mo City, but they were repelled by Hall Master Zi Huo and Elder Su Qian. Since then, Demon Flame Valley and Yuan Mansion have been constantly at odds. It's also rumored that the Valley Master of Demon Flame Valley is about to leave seclusion, and they've been preparing for a final attack on us."
Hearing that there had been no significant problems at Yuan Mansion, Mo Yu breathed a sigh of relief. As for the Valley Master of Demon Flame Valley coming out of seclusion, Mo Yu wasn't concerned. His main goal upon returning was to eliminate Demon Flame Valley and its leader, the Earth Demon Elder. Only then could Yuan Mansion truly dominate the Black-Corner Region.
"Oh, and Master, there's one more thing. The Black Emperor Sect is about to hold an auction soon, and it's said that some valuable items will be up for sale," Fu Ao added.
Mo Yu paused for a moment, then raised his eyebrow in thought. "Could it be that the auction from the original story has been moved up?"
With that in mind, Mo Yu nodded. There was one item in particular—the corpse of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix—that he absolutely had to acquire.
After gathering the necessary information, Mo Yu didn't linger in the city for long. Since Mo City wasn't too far away, he decided to head straight there. With a command from Mo Yu, the group resumed their journey.
As the shadows of the flying beasts finally disappeared, the city's residents let out a collective sigh of relief, watching the distant figures with mixed feelings of awe, admiration, and regret.
Half a day later, as they flew several hundred miles away from the city, Mo Yu and Xiao Yixian had already flown ahead of the main group. Just as Mo Yu was about to check the map to estimate how far they were from Mo City, he narrowed his silver eyes, staring at the distant forest.
"Someone's coming this way, and they seem to be running for their lives," Xiao Yixian observed, her gaze following Mo Yu's.
As Xiao Yixian spoke, two figures stumbled out of the forest path, looking disheveled and injured. Not far behind them, several dark figures moved swiftly, exuding a murderous intent that could be felt even from a distance.
As the two fugitives grew closer, Mo Yu could see them more clearly: a man and a young girl. The man seemed to be in his thirties, injured and bleeding, while the young girl, dressed in a light purple dress, looked relatively unscathed, though her delicate, pretty face was filled with panic.
The man suddenly stumbled, nearly falling, but the young girl hurriedly supported him, her large, watery eyes brimming with fear.
As the two slowed down, the dark figures pursuing them quickly closed the distance, their cold killing intent causing sweat to break out on their backs.
"Heh, still trying to run?" one of the black-clad men sneered, looking down at the fleeing pair.
Seeing their escape route blocked, the man's face grew more desperate. With no other option, he turned his pleading gaze toward Mo Yu and Xiao Yixian.
"Kid, if you don't want to die, get lost with those people, or else..." the leader of the black-clad group threatened coldly, noticing the man's desperation and addressing Mo Yu and Xiao Yixian.
Mo Yu didn't even bother acknowledging the threat. Instead, he turned his silver eyes toward the young girl and man, asking in a curious tone, "Are you from Jia Nan Academy?"
Both the man and the young girl froze for a moment before the man cautiously replied, "I'm Mentor Mai Di from Jia Nan Academy, and this is my student, Mo Ling. These black-clad men are from Demon Flame Valley. Over the past six months, the conflicts between Demon Flame Valley, Jia Nan Academy, and Yuan Mansion have grown worse. They've even resorted to sending assassins after our academy's students. It's disgraceful!"
Hearing this, Mo Yu's silver eyes narrowed, and he chuckled coldly. "Don't worry. Demon Flame Valley won't be around much longer."
"Kid, are you looking to die? How dare you insult Demon Flame Valley!" the leader of the black-clad group growled, his eyes flashing with a cold light.
"Kill them all! Leave no witnesses!" the leader ordered.
With his command, the dozen or so black-clad men responded in unison, tightening their grips on their swords and rushing toward Mo Yu and Xiao Yixian. The murderous intent in the air caused the atmosphere to freeze.
But before they could strike, the sky above rumbled as the ten giant flying beasts descended upon the forest, their massive forms blotting out the sun. The sudden scene caused the black-clad men to freeze in place, staring in shock as figures emitting terrifying auras began descending from the flying beasts.
Among them were several individuals whose strength rivaled that of the elders in Demon Flame Valley. What shocked the black-clad men even more was that these powerful figures stood respectfully behind the silver-eyed youth, as if they were his subordinates.
"Wha...?"
The sight left the black-clad men, including their leader, wide-eyed in disbelief. Who was this youth? Could he be a hidden powerhouse pretending to be weak?
"Master, how should we deal with these people?" Xiao Li, standing beside Mo Yu, asked coldly, his gaze fixed on the black-clad men.
"Master?" Hearing this title and seeing the youth's dazzling silver eyes, the black-clad men and the Jia Nan Academy pair both thought of one person—Mo Yu, the leader of Yuan Mansion!
"These men are assassins sent by Demon Flame Valley to target our people and Jia Nan Academy. Kill them all, but leave the leader alive. Let him go back and tell the Earth Demon Elder that I, Mo Yu, have returned."
Mo Yu's voice was calm as he glanced at the black-clad men.
The black-clad men's faces turned as pale as chalk. It was really Mo Yu, the leader of Yuan Mansion! What should have been a simple mission had turned into a nightmare encounter with one of the most powerful figures in the Black-Corner Region.
With Mo Yu's order, Xiao Li and Fu Ao, along with several others, surrounded the black-clad men, their killing intent surging.
Mo Yu's message was clear: from now on, the Black-Corner Region would know who was in charge. Demon Flame Valley would only serve as a stepping stone for Yuan Mansion's dominance!
As Xiao Li and the others dealt with the assassins, Mo Yu approached the Jia Nan Academy duo. The young girl, Mo Ling, stared at him with wide eyes, her hands covering her mouth in disbelief.
"Are you really the leader of Yuan Mansion? The Mo Yu from the Inner Academy?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Mai Di, standing beside her, was equally stunned, his eyes filled with shock as he looked at Mo Yu.
Mo Yu chuckled, "Unless there's another Mo Yu in the Inner Academy, I suppose I'm the one you're thinking of."
Hearing his reply, the two finally snapped out of their shock. Mai Di quickly stepped forward, grabbing Mo Yu's arm in excitement. "There's hope! Elder Xiao Yu and the others have hope!"
"Elder Xiao Yu? What happened?" Mo Yu asked, his brows furrowing.
Mai Di sighed and explained, "Our Inner Academy sends students out to train every six months, usually accompanied by elders or mentors for protection. This time, Elder Xiao Yu led the group. Everything was going smoothly until word got out, and we were ambushed by Demon Flame Valley while hunting magical beasts in the mountains. Elder Xiao Yu fought valiantly and led the students to safety in a small valley, but now they're trapped there by Demon Flame Valley. Mo Ling and I managed to escape to find help, but we've been chased ever since."
"Mo Yu, Senior! There are over thirty students trapped there. If Demon Flame Valley captures them, they're as good as dead!" Mo Ling added, biting her lip.
Mo Yu's face darkened at their words. He had deep ties to Jia Nan Academy, and regardless of the reason, he couldn't ignore this situation.
"What's Elder Xiao Yu's strength? I don't recall hearing of such an elder in the Inner Academy," Mo Yu asked.
"Elder Xiao Yu was promoted just last year. She was originally a student at the Inner Academy, known as Xiao Yu. Because of her exceptional performance, and with the First Elder's support, she became one of the few young female elders in the academy," Mai Di explained hurriedly.
Upon hearing this, Mo Ling glanced at the beautiful white-haired woman standing next to Mo Yu and cautiously added, "Also, Elder Xiao Yu is said to be your fiancée, Senior Mo Yu. Even the strongest members of Yuan Mansion are very respectful to her..."
"Xiao Yu?"
Mo Yu froze at the name, his expression darkening immediately.
Xiao Yixian, standing beside him, also seemed taken aback by the mention of his fiancée. Her gray-purple eyes flickered with an uncharacteristic glimmer as she softly murmured, "Xiao Yu..."
(End of Chapter)
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