Chapter 181: Don't Fall into This Guardian's Hands
"Bang!"
As Xiao Bai pondered, a deep, thunderous roar echoed from afar, followed by a slight tremor in the ground.
"What's going on? Is there a fight?"
The little golden dragon, yawning idly nearby, quickly looked up in the direction of the noise. Seeing it was the inner courtyard, he exclaimed in surprise.
"Let's go! Back to the inner courtyard!"
Xiao Bai lifted the two women and floated atop the dragon's head, stamping his feet.
His spiritual sense sensed a surge of intense, scorching energy suddenly erupting in the inner courtyard. This energy carried a faint aura of strange fire.
"My Lord, let's not go over there! What if Canaan Academy is truly an invincible opponent? There's no point in us going!" The little golden dragon pleaded bitterly, his face downcast.
"Stop talking nonsense! That's a strange fire riot beneath the Skyburn Refining Qi Tower, not a Dou Zun. Besides, where would a Dou Zun powerhouse come from in the Black Horn Territory?"
Xiao Bai stared at his feet, speechless. The dragon had lost its memory and grown timid!
"Strange fire?" The little golden dragon's eyes flashed with surprise. After realizing what was happening, he soared into the air without hesitation, dashing towards the inner courtyard. He said disdainfully, "You should have told me earlier! It's just a strange fire, why should I be afraid!"
"...!" Xiao Bai, Xun'er, Little Medical Fairy!
Ignoring this cowardly dragon, Xiao Bai cast his gaze towards the inner courtyard, towards the faintly visible pitch-black spire, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Brother Xiao Bai, do you want that strange fire beneath the Sky Burning Refining Qi Tower?" Xun'er, her arms around Xiao Bai, saw the look in his eyes, her lively pupils tinged with curiosity.
"No," Xiao Bai shook his head. "While the Fallen Heart Flame is impressive, it won't be of much use to me!"
"But I'd love to see the magma beneath the tower. This is a perfect opportunity!"
"Otherwise, entering the lower levels of the Heavenly Burning Refining Qi Tower would require a lot of effort, including convincing the Great Elder!"
"Underground magma?" Xun'er frowned slightly. "What are we going there for?"
"That kind of environment isn't very friendly to cultivators of other attributes, except for those with Fire attributes, which are slightly better!"
"No problem!" Xiao Bai looked down at the two beautiful eyes, which were filled with worry. He smiled confidently and said, "Don't worry. I'm not afraid of that kind of environment right now!"
Xiao Bai wasn't exaggerating. The simple five-element natural environment wouldn't affect him at all; it would actually be a benefit.
While the underground magma posed a danger to him now, it wasn't caused by the environment itself, but by the intelligent creatures within it, like the Salamander!
"Okay! I'm just going down to find something. It won't be dangerous. Besides, if something unexpected happens, I have the things Xun'er gave me with me, so we can still run, right?"
Xiao Bai looked at the two charming faces on his left and right, each one expressing both anger and joy, and chuckled softly.
"Okay! Then, Brother Xiao Bai, you must be careful. Take the things I gave you with you. Don't be reluctant to use them, okay?"
Xun'er saw that he was determined to leave, so she relented and gently advised him.
"Okay!" Xiao Bai felt a warm feeling in his heart, and nodded in agreement with a smile.
After a moment, as if remembering something, he asked, "By the way, what time is it today? How long is it until Xiao Yan's three-year deadline?"
"Less than three months!" Xun'er said after a moment of thought.
"Less than three months?"
Xiao Bai pondered for a moment. Considering the journey would take some time, and that they would have to visit the Tagor Desert and the Monster Mountain Range, the time was almost up.
He glanced at the two women and said, "I'll be leaving for the Jiama Empire soon. Do you want to go back and see me?"
Xun'er squeezed Xiao Bai's arm tightly, a hint of deep reluctance flickering in her beautiful, clear eyes. She stared at his face intently, as if trying to engrave it in her memory.
After a moment, she shook her head gently, a smile blooming as she said, "I won't go this time. Brother Xiao Bai can go and see her on Xun'er's behalf!"
The Little Medical Fairy hesitated, but when Xun'er shook her head, she bit her lip, lowered her eyelids, and whispered, "I won't go either. I'll stay here with Xun'er!"
Xiao Bai was well aware of the two women's little gestures, and while he felt relieved, he also sighed in frustration.
He was relieved that the two women were now on good terms; that was what he had hoped for. But he was also frustrated.
Judging from their expressions just now, Xun'er's departure wasn't far off!
He couldn't stop her, and it was impossible for him to do so. Xun'er was going home, so how could he stop her?
"Okay! Then I'll finish this as soon as possible and rush back!" Xiao Bai didn't point out their little tricks, feigning ignorance with a smile.
Xun'er was torn between wanting him to know, yet also not wanting him to be upset.
But seeing that Xiao Bai, the usually clever and alert brother, hadn't even asked, she felt deeply dissatisfied: "Hmph. Speaking of going back, someone seems happy!"
"What a shame! If I hadn't promised that brat Xiao Yan, why would I have traveled all this way back!" Xiao Bai's heart tightened, and he quickly cried out in injustice.
"That's all?" Xun'er gritted her teeth, her eyes dark and her tone inexplicable.
"Absolutely!" Xiao Bai puffed out his chest, his tone firm, and then asked cautiously, "How about... we don't go?"
"That's not good. Didn't you promise cousin Xiao Yan?" Xun'er narrowed her eyes and said with a smile.
"Let that brat fend for himself!" Xiao Bai quickly shook his head, thinking to himself: Xiao Yan, don't invite me. Your brother Bai can't come, so you're on your own!
Xun'er smiled brightly, her delicate hand gently caressing Xiao Bai's face. She didn't bother him any further, shaking her head and saying, "Forget it! Since I promised, I must keep my word. Xun'er doesn't want my brother, Xiao Bai, to become someone who breaks his promise!"
The Little Medical Fairy's face flickered with a smile. She had heard some things from Xun'er, but she remained silent, watching the two men's back-and-forth.
Xiao Bai retreated to advance, while Xun'er adopted a firm approach before adopting a soft approach. This was a warning to Xiao Bai: don't assume you can act recklessly once you return, unsupervised.
In the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Yan, clad in a mysterious black robe, stood in a spacious hall.
The hall was packed with distinguished guests, adorned with vibrant red silk, creating a festive atmosphere.
But the bustling hall was now utterly silent.
"Who are you?" An elderly man in ornate clothes, wearing gray hair, frowned at the uninvited guest, whose face was unclear.
"You are Mo Cheng, right? I want to ask you something." Xiao Yan's voice was calm, unaffected by the anger on Mo Cheng's face.
"Today is a happy day for the Mo family. I beg you to do me the honor of resting aside. We can discuss this after the banquet today. How about that?"
Mo Cheng breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of Xiao Yan's youthful voice. A raging fire attribute surged faintly from the withered palms beneath his sleeves, emitting a dark red glow. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he smiled broadly.
"A favor? You're just a dog of the Yunlan Sect, how dare you?" Xiao Yan's lighthearted words stunned the attendees who had come to show their support.
"Haha," the old man chuckled in anger, his tone stern, "After all these years, you're the first one to dare to cause trouble in my Mo Clan!"
"Stop talking nonsense! Who from your Mo Clan went to Shimo City, and who injured the Motie Mercenaries? Hand them over immediately, or I'll massacre you!" Xiao Yan waved his hand impatiently.
That day in the desert, after the female Dou Huang had spared her because of Brother Bai, he had returned to Shimo City.
Arriving at the Motie Mercenary Clan's base, he found only devastation. His eldest brother, Xiao Ding, was seriously injured, while his second brother, Xiao Ding, had just been out on a mission and had escaped.
If he hadn't returned at the right time, and with the guidance of Yao Lao, she might not have been saved!
After the eldest brother Xiao Ding woke up, he asked the reason and found out that it was the Mo family who went to force them to tell him the whereabouts of a little girl named Qing Lin.
If it weren't for the fact that the Mo Tie Mercenary Group was the only dominant force in Shimo City now, and the eldest brother Xiao Ding had paid a lot of tribute to the City Lord's Mansion, he would have come forward and saved his life.
But the City Lord's Mansion was also extremely wary of the Mo family and could only save the eldest brother Xiao Ding's life. As for revenge, don't count on it.
"So they came for that mercenary group!" A hint of joy flashed in Mo Cheng's eyes. It seemed that this was the person who took the little girl away!
Mo Ran and others in the family had passed by Shimo City before, and heard that a little girl who was once despised by everyone could suddenly summon a Douling-level monster.
He then made careful inquiries in Shimo City, and after combining all the information he had gathered, he came to a conclusion that was ecstatic: this little girl was very likely the bearer of the incredibly magical Green Serpent Triple Flower Pupil.
After hearing Mo Ran and the others' report, he had originally planned to wait until after the Mo Alliance was established to celebrate this happy occasion before personally visiting Shimo City, but he hadn't expected this person to come to him on their own accord.
If he could obtain those eyes and refine them to maturity, who in the Jiama Empire could possibly rival him?
Thinking of the enormous annual tribute, Mo Cheng's cloudy eyes barely glimpsed the moon-robed woman below, a glint of gloom and resentment flashing across them.
"Yunlan Sect, once I find that little girl, I'll make you return all the resources you've plundered over the years!"
At this thought, the old man seemed to have a vision of the Yunlan Sect prostrating themselves at his feet, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Haha. Very good, very good!"
Recovering from that wonderful fantasy, he suddenly turned a cold gaze on the black-robed man and shouted, "Since you're here, there's no need to leave!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful aura suddenly burst out from his body, and his robes whirred, causing the surrounding tables and chairs to shatter in all directions.
"Uncle Ge, do we need to intervene?" The moon-robed woman asked, looking at the tense situation, tilting her head slightly.
"No rush! The Mo Clan has acted rather recklessly in the past two years. Even with the Great Elder's restraint, some elders within the sect have expressed dissatisfaction. This mysterious man is no ordinary person; it would be good to let him suffer!"
Ge Ye shook his head and said softly.
"Great Elder!" At the mention of this name, the moon-robed woman's eyes darkened.
"Alas," Ge Ye sighed inwardly upon seeing this, and offered a soothing reassurance, "Don't worry! The Sect Master is still the Sect Master, and the Great Elder is merely acting as the acting leader for the sect!"
Thinking of the recent changes within the sect, the deacons and elders were left bewildered and somewhat baffled.
Just a few days ago, the Great Elder had suddenly convened a sect meeting and announced that, from that day forward, he would assume full authority over all matters of the Yunlan Sect.
Some elders had strongly objected, hoping the Sect Master would step in and refute this absurd decision.
The Sect Master was still in office, so why did Great Elder Yun Leng have such absolute control?
But the Sect Master remained silent, seemingly acquiescing.
This left the deacons and elders, who had been tempted to support him, helpless and unable to do anything.
Thinking of this, Ge Ye paused in silence. He wondered what could have happened to allow the Sect Master, a three-star Dou Huang cultivator, to be so effectively stripped of his power by a Great Elder at the peak of Dou Wang!
"Teacher! What are you thinking?" Nalan Yanran murmured softly, a flicker of worry in her eyes.
Just as the two were lost in their thoughts, a sinister voice echoed: "Catch him!"
Mo Cheng, his eyes tinged with excitement, waved his hand, and the surrounding Mo Clan experts quickly summoned Dou Qi gauze robes and surrounded the black-robed figure.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with ruthlessness. With a wave of his hand, several strands of azure white flames emerged, leaping towards the figures.
With a slight muffled sound, the Mo Clan members, without even a scream, turned into a puff of black ash, scattering before everyone's eyes.
"This is... Strange Fire, azure white! He is the one the Great Elder was looking for!" Ge Ye stood up, looked at the black-robed figure in shock, and exclaimed in shock.
Xiao Yan frowned at the words, his eyes glancing at the unforgettable figure.
"Looking for me?" Xiao Yan muttered inwardly, a chill in his heart. "Gu He is such a good man, yet he still refuses to give up and sends the Yun Lan Sect to look for me?"
"Excellent! We have another debt to settle with the Yun Lan Sect!"
"Xiao Yan, settle this quickly and leave. Don't waste time. I have a bad feeling!" At this moment, Yao Lao suddenly spoke.
"Okay!" Xiao Yan was shocked. The Jia Ma Empire could actually give me a bad feeling. He nodded hurriedly.
A cold glint flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. He didn't want to waste any more time talking. He clenched his fists and moved like a ghost, carrying an unparalleled fierce aura, heading straight for Mo Cheng at the head.
Although Mo Cheng felt a chill in his heart, he didn't have time to think. The Dou Qi in his body surged wildly, and the deep red Dou Qi enveloped his body. His palms curled into claws and fiercely grabbed the black-robed man's heart.
"Bang!"
Fists and claws collided, a crisp, cracking sound faintly heard by everyone in the hall. Mo Cheng spat out blood and flew backward, leaving a long scratch as he slammed heavily into the wall behind him.
Xiao Yan took a step forward and mysteriously reappeared beside Mo Cheng. He extended his hand, grasped his neck, and said coldly, "Since you won't tell me who it is, then let the entire Mo family be buried with you!"
"Sir, please..." Just as Xiao Yan was about to crush the man in his hand, the young woman's clear voice rang out.
"Get out!" Xiao Yan recognized Nalan Yanran's voice and knew what she was about to say. He was immediately annoyed and shouted without turning back, "Don't think you're the Young Master of the Yunlan Sect. I won't kill you. If you weren't still useful, you would be dead today too!"
"Wait. Sir, let me tell you..." Mo Cheng had never felt so close to death. Seeing that this person showed no fear of the Yunlan Sect, he was shocked and begged for mercy.
"No need to say!" Xiao Yan's eyes were icy cold, and a white flame appeared on his hand, instantly burning it to ashes.
Everyone in the hall was silent, watching the Mo family's elder, who had been so high-spirited just a moment ago, die like this, without even a trace of his body left.
After a while, Xiao Yan hurried out of the Mo family's gate, heading in one direction at a rapid speed, and gradually disappeared.
Half an hour later, a strange black fog enveloped the Mo family.
After a few screams, a sinister laugh rang out: "Hehehe, Yao Chen, I didn't expect it was really you. You were lucky enough to escape the pursuit of my Soul Palace back then. You must be careful this time. Don't fall into the hands of this guardian!"
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(End of this chapter)