The next day, Wanjin Auction House.
"Three thousand Yang Yuan stones!"
"A method for forming a Fate Seal! This gentleman has offered three thousand Yang Yuan stones, will anyone raise the bid?"
A murmur ran through the hall, and everyone's eyes turned to a figure in a black cloak sitting in the corner.
"Hah, three thousand Yang Yuan stones, without even blinking! What a grip!" someone scoffed.
"C'mon, the method for forming a Fate Seal is only useful for rune masters. There's nothing for us here."
"Right."
With the bang of the auctioneer's hammer, the lot found its owner.
Under the black cloak, a girl whose face was flushed with excitement could barely contain her joy.
"Excellent, it's mine at last!" she whispered.
All this time, Mu Zi had dreamed of acquiring books on rune master practices, and now her wish had come true.
Even more valuable was that this lot included not only the secret method for forming a Fate Seal but also extensive basics of spiritual practices—a true guide for newcomers to this art.
This meant that until she became a rune master, Mu Zi's path in cultivating her spiritual power would be smooth.
However, this basic method only allowed for the creation of the most ordinary Fate Seal.
Mu Zi intended to use it only as a guide, with no intention of becoming a rune master through this path.
After collecting the lot in a private room, she left the auction.
The day came for their departure from Yancheng, and Mu Zi went to meet the main group.
Escorting the caravan, they began their journey back.
The trip was surprisingly smooth—not a single bandit along the way, which left everyone slightly puzzled.
"Hah, looks like those bastards from the Yellow Dragon Lair got scared and don't dare to touch our Mu estate anymore!" the Mu clan leader, Mu Tao, sighed with relief.
Mu Yun felt something was off, but the absence of robbers was good news, so he relaxed and chatted cheerfully with the sisters.
"We haven't seen each other in two months; I wonder how much the Flame Emperor has grown?" Mu Lingsha suddenly said.
Hearing this, Mu Zi involuntarily twitched the corner of her eye, feeling awkward.
The Flame Emperor was the Fiery Tiger Python.
Back then, Mu Lingsha had brought back the cub of this beast, and the clan leader, in a fit of joy, gave the sisters the right to name it.
The Fiery Tiger Python was a demonic beast of the fire element.
At the time, Mu Zi, giving in to a sudden mischievous impulse, named it the "Flame Emperor."
As soon as she said the name, she regretted it.
But when she was about to suggest another, Mu Lingsha and the others declared that they liked the name very much and there was no need to change it.
Thus, "Flame Emperor" became the official name of this Fiery Tiger Python.
Every time someone mentioned the name, Mu Zi's mood became incredibly strange.
"Xiao Yan, I'm sorry!" she apologized mentally.
At this time, somewhere out there, Xiao Yan had probably already become the Emperor of Battle, and he probably wouldn't worry about such a small thing, right?
Xiao Yan: "Well, I can still grumble a little."
Mu Zi: "Just you try showing up on the Tianxuan Continent and cutting me down!"
Bidding farewell to the caravan, the people of the Mu estate walked, chatting and laughing, and by sunset, the familiar outlines of the estate finally appeared on the horizon in Mu Zi's sight.
But as they approached, the cheerful chatter died down, replaced by an inexplicable unease and confusion.
The familiar scene now looked wrong. A strange, oppressive aura hung in the air. Everyone involuntarily quickened their pace, and as they got closer, they froze, shocked.
The estate lay in ruins. The previously well-kept courtyard was littered with chaotic traces, as if after a fierce battle.
Even more terrifying were the bloodstains on the ground—bright crimson marks that, like a nightmare, were imprinted in everyone's hearts.
In an instant, the group fell silent, broken only by the rustling of leaves in the wind and the intermittent breathing of the shocked people.
"What happened here? What's wrong with the estate?" Mu Tao was the first to break the silence.
His face was as dark as a storm cloud; his voice was calm, but everyone could feel the contained anger boiling within him.
Mu Yun, as if waking from a dream, said urgently:
"First and foremost, we need to check on our people!"
Mu Yun's reminder jolted everyone, and they rushed into the estate, searching every corner.
In response to their calls, locked doors and windows began to open. Someone cautiously peeked out, checking the situation.
"It's the leader! The leader and the others are back!"
Hearing the news, people gradually came out of their hiding places, their faces marked with exhaustion and fear.
At that moment, a man approached them, clutching his chest, with blood still visible on his lips.
"Leader, you've finally returned," he gasped.
Seeing his condition, Mu Tao's face grew even darker.
"Mu Tian, what happened? Who did this to you?" he asked.
Mu Tian looked up, his eyes bloodshot, and he growled:
"The Yellow Dragon Lair!"
After a conversation, everything became clear.
The Yellow Dragon Lair had somehow learned that the strongest fighters of the Mu estate were in Yancheng. Taking advantage of the weak defenses, they attacked the estate.
The leader, Li Yan, personally led the attack. With his early-stage Heavenly Yuan strength, no one in the estate could stand against him, and the defenders had to retreat into the houses.
Fortunately, the estate's defenses were well-organized. The people took cover in the buildings and, using the terrain to their advantage, shot back with bows.
Arrows fell like rain, preventing the people of the Yellow Dragon Lair from getting close, and the estate barely held its position.
Li Yan, perhaps fearing heavy losses among his people or being wary of Mu Tao, who had also reached the Heavenly Yuan level, did not press too hard.
Although lives were saved, people could only watch helplessly as the Yellow Dragon Lair plundered the estate's property.
Hearing this, Mu Tao breathed a sigh of relief and, patting Mu Tian on the shoulder, said:
"The main thing is that everyone is alive. You did the right thing. Resources can be restored, but people cannot be brought back."
Mu Tian's eyes dulled, and he said hoarsely:
"Elder Bai is dead."
"What?!" everyone exclaimed, not believing their ears.
Elder Bai was an old woman at the late stage of Earth Yuan.
Half a year ago, during the family trial, she had been harsh and nitpicky towards Mu Zi. But, after seeing the girl's astonishing talent, the elder had repented.
After the trial, she locked herself in her room, contemplating her mistakes, and stopped interfering in clan matters.
When the estate was attacked, the elder had taken cover in a house and should have been safe. That's why her death shocked everyone.
"It was because of the Fiery Tiger Python!" Mu Tian explained.
"When we retreated, we didn't have time to take the Tiger Python. Li Yan noticed it and decided to take it away."
"Elder Bai, in a fit of rage, rushed out to retrieve the Flame Emperor, but she was killed on the spot."
"I tried my best to save at least her body."
Elder Bai, as one of the founders of the Mu estate, could not tolerate their Fiery Tiger Python being taken. Her anger and despair, which drove her to a reckless act, were understandable.
Hearing this, Mu Zi felt a storm of emotions. She entered Elder Bai's room, where her body lay, and next to it stood Mu Ye, guarding her.
Mu Ye's gaze was empty; no trace of his former vitality and spunk remained.
When Mu Zi entered, his eyes barely twitched, maintaining the same detached expression.
This scene ignited a volcano of emotions in Mu Zi's heart, and unspeakable feelings seethed in her soul.
She had no sympathy for Mu Ye, and even less for Elder Bai.
But no matter who they were, they were people of the Mu estate, and how dare outsiders insult them?
Without a word, she turned and left, her gaze now cold.
"Li Yan? Heavenly Yuan?
"You won't live to see the evening; I promise you that."