Learning of Elder Bai's death, everyone plunged into despair.
And the fact that the Fiery Tiger Python cub had been abducted by the Yellow Dragon Lair's people only ignited a burning anger and thirst for revenge in their hearts.
Clan Leader Mu Tao, ablaze with fury, exclaimed: "We are obligated to repay this debt!" "Immediately gather the men; we're going to the Yellow Dragon Lair!"
His words stirred up a storm of approval, and indignation seethed throughout the Mu estate.
But Mu Tian objected: "That's unwise." "It's already getting dark, and you, Leader, have just returned from Yancheng and are not in your best form. A hasty attack could lead to heavy losses." "It's better to rest for the night and set out for the Yellow Dragon Lair tomorrow."
Mu Tao, cooling down, nodded and replied grimly: "Very well, rest tonight. We leave tomorrow."
The decision was made, and everyone dispersed to prepare.
But at that moment, Mu Yun suddenly cried out in alarm: "Where's Little Zi? Has anyone seen Little Zi?"
Everyone froze. Mu Tao, seized with worry, asked: "What happened? Where's Little Zi?"
Mu Yun, flustered, replied: "I don't know! She was just here, and now she's gone."
The Leader frowned, a dark premonition stirring within him. Mu Zi was the genius of the Mu estate; nothing should happen to her!
Someone spoke hesitantly: "Just now... I think I saw the second young lady run in that direction."
All eyes instantly turned to the speaker.
Under their intense gaze, he visibly nervous, but continued: "I'm not sure; I only saw a shadow. She ran so fast she vanished in an instant."
Mu Yun immediately looked in the indicated direction, his eyes a mix of anxiety and hope. Perhaps Little Zi had simply gone for a stroll?
Mu Tao frowned, suspicions stirring in his mind: why would Little Zi suddenly leave? Was there something more to this?
The crowd buzzed, speculating about the reasons. Mu Tao motioned for silence with a wave of his hand.
"Don't panic. We'll send people to search. Mu Yun, take a few men and go in that direction. Ensure Little Zi's safety."
Mu Yun nodded and quickly gathered a squad. Meanwhile, Mu Lingsha fell deep into thought.
Of all present, she knew Mu Zi's strength best. And suddenly, a chilling realization dawned on her.
"Could it be that Junior Sister has gone to the Yellow Dragon Lair?" she whispered.
At that very moment, Mu Zi was indeed rushing towards the Yellow Dragon Lair.
She hadn't told anyone of her plan, knowing they would stop her.
As for Mu Yun and the others' worry—that wasn't a problem.
Mu Zi intended to swiftly deal with the Yellow Dragon Lair, acting quickly to return the Flame Emperor to the Mu estate before dawn.
"Wait for me," Mu Zi murmured softly.
Although the exact location of the Yellow Dragon Lair was unknown, the traces of their party were clearly visible on the ground and in the undergrowth. These marks, like silent pointers, wound forward.
Under the keen perception of Mu Zi's spiritual power, not a single detail escaped her gaze. Following these threads, she could track the lair as if on a string to her target.
The wind gently caressed her face, carrying freshness. In the moonlight, the girl glided through the trees, like a forest spirit.
But for the people of the Yellow Dragon Lair, this girl tracking them was like a specter bringing retribution.
Meanwhile, in a secret room of the Yellow Dragon Lair, shadows flickered from a lamp.
"Hah, so this is the Fiery Tiger Python cub? Impressive!" Li Yan sneered, examining the young beast and feeling a surge of satisfaction.
His goal was merely to plunder cultivation resources, but this unexpected trophy was a pleasant surprise.
The Flame Emperor before him was only as tall as a human thigh. An ordinary Fiery Tiger Python, not like Lin Dong's beast with its mutated power.
Currently, its strength was only equivalent to the ninth level of Body Tempering, and under the pressure of Li Yan's Heavenly Yuan aura, it trembled with fear.
Poor Flame Emperor!
Another person was in the room—the mid-stage Earth Yuan bandit leader, the same one who had hastily fled before.
His face showed concern: "Leader, this time we've seriously angered the Mu estate." "Mu Tao is no pushover. If he shows up, we'll be in trouble!"
Li Yan looked up at his subordinate and shook his head.
"Zhang Qiang, you're good at everything, but too cautious."
Li Yan was displeased—Zhang Qiang's words made it sound as if the Yellow Dragon Lair feared the Mu estate.
But, considering that their forces had recently suffered serious losses, and Zhang Qiang remained their only Earth Yuan level fighter, Li Yan restrained his annoyance and patiently explained: "I am now on the verge of the mid-stage Heavenly Yuan and am in dire need of cultivation resources." "If not for those two traitors who stole my Yang Yuan pills, I wouldn't have taken such a risk!" "Zhang Qiang, don't fear the Mu estate's revenge." "With these spoils, I'll soon break through, and then Mu Tao won't scare me."
As he spoke, Li Yan sneered contemptuously. "Hah, if they dare to attack, I'll make them flee in disgrace!"
"Oh? Really?" an icy voice suddenly echoed in the secret room.
Li Yan and Zhang Qiang flinched. They turned at the sound and saw a figure had appeared in the room from seemingly nowhere.
It was a beautiful girl in snow-white robes, with skin like jade and long black hair that swayed slightly. Her face was flawless but cold as ice, and her bright eyes stared unblinkingly at both of them.
A hint of admiration flashed in Li Yan's eyes. He licked his lips and said mockingly: "What a beauty!"
He had been startled at first, but noticing that the newcomer was only at the Earth Yuan level, he relaxed.
"What brings the young lady to the Yellow Dragon Lair in the middle of the night?" "Are you perhaps looking to become Leader Li Yan's wife?" he chuckled brazenly.
But then Zhang Qiang, standing beside him, stared at Mu Zi with horror.
"It's you!"
He remembered her from that sortie when his squad attacked the caravan.
But back then, she was only at the Body Tempering level. How could she have reached the mid-stage Earth Yuan in two months?
Something was wrong!
Zhang Qiang frowned and subtly retreated behind Li Yan.
Mu Zi ignored his movement and, smiling at Li Yan, illuminated the room with a captivating glow. "I came to ask the leader for one thing."
"Oh? And what might that be?" he grinned.
"Your life!"
Before the words had fully faded, Mu Zi's figure vanished, and powerful waves of Yuan power filled the secret room.