Mo Changli was going to Kill Star City to search for his kin, and Ming Qi had no objection. Even though he had nothing to do there, he was still quite curious about this chaotic, yet highly reputable city. If he didn't go now, he might find time to visit someday.
On the way, Ming Qi, in addition to his training, also found time to study the comprehensive guide to formations left by the Nine Nether Jue Mansion.
Ming Qi had now reached the Xiantian realm, and with careful study, mastering some basic formations wouldn't be difficult.
After several days of study, he had already gained a considerable understanding of the Jue Mansion's formations and could even create some simple ones.
Of course, Ming Qi didn't expect to achieve great success in his study of formations in a short period of time. After all, the art of formations was vast and profound, on par with alchemy and weapon refining. Mastering it required considerable effort.
Along the way, Ming Qi gained a deeper understanding of Mo Changli. He knew that the Celestial Clan had never given up their struggle against the gods' punishment, and that they had traveled far from their homeland to find a way to overcome it.
The Celestial Clan woman Ming Qi had met before, like Mo Changli, shouldered the same mission.
It was evening again. Ming Qi and the other man had chosen a resting place and immersed themselves in their cultivation.
Given the distance, it wouldn't be long before they reached the Canglan River.
At night, as Ming Qi was immersed in his cultivation, a thought suddenly struck him, jarring him from his meditation!
"Not good!"
Ming Qi stood up abruptly, his face frost-covered.
The thing he least wanted to see had happened!
Just then, he had distinctly sensed that one of the talismans he had recently given to his two brothers had been torn to pieces.
Something had happened at Yan Manor!
"What's wrong?"
Sensing Ming Qi's movement, Mo Changli also stood up and walked over.
Seeing Ming Qi's face turn darker than ever before, she hurriedly asked, "What happened?"
In Mo Changli's eyes, Ming Qi had always been remarkably calm. If it weren't for a major incident, he wouldn't have been so devastated.
"Yan Manor is in imminent danger. Changli, I'm afraid I can't accompany you to Killing Star City. I must return."
Ming Qi said solemnly, and he quickly activated the Golden Bridge of the Heavens.
Travelling by ordinary means was no longer possible; he had to return as soon as possible!
The threat to Yan Manor was likely from the Jinchuan Bai Mansion. Ming Qi had originally planned to avoid provoking them if the Bai Mansion didn't take action. Unexpectedly, the Bai Mansion refused to give up and came to Yan Manor so soon.
Seeing Ming Qi wasted no time, Mo Changli sensed Ming Qi's anxiety and immediately said, "We can wait to go to Shaxing City. Since your hometown is in trouble, I naturally want to help you."
As he spoke, Mo Changli unhesitatingly opened the Golden Bridge of the Heavens.
Two golden bridges, leading to the vast sky, instantly stretched across, extending deep into the night sky.
Ming Qi nodded, thanked him, and said no more. He took a step forward, mobilizing his Yuan Energy to quickly return to Yanzhuang along the path of the Golden Bridge of the Heavens.
Mo Changli followed closely behind him and stepped onto the Golden Bridge of the Heavens.
The two of them had been walking for more than ten or twenty days. They were now quite far from Yanzhuang. Even if they activated the Golden Bridge of the Heavens at full speed, it would probably take more than a moment to return.
For now, Ming Qi could only temporarily pin all his hopes on Dabai. Dabai was now a fourth-level demon beast, and with the aid of a top-grade spiritual weapon, he estimated that even ordinary Xiantian cultivators would be no match for it.
However, even with Dabai's protection, Ming Qi remained uncertain. After all, the Bai Mansion was one of the seven major prefectures in Xilan Province, commanding numerous powerful warriors, including a significant number of cultivators above the fifth Xiantian realm. If they truly intended to attack Yan Manor, even ten Dabais tied together would likely be unable to stop them.
At this point, Ming Qi was thinking that the Bai Mansion's actions were merely a means of luring him out. This was all well and good; at least the innocent villagers of Yan Manor and his family would be safe.
In a vague way, Ming Qi sensed that this was indeed a simple trap set by the Bai Mansion, using Yan Manor as bait to lure Ming Qi out.
But Ming Qi couldn't care less at this point. Even if the other party had set a trap for him to fall into, he had no other choice.
Across the starry sky, the wind whistling in his ears, Ming Qi returned to Yanzhuang at a speed almost matching Mo Changli's.
"Changli, be careful on this trip. The other party is no small force."
Flying through the air, Ming Qi telepathically warned Mo Changli.
"Okay, got it."
Mo Changli replied calmly. She didn't seem to care about why Ming Qi had such an enemy. All she wanted was to help Ming Qi protect Yanzhuang.
Late at night, Yanzhuang.
Amid the night, Yanzhuang resembled a blooming flower of flame. A massive ball of flame enveloped the entire village, leaving only a small area in the center, gathering all the villagers.
"Brother, we can't let Third Brother come back!"
Miao Cheng, awestruck within the flames, roared angrily at Miao Sen beside him.
Miao Cheng could be seen clutching the talisman Ming Qi had given him before his departure, while his other hand held a longsword.
Miao Sen also held a longsword, but his expression had completely changed.
"It's too late, I..."
Miao Sen's face paled. When Yanzhuang was engulfed in flames and the air and ground were filled with enemies, he immediately remembered Ming Qi's instructions and tore open the talisman without hesitation. But now, after hearing Miao Cheng's explanation, he knew he was wrong.
Third brother was the pride of the Miao family, the pride of all Yanzhuang.
But he had just sent him to his doom.
"This is a trap!"
Miao Cheng's eyes blazed, and he gritted his teeth.
"A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."
The old village chief, standing trembling by, said with hazy eyes, looking at the flames and the cultivators that surrounded Yanzhuang.
In his opinion, the third brother of the Miao family was too outstanding, so outstanding that outsiders were jealous and even wanted to kill him at all costs.
"Did Sanlang make enemies out there?"
Someone among the villagers cautiously raised the question.
Yanzhuang only had Mingqi, the only cultivator, and the purpose of these people's visit was clear. After trapping all the villagers in Yanzhuang, they were now waiting. It went without saying that their target was Mingqi.
"Hmph, so what if he made enemies? What cultivator doesn't have enemies?"
Another villager spoke up.
They were all ordinary mortals, but they knew of the existence of cultivators and even the cruelty of the world. Who doesn't have enemies?
Even the most prominent figures in the righteous path likely had many hidden secrets.
A long sigh echoed from the crowd, and it was Miao Dazhu who spoke up.
"Sanlang has brought horrific harm to the village. I won't bring any of you down with me."
After speaking, Miao Dazhu gestured to Miao Sen, Miao Cheng, and Ming Qiniang, and the four of them slowly emerged from the crowd.
"Dazhu!"
...
...
Many villagers, seeing Miao Dazhu's actions, had already grasped what was going on, and some began to intervene.
Immortal cultivators viewed mortals as worthless, and they didn't believe Miao Dazhu's departure would have any effect. Even if Miao Mingqi's entire family were dead, this group could still threaten Mingqi with the entire village of Yanzhuang.
After taking a few steps, Miao Sen suddenly spoke, "Dad, it's too late. I've already informed Sanlang..."
"Asshole!"
Miao Dazhu abruptly stopped, turned, and slapped him.
Miao Sen didn't dodge, and was struck hard on the cheek. In the firelight, five fingerprints were clearly visible.
Miao Sen stumbled, but fortunately, Miao Cheng supported him, preventing him from falling.
Miao Sen and Miao Cheng both knew that, among the three brothers, the third brother was undoubtedly the most promising. The entire family placed all their hopes on Ming Qi. Even if they died, Ming Qi would still be there.
It was clear that Miao Dazhu was now prepared for death, but as long as Ming Qi lived, the Miao family would still be there.
"Dad..."
Miao Cheng supported his eldest brother, Miao Sen, unsure of what to say.
"Dazhu, they are your children. Don't blame me anymore now that things have come to this..."
The old village chief approached, leaning on a cane.
"I've lived long enough. I'll go with you."
The village chief didn't stop, but staggered forward, seemingly about to walk straight into the flames.
"Village chief!"
Miao Dazhu, startled, quickly took a few steps forward, trying to pull the village chief back. Just then, a strong wind blew past, and a white shadow dragged the village chief back.
After dragging the village chief back, Dabai's massive form loomed before everyone.
"Wait until I'm dead before you startle me!"
Dabai shook the air around him, forcing out his voice.
Then, before anyone could react, Dabai roared like a tiger, and a pitch-black axe appeared from the sky, slashing through the air with a streak of black light.
Dabai's instant burst of power startled many of the cultivators gathered around.
"Oh no! It's an innate demonic beast! Quickly inform the sect master!"
A cultivator wearing the robes of the Lihuo Sect retreated in shock.
But he had underestimated Dabai's explosive power. The mighty axe struck with thunderous force, leaving him no chance.
The axe slashed down from the air, and before the Lihuo Sect cultivator could dodge, he was cleaved from head to toe.
Blood splattered onto the gushing flames, and the torn bodies fell helplessly to the sides. The gory scene was horrifying.
Whoosh!
The Overlord's axe flew back, circling Dabai.
Dabai leaped, stunningly piercing the towering flames and leaping directly out of the circle. He then swung his axe again, striking down another Lihuo Sect cultivator.
Screams rang out one after another. Faced with Dabai's reckless assault, the Lihuo Sect's low-level cultivators on guard had no chance of resistance. In a matter of moments, over ten cultivators had perished under Dabai's axe!
"Great!"
Dabai howled inwardly, his fierce, tiger-like eyes darting into the distance.
Several men were approaching at a rapid speed. The powerful aura caused Dabai to straighten his body, watching the dozens of men's every move with a fierce, glaring gaze.