Chapter 347: Roleplay
Black snowflakes drifted through the sky as the white-robed, veiled Xiao Yuan descended like a celestial being. With every step through the air, an overwhelming chill spread forth, dimming the fiery beast conjured by the black-clad man into a pale, flickering shadow.
"That white-robed woman!"
Cao Ying instantly recognized the figure from before they had entered the Pill Realm—a graceful woman with an ethereal aura.
"Who are you?"
The black-robed man's pupils constricted when his fire beast suddenly froze into a lifelike ice sculpture upon approaching the white-robed woman.
This woman was no ordinary opponent!
"Xuan Bing."
A cold voice rang out, accompanied by a surging Nine-Star Dou Zong aura.
"A mere Nine-Star Dou Zong dares to act arrogant just because her techniques are unique? You're courting death."
The man sneered and clenched his hand. Spatial power erupted, freezing the space around Xiao Yuan.
But in the next moment, a burst of frigid air shattered that frozen space like glass.
"A peak Three-Star Dou Zun wants to restrain me with spatial force? How laughable."
Her icy voice swept through the heavens like a goddess of frost, and the very atmosphere chilled—many couldn't help but shiver.
Only now did the spectators realize they were already inside a domain filled with pervasive cold mist.
"An Ice River Formation? The Ice Sovereign's might? Are you from Ice River Valley?"
The man frowned at the black frost in the air, recalling the late Valley Master of Ice River Valley.
"Ice River Valley is long gone. And yet here you are, hiding in the shadows, speculating on my identity. How laughable."
As her words fell, Xiao Yuan walked forward, each step blooming into a black ice lotus beneath her feet.
"Absolute Frost Palm!"
Her handprints shifted rapidly, condensing into a massive ice-crystal handprint that crashed toward the black-clad man.
A bone-chilling cold struck his heart—this woman was indeed formidable. A Nine-Star Dou Zong wielding Dou Zun-level attacks?
He couldn't let her live.
"Hehehe... so arrogant. I'll enjoy tormenting your soul after I rip it from your body."
A sinister grin twisted his face. As he made a seal, deep-blue flames surged through his arms and condensed into crystal-like blue armor—like sapphire limbs.
Boom!
The clash between the crystal arm and black ice hand darkened the sky. Then, an immense energy shockwave erupted.
Watching from afar, Xiao Yan squinted.
"Something's off. Third Brother's strength seems... weaker?"
"Is that all?"
Suddenly, the cold voice sounded again—this time behind the black-clad man. Her crystalline palm struck his back clean through.
Ice Sovereign Jade Palm—Low-Tier Earth-Grade Technique.
Before anyone could process it, her palm had pierced his body.
Impossible!
But the white-robed figure's expression changed. In the blink of an eye, a black chain pierced her chest.
"Hehehe... So easy to fool."
The man appeared behind her, chains rattling from his sleeves.
Xiao Yan's eyes flickered. Without hesitation, he grabbed Cao Ying's arm and tapped Wang Yuandan's shoulder.
"Run!"
Though puzzled, they followed without question.
Seeing this, even Song Qing snapped out of his daze and darted off in a different direction.
"Chase them! Don't let anyone escape!"
The man barked. At once, his dozen followers fanned out and gave chase.
But then, the impaled white-robed figure let out a soft chuckle as her body faded into translucent ice.
Ice Mirage—High-Tier Profound Skill!
"Detonate."
The image shattered into ice fragments, scattering into the frosty formation.
Dozens of icy chains burst from the array, binding the black-clad man tight.
"Hmph, pathetic tricks."
With a cold snort, blue flames melted the chains—but the steam further clouded the battlefield.
By the time he emerged from the mist, everyone had vanished.
"Trying to stall me, huh? Let's see how long you can last."
He sneered. But he had already marked Xiao Yan and the others with faint soul signatures—he knew exactly where they were.
With a grin, he flickered and disappeared.
Deep in the lush forest, three figures dashed like lightning—swift as shadows between the trees.
Suddenly, someone burst from the brush. Alarmed, the trio braced themselves—only to find Song Qing.
"There's black-cloaked pursuers ahead. We have to go, now!"
His warning was redundant—they hadn't slowed in the first place. But he tagged along anyway.
Their destination: the mountain's peak.
If they wanted to escape, they had to draw out something even the black-clad Dou Zun feared—the ancient beast at the summit.
Through gusts of leaves, the trio raced.
Xiao Yan's eyes were sharp, silver radiance sparking from his feet as he left blurred afterimages behind.
Suddenly, his expression changed.
"Back!"
He twisted mid-step, pulling Cao Ying backward. Wang Yuandan struck forward, forcing their pursuer to reveal himself.
Boom!
A black figure emerged, shattering space with a palm that sent Wang Yuandan reeling, coughing blood.
The man ignored Song Qing and focused on Xiao Yan and Cao Ying.
"You're quick. But not enough to escape me."
Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened. You're running out of time, old bastard.
"Let's finish this."
The man, finally losing patience, conjured a giant claw of blue crystal energy—and it vanished.
"Watch out!"
Xiao Yan shouted.
The trio scattered—just as the claw tore through space before Cao Ying and lunged at her.
Frozen in place, she could only watch.
Wang Yuandan and Song Qing noticed, but while the former prepared to help, Song Qing bolted into the forest without hesitation.
Xiao Yan cursed.
He couldn't abandon her. He'd promised Elder Xuan Kong.
Third Form of Heavenly Flame Transformation!
In an instant, Xiao Yan broke the frozen space, wrapped an arm around Cao Ying's waist, and used his silver flame to vanish hundreds of meters away.
Cao Ying, nestled in his arms, flushed and whispered, "Thank you."
Xiao Yan looked uncomfortable. Not the best time for this...
The black-clad Dou Zun growled. No more games.
Dark mist surged around him—and then he was gone again.
"Where is Third Brother?"
Xiao Yan kept running. He didn't dare drop Cao Ying—not with that man after them.
Then—
His body halted.
Ahead, perched on a tree limb, stood a figure cloaked in black mist.
"You can't escape me, prey."
The black-clad Dou Zun sneered.
"Xiao Yan, this time, no one's coming to save you. Your Heavenly Flame is mine."
"Who are you?!"
Xiao Yan pushed Cao Ying aside and stepped forward, eyes cold.
"Heh. Hero saving the beauty? Just like your wretched teacher. No matter—I'll let you die knowing. In fact, we're... connected. Technically, you should call me Uncle."
Xiao Yan scoffed. "Uncle? I don't think so."
"That's alright. You'll understand... soon."
The man's eyes blazed as he raised his hand—again conjuring that terrifying blue claw.
He flicked his sleeve, and the claw vanished into the void.
Xiao Yan grimaced. This claw could pierce space—it was a nightmare to deal with.
Just as the claw reappeared in front of him—
Smack!
A violet-gold streak burst from the void and shattered the claw.
A cold voice rang out: "Old dog from Soul Hall. I wasn't looking for you... but since you're here, let's settle this."
Xiao Yuan, clad in white with violet-gold glinting across his figure, stepped forward.
The white-robed woman reappeared half a step behind him.
Xiao Yan's jaw dropped.
Damn, Third Brother really went all out... he's been playing dress-up this whole time?!
(END CHAPTER)
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