Chapter 997:t.i.tle
w.a.n.g Chen
[collapse]Xiao Yan smiled slightly as he looked at the pretty face, filled with disbelief. His voice had become much gentler as he softly asked, "Are you alright?"
Those matters back then had completely vanished the moment the Misty Cloud Sect had disband. Xiao Yan was not a narrow-minded person. He had gradually forgotten those matters. When he recalled them now, he could only describe them as the frivolousness of youth.
Nalan Yanran was also a little startled at the gentle manner in which Xiao Yan spoke. She had seldom seen Xiao Yan speak to her in such a calm manner. After all, she was aware of just what kind of trouble and harm that the events back then had brought to this prideful man.
"I"m fine… thank you."
Nalan Yanran"s pretty eyes flickered slightly while she shook her head and softly replied.
"It seems that this friend really want to act like a hero rescuing a beauty." The expressions of the three yellow-clothed men sank when they saw Xiao Yan ignore them right from the beginning. The one who called himself Huang Tian earlier confronted him with a gloomy voice.
"Get lost."
Xiao Yan did not s.h.i.+ft his eyes even a little as he softly spoke. After which, he slowly walked to Nalan Yanran"s side and glanced at the black-colored energy that was entwined around her body. He involuntarily laughed with a soft cold voice, "Darkness affinity Dou Qi is really rare. However, you actually launched a sneak attack despite your strength. This is really rather disdainful."
Xiao Yan grabbed Nalan Yanran"s snow-white wrist after saying those words. A wisp of jade-green flame surfaced on the tip of his finger before it shot out in a lightning-like manner.
In the face of Xiao Yan"s swiftly flicked finger, the black-colored energy which entwined around Nalan Yanran"s body appeared like snow that had met fire as it swiftly melted.
The man in deep-yellow clothes on the tree branch narrowed his eyes as he looked at Xiao Yan below. This was especially the case when he saw him easily expel the black-colored energy on Nalan Yanran"s body, causing his eyes to involuntarily shrink a little more.
As the black-colored energy on her body gradually disappeared, Nalan Yanran also once again recovered her freedom and gently opened her palm. Seeing this, Xiao Yan also hurriedly released his hand. He was just about to speak when Nalan Yanran"s expression changed slightly. She hurriedly cried, "Be careful!"
Xiao Yan, who was facing Nalan Yanran, smiled. He immediately turned his body around and his heavy ruler appeared in his hand. The heavy ruler contained a powerful wind as it was violently swung.
"Crack."
The black ruler violently smashed into three long spears. The powerful force shattered the long spears into pieces. Seeing this, a shock surfaced within the hearts of Huang Tian and the other two. They threw aside the spear handles in their hands and swiftly pulled back.
Xiao Yan"s eyes indifferently swept over the three of them. The heavy ruler in his hand was inserted into the ground. His feet stomped on the ground and a wind lightning sound appeared. His body also strangely disappeared.
Huang Tian and the other two were startled when they saw Xiao Yan disappear in a strange manner. They were just about succeed in positioning their backs to face each other to protect themselves when a ghost-like figure appeared in front of them. Sharp wind made of fists suddenly arrived and viciously landed on the armor on the surface of their bodies.
"Bang!"
The fists landed heavily on the three of them. At the same time, a terrifying force came pouring out. Those three were just like kites whose strings had broken. They flew backwards before colliding into a couple of large trees. A mouthful of fresh blood was spat out of each of their mouths.
Defeating three four stars Dou Huangs with just a single move. Nalan Yanran"s hand involuntarily covered her red lips when she saw this scene. Immediately, her gaze was filled with complexity while looking at that skinny back. This young man, whom she once thought of as trash, had walked ahead of her. All she could do was look up to him. It was the case a couple of years ago and it was still the case now that a couple of years had pa.s.sed…
Huang Tian and the other two curled together on the ground like prawns, moaning. The armor on their bodies had been shattered by one punch from Xiao Yan. They could not understand just why they were unable to even withstand a blow from this brat with their strength. It was likely that one could hardly find any people even in the entire northern regions of the Central Plains who could do this. The fellow in front of them… just where did he come from?
"Clap clap!"
An applause was suddenly transmitted from the tree branch above. A man with a scar on his face slowly stood up. His gaze was focused on Xiao Yan as he revealed an ugly smile, "Not bad, you are called Xiao Yan? May I ask if the one who has a conflict with the Wind Lightning Pavilion is you?"
Xiao Yan glanced at the scarred man before narrowing his eyes. This person was extremely strong. There was a vast difference in strength between him and those three earlier.
"Xiao Yan, be careful. He is very strong." Nalan Yanran"s hand gently beckoned to the dense fog, and a white figure flashed and appeared. After which, it pounced into her embrace, transforming into a cute white fox. She spoke in a worried voice while hugging this white fox.
"Why are they attacking you?" Xiao Yan nodded and asked.
"There is a natural maze outside of the Heaven Eye Mountain. If a person who isn"t aware of it walks in, it is likely that he will be trapped within it until the energy tide is over. This Psychic White Fox of mine is immune to the maze. One will be able to successfully walk out of the maze if one follows it. They are attacking me because they wish to s.n.a.t.c.h the white fox away." Nalan Yanran"s hand gently rubbed the soft fur of the white fox as she softly explained.
Xiao Yan only came to a sudden understanding upon hearing this. It was unexpected that there was actually a maze in front. Fortunately, he did not randomly barge in. Otherwise, even with his Spiritual Perception, it was likely that he would be trapped for a long while. The thing which he really could not afford to waste now was time…
"I am not interested in your white fox. I don"t need such a thing. However, these three fellows need it…" The man with a knife scar spoke indifferently. "I have some old friends.h.i.+p with a person from the Ground Spirit Gate. He had instructed me to bring these people to the front of the maze before we left… my method is a secret of the faction and cannot be shared with others. Therefore, I can only find a Psychic White Fox to lead them."
"We will not hand the White Fox to you. Please leave…" Xiao Yan smiled slightly to the scarred man as he spoke.
"I, w.a.n.g Chen, is not someone who can be so easily dispatched." The scarred man parted his mouth and grinned. There was a faint dense feeling within it.
"w.a.n.g Chen? The Yellow Spring Pavilion"s w.a.n.g Chen?" Nalan Yanran involuntarily exclaimed when those words sounded. Her pretty face also changed a little.
"Yellow Spring Pavilion?" Xiao Yan was also startled. Immediately he broke into a smile. He had met people from three of the four pavilions along the way, and wondered when he would meet someone from the so-called Fallen Star Pavilion.
"Xiao Yan, why don"t we hand the white fox to them? This w.a.n.g Chen is extremely bloodthirsty. Moreover, he is very strong. It is likely that he is already the peak of the Dou Huang cla.s.s. According to rumors, he had once fought with some Dou Zong cla.s.s old demon and did not die…" Nalan Yanran bit her lower red lip with the back of her teeth. She struggled for a moment before finally spoke hesitantly. She did not wish to drag Xiao Yan into this mess.
"How will we pa.s.s through the maze without the white fox?" Xiao Yan turned his head and glanced at Nalan Yanran. He seemed to be aware of her concern as he grinned and said, "Relax, leave him to me."
Nalan Yanran was stunned when she saw the smile of the young man. For some unknown reason, her heart felt a firm and safe feeling. All she could do was gently nod her head.
"You can forget about the white fox. If you want it, we will just have to see if you have the ability…" The smile on Xiao Yan"s face had become much dimmer. His hand slowly grabbed the Heavy Xuan Ruler beside him as he spoke.
The smile on w.a.n.g Chen"s face involuntarily became denser upon hearing Xiao Yan"s words. Anyone familiar with him knew that each time he happily smiled, was the time when the killing intent within his heart had become extremely dense.
"I have met with Tang Ying from the Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion not long ago and exchanged blows with him. He said there would be a person even more fun to play with behind. I think that he was talking about you." w.a.n.g Chen slowly lowered his hand. A dense, black-colored energy swiftly lingered over it. He looked at Xiao Yan as his bright red tongue licked his lips. An instant later, his eyes suddenly turned dark, "In that case, allow me to see if you are as fun to play with as he described."
w.a.n.g Chen"s body suddenly transformed into a black line that shot out after his words sounded. In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Xiao Yan. His fist, which was covered with black energy, carried a b.l.o.o.d.y wind as it struck towards Xiao Yan"s heart without any fancy moves.
"Be careful!"
Nalan Yanran hurriedly reminded when she saw w.a.n.g Chen suddenly attack.
"Bang!"
A black figure flashed and stood in front of Xiao Yan like a s.h.i.+eld in a lightning-like manner. The fist immediately smashed into it, emitting deep sound.
"Corpse Eroding Hand!"
His fist swiftly spread and transformed into a kind of permeating dark-black color. It strangely bypa.s.sed the enormous ruler and headed for Xiao Yan"s throat.
w.a.n.g Chen"s attack trajectory was somewhat strange. It swayed all around, appearing like a wooden doll that was not being controlled. It did not appear fast, but it caused one to have a strange feeling of having a difficult time dodging it.
Xiao Yan"s gaze was intently watching the dark-black hand, which was quickly being magnified in his eyes. An instant later, his eyes coagulated. A jade-green flame surged onto his fist without hesitation before he threw a punch out.
"Boom!"
The fist struck the dark-black hand in an extremely accurate manner. The hot flame caused w.a.n.g Chen"s hand to emit a dense, white smoke. In the face of a "Heavenly Flame," the corrosive properties of w.a.n.g Chen"s darkness affinity Dou Qi were completely ineffective.
The powerful collision brought about a strong air wave that spread apart with a bang. It struck the enormous trees nearby until their trunks were snapped apart. The ground had thus become a complete mess.
"Heavenly Flame?"
The exchange of the fists continued for an instant before w.a.n.g Chen"s expression changed. His feet hurriedly pulled back and the Dou Qi within his body surged. Immediately, he forced out the small wisp of jade-green flame from his palm. His expression gradually became gloomy when he saw that flame.
Xiao Yan"s finger flicked the Heavy Xuan Ruler, returning it to his Storage Ring. He glanced at w.a.n.g Chen. This person was indeed strong. However, he was not much a threat from Xiao Yan"s perspective. Although darkness affinity Dou Qi was strange and unpredictable, it was miserably suppressed in the face of a "Heavenly Flame." If they were to really fight, Xiao Yan was confident he had a seventy percent of killing this person.
w.a.n.g Chen smiled in a dark, cold manner. He did not even look at Huang Tian and the two others as his body withdrew and entered the dense fog. A voice was slowly emitted as he did so.
"No wonder Tang Ying thinks so highly of you. You do possess some ability. Today"s matter will end here. I will wait for you on the Heaven Mountain Stage and see if you have the ability to arrive there…"
Chapter 998:t.i.tle
Maze
[collapse]Xiao Yan involuntarily laughed as he stared at the spot where w.a.n.g Chen had disappeared. He was indeed worthy of being a person from the four pavilions. It was unexpected that his vicious words were so similar to the others.
Behind Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran looked at w.a.n.g Chen who had swiftly withdrawn after only a brief exchange. Her pretty eyes contained some shock. w.a.n.g Chen"s name was quite well-known. One could hardly find anyone who was a match for him in the same generation. Moreover, this fellow was bloodthirsty and addicted to fights. Additionally, he had an outstanding training talent and his strength grew extremely quickly. By relying on the strength of the Yellow Spring Pavilion, he liked to fight with some experts of the Dou Zong cla.s.s. The other person, being afraid of the Yellow Spring Pavilion"s strength, was afraid of really killing him. Hence, w.a.n.g Chen"s name became more and more renowned as time pa.s.sed. In the end, there was even rumors of him possessing the strength to fight with a Dou Zong. No one knew whether this rumor was real…
Regardless of whether it was real, the strength of this w.a.n.g Chen was something that there was no need to doubt. However, Nalan Yanran did not expect that after only a single brief exchange, this bloodthirsty abnormal fellow would be scared away by Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan was unaware of the shock within Nalan Yanran"s heart at this moment. His gaze turned to Huang Tian and the two others a short distance away as he indifferently demanded, "Why are you still here?"
Hearing this, Huang Tian and the two others hurriedly struggled to climb to their feet and fled. w.a.n.g Chen"s withdrawal had caused them to completely lose any confidence they had. By being able to frightened off the renowned w.a.n.g Chen, this person"s strength had already far exceeded the level they could contend against.
Xiao Yan only exhaled gently after watching Huang Tian and the two others flee in misery. He turned around and looked at Nalan Yanran. For an instant, he didn"t know just what he should say. The atmosphere immediately became one that was embarra.s.singly silent.
Nalan Yanran naturally did not say anything in the face of this quiet atmosphere. Her hand gently rubbed the smooth fur of the white fox while her eyes were lowered.
"*Cough*… you… are you also planning to head to the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool?" The silence continued for a moment before Xiao Yan finally coughed and took the initiative to speak, breaking the silence as he did so.
"Yes. Although I know that it is extremely difficult for me to obtain one of the ten spots with my strength, this trip here could be considered training…" Nalan Yanran nodded slightly and softly answered.
Xiao Yan rubbed his hand and suddenly felt a little constrained. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "You… why are you here alone?"
The hand Nalan Yanran was using to rub the white fox paused. She raised her pretty eyes for the first time, looked at Xiao Yan, and said, "Teacher is undertaking a retreat to train. Hence, I have come out alone to gain experience."
"Have the both of you been alright during these years?" Xiao Yan gaze was drifting as he inquired.
Nalan Yanran smiled when she saw this. She softly asked, "You want to ask about teacher, right?"
Xiao Yan"s body unnoticeably stiffened. He gently exhaled and asked, "Is she well?"
Nalan Yanran"s eyes dimmed when she heard this. She nodded and replied, "Teacher is very well."
"Is she also in the northern region of the Central Plains?" Xiao Yan asked once again. His voice had become a little heated. The scene of the sadness and struggle of her back when they were parting ways back then suddenly surfaced in his mind. Regardless of who was right or wrong back then, the Misty Cloud Sect was ultimately destroyed by Xiao Yan"s hands. Being the sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun could not escape the enmity arising from the destruction of her sect and the killing of her teacher. However, she was unable to hurt Xiao Yan. Finally, Yun Yun, who could not bare to face the situation, could only choose to leave the empire she had lived in for many years, wandering other lands…
Xiao Yan"s heart felt an unknown pain the moment he thought about her. Yun Yun was not wrong from the beginning. The thing that was wrong was both parties position. Right from the start, she was the one who had been hurt the most. Moreover, she had been roaming other lands during these years. Although she was quite strong, it was likely that she, as a lady, must have suffered quite a lot.
Nalan Yanran chose to remain silent in the face of Xiao Yan"s question. It was a long while later before she finally said, "Teacher instructed me before I left that I am not allowed to tell anyone where she currently is… especially you…"
Xiao Yan was stunned when he heard this. He immediately let out a bitter laugh. This woman…
"It"s fine if you don"t tell me. Everything"s alright if she is fine…" Xiao Yan sighed. He shook his head and expelled the emotions within his heart. After which, he smiled and said to Nalan Yanran, "I am also heading to that Heaven Mountain Blood Pool. If you wish, you can follow me."
"Won"t I be a burden to you?" Nalan Yanran"s eyes brightened before she asked with some concern.
"I am completely unfamiliar with this Heaven Eye Mountain Range. At the very least, you do know something about it. I will be able to worry less if you are around." Xiao Yan spread his hands as he replied.
"Okay…"
Nalan Yanran"s hand gently rubbed the white fox. She hesitated for a moment before gently nodding.
"This place is already close to the Heaven Eye Mountain. It is likely that we will be able to reach the foot of the Heaven Eye Mountain after a short while. There is a natural maze there. However, we possess the Psychic White Fox and need not be too worried about it." Two figures were swiftly traveling through a forest covered by dense fog when a clear woman"s voice was softly emitted.
Xiao Yan nodded. It was indeed more convenient with someone leading the way.
"Entering the Heaven Eye Mountain does not mean that we are safe. Instead, it is even more dangerous because the entire Heaven Eye Mountain Range is being controlled by a powerful Magical Beast Tribe." Nalan Yanran"s eyes slide over as she glanced at Xiao Yan, who was listening attentively by her side. Her attractive manner was filled with allure.
"Magical Beast Tribe? What is their strength like?" Xiao Yan was startled and he immediately frowned.
"This Magical Beast Tribe is called the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe. Although most of them are ordinary rank 2 to 3 Magical Beasts, their numbers are so great that it is quite frightening. Of course, the true core of the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe are still those members who can transform into human form. They are the true controllers of the Heaven Eye Mountain. It is rumored that the tribe leader of this tribe has also reached rank 7. His strength is comparable to an elite six star Dou Zong…" Nalan Yanran whispered.
"With such a Magical Beast Tribe occupying the Heaven Eye Mountain, how can people enjoy this Heaven Mountain Blood Pool? It is likely that such a unique thing also possesses a great attraction to Magical Beast, no?" Xiao Yan doubtfully inquired.
"Ke ke, they do wish to dominate it. However, do you think that the other human factions would agree?" Nalan Yanran covered her mouth and softly laughed. She said, "Back then, a big battle erupted in this Heaven Eye Mountain Range because of the matter of the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool. In the end, it was naturally the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe who lost. Why would they dare to monopolize the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool? Although they had lost, those overly strong experts were unable to enter the Heaven Eye Mountain Range due to some special effect of the terrain. As a result of these factions being afraid that the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe would viciously attack their younger generations, they finally came to an agreement. The Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe would occupy two of the ten spots in the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool. Only the other eight spots are available for everyone to use if their ability to fight for them is sufficient."
"Eight?" Xiao Yan immediately knit his brows when he heard this. It was unexpected that the situation was even grimmer than he had expected. It was already not easy to be one of the ten. Now, two of them were already occupied. The difficulty of the compet.i.tion was soaring.
"There is no choice. The Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe has the geographical advantage. Actually, they were quite displeased in their hearts. In the past, they were able to occupy all ten spots. Now, it has shrunk by five times…" Nalan Yanran laughed, "According to the agreement, the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe can place a checkpoint at the Heaven Eye Mountain Range and block those who which to ascend to the top. They can do as they please as long as they do not threaten the lives of those people. Nevertheless, they must gather eight human experts."
"Hence, it is best not to offend a member of the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe once we enter the Heaven Eye Mountain. This is because they are able to decide the requirements of allowing people to ascend to the top…" Nalan Yanran"s pretty face became quite solemn near end of her explanation.
Xiao Yan bitterly smiled and nodded. It was unexpected that there were so many issues. Originally, he thought that whoever reached the top of the mountain first would be able to enjoy the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool.
Without realizing it, the surrounding fog had become much fainter while the two of them were conversing. A moment later, a row of orderly towering trees suddenly appeared in their sight. There was only a tree door which allowed only one person to pa.s.s through among the enormous trees.
In front of this row of trees were over ten human figures. Clearly, they were all people who had thoughts about the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool.
The ten plus people turned around and glanced at Xiao Yan upon seeing that there were new people who had arrived. Immediately, their gazes solidified on the small white fox in Nalan Yanran"s embrace.
"Psychic White Fox?"
Numerous joyous cries sounded. All the gazes suddenly turned to Nalan Yanran. Those who stopped here were unaware of a method to crack the maze. The sudden appearance of the Psychic White Fox immediately lit their despairing hearts.
Nalan Yanran"s pretty face changed a little upon being stared at by so many heated gazes. She hugged the white fox and gently took a step back.
"Follow me. There is no need to be afraid."
Xiao Yan faintly rea.s.sured her. Immediately, Dou Qi surged out of his body. The strength of a nine star Dou Huang surged out of his body without any restraint. The powerful aura immediately suppressed those people who were about to make trouble. The strength of these people were mostly around that of a five star Dou Haung or below. There was too much of a gap when compared with a nine star Dou Huang.
"Anyone who enters a ten meter radius of us will be killed!"
Xiao Yan"s eyes coldly and slowly swept around him. A voice that contained killing intent was gently emitted, causing everyone"s faces to change. Their eyes began to struggle.
Xiao Yan"s feet slowly walked on this ground that was filled with weathered yellow leaves. The soft "sha sha" sound had become the only noise in this region.
Nalan Yanran followed close behind Xiao Yan. The surrounding malicious eyes caused her hands to be filled with cold perspiration. If these ten plus elite Dou Huangs were to attack, it was likely that even Xiao Yan would have to temporarily take shelter.
The surrounding atmosphere became more tense as Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran approached the trees. The slight sound of footsteps appeared to have stepped on everyone"s hearts, causing them to feel their breathing stagnate.
Xiao Yan"s footsteps gently landed. He looked at the trees, which were less than ten meters from him, and was just about to sigh in relief when his eyes slowly narrowed into a dangerous arc. At the same time, a savage, cold cry suddenly sounded.
"Everyone, let"s attack together. Once we s.n.a.t.c.h that white fox over, we will be able to have a share of the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool!"