Jia Nan Academy.
This was an ancient and renowned institution standing quietly at the border junction between the Jia Ma Empire and two neighboring empires. Though its outer appearance wasn't overly awe-inspiring, its vast reputation and profound strength compelled even the three great empires to treat it with the utmost respect. None dared slight it.
On a secluded mountain peak deep within the ancient academy, beside a cliff, a young girl in a light green dress stood gracefully. The breeze gently rustled her long, waist-length black hair, making her delicate silhouette sway softly with the fluttering hem of her skirt, revealing glimpses of her perfect figure.
She gazed silently toward the distant eastern sky. Her eyes were calm like still water, and her demeanor was as pure and untarnished as a lotus blooming in the mundane world.
After a long silence, she suddenly spoke. Her clear, melodious voice had a cleansing effect on the soul.
"Come out."
As her voice fell, a green shadow quietly separated from a tree behind her and knelt on one knee with utmost respect.
"Miss."
The girl slowly turned, revealing an exquisitely delicate and jade-like side profile.
"What happened?"
"Miss… Elder Ling's soul tablet just shattered."
"What?!"
The girl abruptly turned her head. Her gentle and refined face revealed heavy shock, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"How could this be? Elder Ling was a peak Dou Huang—within the Jia Ma Empire, no one should be able to rival him. Even someone like Queen Medusa or Emperor Jia Xingtian, who are in the same realm, couldn't possibly defeat him in direct combat—"
"Wait! What about Brother Xiao Yan?!"
Ling Ying had been sent to follow and protect Xiao Yan, to ensure nothing happened to him. Now that Ling Ying's soul tablet had shattered, that meant Xiao Yan must also be…
Panic flooded her eyes. Her heart had long since been tied to that young man's fate. Now that he was in danger, she could no longer stay calm.
"The specific details are unclear, but according to Elder Ling's last transmission, they should have been in the Tagor Desert."
The green figure paused, then said solemnly, "But Miss need not worry. Elder Ling was sent by the clan to protect you. His death has already alerted the clan's Elders, and they've likely already set out."
"Young Master Xiao Yan carries the blood of the Xiao Clan. Although it hasn't yet awakened, the Elders should still recognize him. They will ensure his safety."
"…"
Within the girl's watery eyes, pain and fury surged. Faint traces of crimson-golden flame flickered in the depths of her pupils.
Her slender, jade-like hands clenched tightly. Though she eventually released them, her voice carried an irrefutable will.
"Use the secret method to transmit a message to the Elders—Brother Xiao Yan's safety must be ensured. If not…"
"Yes!"
The green figure clearly understood Xun'er's feelings. In his heart, he cursed Xiao Yan to hell and back.
'Why the hell did you have to run off and provoke such terrifying opponents? Do you even know how much Miss Xun'er worries about you?'
'Now even Elder Ling has died because of you… truly an infuriating brat.'
'How on earth did he win Miss Xun'er's heart? It's unbelievable. For someone with such pride to care for a man...'
The figure took a deep breath, gave Xun'er a deep bow, then leapt into the trees. His body melted into the trunk like flowing water, and the swaying branches gradually stilled.
Xun'er turned slowly, gazing down into the swirling clouds below the cliff. Her hand clenched tightly, and the crimson-gold flames in her eyes flickered with growing intensity.
"Brother Xiao Yan… you'll be okay… I know you will…"
…
A deafening explosion suddenly erupted across the sky. In that instant, the entire Stone Desert City, along with the surrounding desert and nearby settlements, violently trembled.
Weaker cultivators were directly shaken into bleeding from their ears by the thunderous boom.
A massive crimson-gold wave of energy expanded outward. Where it passed, the space trembled like a calm lake struck by a boulder, creating visible ripples of energy.
The clouds in the sky were completely shattered, revealing a clear blue sky. The sand below was gone—replaced by a layer of unknown crystalline substance.
This was the result of extreme heat. Lin Ran's Great Sun Sacred Yang Palm had changed the landscape entirely.
And the Dou Huang expert who tried to block it?
Perhaps now… just a part of those scattered fragments on the ground.
"Teacher… Teacher…"
Xiao Yan's voice was barely a whisper. The technique's aftershock had knocked him unconscious, leaving only a sliver of awareness. He murmured weakly, cradled in Hai Bodong's arms.
Though the black-cloaked man had absorbed most of the blow, the sheer pressure of Lin Ran's attack had left everyone severely wounded.
Especially the already weakened Yao Chen.
After that impact, his soul body was now almost fully transparent, clearly gravely injured. His aura was fading fast.
"Yao Chen, I told you—you wouldn't escape me today."
Lin Ran's calm voice echoed across the heavens, making Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong's faces turn pale.
In a flash, Lin Ran appeared before the trio. His fair, slender hand reached forward to seize Yao Chen's now nearly invisible soul.
Sensing the surging Dou Qi wave approaching, Yao Chen's ghostly form trembled slightly. His old face creased into a deep frown.
With his current condition, he could no longer resist Lin Ran.
'This youth—who appears barely older than Xiao Yan—has strength that defies reason. His Dou Qi, his combat prowess, even his mastery of techniques… all far exceeded my expectations.'
'Today… I really might die here.'
'And not just me—this disciple of mine may also perish alongside me.'
"I'm sorry, child."
Yao Chen cast a sorrowful glance at Xiao Yan.
'If it weren't for me… perhaps this boy's life would have taken a completely different path.'
He closed his eyes in resignation, ready to accept death.
But just then—at that critical moment—a spatial rift suddenly split open before Yao Chen.
A white-robed elder stepped out of the void.
Lin Ran's face changed dramatically, and he instantly tried to retreat. But the next moment, his eyes widened in shock—he couldn't move.
He was frozen in place, trapped mid-air by an invisible force.
Tearing space open… sealing space—
A Dou Venerable?!
(End of Chapter)