Chapter 380: Qinglian's Definitely Got Life
The night was cool like water. Icy moonlight cascaded from the heavens, illuminating the fire-lit mountains below and veiling the landscape in a layer of mystic gauze.
Xiao Yuan sat cross-legged on a massive boulder at the edge of the mountain summit. From this vantage point, he could oversee half the range, and at the foot of the mountain, scattered silhouettes and flickering campfires could be seen.
He looked up at the bright moon above and stretched lazily.
His soul power blanketed the entire camp. Even the ghostly stealth of the Hall of Souls would have a hard time infiltrating without alerting him.
"My strength is still lacking. The Ancient Clans won't be easy to deal with…"
He sighed, rubbing his brow.
With the ancient ruins about to open and Yao Lao's body nearly restored, it was only a matter of time before the Ancient Clan extended their invitation.
But those clans had no shortage of stubborn old fossils. Xiao Yuan's ancestor, Xiao Xuan, had forged pacts with them long ago, but judging by how the Xiao Clan had been unable to produce even a Dou Huang in recent years, it was clear that the Ancient Clans had long dismissed them.
If he were stronger, he'd toss all those ancient geezers into the Heavenly Tomb and let them explain themselves to Ancestor Xiao Xuan. He'd like to see what they'd have to say then.
But that was just a thought. Even though Xiao Yuan was confident he could suppress the younger generation of the Ancient Clans, those Dou Saint elders were a different matter. He might be able to take one down with a blood-offering Dou Emperor mutual destruction move—like his master's wife, Han Shanshan—but that was clearly unnecessary.
After all, in the Dou Qi continent, strength reigned supreme. The bigger your fists, the louder your voice. If your fists weren't big enough, seeking justice was just asking to be slapped.
"For now, I can only hope the ancient ruins yield more resources."
He stared toward the direction of the ruins, a trace of melancholy in his expression.
Shhh!
As Xiao Yuan's thoughts drifted, a subtle gust sliced through the night. Though faint, it was picked up immediately by Xiao Yuan's sharp perception. He suddenly turned and saw a dark figure descending like a hawk, its palms slamming together—instantly tearing open a nearby tent.
Within that tent was Zi Yan, fast asleep. She opened her eyes the moment the fabric ripped. Startled, she leapt back barefoot.
"Who dares sneak around at night?!"
Xiao Yuan's expression changed, anger flashing in his eyes. He slapped the boulder beneath him and darted forth like a great roc, rushing straight toward the black figure.
As he closed the distance, he noticed the figure was quite petite, with a shapely silhouette barely hidden beneath her clothing. A grim, ghost-like mask concealed her face, giving her a strange and eerie appearance.
The intruder didn't seem to register Xiao Yuan's shout. Under the mask, a strange green light burst forth, casting a glow across Zi Yan's face.
The moment it touched her, Zi Yan's vision blurred, and her thoughts grew dazed.
Roar!
In that instant of mental haze, a surge of violet energy swelled across Zi Yan's face. A half-foot-long violet dragon emerged, coiled upward, and let out a furious roar!
The dragon's cry shattered the green light instantly.
"Eh? Not a serpent?"
Seeing the dragon mark on Zi Yan's face, the masked figure paused, and a soft, confused voice escaped her lips.
Boom!
Just then, three nearby tents exploded. Cai Lin, Venerable Tianhuo, and Xiong Zhan emerged, their expressions darkening at the sight of the intruder attacking Zi Yan.
Recognizing the green light, Xiao Yuan extended his hand into the air. His soul power, already scattered across the camp, surged back and formed an unbreakable soul prison around the intruder.
In response, the masked figure's green eyes flared again. A burly black shadow suddenly appeared behind her, its fist covered in inky liquid, punching out ferociously—but it only rippled the air slightly.
Then Xiao Yuan's scolding voice rang out:
"You foolish girl, did you really try to capture someone from my camp?!"
The black-clad figure froze. Her gaze swept toward Xiao Yuan—and she stood completely still. After a pause, she spoke in a trembling voice:
"Xiao Yuan… Young Master?"
"Who else could be this handsome?"
Xiao Yuan dismissed the soul prison with a flick, stepped forward, and leaned close with a grin.
"It's really you, Young Master?"
The intruder removed her mask, revealing a pale and lovely face, both familiar and unfamiliar to Xiao Yuan—filled with excitement.
Emerald green eyes, a delicate nose, and a small, pink mouth. This sweet and lovable expression could only belong to his long-lost little maid… Qinglian!
"If it weren't me, you'd already be tied up by now."
Xiao Yuan shrugged and measured her height with his hand. "You've grown taller. Looks like you've had it alright in the Heavenly Serpent Mansion. I was just thinking of visiting, and here you are."
"Young Master!"
Qinglian threw herself into Xiao Yuan's arms, hugging him tightly like she had years ago, breathing in the nostalgic scent she'd longed for.
Still smells so good… she thought.
"Hm?"
Xiao Yuan suddenly frowned and yanked off her black cloak, reducing it to dust. Beneath it, a green dress appeared. He patted her back, using soul force to mask her aura at the Dou Huang level, and gently said:
"Don't be afraid… you're safe now."
The others watched in surprise. A moment later, several figures streaked through the sky. As they passed, they paused midair, their sharp gazes scanning Xiao Yuan and Qinglian.
"There's a trace of her aura here. Should we bring these two back for questioning?"
One of them, a fierce-looking young man, sniffed the air and looked directly at Xiao Yuan with menace.
Xiao Yuan examined the group: four in total, all powerful. Three were peak Dou Sect experts. The leader, a grey-robed elder, had already reached the Dou Zun realm, with a cold and sinister aura surrounding him.
"Nine Nether Earth Serpent Clan?"
His eyes paused on their vertical pupils—his tone quiet and thoughtful.
"Have you seen a person in black robes pass through here?"
The grey-robed elder glanced at Xiao Yuan and immediately recognized him from a wanted portrait. He knew better than to be reckless and politely cupped his fists.
"Oh, ran that way into the forest."
Xiao Yuan gestured casually.
"Hehe, much appreciated."
The elder bowed again, then ordered, "Pursue!"
In a flash, the four of them became shadows, darting into the woods.
Moments later, they stopped.
"That girl with him reeked of the Emperor Python's Soul-Corrosive Poison. It has to be her."
The grey-robed elder's face darkened.
"Then why didn't we take her?"
The fierce youth clenched his fists, annoyed.
"Idiot! That guy killed three Dou Zuns on his first day here. You think we can take him? Let's call for reinforcements!"
The elder snapped.
"Sigh… why didn't you just run? I thought I could fool you, but I guess I underestimated you."
A soft sigh echoed in the sky. A blurry figure appeared silently overhead.
"You?!"
The elder looked up and instantly paled. It was the infamous killing star!
He tried to activate his Dou Qi—but a pale hand had already touched his back.
Shhh!
A sheet of black ice spread from Xiao Yuan's palm. In an instant, the elder became an ice sculpture.
The other three tried to flee in terror, but chilling frost surged up without warning, freezing them solid too.
A wave of soul force followed, completely erasing their bodies and spirits.
"Let's go."
Xiao Yuan's blurred projection said from the sky.
"Mm."
Below, the real Xiao Yuan vanished with a flash of green lightning.
"All done."
He recalled his soul projection and Three Thousand Lightning Illusion Body, then turned to Qinglian, who still clung to him.
"This the 'Qinglian little maid' Yun Yun mentioned?"
Cai Lin had already figured it out and snorted coldly.
"Yep. Qinglian, this is Cai Lin. She was the Queen Medusa you sensed long ago."
Xiao Yuan introduced her with a grin.
Qinglian's gaze moved between them, realizing their relationship. She reluctantly stepped out of Xiao Yuan's arms and bowed:
"Greetings, Sister Cai Lin… Young Mistress."
Cai Lin nearly choked. Young Mistress?!
"Wow, Young Master Xiao Yuan sure gets around."
She gave Xiao Yuan a meaningful look.
Cough. "She's still a bit slow on the uptake."
Xiao Yuan scratched his head. He hadn't expected Qinglian to be so lively.
"It's fine. Just call me Sister. 'Young Mistress' sounds weird—and you'd wear yourself out. Who knows how many 'young mistresses' this heartless guy has."
Cai Lin shook her head but spoke gently. Xiao Yuan had told her about Qinglian, and the girl's humble demeanor made it impossible to be harsh.
"Yeah, just call me by name. You're a Dou Zun now, after all. Calling me 'Young Master' feels off."
Xiao Yuan ruffled her hair warmly.
"No-no! I… I like calling you that!"
Qinglian shook her head quickly, fingers nervously twisting together. This didn't look like the person who'd turned the Nine Nether Earth Serpent clan upside down!
"Sigh, as long as you're happy."
Xiao Yuan didn't push it further.
"Qinglian, weren't you targeting the Nine Nether Earth Serpent Clan? Why did you suddenly go after Zi Yan?"
Cai Lin frowned slightly.
Xiao Yuan shook his head and glanced at Zi Yan, who was rubbing her temples. He laughed. "Maybe she mistook her for one of them."
"Pfft! Me, one of those stinky snakes? Ugh… except Sister Cai Lin!"
Zi Yan made a face, then added seriously, "That green light nearly hypnotized me. If it weren't for my bloodline protecting me, I might've lost all defense temporarily."
"That was a mistake. I can see a beast's true form, and yours resembled the royal Nine Nether Earth Serpent line. That's why I attacked."
Qinglian quickly explained.
"Me? Like them?!"
Zi Yan grew angry, but seeing Qinglian's sincere apology, she just huffed and turned away.
"Don't be mad. It was a misunderstanding. Here—try this."
Xiao Yuan handed her a bottle of pills.
Though she looked grown, Zi Yan was still the same little glutton at heart.
She took the pills and popped them in her mouth.
"Mmm! This really is good!"
She gave a thumbs up while chewing happily.
"By the way, you said you were poisoned?"
Xiao Yuan held out his hand. "Let me check."
Qinglian hesitated, then placed her slim arm in his palm, blushing as his warmth spread through her.
Xiao Yuan didn't notice. He sent soul force into her body, and soon his brows furrowed deeply. Even her blood was laced with toxic mist—cold and deadly, like it wanted to freeze her veins.
"This the Emperor Python's Soul-Corrosive Poison?"
He asked.
"Mm. They say it's one of the most vicious poisons in the world, supposedly incurable. I came to the ruins hoping to find a remedy."
Qinglian nodded sweetly.
(END CHAPTER)
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