The rift in the sky burst forth with light once more, and an entire Divine Court Knight Order descended from the heavens, their imposing armor reflecting a chilling killing intent in the light.
"... This is troublesome." Xiao Han and Su Linglong exchanged a glance, both able to see the weariness in the other.
Both of them had very little strength left and were simply unable to withstand this attack.
Just then, a dragon's roar exploded from the depths of the forest, making people's eardrums go numb.
"Roar--"
A massive shadow blocked out the moonlight, and a colossal dragon, its entire body jet black, burst through the air. Its eyes, burning with dark purple flames, locked onto the [Eternal Night Emperor Seal] between Xiao Han's brows. Then, its enormous head respectfully lowered.
"Your Majesty, come up!"
Xiao Han only hesitated for half a second before grabbing Su Linglong and using the momentum to leap onto the broad back of the dragon.
With a flap of its wings, the dragon whipped up a gale and instantly disappeared into the deep night, leaving only a bewildered Bai Xue'er and the group of Divine Court Knights standing there in helpless rage.
The wind howled on the dragon's back.
Xiao Han held the weakened Su Linglong tightly in his arms, and could clearly feel her body trembling.
How did you end up there?
Su Linglong's lips were bloodless, and she went limp in his arms. "I was deceived by Instructor Lin Qingxia... She said she had found a legacy of the Extreme Ice Phoenix, but..."
"Lin Qingxia?" Xiao Han's movements froze for a moment.
"Xiao Han, I suspect..." Su Linglong struggled to lift her head, her voice broken, "Lin Qingxia... she is very likely a spy planted by the Divine Court in the Imperial Capital Academy. She knows your schedule perfectly well, and always assigns you unavoidable tasks at crucial moments..."
Xiao Han's breathing became heavier.
If this is true, then hasn't he been living under someone else's nose all these years?
"Your Majesty, the Shadow Sanctuary lies ahead," the dragon's deep voice echoed. "There is a barrier left by the late Emperor; the lackeys of the Divine Court dare not enter lightly."
Xiao Han hummed in response, but his mind was in turmoil.
Lin Qingxia...
Whom should he believe?
"Your Majesty, please forgive my rudeness." The dragon spoke again, its voice filled with suppressed excitement, "I am the [Dark Abyss Dragon King] under the command of the Eternal Night Emperor. It was your imperial seal that awakened me from my slumber."
"The Emperor Lord's mount?" Xiao Han was somewhat surprised.
"Indeed. After the Emperor Lord's defeat, I slept here, awaiting the new Emperor."
Su Linglong coughed in his arms, interrupting their conversation, and said urgently, "Xiao Han, there's something I must tell you..."
"Rest first, don't talk." Xiao Han gently stroked her sweaty hair.
"No, I have to say," Su Linglong forced herself to sit up straighter, "I didn't disappear before, I was captured by the people of the Divine Court."
Xiao Han tightened his grip on her arm.
"Those bastards... wanted to modify my Martial Soul and turn me into a weapon against you. But things went wrong during the modification process, and the power of the Extreme Ice Phoenix went out of control, which is how I managed to escape."
Xiao Han's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and the [Eternal Night Emperor Seal] between his brows burned.
"Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness," the Dark Abyss Dragon King's voice became extremely solemn, "The Divine Court has far more henchmen than you realize. Not just in the academies, but likely within the upper echelons of the Dragon Nation as well."
No wonder they always manage to find themselves so accurately.
As soon as he finished speaking, a burning pain suddenly shot through Xiao Han's chest; the [Divine Punishment Mark] had erupted without warning.
"Ugh!" He groaned, cold sweat instantly covering his forehead.
"Your Majesty!" The Dark Abyss Dragon King also sensed something was wrong, "It's the Divine Court's tracking mark! If this isn't removed, they'll be able to locate you wherever you go!"
Su Linglong was extremely anxious. "How can I get it off?"
"My lair, [Dark Abyss Deep Valley], has a [Purification Dragon Spring] that can wash away the mark," the Dark Abyss Dragon King replied. "However, the road is blocked by the Divine Court's blockade; it won't be easy to break through."
Just then, the communication jade pendant on Xiao Han's chest flashed a dazzling red light.
He picked it up and took a look, then froze completely.
"What's wrong?" Su Linglong asked.
"The Imperial Capital Academy has been attacked, and Professor Lin Qingxia is missing... This message requires me to return immediately to provide assistance." His voice was slightly unsteady.
The Dark Abyss Dragon King fell silent.
After a moment, it finally spoke, "Your Majesty, this is most likely a trap."
"I guessed it," Xiao Han gritted his teeth, "But what if... what if Lin Qingxia really got into trouble..."
Su Linglong took his hand.
He was torn: going might mean certain death; not going meant Lin Qingxia...
A cold, emotionless voice echoed in his mind.
[God-Level Choice Activated]
[Option 1: Proceed to the Dark Abyss Deep Valley, remove the mark, and preserve yourself. Reward: Dark Abyss Dragon Clan Bloodline (diluted), Martial Soul Resistance Increase.]
[Option Two: Return to the Imperial Capital Academy, risking your life to rescue Lin Qingxia. Reward: Divine-level martial arts skill (random), title 'Hero Aura'.]
"Choose two." He blurted out almost immediately.
"Xiao Han!" Su Linglong called out.
"Linglong, you go with the Dragon King to the Dark Abyss Deep Valley first." Xiao Han stood up, his robes fluttering in the strong wind. "I'll return to the Imperial Capital alone."
"Your subordinate disagrees!" the Dark Abyss Dragon King roared, "Your current condition is far too poor!"
"That's an order!" Xiao Han shouted, and an invisible pressure spread out.
The Dark Abyss Dragon King's massive body paused, and he fell silent.
Su Linglong's eyes reddened. "Please be very careful..."
Xiao Han leaned down and kissed her forehead forcefully. "Wait for me."
The Dark Abyss Dragon King changed direction and flew rapidly towards the Imperial Capital.
As he approached the academy, Xiao Han leaped into the air, his figure flashing a few times before disappearing completely into the night.
When he crept to the outskirts of the Imperial Capital Academy, he couldn't help but gasp.
The entire academy was shrouded in a massive milky-white barrier, upon which flowed countless runes, emanating a sacred aura that was almost suffocating. Inside the barrier, explosions and screams echoed continuously.
Damn it!
Xiao Han activated the [Eternal Night Emperor Seal], and dense dark power surged from within his body, violently colliding with the sacred barrier.
He suddenly gathered his energy, unleashing the power of his [Primordial Eternal Night Overlord] Martial Soul without reservation. Dark energy transformed into sharp blades, forcefully tearing a gap in the barrier.
But the moment he passed through the barrier, the [Divine Punishment Mark] within his body was detonated by divine power.
"Ah--"
That force was like a red-hot iron, burning his meridians from the inside out, and his cultivation was forcibly suppressed, causing him to fall from the Martial Grandmaster Realm Third Layer back to the second level.
He staggered for a moment, then gritted his teeth and rushed inside.
The academy was now a ruin, filled with rubble and fallen students. The air was thick with the acrid smell of blood and sacred power.
Xiao Han rushed towards the direction of the most intense fighting, and soon, a familiar voice pierced through the noisy battlefield and entered his ears.
"A vast expanse of ice and frost!"