Black Nirvana Army Regulations

"Since it was a spar, life and death were in Heaven's hands. Besides, Gu Yao had only been knocked unconscious for the time being. How dare you use this opportunity to make trouble!" Xiao Xun'er was utterly enraged, golden flames blazing fiercely in her eyes.

"Miss Xun'er, the Black Nirvana Army has its own regulations: whoever severely injures a commander of the Black Nirvana Army shall receive one hundred strokes and be expelled from the clan. The crime is unforgivable!" Ling Quan shot Xiao Xun'er a savage glance and said sternly. "This time, forgive us for being unable to comply!"

"Miss, you would do well to calm down. Even you cannot—and should not—interfere in matters concerning the Black Nirvana Army. If we make an exception for you today, what will remain of the Black Nirvana Army's regulations? When a general is in the field, some commands from above need not be obeyed!" An elder in black standing beside Xiao Xun'er, whose aura was exceptionally formidable, spoke up. "If Miss Xun'er insists on intervening, then we can only offend you as well."

"Good, very good! I will personally report this matter to Father today. I want him to see how you treat me, and how you treat guests of the Gu Clan!" Though Xun'er spoke like that, a thread of doubt and anxiety rose in her heart. With Gu Yuan's powerful Soul power, he should already have known every detail of the conflict here. Why had Father not yet sent down any verbal instruction?

Meanwhile, in a secret chamber deep within the Gu Clan, Gu Yuan was discussing the art of tea with Gu Lie—the supreme commander of the Gu Clan's Black Nirvana Army.

"I presume the Clan Leader is already well aware of what is happening with Miss?" Gu Lie asked. With only a slight probe from his Heaven Realm Great Perfection Soul power, he had grasped the fierce battle taking place in the Gu Clan plaza. Gu Yuan, who possessed Emperor Realm Soul power, must have understood it even more clearly.

"I know, but I do not intend to interfere for now." Gu Yuan took a sip of tea and said blandly, "Xiao Yan is indeed talented. He is worthy of Xun'er and will surely achieve great things in the future. But if he is a dragon, he must coil up for me. If he is a tiger, he must lie down for me. Consider this a warning to let him know the might of my Gu Clan. Xun'er will understand my actions today in time."

"The Clan Leader is wise!" Gu Lie nodded. A few days ago, Xiao Yan had defeated several highly capable young members of the Black Nirvana Army, and today he had severely injured Gu Yao, whom Gu Lie greatly admired. He was indeed somewhat displeased by all this. "Let these hot-blooded youngsters under my command have their moment of recklessness. There will not be a next time."

Seeing the situation in the arena, Yao Ling became hesitant. When she had gone as an envoy to the Ancient Void Dragon clan, Xiao Yan had indeed done the Yao Clan a great favor. His defeat of Gu Yao today further proved that he was a highly sought-after rising talent. But she was, after all, the Young Clan Leader of the Yao Clan. If she stepped in to help today, she might offend the Gu Clan's Black Nirvana Army and bring unnecessary trouble upon the Yao Clan...

Just as she was wavering, Mang Tianchi flashed forward and, in the blink of an eye, appeared beside Xiao Yan. He declared sternly:

"Xiao Yan is my student. Even if it means offending your Gu Clan today, I will take my student away!"

As soon as those words were spoken, whispers immediately rose throughout the arena. For a Half-Saint to willingly step forward despite the risk of offending the Gu Clan, Xiao Yan truly had some skill.

"Elder Mang, Xiao Yan has violated the regulations of my Gu Clan's Black Nirvana Army. The law allows no mercy. Besides, we merely wish to have a private talk with Xiao Yan first and have him give us a reasonable explanation." Seeing that things were turning unfavorable, the leading gray-robed elder among the dozen or so peak Dou Zun experts spoke up. "We hope Elder Mang can understand."

"Understand my ass! Your Gu Clan has always bullied others with its power. Do you think I, Mang Tianchi, do not know what you are capable of doing today?" Mang Tianchi grew even more agitated upon hearing that. "Let me make this clear: I will not agree to this!"

"Then there is nothing we can do." The gray-robed elder sighed. "Gu Jun, Gu Chen, Gu Zhu, Gu Chun, the four of you, keep Elder Mang occupied for now."

No sooner had he spoken than four black-clad experts flashed into the air. Mang Tianchi clenched his teeth. Even he had not expected the Black Nirvana Army to insist on acting alone despite the risk of offending a Half-Saint. What confused him even more was that Gu Lie, who had always governed his troops with strict discipline, was turning a blind eye to such insubordination!

"Elder Gu Fa, I hope you will show mercy this time. Xiao Yan has rendered outstanding service to my Yao Clan as well. I cannot simply stand by and watch this happen today." Yao Ling let out a soft sigh and spoke. "Fists and feet have no eyes. Whatever pills are needed to treat Commander Gu Yao, I, Yao Ling, will provide them all."

The whispers in the arena turned into loud uproar, mixed with several gasps and bursts of applause. The Gu Clan had always acted recklessly, relying on its status as the publicly acknowledged foremost clan of the Ancient Eight Clans. The other clans had long held deep grievances against them. Now that someone dared to step forward and confront these arrogant Gu Clan brats head-on, how could the members of the other clans not be overjoyed?

"Brother Xiao Yan, you really do know how to attract women..."

Rather than becoming happy at Yao Ling's words, Xun'er's eyes gained another trace of irritation.

"Miss Yao Ling, do these words represent only your own opinion, or the opinion of the entire Yao Clan?" The gray-robed elder was stunned for a long moment. "Allow me to kindly remind you that, as the current Young Clan Leader of the Yao Clan, it is ultimately inappropriate for you to say such things on an occasion like this."

"If representing only my own opinion can resolve this matter, then I choose the former. If it cannot, then my words represent part of the Yao Clan's opinion." Yao Ling hardened her heart and spoke without reservation. "Elder Gu Fa, let me also kindly advise you not to push people too far."

"Heh, Clan Leader, this Xiao Yan truly has something to him." Gu Lie praised him aloud. As a member of the Ancient Eight Clans, he had heard that Yao Ling was known in the Yao Clan as an ice-cold beauty. That she would step in to help as the Young Clan Leader genuinely surprised him. "It seems Xiao Yan is quite highly valued by the Yao Clan."

"Ah, this son-in-law truly is no easy man to handle. If two Half-Saints stood behind him, that would be one thing. But if the Yao Clan backs him..." Gu Yuan gave a wry smile. "Let this end here today. After all, I never truly intended to do anything to him."

"My Gu Clan is a hospitable clan. Let today's matter end here."

A deep, resonant voice came from the void, and the arena instantly fell silent. Everyone in the plaza understood just how terrifyingly powerful the owner of that voice was.

"Xiao Yan, consider yourself lucky today!" The gray-robed elder glared fiercely at Xiao Yan, then flicked his sleeve and departed. The dozen or so peak Dou Zun experts likewise vanished without a trace in an instant.

Xiao Yan let out a breath of relief. To him, no matter what, the matter had finally passed.

Unfortunately, that thought was utterly and completely wrong.

"Elder Sister's Azure Spirit Wind Flame is actually formed from the fusion of six Heavenly Flames. Its power is not the least bit inferior to my Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame. I just wonder who helped Elder Sister fuse those Heavenly Flames?"

"Little Sister Xun'er, there is no need to beat around the bush. Just get to the point. I have no interest in little boys at all," Yao Ling teased.

"Oh, is that really so?" Xiao Xun'er smiled brilliantly, yet there was not the slightest warmth in that smile. "If so, then Elder Sister is truly wise. The Yao Clan's strength still cannot compare with my Gu Clan..."