The Battle Begins Outside the Ghost Capital

Early the next morning, while the sky was still dim, many people had already left the inn and set off.

Xiao Ran and the others were no exception. Their group had grown considerably this time, and everyone had a horse. Golden Toad Son even had a carriage, while the Tiger Demon had been promoted from mount to pillow. Golden Toad Son reclined against the tiger's soft belly, looking thoroughly comfortable.

Guxin Hall rode a white horse that was clearly no ordinary steed. According to Wu Man, it was called the Night-Shining Lion, a top-tier thousand-mile horse.

What was even more astonishing was that the horse's body was covered in delicate dragon scales. Whenever its hooves struck the ground, a streak of white light remained there, fading only after a moment.

Xiao Ran was curious, so he asked. As it turned out, Guxin Hall had given the horse a wisp of Dragon Qi, and that was what had transformed it.

"You had so little Dragon Qi to begin with, and you're handing it out like you're some kind of philanthropist?"

Xiao Ran sat astride another horse and rode alongside Guxin Hall, teasing him.

Guxin Hall reached down to stroke the white horse affectionately. He raised his head and said helplessly, "After you slew the dragon at the last Sword Evaluation, I took four portions of Dragon Qi in total. I gave three to my father, thinking he would use them himself. But in the end... Hmph. If he doesn't care about it, why should I?"

"I'm curious, though. You were the Third Scholar in the Sword Evaluation, yet you couldn't beat your useless Second Brother? Were you adopted or something?"

Xiao Ran didn't hold back at all—or rather, there was no need to hold back with Guxin Hall.

The two groups