Dragon Enters the Sea

Beneath the azure sky, a few streaks of sunset clouds stretched across the heavens, casting a blood-red hue onto the lake below. The sky and water merged into one, making it impossible to tell where one began and the other ended.

Suddenly, the space rippled with intense fluctuations, and the lake's surface churned with ever-increasing waves. After a moment, a massive, pitch-black spatial gate materialized strangely in the air. From within the gate, neat rows of figures emerged. Clad in armor and with Dou Qi Manifestation Wings, they formed two lines, hovering in the sky.

Following them, dozens more figures stepped out of the dark spatial gate. Leading them was an elder with white hair. Behind the elder walked youths of varying ages. Among these youths was a child who looked no older than six, a stark contrast to the others. The child was engrossed in licking a lollipop he held.

With a wave of his hand, the white-haired elder signaled for everyone behind him to slowly descend onto the grassy lakeside. Only then did the elder speak, "Alright, you are all dismissed. Go to your respective posts across the land."

"Yes! Elder!"

The youths scattered in all directions. In the end, only the six-year-old child remained.

The Hun Clan elder looked down at the child in the water-blue robe on the ground and said calmly, "Young Master Hun Han, according to the rules, I can only escort you this far."

Hun Han nodded slightly.

The Hun Clan elder looked at Hun Han and waved his hand, causing a scroll to float before him.

Hun Han opened it curiously and found a very detailed map. There were also some marked 'X's on the map.

The Hun Clan elder explained, "This is a map of the Central Continent, marking some of our Hun Clan's less important strongholds. My abilities are limited, and I can only help you this much. Helping you too much would invite suspicion from others. I hope you can understand!"

Hun Han put the map into his Storage Ring. The contents were incredibly detailed. Hun Han completely understood the Hun Clan elder's words.

Within the Hun Clan, unspoken rivalries had long since formed around Hun Tiandi's children, creating seven or eight factions. If the Hun Clan elder before him showed extra care for Hun Han, it would inevitably be noticed by those with ulterior motives, bringing unnecessary trouble to the elder.

Hun Han bowed politely to the elder, expressing his gratitude, "I, Hun Han, will remember this kindness today. If there is ever an opportunity in the future, I will repay it tenfold."

The Hun Clan elder looked at Hun Han with admiration. Compared to Hun Tiandi's other outstanding children, Hun Han possessed his own unique charm. It was just that Hun Tiandi didn't like Hun Han at all! Otherwise...

The Hun Clan elder sighed softly, then stepped back into the pitch-black spatial gate and disappeared.

"Haha, I'm finally out!"

Hun Han took deep breaths and couldn't help but let out a long cry. Before him lay a lush, primitive forest. Butterflies danced on the grassy lakeside, and occasionally, small birds flew by, the air filled with life. This was something Hun Han couldn't experience in the oppressive, isolated space of the Hun Clan.

Hun Han scanned his surroundings and asked softly, "Aunt Qin, are you there?"

As soon as Hun Han spoke, there was no response from his surroundings. Hun Han then took out the Black Sword he had obtained from the Hun Clan's Library Pavilion and asked, "Can you tell me the origin of this sword?"

As he finished speaking, the space about ten meters away from Hun Han rippled. Qin Lan, dressed in a black tight-fitting outfit that perfectly accentuated her voluptuous figure, emerged from the distortion. It was as if Qin Lan had been there all along.

A Dou Venerate!

This was Hun Han's latest assessment of Qin Lan. The ability to create a Space Lock indicated at least Dou Venerate cultivation.

Qin Lan looked at the Black Sword in Hun Han's hand and asked, "Young Master, where did you get this sword?"

Hun Han replied, "From the Hun Clan's Library Pavilion. It was just lying in a corner!"

Qin Lan looked surprised. "Just lying in a corner?"

Hun Han nodded. "Yes."

Qin Lan continued, "With my experience, I can't discern its origin. Magic Tools of Earth Tier or above usually emit a radiant glow. Some Magic Tools even develop sentience and can choose their own masters."

Upon hearing this, Hun Han asked, "Then how can I tell if it has chosen me as its master?"

Qin Lan replied, "The method is simple: communicate with the Sword Spirit within. If you can communicate with the Sword Spirit and gain its approval, it means it has recognized you as its master."

"Oh!"

Hearing this, Hun Han sat down cross-legged, placing his hands on the sword, intending to communicate with the Sword Spirit within.

However, Qin Lan's expression suddenly changed. The space rippled, and an invisible arrow seemed to shoot out, aimed directly at Hun Han.

A spark appeared in the air. A black, star-shaped projectile was blocked by two daggers that suddenly appeared in Qin Lan's hands, falling about a meter away from Hun Han.

"Assassin!"

Hun Han's expression changed. He stood up, gripping the Black Sword tightly.

"Go!"

Qin Lan exclaimed urgently, shielding Hun Han behind her and retreating to one side.

"Heh heh heh! My master was right, the little fellow is indeed being protected by an expert!"

A hoarse laugh echoed from the sky. There, five figures shrouded in black robes floated in the air. Their ability to tread on the void indicated they were at least Dou Ancestor level.

"Five?"

Qin Lan's face turned grim. She shouted, "Who are you? Do you know he is Hun Tiandi's thirteenth son?"

"Heh heh heh!"

One of the black-robed figures sneered, "We know. And to tell you the truth, we are here to kill the Thirteenth Young Master!"

"Thirteenth Young Master?"

Qin Lan noticed their choice of words and said gravely, "Are you from the Hun Clan?"

The five black-robed figures paused slightly, then one of them shouted, "Stop wasting words with her. She's only a Half-Saint. Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, you guys stay and tie her down with me."

"Understood, Third Brother!"

At the command, the black-robed figures moved, intending to surround Qin Lan and Hun Han.

"Young Master, take this and hurry! Go to the Pill Tower. I'll find you after I've dealt with them!" Qin Lan shoved a fiery red token into Hun Han's embrace, her expression extremely serious.

"Aunt Qin, actually we…"

"Young Master, hurry and go!"

Before Hun Han could finish speaking, Qin Lan urged him on anxiously.

"Aunt Qin, I mean, actually we can safely…"

Before Hun Han could finish his words, Qin Lan gently pushed him with her palm. In the blink of an eye, a wisp of spatial energy transported Hun Han tens of thousands of meters away from this place.

"Hehehe, Qin Lan, do you think you can save him by doing this?" a black-robed figure sneered.

"What do you mean?" Qin Lan's brows furrowed slightly, as if she had overlooked something.

"Hehehe, I'll tell you the truth. Actually, the forces assassinating you this time are not just us!" the leading black-robed figure said with a smug laugh.

"What?"

Qin Lan's pupils widened, her face changed drastically, and images of the Hun Clan disciples who had just left flashed through her mind.