Xiao Yu, Ling Quan

"Stop!" Xun'er's pretty face changed as she shouted sharply.

As Xun'er's cry fell, a figure suddenly burst out of the forest. Flapping his wings, he hovered in midair before slowly descending beside Xun'er. It was Xiao Yan, his clothes slightly disheveled.

"Xiao... Are you all right?" Seeing Xiao Yan breathing somewhat heavily, Xun'er's face tightened with concern. She nearly called him by her usual form of address, but caught herself and asked in an intentionally calm tone.

Xun'er's change did not escape Xiao Yan's notice. He frowned slightly and asked, "What happened?"

After Xiao Yan emerged from the woods, the nine figures also shot out as one again, landing behind Ling Quan. Their gazes, like sharp blades, locked firmly onto Xiao Yan.

"You..." The change in Xun'er's expression did not escape Ling Quan either. He narrowed his eyes slightly, then turned toward Xiao Yan. When he saw that face, he paused briefly before saying with a half-smile, "If I'm not mistaken, you must be Young Master Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan, the one who used to be a good-for-nothing? I've seen your portrait."

"Who are you?" Xiao Yan asked in a low voice, his face dark as water.

"Deputy Commander of the Black Legion, Ling Quan. Though telling you is pointless. You—or rather, the Xiao Clan—have no right to come into contact with this level." Ling Quan smiled, his voice carrying undisguised contempt. He had long heard that the Xiao Clan had nearly been wiped out. The current Xiao Clan had completely declined; how could it still possess any of its former glory?

Hearing Ling Quan's disdain for the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan's face gradually turned icy. His hand slowly closed around the handle of the Heavy Xuan Ruler.

"Ling Quan, shut up! The Xiao Clan has an alliance