Ning Tian and Wu Feng, Dragon Burial Mountain Range

Chapter 21: Ning Tian and Wu Feng, Dragon Burial Mountain Range

After a brief silence, Ning Tian wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and casually gathered her golden hair. Looking at Elder Wu before her, she asked in a low voice, "Elder Wu, can you determine who those two powerful figures were just now?"

Elder Wu froze slightly, then gently shook his head. "This old man is incapable. If those two powerful figures had concealed their auras any more thoroughly, I fear I would not even have noticed their presence. Though we did not clash with them directly, merely their auras from such a great distance exerted such immense pressure upon us. Their cultivation must be far beyond that of ordinary Super Douluo..."

Elder Wu's words caused Ning Tian's delicate face to darken once more. Two Titled Douluo-level experts of such terrifying strength had appeared deep within the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's sphere of influence. It would have been one thing if they were merely passing through, but if they had another purpose, Ning Tian did not dare dwell on it...

Though Ning Tian was only seven years old, having been raised as the sect's heir, her mind was far more mature than that of children her age. Despite her youth, she already possessed her own unique understanding when handling major matters. It was precisely because of this that she had earned the recognition of the sect's experts at every level and become the undisputed next sect master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Tian pondered for a moment before speaking softly. "This soul-hunting expedition is canceled. We will return first and report this matter to Mother and the elders. The disciples who have yet to obtain their soul rings should not be anxious either. This concerns the sect's safety, so everyone will have to endure this inconvenience for now."

Everyone nodded in acknowledgment. Ning Tian looked at the red-haired girl who had remained close by her side and said softly, "Sister Feng, once we return, I'll leave the task of counting those who still need to hunt souls to you. Remember, do not be so careless again..."

An anxious expression appeared on the red-haired girl's face. She spoke incoherently, "Young Mistress, I need to protect you at all times. You can leave something like this to You Fan and the others. I..."

Before Wu Feng could finish, Ning Tian directly cut her off.

"Enough!"

"Sister Feng, you are also a member of the sect. In the future, you will surely become one of the sect's upper ranks alongside me. Right now, whether you wish to handle these matters or not, you must handle them. Sister Feng, do not blame me. People always need to grow. Besides, you are the person by my side whom I trust most..."

As Ning Tian finished speaking, Elder Wu slapped Wu Feng directly on the head. Wu Feng staggered, her eyes filling with tears, but she stubbornly held them back.

"The young mistress is doing this for your own good. Wu Feng, if you dare cause any more trouble, when we return to the sect, this old man will spank you until your backside blooms. Try me if you don't believe it."

Elder Wu's face was red with anger. Toward his granddaughter, who loved nothing more than clinging to Ning Tian's side, he felt both furious and helpless.

If you had simply behaved yourself and cultivated beside the young mistress, even being a little mischievous would not have been a problem. But why did you have to get such rebellious ideas as trying to court the young mistress at this age?

Elder Wu had been quite the charmer in his youth, never once failing in romance. Yet in his old age, his granddaughter repeatedly broke through his defenses. Damn it, Elder Wu even felt the urge to dig up his deceased son and daughter-in-law so they could properly discipline Wu Feng. Yet whenever he thought of them, much of his anger suddenly faded.

An inexplicable sense of desolation appeared in the old man's eyes, and the look he gave Wu Feng gradually became complicated.

Seeing Wu Feng lower her head, her chest rising and falling faintly, Ning Tian stepped forward and gently took her hand. She then sighed softly and said to Elder Wu, "In any case, Elder Wu, and the two stewards as well, let us return to the sect first. We can discuss anything else afterward..."

Elder Wu and the two stewards quickly came back to their senses and respectfully agreed...

Meanwhile, the Ice Empress, who was staring wide-eyed at Shu Yan, clearly had no idea how much trouble the faint pressure she had inadvertently released had caused Ning Tian's group. After traveling for a day and a night, they had made rapid progress. Shu Yan looked at the towering mountain range ahead and said, "Once we cross that mountain range, we will officially enter the territory of the Star Luo Empire..."

The Snow Empress softly hummed in acknowledgment, while the Ice Empress, following beside the two of them, idly glanced at the scenery around them, looking somewhat bored.

As they gradually rose higher, thin clouds appeared around the three of them. The Snow Empress narrowed her eyes slightly and suddenly stopped in midair. The Ice Empress, unable to react in time, slammed headfirst into Shu Yan's back, causing Shu Yan to stumble uncontrollably as well.

After recovering, the Ice Empress poked her head out from behind Shu Yan, rubbed her slightly sore nose, and asked curiously, "Xue'er, why did you suddenly stop? Is something wrong?"

The Snow Empress did not immediately respond to the Ice Empress's puzzled question. Her narrow phoenix eyes swept over the forest below, which was covered in jagged rocks, and a trace of confusion flashed through her gaze. Soon, she raised her head to look at Shu Yan and the Ice Empress, gently shook her head, and said, "Nothing. It is just that when we passed through here, I seemed to sense a faint energy fluctuation. But when I carefully investigated it, I found nothing. I was wondering whether there was something wrong with my senses..."

The Snow Empress's words plunged all three into thought. After a moment, the Ice Empress suddenly said, "Xue'er, have more confidence. Your senses cannot possibly be wrong. The perception of someone at the Limit Douluo level is already unlike that of ordinary people. On top of that, you are a lifeform condensed from the purest Ice Attribute Heaven and Earth Elemental Power in the world, so you are naturally extremely sensitive to energy fluctuations. Though I did not sense anything unusual, this mountain range feels unusual to me as well..."

The Snow Empress gave the Ice Empress a somewhat surprised glance. Moments when the Ice Empress was this clever in front of her were few and far between. Who would have thought one would happen today?

Shu Yan sighed softly, then took out a map. After studying it for a while, he said, "This is the border between the two nations, and few people have set foot here throughout history. This mountain range is called the Dragon Burial Mountain Range. It is said that a True Dragon once perished here, causing the nearby soul beasts to become more or less tainted by dragon aura and dragon blood. The earth veins also changed as a result. The entire mountain range resembles a dormant giant dragon in its formation, hence the name Dragon Burial."

After a pause, Shu Yan continued, "The mountain before us is the tallest peak in the entire Dragon Burial Mountain Range. It is shaped like a sword, majestic and imposing, with its highest point exceeding a thousand zhang. It can truly be said to pierce the clouds..."

After another pause, Shu Yan added, "As I said before, once we cross this mountain range, we will enter the territory of the Star Luo Empire. Both nations have stationed heavy forces nearby. Officially, it is to reinforce the border, but in truth, they simply do not trust one another..."

The Snow Empress nodded. Her gaze lingered for a long time on the mountain peak that pierced the clouds like a sharp sword. At last, she gently shook her head and said, "We will investigate it another time. I have a feeling that something terrifying is hidden below. Yet there seems to be an invisible barrier around it. To open it, even I may have to use my full strength..."

The moment those words were spoken, Shu Yan and the Ice Empress were both stunned, unable to believe it.

With the Snow Empress's cultivation, comparable to that of a human Limit Douluo, a full-powered strike would likely shatter and collapse the entire Dragon Burial Mountain. Such a terrifying disturbance would surely be sensed within a thousand li. By then, it would not only draw the armies of the two nations, but also the continent's experts. At that point, this area would truly become lively...