Xun'er
"You know Yao Chen? Who exactly are you?" Roars echoed from the shadowy figure, who was tormented by the Heavenly Flames.
Xiao Yu said coldly, "Whether you know me or not is none of your business. Now, I'll ask you a question, and you answer it, or you die!"
Xiao Yu's murderous words did not stop the dark figure from struggling; instead, it became even more agitated.
"Guardian - I will avenge you. You can just wait to die!" These were the last words that came from the black mist, followed by a muffled thud.
Xiao Yu's expression changed as he watched the black mist within the Heavenly Flames explode into white ash. He sighed softly, "Fine, you can't escape my grasp anyway. Once my power grows stronger, the Underworld will become your Soul Hall's nightmare!"
Immediately, Xiao Yu withdrew the Bone Spirit Cold Flame from in front of him. The ball of white ash fell to the ground, and Xiao Yu turned and left without even looking at it!
Black Corner Region, an extremely chaotic area, and in such an environment, a renowned ancient academy stands.
Located at the border between the Jia Ma Empire and two other nearby empires, Jia Nan Academy stands quietly, exuding a sense of history and antiquity. Its immense prestige and unparalleled strength force the three empires to treat it with utmost respect, daring not to show the slightest disrespect or negligence.
Even in the chaotic, lawless Black Corner Region, there is a peaceful area within a certain range near the Jia Nan Academy. Anyone who brings the atmosphere of the Black Corner Region here will become a corpse on a large tree at the border between the Jia Nan Academy and the Black Corner Region, without exception over the years!
Meanwhile, atop a secluded mountain peak within this ancient academy, beside a cliff, stood an elegant young woman dressed in a light blue dress. A gentle breeze ruffled her hair, and as her dress fluttered, her perfect silhouette was subtly revealed.
The girl slowly turned around, revealing a delicate face; it was none other than Xun'er, who Jia Nan Academy first.
Xun'er gazed calmly into the distance when suddenly a soft rustling sound came from behind her, and a dark shadow rapidly approached from afar.
"Miss." The dark figure behind Xun'er knelt down on one knee and said respectfully.
"Any progress on the matter I asked you to investigate?" Xun'er asked calmly.
The black-clad figure respectfully replied, "Miss, we've uncovered some clues. Over the past year, we've discovered that, centered around the Imperial Capital the Jia Ma Empire, at least one Dou Wang, five Dou Ling, and more than ten Da Dou Shi have died!"
"Moreover, their souls have all vanished, and their bodies are like empty shells after death. Ling Ying suspects it might be the work of the Soul Hall!"
Xun'er suddenly turned around, her sharp eyes fixed on the black figure in front of her, and said, "Elder Ling, can you confirm that this is His Soul Hall's hand?"
The black-clad figure paused for a moment before saying, "Eighty percent!"
Xun'er's pupils contracted slightly, and she murmured softly, "Over the years, the Soul Hall's reach has grown increasingly extensive; the Soul Hall and the Soul Clan must have some connection."
"Their arrival in the Jia Ma Empire was definitely not accidental. Go tell Elder Ling to stay and keep watch at the Xiao Clan during this time, especially Uncle Xiao Zhan!"
The figure in black smiled wryly, "Elder Ling was sent by the family to protect you; perhaps this is inappropriate!"
Xun'er frowned and said calmly, "Jia Nan Academy is very strong, and I won't be harmed here. Tell Elder Ling to rest assured. The Xiao Clan cannot afford to be lost, otherwise, Brother Xiao Yu will be unhappy!"
"Miss, you've done so much for Young Master Xiao Yu, and he still doesn't know. Otherwise..." the black-clad figure chuckled, but before he could finish, he was stopped by a slightly embarrassed Xun'er with a leaf.
Seeing Xun'er's slightly flushed face, the black-clad figure wisely stopped talking and then recounted everything that had happened to Xiao Yu in recent days to Xun'er.
Upon hearing that Xiao Yu had unleashed a terrifying aura of Dou Zong in Yan City, Xun'er's usually calm eyes flashed with surprise. "You mean, Brother Xiao Yu single-handedly suppressed the Lu Man and the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor of the Heavenly Snake Mansion?"
"Yes, Miss, that's what Master Ling Master Ling. He was also extremely shocked. He had never seen any power that could allow a Da Dou Shi to leap to the level of Dou Zong!" The black-clad figure said, his voice filled with awe.
Xun'er frowned slightly, then looked abruptly at the black-clad figure and asked nervously, "Then, Master Ling didn't expose himself, did he?"
The black-clad figure slowly shook his head and said, "Master Ling must be hiding within Yan City. Young Master Xiao Yu shouldn't have noticed him!"
"Probably not?" Xun'er was somewhat dissatisfied with this perfunctory answer, becoming extremely sensitive and picky like a protective fox.
The black-clad figure said with a hint of helplessness, "After all, although the situation was chaotic at the time, the strength of Dou Zong was far superior to that of Dou Emperor, and Master Ling was nearby at the time, so I don't think he would have noticed!"
Xun'er looked at the black-clad figure with a slightly serious expression and said, "Tell Master Ling to keep an eye on his movements and not follow too closely. Brother Xiao Yu's strength is increasing too quickly. I'm afraid you won't be able to keep up, lest Brother Xiao Yu discovers you, understand?"
The figure in black seemed to agree with Xun'er's words, nodding slightly and saying, "I understand, Miss."
For over a year, the black-clad figure and Master Ling have been secretly protecting Xiao Yu. They have watched Xiao Yu grow stronger step by step. In just one year, Xiao Yu has gone from a Dou Zhe to a Da Dou Shi. Such potential is truly terrifying, even surpassing Miss Xun'er's current abilities!
"The woman Brother Xiao Yu met in the Monster Mountain Range, wasn't she Yun Yun, the sect leader of the Yun Yun Misty Cloud Sect?" Xun'er asked suddenly after a moment of silence.
The black-clad figure tensed up upon hearing the question, knowing full well that the woman and Xiao Yu had spent time together in the cave.
Although they didn't know what happened in the cave, Yun Yun suddenly recovered and broke through her cultivation level. Because of Yun Yun's considerable strength, they didn't dare to show themselves rashly.
The black-clad figure nodded with a wry smile and said, "It is indeed Misty Cloud Sect Master the Yun Yun Sect!"
Although she already knew the answer in her heart, Xun'er couldn't help but sigh upon hearing the news, "Brother Xiao Yu has certainly incurred a lot of debt on this trip!"
However, the black-clad figure sensed a hint of resentment in Xun'er's words, but he dared not say anything!
"Alright, you can go now. Remember to have Elder Ling keep an eye on things at the Xiao Clan!" Xun'er instructed finally.
"Yes!" the black-clad figure replied respectfully.
"Alright, you should leave now, lest you get surrounded by that tyrannical old headmaster again." Just thinking about the old headmaster's domineering temper gave Xun'er a headache.
The black figure slowly nodded, then lightly touched the ground with its toes and floated away.
Watching the figure disappear, Xun'er turned and gazed at the swirling clouds below the cliff. After a moment, she smiled gently and murmured, "Brother Xiao Yu, you have so many secrets!"
"My father asked me to find that Ancient Jade back then, but we haven't found it yet. However, Xun'er doesn't care anymore. Now, your growth surprises me. Perhaps..." Xun'er seemed to have thought of something, and a blush appeared on her pretty face.
"You'll be coming to the Jia Nan Academy soon, right? Xun'er's quite lonely here."