Falling in Love Under the Moon

The back mountain of the Xiao Family is a mysterious and tranquil forbidden zone.

As night fell, the darkness spread gently like a pool of silent water, with starlight scattered across the horizon like fine diamond dust. The heart-stopping, earth-shaking storm of the day had already quietly subsided; the blood and murderous aura that had permeated the air were softly masked by the watery night, as if nothing had ever happened.

The Xiao Family ancestral residence was brightly lit, standing like a brilliant lighthouse and radiating a warm, reassuring glow into the darkness. The clansmen, having survived the catastrophe, were immersed in ecstasy and excitement; cheers and conversations intertwined, composing a passionate song of life. Xiao Zhan, the pillar of the Xiao Family, walked alone with steady and firm steps toward the secluded cliff at the back mountain.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his posture as straight as a pine, his green robes fluttering slightly in the night breeze like an ethereal cloud. His gaze was deep and distant, as if piercing through the far-off void to land directly in the direction of the Tagor Desert. His fingertips unconsciously brushed the Green Fire Snake Token, which felt warm with a hint of scorching heat. A faint, elusive throb emanated from the contract seal, like a mysterious beauty calling from afar, reminding him of the existence of that Queen.

"Father." At this moment, the figures of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li appeared behind him like two agile shadows. They bowed respectfully, their faces overflowing with irrepressible excitement and adoration; the light flickering in their eyes was as if they were looking at the hero in their hearts.

Xiao Zhan turned slowly, his gaze landing on his two sons with warmth and affection. Seeing their faces, which had clearly matured, he could not help but feel a touch of gratification and asked softly, "Where is Yan'er?"

"Third Brother, he..." A trace of worry appeared on Xiao Ding's face, his brows furrowing slightly as if the concern were a heavy stone pressing on his heart. "Ever since Nalan Yanran annulled the engagement, he went out for training alone. He has yet to return, and no definite news has been sent back. But Father, rest assured, Third Brother... he has his own destiny." They were still unaware of the heart-stopping events that had occurred in Green Mountain Town, and their hearts were filled with concern for their younger brother.

Xiao Zhan nodded slightly, his expression calm and composed, and said nothing more. In his heart, with Yao Lao guarding Xiao Yan, there was no need to worry excessively about the child's safety for now. He flipped his hand, and two crystal-clear jade bottles appeared in his palm, emitting a soft glow under the moonlight. He handed the bottles to the two, his voice steady and powerful: "This is the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, which can help you break through the Dou Grandmaster bottleneck. The Xiao Family has suffered this ordeal, and our strength must be improved. From today on, Wutan City will be managed by our Xiao Family; the burden on your shoulders is not light."

"Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill?!" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were both shocked and delighted, their eyes flashing with excitement. This was a Tier 6 medicinal pill! On the Dou Qi Continent, Tier 6 pills were extremely precious. That their father could produce them so casually gave them a deeper understanding of his unfathomable strength, and their reverence for him grew even further.

"Yes, Father! We will certainly not fail your expectations!" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li spoke with solemn expressions, their hands steadily receiving the pills that radiated a mysterious luster, as if they were accepting a heavy responsibility and mission.

"Go, soothe the clansmen and properly reorganize the family industries. As for He Gan, keep him locked up for now; I have my own way of dealing with him." Xiao Zhan waved his hand lightly, the movement graceful and composed, as if everything were under his control.

As the footsteps of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li faded into the distance, a graceful figure carrying the elegant fragrance of orchids appeared lightly at the edge of the cliff, like an elf blooming quietly in the dark night.

Ya Fei had changed out of the solemn and majestic palace attire she wore during the day, opting instead for a form-fitting, pale purple dress. The dress clung to her like a second skin, outlining her breathtakingly graceful curves to perfection. Moonlight fell like a silver veil upon her enchantingly beautiful face, adding a hazy and gentle aura to her, stripping away some of her usual shrewdness and competence while bestowing a touch of intoxicating tenderness. She held a delicate jade pot and two translucent jade cups steadily in her hands, her beautiful eyes rippling like a deep lake as she gazed affectionately at Xiao Zhan.

"Clan Head Xiao... no, should I call you Lord Dou Zong now?" Ya Fei's voice carried a hint of lazy playfulness, like wind chimes swaying gently in the night breeze, crisp and mischievous. Yet, deep within her eyes, she could not hide the lingering thrill of surviving the disaster and an indescribable admiration, like a star hidden behind clouds, flickering with a faint yet firm light.

Looking at the woman who had stepped forward in the face of danger to protect the Xiao Family with iron-fisted tactics, Xiao Zhan felt a surge of warmth and deep appreciation. The 93 points of favorability prompted by the system during the day were now crystal clear in his heart, like the brightest star in the night sky.

"Miss Ya Fei is joking; just call me Xiao Zhan." He smiled slightly, the expression like the warm sun of spring, gentle and genial, his voice as soft as a murmuring stream.

Ya Fei stepped closer, her posture as elegant as a dancing butterfly. She placed the jade pot and cups on a flat bluestone at the edge of the cliff and personally poured two cups of amber wine. The luster of the wine under the moonlight seemed to contain endless tenderness and affection. She handed one cup to Xiao Zhan, their fingertips brushing inadvertently, as if a subtle electric current were quietly passing between them.

"Today... thank you." Xiao Zhan took the wine cup, his expression solemn and his gaze filled with gratitude.

"Thank you for what?" Ya Fei raised her wine cup, her red lips glistening under the moonlight like ripe cherries, making one yearn to taste them. Her words carried a hint of lingering fear, as if she were still immersed in the dangers of the day, yet they were also tinged with a coquettish tone, like a spoiled young girl. "Are you thanking me for 'overestimating my capabilities' by wanting to protect the Xiao Family for you? Or for thanking me for almost getting myself killed in the process?"

"Both." Xiao Zhan's gaze was burning, staring straight into Ya Fei's eyes. His look was as deep as an endless starry sky, hiding infinite tenderness and gratitude. "Thank you for not leaving, for staying by my side during these turbulent times; thank you for your wisdom and courage, for coming up with brilliant strategies in the midst of danger; and thank you even more... for standing firmly here and fighting by my side when everyone thought the Xiao Family was about to collapse."

Ya Fei's heart skipped a beat, as if an invisible hand had gently plucked the most sensitive string in her heart. Xiao Zhan's words were as calm as water, yet they struck her heart like a heavy hammer, stirring up layers of ripples. She tilted her head and downed the wine in her cup in one gulp; the spicy liquid slid down her throat like a fire dragon, instantly igniting the flame that had been suppressed in her heart for so long. Moonlight fell like a silver veil on her fair cheeks, staining them with a moving blush, and those eyes, already charming and moving, were now shockingly bright, as if filled with the brilliance of the entire galaxy.

"Xiao Zhan," she said, setting the wine cup down gently and taking a slow step forward, standing almost chest-to-chest with him. She tilted her head, staring straight into his deep, abyss-like eyes. Her voice carried a trace of imperceptible trembling, yet it was exceptionally firm, like a pine tree in the dead of winter, unyielding and resilient. "Do you know? When Jialie Bi brought a group of villains to surround the Xiao Family, and when the pressure of Luo Bu's Dou Ling aura descended like Mount Tai, making me almost unable to breathe... I had only one thought in my heart..."

She took a deep breath, her breath as fragrant as orchids, the scent of wine and perfume brushing against Xiao Zhan's cheek like a gentle spring breeze, carrying threads of ambiguity and deep affection. "I was thinking, if you didn't come back... even if I had to use my last ounce of strength and shed my last drop of blood, I would make those who hurt the Xiao Family pay a painful price! Even if... it meant dying together with them, I would not regret it!"

The moonlight was like water, flowing quietly through this peaceful world; the beauty was like jade, standing quietly under the moonlight, revealing her most fervent and sincere heart.

Looking at the peerless face so close to his, and seeing the undisguised determination, reliance, and deep-as-the-sea affection in her eyes, a warm current surged in Xiao Zhan's heart. The 93 points of favorability had now transformed into the most real throb, like a seed quietly sprouting in the depths of his heart. He was no longer the Xiao Clan Head who needed to hide his strength and tread carefully; at this moment, he was Dou Zong Xiao Zhan, a powerhouse who could shield his beloved from the wind and rain!

A domineering yet gentle aura naturally radiated from him, like a spring breeze carrying endless warmth and strength. Xiao Zhan slowly reached out, without the slightest hesitation, and gently stroked Ya Fei's smooth, delicate cheek. The cool touch from his fingertips and her instantly heating body temperature formed a sharp contrast, like the fusion of ice and fire, sparking the flames of love.

"Silly girl." Xiao Zhan's voice was low and mellow, like a melodious melody flowing from a cello, carrying threads of pity yet possessing an unquestionable strength, like a towering mountain, giving one an endless sense of security. "With me here, I will protect you like a wall of bronze and iron; no one can hurt you in the slightest, and no one can touch the Xiao Family ever again."

This intimate touch and these domineering, affectionate words were like a spark, instantly igniting the emotions Ya Fei had accumulated for so long. Those emotions were like a bursting dam, surging and unstoppable, instantly crushing all her reserve and concerns. She let out a soft moan, like a startled little deer, and threw herself into Xiao Zhan's broad, warm embrace. Her arms wrapped tightly around his sturdy waist like vines, and she buried her burning face deep into his broad and solid chest, as if it were the safest harbor in the world.

"Xiao Zhan... Xiao Zhan..." She murmured his name over and over, her voice filled with a sobbing tone, like flower petals drifting in the night breeze, fragile yet moving. That sobbing tone was also filled with the ecstasy of regaining what was lost, as if someone who had been lost in the darkness had suddenly seen a brilliant dawn; it was also filled with an indescribable peace, as if a ship that had been drifting for a long time had finally found a quiet and warm harbor where it could safely dock.

With the fragrant and soft beauty in his arms, Xiao Zhan felt her slightly trembling body, which hid endless attachment and affection. The string in his heart named "More Children More Blessings" was plucked hard by these intense emotions, emitting a crisp and passionate sound. He no longer restrained his inner feelings; his powerful arms wrapped around Ya Fei's slender yet resilient waist like steel, pulling her tightly into his embrace as if to merge her into his own life. He lowered his head, his gaze burning and focused, precisely capturing those two red lips that were trembling slightly from excitement, like a hungry traveler finding a sweet spring.

"Mmph..."

Ya Fei's body instantly stiffened, as if struck by an electric current, and then, as if all her strength had been drained away, she completely softened in Xiao Zhan's domineering yet gentle kiss. She responded clumsily yet passionately, her response carrying a young girl's shyness and an even deeper longing for her lover. She wrapped her arms around Xiao Zhan's neck, her fingers gently embedding into his hair, as if to merge herself into his bones and blood, to be one with him forever. The moonlight was like water, spilling over their tightly embraced figures, two silhouettes intertwining and merging under the moonlight, their lips and teeth meeting as they spoke silent yet firm vows.

[Ding! Ya Fei's favorability +7, reaching 100/100 (Deeply rooted in love, a bond of life and death)!] The system's prompt echoed in Xiao Zhan's mind like a beautiful musical movement, adding a unique color to this romantic and affectionate scene.

[Host has successfully married his first wife: Ya Fei!] The system's prompt sounded like celestial music, carrying a sacred and joyful rhythm as it echoed leisurely in Xiao Zhan's sea of consciousness.

[System rewards are being distributed...] Following this, a series of prompts with fantastical colors flickered one after another like brilliant stars.

[Reward 1: Earth-Tier High-Grade Cultivation Technique Nine Turns Profound Yin Mantra (This technique perfectly matches Ya Fei's constitution; if she cultivates it with dedication, she can reach the peak of the Dou Zun realm, helping her soar in her Dou Qi journey)!]

[Reward 2: Three Tier 7 medicinal pills "Yin Yang Profound Soul Pill" (These pills can significantly improve soul power and enhance affinity with Yin-attribute Dou Qi, as if opening a mysterious door to a higher realm for a Dou Practitioner)!]

[Reward 3: Blueprint for the special building "Spirit Gathering Pavilion" (This pavilion can gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth like a huge spiritual vortex, accelerating the cultivation of core family members and laying a solid foundation for the family's prosperity)!]

[Reward 4: "More Children More Blessings" basic reward activated! For every child the host and his spouse Ya Fei conceive, you will receive additional generous rewards based on the child's talent, as if planting seeds of hope for the future of the family!]

The system's prompts were heard one after another, like the sounds of nature, playing a beautiful movement in Xiao Zhan's sea of consciousness. He did not let this distract him; instead, he devoted himself even more fully to this lingering kiss, as if to engrave this long-awaited deep affection into the depths of each other's souls, making this love eternal.

After a long while, their lips parted.

Ya Fei panted, like a beautiful flower blooming in the spring breeze, weak and moving, leaning gently in Xiao Zhan's broad and warm embrace. Her cheeks were flushed like the brilliant sunset in the sky, her charming eyes rippling with a fascinating luster, and her whole body exuded a stunning charm and satisfaction, as if the whole world had become beautiful because of this kiss. She slowly raised her head and looked at Xiao Zhan affectionately, her eyes no longer holding any doubt or reservation, leaving only an inseparable love and a deep sense of belonging, as if Xiao Zhan were everything in her life.

"Husband..." Her red lips parted slightly, and her voice carried endless lingering tenderness as she uttered this title filled with sweetness and happiness, as if telling an eternal vow.

Xiao Zhan's heart was filled with satisfaction, a feeling that flowed like a warm current in the depths of his heart. He kissed her forehead gently, his movements soft and affectionate, and responded softly, "Wife."

The moonlight was silent, like a layer of soft gauze, spilling over the embracing lovers, their affection lingering as if time had stopped at this moment.

The next morning, in the Xiao Family secret chamber.

Ya Fei had already gone to handle the affairs of the auction house. She walked with a light and confident gait, her face carrying the beauty and radiance of a newlywed woman; that beauty was like peach blossoms blooming in spring, and her radiance was like the brilliant sunshine of summer. She exuded a confidence from the inside out, as if telling the world that she had found her own happiness and destination.

Xiao Zhan sat alone, cross-legged in meditation, his aura steady and restrained. His consciousness, like a wisp of light smoke, slowly sank into the mysterious and unpredictable system space. In that illusory and fantastical space, a jade-green, warm Detoxification Spirit Bead floated quietly, like an emerald pearl emitting a soft glow, radiating a mysterious aura.

At this moment, the figures of Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian appeared involuntarily in Xiao Zhan's mind. Xiao Yan, that young boy with great ambitions and a courageous heart, was currently in the crisis-ridden Magical Beast Mountain Range, his whereabouts elusive like a spirit fox darting through the jungle. And Xiao Yi Xian, that woman burdened with the Woe Poison Body, whose fate was bumpy yet who remained resilient, made Xiao Zhan worry incessantly. At the same time, the system's prompt regarding the "Woe Poison Body Symbiosis Contract" echoed in his heart like an alarm bell.

"Yan'er is currently in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, where the terrain is complex and dangerous, and his whereabouts are truly hard to track. This Detoxification Spirit Bead is the key to saving Xiao Yi Xian and must be delivered to her as soon as possible..." Xiao Zhan frowned slightly, a look of worry appearing on his face. He pondered to himself: if he sent it directly, the target would be too conspicuous, easily exposing his whereabouts and inviting unnecessary trouble; but if he entrusted it to someone else, in this vast sea of people, who could accurately find them?

Just as Xiao Zhan was lost in deep thought, the contract imprint left behind by Queen Medusa deep within his soul, along with the mysterious Green Lotus Core Flame token, simultaneously transmitted a trace of an extremely faint yet incredibly clear fluctuation! That fluctuation was like the distant, lingering tolling of a bell; though faint, it was enough to pierce through layers of mist and reach the depths of his soul. It was as if, from some far-off place, a source of identical energy was calling out to him with deep affection.

Could this be... could it be Yan'er? And what of that faint trace of Snake-Person aura? What is going on? Xiao Zhan's heart jolted violently, as if struck by a bolt of lightning, and he instantly snapped to full alertness. He immediately concentrated all his soul power, casting it out like an invisible net to capture that faint fluctuation through the connection of the contract imprint and their bloodline resonance! That fluctuation was like a glimmer of dawn in the darkness; though small, it contained infinite hope.

[Soul resonance strengthening... Target locked: Southeastern region of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, near Green Mountain Town... Target status: In motion... Target association: Xiao Yan (Destined Protagonist), Xiao Yi Xian (Woe Poison Body Symbiote)...] The system's prompt rang out clearly in Xiao Zhan's mind like a stirring war anthem, causing his spirit to soar.

Success! Relying on his powerful Dou Zong-level soul strength and the profound connection of the bloodline contract, he had finally locked onto Xiao Yan's general location! At this moment, a resolute light flickered in Xiao Zhan's eyes, as if he could see the dawn of hope lying just ahead.

Xiao Zhan's thoughts raced as he immediately communicated with the system in his mind: "System, is it possible to transmit this Detoxification Spirit Bead to the target, Xiao Yi Xian, in an inconspicuous manner?" His voice carried a hint of urgency, yet remained steady, as if he were grasping at a glimmer of hope in the dark.

[This operation can be executed. However, it will consume a portion of the host's soul power (approximately 5%) as energy for positioning guidance and spatial traversal. Transmission method: The spirit bead will randomly appear within ten zhang of the target, and will not produce any spatial fluctuations.] The system's reply was concise and clear, like stars twinkling in the night sky, guiding the way for Xiao Zhan.

"Execute!" Xiao Zhan said decisively, without a moment's hesitation. In his heart, while 5% of his soul power was precious, it was but a drop in the ocean compared to Xiao Yi Xian's safety, and it would soon recover to its original state. At this moment, saving Xiao Yi Xian was the top priority; he could not afford even a moment of hesitation.

[Command confirmed! Consuming 5% of host's soul power... Positioning guidance in progress... Spatial coordinates successfully locked... Transmission of the Detoxification Spirit Bead officially beginning...] The system's prompts rang out in Xiao Zhan's mind one after another, like a stirring symphony playing a melody of hope.

Within the system space, the jade-green bead that had been floating quietly suddenly bloomed with a soft, brilliant light, like a green star being ignited. Immediately after, it transformed into an imperceptible streak of light, moving like a nimble sprite, disappearing from its spot without a sound as it sped toward the target's location.

Magical Beast Mountain Range, on a secret path leading to Heiyan City.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian were moving forward with extreme caution, their footsteps light and careful, as if afraid to wake the sleeping mountain forest. After a night of rest and the miraculous effects of the medicinal pills, Xiao Yan's injuries had improved significantly, and his previously pale complexion had gradually regained some color. Xiao Yi Xian had also initially stabilized the restless poison power within her body; although her face remained somewhat pale, her spirit was clearly much better. In these times of shared adversity, an indescribable tacit understanding had quietly sprouted between the two, as if their hearts were tightly linked.

"Once we cross that mountain ahead, we should be able to see the outline of Heiyan City." Yao Lao's familiar and gentle voice sounded in Xiao Yan's mind, like a wise elder guiding the way. "It will be safe once we reach there. We can find a quiet place to properly heal your wounds and inquire about the route to the Tagor Desert."

"Tagor Desert..." A glimmer of anticipation flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes, as if he could see the endless treasures hidden within that mysterious desert. There lay the clues to the Green Lotus Core Flame he dreamed of—a crucial step on his path to becoming a powerhouse!

Xiao Yi Xian followed silently by Xiao Yan's side, her gaze fixed on the youth's resolute profile, the sense of reliance in her heart growing clearer and stronger. Suddenly, she paused, like a sensitive young deer, having sensed something unusual in the surroundings. A trace of doubt flashed in her clear, water-like eyes, and she subconsciously looked toward a dense thicket by the roadside, as if it hid some unknown secret.

"What is it?" Xiao Yan instantly became alert, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's as he scanned the surroundings, his nerves taut like a leopard about to pounce.

"There... it seems like something is attracting me..." Xiao Yi Xian frowned slightly, her slender finger pointing toward the lush thicket, her tone carrying a hint of uncertainty. She could feel that the restless poison power within her body seemed to have a faint resonance with that thicket, as if something closely related to it were hidden there.

Xiao Yan immediately signaled for Xiao Yi Xian to step back, while he gripped the Heavy Xuan Ruler tightly. The heavy ruler seemed to come alive in his hands, emitting a biting aura. He carefully parted the dense bushes, each step taken with extreme caution, fearing he might disturb some potential danger.

Just then, a bead, entirely jade-green and the size of a pigeon's egg, lay quietly in the grass, emitting a warm and gentle vitality. Inside the bead, swirling green mist flowed like a nimble sprite, radiating a pure aura that was refreshing to the soul. This aura, like a breeze in spring, brushed past, causing the previously restless poison power within the approaching Xiao Yi Xian to instantly become incredibly docile, as if an unruly wild beast had been tamed.

"This is...?" Xiao Yan's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly bent down to pick up the bead. The bead felt warm and smooth to the touch, as if he were holding a ball of warm spring breeze, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity.

"Such a... good feeling..." Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help but move closer, her gaze firmly drawn to the green bead like iron filings to a magnet. The moment her fingers lightly touched the bead, a cool, gentle, and vitality-filled energy surged into her body like a babbling brook. That destructive poison power, which had always occupied her body like a maggot in the bone, seemed to have met its natural enemy; it was instantly suppressed and rendered immobile, its once manic aura turning peaceful. The fear that had always lingered in her heart—the terror that she might lose control at any moment—was replaced for the first time by an unprecedented sense of peace, as if she had found a glimmer of light in the darkness.

"This bead... it seems... it can suppress the poison in my body?" Xiao Yi Xian's voice carried an incredulous excitement and a hint of a sob, her clear eyes instantly misting over. This bead was like a ray of hope in her despair, illuminating her previously gray world.

Just then, Yao Lao's illusory figure drifted out, like a sage stepping out of an ancient scroll. He carefully sensed the green bead, his old face filled with shock, his expression as if he had seen the most incredible thing in the world: "Such pure power of purification! This... this is at least a Heaven-tier detoxification treasure! How could it appear here?!" His voice carried a hint of trembling, clearly stunned by the bead's miraculous nature.

He turned abruptly, his gaze locking onto Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian like a torch, his tone carrying an unprecedented solemnity and urgency, as if every word bore the weight of a thousand jun: "Little girl! This bead is of extraordinary significance to you; it is vital! You must keep it on your person at all times, never let it leave you! It can greatly alleviate the backlash of your poison body and buy you more precious time to seek a way to completely resolve the hidden danger of your poison body!"

Xiao Yi Xian clutched the warm, jade-like spirit bead tightly, as if she were holding onto the hope of life. She could clearly feel that the poison that had been ravaging her body all this time was now as docile and calm as a tamed beast. Tears finally couldn't be held back, spilling over and sliding slowly down her pale cheeks. She slowly raised her head, her gaze looking toward Xiao Yan—who was also filled with shock and joy—with tenderness and resolve. The corners of her mouth lifted into a truly heartfelt, brilliant smile overflowing with hope and gratitude; that smile was as bright and moving as a flower blooming in spring.

"Xiao Yan... thank you..." Her voice carried a hint of a sob, yet it was filled with sincere emotion.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but scratch his head, a look of honest embarrassment appearing on his face: "Uh... actually, I didn't find it..."

"Silly boy, who cares where it came from! This is the will of heaven; it is this girl's fated fortune!" Yao Lao laughed heartily from the side, his mood exceptionally pleasant. "Let's go! With this miraculous bead, our chances of reaching the Tagor Desert are even greater!"

And so, two people and one soul, harboring this unexpectedly acquired ray of hope, once again embarked on a journey full of unknowns and challenges. Far away in Wutan City, although Xiao Zhan felt a slight fatigue from the consumption of his soul power, a look of relief and gratification curled the corners of his lips. He knew that the spirit bead, carrying hope, had been successfully delivered into Xiao Yi Xian's hands.

Wutan City, City Lord's Mansion dungeon.

In the depths of that dark, damp dungeon, filled with the stench of rot, He Gan was tightly restrained by special chains. Those chains flickered with strange light, sealing his Dou Qi and preventing him from exerting even a shred of power. He was gaunt, his complexion as ashen as death, like a withered flower ravaged by a storm, having lost its former vitality and vigor.

Xiao Zhan's figure appeared outside the cell door as silently as a ghost drifting from the underworld. He stood still, his expression as indifferent as ice, coldly staring at this once high-and-mighty City Lord as if looking at an insignificant ant.

"Xiao... Lord Xiao..." A light of hope suddenly ignited in He Gan's eyes, as if a drowning man had grabbed the last straw. He struggled with all his might, wanting to kneel on the ground, his voice filled with terror and pleading. "Spare me! Spare me! I will say anything! It was the Misty Cloud Sect, it was the First Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Leng, who was pulling the strings in the dark! He promised me a great reward: as long as I could topple the Xiao Family, he would help me advance to Dou King and transfer me to the prosperous Imperial Capital! Those so-called 'evidences of collusion' were also sent by his men in secret! Jialie Bi and Aoba Pa were merely scapegoats they pushed out!"

Yun Leng!

Hearing this, a cold light flashed in Xiao Zhan's eyes, like a blade unsheathed, sharp and piercing. It really was this ruthless old dog! To suppress the Xiao Family and pave the way for that arrogant woman Nalan Yanran, he had actually gone so far as to collude with outsiders and frame loyal men—his heart was truly punishable!

"Yun Leng..." Xiao Zhan's voice was bone-chillingly cold, as if it had come from the Nine Nether Abyss, carrying endless coldness and killing intent. "Very well, you certainly have the courage to act and admit it."

He did not give He Gan another glance, as if looking at him for even a second longer would stain his own eyes, and turned to leave resolutely. To him, the life or death of a puppet who had lost its value was long since irrelevant, no more significant than a blade of grass.

Walking out of the dark and damp dungeon, Xiao Zhan looked toward the northwest, the direction where the Misty Cloud Sect was entrenched. The pressure of his Dou Zong cultivation erupted, like an invisible sword piercing the sky, as if he intended to tear that firmament apart!

"Yun Leng, and the Misty Cloud Sect..." Xiao Zhan's voice was low and powerful, every word seemingly carrying the weight of a thousand jun. "It is time we settled our accounts!"

"A three-year agreement? Hmph, perhaps it won't even take that long!"

A murderous aura quietly spread from Wutan City as the center, like the silence before a storm, signaling that a heaven-shaking tempest was about to sweep across the land.