At this moment, Xiao Qing ran over to the Third Elder with tears in her eyes, hugging his leg tightly as she cried, "Waaah, Grandpa, I don't want to leave! I want to stay and fight alongside you all, to face this together..."
The Third Elder looked at the young Xiao Qing, at her little face streaked with tears, and his heart ached terribly. Yet all he could do was hold back his own tears, gently stroke her small head, and softly coax her, "Qing'er, be good. You are the Xiao Clan's hope. Hurry and go! Once you get out, find Xiao Yao. He'll protect you!" With that, he gently pushed Xiao Qing away.
"Grandpa..."
Even after being pushed away, Xiao Qing stubbornly remained where she stood. Tears continued to stream from her eyes, sliding down her rosy little face and dripping onto the ground beneath her feet.
Her tiny hands were clenched tightly into fists, her body trembling slightly, her eyes full of reluctance to part with her family.
On the other side, Xiao Shan, one of the younger generation of the Xiao Clan, hurried to Xiao Qing's side and took her little hand.
"Third Elder, don't worry. I'll keep Cousin safe."
"Xiao Shan, the future will depend on you..." The Third Elder looked at Xiao Qing, tears filling his eyes and reluctance written all over his face. He watched as Xiao Shan led her away from the Xiao Clan, her small face covered in tears.
Meanwhile, Xuan Protector looked down at the Xiao Clan members fleeing frantically toward a certain spot. His eyes were filled with mockery as he tilted his head toward Iron Protector and let out a strange laugh.
"Hehe, Iron Protector, look at these Xiao Clan people below. They still cling to a shred of