At Jia Nan Academy, atop the lushly wooded mountain behind the grounds.
A breeze swept through the thick foliage, stirring a soft rustle.
Yet a terrifying heat that made the soul tremble now enveloped the once-peaceful summit.
"How dare the Hall of Souls act so brazenly?!"
Her cool voice held barely restrained, seething anger.
Brilliant golden flames suddenly erupted from the girl in green. The liquid-like fire scorched even the space around her, warping it slightly, as though it would burn everything in the world into nothingness.
Several breaths later, the girl drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the murderous intent boiling within her.
The terrifying golden flames withdrew into her body, and the temperature atop the mountain gradually returned to normal.
She turned, her limpid eyes settling on the black-robed elder kneeling on one knee in the shadows. A trace of anxiety and trembling crept into her voice:
"Brother An Yi... is he all right now?"
Ling Ying kept his head lowered and replied respectfully, "Rest assured, miss. Although that Soul Hall Protector detonated himself in a desperate last stand after being cornered, the miraculous exotic beast bloodline within Young Master An Yi fortunately pulled him back from death's door. I watched over him from the shadows at the Misty Cloud Sect for a month. Judging by his complexion now, he's no longer in any serious danger."
Only then did Xun'er's tense body relax slightly, and the last lingering wisp of golden flame around her finally died out.
"Then is he still at the Misty Cloud Sect?"
Ling Ying shook his head. "Judging by the time, Young Master An Yi should already have set out for Jia Nan Academy."
At that, Ling Ying paused, his expression growing grave. "However, miss, before I left the Jia Ma Empire, I