Tuoba Shanhai's expression stiffened.
Dugu Yifang gave him no chance to speak, turning to Yan Moyou instead. "No friendship without a fight. Brother Tuoba didn't know the inside story, and he's been as stubborn as an ox all his life. He meant nothing against the Origin-Initial Devil Sect. If you have any objections, Brother Yan, come trade blows with me once we're inside the forbidden grounds. I'm not picky."
Yan Moyou said nothing more. Instead, he tilted his head slightly and glanced at Qing Chen, a trace of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Come," he said.
Then he turned and headed deeper into the valley, toward the place where he had been quietly cultivating earlier. It was only because he had sensed powerful magnetic origin power that he had noticed Qing Chen.
Without hesitation, Qing Chen nodded briefly to Gong Shisan and Linghu Xuanji, then followed him.
One behind the other, the two passed through the crowd, through those twenty or thirty complicated gazes, and disappeared into the depths of the valley.
Only after both figures had vanished completely did the atmosphere ease considerably.
Someone muttered, "This Yan Moyou is far too overbearing... Our Nine Nether Aristocratic Clan stands as one. We wouldn't necessarily fear the Origin-Initial Devil Sect."
Tuoba Shanhai's face was ashen. He stared in the direction Qing Chen had disappeared, grinding his teeth.
Linghu Xuanji stroked his beard. This show had been more spectacular than he had imagined.
Qing Yuanjia lowered his head, a shadow flashing through his eyes. So what if Yan Moyou protects him?
Once we enter the forbidden grounds, life and death will rest with fate. When the time comes, it won't be up to you.
A cold smile curled his lips, and he turned and vanished into the air.
Deep within Yellow Maple