One of the Jia Ma Empire's Former Top Ten Experts

The girl in military attire was seventeen that year. All her life, she had commanded the wind and rain, getting whatever she wanted.

This was the first time she had met someone like Xiao Chen, who dared to disrespect her.

She also knew that, ever since she was little, the people around her had feared not her, but her father.

One of the Jia Ma Empire's former top ten experts, a Dou Huang expert as renowned as Ice Emperor Hai Bodong.

Duan Ruifeng!

So this was her first taste of such an aggravating feeling.

Xiao Chen's air of disdaining to even argue with her, in particular, made her teeth itch with anger.

But when she heard her guard's suggestion, she gritted her teeth and refused.

Angry as she was, she was no venomous woman who would kill someone simply for provoking her.

"From now on, no matter how much danger that fellow runs into, don't save him unless he bows his head and begs me for help!"

After taking a deep breath, the girl in military attire gave her instructions.

She did not lower her voice, as though she deliberately wanted Xiao Chen to hear.

Unfortunately, Xiao Chen offered her only his retreating back.

He did not even turn his head.

This made the girl's teeth itch with anger all over again.

She took several deep breaths in succession, afraid she might lose control of her temper and actually rush over to beat Xiao Chen up herself.

"Miss, don't be angry. Young Brother Xiao Chen is no ordinary person."

Noticing the strange atmosphere, Yin Yuandong came over to the girl in military attire and explained with an apologetic smile.

"Is he very impressive?" the girl snorted.

Yin Yuandong immediately said with pride written all over his face, "Of course! At the martial tournament in my hometown, Young Brother Xiao Chen outshone all the other heroes and stood alone at the top, taking first place in one stroke! It caused a sensation in several surrounding cities. Everyone was talking about Young Brother Xiao Chen's illustrious name."

The girl in military attire paused, seemingly understanding something. Staring at Xiao Chen's distant back, she said, "So that's it. No wonder he's been so full of himself this whole way. He won first place in some small-town martial tournament!"

At that, Yin Yuandong had nothing to say.

How could this young girl be so incapable of recognizing goodwill?

Yin Yuandong shook his head helplessly, no longer inclined to say anything more to her.

Rumble!

Just then, a muffled thunderclap rang out from the distant horizon.

Dust showered down from the hall's rafters.

The girl in military attire was startled too and looked outside the hall.

"Miss, it's going to rain."

The middle-aged man in black robes frowned.

The next instant, accompanied by peals of muffled thunder, rain came pouring down in torrents. Dense pattering filled the air outside the hall.

The crosses in the distance were shrouded in thick, gloomy darkness and curtains of rain. Occasional flashes of lightning in the clouds made them look especially eerie.

"Uncle Gong, it's too dark. Light a fire, quickly."

The middle-aged man in black robes dared not delay. "You, light a fire. The rest of you, dispose of the bodies, then stand guard outside the hall."

The guards hurried into action.

Soon, a fire blazed up, dispelling the dark, chilling atmosphere inside the hall.

The girl in military attire and her companions sat on the floor around the fire.

Some guards took out the food they had brought and presented it to her.

There was milk, meat, and pastries-a rather plentiful spread.

The girl took some meat and pastries and handed them to Xiao Yi Xian. "Eat."

After thanking her, Xiao Yi Xian brought the food over to Xiao Chen.

Seeing this, the girl in military attire snorted, but said nothing to stop her.

Time slowly passed.

The girl in military attire and her entire party had eaten and drunk their fill.

Outside, however, the rain still poured down.

Xiao Chen took out three specially made bamboo chairs.

He was the first to lie down comfortably.

Little Gold also jumped onto a bamboo chair.

Xiao Yi Xian hesitated, then lay down on the last bamboo chair as well.

Seeing this, the girl in military attire gave a soft snort and had the middle-aged man in black robes take out a reclining chair too.

Pat, pat, pat!

Outside, wind howled and rain lashed down, while inside the hall, the fire was warm.

The middle-aged man in black robes laid his pitch-black bone saber across his knees and faced the hall's entrance, his back straight as he rested with his eyes closed.

The other guards talked in low voices.

Yin Yuandong huddled beside the fire, his head lowered, his thoughts unknown.

Suddenly, the girl in military attire seemed to grow impatient and muttered, "It's been so long. Why haven't that old fellow's accomplices come yet?"

Her words had barely fallen.

Xiao Chen suddenly opened his eyes.

Whooo!

A black torrent suddenly burst through the tightly shut doors.

A powerful, sinister wind swept in, whipping up the burning fire and scattering countless sparks.

The entire hall plunged into darkness.

"Protect the young lady!"

"What the hell are these things?"

"This is bad! A swarm of Ghost-Faced Insects!"

The hall descended into utter chaos.

Battle erupted in an instant, the clash of weapons ringing out amid waves of shrill, piercing insect cries.

At the same time, Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes widened. Just as she was about to move, her body felt weightless, and someone swept her into his arms.

She was about to struggle and cry out when Xiao Chen's calm voice sounded beside her ear, carrying a faint hint of a smile. "Don't be afraid."

Xiao Yi Xian froze for a moment, then nodded obediently and stopped struggling.

Ghost-Faced Insects, each slightly larger than a human head, came swarming at them, blotting out the sky, yet Xiao Chen found them quite interesting.

He took out a pale green longsword. With a flash of cold light, he stabbed the dozen or so Ghost-Faced Insects hurtling through the air toward him, one after another.

Though everything was pitch-black, watching Xiao Chen take down one insect with each stroke under the glow of his sword was truly pleasing to the eye.

Xiao Chen, meanwhile, felt a curious thrill, as though he were playing Fruit Ninja.

The sinister wind howled, and the doors banged.

Beneath the curtain of rain, an unknown number of Ghost-Faced Insects seized the chance to rush inside.

The battle continued.

Xiao Chen stood in the same spot the entire time. Whenever a Ghost-Faced Insect approached, a gleam of sword light flashed.

He never missed, looking utterly at ease.

Half a quarter of an hour later.

A strange, piercing sound suddenly rang out from the dark curtain of rain beyond the hall.

It was like a signal.

As though summoned, the Ghost-Faced Insects inside the hall darted outside.

"Don't pursue them! Light the fire first!"

The middle-aged man's steady voice rang out in the darkness.

Soon, the fire was lit again, and its light drove away the darkness.

The hall was now a complete mess.

The middle-aged man in black robes and the guards surrounded the girl in military attire, all wearing grave expressions.

Xiao Chen glanced around and said gently to Xiao Yi Xian beside him, "We're safe for now."

3

But just then, a guard's expression suddenly changed. "Miss, Lü Yan and the others!"

Near the entrance lay several shriveled human skins. The flesh and blood within had been devoured completely; their end had been utterly horrific.

The girl in military attire widened her eyes, her pretty face pale.

In all her life, this was the first time she had witnessed such a bloody scene!

And the victims were guards close to her.

For a moment, grief and anger mingled within her, leaving her emotions tangled.

"Miss, life and death are commonplace on the Dou Qi Continent. Please don't grieve too much."

The middle-aged man in black robes stepped forward and comforted her gently. "Lord Duan agreed to let me bring you here because he wanted you to experience more things. Only through trials can you grow."

The girl in military attire was somewhat dispirited. "But I never thought people would die on this expedition."

"This is only the beginning."

Suddenly, Xiao Chen spoke. "The Ghost-Faced Insects were only their first wave of attacks. What matters most now is preparing to fight, not grieving."

The girl in military attire immediately snapped, "What do my affairs have to do with you? I didn't see you showing much ability during the fight. You were quicker to hide than anyone!"

Xiao Chen ignored her, but suddenly raised his eyebrows and looked outside the hall.

A figure slowly strolled in from outside.