Western Region, Lengcui City.
A golden light flashed across the vast plaza, causing everyone present to immediately look away. When they looked again, several figures appeared on the plaza – it was none other than Xiao Yan and his group.
After the incident in Liu Cang City, Xiao Yan and his group continued their journey without any further delays. Upon arriving in Lengcui City, looking at the vaguely familiar streets and alleys before him, Xiao Yan seemed to recall the events of the past. However, time had passed, things had changed, and the Western Region had undergone Ground Shattering changes.
In the Western Region today, the only forces that can truly be called hegemons are the aloof beauty in the Xilin Mountain Range, followed by Lü Zhongtian in the Shahepu, and the Bai Clan of Qingtuo Mountain, which has risen to prominence in recent years. These three forces each occupy their own territory. The Xilin Mountain Range remain relatively untouched by the world, and countless human experts still venture and train there. However, unlike before, the depths of the Xilin Mountain Range are now a forbidden zone that everyone deeply understands.
Secondly, there's the Shahepu where Lü Zhongtian is located. The latter is famous for its auction houses and holds a high position in the Western Lin Region. In addition, with Lü Zhongtian's powerful cultivation now, his place is especially stable.
In addition, there was the Bai Clan, which almost no one had expected.
Most people in Western Lin Region knew that the Bai Clan was once one of the Four Great Clans under the Heavenly Sword Sect. However, after the destruction of the Four Great Sects, the other three families were wiped out overnight by an unknown person. Afterwards, the Bai Clan took over all the city interests and mines under the Four Great Sects. But soon, the Bai Clan decisively abandoned most of the cities and some mines. After quickly consolidating their interests, they almost entrenched themselves in the Qingtuo Mountain area and rarely showed their faces again.
The Bai Clan acted swiftly and decisively, seizing most of the spoils in the shortest possible time before retreating to Qingtuo Mountain. This made many people understand the reason for the destruction of the three major families. After that, some forces even joined together to confront the Bai Clan.
However, after the Bai Clan produced two experts at the Origin Transformation Realm, all the forces that went there were completely destroyed, without even giving them a chance to surrender.
As a result, the name of the Bai Clan spread rapidly throughout the Western Lin Region. However, even so, they remained entrenched near Qingtuo Mountain, seemingly without any intention of expanding their family's influence. This aroused suspicion among many forces in the Western Lin Region.
Outsiders might not understand this, but the Bai Clan family members were very clear about it. It wasn't that they didn't want to expand their own power; everyone knew that having vast resources was essential for a family's rapid growth. How could the Bai Clan not have such thoughts? But the truth was, they couldn't do it.
The Bai Clan certainly doesn't want to become a second Qinhuang Lost Valley.
For them, the Leng Bingshuang of the Xilin Mountain Range was not the most terrifying thing; the most terrifying thing was the man standing behind the Leng Bingshuang.
Beyond the vast mountains, on the horizon, a faint sound of air being torn apart rang out. Immediately afterward, several streaks of light flashed by, accompanied by sonic booms, and appeared above the mountain range in the blink of an eye. Then, their figures suddenly stopped and transformed into several human figures.
Gazing at the familiar mountain range before him, Xiao Yan's expression faltered slightly. This scene gave him a feeling of returning home. Compared to the various disturbances outside, this place seemed much quieter. Especially now, when he thought of Leng Bingshuang, a smile would unconsciously appear on Xiao Yan's face. Then, he waved his hand and led the others behind him, flying towards the depths of the Xilin Mountain Range.
Just as this group of people entered the deep mountains, a figure dressed in white robes also swiftly flew out from a certain mountain peak. After a slight hesitation, the figure quickly flew off in a certain direction.
"Um?"
Xiao Yan frowned slightly as he flew, a hint of doubt creeping into his mind. He then ignored it and quickly headed deeper into the mountains.
Soon, several familiar figures appeared in front of Xiao Yan and the others. Most importantly, the Bing Shuang beauty who usually devoted herself to cultivation also appeared in front of Xiao Yan at this moment.
Looking at the unharmed Xiao Yan before her, a hint of emotion stirred in her usually Leng Bingshuang and aloof face. She knew the dangers of the Far Southern Land, but Xiao Yan had been gone for three years; how could she not worry? Now, seeing him return, her emotions were stirred, and a touch of resentment appeared in her beautiful eyes. Xiao Yan Xiao Yan, however, stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, ignoring her struggles. His strong arms held her delicate body tightly, and he whispered softly into her ear:
"Sorry, I'm back."
A simple sentence, yet it seemed to contain some kind of magic, causing the Leng Bingshuang, struggling body to slowly relax. Afterwards, Xiao Yi Xian looked at the two people in front of her, but her expression gradually dimmed, and then she silently turned her head away, no longer paying attention to them.
When acquaintances meet, they naturally engage in catching up and chatting. Bai Hua and the One-Horned Whale Serpent are already familiar with each other. Cai'er has met Lian'er before, but the latter was still asleep at the time. Now that they meet again, they are naturally somewhat familiar with each other. In addition, the two women are considered to be of the same generation among the group, so they chat more freely. Li Bingrui, on the other hand, is also close to Lian'er. The three women quickly blended together. Only Xiao Yi Xian sat alone for a long time. When the three women came to their senses, she had already disappeared.
Inside the cave of the Tian Ying, five people were sitting around a table with wine and drinks on it. The atmosphere was lively, and they were chatting happily.
In the mountains, Cai'er led the two girls to a thatched cottage built for them by Yan Shi and the others. This little girl was the young lady of the Xilin Mountain Range. Relying on Leng Bingshuang's favor, her brothers usually pampered her in every way. Everything here was at her request. Although the house's design wasn't great, the surrounding environment was quite suitable for the three girls. In such a beautiful setting, the three chatted happily.
Xiao Yan and Leng Bingshuang arrived at the heart of Xilin, a place that had undergone a complete transformation. A magnificent ice palace had been built, shrouded in icy mist, turning the area into a fairyland. Leng Bingshuang pulled Xiao Yan deeper into the ice palace, while Xiao Yan gently tugged, drawing her delicate body into his arms. The two looked at each other, their breaths growing rapid and hot...
On a deserted mountain peak, Xiao Yi Xian, dressed in a long white dress, sat alone, her narrow eyes gazing at the vast sky. A pair of white birds circled overhead, seemingly offering comfort, yet also appearing to mock her. Xiao Yi Xian could only smile blankly, tears welling in her eyes as she recalled Xiao Yan's words when he saved her.
"You... are my responsibility..."