"Buzzing..."
As an invisible ripple of energy spread out, a young man with delicate features, dressed in a black robe, slowly walked out from a dilapidated courtyard in the south of the city.
At this moment, outside the courtyard, a figure hesitated before the entrance, unsure whether to go in.
The small courtyard before him was known to everyone in the entire Wilderness as the residence of the powerful figure respectfully called Elder Luo. Today, his purpose was to come here to confirm his suspicions.
Yan Xiao has been missing for half a month. During this time, the power structure in the Ancient Wilderness City has been constantly changing. Half-Emperor level experts have gathered in Wilderness Ancient Wilderness City, which has continuously raised the strength of the Half-Emperor- Emperor level experts in the Desolate Ancient City. Normally, Three-Star Half-Emperor could control a region, but now he seems insignificant among these Half -Half-Emperor level experts.
And right now, it's unclear who spread the message, but besides the already vanished Yan Xiao, there's actually a Three-Star Half-Emperor wielding the Void Lightning Pool Invitation in this Ancient Wilderness City!
The spread of this news instantly drove the group of Half-Emperor in the Ancient Wilderness City into a frenzy. Their bloodthirsty eyes, filled with greed, scanned each Three-Star Half-Emperor as if they wanted to see right through their bones.
As luck would have it, just as everyone was searching for that Three-Star Half-Emperor, the message that came from nowhere started spreading like wildfire again. This time, everyone's eyes were fixed on Qin Zhong, who was acquainted with Xiao Yan!
Indeed, the person standing in front of the courtyard gate at this very moment is Qin Zhong!
Nowadays, the Void Lightning Pool Invitation is like a hot potato. Whoever falls into its hands will become the target of everyone's hatred. Apart from those High-Level Half-Emperor, the only person in the Ancient Wilderness City who is known to have the Void Lightning Pool Invitation is Qin Zhong.
Therefore, in the past few days, the entire Wilderness has been in turmoil because of Qin Zhong. Everyone below the level of Seven-Star Half-Emperor is frantically searching for Qin Zhong. If Qin Zhong hadn't been self-aware enough to know that with his current strength he would have difficulty protecting the Void Lightning Pool Invitation in his hands, and had hidden it before the news spread, he wouldn't have had the chance to appear here.
Standing outside the entrance hall, Qin Zhong was filled with hesitation, his heart brimming with both hope and worry.
In fact, Qin Zhong did not know that Xiao Yan was with Elder Luo. He came here only with a try-it-out attitude. He hoped to find Xiao Yan, but not to ask Xiao Yan to be his protector.
Before this, Qin Zhong had secretly gone to the Alchemist Guild. He was now the target of everyone's attention, and everyone wanted to get the Void Lightning Pool Invitation from him. Naturally, he had to be careful in his actions. Even elders of the Alchemist Guild had to be on guard.
Upon meeting Gu Li and Chi Lin, the two naturally knew about Qin Zhong Zhong's relationship with Xiao Yan. Therefore, they gave him a truthful answer regarding Xiao Yan's whereabouts. Although the result was not satisfactory, Qin Zhong knew that they would not deceive him.
Upon leaving the Alchemist Guild, the first place Qin Zhong thought of was naturally, just as most people expected, Xiao Yan must be at the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion. After all, everyone in the Ancient Wilderness City had witnessed Elder Xuan representing Xiao Yan on behalf of the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion that day.
But upon further reflection, Qin Zhong frowned. Cloud-Hidden Pavilion was always bustling with business, and it even had many Half-Emperor among its members. If he went in, wouldn't he be walking into a trap?
Although the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion has strict rules that absolutely prohibit fighting within its walls, even exposing one's whereabouts would still be a devastating blow to Qin Zhong at this moment.
He was neither in the Alchemist Guild, nor could he enter the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion, nor had he left the Ancient Wilderness City. Apart from that, the only place Xiao Yan could go was this seemingly dilapidated and quiet little courtyard.
Currently, the only place in the city that still maintains contact with Xiao Yan, and one that ordinary people would not think of or dare to approach, is this place.
Outside the entrance hall, Qin Zhong nervously looked at the small courtyard before him. Compared to searching for Xiao Yan, the presence of Elder Luo in the courtyard made him even more anxious.
In this situation, the more hesitant a person is, the more nervous they become. Qin Zhong had been standing in front of the door for nearly an hour since he arrived, and his nervousness was beyond words. At this moment, even his normal breathing became rapid, and a bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
In the Inner Academy, Xiao Yan emerged from the Ginseng Spirit Realm, and his immense Spiritual Strength allowed him to immediately sense the person standing outside the entrance.
"Hmm? I never expected it, it was him... It seems he came here on a Elder Luo, and that's why he didn't come in until now..."
Muttering to himself, Xiao Yan chuckled and shook his head. Elder Luo's intimidating power in this Ancient Wilderness City was truly terrifying. With Qin Zhong's strength Three-Star Half-Emperor, he could at least be considered a powerful figure in the Wilderness. Yet, he revealed such a state at this moment, which was truly astonishing.
With light steps, Xiao Yan walked towards the Outer Academy. The wooden door between the Outer Academy and Inner Academy was closed, so Qin Zhong could not see Xiao Yan. Moreover, this small courtyard was shrouded in Elder Luo's aura, making it impossible to investigate.
"Hehe, what a coincidence. Isn't this the Qin Clan's patriarch? What, being chased by those Half-Emperor and having nowhere to hide, so you want to come here to seek protection from Elder Luo? Oh right, that Yan Xiao does have some connection with Elder Luo, but Elder Luo is helping Yan Xiao... not you."
Just as Xiao Yan reached the wooden door and was about to open it to go out, Qin Zhong looked in astonishment at an old man with a gloomy face walking slowly towards him not far behind.
Judging from the old man's aura, it was several times stronger than Qin Zhong's; he was clearly a Six-Star Half-Emperor level expert!
Upon hearing the voice, Xiao Yan frowned slightly, and slowly lowered his hand that was about to be raised. Then, a cold smile appeared on his lips, and his Spiritual Strength spread out to observe the situation outside the entrance.
"Hmph! If I'm not mistaken, the message from the Void Lightning Pool Invitation that was attached to me was released by you, Li Gan!"
With his eyes narrowed, ignoring Li Gan's words, Qin Zhong stared intently at the figure slowly walking away opposite him, and angrily rebuked him.
The person who came was none other than Li Gan, the patriarch of the Li Clan in the Ancient Wilderness City!
"Hehe... Brother Qin Zhong, you can't say that. The Void Lightning Pool Invitation is meant for the capable. Hiding like this is ultimately useless. When the time comes, the Lightning Invitation in your hands will inevitably be taken away. I'm only doing this to make you realize your limitations..."
Li Gan did not deny Qin Zhong's angry rebuke. As he spoke, he continued walking straight toward Qin Zhong without pausing.
"You knew I'd come here!"
Qin Zhong said angrily with a wary expression, his Dou Qi spreading throughout his body, ready to deal with Li Gan at any moment.
"Hehe, after all, in this Ancient Wilderness City, the only person you can rely on is Yan Xiao. You were willing to risk your life for him, and he naturally remembers that kindness. Now that he's disappeared, it's no wonder you've come here... It just seems to have happened sooner than I expected."
A sinister smile curled at the corner of Li Gan's lips, his eyes gleaming with cold light.
Xiao Yan and Mo Zhai's group were locked in a fierce battle. Since that was the case, let them fight; it would be best if they both suffered heavy losses. As for him, he only cared about the Void Lightning Pool...
"Hmph! What a clever scheme! But even so, if you dare to kill me under Elder Luo's nose, Brother Yan Xiao will definitely find out!"
Qin Zhong's face twitched uncontrollably. Li Gan before him was truly a ruthless and vicious man. Li Gan, however, smiled, slightly raising his eyes, and said:
"Who said I was going to kill you? I know that would be very troublesome, so all I want is the Void Lightning Pool Invitation you have, that's enough!"
Qin Zhong felt slightly relieved; at least, Li Gan in front of him wouldn't harm his life, but he still couldn't let his guard down.
"Hmph, even if you snatch the Void Lightning Pool Invitation from me, I'm afraid you won't be able to keep it!"
"Ah... well, there's no need for Brother Qin Zhong to trouble himself with that..."
Qin Zhong wanted to stall any longer, hoping to come up with a way to escape. The gap between Three-Star Half-Emperor and Six-Star Half-Emperor was too great; he absolutely could not confront them head-on.
But Li Gan clearly did not want Qin Zhong to escape. Before he finished speaking, Li Gan, who was only a few feet away from the latter, suddenly moved and grabbed Qin Zhong.