"Okay... I will find it out myself when I get a chance in the future," said Ronin, wearing a smug expression.
"Hmph, in your dreams," retorted Zhen Xia, continuing to walk forward without looking back.
Suddenly, they heard the ominous sound of thunder tribulation. "What's going on?" exclaimed Zhen Xia, her face displaying shock.
Xu hurriedly rushed toward Ronin and tightly hugged his waist. Ronin surveyed the area and commented with a furrowed brow, "This forest is located close to the Inhuman Continent."
"Inhuman continent? Lotus City is near the Inhuman Continent?" asked Zhen Xia, her face reflecting fear.
Although she hadn't experienced life in the Inhuman Continent, she had heard numerous rumors about it since childhood. The concept of the 'law of the jungle' prevailed throughout the continent—where the strong possessed the right to live and speak, while the weak were destined to perish or be enslaved by those stronger.
For those lacking strength, living in the Inhuman Continent was akin to a continuous nightmare.
"Let's go and investigate what's happening," suggested Ronin, his face showing curiosity. He had a natural curiosity about everything occurring in the mortal realm due to his status as an Earth citizen.
"Are... Are you out of your mind?" Zhen Xia stammered, her anger evident.
"We'll merely observe from a distance, alright? Why are you so frightened? Remember who I am, right?" Ronin inquired with a serious demeanor.
"Hmm," Zhen Xia reluctantly nodded, and the three of them headed toward the source of the thunder tribulation, after Zhen Xia agreed to Ronin's proposal.
Due to Zhen Xia's disfigured face, Xu refrained from approaching her; it was evidently too distressing for a child to behold. Consequently, Ronin carried Xu on his back.
After several hours, the trio arrived at the location where the tribulation was unfolding. "There are both beasts and humans lying in ambush around this vicinity," observed Ronin, his gaze directed toward the areas where individuals and creatures were lurking in wait.
"Should we consider retreating?" inquired Zhen Xia, her face marked by fear.
Ronin couldn't help but think, "Do you truly possess a berserk bloodline?" His expression conveyed a sense of astonishment.
Zhen Xia retorted, "Why are you scrutinizing me in such a manner? This is hardly the moment for indecent thoughts," while simultaneously covering herself.
Ronin was utterly taken aback. The words that left her lips, coupled with her actions, nearly caused him to spit out the mouthful of blood.
Meanwhile, within one of the ambush zones...
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. The Nine-Colored Butterfly is on the brink of confronting the tribulations. Refrain from intervening while it undergoes the ordeal. Seize the opportunity to attack the moment the tribulation subsides, precisely when it is at its most vulnerable state," instructed Sukumar, the elder of the Ray and Light Sect, an organization situated near Lotus City.
"Understood, Elder," chorused the disciples of the Ray and Light Sect in unanimous agreement.
In another concealed area of ambush...
"That demon beast is about to make a breakthrough and develop a crystal within its body. All of you, stand ready," commanded Elder Tu Sha of the Tu Family, hailing from Lotus City.
"Yes, Elder," replied the Tu Family disciples in unison.
Such discussions echoed throughout all the concealed ambush areas surrounding the location of the ongoing tribulation.
Red, yellow, and blue lightning threads formed in the clouds, striking the nine-colored butterfly demon beast on the ground. One lightning bolt after another relentlessly bombarded the creature. After an hour of continuous onslaught, the butterfly tore through its shell, revealing a naked little girl emerging from within. Her body radiated a golden hue, casting a brief luminance across the surroundings.
"Prepare yourselves and attack the transformed demon beast after it forms the crystal within its body," commanded Elder Sukumar with a determined expression.
"Attack the transformed demon beast the moment you receive the signal," instructed Elder Tu Sha, his gaze fixed upon the radiant little girl, a hint of greed in his eyes.
Having overheard all the discussions from the ambush points, Ronin furrowed his brow and remarked, "This isn't good. That little girl is in trouble. Xu, stay hidden here. Zhen Xia, let's go and rescue her."
Zhen Xia stared at Ronin, a bewildered expression on her face. She pondered, "Can't you see that the little girl was a transformed demon beast?"
A swift sword strike hurtled towards the little girl who was hovering in the air. "How dare you!" Ronin shouted, vanishing from his position only to reappear in front of the little girl, his sword gleaming silver as he deflected the incoming attack aimed at her.
Zhen Xia, who had followed Ronin, positioned herself on the opposite side of him, creating a protective triad with the little girl in the center. "Don't worry, I will protect you," Ronin reassured, his gaze fixed on the little girl, who also gradually opened her eyes and met his gaze.
In her memory, she recalled, "Amilia, don't worry. I will protect you and our baby," a handsome young man had proclaimed, blood trickling down his face.
"Father…" the little girl mumbled faintly before losing consciousness.
"Boy, do you have a death wish?" bellowed Elder Sukumar as he materialized in front of Ronin.
"He certainly seems to have one," another voice interjected, reaching both Ronin and Elder Sukumar. Elder Tu Sha appeared in close proximity to them.
"Tu Sha, are you also here for the Nine-Colored Butterfly Demon Beast's crystal?" Elder Sukumar inquired, annoyance etched on his face.
Elder Tu Sha retorted with a mocking smile, "Well, Elder Sukumar, your appetite does seem insatiable. Do you believe that the right to claim the Nine-Colored Butterfly Demon Beast's crystal belongs exclusively to you?"
"Hmph, the both of you should leave this place if you value your lives," a voice resonated across the area, accompanied by the arrival of a middle-aged man nearby.
"He Gar, what brings you here? The Ryuko Sword Sect isn't within the territory of Lotus City, right?" questioned Elder Sukumar, his face contorted in anger.
He Gar responded nonchalantly, "So what if my sect isn't within Lotus City's territory? Does this realm belong solely to you? Treasures are meant for those destined to find them. We are here to ascertain whether our sect is destined to claim this treasure or not," he remarked, folding his hands with a sardonic smile.