In the desert, a dark figure flashed by.
Medusa soared through the air, her pretty face filled with an incredulous expression.
"What has that kid experienced this past year to become so much stronger?"
Even if she faced him herself, she couldn't last more than a couple of moves.
Just a year ago, she could still handle Lin Xiu seriously.
Thinking of the bet just now, Medusa couldn't help but grit her teeth.
Intentional! That kid set a trap for me!
Damn it!
And I fell right into it!
"He didn't follow me, probably has something to deal with. I can just avoid him for a while. Once he returns to the Academy, the bet should be fine."
...
At the Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Yan was surrounded by Hai Bo Dong and others, his expression somewhat unnatural.
They were discussing the future arrangements of the Misty Cloud Sect.
They all assumed that with Yun Shan's death, the fate of the sect would depend on Xiao Yan's stance.
Hai Bo Dong even began planning the auction of some treasures from the Misty Cloud Sect at the Miteer Auction House.
During these days, the Miteer Family had sheltered the Xiao Family, but conflicts with the Misty Cloud Sect had caused substantial losses that needed to be recouped.
As they were talking, the conversation suddenly quieted.
Two disciples assisted Yun Yun, dressed in a red wedding gown, as she walked over.
A few strands of hair escaped her pinned-up hair, and her bright red clothes were covered in glaring dust marks.
Blood stains at the corner of her delicate face had not been wiped away.
Her eyes, filled with complex emotions, looked at the indifferent face of the young man opposite her.
"Xiao Yan, what more do you want?"
Yun Yun's voice trembled, unable to comprehend how things had escalated to this point.
For his actions over the years, his teacher had already paid the price, with all the sect's senior elders perishing.
The Misty Cloud Sect was now nearly in ruins, yet these people were still unwilling to let go, even discussing the distribution of benefits.
Did he intend to annihilate the Misty Cloud Sect completely?
Was it my mistake to let him leave the Magic Beast Mountains before?
"What do I want? Who do you think is responsible for all of this? Don't you have any idea? First, insulting my Xiao Family, then capturing my father, and now planning to exterminate my Xiao Family. What do I want? I want the Misty Cloud Sect to pay with blood for what they owe!"
Initially able to remain calm, Xiao Yan's tone turned chilly, but as he thought about the undeserved suffering his family had endured over the years, anger surged from his heart, and he roared out loud.
The once-pale face of Yun Yun turned even paler.
Around them, disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect also heard Xiao Yan's roar. Their faces were filled with despair, their hearts in turmoil, some at a loss for what to do.
Their fingers holding weapons loosened and tightened again. The desire to live made them unwilling to surrender their lives to others, to be slaughtered at will.
But the reality before them left them feeling helpless.
The former Sect Master dead, the current Sect Master injured, and none of the senior elders survived.
In such a situation, how could they compete with the other side?
"Do you have to go that far? The Misty Cloud Sect has already paid a price. Can't you show some mercy?" Yun Yun's face showed a trace of sorrow, her voice somewhat hoarse.
Show mercy?
Hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but bitterly smile. If he hadn't improved his strength and brought in outside help, the Xiao Family might have already been completely massacred.
"Xiao Yan, if you're not able to act, why not let us handle it?" Hai Bo Dong looked towards him.
Just awakened, Young Master Lin happened to overhear Xiao Yan's words, causing his legs to go weak, unable to even stand up from the ground.
With noise constantly in his ears, he turned his head and saw Lin Xiu still chewing peanuts.
"Lin Xiu, why haven't you left yet? You're not from the Misty Cloud Sect. You can still make it out," he reminded.
"I'll be fine."
Lin Xiu glanced at him, clapped his hands, and strolled towards the group.
"Ah..."
Waving a hand at Lin Xiu's back, Young Master Lin could only sigh in the end.
Yun Yun held a sword with resolute expression, prepared to face Xiao Yan head-on.
With her teacher dead, she was now in control of the Misty Cloud Sect and would not allow it to perish in front of her eyes under any circumstances.
Even if it means death, she would die in front of the Misty Cloud Sect.
At that moment, Yun Yun suddenly noticed their strange expressions, wary and cautious, their gazes directed behind her.
Instinctively, Yun Yun half-turned her body, her eyes following their line of sight, and she saw a figure calmly approaching.
Immediately, her hand gripping the long sword trembled slightly.
If even the Dou Ancestor couldn't withstand a single move from this person, and he was standing up for Xiao Yan, wouldn't it mean the end of the Misty Cloud Sect?
A sense of powerlessness welled up from within, causing Yun Yun to feel sorrowful.
However, Yun Yun observed that the figure completely ignored her, continuing forward until stopping in front of Xiao Yan and the others.
"Senior Brother."
Lin Xiu's gaze intercepted his, calming Xiao Yan's emotions considerably.
He understood that if Senior Brother hadn't intervened today, the outcome would certainly have been different.
At the same time, he recalled his promise to Senior Brother.
If he could resolve Yun Shan, then everything in the Misty Cloud Sect would belong to Lin Xiu.
"I don't care about the others, but you must leave me this woman."
Lin Xiu turned slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Yun Yun. She looked puzzled, her small mouth slightly agape.
"Mr. Lin, do you know Yun Yun?" Hai Bo Dong asked tentatively.
Lin Xiu shook his head.
Instantly, Hai Bo Dong, Jia Xing Tian, and the others' expressions subtly changed.
Since ancient times, heroes are often ensnared by beauties.
With Lin Xiu speaking up, even if Xiao Yan insisted, it would probably be of little significance. Today, Yun Yun's life was definitely saved.
Xiao Yan pursed his lips, suddenly feeling that the sunlight overhead was strangely tinted with green.
There were some entanglements between himself and Yun Yun. Although neither had spoken of it, they both surely understood each other's feelings.
"What are you thinking?" Seeing Xiao Yan's darkening expression, Lin Xiu knew he must have misunderstood. "The Misty Cloud Sect is vast, with many secret chambers and hidden corners. As the Sect Master, she must be very familiar with them. With her help guiding us, I can save a lot of time."
As his words fell, the expressions of the others changed subtly.
Yun Yun had thought there was a turning point in the situation, but it turned out that Lin Xiu saw her as useful enough to spare.
Hai Bo Dong, Jia Xing Tian, and the others, however, felt a sense of unease.
They had hoped Lin Xiu's intentions were directed towards Yun Yun. This way, they might have a chance to share in the Misty Cloud Sect's wealth accumulated over the years.
But Lin Xiu's intentions were clear from his words—he wanted the Misty Cloud Sect's accumulation for himself!
Although the others clearly had objections, they couldn't speak up, nor did they dare to.
After all, Lin Xiu's strength speaks for itself. In a dog-eat-dog world, who would dare to oppose him?
Perhaps only those who don't care about their lives would dare to voice objections.
Hai Bo Dong couldn't help but look towards Xiao Yan, a hint of hope flashing in his eyes.
Xiao Yan and he were fellow students from the same academy; surely he could put in a good word.
Although this time Lin Xiu turned the tide, they had also contributed. It wouldn't be fair if they gained nothing from it.
Just avenging Yun Shan would indeed settle a major score for Xiao Yan, but they had also invested effort. If they didn't gain anything, it would all be for naught.
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