"Miss, aren't you going to say goodbye to the people from Pan's Gate?" Ling Ying asked.
"No need. I've already said what needs to be said. Besides, I have an agreement with Yun Tianming. He will take care of Pan's Gate for me," Xun'er shook her head, spread her Dou Qi Wings, and flew into the sky. She glanced back at Jia Nan Academy where she had lived for several years, her face showing some reluctance.
Her carefree campus life had come to an end. Upon returning to Gu Clan, she would have to face the annoying elders of the clan.
In the forest behind the inner courtyard, startled birds flew up into the air.
A loud roar of breaking wind resounded from the sky as dozens of small black dots appeared on the northern horizon, swiftly heading towards Xun'er's location!
"This aura... Could it be the Black Submerged Army?" Old Ling's face changed color. The Black Submerged Army was a powerful organization under the command of the Gu Clan elders, renowned for their exploits in all corners, earning great fame for the Gu Clan.
Xun'er remained expressionless, quietly gazing at the enlarging black figures in the sky.
There were about a dozen Black Griffins, entirely black with silver horns on their heads over a foot long. These horns were adorned with strange patterns, emitting faint thunderous sounds. On their backs, these Magic Beasts also had extremely large wings, whose flapping created howling winds that pressed the forest beneath them.
Sixth Rank Magic Beasts: Black Griffins!
In the royal court of the Jia Ma Empire, Sixth Rank Magic Beasts were revered as "Guardian Beasts of the Nation". However, within the Black Submerged Army, they were merely considered ordinary flying mounts!
From the backs of the Black Griffins, a group of robust soldiers dressed in dark purple robes leaped down and knelt neatly before Xun'er.
"Ling Quan, newly appointed Vice Commander of the Black Submerged Army, under orders from the Clan Ancestor, has come to welcome Miss back!" The leader, a young man who didn't look much older, appeared to be around twenty-four or twenty-five years old, with a handsome and refined appearance.
"I said I would return on my own. There was no need for you to come all this way," Xun'er's voice was cold, her gaze fixed on the distance, not even glancing at the handsome man kneeling before her.
Ling Quan's eyelid twitched, but he dared not complain. With a respectful expression, he replied, "It is the order of the Clan Ancestor. I can only obey. Please forgive us, Miss."
Before he finished speaking, Ling Quan's gaze suddenly sharpened, his intense eyes instantly focusing on a young man with spread Dou Qi Wings floating towards them from a distance in the forest.
This kid... so young!
Ling Quan's eyes narrowed. He naturally wouldn't take an ordinary Dou King seriously, but what truly surprised him was that the other party looked to be under twenty years old. Such talent in cultivation could be considered outstanding even within the Gu Clan!
"Why have you come?" Xun'er's eyebrows lifted, her tone warm now compared to her cold demeanor with Ling Quan and the others.
"As a friend, of course, I had to come see you off, Xun'er~" Yun Tianming said kindly.
"Hmm, did I ask for you to come?" There was a hint of disdain in Xun'er's tone, but her face showed no rejection, even a hint of happiness. Having a friend to see her off before leaving made her mood much brighter.
"Oh~ not long ago you were calling me 'big brother'," Yun Tianming teased.
"That was clearly meant as a mockery," Xun'er replied with a hint of sarcasm.
Xun'er rolled her eyes.
"."
Seeing the two of them talking and laughing, they looked quite close. Ling Quan's face was gloomy, and his eyes were full of unkindness when he looked at Yun Tianming.
Xun'er is the daughter of Gu Clan Chief, the supreme eldest lady. Even as the deputy commander of the Black Submerged Army, he dared not have any unreasonable thoughts.
You, a bastard from another family, think you are worthy of approaching the eldest lady of my Gu Clan?
Considering Xun'er's emotions, Ling Quan did not get angry on the spot, but greeted the other party in a friendly manner, and said with a smile:
"This one. I guess he is the waste young master of Xiao Clan?"
Xun'er has lived in Xiao Family since she was a child. She seems to be free, but in fact, the people of Gu Clan have been secretly paying attention to her growth. Therefore, he naturally knows the existence of Xiao Yan.
Ling Quan subconsciously mistook the man who was close to Xun'er and of similar age to her for Xiao Yan.
Upon hearing this, Yun Tianming was first taken aback, then immediately gave Ling Quan a strange look and unceremoniously mocked, "I think there's something wrong with your eyes."
"What did you say?!"
Ling Quan's eyes widened. Having been promoted to Deputy Commander of the Black Submerged Army at a young age and seen as a young talent of the Gu Clan, when had he ever been so despised? He clenched his fists tightly, and an astonishing aura surged from his body!
"Kid! Do you dare to say that again?"
Dou Emperor, one foot in the realm of Dou Ancestor.
Yun Tianming slightly raised his eyebrows, but his expression remained largely unchanged. He had dealt with true Dou Ancestor powerhouses before, so why would he fear a Half-step Dou Ancestor?
"I said there's something wrong with your eyes, didn't you hear?"
"If you didn't hear it, I'll keep saying it until you do!"
Yun Tianming's blatant mockery made Ling Quan's blood pressure soar. Just as the latter couldn't hold back and was about to make a move, a cold shout from Xun'er came from the side.
"Stop!"
"He is my friend, Yun Tianming!"
Faced with Xun'er's command, Ling Quan didn't dare to defy her, but his face showed a look of astonishment.
"Huh? He, he isn't Xiao Yan?"
According to the information collected by the Black Submerged Army, Xun'er had only ever shown affection for Xiao Yan. So where did this Yun Tianming come from?
"Ling Quan, shut up! The Xiao Clan and the Gu Clan have an alliance. How dare you insult them?"
Xun'er reprimanded sternly. Although the other party had mistaken the person, the phrase "the former good-for-nothing young master of the Xiao Clan" was clearly directed at Xiao Yan.
"Hehe, don't be angry, Miss. I was just being straightforward."
Ling Quan smiled indifferently. This so-called Xiao Clan had long since fallen into decline. Without strength, how could they have an alliance? With a change in tone, he glared fiercely at Yun Tianming: "However, since this person is not from the Xiao Clan, and he has spoken wildly to insult me, if I don't respond, it might tarnish the Black Submerged Army's reputation!"
When Ling Quan came out of Gu Clan, his purpose was originally to trouble Xiao Yan. However, since Xiao Yan was absent, he had no outlet for his frustration and could only vent it on someone else.
"Didn't you hear what I said? He is my friend!" Xun'er's gaze turned cold, feeling quite unhappy.
"It's okay, Xun'er."
"You also don't like him, right?"
"For the sake of our friendship, I can take care of this for you."
Yun Tianming felt a faint sign of a breakthrough in his Dou Qi, and it was a good opportunity to gain experience from dealing with Ling Quan.
"Yun Tianming... forget it."
"With your strength, I believe you can handle it easily."
Xun'er sighed and looked resolute without any hesitation.
For an opponent she approved of, how could he lose to Ling Quan?
****
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