"That's Yan Luo Tian from the Luoyan Empire and Xie Bi Yan from the Chuyun Empire!"
Seeing the two figures battling fiercely over the giant energy egg in the sky, Jia Xingtian and Yun Yun's expressions changed. Both of these men were Dou Ancestor experts—Yan Luo Tian from the Golden Yan Sect of the Luoyan Empire, and Xie Bi Yan from the Myriad Scorpion Sect of the Chuyun Empire.
One was a two-star Dou Ancestor, the other a four-star Dou Ancestor, neither of whom were opponents the forces from the Jia Ma Empire could afford to provoke.
"Xie Bi Yan, you old ghost, you're still alive?"
"But don't think your Myriad Scorpion Sect can have this divine beast egg to yourselves. The Golden Yan Sect won't let you take it either!"
Yan Luo Tian attacked again, directing his assault toward the gray currents surrounding the egg, determined not to let Xie Bi Yan seize it.
Around them, other Dou Emperor and even Dou Ancestor experts from various empires were eyeing the egg with intent, eager to get their hands on it.
However, just as the tension reached its peak, the previously clear sky suddenly darkened.
Endless dark clouds gathered toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Rumble—
Crackle—
Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, filling the world with an oppressive heavenly might.
This force surged from the sky, vast and overwhelming, affecting the entire weather of the Jia Ma Empire. The entire nation darkened, with the Magic Beast Mountain Range as its epicenter.
"Something's wrong! The divine beast inside that egg is about to hatch!"
"What terrifying energy! What kind of beast is it?!"
Yan Luo Tian and Xie Bi Yan both retreated instinctively. The aura radiating from the egg was far more powerful than the one they felt when they ascended to Dou Ancestor. The divine beast inside was undoubtedly an unprecedented anomaly.
Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, Queen Medusa, and the others hadn't left yet, merely stepping back to observe the energy egg from a safe distance.
"Yun Yun, do you know what kind of beast is inside this egg?" Jia Xingtian asked, his brows furrowed as he glanced at her contemplative expression.
"Perhaps... hmm?" Yun Yun began to speak but suddenly stiffened. Like a sword, she darted forward at incredible speed.
"What happened?" Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma exchanged confused glances before looking in the direction Yun Yun had flown.
Screech!
Within the Magic Beast Mountain Range, near the massive energy egg, a seemingly insignificant valley suddenly erupted with movement. From it, a large blue bird soared into the sky, carrying two stunning young women on its back.
"Wow, Xiao Yi Xian, look! That rascal has turned into a giant egg!"
Nalan Yanran clung to Xiao Yi Xian's waist as she stared in shock at the enormous energy egg atop the mountain.
"It really is an egg. The tribulation is about to descend. Do you think he'll be alright?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, concern flashing in her eyes as she glanced at the stormy sky and then at the energy egg, which had taken on Gu Changqing's form.
"Don't worry, that rascal is way too lecherous to die so easily. We just need to follow his plan and get out of the tribulation's range," Nalan Yanran replied, her tone lighthearted, though she couldn't help but wonder what kind of foundation Gu Changqing was forming to cause such a terrifying phenomenon.
"Yanran!"
At that moment, Yun Yun appeared swiftly before the two women, her eyes instantly recognizing the somewhat changed Nalan Yanran.
"Teacher!"
Nalan Yanran beamed and waved as she stood up on the back of the blue eagle.
Yun Yun immediately moved toward them.
Screech!
The blue eagle, startled by Yun Yun's sudden approach, flapped its massive wings in panic, carrying Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran into a chaotic flight.
"Ah!"
Nalan Yanran lost her balance and fell from the eagle's back.
Just as Yun Yun was about to rescue her, a pair of pitch-black wings suddenly sprouted from Nalan Yanran's back, allowing her to regain control and soar into the sky.
"Yanran, you..."
Yun Yun was momentarily stunned, thinking Nalan Yanran had broken through to Dou Wang.
"Teacher, we'll explain later. The tribulation is about to strike, and we need to get out of here," Nalan Yanran said hurriedly, as she flew alongside the blue eagle, leading Yun Yun away from the impending danger.
"Tribulation?"
Yun Yun raised an eyebrow slightly, sensing that the girls knew more than they were letting on. She quickly glanced at the energy egg that had formed around Gu Changqing before following Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yi Xian out of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
As she flew, Yun Yun finally got a good look at the wings on Nalan Yanran's back. They weren't Dou Qi wings, but rather the result of some special technique that had fused a bird's wings into her body, much like Yan Luo Tian's flying technique from the Golden Yan Sect.
The surrounding experts also noticed Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yi Xian's sudden departure.
"Those two came from near the energy egg. Did they cause this disturbance?"
"Even if they didn't, they probably know something."
"We'll know soon enough."
Several experts began to discreetly move toward Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yi Xian's location, their intentions clear.
Yan Luo Tian and Xie Bi Yan, however, didn't bother hiding their actions and flew directly toward the two women.
"Damn it, Nalan's girl has caught their attention."
Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma shared a look of concern before both moved to intercept the approaching threat.
Before Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yi Xian could reach the outskirts of the mountain range, bolts of radiant lightning descended from the sky, enveloping the energy egg in a blinding storm of tribulation.
"Hold on, little ones. This elder just has a few questions for you," a golden figure suddenly appeared in front of them, blocking their path with a wide grin.
"Yan Luo Tian! This is the Jia Ma Empire, not your Golden Yan Sect. My Yun Lan Sect's disciples are none of your concern!"
Yun Yun immediately stepped forward, positioning herself in front of Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yi Xian.
"Oh? Yun Yun, the famed Sect Master of Yun Lan. Truly the most beautiful sect master in the northwest, and so young to be a Dou Emperor. I must say, Yun Yun, you're still as charming as ever. Why don't our sects join forces and seize the fortune of this divine beast together?" Yan Luo Tian's gaze shamelessly roamed over Yun Yun as he laughed.
"Yan Sect Master, I advise you to mind your manners," Yun Yun said coldly, drawing a uniquely shaped azure longsword and pointing it directly at him.