Chapter 276: The Appearance of the Gold and Silver Elders
"At once, my lord!" The Gold and Silver Elders exchanged a glance, excitement glinting in their eyes.
Their last massacre at Spring God City had not only benefited their master but had also allowed them to devour numerous souls. Now, their strength was gradually climbing back toward the rank of Demon Generals.
Upon hearing their master's orders, the two wasted no time, vanishing into thin air as streaks of black light. Their destination? The next city ripe for slaughter.
Although no cities in the vicinity of Spring God Ravine could rival Spring God City in size, the nearby Spring Lake City, while smaller, still presented an ample opportunity.
With this in mind, the pair sped off in the direction of Spring Lake City.
Emerging from the Water
At the same time, Xiao Yan and Han Yue emerged from the water's depths.
Han Yue's usually snow white cheeks were tinged with an endearing blush. Nearby, several fishing students turned to look at them with curiosity and mischief in their eyes.
"What are you looking at? Focus on your fishing," Xiao Yan said with a dismissive snort.
The students quickly averted their gazes, pretending not to notice anything. However, one female student, close to Han Yue, couldn't resist throwing her a sly wink before returning to her fishing rod.
Han Yue caught the gesture, and her already flushed cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red.
"Let's leave them to their fishing," Xiao Yan said with a gentle smile, holding Han Yue's hand and leading her to a quieter spot. With such pleasant company, the idea of fishing no longer seemed all that appealing.
A Private Conversation
"You…" Han Yue hesitated, glancing at him with uncertainty.
"If you have something on your mind, just ask," Xiao Yan said with a lighthearted smile, his gaze lifting toward the moonlit sky.
"Is your name really Yanxiao?" Han Yue asked, her tone soft yet probing.
Her curiosity wasn't born out of disrespect but a genuine desire to understand the man before her.
"Of course not," Xiao Yan admitted with a chuckle. "My real name is Xiao Yan."
Han Yue's brows furrowed slightly.
"Xiao Yan… That name sounds familiar…" She wracked her brain, trying to place it, but couldn't quite recall where she'd heard it before.
The moonlight shimmered on the lake, casting long shadows of the fishing enthusiasts scattered along the shore. Amidst the calm scene, the figures of Xiao Yan and Han Yue seemed to stretch infinitely into the distance.
A Revelation
"So, how old are you really?" Han Yue asked after a moment, her voice tinged with hesitation.
She didn't know if she could call what she felt for Xiao Yan love, but she couldn't deny that her heart had been moved. The idea of falling for someone whose youthful appearance hid the soul of an ancient monster, however, filled her with dread.
"I already told you," Xiao Yan said, spreading his hands with a sigh of mock exasperation. "I'm seventeen."
"You!" Han Yue huffed, her frustration evident. "We've already reached this point, and you're still lying to me?"
Her delicate brows furrowed, and a pout formed on her lips.
"I'm not lying," Xiao Yan replied, lightly flicking her smooth forehead with his finger. He added with a teasing grin, "You're from the Central Plains, aren't you? Haven't you heard about what happened at the Pill Tower last year?"
"The Pill Tower?" Han Yue repeated, her confusion deepening.
"I figured my name might've reached the Central Plains by now," Xiao Yan said, his tone half joking.
Han Yue frowned, trying to connect the dots. Then, something clicked.
"A genius alchemist from the Pill Tower… A boy who could refine seventh tier pills at just sixteen… Wasn't that person's name also Xiao Yan?"
Her gaze snapped to him, wide eyed with realization.
"You… You're him?"
Her composure shattered, Han Yue raised a trembling hand to cover her mouth, her once cool demeanor giving way to astonishment.
"That's me," Xiao Yan confirmed, his chest swelling slightly with pride.
Finally, someone here recognized his achievements. After so long in the remote corners of the continent, it felt good to be acknowledged.
Interrupted by Evil
Just as Xiao Yan was about to bask in the glow of her admiration, two dark and sinister auras suddenly descended upon Spring Lake City.
The auras were suffocating, exuding malevolence so potent that everyone in the city froze in terror.
"It's… them," someone whispered, their voice trembling.
The malevolence was unmistakable. The presence of these beings, so foreign and incompatible with the natural life force of the continent, instilled fear deep into the souls of all who felt it.
Panic swept through Spring Lake City like wildfire. The memory of Spring God City's slaughter was still fresh in everyone's minds. Could the same fate await Spring Lake City?
Han Yue's expression shifted immediately from awe to grim seriousness.
A Hero's Decision
Xiao Yan frowned, sensing the malevolent energy.
"Go find the others," he told Han Yue, his tone calm yet commanding. "I'll take care of this."
Han Yue hesitated, grabbing his hand tightly. "Be careful. If you can't win, promise me you'll run."
Her concern brought a smile to Xiao Yan's lips. He patted her hand gently before his figure shimmered and disappeared into the void.
High above Spring Lake City, the Gold and Silver Elders hovered in midair, their crimson eyes scanning the city below.
Though the city housed fewer people than Spring God City, its population of a million still promised a substantial harvest of souls.
As they prepared to unleash their massacre, a spatial ripple disrupted the air around them.
A moment later, a black robed youth materialized before them, his calm gaze locking onto theirs.
(End of Chapter)
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