Appearing out of nowhere, Xue Hui grasped Chi Mei's trembling hand. She gasped at the sudden contact and quickly turned toward him. Her eyes shimmered, and her mouth fell open. At the same time, she could feel her heart pounding like crazy as soon as she saw him. Seeking that sense of security, her fingers tightened around Xue Hui's hand as a feeling of relief washed over her.
With the glow in his eyes brighter than ever, Xue Hui scanned his surroundings. Seeing the greed glinting in everyone's eyes, a suffocating killing intent burst forth from him, causing those who had been eyeing them to instinctively step backward as a sense of imminent danger crept over them.
Xue Hui saw this and let out a cold scoff, a look of disdain flashing across his face.
"Go on. Hunt us down. I welcome anyone who wishes to die by my hand."
Xue Hui's threat had a profound effect, plunging the entire area into a deathly silence. No one from the younger generation dared to make even the slightest sound, completely intimidated by Xue Hui's murderous aura.
Zhu Long, who had been watching the entire scene, raised his brows. Without the suffocating killing intent Xue Hui was releasing, one could easily discern that Xue Hui's cultivation was only at the Black Gold Rank. Yet even the Legend-rank Demon Beasts were intimidated by his domineering presence. Something that genuinely impressed Zhu Long.
"YOU! You're the one who harmed my little brother!"
Everyone was snapped out of their daze when the handsome youth from the Blizzard Mountain Bull Clan stepped forward, his usually composed face contorted into a savage expression.
"You really are seeking death. Since you've shown yourself, I, Niu Luying, will personally chop your head off to avenge my brother!"
As he roared, Niu Luying's DemiGod Rank cultivation burst forth. He kicked off the ground, cracking the earth beneath his feet as he lunged toward Xue Hui with blinding speed.
Watching him approach, Xue Hui let out a cold huff and pulled Chi Mei's slender body closer, causing her to stumble into his embrace.
"Don't say I didn't warn you!"
WOOSH!
With a speed that shocked everyone, including the Heavenly Fate Realm experts, Xue Hui disappeared from the spot where he and Chi Mei had been standing. In the next instant, he appeared in midair above the advancing Niu Luying, his fist carrying enough force to split a mountain.
His fist descended straight toward Niu Luying's head, but just before it made contact, Xue Hui's eyes widened in panic. He reflexively kicked off the air, allowing him and Chi Mei, still in his embrace, to evade the incoming soul attack.
"Argh!"
Niu Luying received the full brunt of the attack, causing his soul core to be injured. A miserable grunt escaped his lips as blood sprayed from his orifices.
"Yin'er!" Niu Kuang cried out in alarm. He had never expected Xue Hui to be so quick on his feet that he could dodge his soul attack at the very last second.
Kicking off the ground, Niu Kuang hurriedly caught his son. His entire body was trembling as he checked Niu Luying's condition. A sigh of relief escaped his lips when he saw that the soul attack hadn't caused any serious damage. It made sense, considering the attack had been intended to injure a Black Gold-rank Demon Beast, not a DemiGod Rank expert like his son.
Even so, Niu Luying still needed immediate treatment. Niu Kuang took out a medicinal pill and fed it to his son while using his spiritual energy to mend his wounds.
Xue Hui's feet hit the ground, his eyes glowing with disdain as he watched the father-and-son duo a short distance away.
That was when a shadow shrouded Xue Hui and Chi Mei as Chi Zhenxiong stepped in front, shielding them from any possible attacks.
"Niu Kuang, you are truly shameless. Not only did you put a bounty on my granddaughter's head, but you lowered yourself so much as to personally attack a junior. How pathetic."
Chi Zhenxiong's words caused a vein to bulge on Niu Kuang's forehead. If he hadn't been in the middle of tending to his son's injuries, he would have lunged at Chi Zhenxiong and fought
"Chi Zhenxiong, that brat, who is he? If you give me that brat, I'll forget the crime of your granddaughter," Niu Kuang growled, his teeth grinding loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"This boy is an esteemed guest of mine and an important friend of my Red-Scaled Winged Naga Clan. If you want to get to him, you'll have to go through me first," Chi Zhenxiong answered defiantly.
"Chi Zhenxiong, this is the only chance you'll have to save your granddaughter. If you insist on protecting that bastard brat, I'll make sure that girl of yours is thoroughly ruined inside the ten-millennia mist. So back down and hand me that boy!"
Niu Kuang threatened, his words full of venom. Noticing this, everyone could hear the shift in his voice as it became much deeper, a telltale sign that he was restraining himself from transforming into his full Demon Beast form.
Instead of giving in, Chi Zhenxiong let out a cold huff. The air around him became frigid as he stared at Niu Kuang with disdain.
"Niu Kuang, do you think I was born yesterday? Ridiculous! With that despicable heart of yours, there's no way you're going to let my granddaughter off, even if I give in to your demands. You're going to make sure she suffers inside the ten-millennia mist anyway, aren't you?"
Chi Zhenxiong huffed in disdain.
"You like to talk big, so much so that you've already forgotten who's lying on the ground bleeding? What a joke! If anyone is going to be thoroughly ruined inside the ten-millennia mist, it'll be your pathetic sons!"
Chi Zhenxiong's response did a good job of angering Niu Kuang even more, causing his body to bulk up and transform into the form of a golden-furred minotaur. Hot steam escaped from his nostrils as his eyes burned with rage, his golden pupils fixed on the trio of Chi Zhenxiong, Xue Hui, and Chi Mei, causing the trio to brace themselves for a fight.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
But before things could escalate any further, Zhu Long stepped between the two, his face darkening as suffocating pressure leaked from him.
"Settle your dispute another time. The ten-millennia mist is opening!" he shouted, prompting every clan to panic as they realized they had wasted all their time watching instead of preparing to enter the spatial array.
"We're not done here, bastard Chi Zhenxiong. Once this is over, I'll find a way to destroy your entire clan!" Niu Kuang threatened as he stood up and supported Niu Luying, whose wounds had been completely healed.
Watching their retreating figures, a dark shadow flashed across Chi Zhenxiong's face.
"Xue Hui, are you going to enter the ten-millennia mist as well?" he asked in a low voice.
"Yeah. That was the plan."
A moment of silence passed between Chi Zhenxiong and Xue Hui before the former spoke again.
"Then, if that's the case, can you please protect my Mei'er and the rest while you're inside? I'm very certain that all the great clans will move against our Red-Scaled Winged Naga Clan," Chi Zhenxiong said in a worried tone. As much as he wanted to trust Chi Mei's capabilities, there was no way she would be able to survive with such a huge target on her back.
"Yeah, leave it to me," Xue Hui answered without hesitation. During the time he had been in contact with Chi Zhenxiong, he could tell that the old man was an extremely loyal friend. Chi Zhenxiong had every opportunity to expose him, but instead, he chose to protect his identity.
"Good, good. In that case, I gave Mei'er all kinds of life-preserving treasures and information you need to know while inside the ten-millennia mist. Make good use of them," Chi Zhenxiong advised.
He gave Xue Hui a serious look before placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Xue Hui, whatever you encounter inside the ten-millennia mist, always put your life and everyone else's first. Be careful out there. And take this as a word of advice: don't try to challenge the God Trial. You may be very capable, but the God Trial is something no one has ever been able to pass," he added with a concerned look.
"Mhm." Xue Hui nodded as the two of them turned to watch the ten-millennia mist.
Upon opening, the ten-millennia mist let out a deafening boom as a powerful aura spread throughout the area. The space in the middle of the mist began to ripple, causing a crack to appear within it.
"Everyone, get in line! Once you enter the ten-millennia mist, the spatial array will send all of you to different locations. While inside, remember that the Demon Beast Clan will reward you generously if you bring back any treasures from there!" Zhu Long announced.
After he spoke, the great clans, consisting of the youths from the Blizzard Mountain Bull Clan and six other great clans, all jumped into the spatial array. Their entry created a loud bang that deafened the ears of everyone nearby. After them, the youths from different clans across the Immortal Tortoise Realm followed suit.
Watching this, Chi Zhenxiong turned and looked at Chi Mei and the others, a serious look washing over his face.
"May great fortune await the five of you. Mei'er, Jian, Lua, Xuhan, and Yan'er, I wish you all a safe return," he said solemnly.
"We will return safe, Grandfather," Chi Mei answered.
She was about to lead the way when she felt a tug, stopping her in her tracks. Only then did she remember that she was still holding Xue Hui's hand. Looking down at it, a complicated emotion stirred within her heart.
Under any other circumstances, she would have immediately let go of him. But knowing that they might get separated once they entered the spatial array, Chi Mei tightened her grip around his hand and pulled him closer to her.
"Xue Hui, once we're inside, don't trust anyone, even if they appear friendly. We slave clans have been treated unfairly by everyone, so those who show you kindness might be the same people who stab you in your sleep. Be wary," she reminded him, her voice tinged with concern.
"Mhm. Don't worry about me. I'll go and look for you after we enter. Be safe out there," Xue Hui replied. Spending so much time with her had caused him to develop a strong bond with her.
Led by Chi Mei and her group, the last to enter the ten-millennia mist were the slave clans. As they did, Zhu Long's eyes shone with a strange glint. He then found a quiet spot and sat cross-legged before beginning to cultivate.
This action of his confused everyone, but nevertheless, they ignored it. They, too, found a place where they could spend time while waiting.
End of Chapter 146
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