Chapter 235: Let Go of Those Girls!
The Black Corner Region, an ancient plain stretching nearly 100,000 miles from the Jia Ma Empire, was a place of chaos and bloodshed. This fertile land, rich in resources, also birthed endless violence and sin.
Here, free from the control of major factions, was a lawless zone where strength alone determined survival. In this savage land, lives were snuffed out daily, yet tales of underdogs rising to power also unfolded with equal frequency.
Amidst the anarchy stood Jia Nan Academy, a renowned institution celebrated as one of the top academies on the continent. Over its long history, many of its students had risen to greatness, with some rumored to be approaching sainthood.
The academy, a beacon for impoverished yet talented youths, offered a haven where individuals could defy the continent's harsh rules of survival and leapfrog social hierarchies. Its unique, human centric approach made it a place of wonder and aspiration.
As Xiao Yan hovered high above the vast black plains, the oppressive darkness and gloomy skies stretched endlessly before him. Even he, accustomed to hardship, furrowed his brows at the suffocating atmosphere.
"It's no wonder this place breeds so much chaos," Xiao Yan mused, scanning the bleak, monotonous landscape below.
With a faint shift in space, his figure appeared miles away. His thoughts turned to Han Feng, the traitorous senior who was likely hiding in the Black Corner Region, scheming to obtain Jia Nan Academy's Fallen Heart Flame.
"Han Feng won't give up on the Fallen Heart Flame so easily. But he can't openly attack the academy," Xiao Yan speculated. "If he's here, I'll find him. His life and that flame will soon belong to me."
He let out a faint, sinister chuckle as his pace quickened. In the distance, the outline of a city emerged, interrupting the monotony of the plains.
"A city, finally," Xiao Yan muttered, a smile forming. But before he could proceed, his spiritual sense detected a disturbance dozens of miles away.
Adjusting his trajectory, Xiao Yan stepped through space and appeared atop a nearby hill.
From his vantage point, Xiao Yan observed two groups locked in a tense standoff.
One group, clad in crimson robes, exuded an aura of menace. Their sneering faces marked them as villains to the core.
The opposing group wore sleek uniforms adorned with intricate emblems, representing none other than Jia Nan Academy.
Among the crimson robed group stood a gaunt young man, his pale face twisted into a lecherous grin as he addressed the leader of the academy's party a poised, blue robed woman whose stern expression betrayed a hint of unease.
"Such a beauty," the crimson robed man sneered. "Surrender now, and I might let the rest of you live."
Behind him, his lackeys chuckled darkly, their eyes gleaming with malice.
In the distance, two onlookers whispered among themselves.
"Those are Jia Nan Academy students and their instructor. Unlucky bunch, running into Fan Ling, the Blood Sect's young master!"
"The Blood Sect's no joke," the other murmured. "Even if they're not the strongest faction in the Black Corner Region, they're ruthless. Fan Ling and his father, Fan Lao, are infamous for their brutality. And their... preferences."
The first observer shuddered. "Yeah, any woman who ends up in their hands... it's a fate worse than death. Poor souls."
"Fan Ling! If you dare harm us, Jia Nan Academy won't let you go!" the blue robed woman declared, her voice unwavering despite the danger.
Fan Ling smirked, his pale face brimming with arrogance. "Retaliation? Who's going to testify, hmm? Evidence is hard to find when no one's left alive."
A lackey chimed in, sneering, "If you resist now, you'll only make things worse for yourselves. Submit to our young master, and maybe he'll be merciful. Otherwise, you'll all be slaughtered, and the girls… Well, you can imagine."
The blood drained from the academy party's faces. They knew all too well the atrocities committed by the Blood Sect. For the men, death was certain. For the women…
Clenching her fists, the blue robed instructor prepared to fight, even knowing the odds were hopeless.
Just as tensions reached their peak, a clear, commanding voice echoed from the nearby forest.
"Stop right there! Let go of those girls!"
The unexpected interruption silenced the tense standoff. All heads turned toward the source of the voice.
From the treeline emerged a lone figure, dressed in simple black robes. The man's youthful appearance contrasted sharply with the immense pressure emanating from him.
Xiao Yan's calm, confident expression betrayed no fear.
Fan Ling's grin faltered as he studied the newcomer. "And who the hell are you supposed to be?"
Xiao Yan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned his attention to the frightened academy party, offering them a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry," he said, his tone light yet unwavering. "Everything's under control now."
Fan Ling's face twisted with fury. "You've got guts, brat. Do you know who I am?"
Xiao Yan's gaze flicked back to Fan Ling, his eyes narrowing.
"Who you are doesn't matter. What matters is that you've picked the wrong prey."
Fan Ling's lips curled into a sneer. "Bold words. Let's see if you can back them up."
With a wave of his hand, the Blood Sect lackeys lunged forward, weapons drawn, intent on overwhelming the lone interloper.
Xiao Yan's lips quirked into a smirk.
"Very well," he murmured, cracking his knuckles. "I could use a little warm up."
(To be continued…)
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