NOVPUB"The Xia Yan family? How many Saint Warriors have entered their ranks? And what is their level of strength?"
Wang Zhongqiu asked.
Hong Mantian’s heart swelled with joy, knowing that Wang Zhongqiu’s inquiries likely meant he was considering action, and naturally, she relished the prospect. Vindictive by nature, she longed to see the Xia Yan family face disaster.
Without hesitation, Hong Mantian replied, "The Xia Yan family is a royal family of the Great Flame Empire. There must be no more than ten Saint Warriors among them, nearly half of whom, I estimate, have entered sainthood through refining Divine Seeds. The strongest among them is Xia Yanlong of the Great Flame Empire, who has reached the Second Layer Heaven of Entering Saint. Coupling that with a Divine Artifact in hand, he does possess some strength, but he is not at all in a position to be mentioned in the same breath as you, Brother Wang!"
"Ten Saint Warriors? That’s over ten Divine Seeds!" Wang Zhongqiu licked his lips, a strange gleam flickering in his eyes. "Though the Ancient Holy Country has unwritten rules against meddling in the affairs of smaller nations, this Elder of the Xia Yan family has killed a disciple of our sect and has provided cover for the deed. I might have to defend the honor of our sect!"
"Let’s go to the Great Flame City!"
Wang Zhongqiu chuckled with a ’hehe’ sound.
"Yes!"
Hong Mantian was also beyond excited. Having been humiliated before everyone’s eyes, she was eager to reclaim her pride. Given Wang Zhongqiu’s temperament, the Xia Yan family would likely suffer a catastrophic calamity!
The two of them quickly set off in the direction of the Great Flame City.
Great Flame City, the most prosperous place in the Great Flame Empire, and its central Imperial City, is the true stronghold of the empire!
In a hall, Xia Yanlong, who was seated cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes, his heart rate accelerating—an ominous premonition taking hold.
"A sudden palpitation... Why this uneasy feeling? Could it be that something big is about to happen?"
Xia Yanlong’s expression became extremely grave. At his level of cultivation, such spontaneous premonitions usually stemmed from an instinctual forewarning of imminent events.
Yet, Xia Yanlong was uncertain from where such a threat might arise!
"Hm?"
As Xia Yanlong pondered, the many residents within the Great Flame City looked up at the sky in shock and astonishment.
Though it was noon, the sun at its zenith, the air suddenly chilled to the bone, sending shivers down the spine of many, and the light grew dim.
"What is... that?"
A man stared blankly at the sky, witnessing a horrific sight: a blood-colored cloud in the sky grew from small to large, swelling madly in just a few breaths. The blood-colored cloud enveloped the entire Imperial City’s sky, obscuring the sun.
The entire Great Flame Imperial City was shrouded in blood-red, accompanied by frigid, bone-piercing cold winds, sending shivers down the spines of all the guards within the Imperial City.
One second, it was bright and sunny; the next, a blood-red veil covered everything, as if plunging into the depths of hell.
"A Martial Saint! It’s a Martial Saint!"
The numerous guards in the Imperial City were startled as they saw, within the blood-red clouds, two figures, a man and a woman, standing proud, traversing the sky, exuding an oppressive force that made them hard to look upon directly!
They immediately realized that these newcomers were Martial Saints, possessing such terrifying dignity!
The arrivals, of course, were Hong Mantian and Wang Zhongqiu from the Ancient Demon Sect, who had rushed from the Yellow Sand Sea.
"Swoosh swoosh swoosh!"
Before the two had to wait long, figures burst forth from the Imperial City, soaring into the sky—almost ten in number!
The leader was none other than Xia Yanlong, with Duanmu Tao, Xia Yanyi, and others among them.
Sensing the anomaly above the Imperial City, all the entering Saint-level powerhouses stationed in the Great Flame City detected it immediately and rushed over.
"It’s Hong Mantian... that Martial Saint from the Ancient Demon Sect!"
Xia Yanlong and Xia Yanyi recognized the seductive woman, Hong Mantian, right away and identified her.
"Who is this man in blood armor? His aura is hidden yet profound, but it sends chills down the spine!"
But the person who drew the most attention was the youth beside her, clad in a blood-colored armor, Wang Zhongqiu!
Every Saint Warrior present could feel his terrifying presence. He was clearly an exceedingly dangerous individual!
"Are the two of you esteemed guests from the Ancient Demon Sect? I am Xia Yanlong. Forgive us for not having welcomed you from afar!"
With a rapid flourish of thoughts, Xia Yanlong bowed, aware that such grandiose and uninvited arrivals were undoubtedly with ill intentions.
"Xia Yanlong, drop the act; you should know why we’re here."
The youth in blood armor, Wang Zhongqiu, was stoic, while Hong Mantian gave a soft laugh.
Hong Mantian then covered her face with a cold, bone-chilling expression: "Where is Dao Wufeng? He killed a disciple of our Ancient Demon Sect, and you obstructed my vengeance last time. This time, you will pay the price for your actions!"
"You’ve come for Elder Blade?"
Xia Yanlong, Xia Yanyi, and the others were shocked.
Su Changkong had killed several Martial Artists from the Ancient Demon Sect. After emerging from Mirror Heaven and Earth, he faced an attack from Hong Mantian, which Xia Yanlong intervened in, forcing her to retreat. The Blood Divine Child she had nurtured had also been killed on the spot by Su Changkong.
They had thought the incident was in the past, but Hong Mantian’s vengeful nature had driven her to seek revenge in the Great Flame City years later, bringing along a powerhouse of the Ancient Demon Sect.
Although Wang Zhongqiu had yet to speak, the intense danger emanating from him was perceptible to all. He was clearly not someone to be taken lightly.
Hong Mantian clearly had not come looking for trouble without cause, thinking that with Wang Zhongqiu by her side, they could easily crush the Xia Yan family!
Xia Yanlong’s mind raced. He spoke up, "Elder Blade is not one of our Xia Yan family. He is but a Guest Elder. Having entered sainthood, his whereabouts are a mystery, and we are not privy to his location. Most likely, he has already set out for the Ancient Holy Country."
