Chapter 524: Chapter 334: Accused by Zhong Hui Again_2
After the transaction, the blow was heavy, but Lan Feng was using all his strength; he could muster a seemingly happy Zhong Hui, who was playing around in the midst of the battle.
Just as Lan Feng’s patience was about to run out, and he prepared to unleash all his martial power to attack, the entire room suddenly froze. A chilling sphere enveloped them, as though they were trapped in a world all their own, centered around Zhong Hui.
Delicate snow began to fall within this sphere, and no one could move even an inch. Even Lan Feng, entirely immobilized within this realm, kept a vigilant gaze fixed on the Frozen General, who was approaching him slowly.
With a playful smile still lingering on his face, Zhong Hui raised a hand and clenched it tightly. As soon as he did, the entire building trembled again, and the trembling hope of the staircase collapsing became a reality. Seeing the fear in Yan Xiaobao’s eyes, Zhong Hui wondered about the safety of his friend, yet inexplicably his smile grew even broader.
"Listen, Yan Xiaobao, I know you can hear the mysterious shape of the beast that resides within me. Today, I will let you leave, but I will not allow you to escape with your friends. Find another way, but do it alone. Anyone who befriends me will face death."
Having said this, Zhong Hui turned his gaze to the many King-level experts who had unwittingly overheard their conversation. With one hand grabbing the other, those experts exploded one by one, as if crushed by a giant hand. Blood sprayed everywhere, even thicker than the trail left by Lan Feng’s previous battles.
Seeing Zhong Hui retract the powerful realm, Yan Xiaobao didn’t wait to see if his opinion would change. He dashed toward the place he knew would provide entrance to the next system of tunnels.
Deng Wu ensured Little Dragon maintained control as they rushed up the staircase, everyone saw the light of the sun once again—a vast, endless sky stretched out before them.
Even though they all had longed for the sky’s brilliance, despite Xu Biao’s wish to see its beauty, none of the group members felt particularly excited or happy at that moment.
Xie Lan leaped in front of Xu Biao at the final moment to save his life. Everyone had been left in the dark cave with Yan Xiaobao; they didn’t know how to escape, but they didn’t truly feel that their friend would perish.
From the weight of each step as they ascended the staircase, they felt as though they had left something of great importance behind. Only Wang Julong seemed determined in her resolve. Biting down hard, she infused strength into her steps, rushing forward faster than Deng Wu himself.
"Don’t slow down!" she shouted to her friends behind her. "Yue said he would meet us in the Capital. He gave us an urgent mission under the law. How can we fulfill it if we keep dragging our feet?" Her raging temper carried her voice. Despite her pain over leaving Yan Xiaobao behind, she knew they truly had no other choice.
Hearing her words, everyone nodded, except for Xu Biao, whose eyes remained red with grief. He was sad deep in his soul, but he understood that now wasn’t the time for sorrow or pity. The world was unforgiving, allowing only the strong to thrive. Xie Lan’s death affirmed that her opponent had been stronger—this was simply the cruel reality of the world. Even today, Xie Lan had killed countless cultivators and sacrificed herself. Nothing in this world could prevent such tragedy.
The climb felt eternal; half a day passed before the group finally reached the top. The four of them stood there, staring up at the beautiful blue sky overhead. It was midday; the bright summer sky opened wide above them, revealing only a colossal castle nearby.
The sight made their hearts race, the reflected blue sky mirrored in their eyes. Xu Biao felt like the world was something else entirely. Though joyful about their homecoming, his emotions turned distant, dazed by this stark contrast. No longer boxed under a ceiling, the oppressive sensation of captivity vanished.
Though they had lost Xie Lan and left Yan Xiaobao behind, the fresh air around them was irresistible. They couldn’t help but savor every breath of it while gazing at the castle.
"This should be the Central Castle," Deng Wu said, sensing something uneasy stirring within him, an instinct he had honed from his bond with Little Dragon.
"I think we need to leave," Deng Wu murmured quietly. Everyone nodded in agreement and began scanning for pathways to take.
There were multiple roads along the way. Without overthinking, the group hastily picked one and started trekking down the mountain from the Central Palace area.
The road led them to a small forest. Quickly leaving the beaten path, they searched for a place to fulfill the task Yan Xiaobao had implored them to undertake. The sooner they succeeded, the quicker they could return to the Capital, where they had promised to await Yan Xiaobao.
Within the mountains, they came across a forest seemingly devoid of life. No matter how far they walked, no signs of vitality appeared. The only creatures they encountered were magical beasts, ones Xu Biao had never seen before. Although wondrous, the young man lacked the energy or enthusiasm to explore the marvels of this upper world. His heart lay heavy with grief over losing Xie Lan.
The magical creatures in their surroundings were mostly at Master level, yet the cultivators protected themselves as they traversed the forest. Eventually, they reached a large clearing covered in grass and flowers. A small river cut through it, slowly eroding its banks and expanding over time.
On this carpet of grasses and blooms, Wang Julong and Sha Yun retrieved their Memory Stones, placing one after another of the regulations down. Everyone else still slumbered deeply in silence.
The laws weren’t something the girls could activate through physical strength alone. Instead, they watched over them recurrently, focusing tirelessly day and night. Minute after minute went by, yet the resolve of these two girls shone as they ensured that Yan Xiaobao’s entrusted mission persisted relentlessly.
While the two girls busily kept watch and tended to the laws, Xu Biao paid them no attention. Instead, he found a place in the clearing where he laid Xie Lan gently, planting a final kiss on her forehead. Then, wielding Wu Wei, he dug a deep grave.
Xu Biao spoke continuously to Xie Lan, as though she could still hear his voice. He told her about how they’d first met as children and shared memories of the mischief they’d created.
He reminisced about how they grew up together, always by each other’s side, attending school while relying on one another’s strength.
His stories unfolded further as his trembling voice revealed how they joined the mercenary company and fought their way to the rank of Guild Master side by side. Through every mission, Xie Lan remained at his side, never complaining as she aided him.
Finally, Xu Biao apologized to the silent Xie Lan, regretful that he hadn’t listened to her enough. Now, though he stood above the world, without her presence, the vast skies seemed utterly meaningless.
Resolve flickered in his tearful eyes as he slapped himself forcefully.
"I know you’d scold me still if you were here," he said through his sobs. "But I will live out the life you left me. I will never forget that it belongs to you. Even if you’ve stayed behind in the Hell World, one day I will come for you. Perhaps we can reincarnate together."
With that, Xu Biao gently placed Xie Lan into her grave. Covering her with earth felt like burying his own heart. Using his strength, he located a large stone and carved a meaningful sculpture onto it with Wu Wei. Etched upon the stone were the words: "Never Forgotten, Forever Loved."
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