MM Racing 545.Rescued Qingyu
545.Rescued Qingyu
While Ling Zhuo was dealing with the Black Flame, Xiao Yan didn't interfere, mainly because he couldn't control it even if he wanted to. After being released, the Black Flame immediately devoured the green pillar of life light and then acted entirely on instinct. Unlike other strange flames, this eerie Black Flame wasn't truly devoured by Xiao Yan, and therefore naturally wouldn't obey his commands.
At this moment, Xiao Yan could no longer sit idly by and watch the tigers fight. Yao Qingyu was still under Ling Zhuo's control, and now it seemed likely that the Black Flame would devour them both. Xiao Yan knew he had to stop the Black Flame now.
Xiao Yan raised his hand towards the black flame, attempting to recall it using the connection of the void power and the strange runes that appeared on his arm because of the black flame. The black flame sensed Xiao Yan's summons, and its movements only hesitated for a moment before its devouring power suddenly increased. It seemed to be worried that it would be suppressed after being recalled, so it simply increased the speed at which it devoured its "prey" in front of it.
Ling Zhuo's Dou Qi protection was eventually completely devoured. Ling Zhuo watched helplessly as the ghost-like Xiao Yan's face and black flames tore at him. In desperation, he threw Yao Qingyu away, activated his Dou Qi, and took Ling Yu with him to leave.
The black flames before him were truly terrifying; he would rather leave first than fight them to the death here. Under the pressure of the black flames, Ling Zhuo's primary objective—to kill Xiao Yan and Wei Jiangyuan—no longer seemed so important.
Faced with the current situation, the black flames did not hesitate at all. In an instant, they split into two balls, one large and one small. The larger one continued to chase after Ling Zhuo, while the smaller one opened its big mouth, revealing the endless void within, and was about to devour Yao Qingyu, who was still imprisoned by Ling Zhuo.
Xiao Yan arrived just in time to protect Yao Qingyu. Facing the bizarre face formed from hideous black flames that looked exactly like his own, his eyes flashed with cold light, and he roared angrily, "Get out of my way!"
At the same time, Dou Qi was frantically gathering in Xiao Yan's palm, and waves of purplish-red fire flowed around his body. Once the black flames completely spiraled out of control, he had to protect Yao Qingyu's safety. At that time, no matter what abilities the black flames possessed, Xiao Yan was determined to shake them off; the things from the Soul Palace were indeed terrifying.
The seemingly sentient black flames slowed their movements upon seeing Xiao Yan standing before them. Then, as Xiao Yan's Dou Qi coalesced, it sensed the power of the Burning Blade Technique. The originally eerie and terrifying giant face of the black flames suddenly froze, its ferocious features twisting and deforming in the flame waves, the edges of the flames being torn into flakes and disappearing into the vortex.
Black Flame suddenly tilted its head back and quickly left, joining the even larger ball of flame.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan's tense expression eased slightly. Although the black flames were out of control, they hadn't yet indiscriminately injured anyone.
Yao Qingyu's situation was not so good. The huge changes during this period had been constantly impacting her. Even though she was a genius disciple trained by the Flower Sect, her face had turned pale, and her beautiful eyes, which were very similar to Xuan Yi's, were slightly unfocused and lost in thought.
Seeing Yao Qingyu's state, Xiao Yan's anger towards Ling Zhuo intensified once more. However, Xiao Yan was unaware that compared to the shock of Ling Zhuo, the sight of the black flame resembling him, its gaping maw aimed at dragging Yao Qingyu into the abyss, caused her an even greater shock.
Xiao Yan carefully encircled Yao Qingyu's trembling shoulder with his right hand, and the Crimson Lotus Heart Flame transformed into wisps that seeped into her meridians. The restraints imposed by Ling Zhuo were formed by the intertwining of Dou Qi and the power of the Spirit Realm soul; when the strange fire touched these shackles, it emitted a faint burning sound. The pale blue mole at the corner of the girl's eye flickered in and out of focus in the firelight.
"Bear with it, it'll be over soon." The soul power gathered at his fingertips was like silver needles piercing through the last few strands of soul seal. The muffled groan that escaped from Yao Qingyu's throat made Xiao Yan slow down his movements. When the last barrier turned into green smoke and dissipated, she staggered forward and fell, her forehead hitting Xiao Yan's collarbone heavily.
The stench of blood mingled with the fragrance of orchids, filling Xiao Yan's nostrils. Only then did he notice three deep, bone-revealing claw marks on the back of her neck. These were the result of Ling Zhuo losing control of her strength in her haste.
"Junior sister, are you alright? Luckily, you made it in time, otherwise I, as your senior brother, would probably never have the face to see Aunt Xuan and our teacher again."
"Xiao Yan... Thank you so much this time..." Yao Qingyu's fingers, stained with blood, unconsciously clenched Xiao Yan's clothes, her dark pupils reflecting the lingering embers of black flames.
"Don't worry, junior sister, I'm here for you, everything will be alright!" He felt the person in his arms suddenly hold their breath and gently comforted her.
Perhaps it was Xiao Yan's tone that soothed the frightened Yao Qingyu, or perhaps it was Xiao Yan's figure that reminded her of her own drifting life. At this moment, Yao Qingyu could no longer suppress the tears in her eyes.
"He...he'll forget even his own flesh and blood?" Yao Qingyu asked, her voice trembling with sobs, as the black flames gnawed at the cracking space. She buried her face in Xiao Yan's clothes, her scalding tears soaking Xiao Yan's heart.
"My mother told me that she would never regret waiting for him, no matter how long, and she would never resent me. But I can't. I don't understand why I have to be someone who was born without a father!"
Xiao Yan gently patted his sobbing junior sister's back with his right hand, completely shielding her within the curtain of fire, his fingertips lightly stroking her loose, flowing hair. In this matter, Yao Qingyu was not wrong. Because of her father's actions, her body's natural awakening and growth had been suppressed for hundreds of years. After she became aware of things, neither Xuan Yi nor Yao Lao could provide her with the protection a child should have. The suffering and hardship she endured were beyond Xiao Yan's comprehension.
Yao Lao was also right. He was betrayed by Han Feng back then, and only his remnant soul survived. Moreover, he hadn't yet learned from Xuan Yi that he had an heir. He was left in the Ten Thousand Beasts Space, and the two people he instructed Xiao Yan to find upon arriving in Zhongzhou were his close friend Feng Zun and the still unofficial Xuan Yi. He was by no means a heartless or ungrateful person.
As Xiao Yan spoke softly, he promised, "Junior Sister, don't worry. This is all the Soul Palace's fault. After the Pill Gathering ends, I will bring Master back. I think he will stay with you for as long as you want..."
Once Yao Qingyu's rapidly fluctuating emotions stabilized, Xiao Yan turned his attention back to Ling Zhuo, who was frantically running around under the pursuit of the black flames.
Ling Zhuo was truly at his wit's end. Whether it was the strange fire, the Wind Fury Dragon Flame, which he had finally obtained, or the soul power inherited from the Spirit Clan, both could only be devoured by the eerie black flames. During this time, he tried to escape several times, but the black flames seemed to possess sentience, only forcing him to release more energy to devour them.