novelhk 825.2 people in a standoff
825.2 people in a standoff
Beneath the light curtain leading to the third level of the Heavenly Tomb, Xiao Yan and Ling Fengzhui, both dressed in black, stood facing each other.
Looking at Ling Fengzhui, Xiao Yan immediately made a judgment. Whether it was because of what happened at the Pill Tower that night or because of this Heavenly Tomb, he could not let Ling Fengzhui leave before his eyes.
"Let's settle both old and new scores today!"
Xiao Yan was so blatantly displaying his prowess, but Ling Fengzhui's reaction was far beyond Xiao Yan's expectations. He didn't adopt any fighting stance; he just stood there quietly, his figure seemingly even more ethereal than before, appearing rather desolate.
Compared to that night at the Pill Tower, Ling Fengzhui is now a completely different person. Back then, Ling Fengzhui's eyes seemed to burn with fierce flames, but now, Ling Fengzhui's eyes are filled with a faint sorrow.
When Xiao Yan first entered the Heavenly Tomb, he didn't have much time to pay attention, only feeling that something was amiss. But now, facing it alone, that feeling was incredibly strong. If it weren't for the iconic ghost mask and the aura emanating from its body, Xiao Yan would even think it was a different person.
Ling Feng looked at Xiao Yan, who still seemed to lack fighting spirit. A bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth beneath the mask: "Xiao Yan, actually we... are quite similar, aren't we?"
This feeling is so jarring! Just like Ling Fengzhui's current posture, it's extremely incongruous!
Xiao Yan frowned, his vigilance not only not relaxing, but instantly rising to its peak. This was too abnormal! Xiao Yan's soul power instantly spread out from him like a tide. He had already scanned it once, but now Xiao Yan was very worried about the situation caused by the Soul Clan and Ling Fengzhui.
If the Soul Clan members wanted to take this opportunity to launch a sneak attack, Xiao Yan could understand what was happening, but the reality was not like that.
Ling Fengzhui remained silent, making no attempt to stop him, nor showing any sign of being offended, and simply waited for Xiao Yan.
After Xiao Yan searched the surrounding area thoroughly, he indeed found nothing. His soul power was definitely among the strongest of the group that entered the Heavenly Tomb this time. Even those few true Dou Sheng, Xiao Yan did not believe that they could ambush him without him noticing.
The more this was the case, the stranger it seemed to Xiao Yan.
Knowing that Xiao Yan had finished his investigation, Ling Fengzhui slowly said, "It's just the two of us here. I just wanted to have a chat with you."
"What do we have in common?" Xiao Yan looked at Ling Fengzhui, not in a particular hurry to make a move, but his tone was indifferent.
Although the Spirit Clan did not harm their own family members like the Ancient Clan, the two sides had long since formed a blood feud in the Pill Tower. Xiao Yan had even died once at the hands of a Dou Sheng powerhouse from the Spirit Clan, and the two sides had an irreconcilable enmity.
Upon hearing this, Ling Fengzhui's eyes revealed an undisguised sense of desolation: "Our origins. Xiao Yan, we both come from families with the bloodline of the Dou Di. You come from the once glorious but now declining Xiao Clan, while I come from the Ling Clan."
"The Xiao clan is a thing of the past, with only your bloodline remaining. In fact, I could say you are a member of the Xiao clan; your continued existence proves that the original Xiao clan has not completely disappeared. As for us, the Spirit Clan..."
Ling Fengzhui gave a bitter smile: "Nominally, we are still one of the existing families descended from Dou Di, but who doesn't know that among the seven clans, the Ling Clan is already in decline and the weakest of them all? It's teetering on the brink of collapse, like a candle flickering in the wind."
"The Spirit Clan faces the constant threat of collapse, their existence hanging by a thread. Even young members like us have little chance to grow. Although you are the hope of the Xiao Clan, you are now being targeted by the Ancient Clan and are struggling to survive. If the Ancient Clan takes drastic measures, it will be difficult for you to protect your family."
"We both carry considerable pressure right now. We have connections, but those connections are also our shackles. Isn't this a reflection of fate?"
Lingfeng stared intently at Xiao Yan, as if she wanted to confide all her innermost thoughts to him.
Xiao Yan listened attentively to his analysis, and without much hesitation or wavering in his eyes, firmly shook his head and said, "It doesn't seem like it, not at all."
"It's understandable that the Spirit Clan, weakened, wants to rise again. But what about you? As descendants of Dou Di, you openly attacked the Pill Tower, using your power to oppress many forces in the Central Continent. You deserve this situation. Besides the Dou Di families, how many people in the Central Continent wanted to witness the Spirit Clan's demise? Wasn't this your own choice?"
After a moment, Xiao Yan paused and continued speaking seriously.
"Although my Xiao family is weak, it is because my ancestor wanted to change the Xiao clan's predicament and break through to the Dou Di realm. Although my ancestor failed, I admire his efforts to change the Xiao clan himself. If my ancestor had succeeded, the Xiao clan today would definitely not be what it is now."
"As for the current predicament of me and the Xiao family, it is not my or the Xiao family's fault, but the Ancient Clan's reneging on its promise. I killed people in the Ancient Clan only to avenge my second brother's death. Although I, Xiao Yan, do not claim to be a good person, I am definitely not someone who indiscriminately kills innocent people."
"Ling Fengzhui, you and I may seem the same, but I've never considered us to be the same kind of people," Xiao Yan said in a deep voice, enunciating each word clearly.
Xiao Yan's words came from the bottom of his heart, without the slightest hesitation.
Throughout Xiao Yan's analysis, Ling Fengzhui remained attentive and calm, no matter what Xiao Yan said. Upon finally hearing Xiao Yan's answer, Ling Fengzhui revealed a relieved smile: "Well said..."
"The Supreme Elder once said that he greatly admired Xiao Xuan of your Xiao Clan. Now that we've talked, although I've never met Xiao Xuan, your experiences and achievements are in my heart no less than those of your ancestor."
Then Ling Fengzhui took out his greatsword from his storage ring, his eyes under the ghost face became firm again, and the fighting spirit that had been completely absent before instantly rose.
Although the Spirit Clan is the weakest of the eight clans, Ling Fengzhui's strength is definitely not bad among the many geniuses who entered the Heavenly Tomb this time; in fact, it can be said that he is at the upper-middle level.
At this moment, his aura exploded completely, revealing his mid-stage Half-Saint level. Moreover, Xiao Yan could sense that Ling Fengzhui had not wasted these past few months. Compared to when he first entered the Heavenly Tomb, Ling Fengzhui's strength had improved again!
"Xiao Yan, you are a worthy opponent! Now that I've met you, I cannot let you leave, and I presume you feel the same way. Let us fight a fair battle, until death do us part!"