Soul power surged around Fang Yang, and pitch-black flames suddenly rose, crackling fiercely in the biting cold wind, instantly evaporating the falling snowflakes into mist.
A solid flame barrier appeared out of thin air, enveloping Gu Yue, Na'er, and Xu Xiaoyan, isolating them from the bone-piercing cold outside.
"This is the entrance to Dragon Valley." Gu Yue's voice was calm, yet carried a hint of sadness difficult to conceal.
Her gaze passed through the swirling snow, as if chasing some distant memory.
"Mm."
Fang Yang nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.
Pristine white snow covered the entire mountain range. Aside from tenacious snow pines, no other signs of life could be seen.
The cold wind howled past, sweeping up fine snow particles that spun in the air, emitting wailing sounds.
Xu Xiaoyan subconsciously moved closer to Fang Yang's side: "But besides snow, there's nothing to see here..."
Her light blue twin-tails swayed gently, her eyes carrying some unease.
"Open!"
Gu Yue suddenly shouted in a low voice, her eyes instantly transforming into brilliant silver.
Centered on her, terrifying spatial power erupted violently, the surrounding air distorting intensely. Even the falling snowflakes became still at this moment.
Crack—
The sky was torn apart in an instant, and a massive black crack appeared.
Seven-colored flowing light poured out from the crack, illuminating the entire snowfield with bizarre and shifting colors.
From the depths of the crack came faint dragon cries—ancient and distant, as if slumbering dragons of ten thousand years were awakening.
The pressure spreading through the air caused the surrounding snow to begin trembling slightly.
"This... such terrifying energy." Xu Xiaoyan's face paled, unconsciously taking Fang Yang's hand.
Na'er gazed at the crack in the sky, a complex light flashing through her purple eyes as she murmured softly: "Dragon Valley..."
Fang Yang stepped forward, the flame barrier swaying slightly with his movement: "Alright, let's go."
When their figures submerged into the seven-colored flowing light, the crack in the sky began to slowly close.
Eventually disappearing without a trace, leaving only the swirling wind and snow as before, as if nothing had ever happened.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away.
Deep within an unnamed mountain range, a crude stone house stood quietly at the foot of a high mountain.
Inside the stone house, an elderly man who had been resting with closed eyes suddenly opened them wide. He was tall in stature but slightly hunched with age, tightly gripping a black wooden cane in his hand.
"Someone has come..." The elder frowned deeply, quickly walking out of the stone house.
Several figures had already appeared before him. The person leading them had a yin-soft appearance, difficult to distinguish as male or female—this was precisely Qiangu Zhangting.
Behind him followed over ten soul masters with powerful auras, each person's eyes flashing with ill intent.
"Outsiders halt—this path is closed!"
The elder's black wooden cane struck heavily against the ground, and a surge of vigorous soul power fluctuations suddenly burst forth from him.
Rings of soul rings rose successively.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black, black, black, black. The nine soul rings demonstrated his strength as a Titled Douluo.
Qiangu Zhangting laughed lightly, his androgynous voice ringing out: "Oh? In such a desolate place."
"To actually hide a Titled Douluo? Truly unexpected."
The elder's gaze blazed like torches as he spoke in a deep voice: "This place is closed. Please leave quickly, all of you."
Qiangu Zhangting remained unmoved, instead stepping forward.
He looked at the elder with interest: "Old man, what if I say no?"
The elder slowly raised his black wooden cane, soul power surging like waves around him: "Then don't blame this old man for being impolite."
The corner of Qiangu Zhangting's mouth curved into a strange smile as he lightly raised his hand. The people behind him immediately assumed battle stances.
Just at this moment, another group rushed over from another direction.
The person leading them wore a mask and black fitted clothing. He quickly walked before the elder and bowed respectfully: "Elder Wu."
Elder Wu nodded slightly, his gaze remaining locked on Qiangu Zhangting: "There are outsiders."
As an elder of the Tang Sect, Wu Yong had been ordered by the Tang Sect Master to guard this Dragon Valley small world.
This was a secret realm for Tang Sect disciples to train—outsiders were not permitted to trespass.
Hearing this, Black One turned to face Qiangu Zhangting and the others, his voice cold and stern: "Who are you people? Daring to act wildly in our Tang Sect's territory?"
"Oh? Tang Sect?"
The corner of Qiangu Zhangting's mouth curved into a strange smile, "Spirit Pagoda, Qiangu Zhangting!"
The entire scene instantly fell into silence, with only the sound of wind whistling past.
Wu Yong's expression grew grave, his hand gripping the black wooden cane unconsciously tightening. He had never imagined that the one who came would actually be the young master of the Spirit Pagoda.
The Spirit Pagoda possessed enormous power, and the Qiangu family had profound foundations. Although Qiangu Zhangting was young, he was a Soul Sage level powerhouse—his strength could not be underestimated.
"The Spirit Pagoda and Tang Sect have always stayed out of each other's affairs. I wonder what business the young master Qiangu has here today?" Wu Yong asked in a deep voice, soul power secretly circulating around him.
Qiangu Zhangting gently caressed the jade fan in his hand, smiling softly: "I heard there is something my Spirit Pagoda needs in the Dragon Valley secret realm, so I came specially to retrieve it. I hope the Tang Sect can accommodate us."
Black One glared with angry eyes: "Dragon Valley is a forbidden ground of the Tang Sect—how can you say enter and just enter?"
A soul master behind Qiangu Zhangting snorted coldly: "A mere Tang Sect, daring to block our Spirit Pagoda's path?"
"Impudent!"
Black One's figure swelled, seven soul rings instantly blooming.
The Tang Sect disciples behind him also released their soul rings one after another, and for a moment, various colored lights flashed brilliantly.
Qiangu Zhangting, however, played with his jade fan unhurriedly: "Elder Wu, you should be very clear."
"With your current strength, you simply cannot stop us. Why make futile resistance?"
Wu Yong slowly raised his black wooden cane, his nine soul rings shining brilliantly, the pressure of a Titled Douluo sweeping across the entire scene: "This old man was ordered to guard this place. Even if I must give up this old life, I will absolutely not let you step half a pace into Dragon Valley!"
A flash of cold light passed through Qiangu Zhangting's eyes, and he lightly closed his jade fan: "Since that is the case, then don't blame me for being impolite."
Over ten soul masters behind him simultaneously released their soul rings—the lowest being Titled Douluo level, with three even being Hyper Douluo powerhouses.
Just as both sides were in confrontation, a black spatial crack suddenly split open in the sky.
Although it vanished in an instant, that unique spatial fluctuation caused all the powerhouses present to tremble.
Wu Yong's face changed dramatically, his voice carrying unbelievable shock, "Not good—someone has entered Dragon Valley!"
"What?"
The Tang Sect crowd cried out in unison, raising their heads to look at the sky.
The Spirit Pagoda crowd also showed surprise. Qiangu Zhangting's jade fan snapped shut, cold light flashing in his eyes: "Seeking death—someone actually dares to take the first step?"
Wu Yong was secretly shocked in his heart. To be able to open the Dragon Valley entrance without him noticing, the one who came must be a peak powerhouse who had mastered spatial power.
"Elder Wu, what should we do now?" Black One asked urgently.
Wu Yong's gaze flickered. After a moment of deliberation, he looked at Qiangu Zhangting: "Young Master Qiangu, I can let you enter, on the premise that you help us deal with the outsider."
"Elder Wu, you mustn't..." Black One hurriedly tried to dissuade him.
Wu Yong spoke in a deep voice: "Black One, after this matter is concluded, I will personally explain to the Sect Master."
"Yes."
Black One responded reluctantly.
Qiangu Zhangting narrowed his eyes slightly, seeming to weigh the pros and cons.
At this time, an elder behind him quietly transmitted his voice: "Young Master, you can agree. Entering Dragon Valley is the priority."
A flash of keen light passed through Qiangu Zhangting's eyes, and he then smiled brightly: "Good, Elder Wu is straightforward, and I agree as well."
"Since that is the case, then please." Wu Yong waved his black wooden cane, signaling the Tang Sect disciples to make way.
Thus, the two originally hostile forces, due to this sudden turn of events, temporarily formed a delicate alliance.
Led by Wu Yong, the crowd advanced along the steep mountain path.
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