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**
Finally, after an unknown amount of time, it was the Dou Wang powerhouse from the Luo Yan Empire who spoke first.
"Your name is Xiao Lin, right? What I want to ask you is, where is my elder brother?"
However, as soon as this Four-Star Dou Wang from the Luo Yan Empire opened his mouth, it was a completely baffling question.
"You're asking me where your brother is? Are you serious?"
Xiao Lin looked at this Dou Wang from the Luo Yan Empire with an expression as if he were looking at an idiot.
"Exactly. Your own brother has gone missing and you come to ask us? Is there something wrong with your head?"
Since the two countries were enemies to begin with, Nalan Jie was not polite at all when it came to retort.
Creak.
Following Nalan Jie's words, the fist of that Luo Yan Empire Dou Wang instantly clenched tight.
Endure it, I must endure it!
Before clearing up the whereabouts of his brother, he could not make a move!
After clenching and loosening his fist several times, this Dou Wang from the Luo Yan Empire finally calmed his rage.
"My elder brother is named Yan Bohong. According to my people from the Luo Yan Empire, as early as the first day the secret realm opened, you and my brother chose the same path. Now that my brother is missing, who else should I ask but you?"
Yan Penghong, the Four-Star Dou Wang from the Luo Yan Empire, spoke once again. However, his tone carried a high-and-mighty flavor that made Xiao Lin particularly displeased. Perhaps this was the innate arrogance of the Luo Yan Empire's Imperial Family.
Indeed, whether it was the Yan Bohong who died earlier at Xiao Lin's hands or the current Yan Penghong, they both hailed from the Imperial Family of the Luo Yan Empire, and they were biological brothers!
Their status within the Luo Yan Empire's royalty was second only to their Dou Huang ancestor.
After all, with one being a Four-Star Dou Wang and the other a Five-Star Dou Wang, and being brothers to boot, the rest of the Imperial Family—even if there were other Dou Wang powerhouses—clearly could not compare to them.
At the same time, through Yan Penghong's words, Xiao Lin finally realized who the "elder brother" was.
"I don't care about Yan-whatever-Hong. I'm sorry, I haven't seen him."
"Maybe your brother only shared the same path with me at the start and later went to explore other parts of the secret realm? Instead of wasting time asking me about his whereabouts, you'd be better off searching throughout the secret realm."
Although the other man's brother had indeed died at his hands—and it was the other party who had attacked first—Xiao Lin would not admit to such a thing as long as there was no evidence!
Of course, given the relationship between the two countries and the fact that they were enemies within the secret realm, it wouldn't actually matter much if he admitted to the kill.
However, one must remember that the cultivation Xiao Lin was currently exposing was only that of a One-Star Dou Wang!
If people found out he had taken down a Five-Star Dou Wang without a scratch, anyone with a brain would suspect there was something wrong with him!
This was precisely why Yan Penghong hadn't flat-out accused Xiao Lin of being the murderer after discovering Xiao Lin only had the level of a one-star Dou Wang. After all, a One-Star Dou Wang killing a Five-Star Dou Wang unscathed was simply unheard of!
Nevertheless, Yan Penghong did not believe that Xiao Lin was unaware of where his brother had gone. As brothers, Yan Penghong naturally knew his elder brother's purpose for coming to this secret realm!
It wasn't for the various resources and inheritances, but solely to exterminate the outstanding younger generation of the Jia Ma Empire. In Yan Penghong's eyes, Xiao Lin clearly fit the description of an outstanding youth.
Since that was the case, his brother certainly wouldn't have shown mercy. Yet, now this young Dou Wang from the Jia Ma Empire was not only fine but had clearly obtained benefits, while his brother had vanished mysteriously.
How could Yan Penghong not be suspicious?
"You are lying! Kid, don't think that just because you are a Dou Wang, you can fill my ears with lies! Otherwise, I will show you that even among Dou Wang powerhouses, there is a gap!"
Faced with Xiao Lin's explanation, Yan Penghong didn't believe a single word!
Furthermore, at this moment, the gaze Yan Penghong used to look at Xiao Lin was already laced with killing intent. However, Xiao Lin simply did not care about Yan Penghong's threats.
"Oh? Is that so? You can come and try! Of course, if you want to know where your brother is that badly, you can just wait until after you die and ask him yourself!"
Faced with the threat, Xiao Lin wasn't just unafraid; he directly provoked the man back. This caused the surrounding crowd from the Jia Ma Empire to secretly give him a thumbs up.
This retort was truly satisfying!
"What? You think a mere One-Star Dou Wang like you could kill my brother? Hmph, what a pipe dream! However, even if something really did happen to my brother, it must be because your Jia Ma Empire used some despicable means!"
"Our Luo Yan Empire will certainly avenge this debt! Therefore, I advise you to obediently tell the truth!"
Clearly, from Yan Penghong's perspective, he did not believe a One-Star Dou Wang like Xiao Lin could kill his Five-Star Dou Wang brother.
However, if the people of the Jia Ma Empire played dirty and ganged up on him, the outcome would be hard to predict. Thus, while Yan Penghong felt uneasy, he still hoped his brother was just somewhere else or trapped.
But if his brother really was scheme-killed by the Jia Ma Empire, he would absolutely fight them to the death!
"I was telling the truth just now. Your brother was poked to death by me with a single finger!"
Seeing that Yan Penghong was so unwilling to believe his brother was dead, Xiao Lin thought about it and decided to just tell the truth. He could tell the other man wouldn't believe this version of the story anyway.
Sure enough, the moment Xiao Lin's words fell, Yan Penghong flew into a rage.
"Scoundrel, you dare insult my elder brother! Today, you must die!"
At this moment, after Xiao Lin's repeated provocations, Yan Penghong could no longer endure it.
He already wanted to seize the secret treasures and inheritance on Xiao Lin's person; now he could use the excuse of the insult to his brother to get the rest of the Luo Yan Empire's people to strike with him!
Of course, as the group from the Luo Yan Empire assumed their battle stances, the people from the Jia Ma Empire showed no intention of backing down. This was a matter concerning the pride of two nations; no one had room to retreat.
Some people from smaller countries quickly withdrew from the battlefield, leaving the center of the area to the imminent conflict between the Luo Yan Empire and the Jia Ma Empire.
However, just as the air became thick with a murderous aura and the two sides were about to clash, a figure radiating powerful Dou Qi suddenly appeared in the distance, rapidly approaching the area. The approach of that figure was made without the slightest hint of concealment.
"Dou Huang!"
This thought flashed through the minds of everyone present.
But just which side's Dou Huang powerhouse was arriving?
At this moment, the expressions of the people from both the Jia Ma Empire and the Luo Yan Empire became incredibly tense.
Although they had heard rumors during their three-day wait that a Dou Huang might be interested in this nine-story pavilion and might come here, it had only been a rumor then; not many took it seriously.
But when the reality appeared before their eyes, everyone on the scene was stunned.
A Dou Huang powerhouse, instead of exploring the central palace of the secret realm, actually came here to snatch opportunities from them? This was too ridiculous!
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