NOVEL NEXT Chapter 198: Coward
“Xiao Yixian, Xiao Yixian!”
Following the direction pointed out by Yao Ye, Xiao Yan flew out of the Snake-People Tribe’s sacred land, loudly calling out for Xiao Yixian’s name along the deeper paths of the desert.
Unfortunately, despite Xiao Yan shouting as loud as he could, his voice seemed so small in the desert, where the wind and sand were pervasive.
At that moment, a helpless voice reached Xiao Yan’s ears.
“This is the desert. What’s the use of shouting so loudly?”
Xiao Yan turned his head to see Hai Bodong standing behind him, looking at him with a speechless expression.
Beside Hai Bodong, Nalan Jie looked at Xiao Yan and asked softly, “Xiao Yan, are you looking for someone? I can help you.”
“Really?!”
Xiao Yan was overjoyed to hear Nalan Jie’s offer. He had been so focused on finding Xiao Yixian that he had completely forgotten to ask for their help. He hadn’t expected Nalan Jie and Hai Bodong to follow him voluntarily.
“Grandpa Nalan, it’s like this—”
Xiao Yan immediately roughly explained Xiao Yixian’s current situation and described her appearance to Nalan Jie and Hai Bodong. The two of them listened attentively with serious expressions.
After Xiao Yan briefly explained the situation, Hai Bodong crossed his arms and furrowed his brows slightly.
“So, if we don’t find that little girl soon, her life may be in danger?”
“Yes!”
Xiao Yan nodded vigorously, and Nalan Jie pondered for a moment before saying slowly, “She left the Snake-People Tribe’s sacred land only an hour ago. With the speed of a Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level), she shouldn’t have gone too far.” Nalan Jie looked towards the deeper parts of the desert, furrowing his brows slightly. “This is roughly the direction. Let’s split up and search. This way, we’ll have a better chance of finding her.”
“Alright! I’m counting on you two!”
The three of them then flew off in different directions, fanning out towards the deeper parts of the desert, searching for Xiao Yixian’s traces along the way.
Nalan Jie quickly flew to a certain direction, and after flying for more than ten minutes, he stopped in mid-air above a steep cliff.
Based on his many years of experience as a general, a Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level) wouldn’t be able to travel too far within an hour.
Nalan Jie descended to a lower altitude and carefully searched for traces within the rocky cliffs.
However, after searching for several minutes, a hint of disappointment appeared in Nalan Jie’s eyes.
It seemed she wasn’t here.
Nalan Jie made a judgment in his mind and decided to follow Xiao Yan’s direction.
After all, Xiao Yan was the weakest among the three of them, and tracking her traces would be the most difficult for him.
“Hmm?”
Just as Nalan Jie was about to leave, his brows suddenly furrowed, and he abruptly stopped in mid-air. Slowly turning around, he looked down at the peculiar sight on the wall below.
Nalan Jie landed on the ground and looked at the corroded wall, which still had remnants of purple liquid on it.
“What’s this…”
Nalan Jie extended his finger and enveloped it in Dou Qi, wiping off some of the purple liquid and examining it closely.
Suddenly, his pupils constricted.
Poison?!
From the Chu Yun Empire?!
Nalan Jie immediately thought of the country where the poison masters roamed. They had also played a part in the attack on the Snake-People Tribe’s sacred land a few days ago!
Could it be that there were still people from the Chu Yun Empire who hadn’t left?
A trace of killing intent flashed in Nalan Jie’s eyes. After the leader of the Chu Yun Empire, Wu Ya, fled, the Dou Wang (Battle King, 6th Level) and Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level) of the Chu Yun Empire were almost completely wiped out by them.
But it was inevitable that there were fish that had slipped through the net.
The sense of responsibility as a General of the empire reminded Nalan Jie that he couldn’t just sit idly by.
Let’s take a look first…
Nalan Jie furrowed his brows and flew along the corroded wall, searching carefully for any clues.
However, as he followed the corroded traces, Nalan Jie suddenly felt a sense of unease creeping into his heart.
As for why, it all came down to the corroded traces on the wall.
The initial trace of corrosion that Nalan Jie had spotted was small, only about the size of a palm, and the depth of the erosion on the wall was only surface-level.
However, as Nalan Jie followed the corroded traces closer, he noticed that the area of corrosion on the wall became larger and the depth of the erosion increased.
When Nalan Jie saw another trace of corrosion, his whole body froze in place.
The diameter of this trace of corrosion was nearly two meters, and it reached a depth of half a meter!
Compared to the first trace of corrosion he had seen, the difference was immense!
In an instant, a ridiculous conjecture arose in Nalan Jie’s mind.
Could it be that the person leaving these traces on the wall was becoming increasingly toxic?
What a joke!
From the first trace of corrosion to this one, it was only a few hundred meters! And these traces of corrosion were obviously freshly made!
What kind of poison could escalate to this extent in such a short time?!
“Aaaaaahhhhh!”
Suddenly, a piercing scream came from ahead, startling Nalan Jie.
Instantly, his expression turned solemn, and he swiftly flapped his wings of Dou Qi to fly towards the source of the sound.
After turning a corner ahead, Nalan Jie saw the scene before him, and his pupils constricted.
It was a girl.
With pale hair and emerald eyes, she was kneeling on the ground, clutching her head in agony, her expression contorted in extreme pain.
This girl’s appearance perfectly matched Xiao Yan’s description of Xiao Yixian!
After realizing Xiao Yixian’s identity, Nalan Jie’s eyes filled with shock as he watched the black-purple viscous Dou Qi erupting from her body, corroding everything it touched into white smoke, leaving no trace behind.
“Aaaaahhhh!!!!!”
Xiao Yixian tightly hugged her head, seemingly enduring immense pain. The black-purple Dou Qi in her body erupted even more violently, and her level, initially that of a low-ranked Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level), began to rise rapidly in Nalan Jie’s horrified gaze.
Mid-ranked Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level)— High-ranked Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level)— Peak Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level)—
And then— Dou Wang (Battle King, 6th Level)!
At the moment Xiao Yixian broke through to Dou Wang (Battle King, 6th Level), the black-purple Dou Qi erupted several times more violently.
“This is bad!”
Nalan Jie snapped back to his senses and immediately flapped his Dou Qi wings to fly into the air, avoiding being affected by the Dou Qi.
Watching Xiao Yixian’s Dou Qi continuing to skyrocket and her expression becoming more and more agonized, Nalan Jie suddenly realized what was happening.
Such rapid increase in strength was definitely not Xiao Yixian’s intention!
Clearly, the faster Xiao Yixian’s strength increased, the more unbearable the pain she felt!
And there were only two possible outcomes in the end.
Either Xiao Yixian would endure until the end and reach the limit of her strength.
Or, she would be unable to bear the pain midway and be consumed by the overwhelming power within her!
However, judging from Xiao Yixian’s current condition, the first possibility was extremely slim!
She would most likely be driven insane by the endless torment before reaching the limit of her strength!
This couldn’t be allowed to continue!
Determination flashed in Nalan Jie’s eyes as he enveloped his Dou Qi around himself and charged through the spreading black-purple Dou Qi towards Xiao Yixian.
As he rushed into the black-purple Dou Qi, Nalan Jie discovered something terrifying in an instant.
Not only was this black-purple Dou Qi tangible, it could also corrode his own Dou Qi!
However, despite this, there was no trace of hesitation in Nalan Jie’s eyes. Instead, he quickly flew towards Xiao Yixian!
Immediately, he flashed behind Xiao Yixian and firmly pressed down on her shoulder, shouting loudly as he forcefully suppressed her escalating power with his Dou Qi.
He couldn’t allow her strength to continue increasing! Otherwise, her body would be destroyed by the overwhelming Dou Qi before reaching its limit!
“Girl! Snap out of it!”
Nalan Jie roared angrily, trying to awaken Xiao Yixian’s consciousness, which was on the brink of collapse due to extreme pain, while suppressing her Dou Qi.
However, how could it be so easy?
Xiao Yixian was originally just an ordinary person. Although she had suffered two major psychological blows, her body had not experienced much pain.
And at this moment, she suddenly experienced such extreme pain. How could she maintain consciousness?
Feeling the increasing difficulty of suppressing Xiao Yixian’s Dou Qi, Nalan Jie’s body was already soaked with cold sweat.
He couldn’t keep this up!
Nalan Jie glanced at the black-purple aura surrounding him, constantly trying to break through his Dou Qi defense, and furrowed his brow slightly.
He couldn’t fully suppress Xiao Yixian while also maintaining his own defense.
But the lethality of this black-purple Dou Qi, Nalan Jie had witnessed it with his own eyes. He had to be on guard.
Even he wouldn’t be able to withstand it without his Dou Qi defense!
What should he do?
An expression of difficulty appeared in Nalan Jie’s eyes.
What should he do?
Should he continue protecting himself while trying to suppress this girl and wait for Hai Bodong and the others to come?
No!
As soon as this thought came to mind, seeing Xiao Yixian’s current situation, Nalan Jie immediately rejected it.
This girl couldn’t hold on for much longer!
But neither could he!
Continuing like this would only result in a slow death!
But then…
Nalan Jie looked fearfully at the black-purple aura around him, as if countless venomous snakes were staring at his every move.
Nalan Jie had no doubt that once he removed his Dou Qi defense, these black-purple auras would immediately pounce on him!
Was he destined to wait for death like this?
A feeling of powerlessness suddenly arose in Nalan Jie’s heart.
He felt pathetic.
Just like before.
Nalan Jie even had the thought of abandoning Xiao Yixian and escaping with all his might.
After all, given Xiao Yixian’s current condition, as long as he fled with all his might, those black-purple Dou Qi would definitely not be able to catch up to him.
Should he… escape…
Nalan Jie whispered to himself in his heart, and his suppression of Xiao Yixian’s Dou Qi relaxed a bit.
After all, Xiao Yixian had nothing to do with him. He didn’t need to risk his life for her.
However, as soon as this thought arose in Nalan Jie’s mind, the scene of Xiao Yan single-handedly breaking into the Heavenly Flame to help Medusa flashed in his mind, as well as Xiao Yan’s sincere gratitude when he offered to help just now.
Nalan Jie’s heart trembled!
Immediately, all hesitation disappeared from his eyes!
Pathetic… truly pathetic…
A gleam of determination flashed in Nalan Jie’s eyes, and the Dou Qi that had relaxed for the sake of escape tightened again!
Nalan Jie! Since when did you fall so low!
The esteemed Lionheart General, actually entertained thoughts of fleeing for his life?!
A mere child like Xiao Yan could risk his life, how could he not!?
Every day, soldiers are taught to be brave and fearless, not to fear to sacrifice their life.
And look at him now?!
If the only way for him to live is to be a coward, then it’s better to not live at all!
He is part of the Nalan family! There are no cowards there!
Faced with the sincere gratitude from that child Xiao Yan, if I cannot respond with action and save his dear friend, how can I face my old friend Xiao Di?!
Immediately, Nalan Jie no longer hesitated at all and removed all the Dou Qi defense from his body!
And the moment Nalan Jie removed his Dou Qi defense, the purple-black Dou Qi rushed up, continuously eroding Nalan Jie’s body.
Under the corrosion of the toxin, Nalan Jie’s strong skin began to dissolve, emitting wisps of white smoke, causing him to feel agonizing pain.
But Nalan Jie didn’t care!
With a firm gaze, he firmly pressed down on Xiao Yixian’s shoulder, using all his Dou Qi to suppress her skyrocketing strength, leaving no reserve for himself!
And under Nalan Jie’s selfless sacrifice, the effect was remarkable.
Not only was Xiao Yixian’s increased strength suppressed, but it even showed signs of declining!
Dou Wang (Battle King, 6th Level)— Peak Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level)— High-level Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level)— Mid-level Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level)— Low-level Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level)!
Under Nalan Jie’s efforts, Xiao Yixian’s strength was completely suppressed!
But the pain Xiao Yixian felt remained unabated.
“Ahh! Ahhh!”
The pain felt inside and outside her body made Xiao Yixian unable to bear it, causing her to involuntarily want to vent her strength to feel better.
Suddenly, Xiao Yixian turned her head sharply, her eyes turning pitch black, her jade-green pupils staring at Nalan Jie, her expression extremely fierce, with no trace of clarity in her eyes.
A sense of foreboding suddenly arose in Nalan Jie’s heart.
Bam!
Just as Nalan Jie had this premonition, Xiao Yixian’s palm, carrying a strong black-purple aura, fiercely struck Nalan Jie’s chest!
With most of his Dou Qi used to suppress Xiao Yixian’s level, Nalan Jie didn’t react at all!
Poof!
The blow hit, and Nalan Jie’s body was sent flying, crashing heavily into the mountain wall, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his eyes unfocused as he looked at Xiao Yixian in front of him.
Indeed, her elevated level had been completely suppressed.
But the lost rationality had not yet returned!
“Ahh!”
Xiao Yixian roared, her body covered in black-purple Dou Qi, rushing towards the immobile Nalan Jie!
It was clear from her appearance that she intended to kill Nalan Jie!
Feeling the constant warning signals from his survival instinct, Nalan Jie gritted his teeth and tried to gather Dou Qi.
But he just couldn’t do it.
Nalan Jie had been too deeply eroded by the black-purple Dou Qi when he was caught off guard earlier!
And now, Xiao Yixian has rushed to Nalan Jie’s front!
The white and delicate jade hand carried sharp black-purple Dou Qi, like claws, fiercely stabbing towards Nalan Jie!
This blow is something that Nalan Jie couldn’t avoid at all!
Crack!
Accompanied by this sound, Xiao Yixian’s claws deeply embedded into the shoulder of the person in front of her.
But it wasn’t Nalan Jie!
It was Xiao Yan, who arrived just in time!
Xiao Yan’s gaze was fixed on the irrational Xiao Yixian in front of him, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.
He gently grabbed the hand that Xiao Yixian had stabbed into his shoulder, a firm tenderness appearing in his eyes.
“Xiao Yixian, I’m sorry.”
“I’ve made you wait for me for so long.”
_______
Tn: Xiao Di is the Grandfather of Xiao Yan, he’s the Old Friend of Nalan Ji and the one who agreed to make an engagement between the Nalan Family and the Xiao Clan