"Xiao Yan, get your father and the others out of here. Then, evacuate all your clansmen—the farther away, the better!" Zhou Changqing ordered, holding the protective shield steady.
Xiao Yan nodded grimly. "Alright. Be careful, Old Zhou."
Under Zhou Changqing's control, the hemispherical barrier transformed into a screen of light, shielding them.
With that, Xiao Yan and the others turned and fled without looking back. They knew that in the presence of such powerful experts, they were no different from ants. Staying would be a death sentence and serve no purpose. It was better to leave quickly and not hold Zhou Changqing back.
Protector Wu, who was locked in combat with Medusa, paid them no mind. As long as he dealt with her, Xiao Zhan and the others would never escape his grasp.
At that thought, the power of Protector Wu's attacks intensified as he sought a swift conclusion to the battle.
The clash between Dou Zong experts was immense. Every single move possessed the terrifying power to shatter mountains and split the earth. The space around the battlefield warped and trembled as fierce gales erupted. Black and crimson energies intertwined, blanketing and illuminating the night sky!
...
"What is that?!"
"Quick! Get out of here! There are experts fighting!"
"Such a commotion... could it be Dou Huang experts?!"
"You still have time to worry about that? Do you have a death wish? Run!"
The area around the Xiao Clan, and indeed the entire Wu Tan City, felt the tremendous disturbance. Most people were jolted from their sleep.
When they stepped outside and saw the bizarre spectacle of black and red energies clashing in the sky and felt the ground periodically shudder, any trace of sleepiness vanished instantly.
Wu Tan City descended into chaos. A massive number of residents hastily packed their valuables and fled their homes, running in the opposite direction of the phenomenon.
Those living near the Xiao estate were the quickest to react and the fastest to flee. Being so close, many of them could clearly see the two streams of light colliding relentlessly in the sky, as well as the terrifying shockwaves of energy that followed each impact.
The homes of many were flattened by the aftershocks that reached the ground, burying them in the rubble. Fortunately, most who lived near the Xiao estate were not ordinary people. Even if buried, they could dig their way out and get far away from the battlefield.
Still, a few unlucky souls lost their lives in this senseless disaster. Such was the cruelty of this world. The strong never cared for the lives of the weak, and the weak had no means to resist them. Even if they had done nothing to provoke an expert, they could still be caught in the crossfire of a sudden battle and have their lives snuffed out.
...
As chaos engulfed Wu Tan City, Xiao Yan had already reunited with the Third Elder, who had gathered the clan members.
"Clan Head, what on earth is happening? That is..." the Third Elder exclaimed, first with relief at seeing Xiao Zhan, then pointing toward the two clashing streams of light in the sky, wanting answers.
Xiao Zhan cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry about that now," he said in a grave voice. "Just get the clan members out of here. The farther, the better! Move!"
The Third Elder immediately fell silent and began organizing the evacuation.
Xiao Yan glanced up at the battlefield in the sky, a determined look hardening his eyes. He turned to Xiao Zhan. "Father, you go on ahead. I have to go back."
"What?! Yan-er, you can't!" Xiao Zhan was horrified. He grabbed Xiao Yan's arm, trying to stop his son from marching to his death.
After Xiao Yan had recounted the events of the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Zhan had learned that the woman who suddenly appeared beside Zhou Changqing was the infamous Queen Medusa, whose fearsome reputation was known throughout the Jia Ma Empire. He also knew that Queen Medusa had already stepped into the legendary Dou Zong realm.
To be able to fight Queen Medusa to such a standstill, the figure in the black mist had to be terrifyingly powerful. How could a mere Da Dou Shi like himself participate in a battle of that level? If it hadn't been for Zhou Changqing's protection earlier, the shockwaves alone would have killed them.
Xiao Yan gently placed his hand over his father's. He shook his head, his resolve firm. "Father, this all started because of me. Now the clan has been endangered, and Old Zhou has been dragged into it."
"You all can leave, but I can't. If I abandon Old Zhou now and let him face this disaster for me, what kind of person would I be?"
"He may not be my blood brother, but he is closer than one. I can't just abandon him and run for my life!"
"But..." Xiao Zhan looked at his son, still trying to dissuade him.
Xiao Yan smiled and patted his father's hand. "Don't worry, Father. Your son is not a reckless fool. I wouldn't go back to die if I wasn't confident."
"To tell you the truth, the only reason I have my current strength is because I was taken in as a disciple by a powerful expert. It was with my teacher's help that I was able to defeat Nalan Yanran."
"If my teacher helps, Old Zhou and the others might be able to defeat that black shadow. So, I must go."
"Sigh..." Hearing this, Xiao Zhan knew his son's mind was made up. He could only sigh and release his grip.
"Yan-er, be careful. I'll be waiting for your return."
"I will. Father, you all must leave quickly."
Xiao Yan nodded, then spread his Purple Cloud Wings and flew swiftly back toward the front courtyard.
Watching his son's departing figure, Xiao Zhan felt a mixture of pride and worry. He was proud that this was a true son of the Xiao Clan—loyal, righteous, and clear about his debts and duties. But as a father, he was terrified of the danger his child was about to face.
He reluctantly tore his gaze away and composed himself, joining the three elders to lead the clan's retreat.
...
"Teacher, I'll have to trouble you again."
"Little Yan, even if you hadn't asked, I was planning to get involved. The faction behind that black shadow has some history with me. This is a good opportunity to collect some interest!"
"What! Teacher! What faction is it?!"
"You don't need to know that yet. Those people are as disgusting and repulsive as rats in the sewer, but even I have to admit their organization is vast and filled with powerful experts."
"But I believe that with your talent and perseverance, you will one day be able to stand against them."
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment, then nodded with confidence. "Don't worry, Teacher, I won't disappoint you! In the future, I will hunt down every last one of these villains who harmed you and make them pay the price!"
"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent! That's the spirit my student, Yao Chen, ought to have!"
"Now, relax your mind. Let me take control of your body. We'll go and lend little Changqing and Queen Medusa a hand!"
In the next instant, a bone-chilling, dense white flame ignited in the eyes of the rapidly flying Xiao Yan. The Purple Cloud Wings on his back were replaced by a pair of white Dou Qi wings.
Suddenly, Xiao Yan's speed exploded. A series of sonic booms rippled from his body as he vanished into the horizon like a fighter jet, leaving only an afterimage behind.
...
After Xiao Yan and the others had left, Zhou Changqing retracted the barrier. Golden lightning wings burst from his back, and he shot into the sky like a streak of light.
Under the moonlight, the battle between Medusa and Protector Wu grew even more ferocious. A giant crimson energy serpent clashed with the roiling black mist, unleashing thunderous roars and the wails of resentful spirits.
Flying to the edge of the battlefield, Zhou Changqing watched the two combatants. Without hesitation, he unleashed his Myriad Thunder Jiao at Protector Wu with all his might.
He knew he couldn't survive a direct confrontation with Protector Wu, but he could still harass him from the sidelines. Even if it only served as a distraction, it was better than doing nothing at all. He couldn't just let Medusa fight alone while he watched helplessly from below.
"ROAR!"
A several-hundred-meter-long Jiao, formed of golden lightning and iron, roared as it shot toward Protector Wu with berserk power.
Protector Wu had initially thought victory was assured, but Medusa's strength had proven far greater than expected, and he was growing frustrated at only being able to maintain a slight upper hand.
When he sensed that a mere Dou Wang like Zhou Changqing dared to interfere in a battle of Dou Zongs—and even dared to attack him—his irritation spiked.
He blasted Medusa back with a palm strike.
"Hmph! A little insect dares to intervene? You're courting death!"
With a cold snort, Protector Wu used the opening to flick his wrist, sending a black iron chain shooting out to intercept the lightning Jiao.