Chapter 87: Callused Hands

In that instant, the atmosphere within the room grew unbearably awkward. At last, it was Xu Yang who broke the silence, saying, "I have no real purpose for this trip, I just want to visit the provincial capital for a bit of fun." Even as he spoke, Xu Yang felt that his words carried a hint of denial, as if trying to cover something up. The faces of the Su family remained cold and distant.

Again...

A guttural, inhuman sound escaped this person, eyes bulging, face flushed red, bloodshot eyes contorted in pain as he rolled incessantly on the floor.

While Yan Yuncheng’s thoughts wandered, Hou Lei and the others had already eagerly ascended the battle platform, circling him with joyful cheers, snapping Yan Yuncheng back to reality. At the same time, Zhan Zhen, brimming with excitement, dashed down from the viewing stand to join them.

Their voices rang out in unison, and the experts participating in the competition atop the platform began to disperse. Chen Xiao exchanged a few words with the law elders and core disciples, then led Sword One and Zhang Yunmeng away, returning to the Quiet Heart Mountain.

After all, the embryonic world was still incomplete, its territory not vast. Thousands upon thousands of people had already searched every corner of this world in a sweeping, thorough manner.

A heavy sigh drifted on the wind across the snowy mountain, where Yan Yuncheng, now buried in snow, had become a snowman.

“Yes, my friend is on the verge of breaking through the fourth rank. This is his first battle between worlds. Due to certain power struggles within the factions of the Three Western Islands, he cannot gain much support from his own side, and must seek help from us,” replied Runo.

“Gulu, gulu!” The giant bird creature emitted a strange cry from its throat—half a mournful groan, half an enraged roar.

Thus, Jiang Xie brought Chen Changsheng to Sky-Shattering, briefly introducing him to the others, then called him alone to the backyard.

Chen Huanshan, Lü Lun, and the others were helping the injured Xie Gongbao and Kong Xiang to leave the hall. At that moment, Gu Cangyong, wrapped in blood and carrying Yi Yun, returned in haste, bursting into the hall. From the look of things, Yi Yun had been through a fierce battle and was gravely wounded. Everyone exchanged nervous glances, their scalps tingling, sensing that something was terribly wrong.

Han Xing, seeing the long spear beside Su Mu, instinctively hid his own silver-bright spear behind him. He did not know why, but the aura of Su Mu’s spear made his own feel like a worthless rod. Glancing at Han Lingxue, he saw her cheeks flush as she lowered her head in embarrassment.

Throughout it all, Ruan Zhinan had not uttered a single word. He simply stood in place, pondering the location of the City of Sleepless Nights; his longing to see Yun Qiumeng was overwhelming.

After snatching the dagger from his hand, Gu Huaiyan, fearing he might attempt suicide again, hurriedly tucked it into his own chest.

Exiting through the princess’s mansion’s secret passage, Tia, clad in the special Dragon Thorn protective suit, stepped onto the bustling street. After circling several times, he calmly entered a temple. While walking around the deity’s statue, he suddenly slipped behind one of the figures and vanished.

But when that student called out, everyone’s attention turned toward him, leaving him embarrassed and unable to retreat. He had no choice but to walk toward Lin Yu.

Perhaps the journey had been too rough, and he had infused so much true energy into Liu Yanxue that, upon stepping out the door, darkness fell before his eyes and he fainted.

He could not guarantee that medical care abroad would be better than at home, but the chance to reunite with family—his mother’s lifelong dream—was reason enough for him not to object, even if it meant being apart from his father, sister, and the rest.

“Only when all the stone slabs within the space have been neutralized can Dragon One remove his shackles and leave the space without becoming an ordinary horse. If they are not fully neutralized, even if the Eight Dragon Altar is buried within the Eight Dragon Tomb, the task is still incomplete, and Dragon One will carry his shackles and remain an ordinary horse outside the space.”