Zi Yan face blossomed with a radiant smile, her eyes glistening with tears of excitement.
"Helping the elders is what we should do" she said.
Xiao Chong, on the other hand, wore a look of heartfelt satisfaction.
"Seeing you regain your health is the greatest reward for us" he remarked.
The three of them exchanged smiles, creating a scene of extraordinary harmony.
*****
The desert was ravaged by fierce winds and sandstorms, and the blood-red sunset on the horizon cast an eerie crimson hue over the endless expanse of sand.
The hunched figure of the black-robed elder stood amidst the chaos, a cold, sinister smile playing on his lips.
His eyes, peering through the gaps in his hood, were fixed intently on the distance.
The wound on his chest still throbbed faintly, a painful reminder of the humiliation he had suffered in his previous encounter with Xiao Chong.
"Xiao Chong, the wound you gave me, I will repay it tenfold" the black-robed elder muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with hatred and resentment.
As thoughts of vengeance swirled in his mind, a frail soul stumbled into the edge of his vision, appearing utterly helpless.
The elder eyes lit up like a predator spotting its prey.
Without hesitation, he quickened his pace, closing in on the soul.
The soul, sensing the impending danger, tried to flee more desperately, but its efforts were futile.
"Hmph, a mere wandering soul, thinking it can escape my grasp?" the elder sneered.
With a swift motion, he reached out, and a powerful surge of soul energy formed an invisible net, instantly ensnaring the soul.
A pained wail echoed as the soul was mercilessly devoured.
The elder aura noticeably strengthened and he gently caressed his chest, savoring the energy that was now merging with his body.
A surge of unprecedented power coursed through him, and a cold smile curled on his lips, his eyes gleaming with a thirst for even greater strength.
"The souls of this world are nothing but nourishment for me" the elder murmured to himself, his voice filled with unshakable confidence.
With that, he closed his eyes, relaxing his entire body as if basking in the pleasure of his growing power.
Moments later, when the elder reopened his eyes, they were sharp and piercing, like the brightest stars in the night sky.
He took a deep breath, and his body suddenly transformed into a swirling mass of black mist, rapidly spreading and blotting out the sky.
Even the fierce desert winds seemed to cower in the face of this overwhelming force.
"It's time to leave. This barren land holds nothing of value for me anymore" the elder voice echoed within the black mist, carrying a tone of weariness and impatience.
The black mist, like an awakened beast, began to move slowly across the desert.
Wherever it passed, the air seemed to be sucked away, leaving behind a deathly silence.
Eventually, the mysterious mist found a faint trace of a spatial rift and plunged into it without hesitation, vanishing without a trace.
*****
The ancient and prestigious Jia Nan Academy stood with its stone buildings weathered by time, towering ancient trees shading the quiet pathways.
At the center of the academy, a vast square buzzed with activity as young talents from all over gathered, dressed in their uniform academy attire.
They chatted animatedly, their faces alight with excitement and anticipation for the unknown challenges ahead.
"Hey, I heard that even the dean will personally oversee this year inner court selection. Is that true?" a short-haired boy with a glint of cunning in his eyes asked his companion.
"Of course! Getting into the inner court is a dream come true for us outer court disciple," his companion replied, rubbing his nose with a tone full of longing.
"As long as we pass the selection, we can learn more advanced battle qi techniques and martial skills. Just thinking about it gets my blood pumping."
At that moment, a young man dressed in a dark green robe stood among the crowd. His face was resolute, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.
This was Xiao Chong.
He had received a secret order from Elder Su Qian.
Although he felt the weight of the responsibility he was about to shoulder, he was more excited than anything else.
"Everyone, quiet!" A deep, powerful voice rang out, and the crowd immediately fell silent, their eyes turning toward the podium.
Elder Su Qian, a white-haired but vigorous old man, stood on the stage, exuding both authority and a touch of kindness.
"Today is the annual inner court admission day at our Jia Nan Academy. Remember, no matter where you come from or what your background is, here, only strength speaks!"
As Elder Su Qian words faded, the crowd began to organize into groups, preparing to embark on the journey to the inner court.
Xiao Chong glanced around, his gaze finally settling on a few outer court disciples with varying expressions.
They would become his companions on this mission.
"Senior Brother Xiao Chong, how should we proceed? I heard there might be magical beasts along the way" a pale, thin boy in the group asked cautiously.
Xiao Chong smiled slightly and patted the boy shoulder.
"Don't worry, with me here, safety is guaranteed. However, true growth comes after weathering storms. I hope all of you can seize this opportunity and face the challenges bravely."
"Senior Brother Xiao Chong, I heard we need to cross the Black Corner Region. The forces there are complex and tangled. Can we really make it through safely?"
Another disciple in the group, a tall boy with a worried look in his eyes, spoke up.
Clearly, he was apprehensive about entering the Black Corner Region.
Xiao Chong expression remained calm, and a composed smile appeared on his lips.
"Although the Blackcorner Region is chaotic, most of the troublemakers there are just small fry. Truly powerful individuals won't easily provoke passersby. As long as we keep a low profile and avoid trouble, we'll pass through safely. Besides, with me here, the Blackcorner Region is nothing to worry about."
Hearing this, the group spirits lifted, and their confidence grew.
Especially the thin boy who had asked the initial question, his eyes now shining with admiration. In that moment, Xiao Chong image seemed to grow even larger in his heart.
The group officially set off, and the scenery along the way shifted from lush forests to desolate deserts. Every step was filled with unknowns and challenges.
Occasionally, they encountered a few low-level magical beasts, but under Xiao Chong leadership, the disciples worked together seamlessly.
Not only did they successfully repel the beasts, but each of them also gained valuable combat experience.
After several days of travel, the outline of the Blackcorner Region gradually came into view. It was a wasteland formed of black rocks, with a layer of gray haze hanging in the sky, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
"This is the Blackcorner Region. Everyone, stay on high alert and remember what I said earlier—keep a low profile." Xiao Chong voice was steady and commanding, instilling a sense of reassurance in the group.
The group cautiously made their way along the outskirts of the Blackcorner Region, trying to avoid any confrontations with the local factions.
However, fate seemed unwilling to let them pass so easily.
On what appeared to be an ordinary afternoon, a sudden gust of wind swept up a cloud of yellow sand, completely obscuring their vision.
"Watch out, it's an ambush!" Xiao Chong, keenly sensing the murderous intent in the air, quickly raised his hand to signal the group to be on guard.