In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 261 Jian Jiaxingzhi

"No, no!" Ning Xiaoxi blinked her innocent big eyes and looked up at Tian Xian.

Tianxian lowered his head and clicked his tongue, "Just as annoying as Tianji!"

Ning Xiaoxi clutched her throat and stood up. Damn it, she was only slightly taller than the other person's waist. "My lord, I have completed my master's orders and am preparing to return to report!"

Tianxian grabbed Ning Xiaoxi by the back of her neck and stepped into the golden talisman gate that had reappeared.

It was still that same trial ground, but there were no traces left on the sand. The five bodies and the flesh and blood that had been seen before were like illusions. Not only were the objects gone, but even the atmosphere had become fresh. The scorching heat was exactly what the desert should have in this season.

Ning Xiaoxi dared not swallow; her throat no longer hurt, but her body felt very cold.

"Girl, stop following Tianji and come with me!"

Ning Xiaoxi didn't understand what Tianxian meant, and she didn't even dare to look up at his face. "You're joking, sir!"

Tianxian lifted his leg and stepped onto the waiting sled next to him. "Come find me when you've figured things out."

Ning Xiaoxi stared blankly at the receding figure of the scooter.

Is this the same person who waited for her for three days and three nights in the territory of the Illusionary Beast Clan to catch her? Did she mistake him for someone else?

[Tuanzi, did you see clearly?]

[System upgrade in progress...]

Ning Xiaoxi was truly stunned. How long had it been since she had seen this familiar scene?

Wait, it's upgraded? Tuanzi has upgraded! That's great! Ever since Tuanzi became reliable, she's been waiting for it to upgrade and bring her even more surprises.

Xiao Jiu swam out again, pressing her cheek against Ning Xiaoxi's, "She was taken away!"

"Huh?" He hadn't even reacted yet.

"All five were taken away; they were using human sacrifices to nourish their bodies."

Ning Xiaoxi recalled the scene she witnessed at Lu Wu's place where it had been deceived. Could it be that those other beings were deceived as well? "Xiao Jiu, what about their souls? Can they be sensed?"

“They have all lived longer than Xiao Jiu and are more powerful than Xiao Jiu, but I can’t sense them.”

Ning Xiaoxi looked at the three mulberry trees in the cave that were beginning to grow lush and verdant, but the bluish-white light did not react at all.

Indeed, Lu Wu found the Western Source and merged with it, thus preserving his divine soul. It's impossible for everyone to be so lucky. The Northern Source, on the other hand, remains pure and beautiful on its own.

Ning Xiaoxi released her senses, and it seemed that with Tian Xian's departure, all the Celestial Masters had left. Apart from a few faint traces of departing spiritual energy that could still be sensed, the place returned to its peaceful daily routine.

As the noise subsided, Ning Xiaoxi continued her walk in the desert, the scorching sun unable to wash away the chill from her body.

Xiao Jiu poked its head out, letting the scorching sun shine on its body. During its years of sleeping in the sea, it had missed the sunlight. It was so good to be able to bask in the sunlight again.

She had always thought her mission was simply to slay demons and monsters, to kill those evil spirits that remained in the world. Now it seems she was far too naive!

Based on what she has seen and heard, the most terrifying thing is the royal family that has firmly established themselves in the capital.

王城

She left from there, so is she going back?

No, she didn't want to go back. If she went back now, she couldn't protect anyone, including herself.

She gazed towards Youzhou in the north, a place she longed for. She didn't know how much longer she could remain under Tianji's protection; Tianxian was definitely not an ally of Tianji, even if they were brothers.

Currently, the human race is entangled in a complex web of conflict, while other races are being continuously purged, and demons are gradually being eliminated. One day, this world will completely belong to the Great Xia royal family. At that time, all these wandering forces will be reclaimed by the royal family, and the Great Xia royal family will truly become the rulers of this continent.

Perhaps her cave dwelling was her only way out, her only source of strength. So, just as Tianji said, she needed to find a way to nourish her cave dwelling.

Suddenly, yellow sand filled the desert, dust swirling up and spreading outwards from afar, covering the sky.

Ning Xiaoxi looked at the sudden dust storm and thought of the Illusionary Beast Clan's territory, which was covered by the dust, and the trial grounds, which were also obscured by the dust. Everything that had happened here was buried by the yellow sand.

Inside Yandu City

By the central lake, Ning Xiaoxi wore a veil to cover her face, revealing only her large, clear eyes.

The city of Yan remains bustling, with many tourists still flocking to the lakeside, coming from all corners of the desert and bringing news from various places. Caravans come and go, bringing goods from different regions and taking away desert specialties; the prosperous scene brings smiles to the faces of the people here.

The once grand mansion of the Fu family has changed its name; it is no longer a family of Taoist masters, but simply a wealthy merchant family.

The City Lord's Mansion and the Yanzhou Prince's Mansion remained low-key, with little interaction between them. There were only two stewards at each gate, and no guards.

Walking down the lakeside street, the Flame Capital Inn is still there, but the innkeeper and staff have all been replaced.

"Ning is an official."

Ning Xiaoxi turned her head, and Jian Xingzhi came to her side like a gentle breeze.

"The sun is blazing; please come with me back to my residence to rest, sir!"

Ning Xiaoxi nodded and followed Jian Xingzhi's steps.

“Recently, some things have happened in the city. The Jian family’s properties in Yandu have all been cleared out. If the officials don’t come in ten days, I will have no choice but to return to the ancestral home and wait for their news.”

Ning Xiaoxi remained silent as the aroma of food wafted from the roadside shops.

"The Jing brothers have been taken back to the capital. My assignment is to return to Qingzhou, and it's not yet decided which official I'll be under. My elder brother has already been assigned to Lord Tianxian and has already set off for the capital today."

Ning Xiaoxi stopped, turned around and bought a few baked buns from the shop next door. She pulled down her veil, took a small bite, and handed two to Jian Xingzhi.

Jian Xingzhi looked at the two baked buns in his hand, and his eyes suddenly turned red.

"Xingzhi, a Celestial Master should do what a Celestial Master should do. The Jian family is merely a family of Celestial Masters who obey the King's orders." Because he had eaten a steamed bun, his speech was slightly muffled, but each word was clearly audible.

Jian Xingzhi took a big bite, then choked up, "It's hot!" He heard it clearly: it was the king's order, not the order of the Celestial Master's Pavilion.

As night began to fall, lanterns and torches were lit in the shops throughout the city. The scattered flames converged into fiery dragons, illuminating the city of Flame Capital and this prosperous human city.

Ning Xiaoxi was settled in the East Garden. After Jian Xingzhi took his leave, he went to see the last Celestial Master of the Jian family in Yandu.

“Ninth Uncle!” Jian Xingzhi stood solemnly in front of Jian Yi.

Jian Yi's expression was gentle. "What do you think?"

"As Your Majesty commands," Jian Xingzhi said, keeping his answer brief.

Jian Yi frowned, "The Jian family has nearly ten thousand members; we can't afford to make a mistake!"

"The Fu family is gone." Jian Xingzhi stated calmly, his expression unchanged.

Jian paused. Yes, in just one month, the once illustrious and prosperous Fu family was gone.