Facing Ximen Feihua's enthusiasm, Bi Luoyue nodded slightly in response.

"Brother Ni, you're here too."

Ximen Feihua's gaze then shifted to Qin Yang, and then glanced at Zilan, slightly surprised in his heart—how did this lad happen to have another pretty girl by his side?

"Yes."

Qin Yang nodded slightly, then furrowed his brows. Why hasn't Xiao Yan appeared?

The Fire Flame Lion had a keen sense of smell, and due to its slight connection with his heart and spirit, it should have quickly come after he left the valley.

The Magma Jade Marrow and the Crystal Core of the Fire Crystal Ape King were taken precisely for it.

At this moment, Qin Yang swept a glance around but did not find any trace of the Fire Flame Lion.

"Brother Ni, are you looking for that Fire Flame Lion?"

Ximen Feihua shook his Ancient Bronze Fan, smiling as he inquired.

"Did you see it?"

Qin Yang raised his eyebrows, his gaze directed at Ximen Feihua.

"Yes, I just saw it running in this direction, and it seemed like there were four black-robed ancient martial artists chasing it."

Ximen Feihua closed the Ancient Bronze Fan in his hand, pointing to the eastern side of the mountain forest.

"Black-robed people are chasing it?!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yang's face immediately darkened.

"Oh, and I also saw that the Fire Flame Lion seemed to be slightly injured."

Ximen Feihua paused for a moment and then continued.

Crack!

Qin Yang clenched his fists, a cold glint in his eyes. Those four black-robed individuals were most likely from the Dark Palace.

Although the Fire Flame Lion was at the Middle Stage of the Yellow Tier, being of a Demon Beast Body, even Late Stage Yellow Tier ancient martial artists might not be able to handle it. In this forest, if it really wanted to escape, even Profound Tier early-stage masters probably couldn't catch up.

"It must be those Dark Palace scoundrels; they didn't dare to attack us in Danfeng City, so they went after Xiao Yan instead."

Zilan raised her fair little fist, her delicate face displaying a hint of anger.

"Thank you, Brother Feihua, for letting me know."

Qin Yang said to Ximen Feihua, then his figure flashed, and he, along with the two girls, headed toward the eastern mountain forest.

Swift, swift, swift!

In a blink of an eye, Qin Yang and the two girls' figures quickly disappeared into the forest.

"Young Master Ximen, I just caught a whiff of a strong wine aroma from those three people."

Old Han, standing alongside the Snow Wolf, looked deeply as he spoke.

"Yes, I smelled it too. It seems most likely that these three got the Hundred Fruit Wine. Let's go, Old Han, let's follow them as well; perhaps we can reap some unearned benefits."

Ximen Feihua nodded, a shrewd glint in his deep-set eyes.

Upon saying this, Ximen Feihua swiftly mounted the Snow Wolf and also dashed toward the eastern mountain forest, while Old Han employed his body technique to follow behind the Snow Wolf.

The forest floor was covered in an abundance of crimson yellow leaves.

Three figures leaped swiftly among the branches of the trees, moving at an incredible speed, and finally, they stopped on a tall red-leafed tree.

"Brother Qin Yang, why can't we see Xiao Yan?"

Zilan's bright eyes blinked as her beautiful gaze swept around, yet there was no sign of the Fire Flame Lion.

Qin Yang's face slightly darkened as he closed his eyes, carefully sensing the slight connection between his heart and spirit, and the Fire Flame Lion.

"In that direction!"

A few moments later, Qin Yang's eyes abruptly opened, a cold glint flashing through them as he pointed to one side of the forest.

The forest was silent.

Crimson yellow leaves occasionally drifted down, covering a thick layer on the ground.

However, at this time, on the ground, covered in fallen leaves, were several glaring, bright red bloodstains.

"This beast can sure run."

An Xingchen held a black longsword, with fresh blood dripping from its blade.

Beside him, the Fire Flame Lion lay prone on the ground, with several deep bloody wounds on its body. Two of the wounds were already exposing pallid bone, with scorching blood flowing out, staining its once fiery fur.

At this moment, the Fire Flame Lion's aura was extremely sluggish, with its eyes half-open, clearly having suffered a considerable injury.

On the open ground, aside from An Xingchen and the Fire Flame Lion, also present were the Dark Palace's Palace Master An Yuan, the white-browed Second Tributor, and the Third Tributor.

"Young Palace Master, capturing this lion can truly threaten that lad?"

The Third Tributor gave the Fire Flame Lion a once-over as he spoke.

"Yes, a demon beast mount at the Middle Stage of the Yellow Tier is quite rare. That lad is unlikely to abandon it. He entered the ravine some time before us and might have already acquired the Hundred Fruit Wine. With this lion, we can threaten him to hand over the Hundred Fruit Wine. If Father could acquire some, he would certainly break through to the Earth Tier."

An Xingchen nodded, a smile curling at his lips.

"You've been thoughtful, my son."

An Yuan, beside him, nodded in approval as he looked at An Xingchen.

"Young Palace Master, it's said that there are people from the Celestial Dragon Sect and the Hundred Beasts Valley competing for the Hundred Fruit Wine as well. What if that lad didn't get the Hundred Fruit Wine?"

The white-browed Second Tributor suddenly spoke in a deep voice.

"If that lad didn't acquire the Hundred Fruit Wine, it'll be a great opportunity to settle the score for him seizing our spirit herbs and fruit, as well as over two hundred Violent Dragon Pills that night. It would be ideal if we could slay the Pavilion Master and Honorary Pavilion Master of the Celestial Sword Pavilion here."

A cold flash crossed An Xingchen's eyes as he spoke icily.

Hearing this, both the Second and Third Tributors nodded. If they could kill the Pavilion Master and the Honorary Pavilion Master of the Celestial Sword Pavilion, the rest of the Celestial Sword Pavilion's members could be eliminated, or even absorbed into the Dark Palace. Once the Palace Master ascends to an Earth Tier expert, the Dark Palace could naturally become a second-rate Ancient Martial Sect.

"It seems they're coming."

An Yuan suddenly shifted his gaze toward a part of the forest.

Swift, swift, swift!

Just as An Yuan finished speaking, three figures appeared on the forest clearing: Qin Yang, Bi Luoyue, and Zilan.

"Xiao Yan!"

Gazing at the blood-splattered Fire Flame Lion on the ground, Qin Yang's expression instantly turned frigid.

Roar~!

The Fire Flame Lion seemed to sense something, and instantly opened its half-closed eyelids, its lion's eyes looking toward Qin Yang, letting out a low roar.

"These scoundrels."

Zilan gritted her silver teeth; the current state of the Fire Flame Lion clearly indicated it had suffered significant wounds.

"Tsk tsk, I was just planning on taking this beast to find you, but it seems you've found us instead."

An Xingchen fixated on Qin Yang, smiling as he spoke.

"By doing this, you're seeking death!"

Cold gleams flickered in Qin Yang's eyes as he stared icily at An Xingchen.

"Seeking death?"

An Xingchen curled his lips in disdain and, right before Qin Yang and the other two, inflicted another wound on the Fire Flame Lion with his black longsword, causing fresh blood to gush.

"You big villain, come at me if you dare."

Zilan shouted angrily.

"Hand over the Hundred Fruit Wine that you have, or else, the next sword might pierce this beast's head."

An Xingchen's gaze swept over the Jade Gourds at the waists of the three, speaking coldly as he moved the black longsword toward the Fire Flame Lion's head.

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