Chapter 230

Chapter 230: Danger at the Valley Mouth

Back when Leng Cangqiong had handed Lou Yun the strand of hair contained within the Black Invitation of the Nine Families, Lou Yun, unable to recognize whose hair it was, hadn’t paid it any mind. In fact, if not for Leng Cangqiong’s persuasion, he wouldn’t have even considered acknowledging the Black Invitation.

Yet even now, seeing this magical weapon before his own eyes, Lou Yun struggled to accept that the person captured by Xiao Tong and the others could possibly be Xia Zhilan!

Nevertheless, Lou Yun knew it had to be true. While a magical weapon could detach from its owner, it couldn’t stray too far. And if someone’s magical weapon had been seized by others, that person’s situation was undoubtedly dire. Therefore, Xia Zhilan must be on this very island!

Xia Zhilan—a gentle, shy girl. Though soft-spoken, she was utterly kind-hearted. She harbored deep feelings for Lou Yun and had once saved his life at the risk of her own. Later, through the persistent matchmaking efforts of Old Man Feng and others, Lou Yun had also come to regard her as his fiancée.

If Lou Yun hadn’t accepted the mission to escort Princess Wan Huier, he should still have been at the Ancient Weapon Academy, continuing his studies, spending time with Xia Zhilan, until the day he graduated. He might even have taken her back to the Lou Family. But this single mission altered his life’s course. He was forced to leave the Ancient Weapon Academy and never returned—nearly three years had passed since then!

Though he longed to visit, one matter after another always arose, leaving him no time. Yet deep in his heart, he held a profound concern for the Ancient Weapon Academy and especially for Xia Zhilan.

He hadn’t feared for her safety. Beyond the Ancient Weapon Academy’s standing on Spirit Weapon Star, a paramount expert—the Crazy Old Man—was protecting her. Lou Yun truly believed no one could pose a significant threat to Xia Zhilan.

But now, her magical weapon lay right before him. Faced with this, Lou Yun’s rage boiled over.

Confronted by the overwhelming aura radiating from Lou Yun, Xiao Tong and his three companions exchanged glances before nodding subtly to one another.

Xiao Tong laughed heartily. "Clan Head Lou, no need for anger yet! I can assure you, the owner of this magical weapon is unharmed. She’s right here on this island."

"Take me to her!" Lou Yun’s voice was icy.

"That I cannot do, Clan Head Lou. Though you’re a guest, surely you’ve heard the saying: ‘When you’re the guest, you go with the host’s whims.’ Since you’ve arrived here, you must follow our rules. Or else," Xiao Tong’s tone hardened, "I can’t guarantee her safety later on!"

Lou Yun drew a deep breath. "What must I do to see her?"

Xiao Tong chuckled darkly. "While I won’t take you, I can tell you where she is. As for whether you actually lay eyes on her…" he paused, "…that depends on whether you possess the capability, Clan Head Lou."

With a flick of his wrist, Xiao Tong retracted Xia Zhilan’s magical weapon.

Lou Yun’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. He yearned to smash Xiao Tong’s face right then. But with Xia Zhilan in their clutches, he forced down his fury. "Where?"

Xiao Tong pointed toward the island’s interior. "This island’s very center holds a pool. Cross it. Climb over the small mountain behind it. You’ll see her there."

The answer secured, Lou Yun strode toward the island’s depths without another word. Wen Hou and the others hurried to follow. Strangely, Xiao Tong’s group offered no resistance. They simply stepped aside, clearing a path as the four vanished into the greenery.

About three or four meters ahead, Lou Yun stopped. Still facing away, his words lashed back coldly. "Every word you just said had better be true. If a single hair on her head is harmed…" his voice turned lethal, "…I will make the members of your four clans bury her."

The threat delivered, Lou Yun and his companions surged forward, their figures accelerating deeper into the island, their backs soon swallowed by the dense forest.

Xiao Tong smiled, turning to his silent companions. "Well? First impressions?"

Jiang Wuyue, whose bearing resembled a noblewoman, spoke first. "My intuition tells me he obtained it."

Han Tianfang—his features sharp and countenance severe—shook his head. "I disagree. He did not gain it. But his strength is undeniable, befitting his reputation as a genius."

The last man, a powerfully built middle-aged man named Helian Tiebi, snorted dismissively. "What’s the use of conjecture? How he handles the little ‘gift’ we left him will reveal whether he obtained it or not!"

Xiao Tong burst into laughter. "Well said, Brother Helian! Far better than wasting breath here. Let’s witness how he deals with our little gift. Although," his eye narrowed thoughtfully, "…that trio he brought is peculiar."

"True," Jiang Wuyue agreed. "Each possesses an energy barrier blocking our spiritual senses. Moreover, if that brat dared attend our Black Invitation of the Nine Families with only them by his side, he must place great trust in their abilities. We cannot underestimate them."

"Agreed," Han Tianfang murmured. "Yet no matter their skill, traversing the four barriers we’ve prepared will still tax them greatly."

"Enough talk," Helian Tiebi grunted. "Let’s observe the scene."

Jiang Wuyue turned first, leading the way inland. Xiao Tong and his companions followed swiftly behind.

—

Lou Yun charged forward, his heart suspended mid-air. Dread consumed his thoughts—what state was Xia Zhilan in right now? That she suffered at all was entirely his fault. He was the reason she endured this.

Guilt flooded him, an ache so sharp he yearned to fly instantly to her side. Alas, turbulent energies choked the skies above Biko Island, rendering flight by magical weapon impossible. He could only press on—step by agonizing step.

Recalling Xiao Tong’s words earlier, they knew traps and ambushes must lie waiting on their way to the island’s center, so smooth passage was impossible. While hastening forward, the four also remained vigilant to their surroundings.

Lou Yun stayed silent, and naturally, the other three did too. After hurrying onward for a while, a small valley appeared ahead, its entrance so narrow only one person could pass through at a time.

Seeing this, all four slowed their steps simultaneously—this was the perfect place for an ambush. With their spiritual senses unusable, relying solely on their eyes made it impossible to see through the narrow defile.

Lou Yun stepped forward, positioning himself at the front. "I’ll go first. Stay behind me!"

Wen Hou grabbed his arm. "No, I should lead. The armor formed by my magical weapon Qianfen Mirror has strong defensive capabilities. If there’s an ambush, I can hold out for a while."

Lou Yun knew Wen Hou meant well, but with his fiancée’s life at stake, he couldn’t let Wen Hou take the risk. Just as he prepared to refuse, a cold snort sounded. Tie Sha had already strode past them toward the valley entrance.

Though Lou Yun wanted to stop him, Wen Hou still held his arm. Tie Sha moved swiftly, and they could only stare helplessly as he reached the narrow pass.

The crisp chime of the bells at the end of Tie Sha’s braid rang out as he arrived at the entrance. Without the slightest pause in his step, he marched straight inside.

The moment Tie Sha passed through the opening, a massive black shadow plummeted from above, crashing down toward his head!

"Look out!"

Lou Yun tried to rush forward, but it was too late. He could only roar the warning.

Yet Tie Sha seemed to have anticipated it. As the shadow fell, he thrust his greatsword straight upward!

"Boom!"

A deafening blast echoed. The descending shadow was impaled clean through by Tie Sha’s blade. The weapon spirit power within his sword surged upward, violently penetrating the entire shadow—shattering it!

Now Lou Yun could see it clearly: the shadow was an enormous book as large as a small mountain!

Book Mountain!

The term flashed through Lou Yun’s mind. He instantly recognized the identity of the attacker—a member of the Han family!

"Tie Sha, let me handle this!"

Lou Yun leaped forward, intending to take Tie Sha’s place. Having personally faced Han Rui’s "Six Layers of Book Mountain," he knew its power. Though unable to break it with his own strength, his Chaos Golden Cauldron could shield him. He could enlarge the cauldron to smash through its prison!

But the instant Lou Yun moved, Tie Sha—still holding his blazing greatsword aloft—bellowed without turning his head: "Don’t move!"

The roar shook the air, startling Lou Yun. He froze mid-lunge. Wen Hou seized his shoulder and pulled him back, chuckling. "Tie Sha has a terrible habit: once he engages an enemy, he won’t allow anyone else to interfere until either he or his opponent falls. Right now, you’d better stay out of it."

"But—" Lou Yun gestured urgently toward Tie Sha, trying to protest. Wen Hou cut him off with another smile. "No buts. Trust him. His strength should be enough."

Wen Hou arguably knew Tie Sha best. Since even he voiced confidence, Lou Yun couldn’t insist further. Yet he immediately sent a flurry of mental transmission to Tie Sha, relaying everything he knew about the Han family.

Tie Sha gave the faintest nod. The bells at the back of his head chimed softly—his signal of acknowledgment.

Before the chimes faded, a startled gasp rang out. Then, a middle-aged man stepped into view at the valley entrance.