C53 The Reactions of Various Parties

Lan Linglong arrived on her own, having already released Lang Ye before Qin Buyi even had a chance to speak.

Qin Buyi observed Lan Linglong's complex expression and inquired, "What's the matter?"

Lan Linglong shook her head, signaling she was alright, though the past couple of days had left her reeling from shock.

So much so that she had become somewhat desensitized. The three towering figures of the Blue Star cultivators had crumbled right before her eyes.

The one responsible for this upheaval was nonchalantly playing with his true dragon companion, making the slaying of three Void Refining Perfection masters seem like a minor affair.

Turning her gaze to the Azure Dragon, now innocently frolicking with the Secret Realm Core, Lan Linglong's inner monologue was laced with incredulity.

Who could imagine that this palm-sized Azure Dragon, when provoked, could unleash terror akin to a primordial beast?

It had even slain Hongxiu within the Water Moon Secret Realm, leaving behind a hauntingly aged visage before her demise.

The memory alone sent shivers down Lan Linglong's spine as she silently remarked, "This creature is as fearsome as its owner."

If someone were to capture the scene of Qin Buyi and Azure at play, no one would suspect the pair's potential for danger.

Cradling Azure in his arms, Qin Buyi's hand rested on its back as he gently stroked the dragon, then turned to Lan Linglong and declared,

"Let's head to our next destination."

"Where to?" Lan Linglong asked, snapping out of her thoughts.

Qin Buyi's gaze hardened towards Kunlun Mountain, a glint of lethal intent flickering in his eyes. "The Kunlun Secret Realm."

His recent ambush was undoubtedly linked to Zhang Feng of the Kunlun Secret Realm, particularly the intricate details known about him.

Only Zhang Feng, who had battled and fled from Qin Buyi, possessed such knowledge.

With Taoist Priest Kunxu, the former master of the Kunlun Secret Realm, now dead, and Woo Qiankun previously slain by Qin Buyi's hand,

the only remaining figure was Zhang Feng, now vulnerable with an injured sea of consciousness.

Without hesitation, Qin Buyi resolved to make his way to the Kunlun Secret Realm to eliminate Zhang Feng and, in doing so, fulfill the war mission to bring down the Kunlun Secret Realm.

After exchanging for the Secret Realm Core, Qin Buyi was eagerly anticipating discovering its true potential, especially given its hefty price of two thousand marketplace points.

The most enticing part of the war mission reward was the inclusion of the first volume of the Eight Nine Profound Arts, which made Qin Buyi all the more eager to hasten the completion of his mission to acquire it.

Recent battles had exposed deficiencies in his combat style, highlighting an urgent need for greater versatility in his approach to fighting.

Upon hearing Qin Buyi's reflections, Lan Linglong cast a glance at his deep, bone-revealing wounds, her expression tinged with concern.

"Your injuries are severe. Are you sure you should continue fighting?"

"I'll be alright," Qin Buyi dismissed with a wave of his hand.

From her storage ring, Lan Linglong produced some bandages, then crushed some medicinal pills with her spiritual energy to apply onto the gauze.

"Hold still. Let me take care of that for you."

Qin Buyi stood his ground as Lan Linglong approached with the medicated gauze, not flinching or avoiding her.

With her exceptional beauty, Lan Linglong was a standout even among the most attractive. Qin Buyi, being a typical man, had no intention of turning down the kindness of such a beautiful woman.

Her cool fingers gently traced over Qin Buyi's wounds, deftly wrapping them with practiced ease.

Once she finished bandaging him, Lan Linglong's cheeks flushed slightly as she asked, "I usually bandage my own wounds like this. How does it feel?"

"Good, very good!" Qin Buyi nodded with approval.

Lan Linglong's heart swelled with joy at his praise, as sweet as honey to her ears.

Cradling Azure in his arms, Qin Buyi spoke calmly, "Don't just stand there. It's time to move on to our next destination."

As Qin Buyi set out for the entrance to the Kunlun Secret Realm, the news of his vanquishing three Void Refining Perfectionists whipped through the ranks like a whirlwind.

In S City, at the Lan family residence, Lan Wenhao and Lan Tianhe exchanged looks of astonishment as they absorbed the reports. Their laughter eventually erupted, thunderous and carrying far into the distance.

The Lan family members were puzzled by the laughter echoing from Lan Wenhao's room. They had only just relocated from the Fire Cloud Secret Realm; it seemed like a time for sorrow, not joy. Yet there was Lan Wenhao, the head of the Lan family, inexplicably elated.

Lan Tianhe glanced at Lan Wenhao and remarked, "Third Brother, our gamble paid off."

With a beaming smile, Lan Wenhao replied, "Seventh Brother, the time for our family's ascent is upon us after this."

Teasingly, Lan Tianhe inquired, "So, Third Brother, when do you plan to hold the Patriarch's ceremony?"

Since Lan Yan's passing, Lan Wenhao had been the de facto leader of the Lan family. While no one openly addressed him as Patriarch, it was an unspoken acknowledgment among them all.

Brought up once more by Lan Tianhe, Lan Wenhao feigned sternness, "Enough with your jokes. I have no desire to be Patriarch; it's far too exhausting."

Lan Tianhe laughed, "But Third Brother, if not you, then who? There's no one else in the Lan family who commands such respect."

Seeing Lan Tianhe's goofy grin, Lan Wenhao's facade melted away, and the brothers shared a hearty laugh.

In the Fire Cloud Secret Realm, Huo Qianyun's brow was deeply furrowed as he reviewed the intelligence reports. Worry consumed him. He couldn't help it; three Void Refining Perfectionists had been sent to besiege Qin Buyi, and now all were lost.

"Who would have thought even Old Ghost Kunxu would fall? What am I to do now?" Huo Qianyun muttered as he paced the room, strategizing.

He couldn't fathom Qin Buyi sparing him after he'd attempted an ambush. In the past, Huo Qianyun wouldn't have been so concerned; he'd made many enemies over the years, none of whom had the power to retaliate.

But the current adversary was different—a formidable foe who had slain three at the Void Refining Perfection stage.

He had even slain Old Devil Kunxu, who was a half-step into the Combination Stage, a foe even mightier than Huo Qianyun himself.

Surrounded by such forces, he knew he'd have no chance of escape, much less the ability to strike back.

As Huo Qianyun fretted over his situation, someone within the Water Moon Secret Realm shared his concerns.

Hong Wanrou, the realm's master, shed tears upon receiving her subordinate's report.

"My dear Hongxiu, this is my doing. Your death is on my hands; had I not been blinded by greed, you would still be alive."

Drying her eyes, Hong Wanrou braced herself for the retaliation that was sure to come.

The Water Moon Secret Realm had long been the underdog among the three great secret realms.

With one of their two Void Refining Perfection cultivators now gone, Hong Wanrou's anxiety deepened.

Yet, knowing the other two realms were faring similarly brought her a measure of solace.

The Kunlun Secret Realm, once the mightiest, was now weakened with two dead and one injured, faring worse than the Water Moon Secret Realm.

The Fire Cloud Secret Realm, perennially second, had seen the Lan family branch out on their own, and with Huo Dao fallen in battle, only Huo Qianyun remained—a lone figure in a diminished house.

This thought brought Hong Wanrou a fleeting sense of equilibrium, but her worry remained, growing even heavier.

If her foes were Huo Qianyun or the injured Zhang Feng from the Kunlun Secret Realm, she might have had less to fear.

Unable to defeat them, she could still cling to hope for survival. But her adversary was Qin Buyi, the one who had vanquished three Void Refining Perfection cultivators.

The mere thought of Qin Buyi coming after her left Hong Wanrou with no ground to stand on.

"I have only myself to blame. Why couldn't I have stayed out of trouble at home? Now I've really done it."

Then, a spark of hope flashed in her mind, and with a sense of urgency, she commanded:

"Quick, summon Yinyue!"