129: Save Lan Yu

"Look! Something's coming, a big bird!"

Xie Ning had just started moving when he heard someone pointing at the Secret Realm and shouting.

He looked toward the Secret Realm's portal.

Indeed.

Through the film-like portal, a black bird with a ten-meter wingspan could vaguely be seen heading toward the exit, occasionally dodging left and right as if something was attacking it.

"Everyone be careful, don't get attacked by it!"

"What's there to fear? Yao Beasts from the Secret Realm can't come out. Besides, everyone here is a famous strong person from the city. How could we be defeated by a big bird?"

"That bird is a Demon Tamers Beast, right? It seems to be carrying someone?"

Compared to the others' discussions, Xie Ning had guessed something.

"Heavenly Star Falcon," he stared at the big bird, vaguely seeing a figure standing on its back. "It seems you've also encountered a life-and-death crisis."

At this moment, the big bird Xie Ning called the Heavenly Star Falcon flapped its wings, flying at an angle, revealing an object behind it as if something was chasing it.

Seeing this, Xie Ning didn't dare delay and, ignoring any rules, rushed into the portal under everyone's astonished gazes.

Stepping into the portal, the scene became clearer.

The Heavenly Star Falcon also noticed Xie Ning's figure. While dodging attacks from behind, it cried out. The figure on its back was drawing a bow and arrow, turned at the sound, saw Xie Ning, showed great joy, and shouted toward Xie Ning.

This person was Lan Yu.

Chasing her was the previous Middle-aged Man with a weaselly face. He seemed to know the exit was right in front and, unable to hold back, intensified his attacks, attempting to kill Lan Yu before leaving the Secret Realm.

Xie Ning didn't dare delay. He summoned Bai Ya, mounted the wolf, and rode golden flames straight toward the Heavenly Star Falcon.

Riding on flames was an ability Bai Ya mastered after absorbing the Golden Fire source. Unlike the poison attribute of Poison Flame, the Golden Fire had mutated into a metal attribute within Bai Ya, giving it more solidity and enabling Bai Ya to stand on it.

The space of several hundred meters was crossed in an instant. Just as they were about to approach, the Venomous Flying Python whipped its tail at the Heavenly Star Falcon, making it unstable. Lan Yu, who had just focused and shot an arrow, was thrown off, and her bulging backpack fell with her.

"Careful!"

Xie Ning exclaimed. The flames on Bai Ya's four legs surged even more, like a rocket, carrying him and the beast under Lan Yu. He reached out one hand to catch Lan Yu around the waist and grabbed the backpack with the other.

"It's okay now." Xie Ning said softly. Lan Yu then opened her eyes and smiled slightly when she saw Xie Ning.

At that moment, the Venomous Flying Python lashed out with another Tail Whip. Just as it was about to hit, Little Mantis made its entrance.

Flapping its wings, it collided with the tail at high speed, halting its momentum, then delivered a Vibration Strike Spinning Kick, causing the tail to tremble. The Venomous Flying Python let out a scream.

Little Mantis followed with a Vertical Slash, cleanly severing its tail with a smooth, flawless cut.

"Where did this brat come from! Daring to ruin my plans! Flying Python, attack! Eat him!" the Middle-aged Man shouted angrily, then summoned two other Demon Tamers Beasts, both flying types: a Bronze Level 4 Blood-Sucking Demon Bat and a Bronze Level 2 Butterfly Blade.

The Venomous Flying Python was about to pounce on Xie Ning when Little Mantis glared at it, suddenly freezing it in place, its body trembling involuntarily.

"Useless! What are you afraid of? What level is it? You're more Advanced than it is. Attack!" The Middle-aged Man kicked the Venomous Flying Python twice. Only then did it muster the courage to charge down, while the Middle-aged Man, holding the Butterfly Blade and riding the Blood-Sucking Demon Bat, charged toward Xie Ning.

Seeing this, Little Mantis swung its arms, sending a Cross-shaped Sword Aura straight at the Middle-aged Man to block him. At the same time, it flapped its wings, twirled its arms in a sword flourish, and charged at the Venomous Flying Python.

It single-handedly held off three enemies, the highest among them being Silver Level 1.

Xie Ning didn't watch the battle here. Instead, he first took Lan Yu back to the Heavenly Star Falcon's back, gently set her down, and placed the backpack beside her.

Only then did he see the two large red handprints on her face. Xie Ning's pupils contracted, and anger surged within him. Suppressing his rage, he asked softly, "Was it that person who hit you?"

Lan Yu, who hadn't thought much of it before, heard Xie Ning's concerned words. Her lips quivered, tears streaming uncontrollably. She didn't speak, just nodded.

"I understand. I'll help you get revenge."

After saying this, Xie Ning patted the Heavenly Star Falcon, signaling it to continue flying forward. He then jumped onto Bai Ya's back and, propelled by flames, charged straight toward the Middle-aged Man.

"Awoo!"

Bai Ya let out a howl, stepping on Golden Fire and spewing purple-red Poison Flame from its mouth, engulfing the Middle-aged Man. Then, with a charge, it slammed into the Blood-Sucking Demon Bat.

Xie Ning raised his hand, thrusting a sword at the Middle-aged Man. After the man dodged, Xie Ning clenched his other hand into a fist and struck with a Fire Punch, hitting the Middle-aged Man.

Seeming to realize Xie Ning was not to be trifled with, the Middle-aged Man endured one move and chose to avoid fighting. Instead, he circled around Xie Ning and rushed toward the exit, attempting to escape.

"Hmph! Stay here!"

Xie Ning swung his sword repeatedly, sending out waves of flame sword Auras to hinder the Middle-aged Man's movements. Bai Ya also gave chase, quickly closing the distance. However, the Middle-aged Man was also getting closer to the exit.

Seeing that he might escape if this continued, Xie Ning unleashed over a dozen sword Auras, forming a Sword Net that enveloped the area around the man. Then, with a powerful swing, he hurled the changhong sword.

Thud!

The changhong sword spun several times in the air, sparking flames, and struck the man's back, piercing through his abdomen. He fell to the ground, rolling several times before stopping less than five meters from the exit.

This distance was clearly visible even to the many forces waiting in Lingnan City.

Xie Ning ignored their astonished gazes. After landing, he walked forward, pulled out the changhong sword, and held it against the Middle-aged Man's neck. The man quickly said, "Y-you can't kill me. I'm a Cadre of the Monster Hunting Ground. If you kill me, you'll be hunted down."

"So it's okay for you to kill my people, but I can't kill someone from the Monster Hunting Ground? Is that what you mean?" Xie Ning narrowed his eyes, a chill in his gaze.

The Middle-aged Man gasped for breath and replied, "I was wrong. I won't dare again. Don't kill me. Let's leave each other in peace. That girl is fine, isn't she?"

"Is that so? Then how about you leave behind the hand you used to hit her?"

The Middle-aged Man shook his head desperately. "No, no, that's not fair."

Xie Ning gave him a cold look, shook his head, turned the sword toward his arm, raised it high, and was about to strike when he heard a weathered voice from Lingnan City:

"Child, this is an Executive of our Monster Hunting Ground. Please show mercy."

Hearing this, Xie Ning looked up and glanced through the portal, unable to recognize who was speaking. He replied, "Then how do you plan to punish this person?"

After a few seconds, the voice said, "How to deal with him is none of your concern. You just need to let him go. This is for your own good. You can't afford to provoke the Monster Hunting Ground."

Hearing this, Xie Ning suddenly laughed. He kicked the Middle-aged Man repeatedly toward the portal, glared intently inside, and said, "What a great 'for my own good'! Then I'll do you a favor and help punish him. Don't thank me!"

As his words fell, Xie Ning swung his hand—not toward the previously mentioned arm, but toward the head. As the sword light flashed, the weasel-faced Middle-aged Man's head fell with a thud, rolling 'thump-thump' through the portal and landing on the Altar.

The entire place fell silent.

Everyone looked at the sword-wielding youth on the other side of the portal, their hearts filled with shock.

Daring to challenge the Monster Hunting Ground! Who is this little madman?

"Let's go."

Xie Ning turned back and said to Lan Yu, who had already come to his side. Then, he recalled his Demon Tamers Beasts and walked toward the portal.

Lan Yu nodded obediently, supported Xie Ning, and walked through the portal into Lingnan City.

As soon as Xie Ning appeared, a Bald Old Man with a gloomy expression walked over.

"Kid, you've got some nerve, daring to kill someone from my Monster Hunting Ground?"

"Don't get so worked up." Looking at the Bald Old Man who suddenly stood before him, Xie Ning replied calmly, "If I had enough strength, I might even kill you, right?"

"Right my ass! Since you've killed our people, I'll capture you. Your Lingnan Academy won't have any grounds to stop me."

As the Bald Old Man finished speaking, he formed his hands into claws and grabbed toward Xie Ning and Lan Yu.

Lan Yu was so frightened her lips turned pale, gripping Xie Ning's arm tightly. In contrast, Xie Ning's expression remained unchanged, showing no sign of fear.

Whoosh!

A sword light flashed, and the Bald Old Man's two hands were severed, falling to the ground and splattering blood.

Xie Ning showed a faint smile, as if everything was within expectations.

"Who?! Daring to kill in Lingnan City?"

The Bald Old Man retreated two steps in panic, shouting loudly.

People from other forces also looked wary, secretly preparing, afraid someone might suddenly strike.

"It was me."

Yan Ruyu's figure appeared on the platform.

"Yan Ruyu?" The Bald Old Man saw Yan Ruyu, his face filled with apprehension. He cautiously moved aside. Only then did the pain from his severed wrists hit him, making his mouth twitch. Gritting his teeth, he said:

"I advise you not to meddle. Your Lingnan Academy student killed an Executive of my Monster Hunting Ground. By reason and principle, he should be punished. Do you think we should just let him go?"

"The Houtu Secret Realm rules state that your Monster Hunting Ground must not target any participating young generation. Just now, your Executive was chasing our academy student, witnessed by all. Since your people violated the rules, why can't he be killed?"

After Yan Ruyu finished speaking, her sharp eyes fixed on the Bald Old Man. A terrifying Aura swept through the area. She slightly raised her head and said, "I will definitely take them away. If the Monster Hunting Ground dares to lay a hand on them, then don't blame Yan Ruyu for being ruthless."

Her domineering words, paired with the terrifying Aura, made all forces present hold their breath, stunning everyone. Then, she turned and left, with Xie Ning and Lan Yu following closely behind.

Passing by Mo Yu, Xie Ning also placed Lan Yu's backpack in the Large Basket, filling it just right.

Mo Yu and Su Qin quickly packed up the surrounding Banners and Slogans. Lan Yu was also pulled aside by Lu Bingyun and the other girl, questioned about everything. Once everything was settled, under Yan Ruyu's escort, the group left the Altar and returned to Lingnan Academy.

They left the crowd on the field, who remained stunned for a long time.

After who knows how long, someone finally snapped out of it and slowly said:

"It seems that Yan Ruyu from back then has returned..."