pdf-ebookys 692. The Inside Story of the Destruction
692. The Inside Story of the Destruction
"How is that possible?" Xiao Yan blurted out, his voice trembling with excitement.
It wasn't that Xiao Yan's mental fortitude was weak; rather, the information Yan Chao had revealed was simply too terrifying, stirring up a tidal wave of emotions within him. As his strength increased, his understanding of the ancient and powerful hidden forces of Zhongzhou also deepened.
The Yan Clan's profound foundation and formidable strength are absolutely no less than those of the Spirit Clan that Xiao Yan has faced.
That night at the Pill Tower, the Spirit Clan members, out of fear of the Flame Clan, repeatedly held back against Huo Zhi, who was of Flame Clan origin. This was one of the important reasons why Xiao Yan and his group were ultimately able to survive.
It can be said that the Yan Clan is also a hidden super power. If they were to truly make a move, even the strongest forces in the Central Continent, such as the Pill Tower or the Soul Palace, would likely be no match for them. If the Yan Clan were to launch a full-scale attack, it would be enough to shake the entire Central Continent.
But such an existence was actually destroyed, something Xiao Yan could never have imagined. At first, Xiao Yan even felt it was utterly absurd, but the Yan Dynasty before him and his experiences over this period told him that it was all real.
Who is the opponent? And why is the Yan Clan being attacked in this way?
Countless questions lingered in Xiao Yan's mind, and for a moment he didn't even know which one to ask first, only feeling his mouth dry.
"Unbelievable, isn't it? A year or two ago, if someone had told me that the Yan Clan would be wiped out soon, I would have killed him with my own hands."
There was not a trace of a smile on Yan Chao's face; instead, there was a look of utter despair, as if he had lost all hope.
"The Soul Clan!!!"
"A month ago, the Soul Clan launched a large-scale attack and somehow discovered the subtle flaws in the operation of our clan's protective formation. They launched a surprise attack without any preparation. This is why our clan was defeated so quickly. More than 70% of our clan members were killed on the spot, and even the clan leader is missing and his whereabouts are unknown."
The old man swayed as he recalled that day as a tremendous ordeal for him: "Those Yan Clan members who survived by sheer luck were merely barely clinging to life under the relentless pursuit of the Soul Clan and the Soul Palace."
"What's most infuriating is that the Soul Palace seems to have mastered a method specifically for detecting and sensing our clan's Imperial Flame Mark and Battle Qi aura, so they've been relentlessly pursuing us like a leech!"
After explaining, Yan Chao took a deep breath, gestured to Xiao Yan, and said in a low voice, "Young Master Xiao Yan, please come with me."
Xiao Yan followed Yan Chao into the carriage. Looking up, he saw two children huddled in the cramped space. A boy and a girl, their youthful faces suggested they were no more than thirteen or fourteen years old. They wore patched, coarse cloth clothes, and although Yan Chao tried his best to conceal them, the Yan clan traits deep within their bloodline could not be completely hidden.
The girl, who had been hugging her knees, trembled violently at the sound. Only when she saw Yan Chao did she stop panicking. Clearly, the sudden loss of her family was something a young girl like her could not bear.
The boy on the other side had a more determined look in his eyes, but Xiao Yan quickly saw through his inner panic and unease; his calm demeanor was more of a facade.
"These two children..." Yan Chao gazed at the two children, his face showing endless pity.
"I risked my life to save them. Now that the Yan Clan is doomed, I only ask to leave some bloodline for the clan."
"It's just that the journey has been too dangerous, and even though I have the strength of a Dou Zun, I don't dare to make a move easily."
Xiao Yan looked at the two children and fell silent.
After a brief silence, Xiao Yan suddenly raised his head, his voice low and urgent: "Where is Huo Zhi?!"
Xiao Yan took the initiative to ask about this partner with whom he had shared life and death several times. Although their first encounter was not pleasant, without Huo Zhi, he would most likely have met with misfortune long ago.
Yan Chao looked at Xiao Yan, a deeper meaning in his eyes.
Huo Zhi disappeared from the clan for several years. It was later learned that she had met Xiao Yan, a companion who also possessed the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, and their relationship was clearly extraordinary. In the past, Yan Chao would have investigated this matter, but now that the Yan clan was destroyed and facing a crisis of survival, he could only hope that Xiao Yan would lend a helping hand for Huo Zhi's sake.
He had just witnessed Xiao Yan's strength firsthand—effortlessly crushing three Soul Hall elders. That terrifying combat power was the best lifeline he could grasp on his current isolated and helpless escape route.
"On the day the Soul Clan launched their massive invasion, the core of the Flame Domain had already been transformed into a sea of inferno... Slaughter was everywhere, and the branch clans were too busy to even look after themselves. I have no idea whether Miss Huo Zhi managed to escape. I can only hope in my heart that she is safe..."
Upon hearing this, an uncontrollable chill surged into Xiao Yan's heart, and an overwhelming sense of powerlessness and frustration overwhelmed him, which he was unable to dispel for the time being.
"So...where are you planning to go now?"
Upon hearing this, Yan Chao's spirits lifted: "The Sand City in the Eastern Region is a secret escape route secretly prepared by our Yan Clan ancestors to guard against possible annihilation. Apart from a few core elders, it is extremely difficult for outsiders to know its location. Only there... might we be able to temporarily hold off the pursuit of those jackals from the Soul Palace and buy ourselves a chance to breathe!"
"Sand City..."
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, suppressing his chaotic thoughts. He wasn't one to meddle in other people's business. If other families or forces had suffered such a calamity, Xiao Yan would probably have immediately returned to the Starfall Pavilion's Medicine and Poison Valley to guard against potential risks. However, with Huo Zhi's fate uncertain, Xiao Yan simply couldn't ignore the current situation.
"I will escort you."
"Good, good, good!" Yan Chao had personally witnessed Xiao Yan's formidable fighting prowess, and with his protection, he had a greater chance of survival.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately said, "There's no time to lose!"
"The longer I stay, the greater the danger. I just need to pack quickly and I can leave immediately."
Xiao Yan nodded and quickly left, which would not only ensure the safety of the Yan Clan members, but also help protect Wang Zhuang and the others who were disbanding the caravan.
Because Wang Zhuang received a huge fortune from Xiao Yan, and in addition to the savings he had accumulated over the years as the head镖师 (chief escort) of the caravan, he distributed most of his wealth to his companions when he disbanded the caravan, in order to alleviate his guilt.
After today's fierce battle, most of the convoy members had their own guesses. The sudden appearance of unfamiliar faces and the inexplicable pursuit by Dou Zun all suggested that this matter was not simple. However, Wang Zhuang was usually a trustworthy person, and now that he was suddenly disbanding, the group felt more reluctant and saddened.
Xiao Yan briefly bid farewell to Wang Zhuang and Wang Ling'er, and after sensing that they should be careful, he immediately led the three Yan Chaos towards the location of Sand City.