Chapter 556: Next Obstacle

"Oh, the rain stopped, the sun came out, and now you think you're hot stuff again?" Long Kun scoffed, picking his nose with an expression of disdain. He felt this guard captain, who dared to act so arrogantly without even understanding the situation here, was absolutely useless.

However, the formidable Xu Yang standing nearby did not share this sentiment. On the contrary, Xu Yang instantly detected a faint, familiar ripple of danger emanating from the man.

"Don't underestimate him; this guy likely has some special hidden power. Everyone, don't act rashly," Xu Yang said, instinctively moving to the front, shielding everyone. He wanted to prevent the man from suddenly unleashing a devastating attack that could cause unnecessary harm to the rest of the team.

In truth, the role of a team leader often becomes most apparent and crucial during genuine times of crisis. The reason everyone preferred to follow Xu Yang was precisely because whenever disaster struck, he could always single-handedly hold up the sky, offering them a steadfast sense of hope. It was as if, with him present, nothing would ever truly be over.

"Hmph, mere ants who only know how to run their mouths. I'll simply crush your leader, and then you'll experience true despair!" The guard captain was indeed a ruthless individual who matched his words with action. As soon as he finished speaking, a razor-sharp black dagger appeared in his hand. In a mere flash of light, he vanished from his spot, as if disappearing into thin air, only to reappear instantly in front of Xu Yang.

The chilling, icy dagger then followed his sudden appearance, plunging straight towards Xu Yang's heart.

"Is that all the skill you possess?" Xu Yang's brow furrowed. He immediately unleashed the Earth Law he had just learned, demonstrating the ability to form seals in an instant. His mastery was so profound that it seemed impossible for an outsider to possess such a skill; instead, it appeared to be a powerful technique unique to an insider.

As time ticked by, second by second, Xu Yang continuously unleashed more of his power, increasingly astonishing the guard captain before him.

"You! How can you wield our Glacier Kingdom's supreme inherited Earth Law with such proficiency? Do you realize that simply because of this, you must face judgment from the Glacier Kingdom? Even if you don't want to return with us now, you have no choice! Of course, unless you're willing to surrender the Sacred Text, that might be your only hope for survival."

Only then did Xu Yang recall the Sacred Text. He couldn't help but let a slight smile play on his lips as he once again manifested the text in his palm.

"You coveted this Sacred Text, didn't you? I'll grant your wish right now." As Xu Yang spoke, the immensely powerful Phoenix Flames in his palm rapidly ignited. While the Sacred Text was undoubtedly protected by formidable power, it absolutely could not withstand the might of the Phoenix Domain Flames. Soon, to everyone's astonishment, it was reduced to ashes.

"You... stop this instant!" The guard captain, enraged, lunged to intervene, but Xu Yang merely raised his hand slightly. The Earth Law immediately took effect, completely immobilizing the captain's every movement.

"With your paltry skills, you dare to be so reckless in front of my boss? Ridiculous! If you don't have the diamond, don't take on the porcelain job. We're entering this Glacier Kingdom by choice, not being captured by you!" Long Kun finished speaking, and his body abruptly moved, proactively confronting the guard captain who had been about to lunge at Xu Yang to seize the Sacred Text.

"Hmph, do you really think I can't take it from your hands?" Just then, the guard captain held out his palm, and a token, imbued with an incredibly powerful aura of Earth Law, appeared before everyone.

"This is... the Kunyuan Token!" The one who uttered these words was none other than the young Sea Demon Lord.

"Kunyuan Token? How have I never heard of that name?" The Sea Demon Lord explained, "Of course you haven't; this is a divine artifact that existed tens of thousands of years before I left the Glacier Kingdom. The Kunyuan Token is divided into five independent parts representing Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. It symbolizes the supreme lineage of the Earth Law, holding a status equivalent to the Sea God's Supreme Sea Pearl. Furthermore, if all five elemental Kunyuan Tokens are gathered, the maximum power unleashed would likely surpass even that of the Sea Pearl."

Xu Yang's interest was immediately piqued upon hearing this. "The net has been cast," he said, "now we just wait for the fish to bite."

*Rumble!* In an instant, the Kunyuan Token erupted with an astonishing power that surpassed everyone's imagination, immediately tearing apart the flames in Xu Yang's palm. As light and shadow flickered, the Kunyuan Token's aura rapidly locked onto the Sacred Text in Xu Yang's hand.

Curiously, despite the formidable Xu Yang clearly detecting the opponent's move, he made no attempt to dodge or obstruct it, completely allowing the other party to snatch the Sacred Text.

When the light settled once more, the guard captain before them was back in his original position, clutching the tattered Sacred Text.

"Hahaha! Kid, weren't you unconvinced? I just want you to understand that no one can forcefully hold onto something I intend to obtain!" The guard captain felt a profound sense of accomplishment as he gazed at the exquisite outline of the Sacred Text in his hand.

However, the words that followed would forever brand this encounter as an indelible stain on his life.

"I also want you to understand that no one has ever refused something I, Xu Yang, wanted to give away. You... did very well!"

The guard captain found these words peculiar. Remembering the Sacred Text in his palm, he hastily flipped it open to take a look. *Rumble!*

The sound was incredibly violent and astonishing; the Sacred Text had simply exploded in the guard captain's palm. While it was far from capable of harming his life, it left him covered in soot, with his hair standing on end and falling out. He was truly so disheveled that he just wanted to find a place to crawl into.

"Ahahaha! Look at him! What does he look like?" "Holy cow, that's mind-boggling. Even if his head was blown up by firecrackers, it wouldn't look like that, right? He's truly destined to be a beggar." A flurry of taunts immediately erupted from Xu Yang's team. Indeed, in front of everyone, the guard captain completely lost face, thereby losing any threatening aura towards Xu Yang's team.

The female envoy, who had been observing the entire time, was even more astonished by Xu Yang's subtle brilliance. She thought to herself, if they didn't eliminate Xu Yang and his group soon, it would truly be difficult to report back successfully.

"Esteemed Xu Yang, please hear me out!" The red-clad envoy stepped forward and inquired, "You are searching for the Angel Soul Pillar Force, are you not? If you are willing to give me the true Sacred Text, I can promise you that not only will I lead you into the Glacier Kingdom to meet our great King, but I will also help you further search for the whereabouts of the Angel Soul Pillar Force. How does that sound?"

Xu Yang let out a cold, disdainful chuckle. "The Sacred Text... that's all you ever see. You have absolutely no idea that another companion who accompanied you has already been banished by me to the depths of the endless ocean."