Chapter 425: Black Pot Hero

Rumbling sounds echoed.

As over a dozen spirit beasts arrived, one by one, highly renowned and powerful figures stopped before a gigantic palm print, resembling a massive sinkhole. They gazed at the blood dragon's corpse inside, which had been flattened into a meat patty. Their pupils constricted sharply.

Kong Yuanba was both agitated and furious. "That's right! That's right! This attack was generated by a Nascent Soul Strike Talisman! Who used this talisman?" Whoever possessed this talisman was the murderer of the Giant Sect's Grand Elder!

Soon after, they spotted Xiaobai and the others in the distance.

"It's the missing patrol team!""And Jiang Fan, the disciple who rescued them!"

"Jiang Fan?" Kong Yuanba's lips trembled slightly as he shouted, "What are you doing here? If anything happened to you, what would I do?"

Yue Mingzhu, who was about to step forward, was taken aback. *Wait, as the Giant Sect Master, why are you more concerned about Jiang Fan's safety than a Qingyun Sect elder?*

Everyone else exchanged bewildered glances. If they remembered correctly, the Giant Sect and the Qingyun Sect had a very strained relationship, didn't they? Coming from Kong Yuanba, that statement sounded odd.

How could Kong Yuanba admit he had been threatened by two Vice Pavilion Masters? He could only sullenly ask, "Are you injured?"

Jiang Fan cupped his hands and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Kong, I'm perfectly fine." He had to admit, the words of the two Vice Pavilion Masters were truly effective. Kong Yuanba was indeed the one most terrified of anything happening to him.

Kong Yuanba nodded slightly, then asked, "You were here on a mission; did you see who used that Nascent Soul Strike Talisman?"

Jiang Fan touched his nose. This was like asking a mouse who stole the rice from its home. He hesitated, then said, "I couldn't see it very clearly."

Kong Yuanba frowned, "Either you saw it clearly, or you didn't. What do you mean you couldn't see it *very* clearly?"

Jiang Fan explained, "Because when that person used the Nascent Soul Talisman, it disturbed the fierce creature at the bottom of the lake. Before I could even get a clear look at their face, the creature obliterated them, leaving no trace behind."

"Someone who could kill my sect's Grand Elder wouldn't be a simple character," Kong Yuanba immediately grew suspicious. "What kind of fierce creature could leave no trace of him?" Moreover, what kind of fierce creature could withstand a blow from a Nascent Soul stage expert? Didn't they see that even the blood dragon had been flattened into a meat patty?

At this moment, a Grand Elder solemnly observed the former Taihu Lake, now a colossal dried-up pit. There was a hint of terror in his voice. "Could it be that a Divine Transformation stage Demon Lord has emerged among the demon race? To think it could evaporate Taihu Lake entirely! A Nascent Soul stage expert doesn't possess such power!"

It was then that everyone realized the Taihu Lake, once shimmering and unfathomably deep, was now utterly dry.

"There's a grand hall!" Someone spotted it and immediately flashed over to the dilapidated palace at the bottom of the lake. Through the remaining characters, they could vaguely make out, "It's demon script: 'Li Fire Heavenly Hall'! This place seems to have once nurtured some peerless treasure! It makes sense that the Demon Emperor's general appeared here; it must have been guarding this object until its emergence."

Jiang Fan secretly felt relieved. Luckily, the Sky-Burning Clam Pearl was there to take the blame, allowing him to easily deflect suspicion. Otherwise, it would have been truly difficult to explain today's events.

Kong Yuanba gasped, "A Divine Transformation stage fierce creature? This, this... Jiang Fan, were you able to get a clear look at what it was?"

Jiang Fan didn't dare reveal anything about the Sky-Burning Clam Pearl. This was to avoid causing panic or letting the information reach more demons. He gave a wry smile, "How could I dare to peek at such an existence? I could barely even hide in time." No one doubted his words. What kind of terrifying creature could simply evaporate the entire Taihu Lake? If it had been them, they might not have dared to peek either.

Kong Yuanba's gaze flickered with uncertainty for a long moment before he reluctantly snorted heavily: "He was lucky to die at the hands of that fierce creature. If he had fallen into the hands of my Giant Sect, I would have made him wish for death but be unable to die!"

With that, the group began to inspect their surroundings. The hole that had melted through the earth and brought up magma was also discovered. This further confirmed the creature's terrifying power. Inside the palace, the shattered clam shell, blasted into pieces, was divided among the elders of various sects as if it were a treasure. Even the blood dragon's corpse was equally distributed. Although the most valuable demon core and spirit flesh had been shattered, with so many important figures making such a grand effort, they couldn't possibly return empty-handed, could they?

After tidying up the scene and confirming nothing was overlooked, everyone reluctantly got up and departed. Jiang Fan quickly urged everyone onto Xiaobai's back, following them on the return journey.

Yue Mingzhu breathed a long sigh of relief. She had been ready to take the blame for Jiang Fan, admitting she was the one who took the talisman. Unexpectedly, Jiang Fan had anticipated this and quickly dispelled all suspicion. Recalling how Jiang Fan had tricked the Sky-Burning Clam Pearl with the Mirage Demon Core, she couldn't help but feel a bit of admiration.

"Jiang Fan, you really have a knack for mischievous ideas!" Yue Mingzhu exclaimed.

Jiang Fan grumbled, "Thanks for the compliment! Everyone, get some good rest. You can sleep soundly on the way back now."

Liu Qingxian's taut nerves completely relaxed. As Xiaobai jostled, her body swayed, and sleepiness immediately washed over her. Her head tilted, and she fell asleep in Jiang Fan's arms.

When she woke up again, she noticed a noisy commotion around her. Opening her eyes, she found herself in Sunset City Square. What made her blush was realizing she had been sleeping in Jiang Fan's arms.

"Did I sleep that long?" At least a day and a night.

Yue Mingzhu pouted, "Jiang Fan probably wished you'd sleep longer so he could hold you more." Ignoring Liu Qingxian's even redder face, she got up and said sourly, "Alright, I've helped you rescue your beloved. Let's part ways here. Don't ask me for such favors again in the future; it's quite suffocating."

Jiang Fan felt grateful. After a moment's thought, he took out a pair of communication jade slips. He handed her one of them: "Contact me if you need anything; I'll repay you for your help this time."

"Hehe! I knew you couldn't bear to part with me!" Yue Mingzhu immediately beamed with delight and snatched the communication jade slip. With it, they could stay in contact no matter how far apart they were. She triumphantly waved it in front of Liu Qingxian: "Fairy Liu, you'd better keep a close eye on your man. Be careful, or I might snatch him away one day." After saying that, she let out a laugh and leaped away.

Liu Qingxian stomped her foot and asked, "Xiaofan, who was that woman? She was openly provoking her! How outrageous!"

Jiang Fan chuckled, "She's a friend of mine, a disciple from the Joyous Union Sect named Yue Mingzhu. This time, she almost died trying to distract the blood dragon and the sea enchantress, to buy me time to escape."

Hearing that Yue Mingzhu had nearly sacrificed herself for Jiang Fan, Liu Qingxian instantly felt less angry, even a little ashamed. Because she had never done anything like that for Jiang Fan.

"But, you said her name is Yue Mingzhu?" Liu Qingxian rested her chin in her hand, frowning deeply. "Why do I feel like... I've heard that name before?"