Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 1073 - 671: Internal Conflict Erupts_2

Chapter 1073: Chapter 671: Internal Conflict Erupts_2

"And so you think that with me rendered as the donor of your so-called Sacred Origin, killing me would become a mere trifle, don’t you?"

As he spoke, Xu Yuan’s figure flickered like a shadow, swiftly appearing before Mu Xingyi. He extended a hand and lightly patted the man’s grotesquely disfigured shoulder:

"Don’t look at me like that. Your offspring, Mu Nuo, becoming the vessel for the Bug Saint—was that really so difficult to foresee?"

"Moreover,

"weren’t you just claiming you’d kill me a moment ago?

"So why don that look of astonishment now?

"Is it that you’ve realized the trump card you so pride yourself on was already encompassed within my calculations?"

As he finished speaking, the smile on Xu Yuan’s face gradually receded. His figure subtly rose and drifted backward, casting a commanding gaze over the Insect People amidst the sea of flames:

"Mu Xingyi, besides the comically feeble strength of your family surpassing my and the Sect’s expectations, every other aspect has been meticulously orchestrated by us from start to finish.

"And you—a creature not even qualified to sit at the card table—dared dream of killing me, Xu Changtian?

"Do you really think you’re worthy?"

"But alas, my greatest flaw as a man is my soft heart, so despite your intent to kill me, I will still graciously offer you a word of advice ahead of time."

"Soon, my uncle will descend and shatter Qin Ke’s Dao Domain. When that time comes, use your spellcraft for transferring your main body and flee for your life. Hide yourself afterward."

"Only then will you stand a chance of surviving Emperor Bai, and only then may you harbor a glimmer of hope for future vengeance against me."

"Otherwise, in the chaos of the clash between him and Mu Nuo, he’s liable to spare a moment and punch you—the feeble energy provider—to death."

.

.

.

The previously distinct and segregated state of the city had, with the emergence of the Dead Corpse Dragon Spirit, devolved once more into sheer unpredictability.

Atop the Sky Dome,

Emperor Bai silently descended before Tian Yuan, facing Pavilion Master Jiu Xuan across the void. Behind Tian Yuan floated Mu Nuo, hurled by Xu Yuan’s hand.

Even with its eyes shut and yet to awaken fully, its tremoring lids betrayed turmoil within. Its skin, now almost entirely overrun by the scaly textures of the Dragon Clan, was in the throes of metamorphosis.

Within the city,

Qin Ke’s Dao Domain was cleaved open from the outside; Qilin Wolf and Mu Xingyi both burst forth. One beast made straight for the Government Office, while the other vanished without a trace. Only Xu Yuan remained, alone and stoic, observing the battle between Feng Jiuxuan and Qin Ke up close.

Between Feng Jiuxuan’s and Emperor Bai’s pure displays of martial technique, the sweeping exchanges of spellcraft between Feng Jiuxuan and the hunched elder proved far more edifying for Xu Yuan.

Truth be told, due to influences from animations and TV dramas of his previous life, Xu Yuan harbored significant prejudices against flame-based spellcraft.

For instance, that its lower limits were high but its upper limits were embarrassingly low—always destined to play the supporting cast to make others look good.

And that, despite the cool flashy visuals of fire, it rarely proved lethal in practice.

Yet, that hunched elder shattered Xu Yuan’s preconceived notions. Their duel with Feng Jiuxuan, whether probing with preliminary spellcraft or responding in split-second exchanges, was an eye-opener.

Unfortunately, the battle did not last long. Qin Ke unleashed an area-wide spell resembling a veritable inferno, then withdrew from the center of the battlefield.

Seeing that Feng Jiuxuan showed no sign of pursuing, Xu Yuan immediately teleported to his side, muttering a low question:

"Uncle, why did that old man retreat so abruptly?"

Donning a slightly singed white robe, Feng Jiuxuan did not answer immediately. Instead, he gazed at the blackened markings spreading across his nephew’s hand for several fleeting moments, frowning slightly.

Last time, the brat almost burned himself to death and had cost a Herculean effort to save. Yet he’s at it again?

Returning his sword into its sheath, Feng Jiuxuan’s response was light:

"Another step, and he’d likely have died here."

"Huh?"

Xu Yuan blinked. From what he saw, that battle appeared evenly matched—so how suddenly was death on the table?

Feng Jiuxuan instinctively wanted to brush off Xu Yuan’s curiosity but ultimately relented, explaining patiently:

"Qin Ke’s spellcraft may carry potent destructive power, but my Sword Technique can tear through it. Moreover, his body is frail, and his spells ill-suited for survival."

"Having unmasked his hand, he knows I wouldn’t hesitate in a situation like this. If it came down to a life exchange, the outcome would only be: I’m wounded, he dies."

Got it—elemental superiority.

So this is the lamentable plight of a Mage?

Fortunately, Xu Yuan was no mere Mage.

Laughing to himself, Xu Yuan muttered under his breath before asking:

"So then, Uncle, does that mean your abilities practically counter all Qi Cultivators?"

The searing flames manipulated by the hunched elder were no ordinary fire. Its density was remarkable, yet Feng Jiuxuan’s Sword Technique had pierced through it—suggesting it could breach most Qi-based spellcraft in existence.

Feng Jiuxuan cast a glance at Tian Yuan, his tone even but slightly indifferent:

"Broadly speaking, yes. But not absolutely."

The Yantian Art posed an exception, of course—that creation wouldn’t be less than Blood Rank-tier if it appeared in Cang Yuan.

As this thought lingered in his mind, Xu Yuan prepared to inquire about Emperor Bai, but Feng Jiuxuan interrupted him with a pointed question:

"Changtian, what’s that on the back of your hand?"

Snapping out of his reverie, Xu Yuan glanced at the markings, now spreading to half his forearm, and replied:

"Er... it might look alarming, but it’s stable for now."

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Feng Jiuxuan’s gaze carried a faint warning:

"Is it, though?"

Recalling his last outburst, Xu Yuan awkwardly shifted the topic:

"Uncle, this isn’t the time to discuss this. It’s not over yet."

Feng Jiuxuan refrained from pressing, intending to settle both old and new grievances upon their return to the capital. Casting his gaze toward Emperor Bai and Tian Yuan locked in confrontation, he said placidly:

"Changtian, if you wish to retreat now, I can escort you and that girl from the Government Office together. However, should Emperor Bai and Tian Yuan reach an agreement, leaving Mu Nuo to hunt you on their behalf, I may only manage to save you alone."

Bristling with quiet confidence as he peered toward the Sky Dome alongside his uncle, Xu Yuan chuckled slightly without hesitation and replied:

"The preservation of their kin is Emperor Bai’s foremost priority. Mu Nuo’s existence jeopardizes that entirely. There’s no chance for reconciliation."

Feng Jiuxuan furrowed his brow, recalling Xu Yuan’s earlier transmission regarding Emperor Bai. After a contemplative pause, he declined to interrogate further, offering only a brief reminder:

"Emperor Bai is making his move."

.

.

"Pavilion Master. Step aside."

A deep voice brimming with finality resonated. The scale armor on Emperor Bai’s majestic figure wriggled as if alive, with Origin Qi and Sacred Origin gathering in lethal crescendo.

Tian Yuan met his draconic vertical pupils with an indifferent gaze, her tone calm as she presented the facts:

"When that creature awakens, its first target will be Xu Changtian. Its utility remains. If you insist on killing it, wait until its purpose is fulfilled."

Yet Emperor Bai showed not a hint of compromise. The space around him trembled under the roaring onslaught of dragon-shaped currents:

"Pavilion Master. Do not force me to repeat myself."

Tian Yuan still blocked the towering Monster Emperor:

"If you act now, you will fall into Xu Changtian’s plot."

"Human."

From the shift in his tone, the "human" of his response bristled with veiled menace. Dangerous light flared in the depths of Emperor Bai’s dragon pupils:

"Do you think I’ve turned a blind eye to your sordid dealings with Xu Changtian? And now you presume to twist matters to question me?"

"Bai—"

"Boom—!"

A deafening explosion resounded over the Sky Dome.

No shadows lingered; Tian Yuan’s ephemeral white-clad figure vanished instantly to the horizon. Simultaneously, a massive hole gaped where the East City Wall had been obliterated!

This, however, was only the beginning.

Having smashed through the dense city wall, Tian Yuan’s backward trajectory did not halt. Like a beam of light, her form careened into the endless depths of the Thousand Thorn Abyss beyond the cliffs!

.

.

Even with the assistance of the markings on his hand, Xu Yuan barely caught a glimpse of Emperor Bai’s punch. But surely Tian Yuan wouldn’t have been bested so easily, right?

Instinctively glancing at his uncle’s white-robed figure, Xu Yuan hesitantly asked:

"Uncle, was that...?"

"Tian Yuan intended it."

Feng Jiuxuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. Emperor Bai’s fleshly strength had ascended yet another notch since their earlier fight. His tone carried conviction:

"Were Tian Yuan aiming to fight, her spellcraft wouldn’t permit her to linger so close to him."

"So you’re saying she’s putting on an act?"

Momentarily baffled, Xu Yuan swiftly scanned the entire city: "But to what end? There’s no reason for pretense anymore."

"I don’t know." Feng Jiuxuan.

"..." Xu Yuan.

Relying on his prior strategic experiences, Feng Jiuxuan thoughtfully considered the situation before remarking in a clear tone:

"You mentioned earlier, Changtian, that there’s another Saint beyond the city. If this is no act, then she may have gone to retrieve something."

Even as he spoke,

Feng Jiuxuan’s form abruptly vanished—a sharp sense of timing guiding him. Only his voice lingered in Xu Yuan’s ear:

"There’s no point in staying here. Return to the Government Office. I’ll see if I can use the opportunity to finish off Qin Ke."