Chapter 98: The Cloud Movement in the Four Directions

Dozens of figures plummeted from the sky like raindrops. In moments, the air temperature climbed by over a hundred degrees. The powerful fire-attribute battle energy radiating from every body was overwhelming, while some ice shards that had failed to melt completely had dissolved into steam.

“Have you discovered anything?” A low, icy voice echoed, utterly alien to the surroundings.

“Reporting to Elder Yan, we found six individuals, including guest elders Yan Jiuyan and Yan Jiolin. The other four appear to be the Ice Four Dragons of the Ice Wave Gate.” A man in red answered, his tone respectful yet heavy.

“What? How did those two end up here?”

The speaker was Yan Fentian, Second Elder of Fire God Valley. He had raced to Flame City upon learning of the battle tremors, yet arrived too late; the clash had ended, leaving only wreckage behind.

When he reached Yan Jiuyan’s side, his eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. Their surnames alone hinted at a deep bond. In the Tian Huo Empire, every formidable surname represented a major clan, with the Yan Family second only to the Zhu Family in power.

The imperial house shared an unbreakable link with Fire God Valley. Centuries earlier, the Zhu brothers had divided into two paths: one cultivating and teaching, the other immersed in worldly rule. For long years they enjoyed peace, but over the past few centuries their conflicts had flared. The cultivation branch of Fire God Valley sought dominance over secular governance, fracturing the Yan Family, already the empire’s second pillar.

One faction backed Fire God Valley, another the imperial line, and a third group sought reconciliation, yet their influence remained feeble.

Yan Jiuyan and Yan Jiolin belonged to the die-hard imperial loyalists.

Though they seldom greeted each other warmly, this time their rift mattered less than their shared Yan blood. They would never surrender to outsiders.

He crouched beside Yan Jiuyan and seized his wrist. The mere touch twisted his face in revulsion.

“How ruthless! The battle soul is annihilated, the battle power crippled, and the soul gravely wounded. Who? Who could do this?!” Yan Fentian roared, fury erupting like living flame. The terrifying fire energy blasted several Fire God Valley disciples aside as his heart raced.

He clamped down the storm within and checked Yan Jiolin, receiving the same verdict. His heart trembled with rage—the two Yan Family powerhouses nearing the Battle Saint realm lay utterly shattered!

“Elder Yan, the Ice Four Dragons are still alive, but…”

“Battle soul destroyed, battle power ruined, soul severely injured?” Yan Fentian interrupted, voice like frozen steel, as though he could devour souls.

The disciple flinched. “Precisely as you say, Elder, though they cling to life.”

“Fools! Who would commit such madness? How precise and vicious!”

Yan Fentian’s roar shattered a nearby boulder.

“Mars!”

“Present, Master!”

A man in brocade robes hurried over, clearly a senior disciple.

“Carry the two uncles back at once. Subdue the four of them. Issue the Fire God Order and investigate this matter thoroughly. This old man will not let it pass!” Yan Fentian thundered, channeling rage into soaring flames that pierced the clouds.

Flame City, the secret chamber of the Si Tu family.

Every face inside was grim, the chilling air crawling across walls and floor, forming layers of ice. The atmosphere of utter despair grew suffocating.

A green-robed elder stared like a hawk, his fierce gaze sweeping the room. Anyone caught in it shuddered, a soul-deep chill seeping through.

Among them, Si Tu Feng remained the calmest, standing by a beasthide chair, directly meeting the elder’s piercing eyes without flinching.

“Who can tell this old man what has transpired? Where are the Four Dragons? Where have they vanished?” The elder’s voice was glacial.

“Feng’er, speak up. Flame City is your domain—you know best.” The elder shot a glance at Hu Mo, layering on pressure.

Si Tu Feng frowned, enduring the weight. Straightening his spine, he answered gravely, “Reporting to Uncle Ling, the four uncles took it upon themselves to assault Princess Xin Yue and have not returned. Experts reportedly appeared to save her, but I know no more.”

“Scoundrels! Who gave them leave? They may already be dead! This old man warned them repeatedly—this is Fire God Valley’s territory and nothing should be done rashly. Have those four lost their senses? Why no one stopped them?” The elder’s fury mounted, the room’s temperature plummeting, the teapot on the table freezing solid and bursting.

Si Tu Feng offered a bitter smile. “Elder Ling, you misunderstand. The uncles’ tempers are well known. They would have welcomed advice only in legend. After deciding, they confined all opponents in this chamber to prevent our message to you. We are helpless.”

The elder’s face darkened further, nearly driven mad by his three juniors. Good deeds undone by meddlers. Now, this was irreversible—more harm than good. The Ice Four Dragons were vital to Ice Wave Gate; failure would cost the elder his position and doom the gate master’s scheme, with grave consequences.

What to do? What to do? He longed to seize those four and strangle them.

Before returning to the Si Tu residence, he had learned from a traitor that Yan Fentian, Second Elder of Fire God Valley, had rushed to Flame City in fury, bringing strong reinforcements. Sensing distant battle waves, he had stayed away, fearing discovery.

Now, it seemed his suspicions were likely true—the Four Dragons were finished!

“Feng’er, you’ll have to bear this burden alone this time.” The elder’s tone grew somber, the gaze an unusual weight.

“Elder Ling need not be so formal. Command me, and I shall accomplish it!” Si Tu Feng declared, though puzzled—those arrogant Ice Four Dragons fell so easily?

“I hope you investigate thoroughly, clearing all connections. Check for ties to Fire God Valley first. If none, uncover who dared strike at our Ice Wave Gate. This old man will teach them the meaning of regret!”

He slammed his palm on the stone table. A boom echoed; the table dissolved to ash and re-formed as ice, embedded in the floor.

When Hu Mo returned to Flame City, chaos reigned anew. Soldiers swarmed the streets. The princess had been struck again, with civilian deaths. More serious than before.

Discussions raged in the streets, nearly everyone mentioning Princess Xin Yue’s assassination attempts—twice in a month, both linked to Hu Mo. Rumors spread like snowflakes, and Zhu Yan, enraged, imprisoned the princess in the palace.

Hu Mo claimed recovery and stayed within his Hu Mansion, but his hidden tasks were frantic.

Hu Yihu faced mounting trouble, blaming the Ice Four Dragons for the Yan brothers’ fate. Yet Fire God Valley pressed on with inquiries, driving him to madness.

He had long avoided Fire God Valley, leaving at their presence. But direct confrontation with them was unthinkable. He had clashed with Zhu Yan several times, straining their bond.

Zhu Yan’s rage was understandable. Yan Jiuyan and Yan Jiolin were the imperial family’s strongest Yan supporters. Their ruin left Zhu Yan frantic.

What now? Even his wits failed him. The Yan brothers had been like his own hands; both destroyed.

The empire’s instability loomed, imperial authority waning as other powers rose.

“Your Majesty, your ginseng soup.” An elderly eunuch with white hair set down a bowl.

Zhu Yan waved him away. As the eunuch reached the door, he called out, “Xugonggong, convey my decree: summon the Fire God Valley’s Valley Master, Zhu Qian Yang, to Flame City at once to see me!”