89 Chapter 89: Burn

"It's been a long time since I've set foot in Heaven Dou City..." Zhang Lexuan sighed, feeling melancholy as she walked through the bustling streets.

Though it was almost midnight, the city was still alive with activity. Neon lights flashed, chatter and noises from food stalls or restaurants, and people rushed past, seemingly oblivious to her and her companions' presence as they wore inconspicuous casual clothing.

The city, once a place of fond memories and joyful experiences, now seemed unfamiliar and distant. Everything had changed since the last time she was here.

Her mind filled with nostalgia, Zhang Lexuan couldn't help but drift back to that fateful day when she had been... kicked out of the Heavenly Soul Empire. It was years ago, but the memories were still fresh in her mind.

She was once part of a aristocratic family, but they were ambushed and attacked by a rival aristocratic family and her entire family was annihilated.

That fateful day... she could still recall it, that nightmare; hiding underneath her bed as she played hide and seek, when her mother crashed onto the ground beside the bed and used her own body to cover the bed as she was drawing her last breaths, as her younger self watch on in confusion, shock and sadness, her mother calmly put her hand behind her to cover her daughter's mouth.

In that moment, her world shattered into a million fragmented pieces.

If it weren't for a passing teacher from Shrek Academy, she would probably be roaming around the streets and plotting to get her revenge.

"So this is where the headquarters of Tang Sect is situated at, huh... Heaven Dou City," Ma Xiaotao said, still wearing her red veil, she looked around the street curiously. "So, senior sister, was this where your house was as well?"

Zhang Lexuan shook her head, "No, it's in another city. Heaven Dou City was once the capital city of the once united empire; almost allof the aristocratic families and organizations here are powerful powerhouses that has been around for hundreds of years. My family was... fairly new in comparison."

"Fairly new?" Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "But from what I've heard, your family was quite influential and had a lot of power. How can you say they were new?"

Zhang Lexuan let out a bitter laugh. "Yes, my family did gain a significant amount of power and influence in a short amount of time. But compared to the other ancient families in this city, we were still considered newcomers. We didn't have the same history or lineage that they did."

"Not wanting any attention or competition, my family decided to set up somewhere else." Zhang Lexuan explained, shrugging. "But, as you've heard about me, that didn't exactly worked out well either."

"Senior sister..." Bei Bei, whose been silent this whole time, spoke up. He opened and closed his mouth, conflicted if he should say something to her. His eyes showed a complicated light before looking away.

He greatly appreciated his senior sisters for helping him, and especially elder Yan who sent them to help him. Although he was a genius in the outer court of Shrek Academy but he wasn't delusional to understand that he wasn't a match against the Ironblood Sect by himself.

Honestly, he was going after Tang Ya to try and stop her if she really was going to get her revenge. He didn't want his girlfriend to die!

The problem he had right however, was the awkwardness between himself and Zhang Lexuan. After all, she's his fiancée! And they were heading to the Ironblood Sect to save his girlfriend.

He didn't consent to the engagement, nor was it a typical arranged marriage between families. It was the price she had to pay for his grandfather's help for getting her revenge.

Things would've been better if Zhang Lexuan was cold to him or that they have a bad relationship... that's the thing though.

She loves him and Bei Bei likes her. The problem here however, is that Bei Bei's feelings towards was that of a brother to a sister. Zhang Lexuan on the other hand, loves him romantically.

This complicated situation made Bei Bei conflicted.

"..."

Zhang Lexuan let out a sigh and walked onwards, "Whatever. It's in the past now, and I'm living quite happily. I'm sure if my family were alive right now, they'd be proud of me." She then glanced at Bei Bei unhappily. "Also, call me big sis or sister Lexuan. Hmph!" she then walked into a crowd of people, gradually disappearing from view.

"Ah! Senior–eh, sister Lexuan! Wait up! You don't know where you're going!!" Bei Bei quickly followed after her, knowing that she has horrible sense of direction whenever she's in a city.

Ma Xiaotao looked at them from the side with a blank expression.

'...I feel such a third wheel here.'

The trio continued their way through the bustling streets of Heaven Dou City, with Bei Bei leading the way, trying his best to keep up with Zhang Lexuan's brisk pace. The city was truly a sight to behold, with its old brick houses, horse carriages and numerous food stalls by the roadside.

Although technology has greatly advanced in the continent, Heaven Dou City still maintained its charm and traditional atmosphere. The aroma of various cuisines filled the air, making Ma Xiaotao's stomach growl in anticipation.

As they walked further and past some stalls, they perked up their ears when they heard something interesting.

"Hey, did you hear? The Ironblood Sect is preparing for war!" A middle aged man with a goatie exclaimed, slightly flustered after drinking a bit too many.

"Really? Against who?" Asked everyone in the stall.

The drunken man shrugged. "I'm not sure. But you've already seen how they armed their members and strengthen the defense around their compound, so this news is most likely real. Some say it's a rival gang or sect, others are saying that they've pissed off a powerful soul master! But... do you wanna know what I think?"

"What?"

The man paused for a moment to look around and lowered his voice. "I think it's the princess of Tang Sect, Tang Ya."

"What?!" Everyone, including Zhang Lexuan, Bei Bei and Ma Xiaotao, couldn't help but be surprised by the man's statement. The name Tang Ya resonated within their minds, and they exchanged anxious glances.

Bei Bei's heart skipped a beat, his face pale and eyes dilating. Tang Ya was his girlfriend, his love, and the thought of her being in danger sent a shiver down his spine.

Zhang Lexuan's brows furrowed and worry filled her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, her mind racing with the possibilities and consequences of Tang Ya being involved in a conflict with the Ironblood Sect.

Putting aside what she felt about the... girlfriend of her fiancé, Tang Ya is still a member of Shrek Academy. She promised Mu En when he fullfilled his agreement of taking her revenge that she would become Shrek Academy's guardian for her entire lifetime.

Ma Xiaotao, on the other hand, had a determined expression on her face.

"We have to find out what's going on," Zhang Lexuan said, her voice filled with determination. "If she's really attacking the Ironblood Sect, then it would only be a matter of time until she gets killed."

"...If she is, then she might have some help." Bei Bei added, serious look in his eyes that promises blood and death if something were to happen to his beloved. "I know Xiao Ya, she won't recklessly charge into a dangerous situation without a plan. We need to find out more before we make any moves."

Zhang Lexuan glanced at him, impressed at his composure.

Ma Xiaotao waved her hand, "Pfft. What's there to find out? Remind me again about the cultivation strength of that Ironblood Sect Master?"

"Eh... uh, he's a Soul Emperor..." Bei Bei dumbly replied.

Ma Xiaotao nodded, "Right, right. And he's the strongest in his sect?"

"...Yes." Bei Bei looked away.

"Uh-huh." Ma Xiaotao looked at him with amusement and patted his head as if he were a child.

Bei Bei blushed in embarassment.

He forgot. He didn't have to worry about the Ironblood Sect with these two with him.

The Blazing Flame Demon and former captain of the Seven Shrek Monsters, Ma Xiaotao. Soul power at rank 63, Soul Emperor!

The known greatest genius in Shrek Academy and the youngest Soul Sage before the age of twenty, Zhang Lexuan. Soul power at rank 75, Soul Sage!

'...The Ironblood Sect is fucked.' Bei Bei inwardly thought as they headed towards the Ironblood Sect headquarters.

They were just about to reach their destination when they sensed a powerful heatwave coming from ahead. As they turned the corner, they were met with a blazing inferno surrounding the Ironblood Sect premises. Rampaging in the middle of the Ironblood Sect compound was a raging tornado of flames that reached high into the sky, illuminating the entire area with its fiery glow.

Zhang Lexuan's eyes widened in shock. "What in the world...?"

Without any hesitation, Ma Xiaotao dashed forward, her body enveloped in flames as a pair of fiery Phoenix wings protruded from her back and six magnificent soul rings arose underneath her feet.

"Hmph!" With a cold snort, she charged towards the raging tornado of flames, her flames intertwining with it. As she got closer, her flames seemed to grow even more intense, its heat scorching the surrounding area.

Raising both her hands, she then started controlling the flames, attempting to calm the raging inferno. Her movements were swift and graceful, as if she was dancing with the fire itself.

Sparks flew and embers scattered in every direction, compressing the once gigantic cyclone of flames into a small fireball in her hands in a matter of seconds, showcasing her control over the fire element.

Bei Bei and Zhang Lexuan quickly followed behind, but Zhang Lexuan couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. The smell of iron, blood, was thick in the air and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

As they entered the Ironblood Sect compound, they were met with chaos and destruction. Buildings were crumbling, and the ground was littered with debris. The members of the Ironblood Sect were all but charred remains on the ground.

"Oh my Sea God... what the hell happened here?" Zhang Lexuan muttered.

But their attention was on something else.

They looked up to see a charred headless corpse, strapped on a burning cross in front of the main building. And black flaming vines was behind it, bent and twisted to form a certain word.

Akatsuki

....

AN: Ah, you smell that? That's the fumes of dying romance in the air. Haa... another year of being single...

Fuck, if that's how it is then at least gimme Xianyun or Nahida!!

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