Douluo Continent: Little Huo Niang Taken Away by Di Tian

Xuan Ziwen and his group landed safely.

"Don't attack! It's reinforcements!" Orange shouted.

As the smoke cleared, Xuan Ziwen saw the situation clearly.

"Teacher Xuan, what are you doing here?" Ke Ke asked.

Xuan Ziwen's gaze swept over the wounded and tattered flags scattered on the ground, his expression grave: "We can catch up later. Tell me what happened to you?"

Orange explained, "The Brilliant Duke declared himself king, and we came to quell the rebellion, but were counterattacked. Our reinforcements will arrive in half an hour."

On the opposite hillside, Zhao Yang, who had been anxiously directing his defeated troops, suddenly had a sinister glint in his eyes when he saw Xuan Ziwen and her group. "It seems I have no choice but to intervene personally. Capturing the Crown Princess of the Sun Moon Empire will not only turn the tide of the battle but also grant us unparalleled merit!"

He whirled around and shouted to the remaining soldiers behind him, "I am Zhao Yang, the eldest son of the illustrious Duke, the first in line to inherit the title, and the Grand General of the Duchy! The woman in white and wearing glasses on the hillside is the Crown Princess of the Sun Moon Empire. Capturing her would be a great achievement! Soldiers, follow me!"

At Zhao Yang's command, the previously demoralized remnants of the enemy army regained their ferocity and charged towards Ju Zi and the others with unwavering courage.

Xuan Ziwen snorted coldly and stepped forward to block Ju Zi: "You guys retreat to the back first, I'll stay here."

"Me too!" Ji Juechen's eyes blazed with fighting spirit as he charged forward, wielding a jet-black longsword.

"And me too." Jing Ziyan flicked her sleeves, purple smoke swirling around her, following closely behind.

Seeing this, Zhao Yang laughed wildly, "You lot? Perfect, let me practice my skills!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already lunged forward, his powerful body unleashing astonishing strength, his iron fists carrying a gust of wind aimed straight at Ji Juechen's face.

Ji Juechen's eyes sharpened, and his longsword traced a ruthless arc, the chilling sword energy instantly tearing through the air: "Sword Slash!"

"clang!"

The sound of metal clashing rang out, and Zhao Yang's punch was actually cleaved in two by Ji Juechen's sword. The huge recoil force forced Ji Juechen to take a half step back.

"Interesting." A hint of admiration flashed in Zhao Yang's eyes, then he shouted sharply, "Bear Possession!"

In an instant, Zhao Yang's body swelled up, transforming into a purple berserk bear over three meters tall, and terrifying soul power fluctuations swept across the entire area.

Seven spirit rings rose one after another, yellow, purple, black, and dark, radiating a heart-stopping light.

Ji Juechen's gaze sharpened slightly, and he retreated rapidly, his longsword held horizontally across his chest: "First Soul Skill, Unconventional Strike!"

The sword flashed like lightning, aiming straight for Zhao Yang's eyes. Zhao Yang roared, his palms forming claws, forcefully trapping the sword in his hands. The sharp claws instantly tore through Ji Juechen's sleeve, leaving three bloody marks.

"Such strong defense!" Ji Juechen was secretly shocked. His longsword instantly transformed into a curtain of swords, slashing wildly at Zhao Yang.

At the same time, Jing Ziyan's figure flickered, appearing like a ghost behind Zhao Yang. With a few quick flicks of her slender fingers, several streams of purple poisonous mist accurately struck Zhao Yang's joints: "Purple Smoke Swirling!"

"A mere trick!" Zhao Yang roared, his body erupting with intense purple light, which actually forced the poisonous mist back.

"boom!"

Taking advantage of the moment when Jing Ziyan was being attacked by the poisonous fog, Zhao Yang's muscles bulged, and he threw a punch that made a sharp explosion in the air, striking Jing Ziyan's chest.

"Watch out!" Ji Juechen's eyes widened in fury. His long sword flew out of his hand, turning into a streak of light as it pierced towards Zhao Yang's wrist. At the same time, he leaped forward and pulled Jing Ziyan into his arms.

"Bang!"

Ji Juechen was struck squarely on the back by the punch, and his whole body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

Zhao Yang had just landed a successful blow and was about to finish him off when he saw Ji Juechen struggle to his feet, his sword flashing with a blinding light once more.

"It's not over yet!" Ji Juechen roared, his aura surging, and he actually traded his injury for another, severing Zhao Yang's right arm with a single sword strike!

"Ah—!" Zhao Yang let out a piercing scream, clutching his severed arm and staggering backward.

"It's over." Xuan Ziwen's voice rang out coldly.

Just as Zhao Yang was about to activate his Martial Soul True Body to escape, a massive spiritual force instantly locked onto his soul.

"Mental shock!"

Huo Yutong's figure appeared silently in the sky above the battlefield, her pupils seemingly containing an endless abyss.

Just as Zhao Yang was about to resist, the immense mental power surged into his mind like a tidal wave, instantly shattering his defenses.

"Pfft—" Zhao Yang bled from all seven orifices and fell straight down.

With a wave of her hand, Huo Yutong conjured a golden chain that instantly wrapped around Zhao Yang, binding him tightly. It was the level-eight soul tool that Xuan Ziwen had given to Huo Yutong.

"Beast Lock, activate!"

The silver chains tightened instantly, radiating a chilling aura, firmly binding Zhao Yang. Huo Yutong dragged the unconscious Zhao Yang and slowly landed in front of Ju Zi.

"Zhao Yang is unconscious after being hit by my mental attack, but he'll wake up in a bit. I've frozen his wounds first," Huo Yutong said.

"Thank you so much!" Orange and Keke were moved to tears.

Ju Zi then sent people and military doctors to guard Zhao Yang and bandage his wounds.

Zhao Yang was captured, and the enemy army, having no generals left, withdrew first.

"Teacher Xuan, would you like to rest in the military camp for a while? Our reinforcements will bring supplies when they arrive," said Ju Zi, as Zhao Yang was still chained up in the Beast Lock.

"Alright, let's rest here for the night and set off again tomorrow morning," Xuan Ziwen said. "Just give us an open space; we have our own tents."

"Teacher Xuan, just follow me," Ke Ke said.

The flickering candlelight inside the tent illuminated Jing Ziyan's slightly reddened eyes.

She carefully helped Ji Juechen lie down, and her hand trembled slightly when her fingertips touched his blood-stained clothes.

"Thank you, Juechen." Her voice was soft, still carrying lingering fear.

If that punch had landed on her, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Ji Juechen leaned against the simple cot, his face somewhat pale. He looked at her and said, "It's good that you're not hurt. I didn't want you to get hurt."

Jing Ziyan lowered her head shyly, her long hair falling down to cover her flushed cheeks.

By the next morning, the camp had already returned to normal.

Orange handed the caged beast lock back to Xuan Ziwen.

The bloodstains on the chains had been wiped clean, and the metal surface gleamed with a cold luster, yet faintly emitted a disinfectant smell.

"Ju Zi, keep this caged beast lock as a memento." Xuan Ziwen didn't take it, but instead pushed it back into her hand. "We were master and disciple, so this is a keepsake."

Orange was taken aback, then solemnly gripped the chain. "Thank you for your generous gift, Teacher."

Xuan Ziwen then turned to look at Ke Ke beside him and took out a uniquely shaped soul-guided ray gun. The gun had smooth lines and a crystal-clear energy storage gem at the front.

"Keke, this is for you." Xuan Ziwen handed over the gun. "This is the 'Static Ray,' a level seven soul tool. Once it hits, it can forcibly freeze the enemy's movements. The duration depends on the opponent's cultivation level."

Ke Ke took the gun, stroking it lovingly, but hesitated, "But teacher, my soul power..."

"It consumes a lot of energy. With your current cultivation level, a full-force attack will drain your soul power." Xuan Ziwen smiled and pointed to an interface at the back of the gun handle. "However, it can be used with a soul power bottle. In a critical moment, it can save your life."

"Thank you, teacher!" Ke Ke was overjoyed and quickly bowed to express her gratitude.

Xuan Ziwen glanced at the two of them and said, "I'm going to the Spirit Transfer Tower. You can come and see me when you're acquiring soul spirits in the future."

"Yes, teacher, take care!" Orange and Keke replied in unison.

As dawn broke, the group bid farewell to Orange and Keke and embarked on their journey once again.