73: Mo Han got into trouble
The addition of Lingnan Academy turned the tide of the battle.
The already stable battle at the North Gate became one-sided because of their arrival, pushing the battlefield toward the forest at an extremely fast speed.
Seeing the situation stabilized, Xie Ning stopped participating in the fight. He summoned the Poison Flame White Wolf and, bringing the Wind-Listening Rabbit along, rushed toward the Advanced battlefield.
After being treated with an intermediate energy potion, the Poison Flame White Wolf had not fully recovered, but its movements were no longer affected.
Galloping along the way, he saw many examinees and students patrolling Flower City, staying alert for any stragglers that might have slipped through the net.
By the time Xie Ning arrived at the Advanced battlefield, the battle there had also ended. The powerhouses of Flower City were standing together, discussing something, while Li Zhi, who had been waiting nearby, seemed to have very little presence.
"Look, speak of the devil and he appears." Lin Yangqiu was the first to see Xie Ning and tilted his chin in his direction.
Xie Ning stepped forward, first greeting the Seniors and powerhouses present, then asked Lin Yangqiu, "Why is everyone looking at me like that?"
"We're not looking at you; we're looking at a little monster, haha~" Lin Yangqiu teased Xie Ning, something he rarely did, showing he was in a very good mood.
Xie Ning gave a bitter smile and was about to speak when the Garrison Commander spoke up.
"Young Friend Xie, I've heard the general gist of things. You played a vital role in this victory. Without your help, even if we had won, the price would have been devastating."
The Garrison Commander looked at Xie Ning with an expression of admiration.
"Giving you 20 points was well worth it." Bian Hu patted Xie Ning on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
Several other Flower City powerhouses also stepped forward to offer words of encouragement and praise. Not only had they defeated a powerful enemy, but they had also witnessed the birth of an outstanding junior, putting them all in good spirits.
On the side, Li Yongchang and his son had complex expressions.
Looking at the surrounded Xie Ning, Li Zhi knew that the two of them were destined to walk different paths from now on, and their lives would likely never intertwine again. Coupled with the fact that Xie Ning had saved his life, his anger and resentment had faded significantly.
Li Yongchang's situation was also somewhat awkward. Although his betrayal had a reason and was understandable, betrayal was still betrayal.
Aside from the Li father and son, only Yan Ruyu remained, standing there expressionlessly as if she were indifferent to everything.
Xie Ning greeted the people from Flower City, then walked up to Li Zhi and held out his hand.
Li Zhi hesitated for a moment before reluctantly taking out two ancient and worn Contract Scrolls.
Contract Scrolls were a very ancient type of scroll. No one knew when they first appeared on Earth Star. Once the terms of a contract were written and both parties reached an agreement, they would be bound by a certain power; any party that violated it would face punishment.
Xie Ning snatched them away, unrolled them to check, and put them away once he confirmed everything was in order.
The others didn't know what was written on the Contract Scrolls, but the Garrison Commander had a vague guess, while Lin Yangqiu looked gratified, clearly knowing what they were.
"Great God Xie! Something's wrong! Something's wrong..."
An anxious voice came from the distance. Everyone looked over to see Mo Yu running toward them with a panicked expression.
Xie Ning asked, "What's the matter? Why the rush?"
"Something... something's wrong... My sister is gone... Someone took my sister..."
Mo Yu ran all the way over, grabbed Xie Ning's clothes, and bent over panting, her voice filled with a sob.
"What?!"
"The girl Mo Han is missing?!"
Xie Ning and Lin Yangqiu were both startled. Even the Garrison Commander couldn't help but frown upon hearing Mo Han's name, looking toward the Li father and son.
The Li father and son quickly shook their heads.
"Lord Garrison Commander! Heaven and earth are my witness, I haven't left this place since the battle began! My son was brought here later by Xie Ning. Since we decided to let them go, we would never use such underhanded tactics! Someone else must be behind this!"
After Li Yongchang finished, Li Zhi nodded hurriedly.
Although the Garrison Commander was frowning, it was only suspicion. Hearing their explanation, he believed them a bit more.
Upon hearing the news, Xie Ning didn't dare delay and quickly said to the group, "Seniors, I'm sorry, I have to go now."
"Go. Don't be reckless. If there's something you can't handle, tell me, and I'll take care of it," the Garrison Commander nodded.
Lin Yangqiu: "I'll have the people from the Association head out immediately to help search."
General Bian Hu: "The City Defense Bureau will fully cooperate. We'll let you know if we find any clues."
"Thank you." After saying that, Xie Ning pulled Mo Yu onto the back of the Poison Flame White Wolf. With the Wind-Listening Rabbit sharing its vision again, they galloped away, leaving a trail of dust.
After Xie Ning left, one of the Flower City powerhouses who had come to support the battle asked, "Why such a massive mobilization for one missing woman, even sending out people from the Cultivation Association? Shouldn't our priority be defending the city right now?"
This person was not a local of Flower City; he just happened to be there on business and got caught up in the events, which was why he was helping.
Hearing his words, Lin Yangqiu said with a bitter smile, "She is an Intermediate Cultivator."
"Hiss—"
The person who asked the question immediately sucked in a breath of cold air.
The importance of an Intermediate Cultivator to a city was nearly equivalent to that of a Garrison Commander.
They might seem frail and lack combat ability, but they can help countless people create powerful Demon Tamers Beasts. With just a word, plenty of people would flock to do their bidding.
In this currently unsettled world, the status of an Intermediate Cultivator is self-evident. If one could reach the level of a Breeder, their status would be no less than that of a national treasure.
Xie Ning didn't know what was happening behind him. He had arrived at the Mo Family Cultivation Shop, only to find the store in a state of complete chaos.
Plants were reduced to broken twigs and withered leaves scattered all over the floor. Various instruments were crushed, glass was completely shattered, and the gashes torn into the floor by sharp objects were stained with blood—a shocking sight.
"Don't worry, let me take a look first." Seeing Mo Yu's distraught state, Xie Ning comforted her. After observing for a while, with the help of the Poison Flame White Wolf, he quickly found clues. Based on these and the scent the wolf picked up, he determined the direction.
"Let's go!"
The streets were empty at this time. The Poison Flame White Wolf unleashed its full speed, charging ahead and following the clues. The surrounding buildings transitioned from modern and clean to dirty and cramped, with advertisements for rentals, medical services, and fertility treatments plastered everywhere.
In this area, the Poison Flame White Wolf's massive size became an obstacle. Out of necessity, Xie Ning recalled it and led Mo Yu through the narrow alleys. Relying on the Wind-Listening Rabbit's sensory sharing, he didn't hesitate for a second along the way.
Suddenly, Xie Ning quickened his pace.
Rounding a corner, in an alley less than two meters wide, a person dressed as a Fallen Demon Tamer was chasing a girl with disheveled hair and simple clothes. The back of her clothing was faintly stained with blood, and there was a small patch on her exposed hem.
"Sister!"
Seeing the figure from behind, Mo Yu immediately cried out.
Just then, the girl ahead stumbled, tripped by a takeout bag stuck to the ground, and let out an "Ouch."
The Fallen Demon Tamer, riding a Bronze Level 1 Carrion Hound, immediately pounced.
The hound's fangs drew closer and closer.
Just as it was about to succeed, a fist wreathed in flames struck first. Right before the dog's mouth could bite down, the fist smashed into its neck.
With a howl, the Carrion Hound collapsed, its head twisted into an irregular shape. Xie Ning didn't hesitate, pressing his other hand forward.
Under the Fallen Demon Tamer's terrified gaze, a pillar of fire rose, incinerating him into charcoal.
After easily killing the Fallen Demon Tamer, Xie Ning turned around, but he couldn't help but freeze when he saw the girl's face.
Mo Yu's eyes widened. "Who are you?! Why are you wearing my sister's clothes?"