Chapter 299: Chapter 394: Walking with the Child_1
At the same time, three hundred female soldiers from the Nine Heavens Corps within and outside the venue soared into the sky, becoming streaks of light as they shouldered the collapse of several huge stone barriers upon themselves, saving the lives of the students below.
Those who came back to their senses looked at the wolf smoke rising three kilometers away and couldn't shake off the shock in their hearts, especially the nearly fifty thousand students from various schools around the venue, except for those from Yangming University who had never seen a Void beast in person and were now standing there, trembling slightly on the spot.
"Did you hear that? The chairman just said… this might be the strongest Void beast they've encountered…"
"Doesn't that mean… this Void beast is even stronger than a ninth-tier…"
"No way! It's my first time in Tianjiang and I run into this!? What sins did I commit in my last life!"
"The Anti-Void Array isn't here! Even with Madame Xuan, we might not be able to beat this thing!"
"Damn it! Am I going to die in Tianjiang today!?"
…
Mu Huanqing, along with the various Family Heads of Tianjiang, also leapt into the sky, looking anxiously towards the three kilometers outside the venue where dust and smoke filled the air.
Even though Mu Huanqing had already erected barriers, the energy of this Void beast pierced directly through her defensive shields, shattering the massive walls of the venue—its power was eerily immense.
"This creature... I can't even sense its tier, it's probably even higher than the ninth…" Mu Huanqing said, frowning deeply as she watched the massive dark shadow within the distant wolf smoke.
This was undoubtedly the strongest Void beast she had ever encountered!
Upon hearing Mu Huanqing's words, the expressions of the gathered generals and Family Heads of Tianjiang grew even graver in an instant.
"We must hold this beast off first to buy the other students some time to escape, otherwise if a real fight breaks out, hundreds of miles around will be decimated," the Cao Family Patriarch said.
"That's right, we can't engage it directly. We need to delay it, or countless people in the city will die," a general agreed.
After hesitating for a moment, Mu Huanqing asked, "How far is the nearest sea from here?"
"Forty-two kilometers!"
"Then let's lure it to the North Sea. Also, notify the cities along the route to evacuate the citizens urgently!"
Having said this, Mu Huanqing didn't immediately rush towards the huge dark shadow that had fallen, but instead turned around and flew to the side of a female soldier from the Nine Heavens Corps.
"Xiao Xuan!"
"Madame Xuan…"
Hearing Mu Huanqing's voice, the female soldier named Xiao Xuan snapped out of the shock brought by the Void beast.
"Follow me!"
Mu Huanqing's expression was slightly panicked. After speaking, she grabbed Xiao Xuan and quickly led her towards an uninhabited riverbank below.
Although those who saw this were somewhat perplexed, no one voiced their confusion, focusing instead on the Void beast.
When they arrived at the riverbank, Mu Huanqing specifically chose a secluded corner where no one could see. After confirming that no one could see them, she took out a small blue Array from her bosom.
"Madame Xuan, is there still time to set up an Array?"
On seeing the blue Array, Xiao Xuan thought Madame Xuan meant for her to set it up. Exclusive tales from m v lemp-yr
"Xiao Xuan, I'm not asking you to set up the Array this time." Mu Huanqing said with a complex expression, "You've been with me in the First District for over three years, as close as sisters. Leaving you behind is to me more important than anything else."
Xiao Xuan watched Mu Huanqing's conflicted yet serious expression and realized the importance of the issue at hand, becoming serious herself. However, she couldn't help wondering, what matter could possibly be more important to Madame Xuan than the current crisis with the Void Beast.
Looking at the blue Array in Mu Huanqing's hand, Xiao Xuan paused in confusion: "This is…?"
With a gentle wave of her hand over the Array, a small blue vortex appeared, and peering into the center of the whirlpool, she could see an infant, wrapped in swaddling clothes, sleeping peacefully.
"Madame Xuan…"
"It's my child," Mu Huanqing said with a complex look in her eyes, filled with immense reluctance and unease. "She was just born two days ago…"
"…"
Xiao Xuan stiffened, her gaze fixed on Mu Huanqing in disbelief.
She began to wonder if she had misheard.
Madame Xuan had a child?
Impossible.
Madame Xuan didn't even have a boyfriend, let alone a husband. How could she have a child?
But then,
"No… Madame Xuan, what did you just say?!"
"Take this child away, to a safe place," Mu Huanqing's expression grew more troubled as she continued, "If you can find Fang Ren, give the child to him; if not, take her to the district head of Ninth District, Shang Han."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan paused briefly, then took a small step back in fright.
Her eyes still fixed on Mu Huanqing, she began to comprehend the implication behind her words.
After a long moment, Xiao Xuan looked at the child again, her shock not subsiding for a long time. She would have never imagined that this child really belonged to Madame Xuan, and from what Madame Xuan implied… the child was also that alchemical prodigy, Fang Ren's…
Recalling the day before the alchemy competition, Xiao Xuan had an epiphany. No wonder Madame Xuan had been so protective of Fang Ren that day…
Even risking a confrontation with Song Mobei in front of tens of thousands of people at the venue, all because they had a child together…
However, what struck Xiao Xuan wasn't just that. It was because Mu Huanqing spoke of her taking the child to Fang Ren... and not going herself.
Mu Huanqing was already planning for the possibility that she might not return.
"Madame Xuan! This Void Beast…" Xiao Xuan furrowed her brows.
"It's very strong, unlike any we've seen before. I don't know how many will die this time," Mu Huanqing's face was filled with worry, "If the Arrays had been set up in advance, it would have been better. But not only are there no Arrays prepared, there are simply too many people in Tianjiang…"
Boom—
Roar—
Suddenly, a roar exploded in the distance, a black column of light shot up into the sky, and the roar of a beast permeated the horizon.
"Xiao Xuan, remember my words! You must ensure her safety!" Mu Huanqing had no time to say more; she transformed into a streak of light and flew toward the heavens, leaving Xiao Xuan alone with the blue Array, watching the sky full of soldiers, gritting her teeth.
"God… please protect Her Excellency Madame Xuan…" she murmured.
Having said that, Xiao Xuan turned and flew in the direction opposite the landing of the Void Beast, her heart as complex as Mu Huanqing's.