Chapter 20: Bare Truths

After the battle with Sun Chuantao, Nian Yun’s reputation had thoroughly spread throughout the academy. At the same time, it was well-known in the academy that Yan, who had always looked down on Nian Yun, had drastically changed his attitude toward him following that event. Consequently, no one in the academy dared to show any disrespect toward Nian Yun.

On the streets of Wuhun City:

"I’ve done nothing but cultivate at the academy lately; it’s so boring. The academy finally gave us a short break, and you, brother, are actually too busy. Thanks for being able to accompany me," Hu Liena complained.

"Perhaps your brother is truly busy. I’ve been tortured by Old Lu lately as well. It’s a good thing the academy showed mercy, otherwise, I fear I’d be lying in bed today," Nian Yun, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Hu Liena, sighed softly.

"I heard from Bishop Shan that when you met with His Holiness the Pope, you completely turned a deaf ear to his words. He has kept that in mind, you know," Hu Liena said with a giggle, covering her mouth.

Looking at Hu Liena’s vibrant, red-tinted profile, Nian Yun’s previously dejected mood brightened significantly. The two walked through the street, chatting and laughing.

In the shadows, a pair of profound eyes watched them.

"This shop looks nice. Shall we go in and sit for a while?" Nian Yun asked, pointing to a dessert shop nearby.

"Sure." After glancing at the storefront, Hu Liena readily agreed.

A while later, a waiter brought two plates of pastries to a balcony on the second floor.

"Hurry and try it. This pastry shop is famous throughout Wuhun City, and the taste is excellent."

Hearing this, Hu Liena picked up a plate, used a small fork in her right hand to pick up a piece, and placed it into her mouth to savor it carefully.

"Hmm~~ It really is delicious."

"As long as you like it. By the way, there’s also..." As he spoke, Nian Yun placed his hand on his waist, intending to take something out.

Before Nian Yun could finish, Hu Liena’s attention was drawn to a balloon slowly drifting into the air outside.

"Waaaah~~~~"

A cry reached them, drawing their attention. Seeing Hu Liena get up and walk over, Nian Yun silently withdrew the hand he had placed on his waist and stood up to follow.

"A balloon, a balloon."

"Step."

Once she realized the cause, Hu Liena stepped out, caught the string attached to the balloon in mid-air, and landed with a roll. Seeing this, Nian Yun channeled wind energy into his left hand, jumped lightly, and landed with graceful steps.

"Little sister, hold on tight this time," Hu Liena said, bending down and smiling kindly as she handed over the string.

"Thank you, big sister." The little girl who received the balloon beamed, thanked her, and then looked around as if searching for something.

"What’s wrong, little sister?" Hu Liena crouched down to ask the girl, who was turning her head and shaking it.

"Mom, Mom is gone."

Hu Liena turned to look at Nian Yun in a panic.

"Big sister will help you find her, okay?"

"Yes, thank you, big sister."

Just as Hu Liena stood up, the little girl took her hand and led her in a certain direction. Nian Yun, who was about to use his wind-element left hand, stopped. As the wind sphere dissipated, he felt an unusual aura of soul power. After a half-second of hesitation, he followed the two of them as if nothing were amiss.

***

They walked for a long time, and both began to feel that something was wrong, as if they had been led by the nose by the little girl the entire time.

"Little sister, is your home this way?"

The little girl did not respond, only continuing to lead them forward.

"Nana." Sensing the strangeness of their surroundings, Nian Yun warned Hu Liena.

Hu Liena looked back at Nian Yun’s solemn expression, then looked down at the little girl’s small hand in her own. She tried to stop, but discovered that her struggles had no effect.

"Whoosh."

"Nana, look out!"

"First Soul Skill: Jade Stone Rock Shield!"

Nian Yun activated his martial soul the moment he stepped in front of Hu Liena, releasing a stone pillar toward the front with one hand.

"Bang—Swoosh!"

The stone pillar was shattered instantly. While Nian Yun was stunned, a flaming red feather had already grazed his right arm and pierced his right shoulder.

"Pfft!"

Struck by the powerful impact, Nian Yun instantly dropped to one knee. He clutched his right shoulder with his left hand, staring at the fiery feather in shock. Hu Liena could no longer hold back; she gathered a ball of fox fire in her left hand and swung it at the little girl. The moment her hand landed, the little girl dissipated into specks of firelight.

Without time to process the situation, Hu Liena turned and ran toward Nian Yun.

"What is this?"

"Whoosh, whoosh."

Just as Hu Liena grew anxious, several more fiery feathers flew toward them from the front.

"Be careful." Ignoring the pain in his right arm, Nian Yun used his back to push Hu Liena behind him.

"Second Soul Skill: Hanging Rock Heaven Sever!"

Nian Yun withdrew his left hand, took out the 'Zhong Yan,' and slammed it into the ground. Rows of stone walls rose up one after another.

"Bang—bang—bang!"

Blocked by the four stone walls, the fiery feathers finally stopped. Just as the two breathed a sigh of relief, the final stone wall collapsed with a boom. A delayed fiery feather pierced through the rubble and shot straight toward them.

"Tap, tap."

When Nian Yun was left with no other choice, Hu Liena stood up and stepped out. Her fox tails appeared, and she took out a Fox Fire Talisman in her right hand, swinging it toward the feather.

"Nana!"

"Swish!"

Her palm was pierced, and Hu Liena fell backward instantly. Because of Hu Liena’s interference, the feather deviated from its path, and Nian Yun pushed off his knees to catch her.

"Nana, Nana!"

***

Pain radiated from her palm; Hu Liena stared at the blood on her right hand in disbelief.

"Ying—"

A cry came from the nearby mountain forest, followed by a massive fireball. Nian Yun’s right hand, which he tried to use to pull Hu Liena up, had no strength left; the fiery feather that had pierced his right shoulder was continuously burning away his soul power. Unable to activate 'Mistsplitter,' Nian Yun raised his left hand once more.

"Martial Soul Switch: Wind Spirit."

"Second Soul Skill: Wind-Gathering Power."

A whirlwind was unleashed, drawing in the nearby wind elements to form a hurricane.

"Whoosh."

The hurricane dissipated completely, having only dimmed the fireball slightly.

"Nian Yun, go! Don't worry about me." Hu Liena, whose soul power was being continuously drained, was weak and frail.

Nian Yun cast a deep look at Hu Liena in his arms and channeled his soul power into his left hand again.

"Wind—Condense—Merge!"

Releasing all his remaining soul power, a phantom with pure white wings appeared behind him, spreading them wide. A powerful gust of wind gathered to form a wind wall, enveloping the two of them.

"Pfft—"

The fireball slammed into the wind wall, and a rain of fiery ash fell. The heat impact concentrated all the wind energy into one spot, leaving a vacuum where the temperature inside the enclosed space rose sharply.

The loss of soul power left Nian Yun exhausted. He sat slumped, head bowed, watching the temperature rise and the sweat dripping from his brow. He felt a moment of confusion.

"System, if you aren't going to act now, what are you waiting for?"

System: ...

Without receiving a reply from the system, Nian Yun saw the fabric on his left sleeve beginning to catch fire. Immediately after, his left shoulder felt a burning sensation, and his pale shoulder was left completely exposed.

Subconsciously sensing that something was wrong, Nian Yun looked at Hu Liena. In the same situation, the fabric on Hu Liena’s body was also being swallowed by the flames. Two flashes of white skin appeared in Nian Yun’s eyes, causing a warm liquid to flow from his nose.

At this moment, Hu Liena was jolted awake by the burning heat. Seeing the ash constantly forming on her clothes, her face flushed red instantly, and she hurriedly used her left hand to cover herself. She glanced at Nian Yun, whose upper garment had burned away entirely, revealing a lean frame with toned muscles.

Their eyes met involuntarily, the warmth on their faces turning even more vibrant. After staring for a few seconds, both simultaneously looked away.

"Whoosh."

The heat intensified, and the clothing below their waists began to disintegrate. Nian Yun sensed a grave situation.

!!