People in Doupo: The beginning of the game intercepts the rich woman Xun'er

The sky above Gulong Island was unusually calm at the moment, except for a streak of light that moved so fast it was almost illusory, quietly breaking the silence.

That wasn't a patrolling Dragon Island guard, but Xiao Ling, who had been summoned by Zi Yan earlier.

His figure moved like lightning, carrying a barely perceptible gust of wind, speeding across the sky above Ancient Dragon Island. He was so fast that even his afterimage was difficult to catch, as if he were just a fleeting glimpse of a wild goose passing across the sky.

He focused his mind and soared through the air, following the faint, lingering call in the wind.

The call seemed to have some kind of attraction, drawing him in and making him involuntarily quicken his pace.

Gradually, the outline of a majestic hall appeared at the edge of his vision. It was the hall where Zi Yan had previously secluded herself. Through the concealment of the array, he could see that the hall, now shrouded in clouds and mist, appeared even more solemn and extraordinary.

At this moment, as they drew closer to the grand hall, Xiao Ling's extraordinary perception, like the most precise probe, instantly detected the immense, almost tangible, energy surge within the hall.

The energy surged and roared like a torrent, violently churning within the palace, even showing signs of breaking through the restrictions and overflowing outwards, causing the surrounding air to buzz.

Zi Yan must still be inside the hall at this moment, and her cultivation is at its most critical and intense stage; otherwise, it would be impossible for her to trigger such a tremendous energy fluctuation.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling's initial urgency at Zi Yan's call turned into deep confusion.

Why did she summon me earlier?
The call was so urgent, yet it was like a clay ox sinking into the sea; I clearly responded, but there was no echo at all, as if there was an impenetrable barrier between us.

This strangeness stirred up an indescribable feeling in Xiao Ling's heart, a mixture of curiosity and a barely perceptible anxiety.

He had a vague worry that Zi Yan might have encountered some misfortune during her cultivation.
However, as soon as the thought arose, Xiao Ling shook his head violently, forcibly suppressing the worry. He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

There's no point in making wild guesses now. He'll know what really happened once he enters the main hall and sees Zi Yan with his own eyes.

If there is any trouble and Zi Yan needs help, Xiao Ling will do his best to help without hesitation.

This trust and sense of responsibility eased his tense nerves slightly, and his continuously flying figure became more composed.

A moment later, Xiao Ling slowed down, no longer moving as swiftly as a meteor, but rather landing lightly, like a feather, quietly on the steps of the main hall.

As soon as he landed, subtle ripples appeared in the air in front of him, like a pebble being thrown into a calm lake.

Immediately afterwards, two figures emerged from the ripples; they were none other than Elder Qingshan and Elder Qingmu, who were usually responsible for guarding the area.

Upon seeing the two elders, Xiao Ling immediately suppressed his outward brilliance, revealing a respectful expression on his face. He bowed slightly to them and said loudly, "Greetings, First Elder and Second Elder."

Elder Qingshan raised his hand to support Xiao Ling, and a gentle yet irresistible force lifted him up, allowing him to stand steadily.

He shook his head slightly, a familiar smile in his voice: "There's no need for such formality in front of us."

Changing the subject, he looked intently at Xiao Ling, his gaze serious: "Speaking of which, I haven't had a chance to thank you yet. This time, when Gulong Island was attacked by the combined forces of the Three Islands' Dragon Armor Army, if it weren't for your timely assistance, Donglong Island's current defenses would probably have already..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the weight in his unfinished words spoke volumes.

Xiao Ling didn't dwell on the topic, but simply smiled and said, "Given my relationship with Zi Yan, this Ancient Dragon Island is like my home. How could I stand idly by when my home is in trouble? This isn't some grand righteous act to be praised, it's just my duty. Besides, if something really goes wrong and Zi Yan finds out, she'll definitely worry and be troubled, and I don't want to see her unhappy."

Elder Qingshan and Elder Qingmu exchanged a glance at Xiao Ling's simple yet sincere response, both nodding slightly and unconsciously revealing knowing smiles on their faces.

Clearly, they greatly admired Xiao Ling's unvarnished sincerity and sense of responsibility.

However, Xiao Ling didn't dwell on this topic for long. He cleared his throat, changed the subject, and solemnly asked, "By the way, elders, I came here because I received a message from Zi Yan earlier. She told me to go in and find her directly. Would it be convenient for you two elders to make an exception and allow me to meet with Zi Yan alone?"

Faced with Xiao Ling's request, the two elders nodded in agreement almost simultaneously without any hesitation.

Elder Qingmu's expression grew more solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "We have already received Her Highness the Princess's message. Her cultivation has clearly reached a critical and fleeting juncture. The fact that she has summoned you here is no accident; she must have encountered some kind of bottleneck that she cannot overcome alone and needs external assistance. Young friend, the situation in the inner hall may be complicated, so I hope you will not refuse and will do your best to help."

His words carried the unique authority of an elder, but also a hint of barely perceptible worry.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling understood immediately and instantly sensed the delicate situation and potential danger that Zi Yan was in.

Without hesitation, he nodded heavily, his eyes as firm as a rock: "Elder, rest assured! Ziyan is the most important family member to me. If she needs anything, as long as it is within my power, I will do my utmost, even go through fire and water, without hesitation!"

His promise was firm and unwavering, without a trace of pretense, which earned him a hint of approval from the two elders.

Seeing Xiao Ling's resolute attitude, the two elders said no more. They turned to face the closed palace door, each extending their palms, their fingertips gathering pure battle qi, each carrying different attribute fluctuations, and shot towards the palace door one after another like shooting stars.

The fighting spirit did not directly attack the door, but instead precisely penetrated the layer of protective runes on the door that were shimmering with light.

As energy flowed in, the originally dim runes suddenly lit up, weaving into a dazzling net of light. Immediately afterwards, a deep "click" sound came from the palace door, as if it had been gently pushed open by an invisible hand.

The heavy, tightly closed palace doors, enveloped in a net of light, slowly opened inward, revealing a deep, dark corridor behind them that seemed to devour all light.

An even more intense, almost tangible energy fluctuation emanated from behind the door, causing the three people standing outside the main hall to tremble slightly.

Xiao Ling had no intention of lingering there. He bowed deeply to the two elders as a sign of respect, then suddenly sprang into action, like an arrow released from a bow, instantly transforming into a dazzling streak of light and flying straight towards the open gate. His speed was so great that he left only a blurry trail of light in his wake.

In the blink of an eye, his figure completely disappeared into the deep shadows of the hall, vanishing without a trace.

Upon seeing this, the two elders outside the hall exchanged a glance, both seeing a trace of worry in each other's eyes.

Elder Qingshan immediately stopped hesitating and once again channeled his battle qi into the palace.

The slowly closing door was sealed shut again, and the immense energy that was about to overflow from the hall was barely concealed by the restriction, leaving only faint energy ripples lingering outside the hall.

However, outside the main hall, the two elders' brows did not relax; instead, they furrowed even more, their hearts heavy as lead.

Elder Qingshan sighed deeply, stroked his white beard, and muttered to himself, his voice trembling slightly:

"I hope we'll hear good news next time we meet. Otherwise, Ancient Dragon Island might really be in big trouble." Elder Qingmu, standing beside him, spoke in a deep, firm voice, carrying an imposing aura, and said earnestly:

"No matter what, even if it comes to the very last step, when the crisis reaches its most critical moment, I will risk my life and never let those traitors from the Three Islands harm Her Highness in the slightest! Let alone let them disturb Her Highness's cultivation! The hope for the revival of the Ancient Dragon Clan must not be ruined by these scum!"

……

As soon as Xiao Ling stepped through the door, the world before him was suddenly swallowed up by an impenetrable darkness.

It wasn't true darkness, but rather a profound stillness, a space that seemed to swallow up all light.

The marble floor beneath my feet was as smooth as a mirror, yet it reflected no image. Only a faint glimmer of light shone from ahead, guiding my way.

Without further hesitation, Xiao Ling leaped forward, his figure transforming into a streak of light once more, hurtling towards the depths of the palace where the faint light resided.

As he ventured deeper, the immense energy he had sensed outside the hall surged forth like a burst dam, growing ever stronger and more violent.

The energy fluctuations were so intense that they almost condensed into visible air waves, whistling and impacting his body.

He could even feel his long, loose hair flying wildly in the invisible energy storm, as if it might be torn away at any moment.

This power far exceeded his previous perception, carrying a primal, almost destructive wildness.

A moment later, the faint light ahead suddenly cleared, and Xiao Ling landed steadily, his feet firmly planted on the ground. He had now arrived at the main hall of the palace.

The space here is much more spacious than at the entrance, with a high and distant dome that seems to stretch to the horizon. All around is silent, except for the almost tangible energy that roars silently in the air like a lurking beast.

Xiao Ling's sharp gaze swept around the area, finally settling on the floor in the center of the main hall.

There stood a solitary, thick pillar, its material unknown, its entire body a deep purplish-black.

At that moment, on that pillar, a slender and graceful figure sat cross-legged, her back ramrod straight.

That figure was none other than Zi Yan.

Her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath them. She seemed to blend into the pillar, her entire body enveloped in a shroud of visible, swirling energy, like a nebula.

Her state clearly indicated that she was in the midst of some kind of extreme cultivation.

As if she had truly sensed his arrival, Zi Yan, who was sitting cross-legged on top of the pillar with her eyes closed, suddenly trembled her eyelashes slightly, like butterfly wings fluttering a few times.

The next instant, two clear and bright beams of light suddenly shone in her eyes and were directed straight at Xiao Ling.

When the light settled and she saw that the person was Xiao Ling, a genuine and gentle smile immediately bloomed on Zi Yan's face.

Almost instinctively, with a touch of shyness and boundless joy, she opened her arms wide, her voice as soft as a feather brushing against her heart: "Xiao Ling...you're here. I've missed you so much."

This call, like the most beautiful melody, instantly struck Xiao Ling's heart.

His figure flickered almost uncontrollably, and the next moment, he appeared as lightly as the wind atop the pillar.

Without the slightest hesitation, he opened his arms and tightly embraced that slightly thin figure.

His chin gently rested on the top of Zi Yan's head, and he could feel the softness of her hair and the faint fragrance that belonged to her.

At the same time, Xiao Ling spoke, his voice deep and powerful, filled with endless comfort: "Zi Yan, don't worry, I'm here. Don't be afraid, I've always been here."

Those warm and strong arms completely enveloped her, as if she had found the safest place to stay, and Zi Yan's originally slightly tense heartstrings quietly relaxed.

She parted her lips slightly and let out a barely audible sigh, her voice tinged with languor and serenity, like a murmur: "It's so good to have you."

The two embraced quietly for a moment, as if trying to absorb every last bit of tenderness. Then, Zi Yan gently broke free, but did not create distance; she simply tilted her head slightly to meet Xiao Ling's gaze.

Xiao Ling gazed into her eyes, which, though usually bright and lively, now appeared exceptionally clear due to her cultivation, as if reflecting the Milky Way.

He spoke softly, with a hint of concern: "Ziyan, you summoned me earlier, is there something you need my help with? As long as it's within my power, I'll do it without hesitation."

Zi Yan did not directly answer his question. Instead, she sighed softly and looked out of the hall, as if she could see through space to the current scene of Ancient Dragon Island:

"I sensed the danger that Ancient Dragon Island encountered earlier, even though I was cultivating. In fact, I have to thank you for protecting my home."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling unconsciously stroked her cheek with his fingertips, gently caressing it with a touch of warmth.

He shook his head, his tone firm yet gentle: "Between you and me, there's no need for thanks. Everything you cherish is my responsibility, and it's what I must protect."

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan couldn't help but shake her head slightly, a complex yet smiling expression flashing across her face, as if she felt both helpless and taken it for granted: "I knew you would say that."

She paused, her tone becoming serious, "But I am, after all, the next Dragon Emperor of Ancient Dragon Island. With a formidable enemy at hand, I can't just hide here and wait to die, can I?"

Xiao Ling's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, revealing a hint of worry and doubt:
"But...it seems to me you're currently at a crucial juncture in your cultivation? What if something goes wrong..."

"What should we do?"

Zi Yan suddenly raised her chin, a sly glint in her eyes, and a playful smile appeared on her lips, interrupting his worries.

"So that's why I specifically called you here."

(End of this chapter)