Chapter 34 Sun Moon Mountain Range 18
“I saw the elder with my own eyes, and he doesn’t seem to be dead,” Baili Rui remarked, his expression tinged with uncertainty.
Upon scrutinizing the wound on the elder’s neck, Baili Rui’s countenance darkened. The attack had been exceptionally swift, and the elder hadn’t shown any signs of resistance.
The absence of resistance suggested that the elder had likely not anticipated such a swift assault.
“What’s that?” Ye Yan pointed to the sky as they inspected the elder’s body, diverting their attention.
In response to her question, the group raised their gaze skyward.
They witnessed a brilliant red streak across the sky, disappearing before they could discern its origin.
This vivid shade of red was highly unusual and striking.
Baili Rui’s thoughts wandered to the High Priest of the Qilan Empire, who had a penchant for red and an audacious and arrogant demeanor. He had disappeared for quite some time, and Baili Rui speculated if his reappearance was linked to the impending sacrificial ceremony.
With a fleeting glance at the corpse below, Baili Rui didn’t linger and turned to depart.
“Third brother.” Observing Baili Rui’s departure, Baili Yan quickly followed suit, seemingly uninterested in staying behind to investigate further.
Liu Ruxin glanced at the prince before following Baili Rui. As she passed by Yeyan, she emitted a contemptuous snort.
This provocative gesture left Yeyan’s expression considerably sour. However, a fundamental distinction in status separated her from Liu Ruxin, and the latter’s strength was by no means inferior.
The discovery of the elder’s body did not assuage their unease; instead, it heightened their apprehension. The deaths of the elder and the guard, both seven-star intermediate magicians, hinted at a formidable opponent exceeding their own strength.
Yet, Baili Qing had dispatched the two to locate Ye Mo. Why would they incur the ire of a master possessing powers equivalent to or surpassing those of a seven-star intermediate magician?
“Your Highness, Crown Prince.” Addressing Baili Qing, Ye Yan said, “Ye Yan sincerely apologizes for this unfortunate turn of events. Were it not for Yan’er, the Crown Prince’s attendants wouldn’t have faced such a fate.”
Although Baili Qing harbored resentment, he concealed it, at least for now. He responded, “Yan’er, circumstances have taken this unexpected turn; there’s no need for you to blame yourself.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your understanding,” Ye Yan replied, her voice tinged with sarcasm. She couldn’t help but sneer inwardly—what was the need to mention her when discussing the incident by the river?
In her opinion, they deserved their fate.
Standing by Ye Yan’s side, Ye Tian maintained silence. An inkling of suspicion began to form within him.
Why had the guard hastily written “Ye Mo” upon returning? It seemed that he hadn’t intended to write “Ye Mo” specifically, but something related to him.
What had transpired between the guard and Ye Mo after their encounter?
The elder’s death, the guard’s death—had Ye Mo enlisted the protection of an expert?
Meanwhile, on the other side, Baili Yan had finally caught up with Baili Rui, his breath labored. “Third brother, why are you walking so swiftly? I could barely keep up…”
“I suspect that the High Priest is present,” Baili Rui responded, unfazed by his brother’s exertion.
Baili Yan’s panting ceased instantly upon hearing these words, and he adopted a more serious demeanor.
“The High Priest has been absent for some time. It’s intriguing that he would return for this sacrificial ceremony. What could have brought him to the Sun and Moon Mountains?”