After a long while, a faint, ancient voice emerged from deep underground in the dark swamp. “Get involved.”
Qing Gao was slightly stunned. “Are you sure?”
“He is very likely to be one of the figures who triggers the turmoil.”
The faint, ancient voice came again.
“But more than twenty years ago, those two peerless geniuses also met untimely ends. One was killed, the other suppressed in the Tianji Demon Suppression Tower.”
Qing Gao said.
“That old fox from the Ji family is extremely cunning. He definitely would not let her die inside. And it has only been just over twenty years. Who knows, she might be one of the main figures to ignite the era of chaos.”
The faint voice continued from beneath the ground. “This generation has produced geniuses in abundance. Even our demon frog clan has a young Martial Saint. The demonic altar trembles, the demonic disc rings strangely. The era of chaos recorded in history will probably arrive in this generation. My lifespan is running out. If we do not send someone out, our demon frog clan may truly vanish in this generation.”
Qing Gao could not help sighing sadly in his heart.
Originally, the demon frog clan should have been a domineering existence. Now they had fallen to this state.
“I have long observed the relic left by our ancestor. There is still a one-in-ten chance the ancestor lives. In the future, if our clan can protect itself, when my lifespan nears its end, I will attack the Tianji Demon Suppression Tower.”
The ancient voice spoke again.
“One in ten…” Qing Gao’s heart shook.
A one-in-ten chance was already high. If by luck the ancestor lived and was rescued, then across the entire continent, the demon frog clan would reign supreme. They did not even know how terrifying their ancestor had been.
But one thing was clearly recorded: back then, the ancestor had been surrounded and attacked by all human experts before being suppressed.
In other words, even all human experts together could not kill the ancestor. They could only use a treasure to suppress it.
This meant the ancestor was extremely strong, strong enough to nearly rival all human experts combined.
And that was several thousand years ago.
Several thousand years ago, Martial Emperors could still appear. It might even have been the Martial Emperor era.
If born in the Martial Emperor era and suppressed by one, that would be terrifying beyond words. Yet it was also uncertain.
Regardless, the peak figures of the continent several thousand years ago were far stronger than now.
If the ancestor reappeared in this era, for a short time at least, no one would be their match.
A one-in-ten chance was already significant.
Deep in his heart, Qing Gao could not help feeling his blood surge.
“Qing Yan is also the hope of our demon frog clan. Let him go. Without experiencing hardship, he cannot grow into a true powerhouse. With Qing Yan’s talent, if he truly matures, even if he cannot become the protagonist of the chaotic era, he will surely have his place. Then our demon frog clan will need to beg no one.”
The ancient voice spoke again.
“Very well!”
Qing Gao finally nodded. Then he rose and flew away.
He worried not only for the clan but also for his son. That was why he had hesitated.
After all, it was his own flesh and blood.
Soon, Qing Gao flew back to the guest courtyard, entering the tea room and appearing before Lin Xiao and Huo Ruyan once more.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Qing Gao smiled. “We have discussed it. We will let Qing Yan follow you two young friends. Please do not refuse.”
Lin Xiao was surprised. The demon frog clan’s boldness was truly great. Knowing he had killed so many Martial Saints, they still wanted Qing Yan to go with them.
In this situation, letting Qing Yan follow clearly meant having him aid them, form ties, or even ally.
At present, it only benefited them. It brought no gain to the demon frog clan.
Yet since the other side was willing, he naturally would not refuse. He was short on manpower right now.
As for the future, if he grew strong enough to help, he naturally would not decline.
“Since Uncle Qing is willing, we could not be happier. Rest assured. If the demon frog clan ever needs help, at your word, we will come at full speed.”
Lin Xiao promised solemnly.
“Then we will rely on you two young friends in the future.”
Qing Gao said.
After a pause, he asked, “May I ask where you two plan to go next and when you intend to set out?”
Lin Xiao and Huo Ruyan exchanged a glance. “If there is nothing else, we plan to hurry back to Spirit Pool Island and make new plans.”
He needed to return to Spirit Pool Island and hand the token to Miao Ling to avoid further complications.
As for afterwards, that would be planning action against the Tianji Demon Suppression Tower.
As for the Ji family, with Elder Bei dead, there would surely be movement.
But now, with two Martial Saint-level combatants plus Qing Yan, that made three Martial Saints. Adding Long Tutian, even if the Ji family head came, they could not touch him.
If the Ji family Great Elder was still around, he was even considering whether to deal with him first.
“The swamp is somewhat uncomfortable. The reason I invited you two young friends here was to grow closer. Since that is the case, no need to delay. I will call that boy Qing Yan, then see you off.”
Qing Gao said. “By the way, due to past reasons, our demon frog clan actually has a one-way array leading near Tianji Holy Land. Going through this array might allow you to reach Spirit Pool Island before the major forces learn the news and come seeking revenge.”
At these words, Lin Xiao and Huo Ruyan were both slightly shocked. There was actually an array here leading near Tianji Holy Land?
Had the demon frog clan once planned to attack the Tianji Demon Suppression Tower or had other intentions?
But since it was left by ancestors and the other side did not wish to speak of it, they naturally would not pry.
“That would be perfect. Thank you, Uncle Qing!”
Lin Xiao said.
Qing Gao nodded. Then, like teleporting again, he left the tea room. Only after about two quarters of an hour did he return with Qing Yan.
“Let us go.”
As soon as he arrived, Qing Yan said indifferently to Lin Xiao. It was impossible to tell if he was happy or worried.
“This son of mine has always been like this. Please bear with him.”
Qing Gao smiled at the pair.
“Uncle Qing is too polite. On this journey, we will still need to rely on Brother Qing Yan.”
Lin Xiao returned the courtesy.
Huo Ruyan also returned it. Then they followed Qing Gao out of the guest courtyard, flying deep into the swamp.
After flying several hundred li more, they stopped in a place thick with swamp miasma.
Within the miasma was a patch of ground with an array altar two or three hundred zhang across.
Lin Xiao, Huo Ruyan, and Qing Yan landed on the altar.
“Take care!”
Qing Gao said to the three.
Lin Xiao and Huo Ruyan cupped their hands. Qing Yan merely looked coldly at his father, showing no gesture. His gaze turned to the other side.
Immediately, Qing Gao activated the array. Light blossomed on the altar, enveloping the three. An inexplicable force pulled them into a void tunnel, vanishing from this space.
After the three left, a figure flew towards Qing Gao. “The Blood Demon Body and that youth. Are they reliable?”
The speaker was none other than Qing Yan’s mother.
“I observed the Blood Demon Body for a while earlier. Though her methods are ruthless, her heart holds goodness. She has benevolence and righteousness. As long as we are not her enemies, she will not betray us.”
Qing Gao said with certainty. “As for that youth, I can only trust my judgement. But with my eye, I should not be wrong.”
“But those human experts are truly very strong!”
Qing Yan’s mother still worried.
“Yes, very strong! But our son will not be too far behind. If he does not go out, he will never grow. Let him go.”
Qing Gao sighed deeply.
