Qingkong didn't expect the cooperation to go so smoothly, he originally thought that it would take a lot of time. www.biquge.info But when the university scholar explained the current grim situation to the city lord, coupled with the "fire funding" that he could not refuse, he agreed to send troops. But the premise is that they will send as many troops as they send in the city of Lodi. The tone was like a hawker bargaining in a vegetable market, not giving up a penny.

This also made Qingkong deeply feel the degree of opposition between the two sects, even if they had to ally against the Dark Alliance together, they were still calculating everywhere. It also made him feel a deep sense of apprehension about whether it was right to let them go to the aid of the besieged tribal army. But worry is worry, who can he count on at the moment except the Yilong clan to send troops to support? Could it be the Phantom Clan who is far away in the Yunlin Strange Continent - the Phantom Clan who has some kind of blood relationship with him? Although the purpose of their trip is to go there, the distant water cannot quench the thirst of the near, and the tribe needs immediate support. What's more, even if they go to the Phantom Race, will they admit themselves? Even if they do, who can guarantee that they will send troops for a Terran with a trace of Phantom blood?

A series of questions appeared in Qingkong's mind, and in the end, he simply didn't think about them for now.

They rested for a short day, and the next day they were ready to leave Torch City and head south. The city lord Nuo Wei was still a "proud descendant of the true dragon", and he didn't come out, and it was the young city lord Nuo Yan and his sister Nuo Zhi who came out to say goodbye to them. Nuo Yan was still dressed in a red silk robe, probably due to the early morning, there was still an inexplicable coldness in the air, and he was wearing a cloak embroidered with gold trim. Nozhi seems to have deliberately changed the previous glamorous style, and the straight-leg pink dress with a corset waist is more dignified and virtuous, but the natural red lips add color, which still makes all this gorgeous again. Her expression was a little displeased, and her high-pitched nose was slightly wrinkled, as if someone had provoked her. And this person knows that it should be himself......

It happened last night. He had just checked into the Lord's Palace in Torch Flame City when Nozhi found him. The girl asks him to tell her the story of the "Dragon Knight". But this made Qingkong embarrassed, because he did not learn and did not know the history of the family when he was young, and even he did not know the story of the "Dragon Knight", how to tell her? So he had to send her away under the pretext that he was going to travel far tomorrow and get up early, and where did the noble lady, who had been pampered since childhood, be treated so coldly, so he angrily brushed his sleeves away. Qingkong didn't expect her to appear here today to bid farewell to herself.

Nuo Yan said goodbye to them as a young master, and treated them generously when they traveled, preparing four good horses, and a spare horse carrying food and water for the road, as well as spare clothes. Originally, he also proposed to prepare a carriage for Lu'er, who he thought was a little girl, but she personally refused. When Lu'er skillfully stepped on a steed, he knew in his heart that this was not an ordinary weak girl.

Although Nozhi came out with his brother to say goodbye to them, he didn't say a word from beginning to end. Eventually, when she stepped onto the horse and was about to leave, she moved her body and walked up to his horse and whispered a few words. The voice could only be heard by Qingkong, and his face turned slightly red after listening to a few words, and then he clamped the horse's belly and set off first. Lu'er followed, and after nodding to the two nobles who had come out to see them off, the scholar also pulled the reins and left.

Nuo Zhi's huge eyes looked at the back in the distance stupidly, and Nuo Yan coughed lightly when he saw this, signaling that it was time for them to go back.

"Brother, when will we see him...... Guys. Nozhi asked, still looking at the boy who had turned into a black spot.

Nuo Yan thought for a moment, and his tone suddenly became heavy, "I don't know when, but what is certain is that that place must be a battlefield......"

Riding a fine horse, he galloped down the avenue, passing through the stone pillar gates when he came. Because it was still early, there were only a few stalls scattered in the place where the market was originally located. His heart beat like a horse's hooves on the hard stone floor, as Nuozhi had just whispered a few words in his ear. Even if he is a wooden head, he can hear it, it is a show of love. It was the first time he had heard a strange woman express her ambiguous feelings to him since he had grown up. Of course, those who used to be hypocritical and flattering because of his status as the son of the city lord do not count. He really had the feeling that his heart was going to jump out, as if he was drunk, and he almost fell off his horse, and in order to hide his embarrassment, he had to drive the horse away wildly. In retrospect, he laughed at himself a little: people like the title of the Champion, and they like the Dragon Knight, not you.

The horse's speed gradually slowed down, and his mood slowly calmed down. At this time, Lu'er also followed, looking at him with a curious expression on his face.

"Brother Sora, what's wrong with you?" Lu'er asked, twinkling with bright blue eyes.

Qingkong tried his best to hide the thoughts in his heart, shook his head and said, "It's nothing. ”

Lu'er is not an ordinary little girl, she can't bluff her with a casual word, she understands that there must be something bothering him, but since Qingkong doesn't want to say it, then she doesn't ask much.

In an instant, the scholar also rode his horse to attack, he glanced at Qingkong, as if he had something to say, but he only said lightly: "Let's go, we must rush to Luodi City as soon as possible to find out how many troops they can contribute, and then let the raven inform this cunning old ghost that he can send troops." ”

The old ghost must be referring to Nuowei, and his calculation also gives him another title in addition to "the offspring of the beggar".

Without further ado, Qingkong and Lu'er followed closely behind the university scholars and set off for another city.

They were tired from the non-stop journey, and they only had a brief rest at the humble Traveler's Inn on the side of the road. But fortunately, the owners of the inn are ordinary people, and there is no imaginary rejection when they see foreigners, perhaps because of the role they give a lot of money...... Anyway, as long as there is a comfortable bed, warm tea and rice, anyway, Nuo Yan left them a lot of gold coins before leaving.

As you further south, the landscape changes, with more green vegetation, less deserts and hills, and more mountains. This also indicates that they are approaching the Strange Continent of the Cloud Forest, which is covered by the Fantasy Forest, and Luodi City is built at the junction of the Flame Dance Continent and the Strange Continent of the Cloud Forest.

Qingkong watched the many unknown vegetation around him gradually disappear behind him, and his thoughts drifted a little. In this short period of one month, he traveled from west to east, from north to south, from Dragon Valley to fishing villages, to tribal camps, and through the cities of the Yilong tribe...... These experiences were more than the time he had wasted in the previous ten years combined.

At noon on the third day after departure, they finally saw the shadow of the walls of the city of Luodi, which was much "younger" than the ancient Torch City, and was full of modern atmosphere. The polished shiny and hard rock accumulates into towering ramparts, lift carts controlled by chain chains...... But his eyes were drawn to a building in front of him.

It was a statue of a dragon about a few dozen meters high, and it stood in a clearing a few hundred meters from the city gate. The dragon's whole body was blue, shimmering slightly in the sunlight, and I don't know what special material or paint it was applied to. The dragon's wings spread horizontally together to be as wide as its height, and upon closer inspection, he saw that the edges of each wing were spiky like pinnacles. Looking up, the dragon's head was very large, and a long horn protruded from the door.

"It is said that this is the statue of the Blue Emperor that they hired several of the world's top architects, plus hundreds of craftsmen, and spent a year plus countless gold coins to build. And...... It is carved and built one by one according to the prototype of the dragon map guarding the Blue Emperor in the annals. The scholar of Muyuan University also looked up at the huge statue and said slowly.

"Blue Lotti......" Qingkong muttered softly. When he saw a statue that was extremely realistic, he was thinking of the blue dragon he had encountered in the Dragon Valley, which was not as big as one of its wings compared to this statue. But that one was alive, chasing them and fleeing, and this one was just a statue of a deterrent.

A hiss came from afar, and a colorful light and shadow flew in and landed on the statue.

Sky looked up to find Fat Crewed on the Colossus's horn, its body just about the length of a horn. If this statue of Blue Lotty is real, then it is estimated that a breath of thunder and lightning dragon breath will be able to penetrate all of them.

At first, he thought that the fat boy would do some "damage" to the statue, but unexpectedly, it was lying unusually quietly on the statue's horn at the moment. He didn't bother it, and rode slowly past the statue with the scholar and the deer, the huge figure blocking the sunlight, the shadow shining on him, and a chill coming from behind him. As he rode through the shadows, the sun shone back on him, and he saw the gates of the city of Lodi. The gate was open, and the people who came in and out from time to time continued their journey after being briefly examined by the guards.

When they walked to the city gate, the guards of the Qingyan Sect guarding the city were a little guarded, holding the scabbard hanging from their waists. In the face of their group of foreigners who rode good horses and looked very different from their Yilong clan, the guards would definitely not regard them as ordinary people.

The scholar and the others consciously turned over and dismounted, walked in front of the guards, and said in a respectful and gentle tone: "Several guards, we are the Terrans from the Source of Vitality Continent, and we have come to meet Qinghong, the city lord of your city. ”

Several guards looked at him and the two blue-eyed teenagers beside him suspiciously, as if they were guessing their true intentions. One of the guards was about to speak, when a rather majestic voice came from behind them: "Let them in." ”

Several of the guards turned sideways to look at the source of the sound, and then bowed slightly. It was a man with an ordinary face but dressed in a gorgeous green silk robe. Qingkong seemed to have an impression of him, he was one of the people who surrounded Qing Xiao in the city at the source of the Yan River that day.

"Qinghan, I am ordered by the city lord to take you into the city. Oh, remember, the lord of the castle you are going to meet is Aoshino. The man corrected with a blank face.

The scholar nodded slightly and said nothing, and then led the horse into the city with the two teenagers.

The interior of Lodi City is not as crowded as Torch Flame City, but it is extremely clean and tidy, and the clean buildings make one wonder if they are cleaned once a day. The occasional shouting was only in front of a certain store, and there was a feeling of desertion, and they crossed a few streets.

"After the lord of Qingxiao City ascended the throne, he immediately rectified the law and order in the city. Only those who have shops in the city are required to set up stalls in front of their doors, and other vendors are required to go to the designated 'buying and selling streets', which are the real markets. Qinghan may have sensed their doubts, so he explained.

The scholar did not care about his explanation, but thought of the word in his heart. Could it be that something happened to the Qinghong City Lord? Or did he lose his mind for a short time due to his doubts.

"Scholars?" reminded Qingkong slightly.

Mu Yuan came to his senses and realized that they had come to a magnificent palace, which was undoubtedly the place where the city lord and the important officials in the city lived.

"Wait a minute, everyone, I'll go and report first. Qinghan turned and walked towards the palace.

After Qinghan left, the scholar told Qingkong and Lu'er about the doubts in his heart, and reminded them not to mention this issue, he would find a suitable time to ask.

After a while, Qinghan returned and looked at them, "The city lord let you in, she is already waiting." ”

With permission, they walked through the long and wide path that led to the main entrance, and the guards opened the door, only to find that it was a council chamber inside. The wide and long table was placed vertically in the middle of the hall, and it was also deserted, and at the end of the long table sat a young and cold face, Qing Xiao, and she was the only one.

"You may be seated. She glanced at the sky, as if to make sure he was in it, and then said coldly.

Such a tone made Qingkong slightly disgusted, he was fed up with such a cold posture, whether it was Mu Tian or Qing Xiao, as if he was chatting with a piece of ice. However, at this time, another figure appeared in his heart, a person who was diametrically opposed to them. The woman who was like fire remembered the words she said when she left Torch City, and an inexplicable feeling suddenly stirred out of her heart......

With the permission of the host, the three of them sat on one side of the long table in turn. Qing Xiao was dressed in a cyan silk dress, her long red hair was coiled up, the black and red hairpins were pinned to it, and only a few strands of hair were clinging to her fair face, and a mature beauty appeared on this woman who had just completed the ceremony.

"You're faster than I thought you would. Qingxiao said.

"It's a matter of human life, and we dare not delay. The scholar looked at her and replied with some caution.

Hearing the words of the university scholar, Qing Xiao snorted coldly, and she opened her thin lips: "I don't know if you have ever told the 'smart Nuowei City Lord' this sentence?"

Of course, the university scholars knew her sarcasm, and this time she promised to be "the descendant of the beggar" and "old ghost", and she also had the title of "smart promise to be the lord of the city".

"Miss Qingxiao, how many troops can Luodi City produce?" The scholar didn't want to dwell on this question, he wanted to get the answer as soon as possible, and then give the same answer to Nuo. Whether he is a "descendant of a beggar" or an "old ghost", as long as he can send troops. Next, they have to go to the unknown Yunlin Trick to find the Phantom Clan, and it is not enough to have the support of the Yilong Clan, he knows how critical the situation is this time.

Qing Xiao's bright eyes looked at the university scholars and gave them a surprising number.

"Five thousand guards from the Green Flame Sect, plus fifteen flame controllers, are you satisfied with this result?" she said lightly.

The scholar's expression told her that he was a little surprised by the number. Not only five thousand guards, but also fifteen flame controllers, this is almost all the strength of the Qingyan Sect, and she actually poured it out without reservation. Why is this? Could it be to embarrass Nuo and deliberately make such a decision, but he looked at the steady expression on the woman's delicate face and denied his own thoughts, she should not be so rash.

Qing Xiao seemed to be satisfied with his expression, and his tone was mocking: "I hope that the 'smart Promise City Lord' will fulfill his promise and send the same number of troops as us." ”

"He will. The university scholar affirmed. Although Nuo Wei is good at calculation, his proud self-esteem is always insurmountable. For such people, his commitment is as important as life.

"It's good that you are so sure, anyway, no matter whether their Red Flame Sect sends troops or not, these five thousand guards and flame controllers will definitely appear in the Savage West Wilderness, and I will personally lead them. Qingxiao said.

Her tone was firm and hurried, as if she had something urgent to deal with, which also made the university scholars find a clue.

"Miss Qingxiao, is there anything we need to know? I hope you will remember that we are now allies. The scholar asked tentatively.

She closed her lips tightly, as if she wanted to calm the emotions just now, but found that the old man in front of her was still staring at her, as if he had seen through what was in her heart. It can't be hidden, everyone knows about it, and it doesn't matter if you tell them, she thought.

"He showed up...... That traitor. Although Qingxiao's tone was steady, every word seemed to be said through gritted teeth.

The traitor? It was the fugitive, gifted teenager who hurt her father and hurt her feelings. No wonder she was so excited, Qingkong thought to herself.

"The spies I sent out to find him have finally found his traces near the Exiled Lands and the Land of the Dead, but he is not alone, there is also a group of Yilong rebels who follow him, and a few people wearing dark printed robes, it seems that it should be-" There was a hint of solemnity on Qingxiao's white face.

"Dark golems. The scholar voiced her hesitation.

So, this boy has hooked up with the Dark Alliance?

"That's right, so this time, Luodi City is not only to fulfill the promise of cooperation with you, but also-" Qing Xiao looked to the side, his slender fingers clasped into his palm, "Eradicate the traitors in the clan!"

"That's why you're pouring out your forces in the city?" said the scholar, with some concern in his tone. Once the starting point of doing something deviates from the original purpose, then there may be various uncertain factors. Especially on the battlefield, selfish desires can have extremely serious consequences.

"There's a reason," Qingxiao blinked, recognizing his concern, "but rest assured, if you meet that traitor, his opponent will be me, and even if I fall, my guards will continue to complete the mission of assistance." ”

No one questioned her words. But both the university scholars and Qingkong had a trace of anxiety about her words, especially the sentence "Even if I fall". If she does fall, will her men continue to fulfill their mission?

"I have a question," the scholar suddenly spoke, he thought of the thing he had been wondering about, and thought that this was an opportunity for him to speak, "May I ask where the Qinghong City Lord is now, why haven't you seen him come out?"

One sentence made Qingxiao's expression change slightly, and everyone could feel her mood fluctuations, and a pair of bright eyes stared at the university scholar with some sharp points, which also made Qingkong slightly wary.

"Oh, that's right," the university scholar met her gaze, "When the battle of Zhongzhou was parted, I haven't seen the Qinghong City Lord for more than ten years, so ......"

"Follow me. Aoshino interrupted the scholar, stood up, turned straight to the back of the council chamber, and pushed open an inner door.

The scholar glanced at the two teenagers, and his eyes signaled that they would improvise for a moment.

After passing through the inner door, there is a long spiral staircase that leads to a small attic on the inner side of the palace. The stairs are heavily guarded by heavily armed guards. Walking up the stairs, Qingxiao led the group into the attic, and saw that the interior was decorated like where they lived. Before they could continue their observations, Qingxiao led them into a room in the attic with a white curtain on the door. Qingxiao lifted the curtain and walked in first, and the university scholars and others also entered in turn.

Inside is a common bedroom, wardrobe, dresser...... There are also large down beds. The difference is that at this time there is a person lying on the bed, and on either side of the bed there are two serving maids.

"You go out first. Qingxiao said to them.

The maid bowed slightly and left the room in small steps.

Qingxiao walked slowly to the bed, sat lightly on the edge of the bed, and looked at the person on the bed.

"Scholar, don't you want to see your father? Qingxiao said.

The university scholar and others took a step closer, only to realize that it was not an ordinary bed. The bed was specially made - the middle was recessed and all around it was filled with white crystals, including on the human body, and the crystals were emitting a white mist. Looking at the people on the bed again, everyone gasped: a thin man with sunken eyes was lying on the bed. What disturbed them the most was his complexion, which was dark red and a little black, not only on his face, but also on his exposed arms and neck.

"Qinghong City Lord, he ...... What happened to him?" The scholar had a look of surprise on his face, but it was more solemn, "Could it be ......" He thought of the traitor.

"That's right," Qingxiao clenched his hands into fists and looked at his father, who was still asleep, "After my father was attacked by that traitor many years ago, he was slightly injured, but my father has always been stubborn, saying that a hairy boy who has just entered the high level can't do anything to him, and refuses to let the healer remove the burned skin......"

The university scholar understood the reason, and he knew Qinghong's stubbornness, but stubbornness and stupidity were two different things.

"Once upon a time, the dragon of the master was a black dragon, and once the enemy's skin was stained with its dragon breath, it had to be scraped off immediately to stop its erosion...... Qinghong City Lord is really careless. Of course, the university scholar would not say that he was stupid in front of Qingshino, and besides, he was in front of him.

"The consequence of carelessness is to let the black flame erode into his bloodline. Since that day, my father's body has been tormented, and the wounds have begun to spread, and the blood veins all over my body have been burned...... Even the great healers in the city had no way to heal him, so they could only use the cold ice transported back from the Ethereal Cold Continent to reduce his poisonous heat, but the effect could only sustain his life, but it could not bring him health. Qingxiao continued.

Qingkong was a little shocked, he didn't expect to be so terrifying after being attacked by Black Flame, he thought it was like being attacked by a fireball...... However, the scholar was probably his father, the lord of Qingyun City, Qingyu, who had once piloted a black dragon if he was still counting.

"Now the university scholar, your doubts should be solved, right?" Qing Xiao turned around and said lightly, "In the past, I deliberately did not let the news of my father's serious injury spread, and the affairs in the city were decided by me and the Yimeng scholars in the city, and it was also for the sake of the thousands of people in Luodi City. Because at that time, there was only one high-ranking powerhouse in his father, if the news of his serious injury spread, what do you think the Red Flame Sect gang would do with a little girl?"

Qingkong noticed a trace of sadness in her eyes, and a trace of emotion rose in his heart, not knowing whether it was pity, sympathy, or something else......

"You're doing the right thing. "Scholars admit that there is nothing that cannot be exploited in the struggle between the two sects. He looked at Qinghong on the bed, and suddenly thought of one thing, "Qinghong's injuries are not incurable, it is said that the ice elves who live in the ethereal cold can use magic to suppress the erosion of fire. ”

"I've heard of this, too, and this is still the history of your human race - the slaughter launched by Qingyun City against the Silver Trace Castle a hundred years ago, the dragon's flames spread through the city, and finally burned to the Ethereal Cold Continent. It is said that in the end, it was the Ice Elves who used magic to extinguish the flames that defied the cold and healed the innocent people who were injured in the flames. Qing Xiao looked at Qingkong, who was a little embarrassed on his face, "I have tried to do this, and I have sent many clansmen to the Ethereal Cold Continent to look for their traces, but in the end, they all ...... There is no return. ”

Everyone guessed their outcome.

"The elves have always been secretive, and the ice elves are even more than the other elves. But...... I guess it won't be long before we'll be able to see them. "The meaning of the university scholar is clear, now that darkness is coming, the elves will not hide forever.

Qingkong's heart was shocked, and he remembered the ice spirit that was auctioned in the Willy Restaurant in Dongcheng, with crystal clear skin and a cold and beautiful face...... It was a few months ago, but it seems like a few years have passed.

"I just don't know if my father will survive until then. Qingxiao's face suddenly showed a helpless tiredness, as well as the weakness of a girl. No matter who you are, a strong mask will have a tired day after wearing it for a long time. But this kind of pitiful expression seems to her to be a kind of weakness, and she still has to lead thousands of people, so that others cannot see the weakness in her heart.

"Okay, you've seen it too, let's go back. In the blink of an eye, she was back to the cold, unapproachable Miss Qingxiao.

Everyone left the somewhat cold room, and the sun shone on them again, but the gloom in their hearts could not be cleared. Passing through the spiral staircase, they returned to the council chamber from which they had begun.

"When are you going to send troops?" asked the scholar before he could sit down in the council chamber.

"Tomorrow. Qing Xiao replied, and then asked rhetorically, "With the help of our Yilong Clan, do you still want to go to the Yunlin Strange Continent to seek assistance?" she looked at Qingkong and the blue-eyed girl beside him.

"Not for help," the scholar paused and said, "that was his home. ”