Chapter 662: The Burning Black Swan

The Black Lantern clan and the Master Master Hua Deng sect are both support schools.

However, the Black Lantern Xie Fa is far, far more dangerous than the Master Master Hua Deng Divine Art!

Once Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi unleashes this Zu Xie Fa, the vast majority of people will no longer be able to look at her.

They will fall under an illusion!

Even more terrifying is that in front of Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi, almost all enemies will be slowed, and weaker foes will be unable to move at all.

Whether single targets or groups!

It is no exaggeration to say that the Black Lantern and the Puppet Shadow alike carry "deadly poison."

The reason for such a massive gap in combat power and threat between the two lies in two words—mind control!

Setting aside its poisonous attributes, the Black Lantern clan also possesses healing techniques, as well as another Xie Fa called the Firework Lantern, which can release thick smoke to obscure vision, allowing the caster to hide or flee.

After this method advances to the Jiang Pin rank, it gains a perception function, enabling the caster to know everything within the black smoke.

The Master Master Hua Deng sect is indeed the king of support, but is the Black Lantern clan not the same?

Binding Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi with the Yemo Yemo Xiesu of the Black Lantern was the result of Lu Ran's careful consideration.

He did not wish to change his sister's path as a support specialist.

Talents come in different types; forcing Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi into frontal assault would truly be asking the impossible.

Among the gods and demons in the first two rows, the only support schools are the God · Tian Luan and its mortal enemy · Zhi Luan.

Further down, in the third tier of the god and demon sequence, the Master Master Hua Deng and the Black Lantern are included.

Inside the hall, Lu Ran and his sister discussed the matter in detail, and little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi ultimately chose the Evil God · Black Lantern.

After the siblings signed their contract, black flames immediately ignited upon Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi's body.

Today, little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi was already wearing a black dress, and stained with black fire, she became devastatingly beautiful.

Like a burning, graceful black swan.

While playing with her newly acquired Xie Fa, Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi updated Lu Ran on the situation.

Only then did Lu Ran learn that since last August, his sister's squad had disbanded, with Guan Guan Yiren and Wang Ling both departing for the ancient cities where their respective gods resided.

Mentioning these two, Lu Ran immediately recalled "The Prodigies"; both of them had been selected.

"By the way, I went online to look for information these past two days and found that 'The Prodigies' has been suspended?" Lu Ran said.

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi nodded. "Mm, the second session of 'The Prodigies' wasn't completed. May 15th was the final match; according to convention, broadcasting stopped in June and July, and it simply never resumed afterward."

As she spoke, the black fire on Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi's skirt slowly receded, Xu Xu, eventually converging in the palm of her hand, leaving only a single bloom of black flame.

At will.

It was only because Lu Ran possessed the Essence Defense Method that he dared to gaze so recklessly.

This single black flame was the Xie Fa · Caged Fire (Illusion)!

Had it been anyone else, they would likely have unknowingly become immersed in the dream woven by little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi.

Subsequently, Lu Ran sensed that this single flame no longer attempted to breach his mental defenses, yet somehow, something seemed to press down upon him.

Desperately hindering Lu Ran's actions!

Clearly, the nature of the flame in Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi's hand had shifted, changing from Caged Fire (Illusion) to Caged Fire (Yin)!

"You should have seen it; three Prodigies died on the battlefield, causing a very negative impact." Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi controlled the flame in her palm, letting it spread to her fingertips.

"Mm." Lu Ran nodded; upon first seeing this information, he had been incredibly shocked.

Within four months, three individuals consecutively made a series of extremely unwise moves!

To speak bluntly, these three simply played themselves to death!

Follow-up investigations claimed that the title of "Prodigy" carried too much weight, causing the participating students to lose their mental balance.

Several students were too greedy for achievement points, too eager to prove themselves.

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi looked at Lu Ran: "Do you believe the official investigation results?"

"What, do you know the inside story?"

"Not exactly." Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi shook her head. "Before today, I still believed in these investigation results."

"Why do you disbelieve them now?" Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

"You just told me about Holy Lingshan." Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi's eyes flashed. "Connecting that with the manic behavior of those few Prodigies..."

Lu Ran understood his sister's meaning and said: "You suspect the gods are pulling the strings behind the scenes?"

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi nodded gently: "You said that gods and demons collude to enslave our human race; this series of cruel methods aims solely at eternal rule.

'The Prodigies' has too much influence; it might bring a slight variable, don't you think?"

Looking at little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi analyzing calmly, Lu Ran felt somewhat surprised, yet also quite delighted.

Indeed, little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi acts like a child only when she is before him.

After all, she is the commander of a powerful team.

"Hu~" Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi waved her hand, and instantly, the vast hall was filled with row upon row of black lanterns.

The previous Caged Fire (Yin) was merely a single-target control technique.

The Xie Fa · Yin Lantern Great Formation, however, is a terrifying group control technique!

Every living being illuminated by the lantern fire was afflicted with slowing, as if bearing a burden of a thousand catties upon their bodies, making movement difficult for the target.

Even though Lu Ran was at the Sea Realm, under the influence of such a Kong Zhi Ji Fa, his action speed also decreased.

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi looked satisfactorily at the Xie Fa · Yin Lantern Great Formation, then casually dispersed it: "I've always wondered why 'The Prodigies' compromised and suspended operations; after all, it was a great benefit to the nation and its people, and it had extremely many die-hard fans. As long as it continued, it could certainly carry on.

But during that period, the authorities instead shut down the official website, leaving the devotees without even a main base.

The authorities seemed to allow the online environment to become foul and chaotic, fueling public anger and panic..."

Lu Ran found this quite reasonable and analyzed: "The authorities may have been threatened by the myriad gods, forcing them to suspend 'The Prodigies'.

The foul and chaotic state online might even be the result of the authorities themselves tampering with things."

"Perhaps," Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi sighed lightly.

Having seen her brother today, she finally realized she had been living in a colossal lie.

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi felt a stifling pressure in her chest, as if she couldn't catch her breath.

Suddenly thinking of something, she looked at her brother: "Sister Guan Guan Yiren and Skeleton were summoned by the gods; we are powerless to help. But Ox-Head is still at home—should we take him to Spirit Saint Mountain?"

"You want to bring him?" Lu Ran asked in return.

Lu Ran also held a great deal of goodwill toward Niu Niu Zhengzheng.

Otherwise, he would not have played matchmaker for Niu Niu Zhengzheng and Chang Ying.

Unfortunately, according to little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi, their relationship wasn't very stable; especially after Chang Ying was summoned by the God·Spirit Lot to go on pilgrimage, the two had completely lost contact.

Whether they had actually broken up or not, even Niu Niu Zhengzheng himself wasn't sure.

"Ox-Head is a good person; loyal to his teammates, lacking in scheming, and especially obedient to me." Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi finally perked up a bit. "After everyone advanced to the Jiang Jing realm, more or less, they all underwent some change. Ox-Head is the exception."

"Oh?"

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi giggled: "He was already silly to begin with; now that he's even reached the second stage of Jiang Jing, he's still just like before."

Lu Ran was startled: "Only the second stage of Jiang Jing? Are your strength and cultivation realm higher than Niu Niu Zhengzheng's?"

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi lifted her pretty face, truly resembling a proud black swan: "Otherwise, how could I say you hinder me~"

Lu Ran: "."

Watching Lu Ran suffer a setback, Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi smiled: "You, truly, have been high above for too long, unaware of the world's hardships!

This is the second stage of Jiang Jing·isn't that high enough?"

Lu Ran pursed his lips but ultimately said nothing.

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi changed the subject: "However, Ox-Head has indeed been stuck for a long time; perhaps this is as far as he'll go in this lifetime. But if he follows Brother...

Brother!

Since Spirit Saint Mountain is so dangerous, I'll just bring a big bodyguard with me!"

Lu Ran frowned slightly: "I can protect you, and I can also arrange maids for you."

Maids?

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi reacted for a moment, then immediately understood Lu Ran's meaning and said at once: "Stinky Brother, where is your mind wandering to!

Leaving aside the fact that Ox-Head and Sister Chang Ying remain emotionally entangled, even if they weren't, I wouldn't take a fancy to that big silly oaf!"

Lu Ran hurriedly explained: "No, what I meant was..."

Resting her chin on one hand, Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi looked at Lu Ran with bright, beautiful eyes: "Then what do you mean?"

"My Western Desolate God Statue and my Barbarian Wretched Goddess Statue have already been reserved," Lu Ran said, hitting upon a clever idea in his urgency.

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi snorted: "Compared to cultivating smoothly, advancing, and even becoming a god, what does it matter if Ox-Head changes sects?"

Hmm, that was true.

Lu Ran nodded silently; after a moment of thought, his expression grew somewhat strange: "The nickname you gave him shows great foresight."

"How so?" Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi blinked.

"Lie Hun Mo! This race is also power-output oriented, and they possess the skill of soul-binding." The more Lu Ran thought about it, the more it made sense.

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi burst out laughing: "Do you really plan to make Niu Niu Zhengzheng into Ox-Head? Will you recruit a Horse-Face next?"

Lu Ran shrugged: "Didn't you ask for a bodyguard? In the future, let Ox-Head and Horse-Face protect you, standing guard at your doorstep every day; I'd like to see who would dare harbor ill intentions toward you."

Crush them on the spot!

"Brother!" Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi's face showed playful reproach. "Am I supposed to remain unmarried for my entire life?"

"Even so, they must be thoroughly vetted!" Lu Ran acted as if this were only natural. "Anyone who wants to pursue my sister must first pass my test; at the very least, they must be stronger than me, right?"

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi immediately widened her eyes: "Stronger than you??"

Do you even hear what you're saying?

Do you know you are Great Xia's number one prodigy?

It's over, it's over.

This Young Lady is going to remain single for life...

Thinking of this, Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi pouted, her gaze turning deep and distant as she looked at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran felt his scalp go numb; he said awkwardly, "I was just speaking off the cuff, but a thorough vetting is indeed necessary."

"Tsk~ As if we need you?" Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi raised her fair, tender small hand, toying with black fire. "With a brother like you, don't you have any idea just how high my standards are?

Jingcheng University, Great Xia's top-tier academy, a gathering place for heaven's favored children.

In two years, have I taken a fancy to anyone?"

Lu Ran: "."

How did this end up being my fault again?

"Brother."

"Hmm?"

"Wait until we overturn this sky... you must find me a boyfriend, okay~"

"Alright!"

"Oh ho? You said it, remember! I'm holding you to it!"

"I only agreed to the first half of that sentence."

"."

Having read everyone's comments, I thank all new and old readers for your support. I've also heard your calls, so I will add an extra chapter tomorrow.

To be honest, Yu has been writing for too many years; a body full of occupational ailments is quite tormenting. It's all sustained by a mere passion for storytelling.

In the past, I would often add extra chapters, and it really wouldn't have been so often that I was late. Alas... no more of that.

Extra chapter tomorrow.

(End of chapter)