Chapter 858 - 293: Female Young Master of the Mu Clan! (Three Updates)
The lightning dissipated, yet Mu Qingge wasn’t harmed in the slightest, nor was the ’flesh ball’ she guarded.
However, the clouds hanging over the valley had yet to disperse.
Within the thick cloud layers, lightning still dwelled, along with roars like those of wild beasts. It seemed like the sky itself was roaring in fury.
Transforming into a dragon defies the will of heaven, and a single misstep can lead to eternal damnation, turning one into ashes.
Mu Qingge dared not be careless, nor did she dare to relax. Even if she had to leave half her life here, she must protect Yin Chen.
Because she didn’t want anyone else to leave her again.
Suddenly, a white mist descended from the sky, resembling a cloud surging and fog rising, and the valley erupted with a fierce wind, while in the clouds, lightning gathered once more... This time, in the sight of the three, appeared the figure of a two-headed giant dragon.
Hou squinted, baring his teeth in a cold smile, "It can even conjure such an evil creature, seems that girl really angered it!"
Upon hearing his words, Bai Xi looked at him in confusion.
Feeling Bai Xi’s questioning gaze, Hou explained with glee. "The two-headed dragon, in the Dragon Clan, is considered an evil creature, with extremely low status. Once born, it is killed and not even allowed into the Dragon Tomb, just tossed away. However, no one can deny that the two-headed dragon is indeed strong in battle."
After speaking, he raised an eyebrow.
Bai Xi narrowed his eyes, his voice deep, "I remember long ago, there was indeed a two-headed dragon in the Dragon Clan, precisely because of its immense power and its unchecked behavior that it was deemed a priority kill by the Dragon Clan."
Hou displayed a wild, unrestrained smile, "That guy was the one I disliked the least in the Dragon Clan. What a pity, in the end, it was chased until its whereabouts vanished, life or death unknown."
Their conversation ended as the two-headed Thunder Dragon descended from the heavens, fiercely heading towards Mu Qingge.
Its target was naturally the ’flesh ball’ she was safeguarding, but to obliterate the ’flesh ball’, it first had to get past Mu Qingge.
"Can Qingge withstand it?" Bai Xi couldn’t help but step forward.
Hou, however, spoke with ease, "If she were now at the Third or Fourth Layer of the Golden Realm, I might share your concern. But now, she’s at the Sixth Layer of the Golden Realm, along with her myriad techniques, I have no worry. Watch closely, this is the final strike, if she withstands it, that kid will ascend and transform into a dragon."
Crack—!
Lightning suddenly descended, landing directly upon Mu Qingge.
Those two menacing dragon heads seemed eager to bite off flesh from Mu Qingge, while the dragon’s tail and claws entangled her, aiming to break through her Flame Armor’s defense.
Yet, Mu Qingge remained extraordinarily calm. She stood steadfast, her body unchanged.
She pushed the spiritual power within her to the maximum, and summoned her power of thunder and lightning, battling against the two-headed Thunder Dragon!
"Break!"
Mu Qingge gently parted her red lips, uttering a single word.
Instantly, a violent explosion resounded upon her, a display of electric light and fire flared, causing Hou and Bai Xi to instinctively close their eyes and turn away.
Roar—!
The two-headed Thunder Dragon roared in discontent, eventually fading away.
The valley’s wind remained, but the clouds in the sky had entirely dispersed. With the lightning gone, Bai Xi and Hou immediately saw Mu Qingge kneeling on one knee, hand clenched into a fist against the ground, gasping for air.
Sweat dripped from her temples, no doubt her back was soaked. The Flame Armor retreated into her body, revealing her exquisite and alluring figure.
Behind her, the ’flesh ball’ had also transformed, becoming iridescent like dazzling glass.
Hou beckoned with his hand, drawing Mu Qingge over entirely. Bai Xi quickly supported her and asked, "Are you alright?"
Mu Qingge shook her head, her voice somewhat weak, "I’m alright, just very tired, a short rest will do."
As her words fell, a sound that seemed both dragon and fox-like echoed from the ’flesh ball’. Immediately, a fierce wind arose in the valley, layers of thick mist spread from the ’flesh ball’, obscuring their view.
The sound suddenly intensified.
Mu Qingge felt an exploding sound by her ear, then she and Bai Xi and Hou witnessed a uniquely shaped dragon emerge from the dispersed mist, riding the wind into the heavens.
The three involuntarily raised their heads and gazed at the dragon soaring among the clouds, its head, body, horns, and claws were imposing and majestic... However, on its back laid a layer of extraordinarily beautiful, smooth fox fur. Its eyes weren’t the golden of the Dragon Clan but a captivating blood-red.
The white dragon still carried the shadow of Yin Chen but appeared more majestic, shedding some of the Fox Clan’s charm, gaining some of the Dragon Clan’s dignity.
Its roar was marked by unstoppable exhilaration.
Mu Qingge gazed at it, her lips coaxed into a smile.
After a while, the Fox Dragon descended from the sky, landing in front of the trio, transforming into human form.
Yin Chen emerged from the luminescence. His silver hair remained, his strikingly handsome appearance unchanged, the blood-red eyes retained, the only alteration being a dark golden dragon pattern on his neck, faintly visible, adding to his grandeur.
He approached Mu Qingge, as if riding the wind, a complex emotion in his eyes that words could hardly convey.
"Qingge, thank you." He stood before Mu Qingge, his voice deep.
Mu Qingge smiled and shook her head, "Between you and me, why speak of gratitude?"
Hou laughed heartily, "Now it’s settled, this kid’s cultivation is equivalent to humanity’s Transcendance Tribulation Stage. He’s gifted, noble in blood, once in the Divine Demon Continent, he’ll break through further."
Mu Qingge was delighted, "That’s wonderful!"
Yin Chen smiled, gazing at Mu Qingge, "Qingge, I can protect you from now on."
...
Returning to Luoxing City, Mu Qingge led the trio to the grand hall.
Inside the grand hall, it was filled with people related to the Mu Clan.
Mu Chen, Mu Feng, the High Priest, Mu Peng, Xuan Ya, Xie Ya, Xuan Kui...
Besides, Mo Yang also brought a group of Dragon Tooth Guards among them, guarding every corner of the hall like guardians. You He and Hua Yue were separately standing to the left and right of the City Lord’s seat, while Jing Hai stood beside You He, a trace of curiosity in his eyes.
Related to Mu Qingge, yet unaware of her female identity, all were present here.
As for Jing Hai, he had always been cultivating in the mountains, not knowing much about the outside rumors. Being summoned here now, he was quite perplexed.
Footsteps sounded from outside.
Upon hearing the footsteps, everyone in the hall turned their gaze toward the source.
When that striking red figure appeared before their eyes with a different demeanor, even though they had prepared mentally, they were still stunned, rooted to the spot, like wooden chickens.
In Xie Ya’s heart, a complex emotion arose. She hadn’t expected that the Young Master she admired would actually be a woman.
Xuan Ya’s eyes gleamed with sharp light, but ultimately turned into a sigh.
Mu Chen, Mu Peng, Mu Feng—all eyes were filled with disbelief and brilliance. What they heard and what they saw, naturally the impact was different.
Only the High Priest remained calm; seeing Mu Qingge appear, his eyes briefly showed astonishment, which quickly turned to calmness.
The one with the biggest reaction was Jing Hai.
The mentor and instructor he held in heart turned out to be a woman now; he widened his eyes, speechless, saying: "This... This... This... Instructor?"
He even suspected if the stunning woman before him was the instructor’s twin sister.
However, once he saw the same face and the same aura, he knew definitively that this was indeed his instructor.
Disregarding those gaping in a silent shock, she walked towards her designated seat with her head high, back straight.
Upon reaching the City Lord’s seat, Mu Qingge adjusted her robe and sat down. Her demeanor was hardly bashful, flowing seamlessly, arrogantly suave, showing no trace of feminine coyness.
Indeed, even in the eyes of those present, despite Mu Qingge being clad in female attire, she remained the wildly bold and free-spirited Young Master who defied the world.
Yin Chen and Bai Xi stood respectively at Mu Qingge’s back left and right. Hou, on the other hand, was very casual; upon entering the grand hall, he casually found a corner to sit on the ground, leaning against a pillar, his eyes watching playfully.
Yet, not one could ignore his presence!
Mu Qingge’s clear gaze swept across the faces of those seated. The hall was silent, even the sound of breathing could be distinctly heard.
She curved her lips, teasingly said: "I am a woman, are you all disappointed?"
This statement made the hearts of Mu Chen and the others involuntarily skip a beat, an inexplicable chill arising from within.
No one dared speak; even if they were exchanging glances discreetly, they didn’t dare to utter a word before Mu Qingge. For they realized, even knowing Mu Qingge’s female identity, the image she had ingrained in their hearts over the years remained indelible.
Mu Qingge’s prowess was vividly remembered.
They chose her as their leader initially, precisely because they were subdued by her prowess.
The High Priest stood up silently, turned to look at Mu Qingge. His movement immediately drew everyone’s attention. The old ministers of the Mu Clan were waiting, waiting for what the oracle from this Tian Lu person might say.
Mu Qingge similarly directed her gaze onto the High Priest, her expression calm, eyes tranquil and still, revealing nothing of her emotions.
The High Priest smiled slightly, slowly spoke: "From the moment the Young Master appeared, I was already certain that the Young Master is the Mu Clan’s savior. What difference does it make whether the Young Master is a man or woman?"
He was indeed broad-minded.
Mu Qingge’s gaze narrowed, instantly turning playful. ’This is an old fox! Regardless of whether what he says is true or false, the Mu Clan has now poured everything into her. If they were to change leaders now, it might not yield any benefits. Thus, it’s better to continue betting on her.’
The High Priest expressed his position, then sat down calmly.
Xie Ya also pursed her lips to speak: "Young Master, I’ve said before, I only recognize Mu Qingge as the Young Master."
"Young Master, I’m the same!" Xuan Kui spoke then. The look he directed towards Mu Qingge was full of admiration. Previously, thinking Mu Qingge was male, he was immensely impressed. Now, knowing she’s female, he admires her even more.
Xuan Kui’s stance made Xuan Ya sigh helplessly inwardly. It’s not that she hesitated, but rather she wanted to observe everyone’s attitude. Yet, her foolish younger brother expressed his stance like this.
Thus, she could only say: "Xuan Ya had once sworn on behalf of the clan, recognizing Mu Qingge as the Young Master. Whether the Young Master is male or female, this oath will not change."
The old ministers of the Mu Clan, one by one, expressed their positions.
The only ones remaining who hadn’t spoken were Mu Chen, Mu Feng, and the others.
Mu Feng, being of a reticent nature, stood up after Xuan Ya spoke, performed the master-servant rite to Mu Qingge, without any hesitation. Using action to represent his intention.
Mu Chen was the only one left, frowning with a wry smile: "The Young Master, with a woman’s identity, has walked step by step to this point, making us have no choice but to admire. Regardless of whether the Young Master is male or female, the Young Master is the Young Master; that will never change. However, this old minister is only worried about one issue, not knowing whether to speak..."
He cautiously glanced at Mu Qingge, waiting for her response.
Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow lightly, spoke: "Speak."
After gaining permission, Mu Chen hesitantly said: "This old minister believes, with the abilities of the Young Master, you will surely defeat Mu Tianyin in the future and become the Mu Clan’s only Young Master. But, as the Mu Clan’s Young Master, apart from leading the Mu Clan to retake our homeland and reclaim past glory, you also have to ensure the continuity of our lineage."
He raised his gaze, glanced at Mu Qingge, summoned the courage to boldly say: "This old minister dares to ask, please choose among the children you bear in the future, no matter who you have a fortunate marriage with, let one bear the Mu surname to inherit the Mu Clan."
After Mu Chen spoke, his entire being was already kneeling at the spot, Mu Peng also knelt alongside.
Others seemed inspired by Mu Chen’s words, then remembered this issue. Apart from the High Priest, they all knelt, requesting together.
Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, feeling slightly amused yet helpless within.
These people... Although they didn’t fret over her identity issue, they’re now worrying about her offspring at this moment? Isn’t it a bit too early for that?