Chapter 211: Chapter 211: Yan

    ?No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Word Count: 3,566 Words

    ******

    The entire North-Western Region was filled with numerous sects, and all the prime locations had long been claimed. Not to mention a treasured land with excellent feng shui like the Misty Cloud Mountain. Cultivating Dou Qi in such a place made absorbing the energy of the world much easier.

    Therefore, the land owned by the Misty Cloud Sect was exceptionally valuable.

    Medusa''s enchanting eyes stared directly into Xiao Yan''s pitch-black pupils. Her red lips parted slightly as she said, "Very well, I''ll trust you this once and return to inform the other tribe leaders."

    Xiao Yan chuckled and said, "You''d better not come back saying you couldn''t persuade them."

    Medusa sneered coldly, "Those who couldn''t be persuaded are already dead."

    Xiao Yan slowly extended his hand and said, "Then, I wish us a pleasant cooperation, Your Majesty."

    Looking at Xiao Yan''s outstretched hand, Medusa pondered for a moment before lightly clasping it. Xiao Yan couldn''t help but feel his heart tremble when he felt that soft, seemingly boneless, slightly cool jade-like hand.

    This was truly a natural-born enchantress.

    Although reluctant, Xiao Yan didn''t dare to hold her hand for too long. He turned around and prepared to leave.

    "Hey, what exactly are you planning?" Medusa''s eyes flashed with a hint of curiosity as she gazed at his departing figure and asked softly.

    Without turning back, Xiao Yan merely shrugged and said lightly, "Who knows?"

    As the door closed gently behind him, a trace of curiosity appeared in Medusa''s eyes. Perhaps even she hadn''t realized that she was becoming increasingly intrigued by Xiao Yan, even harboring a faint sense of anticipation.

    ...

    Early the next morning, Medusa disappeared from the Misty Cloud Sect and returned to the Snake - People Tribe. After a full day and night, she came back, confirming their decision to join the Yan Alliance.

    When Princess Yao Ye learned that even Medusa''s Snake-People Tribe had joined Xiao Yan''s Yan Alliance, she no longer hesitated and likewise announced her willingness to sign the agreement, officially joining the Yan Alliance.

    Not long after, the Misty Cloud Sect, the Jia Ma Imperial Family, and the Snake-People Tribe jointly issued a ''Yan Alliance Treaty'' to all neighboring empires, formally establishing a collective defense alliance.

    The day after the Yan Alliance Treaty was issued, several invading armies from the Chu Yun Empire attacking the Snake - People Tribe''s borders were instantly annihilated by Yun Yun, Jia Xing Tian, Medusa, and Hai Bodong.

    This action declared that the Yan Alliance Treaty was genuine and effective.

    The news swept through the entire North-Western Region like a tornado.

    "The Yan Alliance Treaty? What''s that?!"

    "The Misty Cloud Sect, the Jia Ma Imperial Family, and the Snake-People Tribe have actually formed an alliance?!"

    "No way! The armies of the Chu Yun Empire attacked the Snake-People Tribe and were counterattacked by all of them together!"

    "What''s going on? How did they suddenly form an alliance? Wasn''t the Misty Cloud Sect about to disband? I heard that the Mulan Valley, Luo Yan Sect, and Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate were planning to join forces to raid the Misty Cloud Sect. What''s happening now?"

    "I heard it''s because of an alchemist who possesses a Heavenly Flame that these factions have united. I think his name is Xiao Yan or something!"

    Shortly after the Yan Alliance Treaty was issued, the Desert Metal Mercenary Company led by Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, as well as the Xiao Clan from Wu Tan City, finally arrived, albeit a bit late.

    It wasn''t their fault for being slow; after all, they didn''t have any Dou Kings, let alone Dou Emperors. After receiving Xiao Yan''s letter, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had been traveling non- stop. It took quite some time to fly to Wu Tan City on flying-type magical beasts.

    Then, flying to the Jia Ma Sacred City took several more days. A few talented mercenaries from the Desert Metal Mercenary Company even got airsick and vowed to cultivate to the Dou King realm so they wouldn''t have to ride slow flying-type magical beasts again!

    "Uncle Xiao Zhan, this way, please." Nalan Yanran, dressed in the silver-white robes of the Misty Cloud Sect, had been waiting at the mountain gate early.

    It had been more than two months since Xiao Yan defeated Nalan Yanran. The news had naturally spread to Wu Tan City, and they also knew that Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran had agreed to peacefully cancel their engagement.

    Xiao Zhan saw Nalan Yanran''s polite and courteous demeanor. In his heart, he still held onto the hope of fulfilling his father''s deathbed wish.

    "It''s been over three years since we last met. Niece Yanran has grown into a graceful young lady," Xiao Zhan spoke like a kind old man, his gaze gentle.

    In fact, Xiao Zhan wasn''t that old, only in his forties, but years of toiling for the Xiao Clan had grayed some of his hair, aging his appearance considerably.

    "Back then, it was Yanran who was immature and acted rashly. I wouldn''t dare ask for Uncle Xiao Zhan''s forgiveness," Nalan Yanran said humbly. Having lost twice and matured significantly over the years, she had become much more sensible.

    The group from the Xiao Clan followed Nalan Yanran to a residential area filled with pavilions and courtyards. The pleasant climate and magnificent scenery left the Xiao Clan members staring in amazement and exclaiming in admiration.

    "Look over there! There''s a waterfall cascading down the mountain!"

    "Wow! That tree is enormous. How many years has it been growing? At least two or three

    hundred years, right?"

    "Quick, look at this! The outer walls of this pavilion are actually built with jade stones. This is too extravagant! Truly worthy of the Misty Cloud Sect."

    Nalan Yanran explained, "This used to be the elders'' residences. Now it has been designated as the Xiao Clan''s area. Xiao Yan is inside. I''ll leave you here."

    Even the Xiao Clan members, who were like local nobility in Wu Tan City, felt overwhelmed when they saw this extensive area of luxurious residences.

    "Third Brother has really done something incredible," Xiao Li exclaimed in surprise. There was a time when the Misty Cloud Sect was an existence they couldn''t even dream of

    approaching.

    The thoughtful Xiao Ding said, "Third Brother knows we''re not ones to indulge in luxury. He called us here; perhaps he has something to tell us."

    Just as Xiao Ding finished speaking, the door creaked open, and Xiao Yan emerged from the

    hall.

    "Father, Big Brother, Second Brother." Xiao Yan looked at his family in front of him and

    quickly walked forward.

    "Grand Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, everyone, long time no see." Xiao Yan greeted the

    elders one by one.

    "Greetings, Little Clan Leader!"

    "Greetings, Third Company Leader!"

    Xiao Li grinned from ear to ear, laughing as he put his arm around Xiao Yan''s neck and ruffled his hair. "Hahaha, Xiao-Yan-Zi, I heard you''ve been quite impressive lately. You even came up with something called the Yan Alliance Treaty."

    Xiao Yan didn''t resist, allowing his second brother to mess his hair into a bird''s nest. He rubbed his nose and said with a wry smile, "I''ll explain this matter to Big Brother and Second Brother later. Let me show you around first. We''ll be living here from now on."

    Rarely having such leisure time, he enjoyed the happiness of being with his family, chatting

    Xiao Yan even saw a main ingredient for a tier 8 pill, several main ingredients for tier 7 pills, and quite a few for tier 6 pills.

    It was worth noting that Gu He was able to go from a 4th-tier alchemist to a 6th-tier alchemist in just over a decade because the Misty Cloud Sect provided medicinal ingredients

    unconditionally for his practice.

    The fact that the Misty Cloud Sect could cultivate a 6th-tier alchemist from scratch showed its profound foundation.

    Xiao Yan originally wanted to refuse. As an upright cultivator who didn''t steal, rob, or

    deceive, how could he freeload!

    But after thinking for about a second, he felt that if these medicinal ingredients were left

    here, they''d be stolen by others anyway.

    Not only had Gu He, the 6th-tier alchemist, left, but even the only two 5th-tier alchemist

    elders and those 4th-tier alchemists had all left. Only a few 3rd-tier alchemist disciples remained.

    Rather than that, he might as well refine the medicinal ingredients into pills before returning

    to Jia Nan Academy. This way, his big brother could also better cultivate talents, and he would just charge a tiny refining fee. This couldn''t be considered freeloading, right? Thus, Xiao Yan began refining tier 4 and tier 5 pills, while the tier 6 and those few tier 7 and the only tier 8 medicinal ingredients were collected by him with a clear conscience. And through such intense alchemy, frantically consuming Spiritual Strength and Dou Qi, the

    Dou Qi instability caused by his breakthrough from a 7-star Dou Grandmaster to Dou Spirit was consolidated. It was killing two birds with one stone.

    The only thing that Xiao Yan found regrettable was that the Flame Mantra hadn''t advanced; it remained at Low Di Class, though now it was infinitely close to Intermediate Di Class. This made him understand that if he wanted to continue improving the Flame Mantra, the

    Heavenly Flames he sought had to be ranked even higher.

    There was also one thing that puzzled Xiao Yan immensely: he couldn''t comprehend the Secret Technique ''Breaking Through the Heavens'' created by his clan''s Dou God ancestor! Xiao Xuan had already transmitted all his insights and circulation paths of this Secret

    Technique to him. But when he tried to execute it again, he understood why Xiao Xuan said

    this Secret Technique might be incomplete. Because it was too weak.

    Being able to instantly kill Protector Wu was entirely due to the strength left behind by Xiao

    Xuan being powerful enough. In fact, this Secret Technique made Xiao Yan feel like

    something was missing.

    ''Sigh, Ancestor, you''re really messing with me. Giving me a high Tian Class Dou Technique would have been more practical than anything else.'' Xiao Yan couldn''t help but complain. However, maybe it was because the Death Flame could only store one Secret Technique, so Xiao Xuan chose the Secret Technique created by the Xiao Clan''s Dou God ancestor and didn''t

    leave behind other Dou Techniques or Qi Methods created by other powerful Xiao Clan

    members.

    Just as Xiao Yan was pondering where the problem with the ''Breaking Through the Heavens''

    Secret Technique lay, suddenly the Soul Command Token emitted a faint spiritual light. ''They''ve finally come!'' Xiao Yan''s eyes flashed. Donning the Soul Robe, his body transformed into a shadow as he rushed toward the location of the Hall of Souls'' Space Lock. At this time, quite a few Soul Envoys wearing Soul Robes were already standing in the main

    hall of the Hall of Souls. These were all Soul Envoys belonging to the Hall of Souls branch in the Misty Cloud Sect, personally selected by Protector Wu. Today was also the day when the Hall of Souls Enforcers would come to check on the soul collection situation, so they had all gathered in the main hall.

    The Hall of Souls had quotas. If the Protector in charge of the branch couldn''t meet the quota, they would be punished. Exceeding the quota would be rewarded with soul points. Therefore, increasing the number of Soul Envoys collecting souls was the most basic method.

    Some Soul Envoys weren''t at the Misty Cloud Sect at the time, so naturally, they weren''t killed by Xiao Xuan''s technique.

    "Enforcer Hun Lu, the soul imprint of this branch''s Protector has disappeared. He must have been killed."

    In the center of the main hall stood three people wearing Soul Robes. The most distinctive

    was the one in the middle referred to as an Enforcer, because he wore a Soul Command Token at his waist!

    The Hall of Souls Enforcer named Hun Lu asked, "Hmm? Who was the Protector in charge of this branch?"

    "Reporting to Enforcer, it was Protector Wu," said another subordinate beside the Enforcer. "Wu? Oh, that Earth Grade Protector who got lucky and received a reward from our clan''s Pill Saint. No wonder this branch is so shabby, and the Soul Envoys are all a bunch of rabble-just a mere Earth Grade." Although Hun Lu''s face couldn''t be seen, his disdainful tone made it

    clear that his status was much higher than Protector Wu''s.

    "But he was still one of the Hall of Souls'' Protectors after all. Go to the Soul Offering Altar and

    use the secret method to investigate who exactly killed him. Use the soul light to guide you to

    find that person and eliminate them."

    "Understood!" x2

    Creak, creak, creak. At this moment, the main door of the Hall of Souls was slowly pushed

    open, and a sinister laugh accompanied by a voice came through: "Jie Jie Jie, no need to look.

    He was disobedient, so I killed him."

    Xiao Yan pushed the door open and entered, wearing a hood that concealed his appearance.

    His gaze swept past all the Soul Envoys and focused on the Enforcer at the back. His tone was extremely calm.

    Hun Lu frowned and asked, "Who are you?"

    Suddenly, a Soul Command Token flew out from the storage ring, emitting a soul-stirring

    glow. The character "" (Yan) was engraved on its back.

    "This intensity of soul light! You are a Heaven Grade Protector?!!!" Hun Lu exclaimed in

    shock.

    When did a Heaven Grade Protector arrive in this North-Western Region?! And he even possesses a Soul Command Token?!

    "Greetings, Protector Yan!"

    All the Soul Envoys present immediately knelt down and shouted in unison.

    // Hey guys!

    Today, January 1st, is the last day to subscribe to any of the memberships with a special New

    Year''s discount for your first month. If you''ve been enjoying my work and would like to

    support me, please take a moment to check out my Patreon.

    Wishing you a very Happy New Year filled with joy, health, and success!