At the entrance of the grand hall, a ghostly figure slowly materialized. An indifferent gaze swept over the crowd in the hall, pausing on a woman in blue. His expression softened slightly, but his voice remained ominous, “Xinlan, why did this happen?”
The woman in blue was none other than Xinlan, who had led Xiao Yan and others to the Central Plains. Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, she seemed to understand what he meant. Her pretty face darkened, and she whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Seeing Xinlan’s downcast expression, Xiao Yan gradually calmed down. Her strength was not remarkable, and it seemed that the Ye Family was not in a much better state. Even if Xinlan could persuade them to help Little Healer Immortal, they might not have the capability to do so.
“Who are you? How dare you barge into my Ye Family uninvited!” Just as Xinlan’s voice faded, an elder in the hall abruptly stood up, glaring at Xiao Yan and roaring. Around him, other elders of the Ye Family also glared at Xiao Yan, while some younger members looked on with a mix of amusement and malice. Though the Ye Family was in decline, they were not to be trifled with, especially by a young man of such low age.
Xiao Yan glanced at the old man, recognizing him as only a one-star Battle Sect. Given his position, he must have a high status in the Ye Family, but Xiao Yan ignored him. The only person in the hall who could draw his attention was the elderly man in green robes seated at the head of the table, radiating a powerful aura of battle energy, indicating he was likely a six-star Battle Sect.
“Follow me and take me to her!” Xiao Yan fixed his gaze on Xinlan, his voice cold.
Hearing this, Xinlan gritted her teeth and nodded firmly. She had brought Little Healer Immortal and another to the Central Plains without providing them proper protection. Now, when Little Healer Immortal was in danger, she had no power to intervene.
“Youngster, how dare you!” Ignored by Xiao Yan, the elder who had roared before grew even angrier. He slammed his hand on the table, shattering it into a pile of dust. He then waved his sleeve, sending the chair behind him flying towards Xiao Yan with a powerful force.
Xiao Yan’s face remained unchanged. As the wooden chair entered his vicinity, it inexplicably crumbled into ash and dust. This scene caught many in the hall by surprise, as they had not expected such prowess from a seemingly young man.
“So, you do have some tricks up your sleeve. No wonder you dared to come here and act so recklessly. But today, I will teach you to respect your elders!” Seeing the chair burn to ashes, the elder’s eyes narrowed, and his anger intensified. He stomped his foot and rushed towards Xiao Yan, his withered hands emitting a strange green flame.
“Fourth Elder, stop!” Seeing the elder’s sudden attack, Xinlan’s face turned pale, and she shouted urgently.
The Fourth Elder ignored her, fueled by his irritable nature and the current crisis of the Ye Family. A young whippersnapper daring to challenge him was unbearable.
“Big Brother Xiao Yan, leave quickly!” Seeing the Fourth Elder did not stop, Xinlan urgently turned to Xiao Yan. Though the Ye Family was in decline, they still had a few Battle Sects. If they wanted to capture Xiao Yan, it would be hard for him to escape.
Xiao Yan paid no heed to Xinlan’s warnings. His eyes, filled with a coldness, locked onto the elder rushing towards him. These days, worry over Little Healer Immortal’s situation had left him in a foul mood, and this old man was in for a rude awakening.
“Once I capture you, I’ll hand you over to your elders for discipline!” The Fourth Elder flashed forward, appearing before Xiao Yan. Clenching his fist, a ball of green flame ignited, and he swung a powerful punch.
This punch, though straightforward, carried a deafening sonic boom. The flaming fist rapidly enlarged in Xiao Yan’s vision, and he raised his hand, then opened his palm.
With all eyes on him, the Fourth Elder’s green-flamed fist struck Xiao Yan’s palm. To their shock, the slender youth did not even flinch. Moreover, the green flame on the elder’s fist was extinguished upon contact.
The entire hall was astounded. The Fourth Elder, though not the strongest in the Ye Family, was still a Battle Sect. Very few in the Ye Family could easily withstand such a blow.
“You don’t have the qualifications to lecture me,” Xiao Yan said, his gaze cold. He raised his palm and gave it a sharp twist.
A torrent of fierce energy surged from Xiao Yan’s arm, surging into the Fourth Elder. With a sickening sound, the elder’s defenses crumbled, his face paling instantly. He was sent flying, crashing into a pillar, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
The hall fell silent. Even Xinlan, who knew Xiao Yan’s strength, was shocked. A year ago, he couldn’t have injured a Battle Sect with a single palm.
“He’s grown this strong in just a year?” Xinlan stared at Xiao Yan’s indifferent face, her eyes filled with admiration.
“The Ye Family’s downfall is not without reason.” Xiao Yan retracted his hand, cast a glance at the fallen elder, and surveyed the hall. Shaking his head, he turned to Xinlan, “Follow me.”
“Halt!” Two more voices roared. Two other elders stood, both Battle Sects, stronger than the previous one. They blocked Xiao Yan’s path.
“Young friend, this is the Ye Family. You’ve intruded and injured our elder. This is unacceptable. Though we are in decline, we cannot be bullied!” The elder in green robes, who had been silent, finally spoke, his tone solemn.
The hall’s occupants were pleased to see the elder intervening, a pillar of strength for the declining Ye Family.
“I did not initiate the fight. I have urgent matters, and Xinlan must come with me. I have no time for further discussion!” Xiao Yan turned to the elder, his tone firm.
“This youngster is arrogant!” The two elders blocking Xiao Yan’s path growled.
The elder in green robes frowned, “Xinlan is a member of the Ye Family and cannot be taken away at will.”
“Grand Elder, Brother Xiao Yan is the one I mentioned. With his help, the Ye Family can regain its place in the Dan Tower!” Xinlan interjected, hoping to ease tensions.
The elder in green robes was skeptical. It was hard to believe this young man could be the savior of the Ye Family.
“No need to explain. I will decide how to handle this. Young friend, if you are here to help, please stay for a while as our guest. Shall we?” The elder’s words were polite, but his intention was clear: to detain Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan’s face twisted into a cold smile, “I have no interest in helping your family. If not for Xinlan, I wouldn’t be here. I have urgent matters and no time to waste. Xinlan, let’s go!”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s refusal, the elder’s eyes blazed with anger. He took a step forward.
“Very well, let me see if you have the ability and the qualifications!”
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