Xiao Yan’s gaze paused on the purple iron fan before slowly shifting. Behind him stood a young man in a white robe, his face beaming with a warm, cordial smile. However, this smile exuded a subtle, eerie softness. Behind the young man were three elders who closely followed him. As Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over the three, his eyes hardened. The two elders at the back emitted powerful auras, clearly indicating that their strength had reached the level of an eight-star Battle Sect. Furthermore, the elder in front caused a jolt of shock within Xiao Yan’s heart.
“Earthly Venerate…”
The elder was relaxed and nonchalant, his hands tucked into his sleeves. He appeared no different from any ordinary old man, but with Xiao Yan’s keen spiritual perception, he could tell that this man’s strength had undoubtedly reached the tier of an Earthly Venerate!
The sudden intrusion of the white-robed young man also drew many surprised gazes from those around. And when they saw the three elders behind him, surprise flashed through everyone’s eyes. To be able to bring such an impressive lineup, it was clear that these people had quite the formidable background.
“Heh, my friend, I can double your offer, but would you be willing to exchange the bronze piece with me?” The white-robed young man smiled at Xiao Yan, though his hands remained firmly nailed on the bronze piece, showing no sign of relinquishing it.
Xiao Yan’s gaze fixed on the young man, and after a moment, he slowly shook his head. “No,” he said flatly.
With that, he snapped his fingers, the force sending the purple iron fan drifting away, as he again reached for the bronze piece.
The sudden move made the white-robed young man’s expression turn cold, but his reaction was just as swift. With a flick of his finger, the purple iron fan unfolded, its edge sharp as a blade, cutting through the air towards Xiao Yan’s hand, slicing even the fabric of space.
Xiao Yan’s expression didn’t change in the face of the swift and fierce counterattack. He flicked the bronze piece with his fingers, abruptly leaping back, then swiftly shifted his fingers to a palm, sending a surging force crashing into the purple iron fan!
*Thud!*
A low, deep sound echoed as Xiao Yan’s palm slammed the purple iron fan onto the jade platform. Before the white-robed young man could pull back, a powerful leg swept like a lightning bolt, directed towards his face.
Facing Xiao Yan’s formidable kick, the white-robed young man’s expression grew grim, but at this critical moment, he had no choice but to release the iron fan and retreat, avoiding Xiao Yan’s attack by a hair’s breadth.
“Young punk, how dare you!” As the white-robed young man stepped back, the two eight-star Battle Sect elders behind him scowled, stepping forward. Their palms spread out like eagle claws, reaching for Xiao Yan’s shoulders.
The moment the two elders attacked, Little Healer Immortal and Heavenly Fire Venerable appeared before Xiao Yan like phantoms. The former sneered softly, flicking his fingers to send two threads of gray energy flying.
Confronted with the unassuming gray energy, the previously absent, lethargic elder’s expression changed slightly. Gripping his hands, he twisted the space into solid form, defending against the gray energy.
Though the gray energy was blocked, a subtle, bloody breeze still wafted into the two elder’s nostrils, disrupting their aura and causing them to recoil in alarm, desperately suppressing the surge within them.
“Why? Are you still trying to forcefully take it?”
Little Healer Immortal gave the white-robed young man and the elder manipulating the space a sideways glance, speaking indifferently. The two elders, pulled back by the lazy elder, discovered the situation. Sweat appeared on their foreheads. Despite their respectable strength, they could sense the horror of Little Healer Immortal and his companion. Thus, the words they were about to shout were swallowed back. Two Earthly Venerables… It seemed they had kicked a tough wall.
The white-robed young man’s eyes darkened as he looked at the duo, but then he suddenly smiled, addressing Xiao Yan, “I am Xuanmen Clan’s Chianxien, may I ask for your honorable name?”
“Xuanmen Clan?”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s heart stirred. Although he had some understanding of Central Continent forces, the so-called Xuanmen Clan held a reputation nearly as illustrious as the Glacier Valley. In fact, it might have surpassed them, for the true power behind the Xuanmen Clan was one of the legendary twin sects of the mainland, Tianmen Sect.
The Central Continent powers were intricate, and even the renowned Hall, Tower, two Schools, three Valleys, and four Pavilions could not wholly capture its landscape. Many low-profile yet formidable powers, like the Ancient Clans, existed—powers that even the Soul Temple and Dan Pagoda did not dare to underestimate.
Tianmen Sect had three major sects under its command, known as the Three Lower Schools, and Xuanmen Clan was one of them. Its power was not inferior to Glacier Valley, and even if others refused to show respect to Xuanmen, the weight of Tianmen required it. A sect with almost a millennium of history had terrifying strength.
“Just a nobody, no need to trouble yourself… This bronze piece was my first pick, and I’m not planning to give it up.”
Despite knowing the Xuanmen Clan’s strength, Xiao Yan would not concede, for he feared no Soul Temple or Xuanmen.
At Xiao Yan’s blunt remarks, a faint shadow passed over Chianxien’s soft-featured face. He glanced coldly at the ragged old man, who now held the bronze piece, which Xiao Yan had earlier flicked away.
“No matter what he offers, I’ll pay double. If you just exchange it with me,” Chianxien declared arrogantly.
A chill flashed in Xiao Yan’s eyes at the boast. *This guy is truly pushy.*
The ragged old man toyed with the bronze piece, eyeing both Xiao Yan and Chianxien with interest. Moments later, he chuckled, ignoring Chianxien’s glower, and tossed the bronze piece back to Xiao Yan. “First come, first served; old man here isn’t swayed by money. Since I’ve accepted this, I won’t sell it again.”
Receiving the piece, a smile crossed Xiao Yan’s face as he thanked the old man warmly.
The old man waved his hand. “This is Dan Pagoda’s territory. No one causes trouble here. Not Xuanmen, nor Tianmen, should they try to meddle.”
Chianxien’s features clouded upon hearing the old man’s declaration. Glaring coldly, he turned to Xiao Yan. “Fool, it’s always wise to have more friends than foes. Fighting over something unclear is unreasonable…”
Smiling, Xiao Yan sealed the bronze piece into his ring and turned to Chianxien. “I regret to say I might not have the fortune to be your friend. I, too, need this item. But if you wait, perhaps I can give it to you, free.”
His eyes met the old man’s, and Xiao Yan bowed once more before striding towards the stairs.
*Xiu!*
Just as Xiao Yan began to walk, the two old men moved to block his path, blocking his route.
Seeing the obstruction, the smile faded from Xiao Yan’s face. Before he could speak, two imposing auras surged from the pair.
“Within three breaths, leave or die!”
Little Healer Immortal’s steely gray gaze was fixed on the intruders, her voice brimming with deadly intent.
All on the top floor were drawn by the aura and presence, though the two Earthly Venerates did not elicit much surprise, for those present were used to seeing such strength.
Facing the terrifying auras, the two elders’ faces paled, retreating quickly, realizing their fate would lie cold and dead if they delayed even a second.
Xiao Yan cast a sidelong glance at the two, red-faced from their hasty retreat. Eyeing the cool, narrowed gaze of Chianxien, Xiao Yan spoke, “Do not cross me. Or you won’t leave Dan Domain alive, trust me…”
His words hanging, he paid no mind to Chianxien’s icy face and started up the stairs, the others quick to follow.
Chianxien watched the backs of Xiao Yan’s group, his mouth curling into an icy, soft grin as the latter vanished from sight.
“Huang, investigate this person. To be threatened, it’s rare and interesting…”
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