The person who could make Xiao Yan show such an expression was naturally the young sect master of the Xuanming Sect, Chen Xian. Although he and Xiao Yan were not in the same place, it was a surprise to run into him outside the Wan Yao Mountain Range. Behind Chen Xian, two elders followed. These two individuals were not unfamiliar to Xiao Yan; they were exactly the guards he had seen at the Alchemist Trade Fair. “These two old fellows are alchemists too. No wonder Chen Xian is so fearless. It turns out he has help within the Pill Realm…” Staring at the two elders, Xiao Yan’s brows slightly furrowed. The strength of these two was much greater than Huang Yi, likely nearing the level of a nine-star Battle Sect, making them quite tricky to deal with. But from this, one could see Chen Xian’s status within the Xuanming Sect. Carrying two powerful guardians at the nine-star Battle Sect level everywhere reflected the sect’s high regard for him. Perhaps there was something to his status as the young sect master, but even if he had that identity, a useless person would hardly enjoy such treatment. As Xiao Yan pondered, Chen Xian and his group swiftly approached, drawing everyone’s gaze as they landed on the hill. As Chen Xian landed, his gaze swept over, then paused on Xiao Yan, who was not far away. His face momentarily froze, then a sinister smile appeared on his delicate features. “Xiao Yan, your luck doesn’t seem very good…” Chen Xian stroked the iron fan in his hand, which opened with a snap. He then slowly walked towards Xiao Yan, grinning.
Xiao Yan looked impassively at the slyly smiling Chen Xian, then glanced at the two elders following closely behind. A faint smile appeared on his face as he said, “Are these your backup?”
“Do you think they’re not enough?” Chen Xian softly swung his purple iron fan, smiling lightly.
Xiao Yan slowly nodded. “But I think it’s sufficient.”
Chen Xian’s face suddenly turned cold, and the two elders behind him revealed cruel smiles. Their footsteps moved forward, and their overwhelming auras spread out.
This change also caught the attention of the crowd on the hill, but no one interfered. Instead, they kept a distance, fearing they might get caught in the crossfire. Feuds in the Pill Realm were common, and no one found it unexpected.
As the two elders grinned malevolently, a chill passed through Xiao Yan’s eyes. Indeed, these two were strong, but if they thought this was enough to take him down, Chen Xian was being too naive.
“Kill him!” Chen Xian’s fan gently swayed before pointing directly at Xiao Yan, his voice grimly ordered.
“Yes!” Hearing Chen Xian’s command, the two elders responded with low, deep voices. Profound energy surged from their bodies, exerting a daunting pressure on those nearby with weaker strengths.
Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, his palms slowly sliding out of his sleeves. Emerald flames, like ethereal beings, weaved through his fingers.
Just as the tense atmosphere between them reached its peak, a laugh interrupted the scene. Song Qing and Cao Ying stepped out leisurely.
Seeing Song Qing, Chen Xian smiled, clearly recognizing him. He clasped his fists and greeted, “I didn’t expect to meet Brother Song here.”
Song Qing smiled and turned his gaze to Xiao Yan, sensing the evident conflict between them.
“Are you two enemies?” Cao Ying asked with interest, glancing between Xiao Yan and Chen Xian, smiling charmingly.
“I have some grievances with him,” Chen Xian responded, not daring to slight Cao Ying due to her status in the Pill Tower.
“Tsk tsk, why do you always make so many enemies?” Cao Ying playfully teased, walking towards Xiao Yan with a graceful step.
“He’s just a minor nuisance,” Xiao Yan replied indifferently.
“Did you say something?” Chen Xian’s face hardened. He didn’t expect Xiao Yan to dare challenge him in this situation.
Cao Ying’s eyes swept over Chen Xian and the two elders, then she waved her hand, saying, “Since you’re all here, I assume you’re after the mission items in the Wan Yao Mountains. This isn’t a place for peace. Even with your strength, it’s unlikely you can steal from a beast that can fight a Dou Zun. So, I suggest you put aside your grudges and cooperate to get through the mountains first. How about it?”
“Ying’er is right. It’s not the time for internal strife. Otherwise, none of us will get the items, and we’ll lose our eligibility to participate,” Song Qing agreed, despite his animosity towards Xiao Yan. Since Cao Ying had spoken, he couldn’t afford to stay aloof.
Hearing this, Chen Xian’s brows furrowed, but he couldn’t ignore Cao Ying and Song Qing’s faces. After a moment’s hesitation, he glared at Xiao Yan coldly, “For Miss Cao Ying’s sake, I’ll let you off this time. But once we pass the Wan Yao Mountains, don’t hope for any mercy!”
Xiao Yan glanced at him indifferently, not bothering to respond. Sure, having two nine-star Battle Sects as backup made things tricky, but not impossible.
“Haha, Brother Chen is indeed generous,” Song Qing smiled, then turned to Xiao Yan, “We need more people. Since we know each other, come with us. You’ll get some benefits if we defeat the beast.”
At Song Qing’s words, a faint sneer crossed Xiao Yan’s lips. Seeking free muscle with lofty rhetoric—this guy wasn’t a good sort.
“Pass. I don’t work well with strangers,” Xiao Yan said, waving his hand dismissively. He turned and walked down the hill.
Xiao Yan’s straightforward rejection stunned Song Qing. His face went pale, then red with anger. He hadn’t expected Xiao Yan to show such disregard.
“Xiao Yan, I’m doing this for your own good! Do you really think you can take on that beast alone?” Song Qing finally exclaimed, watching Xiao Yan turn and walk away.
Cao Ying was also startled by Xiao Yan’s actions. Her brows furrowed; this guy always acted unusual. Though Song Qing’s words weren’t kind, didn’t he understand the gravity of the situation?
“Hehe, Brother Song, I told you not to give this guy a friendly face. You’re thinking for him, but he’s ungrateful. We should have just dealt with him earlier and saved trouble,” Chen Xian sneered, his face twisted with malice.
Song Qing’s face darkened, hearing Chen Xian’s words. Xiao Yan had publicly dismissed him, especially in front of Cao Ying, which deeply annoyed him.
“Perhaps…” Chen Xian took a subtle step forward, his hand tracing an invisible line in the air, understanding Song Qing’s thoughts.
Seeing this, Song Qing’s eyes grew colder, watching Xiao Yan’s back, then nodded.
Seeing Song Qing’s nod, Chen Xian’s malicious smile deepened. He turned his head, subtly giving the two elders a signal.
The two elders, catching Chen Xian’s cue, also nodded, faces grim. They stepped lightly on the ground, their figures blurring, forming two sharp gusts speeding after Xiao Yan.
“Brat, you offended the young sect master. Did you think you could just leave like that?” Their sudden attack surprised many, and by the time the chilling shouts reached their ears, the two elders were already behind Xiao Yan, their fierce gusts like sharp blades slicing towards his neck.
“Die!” Staring at Xiao Yan’s close shadow, the elders’ faces twisted, their gusts striking hard on his neck. But instead of blood, the gusts passed through a lingering afterimage.
“An afterimage?” The elders’ faces changed, shattering the afterimage with a punch. “Young Sect Master, be careful!” a hurried cry echoed.
Hearing the warnings, Chen Xian and Song Qing’s faces paled. Particularly Chen Xian, knowing the elders had missed.
“What a crafty brat…” Chen Xian’s foot stomped the ground, retreating swiftly. But as he did, the space behind him rippled, and a blurry figure appeared, green flames coiled around his fist, tearing through space, aiming for Chen Xian’s heart.
The sudden, scorching force behind him chilled Chen Xian’s heart. He forcefully turned, iron fan slamming before him.
*Clang!*
The flame-imbued fist struck the iron fan, a crisp metallic sound echoing. The iron fan resisted the force, but then, the fist shifted to a palm, a powerful wave of latent energy bursting forth!
*Boom!*
The latent energy penetrated the fan, striking Chen Xian’s chest. His body was sent flying, carving a deep groove on the ground.
*Pfft.*
Struggling to steady himself, Chen Xian spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, then raised his head, staring in shock at the spot he’d stood. A slender figure slowly emerged.
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