At the sound of Cai Lin’s icy voice, Liu Chang and his companions’ advancing steps instantly froze. After a moment, Liu Chang and Wu Zhen turned their heads abruptly, roaring in anger: “What? Is the Flame Alliance daring to kill us all in front of so many people?” With his hands behind his back, Xiao Yan gazed indifferently at Liu Chang and the others, a hint of panic evident in their eyes. His voice, cold and calm, rang out in the ears of everyone present: “The Flame Alliance has its rules. This is not some loose organization. If someone must leave the Flame Alliance for a reason, it is permissible. However, if one uses this as an excuse to avoid severe punishment after committing a grave offense, you are underestimating the seriousness of the Flame Alliance.”
“These years, you two have been tyrannical and unruly, causing chaos within our Pill Hall and destabilizing the minds of the Flame Alliance members. This is a major offense. Can it be resolved with a simple departure? If so, would anyone who commits a crime in the future simply need to leave the Flame Alliance and escape unscathed? Would there be any point in the existence of the Flame Alliance?”
Xiao Yan’s face was cold, and his killing intent grew even stronger. These two were nothing but parasites, and allowing them to leave safely today would turn the rules of the Flame Alliance into a joke. If such a precedent were set, how could he expect to command respect in the future?
Hearing Xiao Yan’s stern and cold rebuke, the alchemists in the Pill Hall lowered their heads. They had indeed become arrogant due to the unique status of the Flame Alliance, and now they were covered in sweat from this chilling reprimand.
Liu Chang and Wu Zhen’s faces twitched, feeling the icy gazes of the surrounding Flame Alliance members. Their hearts filled with a touch of panic; the situation had developed far beyond their expectations. Originally, with their identities as high-level alchemists, they expected to be treated as honored guests wherever they went. They never imagined that Xiao Yan would treat them with such disregard.
“Then what do you want?” Liu Chang gritted his teeth.
“It is not about what I want. It is about what the alliance rules dictate!” Xiao Yan replied calmly.
These words caused Liu Chang and Wu Zhen’s faces to change drastically. According to the rules of the Flame Alliance, their offenses likely warranted multiple deaths.
“Seize them!” Cai Lin’s face was icy as she issued a cold command.
“Yes!” Upon hearing Cai Lin’s order, the already vigilant elite members of the Flame Alliance immediately rushed towards Liu Chang and the others.
“You scoundrels, do you think we really fear you?” Seeing this, Liu Chang and Wu Zhen genuinely panicked. With a roar, their Dou Qi surged forth, forcibly shoving away several oncoming Flame Alliance members. They then transformed into blurs of light, darting towards the distance.
“Want to run?” Xiao Yan lifted his eyes, a cold smile playing on his lips. He clenched his hand, and the space around the two men instantly froze, trapping them in place. Capturing the two, Xiao Yan casually flung them back, slamming them harshly onto the ground.
“Ugh!” The powerful force caused Liu Chang and his companion to spit out blood, their faces pale. Before they could even curse, the sharp tips of long spears were pressed against their heads.
“Lord Leader, please spare us! We will work diligently for the Flame Alliance in the future!” Having their Dou Qi shattered by Xiao Yan’s palm, Liu Chang and Wu Zhen felt genuine fear and pleaded desperately.
“The ironclad rules of the Flame Alliance do not change for anyone or anything!” Xiao Yan glanced at the two with a cold detachment. With a wave of his sleeve, a group of strong Flame Alliance members captured them, dragging them deep into the Pill Hall. Those who had planned to defect with them were also dragged along, filling the square with piteous cries.
As the screams faded, a heavy silence settled over the square. The alchemists of the Pill Hall were drenched in cold sweat, none daring to speak.
“Gu He…” Hearing Xiao Yan’s sudden voice, Gu He’s heart trembled, and he respectfully responded.
“As the Head of the Pill Hall, you bear unshakable responsibility for the current state of the Pill Hall. From today, you are demoted from Head to Deputy Head. Master Elder Fa Ma will be promoted to the new Head of the Pill Hall.”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s calm words, both Gu He and Fa Ma respectfully assented. The current Xiao Yan was no longer the same as before; he now possessed absolute strength to deal with anyone.
“There are rewards as well as punishments. The Pill Hall has indeed grown significantly over the years. This is an ancient soul cultivation method that can help alchemists break through to the eighth rank. All alchemists in the Pill Hall who have reached the seventh rank and made significant contributions can obtain it. As for those of lower ranks, they can also receive a portion after making contributions to the Flame Alliance. Cultivating the soul can accelerate the advancement of your alchemy skills, and I hope you all work hard at it.”
With these words, Xiao Yan flicked his fingers, and a scroll flew towards the stunned Fa Ma and Gu He.
“This… An ancient soul cultivation method?”
There were many alchemists present, and some were not even part of the Flame Alliance. But when they heard Xiao Yan’s words, disbelief flashed across their faces. The importance of soul strength to alchemists was something they knew well, but they had never heard of it being cultivatable. Knowing Xiao Yan’s stature, they realized he would not make empty promises, and their eyes filled with eager anticipation.
“I never expected joining the Pill Hall would bring such good fortune. I should find a way to join soon.”
The alchemists present, their eyes filled with envy, fixed on Gu He and Fa Ma, began to think seriously. Although the rules of the Flame Alliance were strict, if they could improve their abilities within, it would be worth enduring. Moreover, the misdeeds of Liu Chang and his companions would have resulted in their slow death in other sects, yet they had still been given a chance to plead.
In the midst of the intense gazes, Fa Ma and Gu He trembled as they held the scroll tightly. They had heard that the soul could indeed be cultivated, but such methods were long lost. They never expected Xiao Yan to possess such a method and be willing to bestow it on them.
While they were overwhelmed with excitement, they did not realize that this was only part of the method. But for now, it would still benefit them, and once they made substantial contributions, Xiao Yan would share the rest.
Seeing the heated response, Cai Lin quietly breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that punishing Liu Chang and his group would scare others away. But Xiao Yan’s deft use of punishment and reward had put these normally proud individuals in line, even garnering heartfelt gratitude from Gu He.
“This guy has become much more mature over the years,” Cai Lin mused, stealing a glance at Xiao Yan’s profile.
Cai Lin knew that after today, the Pill Hall would improve. With this stern warning, such incidents would not recur. Without the toxic elements in the Pill Hall, the Flame Alliance could truly dominate the northwest continent!
After resolving the Pill Hall issue, Xiao Yan rested for two days in the Xuanhuang Fort. Refining an eighth-grade pill was tiring.
“Is the Origin Pill really suitable for Xiao Xiao?” In the fragrant room, Cai Lin watched Xiao Yan take out the eighth-grade pill he had refined earlier, her face filled with worry. Despite Xiao Xiao’s strong constitution, she still wasn’t entirely at ease.
“Don’t worry. Though the Origin Pill is an eighth-grade pill, its effects are very mild and perfect for Xiao Xiao. The medicine’s power will remain in her body, improving her constitution as she grows, ultimately making her perfect.”
Xiao Yan smiled, clarifying that while the pill wouldn’t make Xiao Xiao perfect overnight, it would provide a stable foundation for her innate gifts. Relenting, Cai Lin nodded, watching as Xiao Yan gently fed the pill to Xiao Xiao, whose eyes sparkled with curiosity.
As the pill entered Xiao Xiao, it transformed into a gentle glow, sliding into her body and settling in her abdomen, radiating a soft light. Xiao Xiao yawned, closing her tired eyes.
“This is the initial release of the medicinal power. It will be fine once she wakes up,” Xiao Yan assured.
Nodding, Cai Lin bent her graceful figure, softly caressing Xiao Xiao, her cold, enchanting face full of maternal love. Xiao Yan’s heart stirred as he watched, his voice low:
“Big brother suggested we hold a simple wedding, formally bringing you into the Xiao family. What do you think?”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s sudden words, Cai Lin’s body trembled slightly. Gazing at her stiff form, Xiao Yan approached slowly, noticing the rare flush on her usually cold, beautiful face. She looked more captivating and enchanting than ever.
Enraptured by the scene, Xiao Yan’s heart warmed. He wrapped his arms around her delicate waist and smiled. Under Cai Lin’s slightly emotional gaze, he leaned in and gently kissed her. The room, filled with warmth, was suddenly suffused with springtime allure.
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