Chapter 361: Returning to the Yunlan Sect!

The azure sky was cloudless, with two small black dots hovering high above, looking down upon the city of Wutan, which was built against the mountains. From this height, one could also see the imposing sight of the endless Magic Beast Mountains beside Wutan City. The purple cloud wings on his back gently vibrated as Xiao Yan gazed down at the city below. After a long while, he let out a soft sigh. This time, he might never return. “Goodbye…” he murmured softly. Turning his head, he saw the Queen Medusa nearby, standing as if on solid ground, her body not wavering in the slightest.

“Going back to the Yunlan Sect, my goal is clear: to kill Yun Leng and find my father. Therefore, there will be no room for reconciliation this time,” Xiao Yan said indifferently.

“I told you, I will save you when your life is in danger. Other times…” the Queen Medusa glanced at him, her brow furrowing slightly. Her enchanting eyes flashed with multicolored light, and after a moment, she muttered under her breath, “Be quiet, he’s not your kin. Why do you care so much?”

Her eyes flashing with colored light again, the Queen Medusa gritted her silver teeth and looked up at Xiao Yan coldly, “Don’t worry, you won’t die.”

“Thank you. Your help in times of life and death is enough,” Xiao Yan smiled faintly. He knew that the previous conversation must have been between the Sky Devouring Serpent and the Queen Medusa.

“You’re being overconfident. With Yun Shan around, it’s not easy to kill Yun Leng,” the Queen Medusa sneered. Though she was shocked by Xiao Yan’s dual Heavenly Fires, his strength was too low to fully unleash their true power. To think he could match a Battle Sect expert with just that was impossible.

“Perhaps,” Xiao Yan did not have the mood to argue. He knew that this trip to the Yunlan Sect would be extremely dangerous, even more so than the last time. This time, they would truly be at odds. Yun Leng’s actions against the Xiao family and his father could only be avenged with his life. Therefore, the great elder of the Yunlan Sect must die, even with Yun Shan’s protection!

The Buddha’s Wrath Lotus was Xiao Yan’s final trump card, but its side effects were terrifying. This was the only thing Xiao Yan worried about.

“Let’s go.” Looking down at Wutan City for a long while, Xiao Yan took a deep breath, waved his hand, and the wings on his back flapped fiercely. His figure turned into a streak of light, heading towards the distant imperial capital once more.

As Xiao Yan flew away, the Queen Medusa muttered, “Is this like throwing oneself into a trap? Or does he have the confidence to rival Yun Shan?” Shaking her head, she stepped down, and her body disappeared in a ripple of space…

This time, Xiao Yan headed straight to the Yunlan Sect without any stops. In his frenzied rush, the three-day journey was shortened by nearly half. The next day, after leaving Wutan City, Xiao Yan entered the vicinity of the imperial capital, weary from travel. Of course, he didn’t stop in the city. His body turned into a stream of light, soaring over the city, and then flew towards the grand mountain range at the horizon.

Although Xiao Yan didn’t stop in the imperial capital, his presence was still detected by some of the top experts. When these experts sensed his familiar aura, they became restless.

In a secluded bamboo grove deep within the imperial palace, Jia Xing Tian, who was meditating, suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with surprise. “That aura, is it Xiao Yan? Why has he returned? It seems he’s heading to the Yunlan Sect. What is he up to?”

In the Mithril Family headquarters in the eastern part of the imperial capital, during a bustling elder meeting, Hai Bo Dong’s eyes were half-closed, and his body swayed gently with the chair. Around him, the family elders were heatedly discussing clan affairs. Beside Hai Bo Dong, Ya Fei was also present, but she didn’t join in the arguments, appearing calm and unbothered by the noise.

“Master Hai,” Ya Fei turned her head and smiled, handing him a freshly poured cup of tea. Hai Bo Dong opened his eyes, nodded, and took a sip. “Ya Fei, entering the elder council means you have real authority. You must grasp it well. A young elder like you has never appeared in the Mithril Family before.”

“Master Hai’s teachings are always remembered,” Ya Fei smiled sweetly, glancing around, and then whispered, “Master Hai… Xiao Yan… Is he alright?”

“Haha, you’ve asked this question many times already,” Hai Bo Dong shook his head, noticing the slight blush on Ya Fei’s cheeks. “Rest assured, that little guy has quite the skills. Even the Queen Medusa stays by his side. The Yunlan Sect can’t do much to him.”

Relieved, Ya Fei turned her gaze back to the noisy meeting. Suddenly, Hai Bo Dong’s face changed, and he sat up, staring intently at the ceiling…

Hai Bo Dong’s sudden movement startled everyone, and the arguing ceased. All eyes were on him.

“Master Hai, what’s wrong?” Mi Telle Tengshan asked cautiously.

“Xiao Yan, why is he back? And going to the Yunlan Sect? What is he up to?” Hai Bo Dong muttered, his gaze fixed on a spot on the ceiling.

“Ah?” Ya Fei exclaimed, and Mi Telle Tengshan’s expression also changed.

“I’ll go check. Tengshan, gather the ‘Shadow Guards.’ There might be trouble. I think Xiao Yan is in big trouble,” Hai Bo Dong walked quickly towards the door, giving orders as he went.

“Eh? Gather the ‘Shadow Guards’?” Tengshan was surprised. “Master Hai, exposing the ‘Shadow Guards’ for Xiao Yan, is that wise?”

Hai Bo Dong paused, turning to look coldly at the others. “To me, Xiao Yan is more intimidating than the Yunlan Sect. You’ll see the benefits of my decision for the Mithril Family.”

With that, Hai Bo Dong left, ignoring the stunned elders.

In several places across the vast imperial capital, similar events were unfolding. The once calm imperial capital, following the end of the Alchemists’ Convention and the three-year agreement, was once again stirring with undercurrents due to Xiao Yan’s return.

In the main hall of the Yunlan Sect, over a dozen figures sat at the wide table, most in white robes with special badges, indicating their high status. On the other side of the table, the Dan King Gu He sat casually, with Liu Ling standing behind him. Occasionally, his gaze drifted to a woman in a moon-white robe, who was none other than Nalan Yanran.

Nalan Yanran’s cheeks were slightly thinner than before, and her once lively eyes now seemed distant, lost in thought. Overall, she appeared more delicate and touching, but with less of the aloofness.

“Yun Leng, why did you and Yun Lei, Yun Sheng leave the sect a few days ago?” a woman’s voice, filled with quiet authority, asked in the silent hall.

“Master… We just had some personal matters,” Yun Leng, sitting at the head of the elders, tightened his grip on the table and hastily explained.

The woman, seated at the center, was the current sect master, Yun Yun. Her beautiful, regal face was tinged with anger.

“You went to Wutan City, didn’t you?” Yun Yun huffed.

Yun Leng hesitated, glancing at the other two elders, who wore grim expressions. Realizing there was no escape, he nodded reluctantly.

“Master, Xiao Yan has damaged our reputation. If we let him off, it would seem anyone could trample on the Yunlan Sect. Besides, he’s related to Mo Cheng’s death. He should be on our list of wanted targets,” Yun Leng argued.

“Any past grudges with Xiao Yan ended after the three-year agreement. Your private action only shows our lack of magnanimity. Who would trust us after this?” Yun Yun shook her head, glancing at the slightly pale Nalan Yanran. “And don’t think I don’t know. Your actions were more out of personal vendetta. Mo Cheng’s death was just an excuse. His relationship with you isn’t that close.”

Yun Leng’s face turned green and white, but he dared not interrupt. He looked pleadingly at Yun Shan, who sat beside Yun Yun, seemingly asleep.

“Don’t look at me. By sect rules, Yun’er is the sect master. Her word is law,” Yun Shan said, his eyes closed.

Yun Leng deflated completely.

“Master, the great elder acted for the sect. In Wutan City, he didn’t cause much damage, just some destruction. It’s not fitting for him to apologize to a small family. Just let it pass. We can compensate the Xiao family later,” another elder suggested.

“Are you forgetting Xiao Yan? Do you think the recent fiasco at the Yunlan Sect is enough? He’s not a fool; he’ll suspect us. Do you think he’ll keep quiet, especially with the Queen Medusa backing him? Not even I can guarantee a win against her,” Yun Yun sneered.

The elder, seeing Yun Yun’s cold face, sat down silently.

“What will you do, Master? Are you going to hand me over to Xiao Yan?” Yun Leng, now a bit angry, demanded.

“I won’t hand you over, but you won’t escape punishment,” Yun Yun said, looking at Yun Leng. “Fortunately, you didn’t do too much. I’ll send someone to the Xiao family to mediate. Xiao Yan, even with the Queen Medusa, won’t want to offend the Yunlan Sect too much.”

Yun Leng sighed in relief, knowing his position in the sect would protect him from severe punishment.

“This matter is settled for now,” Yun Yun stood, her authoritative gaze sweeping the hall. “I repeat, the recent fiasco is over. Offending Xiao Yan for Mo Cheng isn’t worth it.”

“Yes,” the elders nodded.

Yun Yun exhaled, about to dismiss the meeting, when she noticed Yun Shan’s sudden change in expression. His eyes snapped open, and a powerful, terrifying aura filled the hall.

“Teacher, what’s wrong?” Yun Yun asked, startled.

“Though we wish to end it, he doesn’t agree,” Yun Shan’s gaze darkened, looking at the sky.

Soon after, a cold, thunderous voice descended from the sky, echoing through the mountains.

“Old dog Yun Leng, come out and die!”