“Linquan, shut up! The Xiao family and our clan have an alliance, how dare you insult them?” Sensing Xiao Yan’s increasingly cold expression, Xuner grew anxious and shouted sharply at Linquan. “Hehe, don’t be angry, Miss. I was just being straightforward.” Linquan smiled, then suddenly added, “But this time, the Clan Elder has instructed me that if I meet Young Master Xiao Yan, I should inquire about the location of that part of the key belonging to the Xiao family.” Saying this, Linquan turned his smile towards Xiao Yan: “I wonder if Young Master Xiao Yan could tell us?”
Upon hearing this, Xuner’s heart trembled slightly, fearing that Xiao Yan might reveal something. Just as she was about to intervene, Xiao Yan furrowed his brow and asked, puzzled, “Key?”
Frowning at Xiao Yan’s bewildered expression, Linquan thought to himself, “Could he really not know? With the Xiao family now divided, it’s unclear whether the Soul Palace has actually obtained the key. If they have, it would be quite troublesome.”
“I’ve been in the Xiao family for so many years, and I’ve never heard anything about the ‘key.’ How could you expect to get it so easily? It’s like a dream,” Xuner said with a sigh of relief.
“Hehe, I was just asking casually. My main purpose here is to take Miss back. The rest is just minor details.” Linquan smiled and bowed to Xuner, saying, “Miss, please! The Clan Elder misses you very much.”
Xuner’s eyebrows furrowed, and she gently shook her silver teeth. Just as she was about to move, Xiao Yan grabbed her arm and said in a low voice, “Are you leaving?”
“Big Brother Xiao Yan, I’ve been away from the clan for many years. I’ve postponed my return several times, but this time, it seems unavoidable. Remember what I told you before, never reveal that the Emperor Jade is in your possession. In the future, you’ll understand exactly what the power behind Xuner is. But, before you are capable of protecting the jade, don’t come looking for me. Otherwise, some people in the clan will try to keep you. The jade you hold is too important.”
Xuner lowered her head, her lips quivering slightly, and a faint, pleading voice reached Xiao Yan’s ears. His expression fluctuated, and his hand on Xuner’s arm trembled slightly.
“Big Brother Xiao Yan, I’m waiting for you, for the day when you become a powerful warrior. I believe you will stand at the peak of the continent. Then, the declining Xiao family will rise again because of you!”
Xiao Yan’s hand continued to tremble, and his heart was in turmoil from Xuner’s words. Although years of experience had made him wiser, after the family upheaval, another separation was still hard to accept. At this moment of parting, he finally realized how much Xuner meant to him…
“Young Master Xiao Yan, this is our mission, so please let go of the Miss.” Linquan’s gaze grew cold as he watched Xiao Yan hold Xuner’s arm, though his face still bore a warm smile.
Ignoring Linquan’s words, Xiao Yan stared intently at Xuner. After a moment, under Linquan’s malevolent gaze, he slowly released her arm. However, just as his hand was about to leave her arm, he suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her fragrant hair. He murmured, “Xuner, wait for me. I will come for you! No matter how powerful or terrifying the force behind you is, you are mine. If I need to become a Dou Zun to face that force, then I will strive to become a Dou Zun. If that’s not enough, I’ll become a Dou Sheng, and if that’s not enough, I’ll become a Battle King! Our ancestors from the Xiao family reached those heights, and I, Xiao Yan, will do the same!”
Xuner bit her lip, her eyes sparkling. “Fool, if you become a Battle King, any woman on the continent will be yours to choose.”
Seeing Xiao Yan daringly embrace Xuner, Linquan’s smile faded. His eyes became as sharp as knives, and his fists clenched, ready to unleash substantial flames.
Sensing the energy fluctuation, Xuner forcefully broke free from Xiao Yan’s embrace and whispered in his ear, “Remember what I said. Don’t contact my clan until you reach Battle Sect.”
After speaking, Xuner turned and tapped the ground lightly with her foot, rising into the air. Her shoulders twitched, revealing a pair of radiant golden wings. She landed on a four-winged unicorn, which then carried her swiftly towards the distant horizon.
As Xuner left, the nine figures behind Linquan also leaped onto their four-winged unicorns, chasing after her and surrounding her protectively.
Xiao Yan watched the four-winged unicorns disappear, feeling a sense of loneliness. He turned his gaze to Linquan, who was still standing there, and said calmly, “Deputy Commander Linquan, aren’t you leaving?”
“I’m not in a hurry,” Linquan replied with a cold smile, staring at Xiao Yan. “I just wanted to remind you of one thing. With your achievements and the Xiao family’s current state, you are not worthy of Miss. The Clan Elder guessed that Miss might have feelings for you, so he asked me to tell you to forget about her. Forget everything that happened. Miss has a very important status in our clan, and only true warriors of the continent can match her. You… are not worthy!”
The last three words dripped with disdain. Xuner was the object of desire for all the clan’s geniuses, including Linquan. Seeing Xiao Yan daring to embrace Xuner, if not for Xuner, he would have killed Xiao Yan on the spot. Now, he wanted to humiliate Xiao Yan as much as possible. If he could crush Xiao Yan’s spirit with words, that would be the best outcome.
However, Xiao Yan remained unexpectedly calm. His indifferent black eyes met Linquan’s, and he smiled lightly, shaking his head. “Whether I am worthy or not is not for you to decide. Besides, are you jealous?”
Linquan’s disdainful expression faded, and he glared at Xiao Yan. “Do you want to die? Don’t think that having the Miss’s protection will save you. Killing you would be like crushing an ant.”
Xiao Yan looked at Linquan, undaunted, which fueled Linquan’s murderous intent. He hated this insignificant person who maintained such composure.
Just as Linquan’s murderous intent spread, an old, stern voice echoed, “Deputy Commander Linquan, letting you enter the inner courtyard to find someone is already a great leniency. Now you want to attack our students here?”
With the old voice, a black figure appeared in mid-air, revealing the Great Elder Su Qian.
Seeing Su Qian, Linquan’s murderous intent dissipated. He bowed to Su Qian and said, “Great Elder, I was just talking to Young Master Xiao Yan.”
“Enough. Don’t beat around the bush. Letting you in to find someone is already a great favor. Now that you’ve found her, leave immediately,” Su Qian ordered.
Linquan smiled, not arguing. He bowed to Su Qian and turned to Xiao Yan, saying, “It seems you are not giving up. Fine, if you ever have the ability, come to our clan and look for Miss. Then, this Deputy Commander will show you the real difference.”
With that, Linquan’s shoulders trembled, and a pair of deep red wings emerged. He soared into the sky, flying northward, disappearing in a flash.
Watching Linquan leave, Su Qian landed beside Xiao Yan and patted his shoulder. “Don’t let that guy get to you. Their clan is different from ordinary people; they have some advantages in cultivation, but in terms of talent, he is not as good as you.”
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, saying softly, “If he had really attacked, I would have let him leave something behind, even if it meant I would be seriously injured again.”
Su Qian was slightly taken aback. He knew Xiao Yan was not boasting. “I believe that a person who can single-handedly turn the Yunlan Sect upside down has the ability to do so, and it’s no surprise.”
“Hehe, alright, tomorrow you will enter the Sky Burner Tower to temper your body with the Heart Flame. If you can survive, it will pave the way for your promotion to Dou Wang. Words are useless now. Only by becoming a true warrior can you go to that clan and find your girlfriend.”
Su Qian patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder and walked back into the forest.
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, watching Su Qian’s back fade into the forest. He then turned his gaze to the distant northern sky, murmuring, “Xuner… wait for me, and…”
Slowly, his fist emerged from his sleeve, drops of blood seeping through his fingers. Linquan’s contempt had indeed affected him. “Linquan, huh… I’ll remember this debt and humiliation…”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage