When the faint laughter echoed across the sky, Xiao Lie, who had tightly shut his eyes awaiting death, suddenly shuddered, and then abruptly opened his eyes, filled with disbelief as he stared at the tall, dark silhouette in the sky. “Third brother?” His eyes trembled as they fixed on the vaguely familiar figure, and even though his face, which had shown no emotion even in the face of death, was now filled with unbelieving shock.
“Xiao Yan? You’re actually still alive? How is that possible!” Fan Lao’s gaze immediately shifted to Xiao Yan as soon as he appeared, and when his eyes landed on the young, somewhat familiar face, his expression froze. Fear and terror flickered across his face, and finally, a sharp, fearful voice emerged from his mouth.
“Xiao Yan? He’s the one who defeated Fan Lao and nearly killed Pharmacist Chen Han Xue back then?”
The three Dou Wang powerhouses beside him didn’t show any major reaction to Xiao Yan’s appearance, but the moment Fan Lao shouted out that name, which was resounding in the Black-Corner Region, shock instantly flooded their faces. “You’re not dead. Are you disappointed?” Xiao Yan slowly descended from the sky, appearing in front of Xiao Lie. He first sneered at Fan Lao and then turned his head to look at Xiao Lie, who still wore an incredulous expression. With a gentle smile, he said, “Second brother, don’t you recognize me?”
“You… You really are Xiao Yan?” Xiao Lie opened his mouth, lifting his hand to touch Xiao Yan, but he seemed to hesitate, as if fearing something. He couldn’t bring himself to actually make contact, as if he feared this scene was just an illusion before his death.
Xiao Yan smiled, extending his palm to grasp Xiao Lie’s pale hand. He softly said, “Second brother, it’s me. With our family’s great feud unavenged, how could I dare to die easily?”
Feeling the warmth from Xiao Yan’s palm, Xiao Lie’s originally pale face gradually flushed with color. His eyes, trembling, fixed on Xiao Yan, and the hand gripping Xiao Yan’s tightened, even his eyes reddening. For someone with such a cold demeanor as Xiao Lie, to show such emotional expression, it was evident how intensely moved he was.
“Hehe, Second brother… Let me deal with this old dog first, and then we can catch up.” Xiao Yan patted Xiao Lie’s hand and smiled.
“Don’t, that guy is a Battle Emperor powerhouse.” Hearing this, Xiao Lie’s expression changed slightly, his eyes flashing. “They have the numbers, I think we should retreat. There will be plenty of opportunities for revenge, but now, you mustn’t take any risks!”
Originally, Xiao Lie had been resigned to death, and if he were alone, he would not have chosen to flee. However, now things were different. Xiao Yan’s appearance had rekindled hope in his gloomy, almost dead heart. So, he reversed his previous mindset and thought of fleeing first.
“Hehe, Second brother, relax. Two years ago, I made him flee on the brink of death, and today, I can do it again.” Xiao Yan shook his head and smiled, his hand slipping out from Xiao Lie’s like a fish. He smiled warmly and with confidence, “Trust me, Second brother.”
“Then… be careful. I’ll help hold off the other three Dou Wang powerhouses.” Seeing the confidence in Xiao Yan’s smile, Xiao Lie hesitated, then gritted his teeth and stood up, his black spear slamming into the ground, emanating a grand aura.
“Let me handle it. You’re already injured quite badly.” Xiao Yan shook his head lightly, not waiting for Xiao Lie’s objection, and turned around. The smile on his face slowly turned cold.
With a flip of his hand, the massive Heavy Xuan Ruler flashed out from the low-grade Nether Ring that Elder Su Qian had given him. Waving the ruler casually, a low-pitched explosion formed beneath it, blowing away all the debris on the ground.
“Fan Clan Chief, today, I’m taking your life for sure!” Pointing the ruler at Fan Lao, Xiao Yan’s voice carried an overwhelming killing intent. The old dog Fan Lao had used lethal moves against Xiao Lie, and if Xiao Yan had arrived any later, Xiao Lie would already be dead. This fear, coupled with their past enmity, made Xiao Yan’s heart fill with a torrential killing intent. Fan Lao’s name was already marked on his kill list with a bloody red cross.
Fan Lao, facing the black-robed youth brimming with killing intent, felt his disbelief fade under the reality. Replacing it was a strange mix of caution and fury. His defeat by Xiao Yan had led to two years of mockery in the Black-Corner Region, and even the Blood Alliance’s reputation had suffered. All because of this man standing before him.
“Two of you, capture that injured guy. Remember, don’t kill him, just capture him, and Xiao Yan will have no choice. The rest of us will hold back Xiao Yan. If we manage to kill him, the reward will be beyond your wildest dreams. You’ve been wanting the Dou Ling Pill, right? Kill Xiao Yan, and you’ll get it for sure,” Fan Lao growled to the three Dou Wang powerhouses.
The shadow of his loss to Xiao Yan lingered, making him hesitant. Thus, he abandoned his pride and called for help in killing his enemy.
Hearing this, the three Dou Wang powerholders’ eyes lit up with desire. The Dou Ling Pill had been their long-desired prize, but obtaining it required high contributions to the Black Alliance. Though they had served as the Black Alliance’s enforcers, they were still far from the required contribution points. Tempted by the promise of the pill, they overcame their hesitation and, glancing at each other, nodded fiercely.
Xiao Yan’s cold eyes swept over the four, his emerald green Dou Qi surging from his body like a substantial flame, swirling around him. A powerful aura enveloped half the mountain fortress.
As Xiao Yan was about to launch his attack, his expression suddenly changed. He jerked his head up, sensing something. When he saw the red-robed enchantress in the sky, his face darkened. What did she want now, showing up at this time?
The sudden arrival was none other than Queen Medusa, whom he had forcibly taken over. Her eyes, normally seductive, now held a coldness.
“Do you have anyone to help you this time?” Her cold voice echoed in the air.
The sudden intruder surprised Fan Lao and the others. Queen Medusa’s presence made them uneasy, but seeing her seemingly only interested in Xiao Yan, their faces filled with glee. They saw a chance to easily capture Xiao Lie and corner Xiao Yan without harming him.
“Ha ha, friend, are you after Xiao Yan too? If so, we can cooperate. This guy is cunning, and with just you, you might be short-handed,” Fan Lao gave Xiao Yan a sinister smile and then turned to Medusa, laughing.
“You’re not qualified,” Medusa replied indifferently, her words causing Fan Lao’s face to turn grim. He had thought a mutual goal would lead to a win-win, but Medusa showed no interest.
“Since you refuse, please leave,” Fan Lao laughed dryly, lowering his head. His eyes flashed with malice and lechery. “Damn woman, once I’m done here, I’ll find a way to capture you and make you beg for mercy!”
“Third brother, who is this? It seems she’s after you,” Xiao Lie’s face was grave. The situation was already bad, and now an unknown woman with considerable power had appeared.
Xiao Yan’s face darkened, his icy gaze fixed on Medusa. Her gaze, usually unshaken, felt uneasy. She couldn’t withdraw from Xiao Yan’s cold stare, her pride not allowing her to back down.
“Medusa, let’s settle this later. If you dare interfere today, I swear even if it costs me my life, I’ll make you die here. Don’t believe me? Try it!” Xiao Yan’s voice was bone-chilling, his face showing a hint of madness. He knew if Medusa detained him, Xiao Lie would fall into Fan Lao’s hands, a situation that would drive him truly mad.
In response to Xiao Yan’s cold words, Medusa’s eyebrows furrowed. No one had ever dared to threaten her, and now… her eyes flashed with anger. Just as she was about to attack, her gaze shifted to Xiao Yan’s face, twisted in madness. A strange feeling rose from deep within her soul, calming her killing intent.
As her killing intent waned, Medusa’s frustration grew. “Xiao Yan, remember, your life is mine. I will take it, sooner or later!” She clenched her fists and with a cold laugh, her body faded away in the astonishment of Fan Lao and the others.
Seeing Medusa leave, Xiao Yan was stunned. Did this notoriously fierce woman actually care about his threat? He had been prepared for a deadly fight, but Medusa, with her newfound bond to the Swallowing Sky Serpent, now harbored a complex mix of feelings towards Xiao Yan. Filled with killing intent but unable to strike, her internal conflict was the root of her irritation.
For now, Medusa had backed off, and with no more constraints, Xiao Yan could focus on dealing with Fan Lao and settling their grievances, old and new.
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