Gazing indifferently at the ashes that scattered with the wind, Xiao Yan lightly clapped his hands, but there wasn’t a single ripple in his heart. He knew that two years ago, Fanlao had harbored a lethal intent towards him. With his temperament, he would never let an enemy who bore such vengeful thoughts survive. Back then, Fanlao had managed to escape by luck, but this time, he did not have such fortune again.
“Next, it’s Han Feng’s turn…”
The emerald green flames on his back slowly flapped, and Xiao Yan turned his gaze toward the northern horizon. That was the territory of the so-called “Black Alliance,” where his “senior apprentice brother” was making himself the lord of the land, leisurely playing the tyrant.
“You’ve been living comfortably for the past two years… but it’s almost over…”
Thinking of the torment he had endured in the underground for the last two years, a sinister smile gradually appeared on Xiao Yan’s face.
The beautiful emerald flames on his back gently flapped, and Xiao Yan’s figure descended rapidly toward the ground. In a brief moment, he could already hear the deafening battle cries echoing from the mountain stronghold.
Standing in mid-air, Xiao Yan surveyed the entire battlefield from a commanding height. Fierce battles were raging everywhere in the stronghold, and the most intense fights were happening in the two arenas at the center. The main participants were Lin Yan, Zi Yan, and two other Dou Wang strongmen from the Black Alliance.
Xiao Yan’s gaze lingered for a moment on the battles where they were fighting before he became reassured and shifted his attention elsewhere. Although Lin Yan could only fight to a draw with another Dou Wang, Zi Yan was overwhelming her opponent, nearly causing a one-sided slaughter. Although the little girl looked cute, the terrifying force that her tiny fists unleashed was something even a Dou Wang wouldn’t dare to ignore. If someone got hit by those punches, even if they didn’t lose their limbs, they would certainly suffer serious injuries. Thus, the Dou Wang who was fighting Zi Yan could only dodge left and right, completely at a disadvantage. It wouldn’t be long before he was defeated.
Once that Dou Wang was defeated, Zi Yan would be able to help Lin Yan, so the battlefield on this side was already as good as decided, no longer needing any more worry from Xiao Yan.
Turning his gaze to the outer part of the stronghold, where the fierce battle was raging, Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed slightly. This time, the members of the Black Alliance not only outnumbered them, but each fighter seemed to be quite strong. Even with Xao Li’s men, who were formidable, they were finding it hard to gain the upper hand. Instead, they suffered significant casualties during the waves of attacks by the larger numbers of the Black Alliance. Although Xao Li was formidable and fought freely, the endless waves of enemies from the Black Alliance had also trapped him.
“Pan Gate’s people are actually here…”
His gaze suddenly stopped on the figures clad in clothes other than black within the stronghold. These young faces were none other than the elite members from the Inner Courtyard of the Pan Gate.
Looking at the situation, it seemed that the arrival of the Pan Gate members had stabilized the previously retreating defenses, but even so, both sides were deadlocked in a fierce stalemate.
The large-scale charge was like a meat grinder, with both sides constantly suffering casualties. The roars of battle, screams, and shouts converged, reaching straight up into the sky and spreading to the far mountains.
“This senseless conflict should end as soon as possible…”
Frowning, Xiao Yan’s body flashed, and he rushed to the outer perimeter of the stronghold, shouting, “Fanlao is dead! How dare you remain here?”
His roar echoed like muffled thunder, reverberating across the mountains.
Under Xiao Yan’s fierce shout, the intense battlefield gradually quieted down. The eyes of many turned to the sky, with the people inside the stronghold looking pleasantly surprised, while the men from the Black Alliance outside were in a panic. Fanlao, the strongest among them, had died, and this dealt a severe blow to their morale.
“Do not believe him. Sect Leader is a Battle Emperor, how can he die at the hands of some brat!”
Amidst the panic, a loud voice cried out, quickly followed by numerous echoes. From the way they addressed Fanlao, it seemed that they were all from the Blood Sect.
Hearing the shouts of the Blood Sect, the forces of the Black Alliance gradually quieted down, and their gazes turned fiercely back to the stronghold. They raised their sharp weapons, looking ready to attack again.
Seeing the reaction of the Black Alliance’s forces, Xiao Yan’s face darkened. With a flick of the wings on his back, he reappeared on a wooden stump at the very edge of the stronghold. He flipped his hand, and invisible flames danced upward, his voice devoid of emotion, echoing through the area.
“If you value your lives, leave now. Go back and tell Han Feng that I, Xiao Yan, have taken Fanlao’s life. Next, it’s his turn!”
“Xiao Yan?”
“Is he the Xiao Yan who defeated Emperor Pill Han Feng?”
Upon hearing the name Xiao Yan, the forces of the Black Alliance erupted in exclamation. His name was well-known in the Black Corner Region due to his remarkable achievements two years ago. Even the most hardened warriors in the Black Corner Region felt shaken by his reputation.
After this impactful name was spoken, the aggressive fire of the Black Alliance was somewhat doused. Glancing at each other, none dared to charge forward.
“Do not listen to his lies. Xiao Yan was killed by the Flame of Gan Nan Academy long ago; how could he still be alive? Destroy the stronghold. After we return, the Sect Leader’s reward will be generous!”
Just as the forces of the Black Alliance hesitated, another incitement rose, and the mention of the Sect Leader’s reward made the soldiers’ breathing grow heavy. They well understood just how generous Han Feng’s rewards could be.
“Charge!”
Driven by the allure of such great rewards, the forces of the Black Alliance, for whom killing was a routine, finally lost their restraint. Overwhelming swarms, accompanied by battle cries, surged toward the stronghold.
“Finding your own death!”
Seeing that the forces of the Black Alliance still ignored his warnings, Xiao Yan ceased his words. Smiling coldly, he slowly lifted his palm, and the invisible flame burst with imperceptible energy fluctuations.
Overwhelming waves of figures rushed toward the stronghold, but when they reached about fifty meters from Xiao Yan, they suddenly froze, their faces blushing, even steaming white vapor rising from their heads.
*Boom!*
The undulating invisible flames in Xiao Yan’s hand intensified, and in an instant, the fluctuation grew stronger. The man leading the charge of the Black Alliance, under countless shocked gazes, suddenly turned into a ball of flame. In a flash, he turned to ashes, not even having time to scream.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
Following the first low explosion, a series of similar sounds followed. Every time a sound rang out, another member of the charging Black Alliance force would turn into a burning human, then explode into ashes.
When over twenty or thirty strange, low explosions sounded, the once-ferocious faces of the Black Alliance forces turned fearful, their glances darting around, fearing they might be the next to turn into flames.
The entire sky, both inside and outside the stronghold, fell silent under the uncanny condition of people turning to ashes without warning.
A myriad of shocked and awed gazes gathered on the black-robed youth standing on the wooden stake outside the stronghold, the mastermind behind the sudden self-combustion of the humans.
“This kid… his move is too terrifying…”
Xiao Li took a deep breath, feeling a chill at the sight of Xiao Yan’s silent killing method.
Sensing the eyes on him, Xiao Yan opened his cold, black eyes, gazing at the motionless Black Alliance forces, a faint, cold light flashing in his eyes.
*Boom!*
A man in a blood-red robe, upon meeting Xiao Yan’s gaze, suddenly trembled, his face flushing red. Flames erupted from his body, and with a low thud, he turned into ashes.
Seeing another man turn to ashes without warning, the remaining Black Alliance forces faltered. This method of killing without even moving a hand was horrifying…
*Boom!*
Another low explosion rang out, and yet another person in blood-red robes spontaneously combusted. By now, some had realized that all the ones burning were from the Blood Sect, the ones who had been inciting the others the most.
Xiao Yan’s face remained indifferent, unmoved by the fear his killings brought. His cold gaze slowly swept around, and wherever he paused for a few seconds, another person would catch fire.
Under the relentless drumbeat of death, everyone’s hearts pounded, and after a while, some could no longer bear the pressure of waiting for death. Crying out madly, one turned and fled into the forest.
As the first person turned and ran, a chain reaction ensued, and the once-entrenched Black Alliance forces began to rout…
No one could remain composed in the face of such unexplainable self-combustions. The power of the Fallen Heart Flame was truly unpredictable. To the unknowing, this was a bizarre, inexplicable phenomenon.
Watching the large numbers rush headlong into the forest, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief. The invisible flames in his hand gradually dissipated. He turned, smiling at Xiao Li, who stood dumbfounded on the wall, and his previous coldness completely vanished.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s smile, the chilled members on the wall gradually came back to their senses. Seeing the defeated Black Alliance, cheers erupted like thunder throughout the stronghold.
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