As Yun Du and Yun Sha fell, the massive offensive against the Miter family slowly came to an end in the eyes of countless people in the Imperial City, with an outcome that no one had anticipated. In this battle, the Cloud Mist Sect, which had come with a fearsome momentum, suffered the most insane blows. Not only did the nine strong experts who came all fall, but even those ordinary disciples were mostly killed or injured. The rest who survived were now locked up in the prisons of the Imperial City. Thus, it could be said unhesitatingly that the offensive of the Cloud Mist Sect not only suffered a great defeat but also a very miserable one…
As the army of the Imperial City began to clean up the streets that had been quite damaged, the onlookers surrounding the Miter family finally dispersed with the remaining shock in their hearts, still finding the event exhilarating. It could be imagined that within a few days, the events that occurred in the Imperial City would spread like wildfire throughout every corner of the empire, or even reach some neighboring empires, which would receive such shocking news.
As the vast battlefield gradually came to an end, the originally desperate members of the Miter family breathed a sigh of relief, and under the command of Ya Fei and others, they started to clean up the messy estate. As Lin Yan and others landed in the estate amidst the reverent gazes, Xiao Yan smiled at Xiao Ding, who was sitting in a wheelchair. Then, he turned to the person behind him, “Elder Brother, don’t you want to meet our big brother?”
“hehe…” Hearing this, Xiao Li stepped out with a smile, his Dou Qi wings slowly dissipating. He grinned at Xiao Ding, “Big brother, are you alright?”
Looking at Xiao Li’s face, which was even leaner and colder than two years ago, Xiao Ding smiled faintly, saying softly, “You’ve been through a lot this time… I’m glad you remembered my words and didn’t let anything happen to our third brother. Otherwise, you wouldn’t come back to see me.”
For the subtle reprimand in Xiao Ding’s words, Xiao Li scratched his head without any resentment or resistance. “Big brother, your legs?”
Xiao Li’s gaze fell on the wheelchair Xiao Ding was sitting in, and his face suddenly darkened. “It’s nothing…” Xiao Ding waved his hand casually, but then looked at Xiao Li with some surprise, “How did you advance to the Dou King level in just two years?”
Xiao Li froze, then hurriedly said, “Hehe, of course, it’s all thanks to our third brother. Otherwise, with my talent, I would have at most reached the Dou Spirit level by now.” While speaking, he also gestured towards Xiao Yan behind his back. Seeing Xiao Li’s gestures, Xiao Yan understood silently in his heart. Elder Brother kept silent about the matter of exhausting his life for power, fearing for Big Brother’s concern, but this could only be hidden for a while; according to the duration of the Lifedevouring Pill, Elder Brother had at most half a year left.
“It seems I need to find a way to get rid of that Lifedevouring Pill for Elder Brother…” After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yan raised his head and smiled and nodded at Xiao Ding, who was looking over. Then, he quickly walked forward, crouched down, pressed his fingers on the latter’s thigh, and frowned, “Is it poison?”
“Yes, when we were fleeing, I was hit by a cold arrow laced with poison. Over the years, it has resulted in my legs losing sensation, but I’m used to it. At least, it allows me to think and cultivate in peace,” Xiao Ding replied with a smile, showing no great despair over his paralyzed legs.
“If it’s just poisoning, there are still some methods to detoxify, but since it’s been too long, it might take some time,” Xiao Yan said with a smile, feeling relieved in his heart.
“Haha, if we’re going to reminisce, why not do it inside? Let’s go and chat. Although the Miter family is in a mess right now, we can still provide a clean place,” said Hai Bo Dong, who had seen the three chatting happily.
Everyone laughed good-naturedly, and then followed Hai Bo Dong into the hall. They all found their seats; Lin Yan, Lin Xiu Ya, and Liu Qing sat casually next to Xiao Yan, while the strong members of the Xiao sect, like Yao Da and others, after hesitating for a moment, stood straight behind Xiao Yan, like wooden stakes. Although these guys were all unruly, they held a deep respect for Xiao Yan, and truly regarded him as their leader.
Seeing the actions of the group, Hai Bo Dong took it all in, and also guessed something. In the hall, there were also many core members of the Miter family. However, at this moment, these people, who previously had complaints about the trouble Xiao Ding and the Xiao family brought to the Miter family, now had looks of respect. Occasionally, when talking with Xiao Ding, they maintained a polite smile. After what had happened, they understood that from today onward, the once struggling Xiao family under the protection of the Miter family would rise to become one of the strongest forces in the Jia Ma Empire, even surpassing the Miter family itself.
For these people’s quick change in expression, Xiao Ding’s smile remained unchanged. This scene did not surprise him; he had known long ago that as long as he could hold out until Xiao Yan returned, the Xiao family would surely revive!
After seating the guests, Hai Bo Dong dismissed some maidservants and then turned to Xiao Yan, saying thoughtfully, “I fear this time, you are determined to fight the Cloud Mist Sect to the death, right?”
“Do you think the Xiao family and the Cloud Mist Sect can coexist in the Jia Ma Empire?” Xiao Yan asked with a light smile.
“Since that’s the case, I should tell you about the current strength of the Cloud Mist Sect…” Hai Bo Dong’s face gradually became serious, and he said slowly, “In these three years, the development of the Cloud Mist Sect far exceeded your expectations. Three years ago, apart from Yun Shan, the entire sect had only Yun Yun as a Battle Emperor. Now, even though Yun Du and Yun Sha have fallen, the Cloud Mist Sect still has at least three Battle Emperors, and there are still some Dou Kings as well.”
“They must have used some method to forcefully enhance their strength, otherwise, such progress would be impossible,” said Xiao Yan, holding a cup of tea, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Moreover, the earlier Yun Du and Yun Sha, although they had the aura of Battle Emperors, their Dou Qi was weak and empty, clearly due to taking some pills or secret techniques… Therefore, the Cloud Mist Sect is indeed stronger than three years ago, but it is not unbeatable.”
Hearing this, Hai Bo Dong was taken aback. It seemed that he was very surprised that Xiao Yan could figure out the shortcomings of the Cloud Mist Sect so quickly.
“Over the years, Ya Fei has established a huge intelligence network. With her help, I discovered that there seem to be traces of other mysterious forces within the Cloud Mist Sect, which may be the reason for their large number of strong members,” said Hai Bo Dong, frowning slowly.
Xiao Yan’s brow raised slightly. That mysterious force was surely the Soul Temple. Otherwise, with Yun Shan’s capability, it would be impossible to significantly increase the strength of the Cloud Mist Sect elders.
“Currently, the influence of the Cloud Mist Sect spans most of the Jia Ma Empire. If you want to deal with them, relying solely on your own strength would be extremely difficult. So, I suggest you bring the other two major families, the Alchemist Guild, or the royal family to your side. In recent years, they have been extremely dissatisfied with the Cloud Mist Sect, but due to Yun Shan’s strength, they dare not speak out. Your return is a good thing for them, because with you, even if they fight head-on with Yun Shan, they stand a chance,” said Hai Bo Dong after a moment of thought.
“Even they dare to have ulterior motives toward the Cloud Mist Sect?” asked Xiao Yan with a smirk.
“You’re still harboring a grudge over those past events, aren’t you? But it’s not their fault either—the Cloud Mist Sect is just too powerful. They have to think about their clans as well,” said Hai Bo Dong, shaking his head helplessly.
“Although you’ve brought many strong members to the Jia Ma Empire, I have to say, relying solely on them is not enough to match the Cloud Mist Sect. Furthermore, the Cloud Mist Sect still has a frightening Yun Shan. That old man is much stronger than three years ago. Relying on you alone…” Hai Bo Dong said solemnly. Looking at the hall, Lin Yan and the others, he naturally could see their strength—dozens of Dou Kings, not a particularly large force compared to the Cloud Mist Sect.
Xiao Yan smiled, “I naturally know that we cannot overturn the Cloud Mist Sect alone.”
Just as Xiao Yan’s words dropped, he suddenly clapped his hands, and the sound echoed in the hall, eventually fading out. Soon after, there was a faint sound of wind breaking, and three figures darted into the hall, revealing Dark Bone Old Man, Su Mei, and Iron Bird—all of them Battle Emperors.
“Hehe, Elder Xiao, we entered the city unnoticed,” said Dark Bone Old Man, scanning the hall and smiling at Xiao Yan.
“Thank you, three of you,” replied Xiao Yan, nodding with a smile. “Elder Hai, now I have at least as many Battle Emperors and Dou Kings as the Cloud Mist Sect, what’s there to fear?”
Hai Bo Dong, seeing the three, was shocked. He realized that these three were at least on par with him, and that dark-faced old man might even be a bit stronger.
“You… You really hid quite a lot, I really didn’t expect it…” After a while, Hai Bo Dong, coming out of his shock, praised, shaking his head.
Xiao Yan smiled, holding a teacup, and said quietly, “And about Yun Shan… I’ll leave him to…”
Before he finished, the space in the hall suddenly rippled, and two figures appeared, one tall and one short. The tall one was a red-clad woman, her face seductive and filled with an unusual allure, yet cold as ice, making it hard to look directly at her. Beside her was a little girl in white, her black gem-like eyes roving around curiously.
Xiao Yan was stunned at the sudden appearance of the two, then his gaze fell on the intricately crafted box in the little girl’s hand, which emitted a faint medicinal fragrance. Seeing this, Xiao Yan’s mouth twitched, his face turning pale again. Clearly, these two had been stealing herbs again…
As Xiao Yan’s face turned pale, Hai Bo Dong, who was sitting at the head, instantly paled with a look of shock spreading across his face.
“Q-Queen Medusa?” His body trembled, and after a moment, a hoarse, horrified voice emerged from his throat.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage