As the Sea Serpent’s injuries healed, over the next two days, Xiao Yan found himself with a lot more free time. Although the great battle with the Yun Lian Sect was only two days away, his side had already arranged for the strong fighters, so there was little for him to do. During these two days, the royal family, the Alchemists’ Guild, the Mi Family, the Mu Family, and the Nalan Family all began mobilizing their forces, summoning all the scattered strong fighters back in preparation for the upcoming battle. Such a large-scale mobilization by the major forces naturally attracted much attention, making the atmosphere feel like a storm was about to break. The perceptive ones, thinking of the Yun Lian Sect’s arrogant actions from earlier, could vaguely guess at the impending conflict. However, due to the gravity of the situation, most people were tight-lipped, afraid of inadvertently bringing disaster upon themselves.
What puzzled everyone, however, was that while the major forces were busy summoning their fighters, the Yun Lian Sect remained calm, seemingly unaffected by the tempest brewing around them. As the city braced itself for the coming storm, time slipped away like sand through an hourglass, leaving but one night until the decisive battle!
—
Xiao Manor, Backyard.
Perched on a high building, Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over the bustling, brightly lit metropolis, finally settling on the distant mountain range hidden in the night. Unconsciously, his hand clenched inside his sleeve; tomorrow would be the day of the showdown. Last time, he had fled like a beaten dog. What would this time bring?
With a slight pursing of his lips, Xiao Yan’s eyes moved down towards the constant training chants emanating from the Xiao Manor, before he slowly exhaled. Though the Xiao clan was desperately strengthening themselves, the safety and future of the Xiao Family hinged entirely on the outcome of tomorrow’s battle. If they won, the Xiao Family would rise to become one of the preeminent families in the empire. But if they lost, total destruction awaited… Therefore, for the Xiao Family, tomorrow’s battle was a matter of life and death!
The night wind tousled Xiao Yan’s hair. He suddenly smiled, turning his head to say, “You’ve been gone for two days. I thought you had left.”
As soon as Xiao Yan spoke, the space behind him suddenly fluctuated, and a graceful, coldly beautiful figure emerged: the Queen Medusa.
Appearing, the Queen Medusa glanced at him, her voice indifferent, “You haven’t given me the ‘Soul Return Pill’ yet, so how could I leave?”
“Do you really want to kill me?” Xiao Yan suddenly turned, staring into those bewitchingly beautiful eyes, he asked.
This unexpected question caused a momentary flicker of emotion in the Medusa’s expression, which then turned icy, “You used underhanded means to take my body. Shouldn’t I be able to kill you?”
Xiao Yan chuckled, slowly approaching her, his eyes roving freely over her alluring face, “That was not of my own doing. You could say I was forced into it. Of course, no matter what I say now, you’ll just think I’m making excuses… As for the ‘Soul Return Pill,’ once the agreed-upon time is reached, I will naturally make it for you. Whether or not you eat it will be up to you.”
“Why wouldn’t I? Once I consume the ‘Soul Return Pill,’ the Devouring Sky Snake’s soul will no longer affect me. Then, I can kill you without hesitation!”
Hearing this, the Medusa immediately responded without hesitation.
Looking at the determined look on the Medusa’s face, Xiao Yan smiled lightly, “Really? Although you always say that you can’t kill me because of the Devouring Sky Snake’s influence, I have a hard time believing that the great Queen Medusa would be affected to such an extent. If you truly harbored murderous intent, you would have had many opportunities.”
The narrow, exquisitely strange and beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and the cold face bloomed with an aura of enchantment. The Medusa looked at Xiao Yan with a sidelong glance, chuckling coldly, “Do you think I’d develop feelings for you? I am not some human woman who would fall after being taken. Your actions will only deepen our enmity!”
Xiao Yan shrugged indifferently, leaning against a column, gazing lazily at the Medusa. After a moment, he suddenly said, “If you really want to end my life, you don’t need to wait for the ‘Soul Return Pill.’ This fight with the Yun Lian Sect is uncertain. A single misstep, and I may die at the hands of Yun Shan. When that happens, you’ll be free…”
The beautifully drawn brows twitched ever so slightly, but the Medusa’s expression remained cold, “If you really die at Yun Shan’s hands, I shall thank him…”
“Hope so…” Xiao Yan smiled, waving to the Medusa, “It’s getting late. We should rest. Tomorrow, the fate of our lives and the success or failure of the battle will be decided. Let the fates align…”
With that, he turned and walked down the stairs, gradually vanishing from the Medusa’s sight.
As she watched the fading silhouette, the aloofness on the Medusa’s face slowly faded, and she faintly clenched her fists. A struggle appeared between her brows. After a moment, the struggle turned into a sigh filled with complex emotions, echoing softly in the air.
—
Imperial City, a grand hall.
“Grandfather, the royal family’s ten thousand elite troops have been deployed near the Yun Lian Mountain. The moment the battle begins, we will seal off the entire mountain. In addition to Grandfather and the Sea Serpent, our strong fighters include three Dou Wang-class members who have been cultivated by the royal family for years. These are the main forces we can deploy,” Yao Ye said, with a furrowed brow, under the light.
Jia Xing Tian nodded slightly, and even this seasoned elder appeared a little restless. They were making a huge bet; the slightest mistake would drag the entire royal family into peril.
“Grandfather, no need to worry. Our combined strength is no less than the Yun Lian Sect’s. And didn’t Teacher Xiao Yan’s teacher also reach the Douzong level? We will surely win this battle,” Yao Ye said with a smile, though her forced laughter revealed her anxiety.
“Ah… I hope so. This time, I have bet everything on the royal family…” Jia Xing Tian sighed, speaking slowly.
—
Mi Family.
“Elder Hai, all of our elites have been summoned. We’re just waiting for the command to join the others and begin the final confrontation with the Yun Lian Sect!” In the grand hall, Ya Fei smiled at the elderly man standing by the window.
Elder Hai Bo Dong turned around, nodding with a smile, before letting out a long sigh, “Everything is ready. Now, it’s up to the heavens to decide which side they favor…”
Ya Fei nodded silently. This battle would determine the survival of two major forces. Defeat would mean certain doom for either side. Her eyes scanned the courtyard, and her gaze landed on the direction of the Xiao Manor. A subtle smile appeared on her face; she had a peculiar confidence in that young man…
At the same time, in the Alchemists’ Guild, Mu Family, and the Nalan Family, many remained awake.
When the first streak of morning light pierced through the clouds and illuminated the imperial city, the deserted streets began to fill with people.
In the Xiao Manor, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the bed. He suddenly opened his eyes, and his figure vanished in a flash.
In the front yard of the Xiao Manor, what was once an empty courtyard now stood over a hundred black-clothed figures, their intimidating aura filling the air. Even the bravest would feel a chill at the sight.
Before these black-clothed figures, Lin Yan, Zi Yan, Yin Gu La, and other strong fighters, stood silently, adding to the heavy atmosphere.
“Are you all ready?”
The silence was suddenly broken by a smiling voice, and a black-robed figure flashed to the top of the steps, addressing the crowd below.
“Boom!”
Over a hundred black-clothed warriors knelt on one knee in unison. Although they made no sound, their presence was unmistakable. Satisfied, Xiao Yan’s pitch-black eyes shone with blazing fervor. Today was the day to settle the score, to the death!
His chest swelled with fighting spirit, and a jade-green flame appeared behind him. With a slight motion, he hovered in the air, raising his head, and let out a clear roar!
The roar resounded like thunder, rolling continuously across the city, drawing the attention of countless people.
Shortly after Xiao Yan’s roar, responses echoed from several directions within the city. All enveloped in formidable energy, these roars reverberated in every corner of the city!
“The Yun Lian Sect is acting arrogantly with the intention to usurp the country. The royal family stands ready to support the Xiao Family in eliminating the rebels!”
“The Mi Family stands ready to support the Xiao Family!”
“The Alchemists’ Guild stands ready to support the Xiao Family!”
“The Mu Family stands ready to support the Xiao Family!”
“The Naran Family stands ready to support the Xiao Family!”
Inspired by the roars from all directions, Xiao Yan’s black hair billowed, his hearty laughter spreading like thunder. His overwhelming spirit left the entire city in awe!
“Yun Lian Sect, here comes Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family, to claim his debt!”
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