Xiao Yan stood atop a high pavilion, his face grave as he gazed at the note in his hand. After a moment, he flicked his finger, and the note turned into a cluster of flames, quickly dissipating. “The Soul Sect, huh…” he murmured softly. In his black eyes, a chilling intent slowly rose. His hatred for this organization was bone-deep, as his two closest people were both in their clutches. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and after a moment, Xiao Yan abruptly turned around and walked down from the high pavilion. He knew nothing about this mysterious Soul Sect, but to rescue the Pharmacist Elder and his father, he needed to understand them. However, the Soul Sect’s members were notoriously elusive, and this time might be a rare opportunity! If he could capture one of the Soul Sect’s members, Xiao Yan would gain crucial information. This was vital to him! With these thoughts, Xiao Yan swiftly found Xiao Ding and the others, explaining the situation. When they heard that he was about to leave the Jia Ma Empire, they were stunned, falling silent for a long while before nodding heavily. Xiao Ding clearly understood that keeping Xiao Yan in the Jia Ma Empire would only bind him further. The more expansive Dou Qi continent would be the place where he could truly shine.
After finalizing some matters with the Flame Alliance, Xiao Yan didn’t waste any time. He found Zi Yan in the capital and then took off, flying rapidly towards the location of the Beasts’ Mountains. He was always wary of the Soul Sect’s members, so naturally, he needed to gather some assistance. Meidusa was undoubtedly the perfect choice. The snake people now had settled near the Beasts’ Mountains. Although they often clashed with the beasts, for the warlike snake people, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Choosing to reproduce in the Jia Ma Empire, the snake people’s vigilance towards humans had waned slightly. They had set up free passages within their territory, guarded by snake people warriors. This was much better than their previous hostility, and likely, given enough time, the snake people would gradually let go of their wariness and fully integrate into the Jia Ma Empire. Though the snake people’s territory was far from the capital, at Xiao Yan’s speed, it took only about an hour to reach the edge of the Beasts’ Mountains. His gaze swept over the vast forest, spotting the snake people moving through it. As Xiao Yan and Zi Yan hovered above the forest, a few figures below also noticed them, rising swiftly into the air, their eyes wary. When they recognized Xiao Yan, their alertness faded. “Friends of the snake people, I need to see Queen Medusa. Please guide me.” Xiao Yan bowed to the snake people, his voice steady. “The leader is in seclusion. If you wish to see her, you must first meet with the Commander. Only he and the Elders can enter her chamber.” A snake person hesitated before speaking. “Commander?” Hearing this, Xiao Yan frowned slightly. He had heard of this powerful figure in the snake people, second only to Medusa. Occasionally, from what other snake people said, this person seemed to be a training fanatic. During the great war between the Jia Ma Empire and the three major empires, he had secluded himself in the desert for almost a year. By the time he emerged, the desert was empty. If not for the snake people’s unique communication methods, he might never have found his people. Of course, this fact alone wouldn’t make Xiao Yan frown. This training fanatic, like many male snake people, worshipped Medusa as a goddess. And due to his strength, he was the most likely contender—until Xiao Yan, who was now a stumbling block. Even without meeting, Xiao Yan knew this man harbored no small amount of hostility towards him. Despite these thoughts, Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, “If so, please lead the way.” Although he found the unseen Commander troublesome, Xiao Yan wasn’t afraid. If the man proved unreasonable, Xiao Yan wouldn’t hesitate to use force. The snake people revered strength, and defeating him would save future trouble. Seeing this, the snake people nodded politely, their figures darting back into the forest, followed closely by Xiao Yan and Zi Yan. “Xiao Yan, don’t worry. If that Commander makes a fuss, I’ll punch him!” Zi Yan, aware of the renown of this Commander, grinned wickedly. “You’d better behave, or I won’t take you with me,” Xiao Yan shook his head, helpless. “Tsk, if you don’t take me, I’ll run away like Liu Qing and Lin Yan did,” Zi Yan pouted, unafraid of his threats. At this, Xiao Yan rolled his eyes, cursing those three under his breath. How dare they run away. If he met them again, he’d teach them a lesson. During Xiao Yan’s year-long seclusion, Lin Yan and the others, bored in the Jia Ma Empire, left together, leaving behind messages. They had no idea that soon after, a great war erupted. As Xiao Yan cursed them, the dense forest ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a vast tribe. The tribe was built into the mountainside, and within it, snake people moved briskly, some warriors standing at vantage points, their sharp eyes ever watchful. Following the snake person, Xiao Yan and Zi Yan weaved through, finally stopping at a square deep within the tribe. Behind the square was a stone path leading into the mountain, heavily guarded by many snake people. Standing in the square, Xiao Yan’s gaze fixed on the distant stone path, halting on the heavily guarded entrance. There, a bald man with his eyes closed emitted a fierce aura. His shiny head was covered in grayish-white snake patterns, making him look like a venomous snake coiled up. As Xiao Yan’s gaze fell on the bald man, the latter sensed it and opened his eyes, his triangular pupils like a giant devouring python, fixated on Xiao Yan. “Xiao Yan of the Flame Alliance, here to see Queen Medusa. Please relay the message!” Xiao Yan, unfazed by the man’s piercing glare, bowed and spoke slowly. “Xiao Yan?!” Hearing the name that had become a thorn in his side, the bald man’s fierce aura surged. He stood up abruptly. “You are Xiao Yan?” With a flick of his snake tail, the man’s body appeared strangely close to Xiao Yan, his eyes fixed intently, his tone cold. Sensing the hostile intent, Xiao Yan slightly furrowed his brows, then nodded indifferently. Seeing the nod, the man’s face split into a eager grin. Without another word, he clenched his fists, green light swirling, and scales materialized. With a roar, his fist, imbued with icy power, struck out at Xiao Yan. Feeling the cold, sharp wind, Xiao Yan’s face darkened, and he stomped his foot, summoning a surge of viridian flames. The flames rose, and the ground dried up, cracking rapidly. The surrounding snake people, chilled by their nature, hurriedly retreated. Seeing the viridian flames on Xiao Yan’s body, the man’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t pause. Just as his fist was about to touch the flames, a small figure flashed, and a small fist, with a startled cry, collided with the man’s. “Boom!” A dull sound erupted, followed by a terrifying shockwave. Zi Yan and the man both staggered back. Steadying himself, the man looked at Zi Yan, still rubbing her fist, and then sneered at Xiao Yan. Just as he was about to mock, a palm-sized viridian lotus floated from Xiao Yan’s hand, and a cold voice echoed. “Take one more step, and you’ll be bedridden for months.” The man’s eyes narrowed at the lotus, sensing the fierce energy contained within.
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