“Xiao clan, Xiao Yan?” Upon hearing the calm and light voice, Xie Zhen’s face instantly changed. Others might find this name a bit unfamiliar, but to him, it was like a thunderclap. The founder of the Xiao clan, the young powerhouse who once left his resounding fame in the Black-Corner Region! Even after two years, there were still many people in the Black-Corner Region who remembered this name. Moreover, within their Demon Flame Valley, they had gathered many strong individuals who, back then, were driven to a dead end by that black-robed youth. Therefore, Xie Zhen had a very deep impression of this man!
“Wasn’t he supposed to have left the Black-Corner Region? Why is he here now?” Wiping the blood off his lips, Xie Zhen felt a storm of shock welling up inside him. If the news of Xiao Yan’s return to the Black-Corner Region were to spread back to the Demon Flame Valley, it would certainly cause a huge stir. After all, this person had killed even Han Feng, a half-step Battle Sect-level powerhouse. His return would bring immense pressure to the Demon Flame Valley.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, a hint of retreat gradually emerged. Back then, Xiao Yan could kill powerhouses like Han Feng; now, after two years, his strength must have become even more terrifying. It would be difficult for Xie Zhen to withstand him alone.
With this thought, Xie Zhen’s fighting spirit quickly dwindled. He glanced around with a cold stare, then stomped his foot on the rock behind him. His figure turned into a green blur, dashing towards the group where Xiao Yu and others were.
Xie Zhen’s sudden move immediately alarmed the students of the Jia Nan Academy. Faced with the former, their strength was like the difference between a chick and an eagle—completely incomparable.
Amidst everyone’s panic, Xie Zhen rapidly closed in. However, just as he was about to rush into the crowd of students, a faint black figure appeared like a ghost before him. A huge black ruler in hand, carrying a hot gale and a sharp sound, it ruthlessly slashed down at his head.
“This guy… what terrifying speed…” Seeing the ghostly appearing black figure, Xie Zhen’s heart sank. His body suddenly twisted, turning around, and then he burst toward the valley entrance. As he fled, he shouted towards the members of the Demon Flame Valley: “Attack, kill them all!”
Hearing Xie Zhen’s fierce shout, the two Dou Wang experts were initially stunned, then looked at each other, gritted their teeth, drew their weapons, and with a low roar, led the many shadowy figures toward Xiao Yan and the others in anger.
“You, step back.” Looking at the black-clothed figures charging towards them, Xiao Yan turned to Xiao Yu and the others, speaking calmly.
Without hesitation, Xiao Yu waved her hand, leading the group to quickly retreat.
Seeing Xiao Yu and the others retreating, a dazzling silver light erupted from Xiao Yan’s feet. His figure trembled, and a series of afterimages appeared in the valley. His form turned into a blurry black line, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of one of the Dou Wang experts.
The sudden appearance of Xiao Yan also caused the Dou Wang expert’s face to change. However, his reaction was not slow. Without thinking, he thrust his sharp long sword, causing a frigid gale, straight at Xiao Yan’s throat.
*Clang!*
Looking indifferently at the Dou Wang expert daring to attack, Xiao Yan’s lips curled into a sneer. Then, his heavy ruler struck harshly, colliding with the long sword. There was a clear sound, and the long sword shattered like a fragile branch. A monstrous force poured down, all transferring into the Dou Wang expert’s body.
*Puchi!*
Spraying out a torrent of blood, intermixed with the crisp sound of breaking bones, the Dou Wang expert from the Demon Flame Valley was sent flying, crashing into the mountain wall with a bang. His head exploded like a watermelon.
In one move! Just one move, and a Dou Wang expert was killed. This shocking scene made the remaining Dou Wang expert shiver from head to toe. Without hesitation, he summoned his Dou Qi wings, then shot into the sky. Turning, he tried to flee.
However, just as he turned, the temperature in the surrounding space surged, and a jade-green flame flashed, enveloping him in roaring flames.
“Aaaahh!” In the sky, the fleeing Dou Wang expert burst into flames, and his agonizing screams echoed in the valley, sending chills down the spines of the black-clad figures. The wailing only lasted a moment before it stopped abruptly, and a black, carbon-like object fell from the sky, emitting a smell of burnt flesh.
The black lump landed in front of the dozens of black-clothed figures. These ruthless elite members of the Demon Flame Valley also couldn’t help but swallow nervously, glancing fearfully at Xiao Yan, then looking at each other, they chose to flee. Facing a powerhouse of this level, any confrontation would only result in their demise.
Xiao Yan watched the retreating black-clothed figures with a cold gaze. In front of him, a shapeless flame appeared, releasing ripples that spread out swiftly.
*Bam! Bam!*
The ripples spread, and Xiao Yu and the others watched in astonishment as the bodies of the black-clothed figures suddenly exploded into piles of ashes. The deep, muffled sounds raised their hair on end. This strange method of killing was something they had never heard of.
Burst after burst echoed in the valley, and in about half a minute, the dozens of fleeing black-clothed figures turned into piles of black ashes on the ground…
When the last black-clothed figure’s body exploded, the shapeless flame in front of Xiao Yan slowly dissipated, along with the eerie ripples…
Glancing at the piles of black ashes, Xiao Yan lightly clapped his hands, flicked the Heavy Black Ruler, and stored it in his storage ring. Then, he turned to smile at the dumbfounded Wu Hao and the others.
Seeing the familiar, gentle smile on that face, the chill that surrounded Xiao Yu disappeared. The silent valley suddenly filled with vitality again. The playful young girls, having escaped a grave danger, huddled together, greeting each other, and casting furtive glances towards Xiao Yan, accompanied by some silvery laughter and admiring gazes. Clearly, the emergence of this great hero Xiao Yan and the legendary tales of his time at the Jia Nan Academy piqued the interest of these young girls immensely.
“That guy ran away…” Hearing the chattering voices beside him, Wu Hao shook his head helplessly, then turned to Xiao Yan, explaining that Xie Zhen had escaped in the chaos when Xiao Yan was being held back by the Demon Flame Valley’s men.
“He won’t get away…” Xiao Yan smiled, then turned to Wu Hao, “Are you okay?”
“Thanks to your pill, I should be fully recovered in a few days,” Wu Hao replied with a smile.
“Elder Wu, are you alright?” Three figures flashed down from the sky. It was Zi Yan, carrying Medei and Mo Ling, flying down from the top of the valley.
Wu Hao shook his head, then looked at Zi Yan, smiling. “I didn’t expect you to bring her back. The Grand Elder often talks about her…”
“Tsk, why does that old man keep mentioning me? He probably wants me to do the hard labor again, searching the mountains for herbs for him…” Zi Yan scoffed, rolling her eyes.
Wu Hao couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly. He knew Zi Yan’s identity well; she was even senior to his own senior. So, he dared not say anything about her disdainful look.
“Your current strength… you must have broken through to Battle Emperor, right?” Wu Hao scanned Xiao Yan, hesitated, and couldn’t help but ask.
Hearing this, everyone’s eyes turned to Xiao Yan. Seeing him nod with a smile, many drew a breath in awe. Battle Emperor was the rank they aspired to achieve with their entire lives, yet Xiao Yan, who was only a little older than them, had already reached it, making them envious.
Mo Ling and a few friends huddled together, their eyes occasionally darting to Xiao Yan’s smiling face. It had to be said, Xiao Yan held a considerable attraction for these young girls. Compared to him, the so-called outstanding figures in the academy paled in comparison. There was no comparison at all.
While everyone was chatting in hushed tones, a beam of light suddenly flashed into the valley, materializing in the sky. A slender hand threw something, and a figure tumbled down, landing heavily in front of everyone.
This sudden fall startled many. They looked over, shocked to see Xie Zhen, who had escaped earlier, lying lifeless on the ground. His face was an eerie grayish-purple, as if he had died from poison…
Gazing at Xie Zhen’s corpse, everyone’s eyes suddenly lifted, seeing a white-clothed woman floating in the air. Under their shocked gazes, she gracefully stepped down, smiling gently at Xiao Yan, but her words made many shudder.
“Sorry, I intended to bring him alive, but I didn’t expect his poison resistance to be so low. He just died from the poison attacking his heart…”
Looking at Little Healer Immortal’s beautiful, smiling face, Wu Hao wiped the cold sweat from his brow, muttering inwardly, why were the women accompanying this guy always so strong and… so ruthless?
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, glancing at the corpse on the ground, then turned to Wu Hao and the others, frowning, “What exactly is the Demon Flame Valley?”
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