The originally relaxed atmosphere in the hall suddenly tensed up with Xiao Yan’s single sentence. Those present were all very familiar with the Black-Corner Region and naturally knew that the Earth Demon Old Ghost was an incredibly troublesome figure.
“Really, we underestimated Han Feng. If I had known, I would have kept him on that day…” A sullen look flashed across Xiao Yan’s eyes as he spoke slowly.
“Even if Han Feng didn’t report it, it was bound to get to the Earth Demon Old Ghost sooner or later. This old fellow has always been protective of his own, and now that you have killed all three Elders of the Burning Flame Valley, he is sure to be furious once he finds out,” Su Qian shook his head. His face also grew slightly serious, indicating that the so-called Earth Demon Old Ghost put considerable pressure on him.
“Great Elder, what should we do now? With the Earth Demon Old Ghost’s vengeful character, he is bound to take it out on the Jia Nan Academy. It’s going to be a big trouble,” an inner court elder said solemnly.
“The Burning Flame Valley and our Jia Nan Academy have been at odds for years. As the founder of the Burning Flame Valley, the Earth Demon Old Ghost must be aware of the friction between both sides, yet he never stepped in to mediate, clearly allowing it. This time, coupled with the death of the trio of Fang Yan, perhaps the Earth Demon Old Ghost really will make a show of force…” another elder analyzed gravely.
Su Qian nodded, an icy smile appearing on his aged face. “This old geezer really thinks he can underestimate our Jia Nan Academy just because the great academy leader is not here. If he truly wants to pull something, then let him. I really don’t believe he would dare to lay waste to our Jia Nan Academy.”
“Hmph, when the great academy leader was around, this old fellow led the Burning Flame Valley like a turtle hiding in its shell, not daring to provoke our Jia Nan Academy. Now, he’s taking advantage of this situation to flex his muscles. He’s a despicable bastard,” an elder sneered derisively.
“From now on, the Jia Nan Academy will be on high alert. Xiao Li, send more scouts to keep an eye on the Burning Flame Valley, and report back immediately if there’s any movement. Since the Earth Demon Old Ghost won’t let it go, then I’ll tell him that even without the great academy leader, no one will allow him to run rampant here!” Su Qian declared in a low, stern voice.
Xiao Li nodded slightly. The Xiao clan and the Jia Nan Academy were on the same boat. If anything happened to the Jia Nan Academy, it would not benefit the Xiao clan. Furthermore, they were not entirely blameless, and the Earth Demon Old Ghost was sure to come after them…
Su Qian turned his gaze to Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, saying, “Stay within the inner courtyard these days. If anything unexpected happens, we can handle it together.”
Xiao Yan nodded. The entire incident was due to his actions, and he would not shirk responsibility. Meanwhile, the Little Healer Immortal followed Xiao Yan’s lead. Even if her opponent was a veteran expert from the Black-Corner Region, she would not hesitate if it came to a fight. Born with the Body of Devastation, she feared nothing.
“For now, let’s wait for the Earth Demon Old Ghost’s move. This old fellow is getting more and more arrogant. He wants to wipe out our Jia Nan Academy, but he doesn’t have the qualifications for that!” Su Qian said coldly, with a flash of anger in his eyes. Over the years, many students had died at the hands of the Burning Flame Valley, and he had been harboring a long-standing grudge. Now that the Burning Flame Valley dared to make such a bold move, did they really think Su Qian was made of clay?
As everyone looked at the cold, grim-faced Su Qian, the hall fell into a brief silence. Xiao Yan and Xiao Li exchanged glances, their faces filled with seriousness. It seemed a difficult battle was inevitable. After all, the Earth Demon Old Ghost was at least a six or seven-star Battle Sect, one of the strongest opponents Xiao Yan had ever faced…
As the meeting concluded, the defenses within the inner courtyard were significantly tightened, and strict restrictions were placed on the comings and goings of students. Noticing the tense atmosphere, many students wanted to ask questions, but seeing the tightly strained faces of the elders, they held their tongues. Anyone could see that the mood of the elders was extremely poor, and questioning them at this moment would likely bring them nothing but trouble.
Of course, the defenses of the outer Jia Nan Academy and the surrounding areas were also fortified. The Law Enforcement Team of the Academy went all out to set up a tight defense line, imposing the harshest punishments on anyone from the Black-Corner Region who dared to trespass.
Jia Nan Academy’s movements caused quite a stir even among the other powers in the Black-Corner Region. Some well-informed individuals, after learning about the recent battle over the Bodhi Transformation Bodily Saliva and the recent activities of the Burning Flame Valley, seemed to realize something. They were all a bit horrified. Was that old monster, who hadn’t appeared in the Black-Corner Region for many years, finally planning to strike at the Jia Nan Academy?
Both the Burning Flame Valley and the Jia Nan Academy were veteran powers with a long history in the Black-Corner Region. A full-scale conflict between the two would be akin to a bomb in the Black-Corner Region!
Thus, the entire Black-Corner Region buzzed with rumors, and a sense of impending doom loomed in the air. Everyone wanted to know: if these two old powers collided, who would emerge victorious?
Of course, some well-informed people in the Black-Corner Region knew that the Jia Nan Academy’s leader was a Dou Zun-level superpower. If this heavyweight figure were still in the Jia Nan Academy, the Burning Flame Valley wouldn’t dare make such a commotion. Unfortunately, the mysterious leader of the Jia Nan Academy had been missing for many years. No one knew whether he was alive or dead. Could the Jia Nan Academy, without such a powerful guardian, withstand the might of the Burning Flame Valley’s founder, the Earth Demon Old Ghost?
While the Jia Nan Academy’s movements caused a stir, Xiao Yan and his companions enjoyed a period of peace in the inner courtyard. Though they knew the Earth Demon Old Ghost was a formidable enemy, they believed that water could be blocked and fire could be smothered. After the initial worry, Xiao Yan felt more at ease. Even if the Earth Demon Old Ghost’s strength was unmatched in the Jia Nan Academy, wiping out the Jia Nan Academy would not be an easy task.
A six or seven-star Battle Sect was terrifying, but Xiao Yan was not entirely defenseless. If pushed to the limit, he would fuse his three types of flames and make the Earth Demon Old Ghost regret his actions…
With this mindset, Xiao Yan showed no sign of worry or concern over the past few days. Occasionally, he visited the Pan Gate, where he would refine some medicinal ingredients in front of the Pan Gate alchemists, earning praise and making his position in the Pan Gate members’ hearts more approachable.
When he had free time, he spent it in the inner courtyard’s herb storage or training room. Under such a calm state of mind, his cultivation advanced nicely. Several training sessions gave him a faint sense of approaching a breakthrough. It seemed that, given the right opportunity, breaking through to a five-star Battle Emperor would be almost inevitable.
Replenishing the Heavenly Fire Venerable in the Heaven’s Fire Bodily Refining Pagoda was postponed until the critical moments. Maintaining peak condition for the upcoming battle was crucial, and attempting such a feat now would result in a significant toll on Xiao Yan, which was far from ideal…
In the spacious square, a lively crowd gathered. In the center, several agile figures darted like monkeys, their powerful Battle Qi colliding, each clash drawing raucous cheers from the onlookers.
Xiao Yan sat in a spectator seat, flanked by the Little Healer Immortal, Zi Yan, and others. The matches in the square were spontaneously organized by the students, and he was invited to observe. Xiao Yan, finding it somewhat interesting, did not reject the students’ sincere invitation.
Holding a teacup, Xiao Yan leaned back in his chair, watching the fierce fights with a smile. After a student emerged victorious, he stood up slowly, ready to announce the winner. Suddenly, his face changed, and he looked up, his gaze fixed on the east where a large number of powerful auras suddenly appeared, along with a vaguely unsettling presence…
“They’re here…” the Little Healer Immortal’s face grew serious as she spoke softly.
Xiao Yan’s behavior drew attention from the crowd below. Just as they were bewildered, a thunderous, ancient voice pierced the sky, echoing like a clap of thunder.
“Children of the Jia Nan Academy, how dare you not greet me, the Old Ancestor, when I visit? Is this how Tian Chi taught you?” Hearing the deafening roar, Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, his fist clenching under his sleeve.
“Finally… they are here?”
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