As if an invisible soul power writhed desperately in Xiao Yan’s hand, but it could not escape the grip of that palm. In its struggle, faint roars of anger and malice were audible. Xiao Yan cast a cold glance at this fragment of the soul. Han Xue was also a decisive person, actually willing to abandon most of his soul power and leave only a tiny wisp to escape. Such a small amount of soul energy would be difficult to detect even by ordinary Battle Sect masters. If Xiao Yan were not present, Han Xue might have indeed slipped away once more today.
In front of Xiao Yan, who possessed exceptionally keen soul perception, Han Xue’s tricks were almost completely exposed. Even as this strand of soul power attempted to escape into the ground, it did not manage to conceal itself. Instead, it left traces that Xiao Yan easily detected with his senses.
A wisp of emerald green flame rose from Xiao Yan’s palm, enveloping the soul force. Then, Xiao Yan took out a jade bottle, tossed the soul force inside, and then covered the bottle opening with a thin layer of the flame. “After all this, I will treat you well, Senior Brother,” he said with a sardonic smirk. Flipping his hand, he stored the jade bottle in the storage ring.
Having done this, Xiao Yan lifted his head and looked around. Gazing at the now-ruined Demon Flame Valley, his calm gaze slowly scanned the area. Seeing Xiao Yan’s eyes sweep over them, the region immediately fell silent. The Black Corner Realm’s strongmen and their leaders, who had been invited by Han Xue, all had their hearts pounding. Their glances were unstable, and they dared not look him in the eye. They had clearly seen today’s great battle. Two, or three if counting the so-called ferocious souls—all of these supposed Battle Sect masters—ultimately met their end at the hands of Xiao Yan.
“Thank goodness I didn’t express my intention to join Han Xue; otherwise…” Many people secretly wiped the sweat from their foreheads, feeling relieved.
Xiao Yan’s gaze did not linger too long on them, instead turning to rest on Elder Eagle Mountain. Feeling Xiao Yan’s gaze, Elder Eagle Mountain felt a slight tension, but his face remained composed. His surging Dou Qi silently circulated, ready to strike at any moment.
“Elder Eagle Mountain, I can let today’s matter slide, but I hope there won’t be a second time. Otherwise…” Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed with a cold light as he spoke sternly.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s subtly threatening words, Elder Eyebrow Mountain’s expression shifted slightly. Before he could respond, his pupils contracted, seeing Su Qian and Little Healer Immortal appear behind and in front of him, their auras locking him down.
With Elder Eagle Mountain’s strength, dealing with Great Elder Su Qian alone would be a stalemate, and adding the even stronger Little Healer Immortal, he would have no chance of winning. As Elder Eyebrow Mountain’s eyes flickered, his expression changed again. He noticed Mo Tianxing moving imperceptibly, just enough to cut off his last escape route.
“This old man, truly shameless.” Being directly locked down by three Battle Sect masters, even Elder Eagle Mountain, did not dare make any moves. A forced, rather stiff smile appeared on his aged face as he said to Xiao Yan, “I must admit, I underestimated Xiao Yan, young friend. Today, I was coerced by Han Xue. I hope you will forgive me.”
The many strongmen present saw Xiao Yan actually force a Battle Sect master to speak such submissive words. The expressions on their faces were mixed, and the awe in their gazes towards Xiao Yan intensified.
Seeing Elder Eyebrow Mountain’s demeanor, Xiao Yan smiled. After a fierce battle, both he and Little Healer Immortal were quite worn out, and their combat power was significantly reduced. Forcing Elder Eyebrow Mountain to a desperate fight would likely lead to unexpected complications, especially with Mo Tianxing, who seemed untrustworthy. Though he currently appeared to be on their side, if they and Elder Eyebrow Mountain fought to a mutual defeat, he might not hesitate to take advantage of the situation. Therefore, intimidating Elder Eyebrow Mountain into leaving was the best course of action.
“Are you willing to give up the Bodhi Body Fluid, Elder Eagle Mountain?” asked Xiao Yan, casting a glance at Mo Tianxing with a faint smile.
Elder Eagle Mountain couldn’t help but smile bitterly, shaking his head. “Such a rare treasure goes to those capable of obtaining it. Since Xiao Yan, young friend, has this capability, I naturally have no right to claim it. However, some others may still dream of taking both the treasure and wealth.”
As he spoke, Elder Eyebrow Mountain shot a cold, mocking look at Mo Tianxing. Faced with Elder Eyebrow Mountain’s subtle jibe, Mo Tianxing merely laughed. “Old man, don’t create trouble for me. I am quite reassured knowing the Bodhi Body Fluid is in the hands of young Xiao Yan.”
Elder Eyebrow Mountain snorted disdainfully at this, and Xiao Yan’s lips twitched slightly. This old man truly had thick skin.
“Haha, Xiao Yan, young friend, I have kept my promise and did not assist Han Xue. I wonder…”
Mo Tianxing ignored the thoughts of those around him and spoke to Xiao Yan. Hearing this, Xiao Yan glanced at Little Healer Immortal and nodded. She lifted her jade hand, tossing a jade bottle to Mo Tianxing.
Seeing the object thrown by Little Healer Immortal, Mo Tianxing stretched out his palm, a gust of wind surging forth, grabbing the jade bottle through the air. Wrapping it heavily in Dou Qi, he carefully opened the cap, revealing some gray-brown powder inside.
Mo Tianxing was being very cautious, for he knew how deep Little Healer Immortal’s poison skills were. Any carelessness could bring calamity. He had clearly seen the scene of Han Xue’s body exploding earlier, which, though due partly to Han Xue’s severe injuries, was also a demonstration of the terrifying nature of her poison.
“Boil the powder in water and let your son soak in it for a month. It will purge the toxins completely,” said Little Healer Immortal with a cold, clear voice, glancing at the cautious Mo Tianxing.
“Hehe, thank you,” Mo Tianxing replied, breathing a sigh of relief and bowing to Little Healer Immortal. Her response was indifferent, for she found him too deceitful and insincere, truly distasteful.
Surveying the ruined Demon Flame Valley, Xiao Yan’s face bore a mocking smile. This battle had thoroughly ruined the reputation of the Demon Flame Valley. With their headquarters destroyed, the valley would no longer have the strength to stand in the Black Corner Realm. As for the remaining fugitives, the Xiao clan would handle them. In the future, these people would be hard to find in the Black Corner Realm.
With a light step, Xiao Yan appeared beside Xiao Li and the others. The surrounding strongmen quickly bowed and began praising him. Xiao Yan responded with a smile and then turned to Xiao Li. The latter smiled and said quietly, “Don’t worry, I’ve already sent people to guard the exits of the Demon Flame Valley. Those fugitives won’t get away.”
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. In a place like the Black Corner Realm, leniency was a luxury. Their conflict with the Demon Flame Valley could not be resolved. To ensure the safety of future students, certain risks had to be eliminated.
As Xiao Yan and Xiao Li conversed, Xiao Li instructed the Xiao clan members to receive Su Mei and the others. Meanwhile, the strongmen who had been friendly with the Demon Flame Valley and Han Xue quietly left, understanding that the valley would no longer exist. They had no intention of avenging Han Xue; most of the Demon Flame Valley’s forces had perished, and no one would provoke the Xiao clan or the Jia Nan Academy without reason.
After sending some people away, Xiao Li ordered the search of the Demon Flame Valley’s ruins. The valley, a long-standing power in the Black Corner Realm, had a substantial foundation after years of accumulation, with various martial arts, techniques, weapons, and miraculous medicines. Now that the valley was eliminated, its treasures and resources naturally had to be taken. For the Xiao clan, this was a significant windfall.
Though Xiao Yan and the others had good intentions, after half an hour of searching, they found no trace of a treasure trove. It seemed as if the Demon Flame Valley never had such things.
Seeing the disappointed Xiao clan members returning from the ruins, Xiao Yan and Xiao Li frowned. Could it be that the Demon Flame Valley had moved their treasures beforehand? In his confusion, Xiao Yan suddenly noticed Zi Yan, arms crossed, standing nearby.
“Aha, I forgot about you, little girl. Finding treasures is what you’re best at, right?”
“Hmph, now you remember me?” Zi Yan huffed, clearly displeased that Xiao Yan had only thought of her now.
Xiao Yan chuckled and, after a bit of persuasion, managed to coax a reluctant smile from her. Reluctantly, she closed her eyes and, after a moment, reopened them. Her figure darted towards the depths of the Demon Flame Valley, followed closely by Xiao Yan, Xiao Li, and Little Healer Immortal.
Following Zi Yan, they navigated through the long, deep tunnels of the valley. After a few minutes, a stone wall covered in weeds blocked their view. Stopping before the stone wall, Xiao Yan and the others looked around but saw nothing unusual, so they turned to Zi Yan with puzzled looks.
Seeing their confusion, Zi Yan grinned triumphantly. She moved to a spot on the stone wall, clenched her fist, and pounded it hard.
*Boom!*
As shards of stone flew, a crack appeared in the wall. Zi Yan lunged forward, her fists hammering the wall like a giant excavator, creating a ten-meter-long tunnel. Then, Xiao Yan and the others saw a dark, deep hole hidden within the rock.
Seeing the hole, Xiao Yan sighed in relief, then shook his head with a wry smile. “Sure enough, it’s here. But this girl’s method of finding treasure is a bit too brutal…”
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