“What’s going on?” The Pharmacist Elder, seeing Xiao Yan’s sudden and intense reaction, was startled and asked in a hurry. Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered slightly, as he handed the scroll to the Elder. The latter frowned deeply upon receiving it. He knew about the relationship between Xiao Yan and the Nine Serpent Deep Devil Tribe, and more importantly, Cai Lin was still in seclusion within the Nine Hells of the tribe. The strange changes mentioned in the scroll were likely related to Cai Lin. No wonder Xiao Yan reacted so intensely.
“The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan… What are these guys up to now?” The Pharmacist Elder said with a frown.
Xiao Yan slowly reined in the fierce aura that had erupted. There was a significant animosity between him and the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan. Last time, to resolve the problems of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, he even forcefully captured the young leader of the Demon Phoenix Clan and two Dou Sheng experts, using them as leverage to make the clan hesitate. Although this solved the crisis for the Ancient Dragon Clan, it also made him a mortal enemy of the Demon Phoenix Clan.
However, Xiao Yan was not afraid of this enmity. Moreover, his strength had significantly increased, and he was not at all intimidated. The only thing that confused him was why the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan would choose to target the Nine Serpent Deep Devil Tribe at this moment.
“What do you think of this?” The Pharmacist Elder looked at Xiao Yan. Though the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan was formidable, with the current power of the Heavenly Alliance, they were not to be feared.
“This matter does not need to involve the entire alliance. The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan is no ordinary force. With the alliance just stabilizing, if we were to start another war, it would inevitably bring unnecessary troubles, not to mention the Soul Temple watching us from the shadows.”
“I will take Little Healer Immortal and Qing Lin to the Beast Region,” Xiao Yan said.
“Just the three of you?” The Elder raised an eyebrow. The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan was a tough nut to crack, and their territory was the heart of the Beast Region. Even though Xiao Yan’s strength had grown, it might not be wise to go too far alone.
“Don’t worry…” Xiao Yan smiled. With his current strength, there were very few places on the Dou Qi Continent he could not venture.
“Should we bring Ancestor Xiao Chen along?” The Elder asked hesitantly.
“Right now, the alliance is under scrutiny. The Pill Tower Ancestor is free and carefree, but his presence is crucial at the headquarters. In my absence, we can only rely on Xiao Chen Ancestor.” Xiao Yan shook his head, smiling at the Elder’s worried face. “Teacher, don’t worry. Even if I meet a six-star Dou Sheng, I might not win, but I can escape easily. Besides, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan’s leader has not reached that level…”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s determination, the Elder did not argue further. “Then when do you plan to leave?”
“There’s no time to waste. I’m leaving now. Cai Lin has been in seclusion for too long, and I was getting worried. This time, I can check on her…” Xiao Yan said with a smile.
The Elder sighed. “Be extra cautious.”
Xiao Yan nodded and, without further ado, transformed into a radiant streak and darted out of the deep mountains. He quickly found Little Healer Immortal and Qing Lin, and the three of them tore through space, heading straight to the Beast Region at full speed.
The Beast Region was a massive area, no less than the Central State, and similarly, it had countless wonders and stories. The most prominent existences in the Beast Region were undoubtedly the three great clans: the Taixu Ancient Dragon, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, and the Nine Serpent Deep Devil Snake. The Taixu Ancient Dragons had not been seen for many years, while the Nine Serpent Deep Devil Snakes, though numerous, were inferior in terms of powerful experts. Therefore, with the Taixu Ancient Dragons disappearing, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan had risen to the same status as the Soul Temple in the Central State.
Recently, the Beast Region had been exceptionally lively, with the focus on the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan and the Nine Serpent Deep Devil Snakes. Nobody expected the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan to send a large force to attack the Nine Serpent Deep Devil Snakes, causing a tense atmosphere. Everyone knew that if these two clans fought, it would not be a small skirmish.
During this period, countless spies paid close attention to the situation.
In the depths of the earth, within the Dark Serpent Vein, the headquarters of the Nine Serpent Deep Devil Snakes was enveloped in a sense of urgency. Countless elite members of the clan, their eyes flashing with cold intent, looked toward the sky outside the vein, where silhouettes loomed, giant wings like dark clouds overshadowing the area.
“Clan Leader, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan is being too aggressive. If we do nothing, we will become a laughingstock, and who will dare to ally with us?” A venerable elder, standing on a majestic peak, spoke sternly to the towering figure in front of him. His words were met with agreeing voices, obviously incited by the Phoenix Clan’s arrogance.
“Elder Mo, this matter is not simple. The Phoenix Clan’s leader, Feng Tian, led the troops personally. This old man is a late-stage five-star Dou Sheng. Is there anyone in our clan who can match him?” A gray-robed elder with an ancient face added.
“Hmph, if we let the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan humiliate us before everyone, won’t we be inviting them to step on us?” The first elder coldly snorted.
“That’s not what I meant. The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan’s purpose is just the woman in the Nine Hells. If we hand her over…” The grey-robed elder smirked, but before he finished, the towering figure in front coldly snorted, causing the elder to pale and fall silent.
“Our Nine Serpent Deep Devil Snakes will never hand over a person. If we do, others will think we are afraid. As one of the three great clans, we cannot lose face! No one is to mention this again!” The towering figure turned around, an imposing presence radiating from him, the Clan Leader of the Nine Serpent Deep Devil Snakes, Jie Yan!
Hearing Jie Yan’s firm words, those advocating for peace could only hold their tongues. “But today is the deadline set by the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan. If we don’t hand her over, then…”
Their final words went unsaid, but everyone felt a weight in their hearts. The strength of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan’s leader, Feng Tian, a late-stage five-star Dou Sheng, was beyond any of them, even Jie Yan.
“Elder Mo, have you sent the message?” Jie Yan said after a moment of silence.
“It has been sent,” the elder replied, nodding. “But will Mister Xiao Yan really come?”
News of the Heavenly Alliance’s victory over the Soul Temple had spread throughout the Central State, and even in the Beast Region. Xiao Yan’s defeat of the Soul Temple’s Hall Master had also gained widespread recognition. Many elders held onto the hope of this savior, though they doubted he could single-handedly fight back the powerful Feng Tian. At least, if he came, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan wouldn’t be so arrogant.
“Now, we wait for good news. He will come,” Jie Yan said with a confident smile, looking toward the distant sky.
“Jie Yan, the three days are up. Have you decided to hand over the person or engage in battle?” Just as Jie Yan lifted his gaze, a voice filled with overwhelming pressure, like thunder, echoed in the ears of every member of the Nine Serpent Deep Devil Snakes.
Upon hearing this voice, the elders’ faces turned grim. Jie Yan’s expression darkened as he soared into the air, turning to look at the vast sky where a giant demonic phoenix, with hundreds of feet of mighty wings, perched. On its head, a figure in a purple-gold robe stood, arms behind his back, golden, and commanding eyes fixated on Jie Yan.
“Clan Leader Feng Tian, the woman in the Nine Hells is Xiao Yan’s lover. If you touch her, Xiao Yan will not let it go easily,” Jie Yan said sternly.
“Haha, such a strong statement…” The figure in the purple-gold robe, however, sneered, “Xiao Yan captured my son, threatening my clan. He even possesses the demonic phoenix wing. He is now our enemy. Do you think I care about his empty threats?”
Jie Yan’s brows furrowed; this old ghost seemed determined to capture Cai Lin.
“Give me one last minute to consider your final answer,” Feng Tian said, gazing at Jie Yan with a cold eye. As he closed his eyes, the oppressive atmosphere in the sky intensified.
The minute passed in a tight, strained silence. Jie Yan remained resolute, showing no sign of handing over Cai Lin.
When the last second passed, Feng Tian’s half-closed eyes opened, icy gold pupils gleaming with a chilling light.
“Since Xiao Yan has the nerve to capture my son, I will return the favor. I’ll capture his woman first!”
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