With Xiao Yan’s light laugh, a dazzling golden light burst forth from the square, like a golden sun. Under this blinding golden light, most people hurriedly narrowed their eyes; no one could be seen in the direction of the radiant beam. The golden light had filled their entire field of vision.
Even though they couldn’t see, the people present were not ordinary; they could still clearly sense that the massive Heavenly Phoenix’s ethereal shadow, carrying immense power, had violently collided with the spot where Xiao Yan was standing!
“Boom!”
At the moment of impact, the entire square shook violently. A strong energy wave spread out in a ring shape along the ground, causing some nearby powerful individuals to stagger back several steps.
The ferocious energy raged wildly, and everyone forcibly opened their eyes. Dust filled their view, preventing them from seeing what was happening in that area.
“An arrogant brat,” murmured some of the strong, shaking their heads slightly. Facing an attack at the peak of a Dou Zun level, how daring of him to still act presumptuously—he was truly seeking death.
“Hmm.”
Feng Qing’er looked at the dust-filled area, her tense body gradually relaxing. A low hum escaped her nose. Since meeting Xiao Yan, it was the first time she had made him taste such a sensation.
“Bang!”
But as Feng Qing’er’s hum just ended, the dust-filled land shook once more. Then, a ray of golden light shot out at an unimaginably terrifying speed. Initially, the golden light was enormous, but after just an instant, it transformed into a slender figure. Finally, amid shocked gazes, it appeared before Feng Qing’er like a ghost.
“You, how is this possible?”
Staring at Xiao Yan, who had appeared unharmed, even his clothes intact, a look of astonishment instantly washed over Feng Qing’er’s face. Before she could launch another attack, a palm rapidly enlarged in her vision.
“Clap!”
A crisp clap resounded on the stone platform. Then, everyone saw Feng Qing’er flying backwards, finally skidding across the ground for over a hundred meters before coming to a halt. Her delicate face, which had been as beautiful as a fairy, was now adorned with a blood-red palm print, with a trickle of blood hanging from her lips and shock lingering on her features.
She had been rendered unconscious by Xiao Yan, her heart and blood boiling.
“No matter where your strength comes from, it is not truly yours—it’s just a deviant path.”
Gazing indifferently at the distant figure, Xiao Yan’s voice remained calm, without the slightest ripple. Strength, after all, could only be reliable if it came from one’s own cultivation. Even when Xiao Yan inherited Xiao Xuan’s powers, he did not recklessly increase his strength but instead suppressed it. Yet, Feng Qing’er, on the contrary, desperately sought to raise her power. This approach would always remain a misguided path, never reaching true peak.
“Hiss.”
Seeing Xiao Yan smack Feng Qing’er away, the onlookers drew in a cold breath. This guy really had no heart for compassion.
“Such fierce, such a beauty, if I were you, I’d not have the heart to strike her.”
“Haha, I prefer to secretly hit two people.”
Hearing these strange laughs, Xiao Yan casually waved his hand, his face expressionless. Feng Qing’er’s previous attack was clearly aimed at taking his life. To such a person, Xiao Yan treated her as an enemy, not a woman. He had no mercy when facing an enemy.
Even if she was ever so beautiful…
“Rascal!”
The group from the Heavenly Phoenix Clan, including the man with colored pupils, were stunned. Recovering, they immediately became enraged and stood up, intending to intervene.
“Stop, Qinger was bested, let’s take her back.”
Before anyone could move, the man with the colored pupils spoke. His pair of colored eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, and he slowly said, “Not bad, impressive strength.”
“If next time you want to test the waters, do it yourself. Letting a woman take the fall is a bit too much.”
Xiao Yan gave the man a glance, saying calmly.
“Haha, well noted. Next time, I will handle it personally.”
The man with the colored pupils smiled indifferently, but a dangerous glint flashed in his colored eyes.
“Always waiting.”
A smile reappeared on Xiao Yan’s face, and then he turned, leading Cai Lin and others towards the ancient clan.
As Xiao Yan turned, the man with colored pupils’ smile faded, and the jade pendant in his hand disintegrated into powder, sliding down through his palm, “Heh, quite ruthless. This is the first time I’ve seen you hit a woman.”
Seeing Xiao Yan with his group, Gu Hua, wearing a silver robe, raised a thumbs-up, smiling, “Quite bold indeed, Xiao Yan. You’re late this time.”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s gaze, Xuner laughed lightly, her beautiful eyes suddenly glancing behind Xiao Yan, “This must be Cai Lin, right? I’ve heard Xiao Yan talk about you often.”
Hearing Xuner, Cai Lin was slightly taken aback. She had heard from Xiao Ding about Xiao Yan’s childhood sweetheart, and if not for that event, it almost certainly would have been her becoming Xiao Yan’s wife. She also knew that Xuner held a significant place in Xiao Yan’s heart. In a way, she felt like a third party.
This awkward position made Cai Lin a bit uneasy, but courtesy demanded she nodded politely.
Xiao Yan felt a bit awkward as the two women conversed, but he coughed and led the group to sit down.
Most of the people following Xiao Yan were women, each with stunning beauty. Thus, at this point, the atmosphere felt a bit odd. Listening to Xuner’s words, gazes turned to Cai Lin, recognizing who she was. Their faces took on a peculiar expression. Did Xiao Yan really aim to have both?
Although they thought this, they wouldn’t say it. Since Xuner hadn’t spoken out, despite feeling a bit uncomfortable, they didn’t mention it.
Amid the awkwardness, Xuner greeted each individual behind Xiao Yan with composure and politeness. However, her gaze met Nalan Yanran’s, both of them pausing for a moment. The last time they met, Nalan Yanran had come to Xiao Yan’s family to annul the engagement. At that time, Nalan Yanran was haughty and proud, but now, years of experience had mellowed her pride.
Though Nalan Yanran’s face betrayed nothing, her heart was a jumble of emotions. She remembered Xuner’s cool, gentle voice, “Miss Nalan, I hope you won’t regret your actions today in the future.” Even after a decade, Nalan Yanran remembered the words, and she truly regretted them, though it was too late.
“Xiao Yan, are you here in the Ancient Region for the Bodhi Ancient Tree?”
After the introductions, Xuner turned to Xiao Yan.
“Yes.”
Seeing Xuner’s reaction, Xiao Yan felt a pang of guilt, which only grew stronger as she acted indifferent. He understood that Xuner simply didn’t want to cause trouble.
“From here, deeper into the Ancient Region lies the Bodhi Ancient Tree,” Xuner pointed to the north of the Ancient Region, speaking softly.
“But reaching the tree is difficult. There are hordes of fierce beasts stationed within a hundred miles, surrounding the interior. We must pass through that beast sea.”
“Over the past few days, we’ve all tried, but we were stopped mid-way. The beast hordes are not only numerous but also powerful, making them extremely hard to deal with.”
Xuner raised her face, the sunlight illuminating her soft, glowing skin, contrasting with Cai Lin’s seductive beauty. “No wonder everyone here has such a strong scent of blood. It’s because they faced the beast hordes.”
Xiao Yan understood, mumbling, “Yes, so we all need to work together, or no one can get through.”
Xuner brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, her eyes becoming serious, “The proposal for alliance came from someone you should be wary of—a member of the Hall of Souls. He’s one of the young generation of the Soul Clan with a high chance to become the next clan leader.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s heart stirred, his gaze following Xuner’s…
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