A terrifying flame storm swept across the sky, the horrifying temperature instantly evaporating all the moisture in the world. The air was filled with an arid dryness, and those of lesser strength felt their blood boiling within them.
“Bang!”
From within the flame storm, a muffled boom resounded, and then a figure engulfed in flames plummeted from the sky like a cannonball, its howls of anguish filling everyone’s ears. The voice indicated it to be none other than one of the Four Venerables of the Hall of Souls, who had previously been majestic and mighty, but now seemed on the verge of turning into roast pork.
“Boom!”
Under the watchful eyes of many, the Four Venerable crashed violently into the Blood Sea within the deep ravine, sending a terrifying wave of heat through it. The Blood Sea boiled and then rapidly dissipated, vanishing in a matter of seconds.
In the sky, the sound of the wind breaking whizzed as Xiao Yan’s ghostly figure materialized above the ravine, casting a cold glance down. His earlier triple strike had undoubtedly gravely injured the Four Venerable; if fate was unkind, he might even have perished on the spot.
“Cut the weed and remove the roots!” Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed, and with a sudden grip of his hand, a pillar of flame with a purplish-brown hue laced with a deathly white shot out from his palm. It streaked down the ravine, aiming directly at where the aura had last lingered.
“Sizzle!”
The flame column baked the damp soil of the ravine until it hardened like rock. As the flame column swept through, the ravine turned into stone, waves of searing heat continuously permeating the area.
“Pooh!”
At the end of the flame column, the Four Venerable, now completely skinned and his flesh scorched, weakly opened his eyes, his fingers trembling as a jade scroll appeared in his palm. With all his remaining strength, he crushed it.
“Sizzle!”
As the jade scroll shattered, a spatial black hole abruptly formed beside the Four Venerable, suction surging out and swallowing him in one go.
“Whoosh!”
In the instant the Four Venerable disappeared, a streak of light darted into the ravine, appearing where he had just been. Frowning slightly at the warped space left behind, Xiao Yan murmured, “Escaped pretty fast…” Surprised that the Four Venerable could take such heavy blows, though he didn’t finish him off, Xiao Yan wasn’t concerned. The injury the Four Venerable sustained, even if healed, would leave lasting effects, rendering him hard-pressed to progress further. With more time to train, pinching this Venerable to death next time would be as easy as pie.
“Phew…”
He exhaled, his face tinged pale. Having battled two Hall of Souls’ Venerables in quick succession and using multiple high-level battle skills, the strain was considerable, even with Quang Xuejue. If it continued like this, he really wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“The crisis for the Flame Alliance is more or less resolved…” Xiao Yan flapped his cyan and scarlet bone wings, soaring out of the ravine, appearing in the sky outside. He glanced around and, spotting ongoing battles between the Hall of Souls and Lionheart Clan’s powerhouses, coldly grunted. Fingers moving, ten scorching flame columns shot out, sweeping through the sky, hitting the opposing powerhouses like laser beams.
“Bang! Bang!”
With each thud, screams of agony rang out. Regular Douzong experts were blasted back, coughing up blood. The dreaded fire clung to them like relentless maggots. Their efforts to fend off the fire with their Dou Qi futile, many fled in panic with trails of flaming tails.
Seeing this, the remaining Hall of Souls’ experts knew the tide had turned, and without delay, shrouded in dark clouds, they fled.
“Alliance Lord Xiao, we are forced! Spare us!” Some other powerhouses, lured and coerced by the Hall of Souls, cried out in fear. They never expected Xiao Yan to be so formidable, defeating two incredibly strong opponents single-handedly. They didn’t dare resist anymore.
Xiao Yan glared indifferently at these fence-sitters, but didn’t press his advantage. Though he hated them, they did carry some reputation in the Northwest Continent. Killing them all wouldn’t bode well for the Flame Alliance’s development, and he wasn’t keen on recruiting such cowards who would turn against him given the chance. After a brief pause, he said, “You may go. One life for a life. Bring me people from the Lionheart Clan to replace you.”
Hearing this, the faces of the Lionheart Clan’s fighters contorted in horror. Meanwhile, the other powerhouses, after a moment’s hesitation, their eyes flickered with menace, turning on their former allies with the Lionheart Clan. In the sky once again, another chaotic fight broke out, except now, the Flame Alliance watched from the sidelines, savoring the spectacle.
“These guys, shameless indeed,” Xiao Ding smiled, watching the brawl. Xiao Yan was not known for his mercy. Covered in the blood of the Lionheart Clan, enmity would surely flare between them, making any future alliances unlikely. Lionheart Clan’s defeat here would cost them heavily. Alienated after crossing so many powers during the Northwest Conflict and bereft of the Hall of Souls’ protection, their fate would be bleak. From then on, in the Northwest, the Flame Alliance might rule supreme.
After a 15-minute skirmish, the Lionheart Clan suffered grievous losses. The armies below, lacking direction, fell into disarray and fled. Glancing at the sky, Xiao Yan knew the Lionheart Clan was done. It would cease to exist.
Relief washed over Xiao Yan. Turning towards the ramparts, cheers erupted from the fortress, echoing to the heavens, “Flame Alliance forever! A hundred years for the Alliance Leader!”
Landing softly, Xiao Yan smiled, hearing the jubilant cries shake the fortress.
“You’re always the lone hero…” Cai Lin cast him a sideways glance, lips curled into a pleased smile. She had poured her heart into the Flame Alliance and despaired at the thought of it destroyed.
Laughing, Xiao Yan shook his head at her soft-hearted ways, unchanged over the years.
“Hah, our young patriarch, truly surprising. You handled that Blood River Venerable himself—a notorious old freak in Central Plains, almost as feared as your master.”
The Hu trio hurried over, praising, gazing at Xiao Yan with growing respect. The prowess displayed before was worthy of total submission.
“Heh, thank you all. Once we return, the remaining payment will be yours.”
“Nonsense. With the alchemist’s reputation, why worry?”
Hearing this, Xiaoyan laughed and started arranging troops to clear the battlefield, a bustling scene across the walls.
“Daddy, you are awesome!”
A sweet voice, startling yet soothing, made Xiao Yan’s face light up, looking over at Xiao Qiao waving from Cai Lin’s arms. A peculiar warmth surged through him, realizing he was a father…
“Father will be proud. I’ll free you soon, and we’ll reunite as a family.”
Sighing inwardly, Xiao Yan strode forward, scooping Xiao Qiao from Cai Lin, planting a kiss on her cheek. Seeing her pucker her face at the bitter taste, he burst into laughter.
“Sh!”
Amidst Xiao Yan’s laugh, Xiao Qiao’s forehead lit up, and a rainbow flash dashed out, coiling on his shoulder, happily flicking its snake tongue.
“A seven-colored Sky-swallowing Serpent?” Startled, Xiao Yan asked, staring at the dazzling light.
“Yes, it hadn’t fully merged, its soul reborn in Xiao Qiao’s body. As payback, she borrows its power, thus starting her life with Battle Sect strength.”
“Oh?” Xiao Yan’s eyebrow lifted. These serpents rivaled ancient celestial snakes, potent enough to rival even Dou Sages, which meant Xiao Qiao’s innate power combined with the serpent’s, forming a terrifying synergy.
“But, no matter its potential, borrowed strength isn’t reliable. My daughter must grow strong herself…” Smiling, eyes gleaming, Xiao Yan resolved to give Xiao Qiao the best cultivation possible. Perfection, for she was his.
“She will be perfect, because she is my daughter!”
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