The sudden voice in his ear startled Lin Yan, pausing his train of thought for a moment. He then turned around abruptly, and when he saw the unfamiliar face, the joy in his eyes turned into astonishment. “Shh, don’t make a sound,” Xiao Yan smiled and whispered upon seeing Lin Yan’s stunned expression.
Hearing the familiar voice again, Lin Yan quickly reacted. His eyes filled with an uncontainable excitement, and he grinned, nodding and speaking in a low voice that only the two of them could hear, “Good guy, how did you end up in Central State?”
Seeing Lin Yan’s excited expression, Xiao Yan smiled and waved his hand, signaling that this was not a place for conversation. Lin Yan also came to his senses, glancing around. The sudden turn of events had clearly drawn the attention of everyone. It was obvious that Xiao Yan had entered the square abruptly and rescued Lin Yan from Wang Chen’s hands with his swift and forceful actions.
Around the square, there were many strong Wind and Lightning Pavilion guards. Seeing Xiao Yan’s actions, they immediately rushed over in fury, their voices echoing across the square, “Who are you? Why are you disrupting the event?”
Over a dozen Wind and Lightning Pavilion experts, with dou qi wings on their backs, hovered in the sky, surrounding Xiao Yan. Their eyes were cold and sharp, and their weapons emitted faint, cold light.
The abrupt change also caught Wang Chen off guard. When he regained his composure, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yan, and he lightly rubbed the two black daggers in his hands, making a chilling, grating sound.
“According to the rules, once someone surrenders, they should not be attacked anymore. However, this person ignored the rules and continued to attack. Why should I be blamed for this? You should direct your questions to him,” Xiao Yan released his grip on Lin Yan’s shoulder and glanced at the group of Wind and Lightning Pavilion experts, his tone calm but intentionally hoarse to conceal his identity.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, the Wind and Lightning Pavilion experts were taken aback. They exchanged glances, and though they had seen what happened, Wang Chen was from the Yellow Spring Pavilion, and the current presence of the Venerable of Yellow Spring made it difficult for them to do much. But no one expected Xiao Yan to appear and even more, they didn’t expect him to be so audacious. Did Wang Chen’s background mean nothing to him?
Although they were thinking this, they naturally wouldn’t say it in public. After all, Wang Chen was indeed in the wrong, and Xiao Yan’s actions, while not entirely by the rules, were understandable.
“He’s just a piece of trash who got lucky. What’s the big deal if he’s killed?” Wang Chen, however, felt no such restraint. He laughed coldly, his voice dripping with disdain.
“You bastard!” Lin Yan, with his fiery temper, immediately flared up. Just as he was about to step forward, Xiao Yan grabbed him.
Unable to move, Lin Yan gritted his teeth and glared at Xiao Yan. In his memory, Xiao Yan was not the type to take things lying down.
“The quality of the Yellow Spring Pavilion seems pretty low. You’ve survived this long only because of the pavilion’s name; there’s no reason to be arrogant,” Xiao Yan held Lin Yan back, his eyes coldly meeting Wang Chen’s. He had long disliked this man.
Wang Chen’s eyes turned venomous, and a hint of viciousness appeared on his face.
Other participants in the square also turned their eyes to this scene. When some people glanced at Xiao Yan, they frowned, shook their heads, and muttered, “You’re really courting death.”
Xiao Yan’s surface strength was deliberately suppressed to around the level of an eight-star Battle Emperor. With his current soul power, even a powerhouse like Fei Tian would have difficulty discerning his true strength. However, Feng Qing-er was an exception. The moment she saw Xiao Yan, her eyebrows furrowed. Her innate special sense made her feel a vague familiarity with the person in front of her.
“Who are you to comment on the Yellow Spring Pavilion? Who is your master? Tell me, and I’ll see if it’s worth listening to. To have raised such an arrogant disciple, I’m sure your teacher has some ability,” the Venerable of Yellow Spring’s cold voice echoed across the square.
While speaking, the Venerable of Yellow Spring scrutinized Xiao Yan, his eyes flickering with surprise. He could tell that Xiao Yan’s appearance was altered, and the most surprising thing was that his aura was also somewhat unclear. As he was about to delve deeper, he felt Xiao Yan being enveloped in a layer of extremely hot flames. Despite the obstacles, he sensed that Xiao Yan’s strength was at least at the peak of Battle Emperor.
This feeling of being obstructed surprised the Venerable of Yellow Spring. With his Dou Zun strength, he couldn’t even see through a junior’s strength?
The Venerable Thunder, Venerable Wind, and Venerable Sword were similarly surprised. The Venerable of Yellow Spring’s sudden words caused Xiao Yan’s eyebrows to furrow. He didn’t expect this old man to intervene in such a minor dispute. Bowing slightly, Xiao Yan said respectfully, “The Venerable of Yellow Spring overestimates me. I’m just stating the facts. My friend already conceded, but he still attacked, which goes against the rules. The other three Venerables surely saw this and know who is right and wrong.”
Many people were impressed by Xiao Yan’s calm demeanor in the face of four Dou Zun experts. Such a mindset was rare, as Dou Zuns were titans in the world.
The Venerable of Yellow Spring’s tone chilled, and he said icily, “Smooth talk, Venerable Thunder, deal with these little nuisances and don’t delay the event.”
Venerable Thunder tapped his fingers on the chair, his face showing no emotion. He smiled and turned to the Venerable Wind and Venerable Sword, “What do you think we should do about this?”
Venerable Sword stroked his beard and said, “Handle it according to the rules. Anyone who disrupts the event must be punished. However, since this is his first offense, let’s give him fifty strikes with the lightning staff and expel him from the mountain.”
“Hmph, the fault is not with him. Punishing him unjustly will make Venerable Thunder seem unfair,” Venerable Wind added, glancing at the Venerable of Yellow Spring.
The Venerable of Yellow Spring’s eyes turned cold. The Yellow Spring Pavilion was not known for mercy. If Xiao Yan left without consequences, it would damage their reputation.
“Venerable Wind has a point. This person disrupted the event, but it was justified. Wang Chen’s actions were not in line with the rules. Let’s each step back. Let him and his friend leave, and continue the event. How about that?” Venerable Sword offered.
Venerable Thunder, with a helpless smile, nodded. Turning to the Venerable of Yellow Spring, he said, “I agree. Let’s follow Venerable Sword’s suggestion.”
The Venerable of Yellow Spring’s face darkened. Fixing his icy gaze on Xiao Yan, he said, “If you think Wang Chen relies on my pavilion’s name, I’ll give you a chance. Fight him. Regardless of the outcome, you can leave safely with your friend. What do you say?”
The proposal caused a commotion in the square. Xiao Yan’s brow furrowed. This old man lacked the dignity expected of a Dou Zun.
“Never mind this old fool. Let’s go…” Lin Yan’s face changed, and he pulled Xiao Yan, trying to leave. He hadn’t expected this.
“If you’re too scared, bow three times to my master. Otherwise, you won’t be leaving,” Wang Chen licked his dagger, sneering at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan’s black eyes locked onto Wang Chen, and his hand clenched in his sleeve. Should he fight or not? Everyone was watching, waiting to see how Xiao Yan would respond to this challenge. Most didn’t expect much, but they hoped Xiao Yan would stand up to Wang Chen.
After a moment, Xiao Yan finally exhaled. “Don’t be reckless…”
Lin Yan urged.
Xiao Yan smiled, freed himself, and said, “Trust me. Inner Academy people are no weaker than those from the Yellow Spring Pavilion.”
Taking a step forward, he looked at Wang Chen, his calm words igniting the blood in the hearts of the crowd, “Come… if you dare.”
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