Gazing at that face, which was awash with indescribable beauty, Xiao Yan also gave a gentle smile. His voice softened as he asked softly, “Are you alright?” The events from those years had long dissipated like smoke into the sky when the Yun Shan Sect was disbanded. Xiao Yan was not a petty person, and those matters gradually faded from his memory. When reflecting on them now, all he could really say was that it was merely youthful recklessness.
Nalan Yanran, taken aback by Xiao Yan’s gentle words, seemed lost in thought for a moment. She rarely saw him speak to her so calmly, and she knew that the past events had caused immense distress and hurt to this proud young man. “I’m fine… thank you.” her beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and she shook her head, replying in a low voice.
“Does this friend really want to play the part of a heroic savior?” Seeing that Xiao Yan continued to ignore them, the faces of the three yellow-robed men darkened. The one who had previously claimed to be Huang Tian spoke in a sinister tone.
“Leave.” Without shifting his gaze, Xiao Yan spoke softly, then leisurely walked towards Nalan Yanran. Glancing at the black energy coiled around her body, he couldn’t help but give a soft, mocking laugh: “Dark attribute Dou Qi is quite rare, but using such tactics to attack stealthily is indeed despicable.”
After speaking, Xiao Yan grabbed Nalan Yanran’s snow-white wrist. A verdant flame appeared at his fingertips, then shot out like lightning. As the finger pointed, the black energy entwining Nalan Yanran’s body melted away like snow before a flame.
On the tree branch, the man in deep yellow clothes, narrowed his eyes as he watched Xiao Yan below, especially the scene where the latter easily dispelled the black energy from Nalan Yanran’s body. His pupils involuntarily constricted.
As the black energy on her body dissipated, Nalan Yanran regained her freedom. Gently tugging her jade-like hand, Xiao Yan hurriedly released his grip. Just as he was about to speak, her expression changed, and she urgently warned, “Be careful!”
Facing Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan smiled, then suddenly turned. A heavy ruler appeared in his hand, swinging with a strong gale behind him.
*Crack!*
The black ruler slammed forcefully onto the three spears, shattering them. Startled, Huang Tian and the other two dropped their spear handles and rapidly retreated.
Xiao Yan glanced indifferently at the trio, planting the heavy ruler into the ground. He stomped his foot, and a sound of wind and thunder resounded. Then, his figure mysteriously vanished.
Seeing Xiao Yan disappear, the three of Huang Tian were startled. Just as they were about to back each other up, a ghostly shadow appeared in front of them. A fierce punch struck their armor-covered bodies.
*Boom!*
The force of the punch knocked the three down, and they flew backward like severed kites, crashing into several giant trees, spewing blood.
In just one move, Xiao Yan crushed the three four-star Battle Emperors. Nalan Yanran, unable to resist covering her lips, looked at the lean figure with a complex mix of emotions. This young man, whom she once considered a waste, continuously stood before her, while she could only look up in awe, as she had done years ago.
Huang Tian and the others, lying on the ground like curled-up shrimp, groaned in pain. Their armor had been shattered by Xiao Yan’s fist. They couldn’t comprehend how they, with their strength, could not even withstand a single punch from this boy. In the Northern Domain, few people could do this, and they wondered what his background was.
*Clap, clap!*
Sudden applause rang out from the treetops. The scar-faced man slowly straightened himself, fixing his gaze on Xiao Yan. A rather unattractive smile spread across his face, “Not bad, are you Xiao Yan? Could you be the one who caused trouble with the Feng Lei Pavilion?”
Xiao Yan glanced at the scar-faced man, narrowing his eyes. This man was extremely powerful, far surpassing the previous three.
“Xiao Yan, be careful. He’s very strong,” Nalan Yanran gently waved her hand within the thick fog, and a white shadow flashed out, jumping into her arms, transforming into an adorable white fox. Clutching the fox, she said with concern.
“Why did they attack you?” Xiao Yan nodded, asking.
“Outside Tian Mu Mountain, there is a natural maze. If you don’t know the way in, you will be trapped until the energy tide ends. But my spirit fox can resist the maze. By following it, you can exit safely. They attacked me to take the fox.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt a bit more enlightened. Surprised, he realized there was another maze ahead. Fortunately, if he had rashly entered, even with his spiritual perception, he would have been trapped for a long time. Now, what he lacked most was time…
“I have no interest in your fox; I don’t need such things. These three needed it.” The scar-faced man stated blandly, “I have a connection with someone from the Earth Spirit Sect. Before leaving, he instructed me to bring them to the maze… My method is a sect secret, so I needed to find a spirit fox to guide them.”
“The fox won’t be yours, so please leave…” Xiao Yan smiled, saying to the scar-faced man.
“Wang Chen isn’t that easy to dismiss.” The scar-faced man grinned, revealing a sinister aura.
“Wang Chen? Wang Chen from the Yellow Spring Pavilion?” At these words, Nalan Yanran gasped, her expression changing.
“Yellow Spring Pavilion?” Xiao Yan was also stunned, then chuckled. On this journey, he had nearly met three out of the Four Pavilions. Wondering when he would meet the Starfall Pavilion, he reflected.
“Xiao Yan, perhaps we should give them the fox? Wang Chen is a bloodthirsty killer and very strong, likely already at the peak Battle Emperor level. Rumors say he fought some old monsters at the Battle Sect level and survived,” Nalan Yanran bit her lip, struggling for a moment before hesitantly suggesting, not wanting to involve Xiao Yan in this mess.
“How would we get through the maze without the fox?” Xiao Yan turned, looking at Nalan Yanran, and laughed, “Don’t worry, leave it to me.”
Looking at the young man’s smile, Nalan Yanran was taken aback. For some reason, she felt a reassuring sense of security, and could only nod lightly.
“Forget the fox. If you want it, let’s see if you have the strength…” Xiao Yan’s smile dimmed as he slowly gripped the handle of the heavy ruler.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, the smile on Wang Chen’s face grew more intense. Those who knew him understood that the more he smiled, the more intent on killing he became.
“Recently, I met Tang Ying from the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion and fought him. He said there would be a more interesting person later. I presume he meant you,” Wang Chen’s hand slowly dropped, and thick black energy wound around it. He licked his lips, his eyes suddenly chilling, “Let’s see if you’re as interesting as he said.”
In a flash, his figure transformed into a black blur, appearing in front of Xiao Yan, his black energy-infused fist heading straight for Xiao Yan’s heart, carrying a stench of corruption.
“Be careful!” Seeing Wang Chen’s sudden attack, Nalan Yanran quickly warned.
*Thud!*
A shield-like shadow rose before Xiao Yan, catching the punch and releasing a dull thud.
“Corrosive Corpse Hand!” The fist instantly spread, turning a sickly pitch-black, then dodged the heavy ruler, aiming for Xiao Yan’s throat.
Wang Chen’s attack trajectory was eerie, swaying like a controlled puppet. Though seemingly slow, it had an uncanny, evasive quality.
Xiao Yan’s eyes fixed on the black palm rapidly approaching his pupils. After a moment, his gaze hardened, and without hesitation, he engulfed his fist in a verdant flame, punching out!
*Bam!*
The punch hit the black palm with pinpoint accuracy, the scorching flame causing a dense white smoke to erupt. Faced with Xiao Yan’s unique fire, Wang Chen’s dark attribute Dou Qi lost its corrosive power.
The intense collision created a powerful shockwave, felling nearby trees and creating havoc on the ground.
“Unique Fire?” As the confrontation continued, Wang Chen’s face immediately changed. He hastily retreated, his Dou Qi surging, pushing out a small, verdant flame from his palm. His expression grew darker.
Xiao Yan flicked his finger, retracting the heavy ruler into his storage ring, and glanced at Wang Chen. This man was indeed formidable, but not a significant threat to him. Dark attribute Dou Qi, though strange, was effectively suppressed by his unique fire. If they truly fought, Xiao Yan was confident he could win.
Wang Chen coldly laughed, not sparing a glance at Huang Tian and the others. He retreated into the thick fog, and a voice echoed: “No wonder Tang Ying held you in such high regard; you do have some talent. Today, we’ll call it quits. On the Summit of Tiangshan, I’ll wait for you. Let’s see if you have the skill to come.”
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