Chapter 696: Fu Yan

With a puff, under the shocked gazes in the trading area, Aubba was sent flying backwards as if struck by a heavy blow, spewing blood that he could no longer hold back. Finally, after skidding for several meters across the ground, he gradually came to a stop. Seeing Xiao Yan casually strike Aubba with such force, some of the onlookers felt a tinge of surprise. Although Aubba had a despicable character, he was still about to become a Great Battle Master. They hadn’t expected him to be completely outclassed by this black-robed youth.

However, after their moment of surprise, the crowd directed sympathetic glances at Xiao Yan. Sure, he had a good time striking that blow, but didn’t he know that old man Fu Yan was notorious for being protective? In the Alchemist Guild, apart from a select few, most people were a bit wary of the old man’s peculiar and overprotective nature.

“You… sigh, you’re in trouble now. Quickly, let’s leave this place!” Snow Charm was taken aback by Xiao Yan’s sudden action. She looked at Aubba rolling and groaning on the floor, and anxiously whispered to Xiao Yan. After her words, she pulled Xiao Yan and they were set to leave.

Xiao Yan did not resist when Snow Charm pulled him. Glancing sidelong at the howling Aubba, he followed Snow Charm and Zi Yan, leaving the noisy area.

The three of them squeezed through the crowded trading area. Snow Charm, however, did not stop, pulling Xiao Yan towards the exit of the Alchemist Guild. Seeing this, Xiao Yan had no choice but to shake off her hand and said with a smile, “Why so much fuss over a useless young master?”

“That guy is indeed a waste, but his master is an Elder of the guild, holding considerable power and influence. He’s also extremely protective. If that guy goes whining to the old man, he definitely won’t let you off.”

Snow Charm spoke urgently, knowing Xiao Yan feared nothing.

“Master Fukelan seems to be an Elder of the guild too. Why are you so afraid of Fu Yan?”

Xiao Yan frowned and asked.

“Teacher is currently only a fourth-grade alchemist, while Fu Yan is a genuine fifth-grade alchemist, with skills that rival even the Vice President. His status is far higher than Teacher’s.”

Snow Charm sighed and explained.

Realizing this, Xiao Yan understood. In the Jia Ma Empire, there were only about ten fourth-grade alchemists, while fifth-grade alchemists were even rarer. Advancement in rank was exceedingly difficult, and it was possible for some to stay at a certain level for a lifetime. Someone like Xiao Yan, who could rely on his unusual fire and Medicine Ancestor’s vast experience, was probably unique across the entire continent.

The gap between fourth and fifth-grade was like the difference between Dou Spirit and Dou King. The two statuses were vastly different, making them incomparable.

“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. I just couldn’t help stepping in earlier to help. Haha, no big deal…”

Seeing the worry and anxiety on Snow Charm’s face, Xiao Yan smiled and tried to reassure her. He hadn’t expected his intervention to cause her more distress.

“Heh, no big deal? Young man, you have quite the nerve. In this capital, not many people would dare to hurt my student and claim it’s no big deal!”

As Xiao Yan finished speaking, a cold laugh echoed in the vast hall. A group of people, led by an elder in an alchemist robe, stormed in. On the elder’s robe, a badge with a cauldron design flashed, emanating five silver waves. The gleam of the robe was blinding.

A fifth-grade alchemist!

Seeing the badge that symbolized honor, the crowd in the hall stopped in awe and admiration.

Seeing the elder, Snow Charm’s expression changed slightly, and she cursed inwardly, surprised at the speed of the old one.

“Is he Fu Yan?”

Ignoring the curious gazes, Xiao Yan turned to Snow Charm and smiled.

“Yes.”

Looking at the elder striding over with a mix of sneer and fury, Snow Charm sighed and nodded, whispering, “Try to speak less, this old man shouldn’t be too harsh in front of everyone.”

Xiao Yan responded nonchalantly, thinking that the Alchemist Guild had become increasingly unpleasant in the years he was away, and he wondered how the old Fama managed it.

While Snow Charm and Xiao Yan were talking, Fu Yan and his group arrived before them. Glancing at Snow Charm, Fu Yan squinted at Xiao Yan and asked Aubba, “Was it this guy who did this?”

“Yes, Master, I was competing with Snow Charm for a medicinal herb to make a pill for your birthday when this guy forcefully took it and hit me like this. Master, you must do something!” Aubba, with a pale face, cried out.

“Elder Fu Yan, about this—”

Snow Charm interjected, annoyed by Aubba’s false statements.

Before she could finish, Fu Yan waved his hand, interrupting, “Snow Charm, this has nothing to do with you. Don’t get involved, or I’ll have to talk to Frank that old man.”

“Was it you who struck? Such a heavy hand at your age, who is your teacher?”

Turning to Xiao Yan, Fu Yan asked coldly, full of arrogance.

Seeing Fu Yan’s attitude, Xiao Yan smirked, “I didn’t expect the quality of the Alchemist Guild’s Elders to be so low. Abusing power, using age as a shield…”

Hearing Xiao Yan’s sarcastic remark, the hall fell silent. This kid sure had a lot of nerve.

“Quite the sharp-tongued kid…”

Fu Yan’s face darkened, as expected. “If you can walk out of this hall unscathed, I’ll lose my place in the capital!”

“This old man is really annoying!”

Zi Yan, growing impatient, complained, covering her ears.

The spectators smiled at the child’s innocence, but seeing Fu Yan’s increasingly dark face, they wisely kept quiet.

Seeing the gathering crowd, Xiao Yan grew impatient. No longer wanting to waste time, he pulled Zi Yan and Snow Charm, ready to leave.

Seeing Xiao Yan’s actions, Fu Yan’s face turned livid. This was the first time he encountered such arrogance. Seething with rage, he unleashed a surge of hot and powerful Dou Qi from his body!

The sudden burst of Dou Qi caused the onlookers to retreat hastily, fearing collateral damage.

“Boy, today I will teach you the meaning of respecting your elders and following the path of righteousness!”

With a red-hot Dou Qi rising from his withered hands like a blazing fire, Fu Yan lunged, becoming a fiery shadow aimed at Xiao Yan’s back.

In the hall, seeing Fu Yan attack a junior without regard for his status, many gasped. Fu Yan was a genuine Dou King, and few in the capital could match him. From the force of his angry strike, if it hit, the black-robed youth would surely be seriously injured.

Just as the thought crossed their minds, Fu Yan was almost upon Xiao Yan. But as his hand reached for Xiao Yan’s robe, Xiao Yan swung his arm, his sleeve tearing through the air. With Dou Qi reinforcement, it became as hard as iron.

“Bang!”

Xiao Yan’s sleeve met Fu Yan’s fist, creating a gust of wind. To the horror of the crowd, Fu Yan was sent flying, crashing to the ground.

The eerie scene left the hall silent, even Fu Yan himself seemed disbelieving. His face was filled with shock and bewilderment. He had felt the youth’s strength to be mediocre; how could this happen?

Embarrassedly getting up, Fu Yan’s face flushed red. Humiliated in public, his pride was nearly shattered.

“Damn brat…”

Gritting his teeth, Fu Yan was about to strike again when a faint sound of thunder rumbled. Suddenly, he saw the emotionless black-robed youth appear before him like a ghost.

Feeling the sudden chill, Fu Yan was about to attack when a slender, cool hand appeared at his neck. The cold voice froze him in place.

“My teacher, you have no right to teach on his behalf…”

With a sneer, Xiao Yan turned slightly, his gaze sweeping to a corner of the hall, and said calmly, “Vice President Fama, if you continue hiding and watching the show, I don’t mind making your Alchemist Guild one fifth-grade alchemist short…”