“In the assembly hall, Su Qian’s brows furrowed immediately after hearing Xiao Yan’s words. ‘You want to expand your influence in the Black-Corner Region?'”
“Great Elder, I know that the Black-Corner Region has always been a thorn in the side of the Jia Nan Academy, but due to the environment, it will always be aggressively competitive. It’s better to guide than to block; it’s impossible to eliminate the trouble with sheer force. If my second brother can truly expand his influence there, it will save the Inner Academy a lot of trouble. Plus, we can keep an eye on other forces that are hostile to the Inner Academy.” Su Qian’s reaction was not unexpected to Xiao Yan, who smiled and explained.
Su Qian’s furrowed brows relaxed slightly. He was no fool and could instantly see the benefits.
“Also, Great Elder should know the details. The enmity between me and the Yun Lai Sect is too great. To take revenge, I need a considerable force, and the Black-Corner Region is a good place to build one.” Xiao Yan smiled faintly. “Even if our influence expands in the future, it won’t pose any threat to the Inner Academy. If you don’t trust my second brother, at least you can trust me, right?”
Tapping his fingers lightly on the table, Su Qian finally nodded after a long while. “Your words make sense. The Black-Corner Region has always been a major concern for the Jia Nan Academy. If a force friendly to the Academy emerges, it could indeed have immeasurable effects.”
“So, Great Elder, are you agreeing?” Xiao Yan asked with a smile, feeling pleased.
“Ah, what else can I do? Our Inner Academy still relies on you to replenish the Fallen Heart Flame in the Sky Fire Three Mysterious Transformation Tower,” Su Qian said, shaking his head helplessly.
“Great Elder, saying that would make me, Xiao Yan, seem ungrateful. Receiving the Fallen Heart Flame, I owe the Inner Academy a favor. If you use this as leverage, wouldn’t it show a complete lack of face?” Xiao Yan said seriously.
“Haha, you’re a good kid, full of sentiment. I like that,” Su Qian said, stroking his beard, nodding in approval. He had always favored Xiao Yan, not just for his strength and talent, but also for his character.
“Alright, let your second brother proceed. The Black-Corner Region is too chaotic. If he can bring some order, it will benefit the Jia Nan Academy.” Su Qian waved his hand and smiled.
Xiao Yan nodded with a smile.
“Are your injuries recovered?” After they finished talking, Su Qian changed the subject, smiling at Xiao Yan.
“Yes, nothing serious anymore.”
“You have a body that anyone would envy. Such a grave injury, yet you were back on your feet after a few days,” Su Qian commented, his mouth full of admiration. This almost indestructible constitution was indeed very appealing.
Xiao Yan smiled. His body reached this level of strength after enduring countless hardships. There are no easy gains in this world; without effort, there would be no reward.
“What are your plans next? Are you going to the Black-Corner Region to help your second brother?” Su Qian tapped his fingers on the table and asked.
“The matters in the Black-Corner Region, he can handle. If he really needs my help, he will send someone to notify me,” Xiao Yan shook his head, pondering, “I will stay in the Academy for some time until I resolve her issue.”
Of course, he also had to secretly practice the “Mountain Opening Seal” from the “Emperor Seal Decisions” left by Xun Er, a high-grade earth-level Dou Skill. If he could master it, it would undoubtedly become another trump card, increasing his chances of victory against Yun Shan in the future. However, this was a secret, and Xiao Yan naturally did not reveal it.
“She? You mean the female Battle Sect?” Su Qian raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident. “Who is she? Why have I never heard of such a powerful person around here?”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, but then he decided it wasn’t a secret, shrugged, and told Su Qian about Queen Medusa’s background.
“Wow, I didn’t expect it to be the legendary Queen Medusa, and an evolved one at that. No wonder…” Su Qian’s face was filled with astonishment as he chuckled, “But you, boy, are quite bold. To provoke such a woman… I’ve heard that the Queen Medusa is extremely ruthless, killing people as easily as slaughtering chickens. I can’t believe she would save you. It’s truly unbelievable… A long time ago, a Queen Medusa evolved on the continent. She was inappropriately touched by a young master of a first-rate power. She went and killed many, causing the power significant damage. Since then, men would avoid her, fearing for their lives. Now, you know how lucky you are, right?”
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Xiao Yan acknowledged the fear associated with the historical Queen Medusa. Their killings were merciless, and he hoped the current Medusa would be more rational…
“I’ll be careful. Thank you, Great Elder, for reminding me,” Xiao Yan replied with a smile, bowing to Su Qian before leaving the assembly hall under the latter’s amused gaze.
Watching Xiao Yan leave, Su Qian chuckled quietly, “He seems unaware that once Medusa is genuinely convinced, she remains loyal to the death. This boy… quite the charmed life, isn’t it?”
After leaving the assembly hall, Xiao Yan returned to Pan Gate and informed Xiao Li. The latter, overjoyed that the Inner Academy did not object, hurriedly left to gather his subordinates and head for the chaotic Black-Corner Region to seize the opportunity to expand their influence.
Seeing Xiao Li’s eagerness, Xiao Yan had no choice but to let him go, though he repeatedly warned him to contact him if he ran into trouble. With Han Feng dead and the Gold and Silver Elders no longer daring to step forward, Xiao Yan’s strength was sufficient to sweep the so-called “Black List.”
With Xiao Li gone, life settled into a calm again. After two days at Pan Gate, Xiao Yan could no longer contain his curiosity about the “Emperor Seal Decisions.” Using an excuse, he sneaked off into the deep mountains.
The endless vastness of the mountains stretched to the horizon, the lush greenery rustling in the fierce wind. On a somewhat barren mountain peak, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on a large rock. However, instead of starting his cultivation, he looked up at the empty sky and sighed, “Show yourself. I know you’re following me.”
As soon as Xiao Yan spoke, the air wavered, and a well-defined, graceful figure appeared, her cold, bright eyes fixed on Xiao Yan.
“Do you wish to die?” Medusa glided through the air like a fairy, except her aura was laced with a heavy menace. In a blink, she stood in front of Xiao Yan, her voice cold.
“Don’t always talk about dying. You know you can’t kill me,” Xiao Yan said, spreading his hands, a bitter smile on his face.
“What did you say?” Medusa’s willowy brows arched, her slender eyes filled with frigid intent.
“I know you fused with the Heavenly Python’s soul, but its influence hinders your ability to harm me. You often follow me,” Xiao Yan sighed, seeing Medusa’s darkening expression.
“Don’t think the Heavenly Python can influence me forever. I will eventually kill you!” Medusa’s voice was icy, devoid of emotion.
“How about a deal?” Xiao Yan tapped his aching head, helpless.
Medusa, however, had no reaction. Over the years, all her dealings with Xiao Yan had led to this tangled situation.
“I can completely remove the Heavenly Python’s influence, making you a true Queen Medusa again.” Despite resolving to ignore Xiao Yan’s sweet talk, when he said this, Medusa’s heart pounded fiercely.
“Why should I believe you?” Medusa’s beautiful, narrow eyes narrowed into a lazy arc, her voice cold.
Xiao Yan waved his hand, a shadow shooting from his sleeve. Medusa grabbed it, finding a scroll. As she unrolled it, ancient script revealed a medicinal formula to treat the condition caused by soul influence.
“This is the ‘Soul Restoration Pill,’ a sixth-grade pill. The materials needed are not on this scroll. If you agree to my terms, I’ll make it for you. How about it?” Xiao Yan said calmly.
Medusa’s expression vacillated as she closed the scroll, her voice still cold, “What terms?”
“Stay with me for a year without intent to kill. And if I need you, you cannot refuse,” Xiao Yan smiled. “When the year is over, I’ll make the pill. If you still want to kill me, you can, no questions asked. What do you say?”
Medusa’s eyes flickered, torn by internal conflict.
“Haha, with the ‘Soul Restoration Pill,’ you’ll be a pure Queen Medusa, free from outside influence. Freedom is priceless,” Xiao Yan’s voice lingered, filled with temptation.
Medusa’s delicate hand tightened, her icy gaze fixed on Xiao Yan. Her cool voice made the corners of Xiao Yan’s lips curl in satisfaction.
“Fine, I agree!”
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