Chapter 515: The Invitation

Gazing at the bewilderment that filled her cold and enchanting face, Xiao Yan smiled and said, “Are you injured?”

“No.” She shook her head, and Han Xue looked at Xiao Yan in front of her with a strange gaze. The captivating flush on her cheeks eased slightly, and she softly thanked him before sighing, “It’s only been two or three months, yet you’ve grown much stronger. Your speed just now, I’m afraid there are not many people in the Inner Academy who can surpass it.”

With the speed of the mutated Snow Demon Sky Ape, even someone as powerful as Lin Xiu Ya would be unable to evade. Yet, Xiao Yan before her was able to save her in that split second. Such speed, only a few present could match. This was an almost transformative improvement from just a few months ago, no wonder Han Xue had such a sigh.

Xiao Yan smiled again, not saying anything further. He turned his head and focused on the red figure that flashed back to the ground and appeared by a boulder. His eyes grew serious. At this moment, the white fur of the Snow Demon Sky Ape had completely turned into a blood-red hue. In its crimson, colossal eyes, the killing intent and ferocity were even more intense. Streams of blood-colored mist, like tangible smoke, continuously seeped out from its body. These blood mists, once they touched leaves and other things, would erode them into nothingness. From its aura, its strength had nearly doubled.

“Senior Han Xue, this big guy seems to be getting stronger. I think we should withdraw as soon as possible. Otherwise, I’m afraid…”

Xiao Yan, frowning slightly, reminded. Master Pharmacist had said that after awakening its berserk bloodline, the Snow Demon Sky Ape could stand up to a five-star Dou Wang for a short time. Now that Lin Xiu Ya was injured and had retreated, with their remaining strength, they couldn’t pose any threat to it anymore. And if they were careless, there might be significant casualties.

“Yes.” Han Xue nodded with a bitter smile. The sudden mutation of the Snow Demon Sky Ape was beyond her expectations. With their current team’s strength, they were far from being able to defeat it. After witnessing its terrifying power, she no longer held much hope for obtaining the “Earth Core Body Refining Milk.”

Not far away, Yan Hao watched the Snow Demon Sky Ape, which seemed to be in a state of recuperation after its fierce attack. He quickly waved his hand, and one person dashed into the forest to find the injured Lin Xiu Ya. The others carefully made their way to the treetops near Han Xue and Xiao Yan, then inspected Xiao Yan with curious gazes. The speed he had displayed earlier was enough to make these top fighters in the Inner Academy put aside their underestimation.

“Heh heh, friend, are you also a student of the Inner Academy? Why have I never seen you before?” Yan Hao looked up and down at Xiao Yan, puzzled. With his speed, he should at least be a high-ranking fighter on the ‘Strong List,’ but why was he so unfamiliar?

“Senior Yan Hao, he is Xiao Yan, a new student who entered the Inner Academy a few months ago,” Han Xue introduced with a smile.

“A new student?” Yan Hao and the others were startled. Their eyes showed a hint of strangeness. A new student who had just entered the Inner Academy less than half a year ago actually had such strength? Could the Outer Academy be so strong now?

Several gazes swept back and forth over Xiao Yan. After a while, their confusion only deepened. The intensity of his aura indicated that he was at the level of a Great Fighter, but why was his earlier burst of speed even faster than theirs?

In response to the puzzled looks from Yan Hao and the others, Xiao Yan merely smiled without explaining. He politely bowed to them. No matter what, these people were the top fighters in the Inner Academy, much stronger than Bai Cheng and the like. It would be a good opportunity to build a relationship with them.

“Xiao Yan? I seem to have heard that name. Wasn’t there a story about a new student defeating all the old students in the Fire Energy Hunt Competition? The leader of that new student team was called Xiao Yan, right? I think this must be the same person.”

A man in yellow clothes, with dark skin and unusually bright eyes, spoke up after pondering for a moment.

Hearing this, Yan Hao and the others paused, then remembered and laughed, “So that Xiao Yan is you. Your name is indeed well-known. When we entered the Inner Academy, Lin Xiu Ya and I were defeated by the White Demon Team. We didn’t expect that the new students would be even fiercer, actually wiping out both the Black and White Demon Teams. You truly have some skill.”

Seeing their strange looks, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. “It was just luck. Senior Yan Hao and Lin Xiu Ya were facing the Black and White Demon Teams alone, while I relied on the entire new student team. How can that compare?”

For some of the past events, Xiao Yan had heard about them. Yan Hao and Lin Xiu Ya were both proud individuals. The other new students in that year were not worthy of their attention, so the two of them formed a team and went on a rampage until they narrowly lost to the White Demon Team. It was quite a tale.

“Regardless of the means, winning is good. We were too arrogant back then. Otherwise, the first team to break the curse of the Fire Energy Hunt Competition wouldn’t have waited until this year.”

Yan Hao smirked and laughed.

While Xiao Yan and the others were talking, two figures suddenly burst out of the forest and appeared beside everyone. It was Lin Xiu Ya, who had been driven into the forest earlier, and the other person who had gone to look for him.

“Who is this?”

At this moment, Lin Xiu Ya’s face was pale, with faint traces of blood at the corners of his mouth. His green robe was tattered, but despite his disheveled appearance, his demeanor remained undiminished. He first gave a wry smile to everyone, then, seeing Xiao Yan’s unfamiliar face, he spoke in surprise.

“Are you alright?”

Yan Hao first asked, then briefly explained Xiao Yan’s background.

“Brother Xiao Yan, huh? Heh heh, that name is not unfamiliar.”

After hearing Yan Hao’s words, Lin Xiu Ya felt a bit surprised. The speed of the Snow Demon Sky Ape was horrifying, something he had experienced firsthand. He hadn’t expected that this new student, who had just entered the Inner Academy less than half a year ago, could save someone from its grasp. Such skill certainly qualified him to speak on equal terms with them.

“Heh heh, Senior Lin, I was just training in the mountains when I heard the commotion and came over. I saw you all confronting the big guy, and when I saw Sister Han Xue in trouble, I couldn’t just hide. I had to step in. If I caused any disturbance, please forgive me…”

Xiao Yan glanced at the Snow Demon Sky Ape, which, due to the large number of people, was showing a hint of caution and did not continue to attack. He then smiled and spoke to Lin Xiu Ya.

“There’s nothing to forgive. Since Brother Xiao Yan saved Han Xue, there’s no need to hide anything. We’re here to capture this Snow Demon Sky Ape because we want the strange object it guards. If we can get it, we won’t forget your share.”

Lin Xiu Ya laughed, not minding, and casually tried to bring Xiao Yan into their little team. This clearly showed that he believed Xiao Yan’s strength was sufficient to share the spoils with them.

However, he did not reveal the specifics of the Heart-Shattering Body Refining Milk. This item was too precious, and since it was their first meeting, he naturally couldn’t easily tell him such secrets.

Seeing Lin Xiu Ya invite Xiao Yan to join, Yan Hao and the others were taken aback. They exchanged glances and remained silent. Xiao Yan’s actual strength might not be enough to make them take him seriously, but the speed he had displayed earlier was not to be underestimated. Moreover, the ‘Earth Core Body Refining Milk’ was first discovered by Han Xue, and now Xiao Yan had saved her life. She probably wouldn’t oppose Lin Xiu Ya’s suggestion. So, after a brief thought, they did not object.

Xiao Yan was also stunned by Lin Xiu Ya’s straightforwardness. This rare treasure, most would want to keep to themselves, but this guy could suppress his greed and make the wisest suggestion. His mental acuity was profound. However, he could not reveal some of his own items in front of outsiders, so he had to decline the invitation.

Thus, under everyone’s watchful eyes, Xiao Yan shook his head and chuckled bitterly. “Thank you for your kindness, Senior Lin, but I’m afraid I cannot accept it. This Snow Demon Sky Ape is no ordinary beast. Its body flows with a berserk bloodline. Once awakened, its strength will skyrocket. Judging from its current changes, it has likely awakened that berserk bloodline. At this time, even an average Dou Wang, let alone a five-star Dou Wang, would be powerless against it. Though it may be demoralizing, I don’t think we can defeat it.”

“Berserk bloodline?”

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiu Ya and the others were shocked, their faces turning pale. Although they knew about this kind of beast, they did not have as deep an understanding as Master Pharmacist. Therefore, they had never heard of the berserk bloodline. But from the changes in the Snow Demon Sky Ape, it matched what Xiao Yan said. Everyone’s faces grew grim. They knew a magical beast that could stand up to a five-star Dou Wang was beyond their capabilities.

“What should we do now? Should we give up?”

Yan Hao frowned and asked Lin Xiu Ya, feeling the great temptation of the Earth Core Body Refining Milk. Giving up was too painful.

Lin Xiu Ya laughed bitterly, pondered for a while, and finally gritted his teeth. “Alright, let’s trust Brother Xiao Yan for now. Besides, I’m quite injured and need at least half a month to recover. So, we’ll have to come up with another plan for this operation.”

Hearing Lin Xiu Ya suggest a temporary retreat, Yan Hao and the others were reluctant, but when they saw the terrifying aura of the Snow Demon Sky Ape in the distance, they felt a chill and reluctantly nodded.

“Let’s withdraw for now and find a solution after we recover…”

Lin Xiu Ya sighed, then bowed to Xiao Yan. “Brother Xiao Yan, are you going back to the Inner Academy with us?”

Xiao Yan paused and shook his head. “I came to the mountains to train in my fighting techniques. I haven’t mastered them yet, so I don’t plan to go back yet.”

“Heh heh, in that case, we’ll go back first. One thing, please don’t tell anyone about today’s events…”

Lin Xiu Ya took a deep look at Xiao Yan and clasped his fists.

“I know what to say and what not to say.”

Xiao Yan smiled and replied.

“Thank you. If you need any help in the future, you can come to me. There are still quite a few people in the Inner Academy who respect me, Lin Xiu Ya.”

Lin Xiu Ya said, not doubting Xiao Yan. Although his speed was astonishing, his Great Fighter strength was not enough to invade the valley guarded by the Snow Demon Sky Ape alone.

“Let’s go.”

With that, Lin Xiu Ya waved his hand and led the way, sprinting out of the mountains. Yan Hao and the others, though unwilling, followed closely behind.

“Junior Brother Xiao Yan, be careful in the mountains.”

Han Xue smiled at Xiao Yan, reminding him with concern, then darted away with her silver hair flowing.

Watching Lin Xiu Ya and the others gradually disappear from sight, Xiao Yan sighed after a long while and muttered, “I’m truly sorry. Advising you to leave is for your own good. If you continue, and the Snow Demon Sky Ape fully erupts, I’m afraid none of you will be able to leave here…”

After Master Pharmacist’s reminder, Xiao Yan knew how terrifying the Snow Demon Sky Ape with its awakened bloodline was. Even the peak Spirit Fighters like Lin Xiu Ya, and even five genuine Dou Wangs, would not dare to engage it at this time.

Turning his head, Xiao Yan fixed his gaze on the Snow Demon Sky Ape, whose agitation had gradually subsided as Lin Xiu Ya and the others left. He secretly let out a breath of relief and gently stroked the beautiful little snake under his sleeve. With this little creature, he might be able to fight the Snow Demon Sky Ape.

As his thoughts raced, Xiao Yan’s lips curled into a smile, and he stared intently at the Snow Demon Sky Ape, muttering, “You, wait until you weaken at night. Then, I’ll deal with you… That ‘Earth Core Body Refining Milk’ is mine.”

Smiling lightly, Xiao Yan moved. A flash of lightning formed beneath his feet, and his figure transformed into a black shadow, speeding through the dense forest with a low rumbling sound, disappearing in an instant.