Chapter 249: Nalan!

After passing through a somewhat dark and deep city wall passage, the glaring sunlight suddenly poured down, causing Xiao Yan to instinctively squint his eyes. After a moment, when he had adapted to the light, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, and the noisy clamor began to fill his ears. Opening his eyes, a massive inner city appeared in his line of sight. Standing at the city wall exit, Xiao Yan looked up and saw densely packed, opulent shops along the streets, as well as the bustling crowds, and couldn’t help but marvel. It was truly worthy of being the largest city in the eastern provinces of the Jia Ma Empire. The crowd and the level of prosperity were probably comparable to what he had seen in Black Rock City.

Standing on the street, Xiao Yan rubbed his ears, which ached from the sudden noise, with a touch of fatigue evident in his eyes. Rubbing his temples, he turned to Hai Bo Dong and smiled, “We’ve been traveling for two days straight. Let’s find a place to rest and gather some information about the Mo Family, shall we?”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” Hearing this, Hai Bo Dong nodded slightly. Although one’s resistance to fatigue after entering the Battle Emperor realm far exceeded that of ordinary people, the relentless flying over the past two days had consumed a tremendous amount of Dou Qi. He naturally wouldn’t object to a break.

Seeing Hai Bo Dong nod, Xiao Yan smiled and led the way into the street, following the flow of people as they slowly advanced. As they walked, the intricate and dazzling array of shops around them made Xiao Yan feel slightly surprised. After walking down one street, Xiao Yan clicked his tongue and chuckled, “I counted; there are one hundred and three shops on this street, and seventy-four of them have the character ‘Mo’ on their signs. They say the Mo Family is the local tyrant in Salt City. It seems the rumors are true.”

“The Mo Family has indeed been getting stronger. When I came here years ago, there were several other forces in Salt City that could rival the Mo Family,” Hai Bo Dong observed, glancing around before nodding.

“Does the Yun Lan Sect really have such great capabilities? A family that wasn’t particularly strong before, after relying on them, has become so prosperous?” Xiao Yan stroked his chin and frowned.

“The Yun Lan Sect’s surface power isn’t very frightening. However, its potential strength is extremely terrifying. You must understand that over the years, countless powerful individuals have emerged from the Yun Lan Sect. These powerhouses are scattered throughout the Jia Ma Empire, and some have even spread beyond it. Many of the factions they have established are related to the Yun Lan Sect, and you can even consider them as branches. Imagine if, one day, the Yun Lan Sect summoned all these powerhouses or the factions they established, how terrifying would that force be? At that time, even if the Jia Ma Empire’s royal family had an old ancestor to protect them, they might have to stand aside,” Hai Bo Dong’s face showed a rare trace of seriousness as he spoke calmly.

“It does sound terrifying,” Xiao Yan exhaled softly, muttering to himself.

“I don’t know what grudge you have with the Yun Lan Sect. But, considering our acquaintance, I advise you to try not to provoke them. That hornet’s nest shouldn’t be touched lightly,” Hai Bo Dong paused and advised.

Xiao Yan tilted his head slightly, tapping his sleeve. After a while, he walked slowly, then turned and smiled, “Perhaps you’re right, but there are some things I must do. Even if I end up stirring up that hornet’s nest, I won’t change my mind!”

Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Hai Bo Dong could only shake his head helplessly. He didn’t understand why this promising young man was stubbornly provoking the Yun Lan Sect. Didn’t he realize that such behavior was a bit foolish?

“Moreover, if they decide to trouble me like hornets, I’ll make them understand that I, Xiao Yan, am not someone to be trifled with. If they dare to come, I’ll dare to kill. I’m still young, with plenty of time to waste. With my Battle Emperor strength, I may not be able to overturn the Yun Lan Sect, but I will strive to reach the Battle Sect realm. If that’s not enough, then I’ll aim for Dou Sheng… even Battle King!”

Hai Bo Dong’s steps halted as he stared in shock at Xiao Yan, who had a determined and fierce expression. After a while, a thought crossed his mind, making him smile wryly, “Maybe this time, the Yun Lan Sect has provoked a somewhat mad hornet.”

“Oh, by the way, who is the old ancestor of the Jia Ma Empire’s royal family you mentioned earlier?” Xiao Yan suddenly asked, puzzled.

“He’s an old monster, an old demon. If you have the chance to go to the capital, you can meet him yourself. He’s the guardian of the Jia Ma Empire’s royal family, and his strength is terrifying. I haven’t seen him in many years, and I don’t know how much his strength has grown,” Hai Bo Dong stroked his beard, his expression showing a hint of wariness. After a while, he chuckled, “He once fought with Queen Medusa. Unlike me, he managed to fight her to a draw and even retreat unscathed.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s face showed a flash of surprise. Queen Medusa was a peak Battle Emperor. For that old monster to fight her without losing, his strength must be at least above the Six Star Battle Emperor level. Shaking his head in amazement, Xiao Yan slowed his steps and looked at a luxurious inn named Mo Suo Huayuan on the side of the street. Turning to Hai Bo Dong, he said, “Let’s take a short rest here?”

“Sure,” Hai Bo Dong nodded slightly.

Entering the luxurious inn, they scanned the room and were slightly surprised to find many people sitting in the hall. Listening to their conversations, Xiao Yan learned that these people had come from various places to celebrate the birthday of the Mo Family’s Great Elder.

Shaking his head, Xiao Yan approached the counter and asked for two rooms. The attendant, who was quite attractive, looked them over and sweetly replied, “Sir, do you have an invitation from the Mo Family?”

“Invitation?” Stunned, Xiao Yan frowned and shook his head, “No, do we need an invitation to stay in Salt City?”

“Sorry, sir. All the inns in Salt City have been booked by the Mo Family for the next few days. These inns only accommodate guests of the Mo Family,” the attendant replied politely.

“Tsk, the Mo Family seems pretty domineering, huh?” Xiao Yan smiled, playing with a pendant on the counter.

The attendant’s face stiffened. This was the first time she had heard someone criticize the Mo Family in Salt City. She didn’t know whether to laugh or not, feeling quite awkward.

Slam!

Seeing the attendant’s awkward expression, Xiao Yan found it boring and turned to leave. Suddenly, a black shadow swept by, slamming onto the counter.

“Who’s the hick talking about the Mo Family’s domineering ways in Salt City?” a woman’s cold voice rang out from Xiao Yan’s left.

Hearing the characteristic tone of a haughty girl, Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed with impatience. He turned to look at the group of people nearby. The group was clearly quite young, led by a woman in tight red clothes. Her figure, which emphasized her curves, was quite alluring. She wore a thigh-length leather skirt, exposing her long, fair legs. Many men in the hall glanced at her legs, their eyes filled with lust.

Glancing at the red-clothed woman holding a whip, Xiao Yan recognized her. She was the second miss of the Mo Family, the one he had seen riding wildly at the city gate.

Xiao Yan gave her a quick, disinterested glance and lost interest. Shaking his head, he turned to leave.

“Boy! You’re asking for death!” Seeing Xiao Yan’s indifferent look, the red-clothed woman, who was always treated like a precious treasure, raised her eyebrows and snapped the whip, sending it towards Xiao Yan as a black shadow.

As the whip approached Xiao Yan, a strange green flame suddenly appeared, burning the whip and shooting towards the red-clothed woman.

The temperature in the hall rose abruptly. Those who recognized the green flame exclaimed in shock, “Real fire??”

A small green flame shot towards the red-clothed woman’s face. If hit, even if she survived, her pretty face would be ruined.

Her beautiful eyes filled with fear, the red-clothed woman watched the green flame in her pupils, wanting to dodge but unable to. She stood dumbfounded, letting the green flame shoot towards her.

Just as the green flame was about to hit her, a figure rushed in, grabbing the woman and dodging the green flame. The flame, missing its target, hit a green stone sculpture behind where the red-clothed woman had stood, turning it into a puddle of liquid.

Everyone in the hall gasped, their eyes turning to the black-robed youth at the counter.

“Little brother, please stop!” A middle-aged man rushed out, followed by the pale-faced red-clothed woman. Clearly, he was the one who had saved her.

Gazing at the middle-aged man, who refused to step closer, Xiao Yan slightly tilted his head, extending his slender hand from the black robe. A mischievous green flame danced on his fingertips.

“Little brother, Ling Lin was too impulsive. Please forgive her for the sake of the Mo Family,” the middle-aged man, looking at the green flame on Xiao Yan’s fingers, bowed respectfully.

“Tsk, the Mo Family?” Xiao Yan sneered, glancing at the middle-aged man, who was a Dou Shi. “Keep your people in check. Don’t think the Mo Family can act recklessly just because of the Yun Lan Sect. One day, they might provoke the wrong person, and even the Yun Lan Sect won’t be able to protect them.”

His sneer echoed in the hall, shocking everyone. Glancing at the green flame on Xiao Yan’s fingers and the silent, indifferent Hai Bo Dong behind him, they wisely kept quiet. To possess such a terrifying green flame at such a young age, it was impossible to believe he didn’t have a superpower behind him. If he did, his words were not empty threats.

“Indeed, little brother. I’ll make sure the patriarch punishes Ling Lin,” the middle-aged man, no fool, smiled apologetically.

Glancing at the middle-aged man, Xiao Yan’s gaze shifted to the red-clothed woman behind him. Noticing Xiao Yan’s gaze, the previously haughty woman paled and hid behind the middle-aged man, fearful of the green flame, now cowering instead of being arrogant.

Retracting his hand, Xiao Yan was about to turn when the middle-aged man hurried forward, saying, “All the inns in Salt City have been booked by the Mo Family. To make up for it, I’ll arrange the most luxurious rooms for you. Will you accept our apology?”

Pausing, Xiao Yan turned to the smooth middle-aged man, exchanged a glance with Hai Bo Dong, and walked towards the stairs, saying, “Lead the way!”

“Uh,” the middle-aged man, seeing Xiao Yan and Hai Bo Dong’s straightforwardness, was stunned. Recovering, he calmed the red-clothed woman and quickly followed.

As Xiao Yan and Hai Bo Dong disappeared, the tense atmosphere in the hall eased. Low whispers started, speculating about the mysterious duo.

The red-clothed woman’s pale face slowly regained color after Xiao Yan left. Wiping the mist from her eyes, it was the first time in years she had been treated like this. The young men around her, who had been equally frightened, comforted her.

Although the red-clothed woman was willful, she was also from a distinguished family. After a while, she calmed down, though she was less haughty, her smile still somewhat forced. Regardless, the surrounding males still adored her.

“Ling Lin, that guy was despicable. Don’t worry, I’ll get someone to take care of him tomorrow,” the previously stunned young men now bravely expressed their resolve in front of the beauty.

“Ha, Ling Lin, why are you crying so pitifully? Did someone dare to offend you in Salt City?” A clear, melodious laugh, like an ancient bell, suddenly sounded from the entrance.

The hall fell silent as everyone’s attention turned to the entrance. Soon, an elegant, moon-white-dressed woman appeared, her laughter echoing.

The elegant woman, wearing a wide-sleeved, fitted, and trailing moon-white robe, walked gracefully. Every man in the hall was captivated, their breaths stopping, their eyes filled with admiration.

The woman’s dress highlighted her slender waist, tied with a silver belt, and her skin was as smooth as cream. Her delicate ears were adorned with green jade earrings, and her smile was gentle yet distant.

The moon-white-robed woman, both in appearance and demeanor, far surpassed the red-clothed woman. Standing together, the contrast was stark.

The hall’s heated gazes roamed over her perfect figure, but they cooled when they noticed the silver sword-shaped design on her wide sleeves, a sign of the Yun Lan Sect, filling them with a sense of awe.

The red-clothed woman, shocked, saw the elegantly dressed woman and rushed over, happily calling, “Sister Nalan, why are you here?”