Two faint streaks of light, like meteors, flew across the sky and vanished into the horizon in the blink of an eye. Flying beside Xiao Yan, Hai Bodong turned his head to look at the young man by the moonlight. The strange and terrifying aura that had been within him had completely disappeared, replaced once again by the mere aura of a Dou Shi.
Hai Bodong’s turbid old eyes examined Xiao Yan’s almost dual-level transformation closely. After a long while, he frowned and suddenly said, “Young Brother Xiao Yan, that unfamiliar aura that rivals a Battle Emperor was not actually yours, was it?”
Hai Bodong’s sudden question made Xiao Yan slow down slightly. Turning his head, he glanced at Hai Bodong with a faint smile. “Why would Old Master Hai say that?”
“Although I can’t deny that Young Brother Xiao Yan has outstanding cultivation talent, I’ve seen many with similar talents over my years of wandering. But none of them could reach the level of a Battle Emperor at your age. At most, they were only at the level of a Dou Shi or a Great Dou Shi. Reaching Battle Emperor was absolutely impossible.”
Hai Bodong smiled and continued, “So, after sensing that unfamiliar aura inside you, I assumed you must have activated some unknown object, right? Hehe, which means that power is not really yours.”
Xiao Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, glancing at Hai Bodong. After a moment, he smiled lightly, “Old Master Hai, as a Battle Emperor, your insight is indeed sharp.”
Xiao Yan did not directly deny it because he knew that a Battle Emperor could already sense the difference between his own aura and Elder Alchemist’s. Fortunately, Hai Bodong was not an alchemist; otherwise, with the powerful soul perception of a Battle Emperor, Elder Alchemist’s soul would have nowhere to hide and would be discovered.
This was also why Elder Alchemist had to be cautious and silent when Dan Wang Gu He appeared in the desert. Although Gu He might not fully sense his presence, with his powerful soul perception, he would at least know that the power didn’t belong to Xiao Yan.
Seeing that Xiao Yan did not deny it, a trace of surprise flashed across Hai Bodong’s face, but he tactfully refrained from asking further.
“Hehe, that power indeed does not belong to me, but Old Master Hai only needs to know that I can control it to match a Battle Emperor,” Xiao Yan said with a meaningful smile.
Hai Bodong nodded with a smile. Indeed, regardless of the source of the power, if Xiao Yan could control it, he was a powerhouse capable of matching a Battle Emperor. As long as he held the power, all doubts and provocations would be dispelled on their own.
Seeing that Hai Bodong did not press further, Xiao Yan smiled. The other was also a clever person, knowing that power, regardless of its source, belonged to whoever possessed it.
“Let’s go, we should try to reach Yan City by dawn. But I’m not too familiar with the route, so I’ll have to rely on Old Master Hai,” Xiao Yan said with a smile.
“Haha, although I’ve been in Desert City for decades, I draw maps every day, so I’m very familiar with these routes. Follow me,” Hai Bodong replied with a smile. His ice wings behind him flapped slightly, and his speed increased sharply.
Watching Hai Bodong accelerate, Xiao Yan nodded, and his Purple Cloud Wings fluttered as he hurried to catch up.
In the night sky, two streaks of light flashed past, and above, the silver moon gradually set.
Yan City, located in the eastern province of the Jia Ma Empire, served as a crucial route for traveling through the empire, making its strategic position excellent. Therefore, this city, reputed to be the largest in the eastern province, was always heavily guarded by the empire’s troops.
In Yan City, aside from the empire’s forces, the most powerful faction was, of course, the target of Xiao Yan’s group, the Mo Family!
Due to the Mo Family’s monopolistic control, nearly sixty percent of Yan City’s industries belonged to them. Even after paying taxes and using a large amount of property to curry favor, the Mo Family still grew richer.
Though a big tree attracts more wind, with the colossal backing of the Yun Lian Sect, even the Jia Ma Empire’s royal family wouldn’t easily cause trouble for the Mo Family. Thus, under such unrestrained development, the Mo Family’s influence had become the de facto ruler of Yan City. If not for the other three major families in the eastern province, the Mo Family would have long expanded its territory to other large cities.
Even so, in recent years, the Mo Family, relying on its formidable backing, had steadily suppressed the three major families, presenting a dominant posture.
After a full day of non-stop travel, Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong finally approached the vicinity of Yan City. When the silver moon in the sky was replaced by the blazing sun, a vast city with a fierce aura came into view, appearing like an ancient beast lying in wait.
Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong landed a few hundred meters outside Yan City, took a brief rest, and then changed into wide, hooded black robes. The loose robes completely enveloped their bodies, and the black hoods hanging down made their faces indiscernible.
Though Xiao Yan was not afraid of the Mo Family, resolving matters while concealing their identities was best. Furthermore, Hai Bodong had said he didn’t want to offend the Yun Lian Sect, a formidable force that even the former Ice Emperor was wary of.
After changing, the two proceeded along the wide road toward the towering city. As they approached the city gate, Xiao Yan was surprised to see dozens of fully armed soldiers standing on either side, their sharp gazes scanning the passersby.
Looking at the nearly sinister guards, Xiao Yan frowned. This place was far from the empire’s borders, so why was the defense even stricter than in Desert City?
Shaking his head in puzzlement, Xiao Yan exchanged a glance with Hai Bodong. They lifted their black hoods and quietly joined the queue, slowly entering the city.
“Aigh, what a grand display, the Mo Family truly deserves to be the largest family in Yan City,” a few mercenaries in front of Xiao Yan whispered to each other out of boredom.
“Hehe, isn’t today the birthday of the Mo Family’s Elder Mo Cheng? I heard many forces in the eastern region, including the Yun Lian Sect, sent people to celebrate.”
“Oh? The Yun Lian Sect actually sent people? Elder Mo Cheng must have a lot of face.”
“Tsk, though the Mo Family is powerful, in the eyes of the Yun Lian Sect, they’re nothing. If not for the massive tribute the Mo Family pays every year, do you think the Yun Lian Sect would lower themselves to deal with them?” a mercenary said disdainfully.
“Hehe, true enough,” the other mercenaries agreed with low laughter, seeming unimpressed with the Mo Family.
At the back of the queue, Xiao Yan listened to the mercenaries’ conversation, his eyes narrowing. “What a coincidence, that old bastard is having a birthday.”
“With so many forces here, won’t it be difficult for us to act?” Hai Bodong frowned hesitantly.
“Hehe, Old Master Hai, with the two of us, even the Yun Lian Sect isn’t much to fear, let alone the Mo Family. Besides, do you really think the Yun Lian Sect’s leader would personally come to celebrate Elder Mo Cheng’s birthday?”
Hai Bodong shook his head with a smile. “That would indeed be giving Elder Mo Cheng too much credit. How many people in the Jia Ma Empire are worthy of her personal congratulations?”
“Haha, I don’t think I agreed to help you, did I?” Hai Bodong suddenly realized after a moment.
“Hehe, Old Master Hai, if I need you, you’ll have to help. I know your services are expensive, but I think I can afford it,” Xiao Yan said with a smile.
“A sixth-grade alchemist, I’d love to owe you a favor,” Hai Bodong patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder with a low laugh.
Smiling, Xiao Yan looked up at the queue about to enter. Just as he was about to move forward, he heard the sound of horse hooves approaching. Turning his head, he saw several men and women riding horses, galloping towards them. The dust they kicked up angered the waiting crowd, but their anger dissipated when they saw who was leading the group.
The lead rider was a young woman in a tight red dress, showcasing her shapely figure. Her pretty face was adorned with a small crystal pendant that added a touch of liveliness to her slightly arrogant expression.
The woman’s gaze didn’t waver due to the inconvenience she caused. She merely glanced sideways before riding into the city, leading her entourage, with the helpless guards watching.
As the sound of the horse hooves faded, the queue began to murmur discontentedly.
“Damn, just because she’s the second miss of the Mo Family? Your family’s only where it is because you grovel to the Yun Lian Sect. One day, they’ll toss you aside if they get tired of you.”
Listening to the murmurs, Xiao Yan smiled faintly, glancing at the dark city gate. Adjusting his black robe, he walked into the city under the watchful eyes of the guards.
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