"So strong!"
Witnessing the scene, so of the older generation experts present couldn't help but draw sharp breaths.
Many gazes slowly turned toward Xiao Yan. Though he stood with his hands down, maintaining a calm and composed expression, no one found this inappropriate. Weren't alchemists always like this, never making a move themselves?
dicinal pills were their best weapons.
Moreover, no one dared to harbor any designs on Xiao Yan, not because Jia Xing Tian, this Dou Ancestor, was present, but because this was the Sky Serpent Mansion's territory.
Many people were waiting to watch a good show. The Sky Serpent Mansion had said that whoever could obtain the item inside would own it, but everyone in the entire North-Western Region knew this was rely a tactic used by the Sky Serpent Mansion to lure geniuses from various places to help them retrieve things.
If soone truly obtained it, a more benevolent Sky Serpent Mansion might offer so rewards to 'exchange' for the acquired item. A less scrupulous one would directly threaten, just as the Black-Eyed Serpent Emperor had done earlier. Everyone was waiting for the drama to unfold.
Sure enough, shortly after the strange phenonon disappeared, several powerful auras flew over from the distant main peak. Streaks of splendid Dou Qi wings arrived in the blink of an eye, with the leading figure stepping on empty air. Clearly, this was a Dou Ancestor!
Xiao Yan revealed a faint smile when he saw the Dou Ancestor in the lead. There was no helping it; it was an old acquaintance.
The Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor wore a sowhat unnatural expression at this mont. He had flown over from the main peak after receiving the Mansion Lord's orders. Midway, he had even witnessed the Black-Eyed Serpent Emperor spitting blood as he was sent flying backward, and had dispatched an elder to assist him.
Bai Ya, originally at the peak of Rank 6, had been rewarded with a Body Transformation Pill for his ritorious service in bringing back the bearer of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. This allowed him to successfully transform into human form and breakthrough to Rank 7, giving him a transcendent status within the Sky Serpent Mansion.
However, when he saw Xiao Yan's face, his scalp tingled and his expression changed drastically. This was the person he least wanted to see.
The Hall of Souls!
The Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor hadn't forgotten the young man he and Lu Man had encountered in the Jia Ma Empire when they went to bring back Qing Lin.
Over these years, even though Bai Ya and Lu Man's status in the Sky Serpent Mansion had risen considerably, as they could be said to be second only to the Mansion Lord now, they still treated Qing Lin with great respect, even with so apprehension.
The reason was simple: Xiao Yan had once revealed his affiliation with the Hall of Souls.
Although Bai Ya and Lu Man had reported bringing Qing Lin back smoothly, rely ntioning that a friendly acquaintance had tried to intervene, only the two of them knew the truth. At the ti, it wasn't that they brought her back; it was that they had negotiated a deal!
They could both sense at the ti that Xiao Yan still had a trump card he hadn't used, a deadly finishing move that would result in either death or grievous injury. Ultimately, it was only because Qing Lin herself expressed a desire to enter the Sky Serpent Mansion for further training that they managed to bring her back smoothly.
The two had always remained tight-lipped, never revealing anything about Xiao Yan.
Within the Sky Serpent Mansion, so Grand Elders had even proposed arranging a marriage between Qing Lin and the Mansion Lord, hoping to produce new bearers of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.
Only Bai Ya and Lu Man knew this was rely wishful thinking. They understood that Xiao Yan would eventually co to retrieve Qing Lin, especially after news arrived three years ago that Elder Qing had been robbed of the Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill by Xiao Yan.
They just hadn't expected him to arrive so soon and cause such a major incident imdiately!
Xiao Yan's gaze road over everyone before settling on Bai Ya. With a faint smile, he said, "What, you've broken through to Rank 7 and gained so confidence? Are you unconvinced too?"
3-star Dou Emperor! In just five short years, he had progressed from Dou Grandmaster to 3-star Dou Emperor! This speed made even Bai Ya gulp involuntarily.
Before Bai Ya could respond, a Six-Winged Serpent Emperor behind him stepped forward with a straightened back. With a cold laugh, he said, "Insolent human brat, this is the Sky Serpent Mansion, yet you dare to injure one of our elders without cause! Your cri deserves death!"
"Hmm?" Xiao Yan glanced sideways at this Six-Winged Serpent Emperor and couldn't help but smile.
What happened next surprised everyone. A crisp slap suddenly rang out, and the Six-Winged Serpent Emperor who had just been sneering was struck so hard he spun in place, several of his teeth knocked loose.
"You bastard!" Bai Ya's face instantly contorted with anger as he berated, "Are you blind? Just now, Black-Eye provoked first, attempting to snatch this esteed alchemist's item. That's why he was injured. He brought it upon himself. He would deserve it even if he died!"
What?????
Everyone present was completely bewildered at this mont. Were they having so kind of bizarre dream? A Dou Ancestor of the Sky Serpent Mansion was actually berating his own people!
The Serpent Emperor who had been slapped was even more dumbfounded. Why was I the one who got hit??
Xiao Yan soon understood. Bai Ya must have investigated matters concerning the Hall of Souls.
"Protector Bai Ya... this... aren't we going to take back that ring?" another Snake-clan elder following behind asked cautiously. He couldn't figure out what tricks this newly promoted Protector was planning; he wasn't usually like this!
"Hmph, this Protector has his own judgnt. Since when did it beco your place to ddle?" Bai Ya snorted coldly, waving his hand. "Go disperse all other unnecessary people. I will personally talk with him."
At these words, everyone's expressions changed to sudden realization. So he was adopting a conciliatory strategy. Protector Bai Ya was brilliant, employing civility before force.
Once everyone on the Serpent Saint Mountain Peak had departed, leaving only Xiao Yan's group of three, Bai Ya slowly descended from the sky to Xiao Yan's side.
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan, long ti no see," Bai Ya cupped his hands and spoke with great politeness.
Jia Xing Tian also ca to a sudden realization upon seeing this Sky Serpent Mansion Protector being so courteous. No wonder this person had just struck his own subordinate!
Seeing the other party being so polite, Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't act arrogantly. He also raised his hand in greeting and said, "It has been so ti, Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor. I wonder where Qing Lin is now?"
Xiao Yan hadn't co to attend any banquet; he was only here to et Qing Lin. As for the ring, he would decide whether to keep it himself or give it to Qing Lin based on the circumstances.
If it was useful to Qing Lin, it would serve as a small eting gift.
Bai Ya wasn't sure how to respond. As expected, Xiao Yan's objective was Qing Lin.
After pondering for a mont, he used a spiritual voice transmission, "Her Highness the Saintess should currently be waiting in her mountain residence, preparing for this evening's banquet."
Xiao Yan inwardly nodded upon hearing this and replied via spiritual transmission: "Could you take to see her?"
After contemplating for quite so ti, Bai Ya finally nodded and said, "The three of you, please follow . I will take you to Her Highness the Saintess's residence."
Jia Xing Tian had never expected this turn of events. They had originally co to attend a banquet, but now, after all this, they were directly going through the back door!
The three followed Bai Ya toward the statue's direction and stopped at a high peak.
The cave residences of the Sky Serpent Mansion's upper echelons were all located inside mountains, using the natural formations as cover while constructing dwellings within.
"This place isn't bad," Zi Yan looked around. As a magical beast, she could sense that the terrain was situated on an earth vein. Cultivating here would be equivalent to consuming dicinal ingredients daily, greatly accelerating a magical beast's developnt and growth.
Knock, knock, knock. Bai Ya knocked on the door and said, "Saintess, Bai Ya requests an audience."
"Co in." A sowhat stern and cold voice ca from inside. Even though many years had passed and the voice had grown much colder, Xiao Yan could still recognize it. This was the little girl from the rcenary group back then, who had always been timid and afraid of others discovering her mixed Snake-People blood.
A look of gratification appeared in his eyes at the sound of her voice. The little girl from back then seed to have truly grown up.
With a 'creak', the stone door opened automatically. Bai Ya was very perceptive; he didn't enter first but stepped aside, allowing Xiao Yan to enter ahead of him.
A delicate fragrance assailed Xiao Yan's nostrils as soon as he entered the cave dwelling. The first thing that greeted his eyes was a spacious, brightly lit hall. It had everything one might need; not only was there a huge mattress, but also a large pool in the distance. The overall layout was sowhat similar to dusa's bedchamber, with plants everywhere.
It was clear that snake-like beings preferred a very different living environnt from humans. This place resembled more of a forest, with the delicate fragrance coming from the surrounding plants.
However, Zi Yan frowned at this. Although she was also a magical beast, she wasn't a snake and had little interest in being surrounded by plants. She actually preferred resting at the summit of a high mountain, a place from which she could gaze down upon all the lesser peaks.
Pushing aside the lush vegetation, Xiao Yan finally saw the little girl from back then who used to call him 'Young Master' with every breath.
At this mont, not only was Qing Lin present, but Lu Man was also there, combing Qing Lin's hair. A shrunken Two-Headed Fla Spirit Serpent lay beside Qing Lin's feet like a pet dog.
The Two-Headed Fla Spirit Serpent sensed soone entering and slowly opened its eyes. When it saw Xiao Yan, it abruptly stood up and let out excited hisses.
"Little fellow, you seem to have grown quite well, even reaching the Dou Emperor level."
Qing Lin's body trembled upon hearing his voice. She turned around and, at the far end of the hallway, saw a figure both familiar and strange. With that warm, reassuring smile she knew so well, he strolled down the path toward her.
At first, she thought her eyes and ears were playing tricks on her. She instinctively rubbed her eyes, and when she looked again, the white-robed young man had drawn even closer.
"It's... it's Young Master Xiao Yan!" Qing Lin's heart quivered, and she was completely stunned.
Although she had always believed that Xiao Yan would definitely co to take her away, that he would surely co, her heart still jolted when he truly appeared safely before her. The surprise was simply too overwhelming.
Lu Man, at the side, had the sa expression as Bai Ya did when she saw Xiao Yan appear. It was as if she had seen a ghost!
By the ti Qing Lin recovered from her delightful surprise, Xiao Yan was already very close to her.
Overco with ecstasy, she couldn't help but rush forward and throw herself into Xiao Yan's embrace, hugging him tightly. Tears of joy stread down her face as she exclaid, "Young Master Xiao Yan, you've finally co!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers