Chapter 188: I

Hearing Yun Leng's words, Fa Ma, as the Guild Master, changed expression. Although Yun Leng's words were harsh, the truth was exactly that: even if Xiao Yan had offended the Jia Ma Imperial Family, Fa Ma could protect him—but Yun Lan Sect could not; Yun Lan Sect was entangled in too many matters, and the Alchemist Guild simply lacked the strength to oppose Yun Lan Sect.

"Old Man Fa, aren't you going to intervene? Xiao Yan is, after all, your Alchemist Guild's Honorary Elder," Jia Xingtian suddenly turned to Fa Ma and said.

"Given the current situation, Yun Leng is determined to keep Xiao Yan here—I doubt my intervention would change his mind. Besides, I heard Xiao Yan has some kind of transaction with your Imperial Family—why won't the Jia Ma Imperial Family act?" Fa Ma retorted Jia Xingtian.

Both men truly wished to help Xiao Yan, but Yun Lan Sect filled them with profound dread—any misstep could overturn the entire Jia Ma Empire.

You should know that the strongest sixth-rank alchemist, Gu He, is a guest elder of the Yun Lan Sect. If the Yun Lan Sect wanted to purge the Alchemist Guild, given Gu He's reputation, many alchemists would likely side with the Yun Lan Sect.

【5】 The strongest Sixth-Rank Alchemist, Gu He, was Yun Lan Sect's Guest Elder—if Yun Lan Sect sought to purge the Alchemist Guild, Gu He's prestige would likely draw many Alchemists to Yun Lan Sect's side.

As Yun Leng had said, the Alchemist Guild, though powerful, was not the most powerful; in the Jia Ma Empire, Yun Lan Sect towered over all organizations, including the Alchemist Guild.

But at this moment, only Xiao Yan understood the full reason behind everything.

The source of Yun Leng's confidence was not Yun Lan Sect itself, but the Soul Hall hidden behind Yun Lan Sect—even, one could say, secretly controlling the entire Yun Lan Sect—that was Yun Leng's true backing!

Xiao Yan's current status was such that a single word from him could summon a hundred responses: as the Jia Ma Empire's most promising Five-Grade Alchemist, everyone wanted to cultivate good relations with him—or feared the power he wielded; no one dared offend him, not even speak loudly to him.

Yet in this world, there existed one organization that did not fear Alchemists at all—for them, Alchemists were the finest food; capturing an Alchemist brought not fear of retaliation, but rich rewards!

And Xiao Yan knew this organization was hidden within Yun Lan Sect.

"Yun Leng isn't stupid. Given my current worth, if converted into Soul Points, I'm probably worth more than YaoAo's Soul Body," Xiao Yan wasn't boasting—this was the truth.

Xiao Yan possessed not only astonishing Soul Force, but also a Heavenly Flame—his value certainly surpassed that of a Seven-Grade Alchemist's Soul Body.

Know this: the Soul Hall possessed a Secret Technique to extract a Heavenly Flame. Others might not be able to kill and seize a Heavenly Flame, but the Soul Hall could. For the Soul Hall, an Alchemist possessing a Heavenly Flame was of incalculable value.

Thus, regarding Yun Leng's reckless, all-out actions, Xiao Yan, as his colleague, deeply understood.

Xiao Yan glanced at Gu He, who watched the scene like a spectator, and couldn't help but feel pity. Though Gu He appeared free and unrestrained, able to leave Yun Lan Sect at any moment, in truth he was like a caged bird—if he tried to flee, the Soul Hall would strike and seize him the next second.

Gu He remained safe only because he still had value to offer.

"Since you've walked into my net, don't blame me—you'll pay for your greed," Xiao Yan thought silently, glancing at Yun Leng with a touch of pity.

"Though I did intend to stay at Yun Lan Sect for a couple days, not in this manner."

"Today, I'm sitting right here—I want to see if you, Yun Leng, truly have the ability to hold me!" Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the Soft Sedan Chair, actually sitting there and waiting for someone to come seize him!

Yun Leng waved his hand and coldly ordered: "Enforcement Team, seize him!"

As Yun Leng's command fell, a dozen white shadows shot forth, Dou Qi surging wildly; in an instant, they surrounded Xiao Yan without a word. The cold-faced Yun Lan Sect Enforcement Team moved their hands, swords flashing out, blades swinging—dozens of sword shadows enveloped Xiao Yan.

The four shadow guards from the Miter Clan who carried the sedan chair instantly acted; four One-Star Dou Ling slammed palms in four directions, their terrifying Dou Qi clashing and nullifying the combined assault of the dozen Great Dou Shi.

Yun Leng glared darkly at Miter Tengshan among the spectators and growled: "Fine, Miter Clan—you're declaring war on Yun Lan Sect?"

Miter Tengshan spread his hands innocently: "Elder Yun Leng, you misunderstand—these shadow guards are Xiao Yan's personal subordinates, unrelated to the Miter Clan."

Yun Leng's eyes flashed with murderous intent; he swept his sleeve and ordered coldly: "All stewards and Enforcement Elders—advance!"

"Yes!"

No sooner had Yun Leng spoken than Ge Ye, standing nearby, moved first—Dou Qi erupted from his body, his foot stomped the ground, and his form shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, crossing half the Guang Chang in an instant. His withered hand curled and swept, sending out several sharp gusts of wind; the wind twisted and lashed—such swift, lethal technique was befitting a Dou Ling.

The One-Star Dou Ling shadow guards were no match for Ge Ye—even all four together could not withstand Ge Ye, who had reached Four-Star Dou Ling.

Behind him, multiple sonic booms echoed; besides Ge Ye and the Great Dou Shi Enforcement Team, several Dou Ling and over a hundred Dou Shi surrounded Xiao Yan's sedan chair from all directions.

At that moment, the air across the entire Guang Chang suddenly turned icy. Four massive ice pillars descended from the sky—BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—the thunderous crashes planted four ice pillars firmly around Xiao Yan, blasting away the surrounding Dou Ling stewards, even forcing a One-Star Dou Wang to retreat at high speed, unable to withstand the piercing cold.

A withered figure appeared above Xiao Yan's sedan chair; behind him, ice wings radiated chilling air that instantly turned the scorching Guang Chang frigid.

"Hai Bodong, what do you mean?!" Yun Leng's face darkened, as if drops of water might fall from it.

Hai Bodong gazed coldly down at Yun Leng, his icy voice echoing across the entire Guang Chang: "I protect him."

Hearing Hai Bodong's words, Yun Leng clenched his fists, veins bulging. He nodded to the two Dou Wang Elders beside him—Yun Sha and Yun Du.

"Wind-Fire-Wood Barrier."

The three uttered a low chant, their palms facing each other across the distance. Three distinct colors of Dou Qi erupted, forming a membrane of light; in the blink of an eye, they met at the center, creating a triangular energy barrier that enclosed Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong whispered to Xiao Yan: "Stop sitting there idle—these three old devils are High-Level Dou Wangs. If you add their thousand-man Sealing Array, even I can't guarantee your safety. If you can't turn Yun Yun to your side, flee now—before she acts—leave the Jia Ma Empire."

Though Hai Bodong had regained his Six-Star Dou Huang status, Yun Lan Sect's dominance had its reasons.

Xiao Yan glared at Hai Bodong and said: "Hai Lao, your ice pillars are freezing—this Alchemist Long Robe doesn't keep me warm."

Hearing Xiao Yan's teasing remark, Hai Bodong nearly broke his composure: Are you seriously worrying about warmth right now?!

Seeing Hai Bodong's exasperated expression, Xiao Yan sighed and pulled a wooden box from his storage ring: "Hai Lao, when have you ever seen an Alchemist lift a finger himself?"

With a soft snap, Xiao Yan flicked open the lid of the wooden box with his thumb—the contents inside made every Dou Wang in attendance widen their eyes, their gazes filled with greed!

An intense Alchemy fragrance weakened the icy air, as if spring returned to all things.

"Dou Wang Pills?!"

Three round, exquisite Dou Wang Pills rested inside the box like jewels, reflecting a luster under sunlight that made every Dou Wang drool.

Seeing these three Dou Wang Pills, even Gu He's expression turned grave—these pills' quality was flawless.

"One, two, three—you Yun Lan Sect has three High-Level Dou Wangs, right? Fine. I happen to have three Dou Wang Pills here. Any Dou Wang willing to take the job? Block them—and these flawless Dou Wang Pills are yours."

As soon as Xiao Yan spoke, every Dou Wang present felt their heart thump violently!

Hai Bodong's heart thundered: What the hell! You really aren't going to move?!

(End of Chapter)