Chapter 197

Xiao Yan leaned back against the soft sedan chair, set down his wine cup, and his eyes slightly narrowed—in that instant, it seemed as if his gaze had pierced through everything Yun Shan possessed, as if before his eyes, even a Dou Zong like Yun Shan was nothing more than a transparent speck, nothing hidden from his sight.

This gaze struck Yun Shan like lightning, drenching his entire body in cold sweat!

Only now did he finally feel fear—he realized he had been gripped by an invisible hand, believing he had escaped the Five Finger Mountain, believing he stood above all.

In truth, he had been seen through by Xiao Yan all along.

"If your last resort is the Soul Sect, then congratulations—you don't need to exert yourself anymore. You can rest well. You're off duty." Xiao Yan spoke calmly, using Soul Resonance.

"Who are you?!" Yun Shan was truly terrified, for he now had no idea why the Guardian had not appeared! If it was out of fear of Xiao Yan's behind-the-scenes faction, then Xiao Yan was terrifying indeed!

"Me? Didn't your disciple or grand-disciple tell you? I'm Xiao Yan, from Wutan City." Xiao Yan introduced himself via Soul Resonance.

To Yun Shan's ears, this sounded like mockery—but the next Soul Resonance struck him like a thunderclap!

"I'm also a Grade-Grade Soul Envoy."

!!!? Yun Shan's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Xiao Yan—he was utterly stunned, unable to comprehend.

Even if Xiao Yan were a Grade-Grade Soul Envoy, he still couldn't possibly make a Guardian-level figure hesitate!

"Sigh, sitting too long—I should stretch my legs. Since no one invited me down from the sedan, I'll just get down myself." Xiao Yan slowly stepped down from the soft sedan chair, stretching lazily.

Only then did everyone suddenly remember—Xiao Yan had never once stepped down from the soft sedan chair!

The entire Yun Lan Sect—even Yun Shan, a Dou Zong, and the sect's protective array—had still been powerless against Xiao Yan!

In fact, at this moment, every mouth was wide open, everyone stared dumbfounded at Xiao Yan, feeling he had suddenly become unfathomable.

Only Mei Du Sha cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Yan, as if he himself had defeated Yun Shan, when in truth, others had done the work—he merely spoke.

Ling Ying merely smiled, saying nothing—he who knew how to leverage others' strength possessed great wisdom.

Xiao Yan slowly approached Yun Shan, when a graceful figure appeared before him—Yun Yun stretched out her arms to block him, her eyes pleading: "Xiao Yan, don't."

Hearing Yun Yun's pleading voice and gaze, Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat.

"Yun Yun Sect Master, you're mistaken—I'm not here to trouble Elder Yun Shan. I'm here to trouble you." Xiao Yan pointed at Yun Yun.

Hearing this, Yun Yun froze, doubting she had misheard.

"Yun Yun Sect Master, your sect's Grand Elder, on false charges, ordered many disciples to attack me. This matter must be addressed." Xiao Yan grinned.

Not only was Yun Yun stunned, but even Yun Shan couldn't fathom what game Xiao Yan was playing or what his true intentions were!

Yun Yun frowned slightly and turned to Yun Leng: "Yun Leng, Yun Sha, Yun Du, Ge Ye—you four have committed grave offenses. In my capacity as the ninth-generation Sect Master of Yun Lan Sect, I hereby expel you from the sect. Pack your belongings from your residences and leave Yun Lan Sect immediately!"

Hearing Yun Yun's words, Yun Leng roared furiously: "Yun Yun! You're not our Sect Master! I don't recognize you! You have no right to expel me! I take orders from Elder Yun Shan alone!"

Watching Yun Leng's outburst, Yun Shan stared fixedly at Xiao Yan, paused for a moment, then slowly said: "Yun Yun has always been the Sect Master of Yun Lan Sect. Her words are my words."

Instantly, Yun Leng and the others sat frozen, as if struck by lightning—they simply could not understand why Yun Shan would abandon them!

"It's you! It's you, Xiao Yan! What did you do?! Why is this happening?!" Yun Leng screamed like a madman, unable to comprehend how his unwavering loyalty to Yun Shan had led to such an end.

Xiao Yan shrugged. "You drove yourself mad—I didn't force you."

"Since Sect Master Yun Yun has given her explanation, let's discuss compensation now." Xiao Yan looked at Yun Yun with a sly grin.

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Yun Yun's heart trembled—she remembered what had happened in the cave!

"I've heard your Life and Death Gate is a Secret Realm. Nalan Yanran's rapid power growth came from training within it. I wish to enter the Life and Death Gate." Xiao Yan immediately dropped his playful demeanor, speaking with solemn seriousness.

"You want to enter the Life and Death Gate?" Yun Yun was utterly baffled—she had never imagined Xiao Yan's compensation request was to train in the Life and Death Gate?!

Hearing Xiao Yan's request, Nalan Yanran's eyes widened behind him—she recalled how, not long ago during their duel, Xiao Yan had asked if there was any way to enter the Life and Death Gate!

"Could all this have been his plan all along—to enter the Life and Death Gate?!" Nalan Yanran's face paled—now she looked at Xiao Yan as if he were a raging flood or a ferocious beast.

Had this entire thing been calculated by him?

Yet after thinking it over, Nalan Yanran felt it impossible—Xiao Yan couldn't possibly have foreseen the Grand Elder's sudden, irrational hostility toward him, let alone the violent confrontation.

Only Yun Shan wore a thoughtful expression.

After a moment's thought, Yun Yun said: "The Life and Death Gate requires someone capable of triggering it to enter. Even as Sect Master, I cannot force it open. But if you wish, I can let you try."

"Xiao Yan thanks Sect Master Yun for your kindness. It seems I still have the fortune to appreciate the scenery and grace of Yun Lan Sect." Xiao Yan smiled warmly.

Then Xiao Yan turned and raised his hand toward all the onlookers: "Ladies and gentlemen, this performance is over. Go home. There's no more show."

Everyone understood—Xiao Yan was issuing a dismissal order! Just as he had said at the beginning: who was host, who was guest—clearly defined!

Now, Xiao Yan was speaking as the host.

And this time, no one dared utter a word—not even Yun Shan remained silent.

Everyone exchanged glances, bowed respectfully to Xiao Yan, and quickly departed Yun Lan Sect—for from this moment on, the Jia Ma Empire would change its sky.

Xiao Yan had caused chaos in Yun Lan Sect, stood unmoved even before Dou Zong Yun Shan, and even the Medusa Queen had appeared to protect him!

This was undoubtedly a shocking revelation across all empires in the northwest region!

"Hai Lao, thank you for your help this time. I'll visit your guild later." Xiao Yan sent a Soul Resonance message to Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong frowned. "You don't seriously plan to stay in Yun Lan Sect, do you? If we leave and Yun Shan the old bastard strikes…"

Xiao Yan laughed. "Don't worry—Medusa Queen is here. Even if I can't win, I can still run. And Hai Lao, don't forget—I still have one more card up my sleeve."

Hearing this, Hai Bodong's heart jolted—he recalled the terrifying Fire Lotus, and how Xiao Yan had said it had an upgraded version.

With Medusa Queen present, Xiao Yan's safety was at least guaranteed. Hai Bodong said no more and departed Yun Lan Sect.

Seeing the square nearly empty, Xiao Yan used EagleWings to fly beside Ling Ying, took several brocade boxes and a letter from his space ring, and handed them to Ling Ying.

"Ling Lao, please deliver this letter and these items to Xun Er. Tell her I'll settle the Xiao Clan in Jia Ma Sheng Cheng, then return to Jia Nan Academy. Inside the brocade boxes is a Four-Stripe White Spiritual Pill and some pills for Dou Shi and Dou Zhe—details are written in the letter. Please give them all to Xun Er." Every time Xiao Yan spoke of Xun Er, his expression softened.

Seeing Xiao Yan's gentle gaze, Ling Ying patted his shoulder. "The Lady will be delighted to receive your gift, Young Master Xiao Yan."

"Oh, one more favor, Ling Lao." Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, a flash of killing intent passing through—though he said nothing, his gaze made his intent clear.

Ling Ying's eyes flickered—he understood at once: Yun Leng and the other three must be eliminated completely. They were irredeemable enemies—they must die utterly.

After securing all items, Ling Ying dissolved into shadow and vanished.

Once Xiao Yan's Soul Force Perception confirmed Ling Ying had truly left, his expression instantly changed—he slowly turned toward a certain direction.

Ling Ying had never dared even reveal the Soul Token in front of Xiao Yan, fearing something might go wrong.

Xiao Yan guided this battle not only to deliver a show of force, but also for a more important, deeper purpose.

"I didn't expect a Guardian to be here inside the Yun Lan Sect. This is a bit tricky."

Xiao Yan slowly looked in one direction. The reason Yun Shan couldn't call for a Guardian was also very simple: when he entered the Yun Lan Sect, the Soul Token had already emitted a soul-light path, so this Guardian had probably already known Xiao Yan had come.

For the others, the matter of the Yun Lan Sect was already over, but for Xiao Yan, this was only the end of the first half.

He took out the Soul Token from his storage ring, and a faint trail of soul-light pointed toward the direction Yun Shan had just come from.

"Looks like tonight I can go pay a visit to the Soul Hall."

(End of Chapter)