Chapter 216

The sky was just beginning to lighten, a sliver of sunlight streaming through the window; Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, having fallen asleep without realizing it.

Turning his head, he discovered Ya Fei fast asleep, her head resting on the desk.

Xiao Yan silently sighed—he was starting to think he was cursed with romantic entanglements, always accumulating love debts.

Gently lifting Ya Fei, a fragrant breeze brushed his nose; Xiao Yan looked down at her delicate face resting against his chest, her long, curved eyelashes fluttering slightly.

Gazing at this woman, naturally enchanting yet tender as water, a pang of guilt stirred within him.

He carefully laid Ya Fei on the bed in the room beside the office, then left without lingering, quietly closing the door.

"Sister will wait here for you to return."

His hand paused; Xiao Yan dared not turn back, softly shut the door, and spread his EagleWings, flying out through the office window.

He feared that if he stayed any longer, he wouldn't want to leave.

Watching Xiao Yan's figure fade into the distance as he flew from the window, Ya Fei gently touched her forehead with her jade hand, revealing a sweet smile.

Xiao Yan flew boldly across the skies of Jia Ma Sheng Cheng.

Probably only Xiao Yan would dare do such a thing in the entire Jia Ma Empire—after all, even if Jia Xingtian spotted him, he wouldn't lift a finger to stop him.

"That brat, always dallying with women, never even came to say goodbye to me," Hai Bodong grumbled, standing in the sky as the fiery glow grew smaller and smaller, shaking his head in disbelief.

At that moment, a sheet of white paper slowly drifted down from the sky, landing before Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong, puzzled, caught the falling paper and saw a few hastily scribbled lines.

【Xiao Yan's IOU】

【Next time I come to Jia Ma Empire, I will surely present Hai Lao with an Imperial Ultimate Pill.】

【 (￣▽￣) 】

Looking at the paper, Hai Bodong chuckled at Xiao Yan's antics, carefully tucked it away, and gazed toward the horizon: "Xiao Yan, the world outside is vast—be careful this time."

At that moment, his cultivation method surged wildly; Xiao Yan's EagleWings transformed into crimson fire-wings as he shot across the sky like a fiery meteor.

"The Dou Ling's Dou Qi is truly profound—I've increased my speed tenfold!"

Since breaking through to Dou Ling, this was Xiao Yan's first time flying at full speed; combined with the Burnt Decree refined with Yin-Yang Twin Infernal Flames, he now felt as if his Dou Qi would never run out.

Even when fully activating the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame to accelerate, his Dou Qi showed no sign of depletion.

Suddenly, a graceful figure appeared directly in Xiao Yan's flight path—undoubtedly, the Mei Du Sha Queen.

Only the Mei Du Sha Queen's "debt" remained unpaid.

"Oh? Your Majesty, what a coincidence—are you out for morning exercise too?" Xiao Yan grinned, swearing he had no intention of fleeing or dodging his debt.

Mei Du Sha's breathtaking face turned icy blue; she glared at Xiao Yan with cold disdain.

Xiao Yan swallowed hard and nervously said, "Your Majesty, let me explain—no, let me justify—wait, please let me explain."

Mei Du Sha cut him off, her voice sharp: "When can you restore my body to Seven Rank?"

At once, Xiao Yan pulled a scroll from his storage ring, declaring his innocence: "I have this Secret Technique—originally, it required Three Infernal Flames and a body of at least Dou Zong to forge a Soul Body capable of reviving a Spiritual Soul."

"I modified it—now, with just the Three Infernal Flames, I can reshape a Three-Flame Serpent Body for you, Your Majesty, allowing you to truly reach Seven Rank, and beyond—Eight Rank, Nine Rank, even Ten Rank won't be a problem."

"I truly am earnestly helping you regain your strength—this isn't a lie."

Xiao Yan spoke as if pitching on a street corner, convincing even himself.

Mei Du Sha naturally doubted the claim of reaching Nine-Rank or even Ten-Rank Magical Beast status; she flicked her finger, unrolling the scroll.

Her eyes flickered with surprise—Xiao Yan's modified Secret Technique could indeed restore her body, and even enhance her potential; while Nine Rank was unlikely, breaking past the Eight Rank threshold was certainly feasible.

Mei Du Sha grew increasingly curious about Xiao Yan—this boy's Alchemy talent was absurdly high; he revised Pill Formulas and Secret Techniques like correcting homework—and somehow, he got them right.

Her beautiful eyes turned to Xiao Yan, her expression softening slightly: "Where are you going now?"

"Of course back to Jia Nan Academy—I'm still a student, I've got classes to attend," Xiao Yan replied with an innocent smile.

"Tell the truth," Mei Du Sha glanced at him, as if to say, Do you think I believe that?

"Uh… Jia Nan Academy has an Infernal Flame. And this technique can't be created from nothing—it needs massive energy, and the fire attribute energy in that Infernal Flame zone is perfect." Xiao Yan rubbed his nose as he explained.

Mei Du Sha knew this brat never showed up without a purpose; having a student like this was truly Jia Nan Academy's eighth-generation misfortune.

Mei Du Sha slightly parted her lips; a streak of green light shot out, forming a floating green lotus. Her body glowed with seven-colored radiance, transforming back into the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent, coiled within the lotus, absorbing its energy to accelerate growth.

With Mei Du Sha now in serpent form, the problem arose—a beautiful long robe slowly drifted down; what made Xiao Yan's blood boil was the red, triangular piece of cloth fluttering past his eyes.

Xiao Yan instinctively reached out to catch the garment; his heart pounded violently—this intensity rivaled his first entry into the Life and Death Gate!

Still warm!

But the next second, a chilling dread, as if plunged into the Nine Underworld, swept through Xiao Yan's entire body—he felt as if a cold, massive sea giant python had coiled around him, pinning him with a deadly stare.

Xiao Yan dared not entertain another thought; he placed the garment gently onto the lotus.

Poor Xiao Yan—his own cultivated green lotus had been seized by Mei Du Sha. He'd always been the one stealing from others; when had he ever been stolen from?

After stowing the lotus in his storage ring, Xiao Yan silently whispered Xun Er's name, slowly calming his raging Dou Di Bloodline.

Flying at full speed, with his current velocity augmented by the Infernal Flames, Xiao Yan's pace was nearly equal to that of a peak Dou Wang—or even a Dou Huang.

He flew directly over fortress after fortress; upon seeing his figure, every garrison commander saluted—no one dared stop him.

After all, he was the Champion of the Alchemist Convention, the Young Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan of Yan Alliance—few in the Jia Ma Empire hadn't seen his portrait.

You might not recognize the Jia Ma Empire's ruler, but you must recognize Xiao Yan!

Soon after crossing Jia Ma Empire's border, he entered the Black Horn Region.

Now that he was in the Black Horn Region, Xiao Yan couldn't be so brazen—he still had some dignity to preserve.

He pulled out a fresh Soul Robe from his storage ring; if he encountered any fools, he'd still kill them—but not under the identity of Xiao Yan.

His persona couldn't collapse.

"Tsk tsk tsk—this Soul Robe must be equivalent to a Seven-Rank Peak Magic Core armor."

This was the Soul Robe of a Tian Ji Protector of the Soul Sect—far superior to the one he first obtained. Judging by his Six-Rank Alchemist Soul Force, this robe could now resist Spiritual Realm Soul Force detection.

Spiritual Realm—that's the realm of a Eighth-Rank Alchemist!

Only a Spiritual Soul of Mid-Ling Realm or Late-Ling Realm could pierce through this Soul Robe's perception shield; the Soul Sovereign really is wealthy. This Soul Robe alone is probably worth as much as a Qi Zhi Gao Ji Elixir.

After thinking for a while, Xiao Yan pulled out the Small Soul Black Purple Pill he had obtained from Hun Lu. In the Black Horn Region—a lawless black zone akin to Earth's Golden Triangle—strength is the only truth.

One Elixir swallowed, a sensation as if his Spiritual Soul had been elevated surged straight into his brain.

"This is far better than the effect of Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva!"

Xiao Yan truly felt his Spiritual Soul growing stronger, rising from Six-Grade Mid-Level Alchemist all the way to Six-Grade High, nearing Six-Grade Peak, before stopping—directly advancing more than one minor rank!

"The Soul Sovereign may be evil, but their items are truly excellent."

Whether this Soul Robe or the Small Soul Black Purple Pill, both were top-tier items of extremely high quality.

One Elixir solved the torment of many Alchemists—years of arduous effort to gain a sliver of Soul Force, accomplished in a single pill.

The allure of Elixirs was even irresistible to Alchemists themselves.

Xiao Yan pulled down the brim of his hat, a flash of murderous intent crossing his eyes; anyone who dared attack him foolishly would regret it.

Meow! Mao Wu flew out from the Spirit Storage, boosting Xiao Yan's morale.

With a roar of wind, Xiao Yan directly flew into the Black Horn Region, his Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame switching to the Sub-Flame of Swallowing Flame; darkness spread from above every city in the Black Horn Region as he flew toward Jia Nan Academy.

Except for a few fools who attacked him at first, whom he killed with a single palm strike.

Whether because Xiao Yan was too conspicuous or not, the journey was surprisingly peaceful; though many Spiritual Souls swept over him, all were blocked by the Soul Robe.

Perhaps in a place like the Black Horn Region, the more conspicuous and mysterious one is, the more others fear to act—this reverse psychology allowed Xiao Yan to reach Peace Town with great ease.

After entering Peace Town, Xiao Yan did not continue wearing the Soul Robe; he changed into Jia Nan Academy's uniform.

Xiao Yan had enrolled, so he naturally had a uniform—a set of blue-and-white attire that instantly transformed his appearance, making him seem like a true youthful student, full of vigor and vitality.

Who could guess that this eighteen-year-old boy with a sunny smile and boundless energy was not only the leader of the Yan Alliance, but also a Tian Ji Protector of the Soul Temple?

Xiao Yan turned his head toward a nearby alley, his expression turning grave.

"Soul Sacrifice Old Shop… Is there any connection between this and the Soul Temple in the Black Horn Region?"

As a Tian Ji Protector, Xiao Yan had been sent not only the Tian Ji Protector's Soul Robe, but also a map.

As a Tian Ji Protector, he could know the exact locations of three Soul Temple branch temples; he himself possessed one, and the other two were marked on the map.

One was on the edge of the Northwest Region, at Tianzang Gorge in the Tianxin Empire; this branch temple was relatively weak, its strongest member merely a Ren Ji Protector named Tie Protector.

The other was in the Black Horn Region; this branch temple was much stronger, still with only one Protector—but a Di Ji Protector named Xuan Protector.

Now that he knew the locations, Xiao Yan could go to either of these two branch temples whenever he encountered trouble.

Xiao Yan wandered through Peace Town, stopping to buy a few skewers of street snacks, even spotting a carbonated drink resembling cola.

"Ha~~~ This is youth! One should live like this when young; dealing with those old demons made me feel like an old man myself." Xiao Yan savored this rare peace!!

Praise peace!

Moments later, a dozen figures walked up to Xiao Yan, their gazes sweeping over him in his uniform; one of the leading youths asked curiously: "Junior, it's not vacation time—why are you in Peace Town?"

Jia Nan Academy is somewhat like a boarding school; students' activity range rarely extends beyond Canaan City. Only during vacation do students appear in Peace Town, beyond the city.

Xiao Yan's eyes drifted over the dozen figures; he noticed that besides the leading youth, several men and women were also quite young, appearing around twenty-two or twenty-three—judging by their words, they were clearly members of Jia Nan Academy's Enforcement Team.

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and said: "I took leave for personal matters and just returned from the Black Horn Region."

"Returned from the Black Horn Region?! May I ask your name, and who is your Mentor?"

"Xiao Yan, the Mentor is Mentor Ruolin." Xiao Yan blinked his eyes, and in his mind surfaced the image of that gentle, water-like mature woman from years past

He blinked, and the image of that gentle, mature woman from years past surfaced in his mind.

"Xiao Yan? You're the one who defeated a Xuan Jie Class student shortly after enrollment, then took a year-and-a-half leave?!"

Xiao Yan straightened his posture. This is what a legend looks like.

Even away from school, my legend still circulates.

Don't idolize me—I'm just a legend.

"That's right," Xiao Yan was about to confirm, when the girl beside the captain added: "The one who abandoned Xun Er for a year and a half—the heartless traitor?"

!!!!!?!?!

Xiao Yan's face froze solid. What the hell is this?!

Seeing Xiao Yan's embarrassment, the captain cleared his throat and said: "Regardless, since you're here now, we'll escort you back to school. It's still term time, and the Inner Court Selection Exam is only four months away."

The Inner Court Selection Exam is the final exam; Jia Nan Academy's final exam has no scores—only pass or fail. Xiao Yu had returned to the Xiao Clan after the Selection Exam, and enrollment occurred before each new term.

"Then thank you very much." Xiao Yan bowed in gratitude; though he could fly back directly, Jia Nan Academy certainly forbade arbitrary flight.

"Hehe, no problem. By the way, Xiao Yan, before you go, I must warn you: though you haven't entered the academy yet, you likely already have many potential rivals within Jia Nan Academy."

"You probably know why—someone as outstanding as Xun Er is irresistibly attractive to the academy's prodigies. In just over a year, her reputation has caught up with the Little Enchantress, and suitors have come nonstop."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan chuckled lightly: "Oh? Then I'll truly have to test them out—I only hope they don't disappoint me too much."

Sitting atop the Lion Griffin, Xiao Yan exhaled softly, gazing up with misty eyes at the azure sky; the delicate, refined face of a young girl slowly surfaced in his mind, filling his heart with longing.

"Xun Er… I'm finally going to see you again. Unconsciously, a year and a half has passed."

This flight lasted nearly the entire night; at dawn the next day, a ray of morning light pierced from the horizon, driving away all darkness across earth and sky.

"Canaan City… Jia Nan Academy—I, Xiao Yan, am back!"

Even from high altitude, he could not fully take in the entire city—revealing just how vast this city truly was.

Xiao Yan would surely enter the Inner Court this time. When he had heard Ruolin's Mentor speak, she said the Inner Court was filled with prodigies, especially the students on the Strong List, each astonishingly brilliant.

Xiao Yan now felt a flicker of curiosity and Battle Intention—he wondered just how "prodigious" these so-called prodigies truly were.

"Hehe, Xiao Yan junior, we'll land the Lion Griffin at the city's flight docking station. After that, you'll need to make your own way to the academy. This week, our Enforcement Team is on duty and cannot stay away from Peace Town too long." The Enforcement Team youth turned his head—and suddenly realized Xiao Yan, who had been right behind him, was gone.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for your escort—I'm deeply grateful." A voice came from below.

The youth riding the Lion Griffin turned pale with terror—this was a thousand meters high!!! Are you insane?!

Just as the senior brother thought Xiao Yan was mad, a pair of brilliant crimson fire wings erupted behind Xiao Yan—WHOOSH! —flapping to slow his descent, tongues of flame scattering as he landed on the street like a divine warrior from heaven.

"Spiritual Qi Wings?!!!"

Xiao Yan paid no mind to what the academy senior or the people around him thought—he was desperate to return home, longing to fly straight to Xun Er's side.

"Wait… it's been over a year. Where does Xun Er live now?" Xiao Yan froze, suddenly remembering a critical question: Where was Xun Er?

As Xiao Yan stood dazed, fate seemed determined to unite star-crossed lovers—a young man, two or three years older than Xiao Yan, stared in shock, his finger trembling as he pointed at Xiao Yan.

"Young Clan Leader!!!"

Xiao Yan turned his head, and said, "Oh, Xiao Ning? You're just in time."

Once he confirmed it was Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning rushed forward—only to be pinched by the cheek and hoisted midair by Xiao Yan's hand.

"Y-Y-Young Clan Leader…"

"Don't get so excited—I'm straight."

Xiao Ning, a disciple of the Xiao Clan who had entered Jia Nan Academy, had known two months ago that Xiao Yan was returning to Jia Nan Academy, because most of the low-grade Elixirs Xiao Yan had sent to Xun Er were meant to boost the strength of the clan's disciples.

Among the Xiao Clan disciples at Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan was practically a living Bodhisattva—they waited anxiously, longing for an audience with the Sage Emperor.

Setting Xiao Ning down, Xiao Yan wiped his hand and said, "We'll talk later—where is Xun Er?"

Xiao Ning didn't waste words; he understood the bond between Xiao Yan and Xun Er, and led Xiao Yan straight toward the Xiao Clan's temporary residence.

When Xiao Yan's Soul Force Perception caught sight of that beloved figure, he exploded into motion, appearing in an instant outside the gate of a pavilion.

Sensing Xiao Yan's arrival, the gate creaked open, and the two locked eyes.

Before him stood a beautiful young woman, her face long etched deep into Xiao Yan's heart.

"Brother Xiao Yan."

Seeing Xiao Yan, Xun Er's heart overflowed with unspoken words—joy, happiness, resentment, anger—her eyes brimmed with unbidden tears.

After all, Xiao Yan had abandoned her for over a year for another woman—anyone would harbor some bitterness.

But when Xiao Yan opened his arms, Xun Er rushed into his embrace without hesitation.

Xiao Yan gripped her tightly, greedily breathing in her familiar scent.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

No sooner had the words left his lips than Xiao Yan slowly lowered his head and claimed her lips in a possessive kiss—all his unspoken feelings distilled into that single kiss.

Watching the kissing pair, the entire Guang Chang fell into silence—faintly, the sound of countless hearts shattering could be heard.

"We're done. The academy's about to change."

(End of Chapter)