Chapter 294

"Old Man Bing, you sensed it too?" Jia Xingtian's voice came from behind Hai Bodong; with a flash, he appeared beside him, and both flew toward the gate of Shen Cheng.

"Mm, a Sixth Rank Demon Beast, and its aura is incredibly strong—stronger even than your guardian beast by a notch. And there's a Dou Huang as well." Hai Bodong nodded gravely; such power alone could plunge Shen Cheng into disaster.

Jia Xingtian nodded solemnly. Though both he and Hai Bodong could handle one Sixth Rank Demon Beast and a Dou Huang, what they feared was not the overt strength—but the faction behind the beast.

Just like back in Mo City, when Lv Man and Bai Ya, two Dou Huangs, appeared and took Qing Lin away—their backer was Tian She Mansion, one of the dominant powers in the Northwest Region. Even if they casually invaded, no one could hold them accountable.

Now, the Northwest Region's Sect Competition was about to begin, and countless empires and sects from across the region would participate. In the past, Chu Yun Empire and Luo Yan Empire had both tried to persuade Jia Ma Empire to ally with them for the competition, to prevent being swallowed by the powerful sects at the region's center.

But in the end, Jia Xingtian and the other members of the Imperial Family all refused. After all, these two empires had long been at war with Jia Ma Empire, and their overall strength far surpassed Jia Ma's—they knew they'd gain no advantage in any alliance, and might even be swallowed and carved up.

The demon beast's aura drew nearer, its speed gradually slowing. After waiting a while, a purple dot flickered on the horizon. As the purple light grew larger, the first thing to come into view was the massive body of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.

Its scales, encased in purple crystal, shimmered beautifully under the sunlight; with a gentle flap of its sky-blocking purple wings, it broke the sound barrier in flight, as beautiful as a meteor slicing through the heavens.

"Hm?"

"That's…"

Gradually, Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian saw several figures seated atop the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King. When they spotted the figure at the front, clad in a mysterious black soul robe, both their eyes widened with shock and excitement.

For an instant they froze, then suddenly opened their eyes wide—their aged bodies trembled violently with emotion, their voices trembling as well.

"Kuang! This kid's back?!" Jia Xingtian was naturally ecstatic—his guardian beast was still waiting for Xiao Yan to save it.

"Good kid, coming back riding a Sixth Rank Demon Beast—so flashy." Hai Bodong smiled warmly, stroking his beard.

Xiao Yan no longer pretended—he tucked the Soul Robe into his storage ring, pulled on the long-lost Alchemist Long Robe. As he donned the snow-white robe, he stood calmly atop the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, the wind brushing his sleeves, hands clasped behind his back—he truly looked the part.

When Xiao Yan stopped using the Soul Robe to mask his aura, a powerful presence surged forth—stronger than any Dou Wang—so intense it subtly raised the Infernal Heat of Jia Ma Sheng Cheng.

When Xiao Yan released his inner aura to announce his return, it wasn't just Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong who noticed. Simultaneously, several powerful faction leaders across the empire turned their gazes toward the source of the rising heat, stunned.

The terrifying, overwhelming Dou Qi, laced with that infernal heat, made their faces pale. Such power—even Jia Xingtian, that old monster, seemed inferior. When had Jia Ma Empire produced such a strength?

Of course, some had already guessed who had arrived.

Those familiar with Xiao Yan—like Nalan Jie of the Nalan Mansion and Miter Tengshan—also realized Xiao Yan had returned.

"This brat—come back and make it look like everyone needs to know," Nalan Jie stroked his beard, smiling as he gazed toward Xiao Yan's direction.

Ya Fei, whose strength was only Dou Shi, suddenly felt something—a premonition, though she couldn't sense the aura.

"He's back…" Ya Fei's heart tightened inexplicably. The business queen who held real power over the Miter Clan had just revealed a delicate, feminine side—anyone who knew her would be stunned.

"Hey, Old Hai! Two years apart, your strength has improved, your radiance renewed—you've turned back time!" Xiao Yan grew a pair of Dou Qi wings behind him and floated gently before Hai Bodong, his face lit with genuine joy.

"Brat, you're messing with me now?" Hai Bodong scolded, though his face beamed with delight at Xiao Yan's return.

Xiao Yan turned to Jia Xingtian, raising his hand slightly in a courteous greeting: "Old Jia, long time no see."

Xiao Yan wasted no time—he pulled a Pill Bottle from his storage ring. Inside lay the Huan Yuan Su Gu Pill, radiating an unusual medicinal fragrance, now before Jia Xingtian.

Seeing the Huan Yuan Su Gu Pill, Jia Xingtian swallowed hard. A Six Rank Pill—only a Dou Huang was worthy to use it. In Jia Ma Empire, only Gu He, the recluse, and Fa Ma—who had broken through to Six Rank a year ago after witnessing Xiao Yan's Spirit Refining—could craft such pills.

If Xiao Yan had returned just one or two years later, Jia Xingtian might have had to beg Fa Ma for a pill.

"Good, you still remember. That's good." In just two years, Xiao Yan had risen from Fifth-Rank Alchemist to Sixth Rank—this speed made Jia Xingtian secretly hatch a plan: like Hai Bodong, he'd marry Yao Ye to Xiao Yan and bind him.

But then, both Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong noticed the quiet girl seated behind them on the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King—Xiao Yixian, holding a book on herb cultivation, reading calmly—and abandoned the idea.

This guy truly had a destiny for romance—how many girls had he brought back now? And a little girl, eleven or twelve? Could she be Xiao Yan's child?!

Already?!

Tsk tsk tsk. Pfft, scumbag.

"Of course I remember," Xiao Yan, unaware of their wild thoughts, nodded and smiled: "But this pill's potency is too fierce—only a demon beast's body can tolerate it. And even then, it requires a special Alchemist technique to fully activate its power."

Hearing the pill needed a special method to activate, Jia Xingtian was startled, then looked at Xiao Yan: "Then I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you again, Xiao Yan."

"Naturally. After all, I crafted this pill." Xiao Yan smiled.

Xiao Yan did not immediately return to Yun Lan Sect to see his family—he chose instead to stay in Jia Ma Sheng Cheng, temporarily residing at the Miter Clan's estate.

Though the Xiao Clan now had some assets in Jia Ma Sheng Cheng, Xiao Yan still chose to stay with the Miter Clan—the meaning was obvious.

"Ya Fei, long time no see." When he saw Ya Fei, Xiao Yan's tone softened involuntarily.

Seeing Xiao Yan descend from the sky, her beautiful eyes brightened. Even Ya Fei's composure couldn't suppress her emotions; she pouted: "You finally remembered to come back."

Her voice carried a faint, almost imperceptible pining.

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose. "Jia Ma Empire is where I was born and raised. And my Xiao Clan now resides at Yun Lan Sect—I had to return."

Ya Fei's beautiful eyes fixed on Xiao Yan's face. She stepped forward slowly, noticing his robe slightly disheveled. With a hand as white as jade, she gently smoothed it out, her voice tender: "Your return will shake the entire Shen Cheng. You're not just a pill alchemy prodigy anymore—you're the Founder of the Yan Alliance."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression grew uneasy—he was never good at social affairs.

Seeing Xiao Yan flustered, Ya Fei chuckled lightly: "Tonight, we're throwing a banquet in your honor. Don't even think of running away."

Xiao Yan sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes—but he didn't refuse. He nodded. When he'd accepted the position of Young Clan Leader from his father, he'd known social obligations were unavoidable.

Xiao Yixian, who preferred quiet, naturally didn't follow Xiao Yan. She stayed at the estate with the two Lion Kings, letting Xiao Yan go out alone.

Zi Yan, however, was the complete opposite. She'd just escaped from Jia Nan Academy, a prison to her—and she was determined to follow Xiao Yan everywhere.

When word spread that Xiao Yan had returned and the Miter Clan was hosting a banquet, Jia Ma Sheng Cheng erupted. Every major and minor clan scrambled to send emissaries, desperate to meet Xiao Yan at the banquet.

Old factions like the Nalan Clan, Mu Clan, and the Alchemist Guild all arrived in person.

When Fa Ma learned Xiao Yan had already crafted the Huan Yuan Su Gu Pill, his eyes gleamed with unusual light.

Though the Huan Yuan Su Gu Pill was only Liu Pin Ji Di, its refinement difficulty was high. Fa Ma himself had only just reached Six Rank a year ago—his success rate for crafting this pill was under thirty percent.

"Xiao Yan, what rank are you now?" Fa Ma stared at Xiao Yan in disbelief. Although Liu Pin Ji Di could refine the Huan Yuan Su Gu Pill, and Xiao Yan possessed a Heavenly Flame—his success rate should be high.

Fa Ma found it hard to believe Xiao Yan was only Liu Pin Ji Di. Two years from Fifth to Sixth Rank was unthinkable—but this boy constantly did unthinkable things. The unbelievable was his daily routine.

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, smiling slyly: "Guess, Elder Fa."

Fa Ma sighed, glancing at Xiao Yan: "I won't guess. If you won't tell me your true rank, how can I update your Alchemist Long Robe?"

"No need. It's too much trouble switching back and forth." Xiao Yan waved his hand in refusal.

"Switching back and forth?!!!"

Before Fa Ma could recover, Nalan Jie's voice rang out: "Xiao Yan."

"Senior Nanlan, it's been a long time. I hope you're in good health."

From then on, Xiao Yan began his journey of "it's been a long time."

"Master Mu, it's been a long time."

"Little princess, you've grown taller. Want to compete in Spirit Refining? Never mind, I won't bully girls."

"Princess Yao Ye? No, no—now you must be called Queen Yao Ye."

"Mu Zhan? You still want to fight? Go find that little girl eating a chicken leg. Yes, her—if you can withstand one of her punches, I'll fight you."

"What? Your daughter's been poisoned and you want me to take a look? You should go to a physician or the Alchemist Guild!"

"Your son is an Alchemist and wants to become my apprentice? I have no plans to take on students right now."

"Your daughter has reached marriageable age? What does that have to do with me?"

By the end of the night, Xiao Yan's lips were worn raw—it was truly exhausting being a public figure, surrounded by a crowd chattering nonstop!

That night was harder than Xiao Yan's cultivation of the Mountain Splitting Seal!

After the banquet ended, Xiao Yan followed Queen Yao Ye to the Imperial Palace with Zi Yan to treat the Deep Sea Serpent.

After about half an hour's journey, the carriage smoothly passed through the heavily guarded Imperial City. After dismounting, Xiao Yan and the others did not linger, but followed Queen Yao Ye swiftly into the vast rear mountain within the city, finally stopping at the edge of a massive lake atop the summit.

"Huh? There's a giant snake in this lake—and it looks quite powerful, maybe even close to the Lion King's level," Zi Yan, beside Xiao Yan, suddenly exclaimed, staring at the central lake.

Hearing Zi Yan speak, Jia Xingtian and Yao Ye were both startled, then stared in astonishment at the doll-like little girl. To sense the hidden aura through such deep water was already difficult; yet this adorable-looking child had not only identified its presence but even described its shape—how could they not be amazed?

Xiao Yan, beside them, was not surprised by Zi Yan's display—she herself was a beast, and likely of Dragon Clan bloodline. The Deep Sea Serpent's strength came precisely from its own Dragon Clan heritage.

So for Zi Yan to sense the beast hidden in the lake was not particularly extraordinary.

"Jia Lao, summon the Deep Sea Serpent."

At these words, Jia Xingtian immediately nodded, his figure flashing, appearing above the lake. He landed on the water's surface, then plunged both hands into the water, unleashing a torrent of potent Battle Qi.

As the Battle Qi surged in, the calm lake surface instantly boiled, bubbling with countless bubbles.

Its body was even several times larger than the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.

When the Deep Sea Serpent's massive eyes saw Xiao Yan's figure, its stern expression instantly turned fawning.

"Master Xiao Yan! Hehehe, you've finally come—I've been waiting so long!" The Deep Sea Serpent grinned, slowly lowering its head toward Xiao Yan. It had waited for Xiao Yan until the flowers had withered.

"How can you be so fawning? You're shaming the Dragon Clan," Zi Yan mocked, seeing the Deep Sea Serpent's groveling.

"Little brat, are you looking for death? You, a mere Battle King, dare mock me!" Though fawning toward Xiao Yan, the Deep Sea Serpent was still a ferocious beast—and had no fear of this tiny girl. He roared in anger.

"Huh?! You want a beating?" The deafening roar made Zi Yan's ears ring. She stuck her tiny hand on her waist and snapped back, and as her voice fell, her gem-like eyes shimmered with faint purple light.

With a thud, the moment the Purple Light appeared, the Deep Sea Serpent's spine went limp and collapsed onto the ground as if bowing in worship.

(End of Chapter)