Chapter 327

"So strong!"

Seeing this scene, some elders present couldn't help but be moved, drawing in a sharp breath and murmuring.

Many eyes slowly turned toward Xiao Yan; though he stood with hands hanging loosely, calm and composed, no one found it odd—wasn't that how Alchemists were? They never lifted a finger themselves.

Elixirs were their finest weapons.

And no one dared lay a hand on Xiao Yan—not because of Jia Xingtian, the Dou Zong, but because this was the Serpent Saint Mansion.

Many were waiting for a show; the Serpent Saint Mansion claimed whoever retrieved the item inside could keep it, but everyone in the Northwest Region knew this was merely a ploy to lure geniuses from all over to retrieve it for them.

If anyone truly succeeded, the Serpent Saint Mansion might offer some reward and "exchange" for the item—or worse, threaten outright, just like the Black-Eyed Snake Emperor had just done. Everyone waited for the spectacle.

Sure enough, soon after the phenomenon vanished, several powerful auras flew in from the main peak; dazzling Dou Qi wings appeared in the blink of an eye, and the first to arrive even stepped on Space—clearly, a Dou Zong!

Seeing the lead Dou Zong, Xiao Yan smiled faintly; what could he do? An old acquaintance.

The Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor's expression was uneasy; after receiving the Mansion Master's order, he had flown from the main peak and even seen the Black-Eyed Snake Emperor spitting blood and flying backward, sending an Elder to assist it.

Bai Ya, already at Sixth Rank peak, had been rewarded a Transformation Pill by the Serpent Saint Mansion for successfully retrieving the Qi San Hua Tong, allowing him to successfully transform and instantly break through to Seventh-Stage Beast status, granting him an exalted position within the mansion.

But when he saw Xiao Yan's face, his scalp went numb, his expression changed drastically—he was the last person Bai Ya wanted to see.

Soul Sect!

The Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor had not forgotten the boy he and Lv Man encountered in the Jia Ma Empire when they went to retrieve Qing Lin.

Over the years, despite Bai Ya and Lv Man rising in status within the Serpent Saint Mansion—nearly second only to the Mansion Master—they still held Qing Lin in deep respect, even some fear.

The reason? Because Xiao Yan had once revealed himself as a member of the Soul Sect.

Though in their reports, Bai Ya and Lv Man claimed they had smoothly retrieved Qing Lin, briefly mentioning that a friendly friend had briefly intervened.

But only the two of them knew: it wasn't that they had taken her—they had negotiated!

They had both sensed Xiao Yan still held a deadly trump card unrevealed—a move that could kill or maim. Ultimately, with Qing Lin's own desire to enter the Serpent Saint Mansion for cultivation, they had successfully brought her back.

The two had remained utterly silent, never revealing anything about Xiao Yan.

Even the Supreme Elder of the Serpent Saint Mansion had proposed arranging a marriage between Qing Lin and the Mansion Master, hoping to produce a new Qi San Hua Tong.

Only Bai Ya and Lv Man knew this was pure fantasy—especially after news returned three years ago that Elder Qing had been robbed of the Yin-Yang Dragon Pill by Xiao Yan; they understood Xiao Yan would eventually come to the Serpent Saint Mansion to take Qing Lin away.

They just hadn't expected him to come so soon—and to cause such a commotion the moment he arrived!

At this moment, Xiao Yan slowly glanced at everyone, his gaze settling on the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor Bai Ya, and he smiled faintly: "So, you've broken through to Seventh Rank? Feeling more confident? Still not convinced?"

Three Star Dou Huang! In just five years, from Great Dou Shi to Three Star Dou Huang! The speed made Bai Ya involuntarily swallow hard.

Before Bai Ya could speak, a Six-Winged Snake Emperor rose and stepped forward, straightening his back and sneering: "Human brat, this is the Serpent Saint Mansion! How dare you unjustly injure one of our Elders? You deserve death!"

"Hmm?" Xiao Yan glanced sideways at the six-winged Snake Emperor and couldn't help smiling.

But an unexpected scene occurred: suddenly, a sharp crack—slap! —the Six-Winged Snake Emperor who had just been sneering was slapped so hard he spun in place, several teeth shattered.

"Worthless scum!" Bai Ya's face flushed with rage: "Are you blind? The Black-Eyed Emperor provoked first—he tried to seize this Alchemy Master's belongings and got injured! He got what he deserved. Dead is better than alive!"

What???????

Everyone was utterly baffled—were they dreaming some bizarre dream? The Serpent Saint Mansion's Dou Zong was scolding his own people!

The Snake Emperor who had been slapped was stunned—why was it me??

Soon, Xiao Yan understood: Bai Ya must have investigated the Soul Sect.

"Guardian Bai Ya… shouldn't we retrieve that ring?" another Snake Race Elder behind him asked cautiously, unsure what game this newly appointed Guardian was playing—he wasn't usually like this!

"Hmph. I decide when and how—when did you get the right to interfere?" Bai Ya snorted, waving his hand: "Go disperse all unnecessary people. I'll speak with him personally."

Hearing Bai Ya's words, everyone's faces lit up in sudden understanding—ah, so this was a soft approach! Guardian Bai Ya is brilliant—first courtesy, then force.

Seeing all others leave Serpent Saint Peak, leaving only Xiao Yan and the two others, Bai Ya slowly descended and landed beside Xiao Yan.

"Master Xiao Yan, long time no see," Bai Ya bowed respectfully.

Seeing this Serpent Saint Mansion Guardian so courteous, Jia Xingtian suddenly understood—no wonder this man had just struck his subordinate!

Seeing the other's polite demeanor, Xiao Yan naturally didn't act haughty; he raised his hand in return: "It's been a while, Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor. Where is Qing Lin now?"

Xiao Yan hadn't come for any banquet—he only came to see Qing Lin. As for the ring, he'd decide whether to keep it or give it to Qing Lin.

If Qing Lin needed it, he'd offer it as a small gift.

Hearing Xiao Yan's question, Bai Ya didn't know how to answer—sure enough, Xiao Yan's goal was Qing Lin.

After a moment's thought, Bai Ya used Soul Resonance: "The Holy Maiden is likely waiting in her mountain villa, preparing for tonight's banquet."

Xiao Yan nodded inwardly and replied via Soul Resonance: "Could you take me to see her?"

After long consideration, Bai Ya finally nodded: "The three of you, follow me. I'll take you to the Holy Maiden's villa."

Jia Xingtian never imagined: originally coming to attend a banquet, now they were sneaking in through the back door!

The three followed Bai Ya, flying toward the statue, then landing on a high peak.

The Serpent Saint Mansion's elite dwellings were all carved into the mountain body, hidden within the rock, with homes built inside.

"This place isn't bad," Zi Yan glanced around; as a Beast, she sensed effortlessly—this terrain sat atop an Earth Vein. Cultivating here was like eating Medicinal Materials every day, accelerating Beast development immensely.

Knock knock knock. Bai Ya said: "Holy Maiden, Bai Ya requests an audience."

"Enter," came a cold, composed voice from within. Though years had passed and her tone had grown colder, Xiao Yan recognized it instantly—the girl who once timidly called him "Young Master" in the Mercenary Group, afraid others would learn she was a Snake Race hybrid.

Hearing the voice, Xiao Yan's eyes softened with relief—the little girl had truly grown up.

With a creak, the Stone Gate opened automatically. Bai Ya, understanding well, did not enter first—he stepped aside, yielding the way to Xiao Yan.

As Xiao Yan stepped inside, a faint, sweet fragrance filled his nose. Before him stretched a spacious, bright Hall—everything was present: not only a massive bed, but a large pool far off, and the entire layout bore resemblance to Mei Du Sha's imperial chamber, filled everywhere with plants.

Clearly, Snake Race living conditions differed greatly from humans'—this place resembled a forest; the fragrance came from the plants.

But Zi Yan frowned; though also a Beast, she wasn't a snake and had no interest in being surrounded by plants—she preferred resting atop mountain peaks, overlooking all below.

Pushing aside thick vegetation, Xiao Yan finally saw the little girl who once called him "Young Master" with every word.

Not only Qing Lin was there—Lv Man was too, combing Qing Lin's hair, while a shrunken Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake lay curled at her feet like a pet dog.

The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake, sensing someone enter, slowly opened its eyes—and when it saw Xiao Yan's face, it leapt up instantly, hissing excitedly.

"Little guy, you've grown quite well—actually reached Dou Huang."

Hearing Xiao Yan's voice, Qing Lin's body trembled instantly. She turned her head—and there, at the end of the path, appeared a familiar yet strange figure. The figure carried his usual sunlit smile, walking slowly along the path toward her.

At first, Qing Lin thought she was seeing things or hallucinating. She unconsciously rubbed her eyes and looked again—by then, the young man in white robes on the stone path was drawing nearer.

"It's—It's Young Master Yan!" Qing Lin's heart jolted. She froze in shock.

Though Qing Lin had always believed Xiao Yan would come to take her away—that he surely would—when he now appeared safely before her, it truly shook her heart. For her, this was far too surprising.

Beside her, Lv Man's expression upon seeing Xiao Yan was identical to Bai Ya's when he first saw him: "It's a ghost!"

When Qing Lin finally snapped out of her shock, Xiao Yan, who had been walking at the front, was already drawing closer.

Overcome with wild joy, Qing Lin rushed forward, arms wide, and threw herself tightly into Xiao Yan's embrace, burying her face against him as tears of overwhelming joy streamed down her face. "Young Master Yan, you've finally come!"

(End of Chapter)