Chapter 334

In the evening.

"Just who is this Yan Alliance? Could they have support from forces in Zhong Zhou?" asked Shi Nian, Sect Master of Shi Ming Sect, his expression grave.

At this moment, in a secret mansion, the Sect Masters of Shi Ming Sect, Yao Gu Sect, Lei Dian Sect, You Gui Men, and others had gathered together—nearly all the powerful sects participating in this Sect Grand Meeting, except Tian She Fu, were present.

Lei Dian Sect's Sect Master, Ting Hao, instead waved his hand and said: "The Yan Alliance is nothing to fear. Though their young generation has some strength, they only have one Dou Zong Yi Xing. The real threat we must watch is Tian She Fu."

Upon hearing the name "Tian She Fu," everyone present wore expressions of deep gravity.

Tian She Fu possesses the greatest number of Dou Zongs. Moreover, its Sect Master, She Tianhao, not only cultivates at Star Seven Dou Zong, but last session nearly held the platform—he defeated Ting Hao and Shi Nian in succession, only losing finally to the leader of You Gui Men due to depleted battle qi.

Today, Qing Lin's strength has left everyone restless and sleepless; her power, and the speed of her cultivation advancement, will likely surpass everyone here within ten years!

"It seems the rumors about the Qi San Hua Tong are true—Tian She Fu's new Holy Maiden truly possesses the Qi San Hua Tong!" said Shi Nian, his face dark.

All present leaders harbored some ambition, each hoping to unify the Northwest Region; naturally, none wished to see one sect's strength far outstrip their own.

"Perhaps we must bind ourselves more tightly together; otherwise, when that Holy Maiden rises, Tian She Fu will pick us off one by one."

Hearing this, though some leaders harbored ulterior motives, they could only nod in agreement—for now, preventing Tian She Fu from growing stronger was paramount.

Yet none of these sects—not even Tian She Fu—had yet realized that the Yan Alliance's rise was far more than mere ascent.

"Perhaps… I can head to Zhong Zhou sooner than planned," said Xiao Yan, gazing up at the bright moon, murmuring to himself.

He had thought he'd need to wait another one or two years to settle all his affairs, but now it seemed he wouldn't need to wait so long.

Early the next morning, on the Duel Plaza of Tian She Fu's Shan Mai, ten massive fighting platforms appeared atop the mountains.

"Let's claim one of these platforms and have some fun," Xiao Yan smiled.

The most anticipated event of the Sect Grand Meeting is the battle between the top warriors of each sect; the past two days featured only the young generation, but from today onward, anyone who steps onto the platform can be called a regional powerhouse!

There are ten platforms total; each sect may plant its banner atop one to claim it.

When another sect challenges, they send forth a warrior of equal rank to fight.

Hai Bodong once consecutively challenged two platforms, defeating two Dou Huang of equal rank, earning him the title Ice Emperor!

Stronger factions never claim a platform on the first day; they wait until the final days, claiming a platform only when no one dares challenge it—then the banners planted on the platforms represent the Northwest Region's Top Ten Sects of this session.

Finally, one platform remains; among the Top Ten Sects, whoever wishes to become "Supreme Leader" steps onto it and faces challenges from all sides—if they remain standing at the end, they become the Northwest Region's strongest sect.

Originally, the Sect Grand Meeting had only this single defending-platform contest; the other events gradually developed later.

New factions like the Yan Alliance always claim a platform on the first day, showcasing their strength and inviting challenges.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Zi Yan became ecstatic, snatching the Yan Alliance banner and leaping toward the platform—only to be yanked back by Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan! What are you doing?!"

Xiao Yan sighed: "If you go up first, what about the Dou Wangs? Wait until Brother and Brother Two are challenged down before you step in."

Xiao Yan tossed the banner to Xiao Ding; besides Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, the Yan Alliance had two Dou Wang Elders from Yun Lan Sect, and Yue Mei—five Dou Wangs total.

The Dou Wangs would lead the charge.

Xiao Ding nodded, his battle qi wings unfolding, and flew up to the nearest platform before the crowd's eyes, planting the Yan Alliance banner at its center.

"What sect does that flame-pattern banner belong to?"

"The Yan Alliance—the one that's been making waves these past few days. The Alchemist who refines with four flames, and the runner-up Female Sword God—they both come from this faction."

No one underestimated Xiao Ding for merely being a Dou Wang; after all, Dou Zongs were never expected to fight first—they were the final showstoppers.

To Xiao Yan's surprise, Jin Yan Sect hadn't moved yet—but Mu Lan Empire's Mu Lan Valley had already acted.

"Hey, a mere Two-Star Dou Wang? Let me take you on!" An old man clad in Mu Lan Valley attire unfurled his battle qi wings and soared onto the platform.

His cultivation matched Xiao Ding's—both were Two-Star Dou Wangs.

Generally, platform challenges were between equal ranks; defeating an opponent by several stars was considered dishonorable.

Xiao Yan watched the battle silently; Xiao Ding was his elder brother, and his Dou Techniques and martial skills were certainly no slouch—but Xiao Ding's true strength lay in strategy; the fight was far from one-sided.

"Brother should win," Xiao Li nodded inwardly.

"Yes, but it won't be easy," Xiao Yan nodded.

"What about you? Aren't you going up to play?" Xiao Li patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and grinned.

"I'll pass—I need to go refine pills over there soon; I must conserve my strength," Xiao Yan shrugged. The Alchemist contest remained the same: simultaneous spirit refining, judged by pill rank and quality.

Once, Gu He earned the title Dantian Alchemist from the Northwest Region's gossipers for refining a Six-Rank Pill in his early forties, with many believing he might one day reach the achievements of Gu Tong the Elder.

As expected, after a fierce battle, Xiao Ding ultimately outclassed his opponent and won—but he expended considerable stamina and battle qi, so he descended and let one of Yun Lan Sect's Dou Wang Elders take his place.

Platform battles were not fought by individuals alone, but by entire sects—this allowed a rough assessment of the strength gap between two sects.

As the Yan Alliance claimed one platform, others gradually saw factions planting their banners—but Xiao Yan had never seen these banners before, and many of their leaders were only Peak Dou Huang, lacking any Dou Zong, comparable in strength to the former Jia Ma Empire.

These sects and empires would fight desperately; if they performed poorly, they risked annihilation—being swallowed by neighboring sects.

The two Yun Lan Sect Dou Wang Elders were weak—they were defeated one after another by a Mu Lan Valley Dou Wang Elder.

That was normal; Yun Lan Sect's overall strength had always been inferior to Mu Lan Valley's.

"Hahahaha! So this is the Yan Alliance, the rising star of recent days? Seems nothing special after all!" The Mu Lan Valley Elder laughed loudly on the platform.

Gripping his silver spear, Xiao Li's body flashed with thunder—zī—and appeared on the platform, his eyes cold as he said: "I'm two stars above you. Defeating you means nothing. Send someone else from your sect."

Seeing Xiao Li's pure, powerful thunder-type battle qi, Xiao Yan relaxed—he needn't worry, not only because Yue Mei, the Nine-Star Dou Wang, was the final backup, but because this was still Dou Wang-level combat; when Dou Huang battles began, with the monster Zi Yan on their side, Xiao Yan could rest easy.

Wrapping himself in Soul Force, Xiao Yan stopped watching and slowly walked toward the Alchemist arena.

That was his battlefield.

Like the arena where Yue Er had competed two days prior, it featured numerous stone platforms for Alchemists to refine pills—but this time, the number of participants was far fewer; a quick glance revealed only about thirty people.

That was unsurprising; this wasn't a contest for the young generation, but the highest level of Alchemists representing the Northwest Region's sects—if a sect had only Fifth-Rank Alchemists, they shouldn't even bother showing up.

The weakest alchemists in this contest were all at Fifth-Rank Peak; all were attempting to refine Six-Rank pills—anyone whose pill failed to reach Six-Rank had no qualification to compete.

"Hey, look! It's the Yan Alliance!"

As Xiao Yan arrived late and slowly entered the arena, the crowd surrounding the Shan Mai instantly turned their gazes toward him.

Of all sects discussed these past days, none matched the Yan Alliance's popularity; people naturally favored novelty—while powerful sects like Tian She Fu winning was expected, and thus not worth debating.

However, this was the Yan Alliance's first time participating in the Sect Grand Meeting, and they had already achieved such results. Many Sect Factions were waiting to see what the Yan Alliance's top-tier strength truly was, whether they could keep the miracle going! There were even Sect leaders near the three great empires of the Western Zone, wondering whether they should join the Yan Alliance.

"He's so young — could he already be a peak Fifth-Rank Alchemist!"

Xiao Yan was currently wearing the robes of a Fifth-Rank Alchemist, and combined with his youth, naturally no one would think his strength was Seven-Grade.

"Hmph, even if you can successfully refine a Six Rank Pill, it's nothing to write home about. Who knows how many Alchemists spend their entire lives stuck at Six-Grade, unable to cross the chasm to Seven-Grade." The childlike voice of Elder Bone Child came from behind Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan turned to look, slowly lowered his head to gaze at the Elder Bone Child, who looked only ten years old, and smiled faintly. "How many Alchemists spend their whole lives stuck at Six-Grade — I really don't know. But I'm certain of one thing: it definitely won't be me."

"Brat, don't speak too soon. Mind your tongue, or even your life might not be spared. It's better for a man to keep a low profile." Elder Bone Child's gaze hardened as he said in a low voice.

Just as Elder Bone Child was putting on the bearing of an Alchemist elder, Xiao Yan raised a hand, cutting him off, his expression still as calm as still water, and said: "So what?"

"Little brat, you little punk whose fuzz hasn't even grown in yet, and you're already mimicking adults, acting all mature and trying to lecture me. What qualifications do you have to lecture me?" Xiao Yan chuckled.

Boom!! Elder Bone Child's gaze hardened. A gale whipped up, scorching hot, wrapping around his entire body like a fire dragon, as terrifying flames surged toward Xiao Yan.

The corner of Xiao Yan's mouth lifted. With a hum, a ball of green flame likewise erupted from his body — the Green Lotus Earth Core Fire transformed into a blue-green lotus that wrapped around his body.

No matter how the Wind Rage Dragon Flame raged, it could not shake the Green Lotus.

A clash of Heaven Flames!

"Green Lotus Earth Core Fire." This time Elder Bone Child was one hundred percent certain — Xiao Yan also possessed a Heaven Flame, and it was the Green Lotus Earth Core Fire, second only to the Wind Rage Dragon Flame.

A glint of greed flashed in Elder Bone Child's eyes. "Brat, you're so arrogant — do you dare to make a bet with me?"

Deep within Xiao Yan's eyes flickered a strange glint and a hint of a smile, but his expression remained as placid as still water as he said: "What do you want to bet?"

"Heaven Flames!"

(End of Chapter)