Chapter 369

Xiao Yan's eyes widened—this feeling, for the second time!

Cai Lin slowly rose, her gaze fixed on Xiao Yan with dominance and aggression, her thumb brushing across her stunning red lips.

Xiao Yan swallowed hard, this instantly reminding him of certain events from months ago.

As Xiao Yan looked at Cai Lin now, he felt even more acutely her peerless beauty—her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her eyebrows arched like mountains, her lips a single stroke of crimson.

Especially now, dressed in an imperial red robe, she was an enchantress who could bewitch the soul—a beauty so alluring one instantly longed to pull her into one's arms.

While Xiao Yan was still reeling, Cai Lin smiled lightly, seized his collar, lifted his entire body, and pressed close to his ear, speaking with authority: "I don't mind the shadow in your heart, nor will I stop you from helping that woman with the Eternal Calamity Poison—should you seek to build a great empire, she is a powerful asset. But—"

Cai Lin suddenly shifted tone, her voice sinking into cold, deep gravity: "The queen in your heart can be only me."

Xiao Yan's heart trembled—what a domineering woman!

Before Xiao Yan could react, Cai Lin lightly kissed his cheek, then exerted force with her right hand, hurling him like a volleyball straight out of the Imperial Palace—he shot across the sky like a meteor.

Remember, Cai Lin was a Nine-Star Dou Zong—when she threw someone, she could send them over a hundred li away!

Watching Xiao Yan fly off into the distance, Cai Lin's eyes softened with tenderness—beneath the queen's dominance lay water-like affection.

Looking at the two brocade boxes on the table, she slowly opened them—two flawless elixirs lay quietly inside, instantly releasing a pure pill fragrance that flooded the entire hall.

From this fragrance, this quality, it was clear how carefully Xiao Yan had crafted these two pills.

A flash of seven-colored light appeared—Cai Lin drew from her colorful space a jade box, the very one Xiao Yan had once forged with Ten Thousand Beasts Spirit Flame: the Earth Core Lotus Seed, meant to accelerate her physical refinement at the tower's bottom.

Slowly opening it, a faint green glow emerged—Cai Lin had never used it, preserving it all this time! And inside the brocade box lay a Soul Jade, left by Xiao Yan to notify him should anything happen.

"Fool." Looking at the three treasure boxes before her, Cai Lin's lips curled into an involuntary smile.

When she had used Green Lotus Earth Core Fire to evolve, she had known full well—even if Xiao Yan had done nothing beside her, she would have failed; in truth, he had merely happened to save her.

Over these years together, neither of them knew who had truly fallen first.

Gazing at the blue sky, Cai Lin murmured softly: "Safe travels, husband."

At this moment, Xiao Yan, flung from Yun Lan Mountain by Cai Lin, flew through the sky like a bird—even without using Dou Qi!

Of course, though Xiao Yan had lived two lives, in matters of emotion he was as blank as paper—he was still pondering why he had been thrown out, wondering if Cai Lin was still angry with him, and if so, why.

Xiao Yan sharply shook his head, casting these questions aside—problems he couldn't understand were best left for later.

With a whoosh, the Wind Wrath Dragon Flame appeared—Xiao Yan instantly transformed into a tornado, racing toward Jia Ma Sheng Cheng.

"Hey Xiao Yan, don't you dare leave me behind!" Zi Yan had already been waiting—how dare he not take her!

"This isn't a medicinal material gathering trip, but if you want to come, fine." Xiao Yan landed atop the mountain peak, glancing at Zi Yan, now a Seven Rank Dou Zong, and agreed to bring her along.

After all, she was a Seven Rank Ancient Dragon—useful in a fight.

"Shall I come with you?" Tian Huo Zunzhe asked.

Xiao Yan shook his head: "There are no Dou Zuns in the Black Horn Region—Master Yao, your presence might provoke unnecessary suspicion and trouble. Besides, the Yan Alliance hasn't yet stabilized the Northwest Region—you must remain to hold the line. Xiao Yixian's company is enough."

In the end, Xiao Yan set out for the Black Horn Region with Xiao Yixian, Zi Yan, and the two Lion Kings, using Mao Wu's power to open a Void Passage directly to Xiao City, vanishing from sight.

At this moment, in Xiao City of the Black Horn Region.

Since Han Feng was killed three years ago by Xiao Yan and Jia Nan Academy, Feng Cheng had been renamed Xiao City, now under the control of the Yan Alliance and Xiao Clan.

In recent years, due to Xiao Yan's influence and Ya Fei's tactics, Xiao City had become the Holy Land of Alchemists and the central hub for medicinal materials in the Black Horn Region—besides the Medicinal Guild's alchemists, all manner of black-market herbs, elixirs, and even notorious alchemists had gathered here.

Xiao City was now the Black Horn Region's prized jewel, ranked among the top three cities—its rival being the Black Emperor City, Xiao Yan's current destination, and the other, Mo Yan City, controlled by the Mo Yan Valley Faction.

But in terms of profit and popularity, without question, Xiao City—the most concentrated hub of alchemists—was the most vibrant place in the entire Black Horn Region.

Especially after the Yan Alliance's decisive victory in the Northwest Region spread through the Black Horn Region over a year ago, Xiao City flourished wildly, taking on the appearance of the region's leading power.

Though it had briefly destabilized over the past year due to Xiao Yan and Cai Lin's disappearance, it had stabilized again months ago after Xiao Yan's powerful return—and even absorbed the Tian She Mansion into his territory.

In the center of Xiao City, within a vast courtyard, Xiao Zhan stretched his bones, relaxing his body.

The one person in the Yan Alliance you must never offend: Xiao Zhan.

In the Yan Alliance, you could insult Xiao Yan, you could insult the Yan Alliance—but if you insulted this middle-aged man, you were dead.

"Uncle Xiao, Ya Fei has prepared some tea and snacks—why don't you rest for a while?" Ya Fei walked slowly forward, carrying floral tea and pastries.

Some rely on cunning, some on proximity, but others? They go straight for the father.

She gently set down the tea and snacks; a slant of sunlight fell upon her—Ya Fei was undeniably beautiful, her beauty rivaling that of Nalan Yanran and Yao Ye, though still falling short of Xun Er and Cai Lin.

Ya Fei's long, flowing hair was neatly coiled, her bright eyes radiating wisdom.

Her figure was exquisite—graceful and alluring, her curves prominent, her stature tall and slender, leaving little room for criticism.

Today she wore a green robe; from afar, she appeared elegant and refined, her quiet grace exuding intelligence—this beauty was soothing, a kind of intellectual charm.

Half a year ago, when the Yan Alliance and Tian She Mansion clashed in the Northwest Region and suffered repeated defeats, Ya Fei—who controlled the Yan Alliance's economic lifeline—naturally secured a fallback plan, relocating the elderly, weak, and women of the Xiao Clan, along with most of the alliance's assets, to Xiao City.

This gave Ya Fei the opportunity—even to find out what color underwear Xiao Yan preferred.

"Heh, Ya Fei, no need to be so formal—I'm not yet too old to walk." Xiao Zhan smiled warmly.

As the current Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan, his old eyes had seen too many people—he knew full well Ya Fei's feelings for his son.

More importantly, when Xiao Yan was away, Hai Bodong and Mit'er Tengshan had indeed told Xiao Zhan about the matter Xiao Yan had once mentioned.

They claimed they'd agreed to give half the merchant guild to Xiao Yan—but Xiao Zhan understood: wasn't this a marriage proposal? Just a reversed one.

Now even Xiao Zhan felt pressure—not just Ya Fei, but during his time in Xiao City, he'd noticed Xiao Yu's feelings for his son were obvious, and Xiao Mei's too.

He wanted Xiao Yan to expand the Xiao Clan's lineage—but he never imagined his son's charm would be this overwhelming! This wasn't just expanding the family—it was overdoing it!

I said expand, not flood the whole damn house!

Even this old father felt his son was working too hard.

Xiao Zhan sat on a stone bench, sipped the floral tea Ya Fei had brewed—its fragrance instantly soothed his heart; undeniably, it was a plus.

"Heh, speaking of that brat—he returned months ago, didn't he? Always just training, never comes to see his old man. I've got to scold him this time." Xiao Zhan stuffed a pastry into his mouth, deeply dissatisfied that his son neglected him as a lonely elder.

Ya Fei poured herself a cup of tea and smiled lightly: "Uncle Xiao, don't be upset—the Yan Alliance has many affairs requiring Xiao Yan's attention, and he should arrive in the Black Horn Region soon for an auction."

"Hmph, so he'll only come because of an auction? No good—I must properly scold him this time." Xiao Zhan feigned anger.

"Aren't I here to see you, Father?" A long-absent voice rang out—dark flames surged in the courtyard, a black cat emerged first from the passage, then Xiao Yan and the others stepped out one by one.

Seeing Xiao Yan's grinning, unserious expression, Xiao Zhan feigned anger and strode over to smack his son's buttocks.

"Ow, Dad, what are you doing?!" Xiao Yan was stunned—he hadn't been slapped on the butt in years!

The last time had been when Xiao Yu tattled on him, and he got a good whipping.

"You feel pain, huh, brat? Come here," Xiao Zhan said, hands on hips.

"There are too many people—give me some face."

After a burst of revelry, Xiao Yan stopped fooling around and turned to see Ya Fei standing nearby, her beautiful eyes filled with quiet resentment and glistening tears. He rubbed his nose, walked over, and gently embraced her. "I'm sorry you've worried so much these past year."

Xiao Yan had been missing for a full year!

Some, like Xiao Yixian and Yun Yun, firmly believed in Xiao Yan's strength and knew he'd surely overcome any danger. Others, like Ya Fei—who barely understood Cultivation—feared for his safety.

Ya Fei's eyes narrowed, her fingers digging hard into Xiao Yan's waist as she murmured softly, "As long as you're back, that's all that matters."

Naturally, Xiao Zhan's commotion drew others.

Xiao Yan released his arms and turned toward the courtyard gate, where a tall, graceful figure came into view.

Xiao Yu wore a red Jia Nan Academy Mentor's robe, lending her an air of mature allure; the hem of her skirt split halfway up, and as it swayed, her long, shapely legs drew lingering glances—even from other women.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Xiao Yu, have you grown taller again?" Xiao Yan rubbed his chin, his gaze traveling from her feet upward, unable to suppress his amazement.

Weren't people supposed to stop growing after their teens? Was the Dou Di Bloodline really that powerful?

Xiao Yu had been startled and delighted inside, but hearing Xiao Yan's words, a sudden surge of anger flared in her heart. She activated her Body Technique, lunged forward, and kicked straight at Xiao Yan.

"Do you have any idea how worried everyone was when you vanished for a year?!"

Thud. To Xiao Yu's surprise, Xiao Yan didn't block it—he was kicked flying.

To kick the Lord of Flame flying with a single kick—even in the Soul Hall, this would be a feat worthy of pride!

"Xiao Yan, are you alright?" Xiao Yu's heart tightened. In the past, he always blocked her kicks. But she was panicked—her strength was too weak to even bruise him if he lay on the ground.

Xiao Yan slowly rose to his feet and smiled bitterly. "Sorry for making you all worry."

This was something Xiao Yan had overlooked: those like Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan, with high Cultivation Realms, knew his strength couldn't be so easily extinguished.

But those like Ya Fei and Xiao Yu, with low Cultivation Realms and weak power, saw life as fragile.

Soon, members of the Xiao Clan gathered at the sound of the commotion.

"Young Clan Leader!"

"You're Xiao Ning?! Your strength has improved a lot—you've really bulked up."

"Young Clan Leader!!"

"Oh, I remember—you're Xiao Meng and Xiao Yueliang."

Under Xiao Yan's guidance, some of the Xiao Clan's younger generation had steadily risen in strength; Xiao Ning, for instance, hadn't been seen in three or four years, yet now he'd reached High-Level Dou Wang—undoubtedly one of the clan's elite.

"Xiao Yan cousin," came a sultry voice. Xiao Yan turned and saw Xiao Mei sprinting toward him—he froze, then sucked in a sharp breath.

The Dou Di Bloodline is incredible—women really do change dramatically after eighteen.

Xiao Yan now wanted to know what Xiao Mei ate every day.

Xiao Mei's Cultivation Realm was low, her talent average—even surpassed by Xiao Meng and Xiao Yueliang—but when it came to clinging to powerful people, she was the Xiao Clan's number one.

At that moment, Xiao Yan felt a chill—he saw Xiao Yixian's eyes narrow slightly, her expression turning cold and sharp. He quickly pushed Xiao Mei away. "Xiao Mei cousin, it's been a long time—I see you're in good health."

"Hehe."

As the saying goes, sharpening the axe doesn't delay chopping wood. Xiao Yan didn't rush into Black Emperor City—he first went to Xiao City to learn the details from Ya Fei, since he didn't even know when the auction would begin.

At the Xiao Clan Courtyard's dinner table, Xiao Yan drank heartily with his father and toasted with every clan brother and sister.

Seeing the Xiao Clan now teeming with talent, Xiao Yan felt a quiet sense of comfort.

"I've finally not disappointed Ancestor Xiao Xuan—the Xiao Clan now has some backbone." Looking at the sea of disciples below, Xiao Yan raised his cup and roared, "I, Xiao Yan, toast to all of you, Xiao Clan disciples—you're what keeps this clan alive!"

"To the Young Clan Leader!" *N

(End of Chapter)