Chapter 370: Unlucky Protector Xuan

"By the way, Ya Fei, when does the auction start? Puti Huati Yan is crucial to me." After a hearty meal, Xiao Yan turned to Ya Fei, seated at the same table, and asked.

Hearing this, Xiao Yixian also wore a serious expression—this Poison Pill technique at least eliminated the risk of Poison Explosion for her right now.

"There's still some time before the auction begins at Black Emperor Hall," Ya Fei shrugged. "But I heard the Black Emperor Sect intends to exchange Puti Huati Yan via Exchange Offer, primarily for Elixirs."

"Using Elixirs makes sense. Do you know the Black Emperor Sect's expected price?" Xiao Yan asked. If they demanded a Seven Rank Peak Elixir, he'd need to prepare; if they asked for Eight-Grade, he'd still prepare—just to raid instead.

After thinking for a moment, Ya Fei said, "The Black Emperor Sect's Sect Master, Mo Tian Xing, has a son nearing Dou Zong. I estimate a Po Zong Pill or a Seven Rank Low Grade Elixir would suffice."

Cultivation Methods, Dou Techniques, or rare treasures could also be used for exchange, though Elixirs were still the most common.

But gold coins weren't useless entirely—through Ya Fei's connections and the Miter Guild's resources, she could use gold coins to acquire goods, then gradually trade up: exchanging several Four-Grade Elixirs for a Five-Grade, then climbing step by step.

"Can we trade directly with the Black Emperor Sect ahead of time?" Xiao Yan pondered for a while, then asked.

Xiao Yan had no objection to offering a higher price; with his current status, he could afford to buy out the entire Black Emperor Sect. After all, the Black Emperor Sect was merely a Faction led by a single Dou Zong.

Ya Fei shook her head regretfully. "I asked, but no—it's a publicity move by the Black Emperor Sect. They're using Puti Huati Yan to build their reputation."

"Right now, in the Black Horn Region, the strongest force is Di Mo Lao Gui, the Star Seven Dou Zong of Demon Flame Valley; Wutan City is the most prosperous; and Black Emperor City, controlled by the Black Emperor Sect, ranks last among the three major cities. They desperately need a sensational auction to attract talent and capital."

As the Golden Hand of the Yan Alliance, Ya Fei saw the current situation in the Black Horn Region at a glance.

At present, Wutan City, backed by Jia Nan Academy and the Yan Alliance, was clearly the front-runner, holding a decisive advantage.

"Oh? The Black Horn Region has a Star Seven Dou Zong!" This surprised Xiao Yan—he'd seen the Black List before, where the strongest were only the Gold and Silver Elders, followed by Han Feng.

Though Xiao Yan suspected the Black Horn Region must have Dou Zongs, he hadn't expected one to be Star Seven.

"Yes, that Black List was just a boast by people like Han Feng," Xiao Yu explained slowly. "Many former Black List warriors retired once they reached Dou Zong. Di Mo Lao Gui was already famous many years ago."

At that moment, Xiao Mei suddenly raised her hand, sounding indignant. "Cousin Xiao Yan, last year, Demon Flame Valley launched an attack on Xiao City."

"Huh?!" Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, then he turned to Xiao Yu. "True?"

After all, Xiao Yan knew Xiao Mei's nature well.

Xiao Yu gave Xiao Mei an exasperated glare—this little snitching could get Demon Flame Valley killed.

It was just that a strong warrior from Demon Flame Valley had injured her—how could she still hold a grudge after all this time!

Xiao Yu nodded reluctantly. "That was when you'd been missing for three months. Demon Flame Valley sent a strong warrior to provoke trouble—likely testing whether you were truly gone—and he caused chaos in Xiao City."

"Fortunately, Yin Gu Lao and the other two Dou Huangs intervened, and nothing major happened."

"But three months later, Demon Flame Valley arrived with several Dou Huang elders and over a dozen Dou Wangs, claiming their Secret Technique had vanished. Yin Gu Lao, Wu Tie, and Su Mei all suffered serious injuries; Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning were also wounded by their warriors. Fortunately, the Grand Elder of Jia Nan Academy arrived and quelled the conflict. No one from the Xiao Clan died, so we didn't think it worth telling you."

At that moment, Xiao Ning stood up angrily. "What do you mean 'nothing'? Sister, you were the worst hurt—if the Grand Elder hadn't arrived in time, you might have—"

Xiao Yu shot Xiao Ning a glare, and he fell silent.

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed. He asked coldly, "You were injured?"

Xiao Yu rolled her eyes and scoffed. "I've been fine for ages."

At that moment, every Xiao Clan disciple at the courtyard put down their chopsticks. Everyone who had lived with Xiao Yan in Wutan City knew: this Young Clan Leader was fiercely protective of his own. Xiao Mei's casual remark at dinner might trigger a seismic shift across the entire Black Horn Region.

Xiao Yan turned to Ya Fei. "Ya Fei, will the auction be timely?"

Ya Fei smiled, looking at the man, knowing exactly what he meant. "Don't worry—it's enough time for you to take a group to Demon Flame City."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan flashed a wide grin, stood up, and waved his hand. "Brothers and sisters of the Xiao Clan—the Young Clan Leader is taking you to reclaim our honor!"

"Woo-hoo!"

"Young Clan Leader, mighty!"

Instantly, the Xiao Clan disciples, who had held their breath for a year, roared in unison. When Xiao Yan vanished, they'd endured in silence—but now that he was back, who cared about silence anymore!

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don't dare underestimate Xiao Yan when he's gone!

Xiao Mei lifted her chin high—don't underestimate a woman's grudge!

Xiao Yu whispered, "Di Mo Lao Gui is a Star Seven Dou Zong—what if he comes out?"

Xiao Ning added, "Sis, don't worry. Di Mo Lao Gui often closes himself off in seclusion. As long as we don't storm into Demon Flame Valley, he won't come out."

Xiao Yan smiled, glancing at Xiao Yixian, who had sat quietly beside him. "Don't worry—if Di Mo Lao Gui doesn't come out, he's lucky. If he foolishly steps out himself, then it's his own bad luck."

"Yin Gu Lao, Wu Tie, Su Mei!" Xiao Yan barked loudly.

The three, who had been waiting outside the courtyard, instantly appeared inside, bowing in unison. "Master Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan clasped his hands behind his back. "Gather your people. Tomorrow morning, accompany me to Demon Flame City."

"Yes!"

"Also—you three have done well. Since I'm returning, I'll refine Po Zong Pills for you." He'd planned to refine Po Zong Pills for the exchange anyway—might as well do it now. Such small matters were easy to forget.

The three's eyes instantly lit up. They bowed deeply to Xiao Yan, grateful. "Thank you, Master Xiao Yan!"

Then, hearing the earlier conversation, they were clever enough to turn to Xiao Yu. "Thank you, Master Xiao Yu, for your kind words."

Xiao Yu's cheeks flushed red. "I didn't refine your pills—why thank me? I just told the truth!"

Early the next morning, many people saw giant Flying Beasts soaring from the Xiao Clan Courtyard in Wutan City. With Wutan City's current wealth and resources, possessing a fleet of Flying Beasts was no issue.

"Wow, so many Flying Beasts!"

"What is the Xiao Clan planning? Why deploy so many Flying Beasts?"

"Wait—look! Aren't those Flying Beasts heading toward Demon Flame City?"

At that moment, some sharp-eyed observers noticed: the Flying Beasts were all flying toward Demon Flame City—where Demon Flame Valley had once attacked Xiao City!

Instantly, everyone's mind filled with two words: "Revenge!"

This was the Xiao Clan of Wutan City retaliating against Demon Flame Valley's attack months ago—they were returning the favor!

"I heard that over three months ago, Yan Alliance's Xiao Yan returned and defeated the Sky Serpent Mansion—he's now the undisputed ruler of the Northwest Region."

"What?! You mean Xiao Yan is in Wutan City?!"

"Probably. Otherwise, how could the Xiao Clan, backed only by Jia Nan Academy, dare challenge Demon Flame Valley?"

"Sssss! The Black Emperor Hall auction hasn't even started—and already this happens!"

"Let's go see the show."

Overnight, Yin Gu Lao's Yin Bone Sect, Wu Tie's Furious Lion Gang, and Su Mei's Rakshasa Gate all gathered their elite forces, joined by Xiao Clan disciples, swiftly assembling a thousand cultivators above Great Dou Shi rank, marching in overwhelming numbers toward Mo Yan City.

Seeing Xiao City's massive mobilization, coupled with the turmoil months earlier, the entire Black Horn Region erupted in commotion; countless busybodies and sects alike leaned forward in anticipation, while some factions secretly assembled, hoping to profit from the chaos and play the role of the opportunistic bird or the fisherman.

Whether Xiao City or Mo Yan City, both were among the top three cities in the Black Horn Region—long coveted treasure troves. Now that Xiao City had launched war against Mo Yan City, should both sides suffer heavy losses, many sects intended to claim a share of the spoils.

Especially those sects near Xiao City secretly prayed, waiting for Xiao City's catastrophic defeat.

After all, Xiao City was now too enviable—too many Alchemists dwelled there, and those Alchemists were absolute treasures; most of the Elixirs they crafted were sold through the Miter Trading Guild, yielding astronomical profits from the split.

Even Yin Gu Lao's sects had grown fat as oil leaks. If this war ended in Xiao City's defeat, they might partition Xiao City; if Mo Yan City fell, it would signal the beginning of Mo Yan Valley's decline, freeing up more land and territory for others to divide.

"Hear me, people of Mo Yan City! Hand over the masterminds who invaded Xiao City, lay down your arms, surrender, and compensate Xiao City for all losses—or we shall utterly annihilate Mo Yan City!" Xiao Ning, Xiao Clan's strongest warrior after Xiao Yan, naturally took charge of the battlefield challenge.

Xiao Yan stood calmly atop the Lion King, now returned to his true form, his gaze as still as a deep, unrippled well.

The Young Clan Leader leads the army in person!!

"Is that Xiao Yan?" asked an old man with red hair, his eyes narrowing as he spoke—he was Mo Yan Valley's Grand Elder, Fang Yan.

"It's him—I recognize him!" nodded Mo Yan Valley's Second Elder beside him.

On the other side, the Third Elder's teeth trembled as he gasped in horror: "Xiao Yan could kill Bone Child Elder over a year ago—he was a Dou Zong! Shouldn't we summon the Ancestor?!"

Although Mo Yan Valley's Earth Demon Old Ghost had reached Star Seven Dou Zong rank, he was the only one; the strongest among them was Grand Elder Fang Yan.

Learning Xiao Yan himself had arrived with a thousand troops at their gates, Mo Yan City was thrown into panic; the Valley's Elders turned pale with fear.

After all, Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance was infamous for his ferocity—even if other Yan Alliance leaders were absent, even if Mei Du Sha was gone, even if Earth Demon Old Ghost was in seclusion and unable to emerge!

At that moment, a black-robed figure slowly stepped forward and asked in a deep voice: "What's all this noise about?"

Seeing the black-robed figure appear, Grand Elder Fang Yan beamed with relief, bowed deeply, and exclaimed: "Sir, we may need your intervention again—another hostile faction has set its sights on the Puti Huati Yan."

"This time, they're likely here to prevent us from obtaining the Puti Huati Yan."

"The Hall Master ordered us to acquire the Puti Huati Yan at all costs—so anyone who dares obstruct us, kill them!" From within the black robe, a shadowy pair of eyes, radiating chilling malice, slowly pierced the air; a hiss, cold enough to freeze the marrow, echoed through the chamber.

"Sir, rest assured—so long as we eliminate Xiao Yan, Mo Yan Valley will spare no cost to secure the Puti Huati Yan for you," Fang Yan said gravely.

"Hmm…? What did you say?" The black-robed figure involuntarily shuddered, as if hearing an ill-fated name.

"Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance," Grand Elder Fang Yan repeated.

Upon hearing "Xiao Yan," Guardian Xuan's head felt ready to explode. Fuck! The Flame Sovereign!

Originally, Han Feng had summoned him to confront Xiao Yan—but the man was from the Soul Sect too, and even held a Soul Token; Guardian Xuan immediately switched sides!

Later, after extensive inquiries, he discovered that a newly established Soul Pavilion within Yun Lan Sect had welcomed a Sovereign who entered the Soul Sect through Alchemy and earned the favor of the Soul Sect's Dan Saint—known as the Flame Sovereign.

Xiao Yan's identity was not widely known, but because of Han Feng's incident, Guardian Xuan was among the few who knew Xiao Yan was the Flame Sovereign.

Guardian Xuan, no less capable than the Eagle Guardian, quickly calmed himself and asked gravely: "You just said the Yan Alliance also covets the Puti Huati Yan? What exactly happened?"

Fang Yan was momentarily stunned—why ask this? But he dared not defy Guardian Xuan.

Guardian Xuan had come to them voluntarily, offering to help eliminate rival factions in exchange for their assistance in bidding for the Puti Huati Yan.

"After extensive investigation, we learned that Ya Fei of the Yan Alliance once attempted to privately trade with the Black Emperor Sect to directly purchase the Puti Huati Yan—but the Black Emperor Sect refused. It must be Xiao Yan who desires the Puti Huati Yan to obtain the Bodhi Heart," Fang Yan said.

"Kuang!" Guardian Xuan's inner mind was in turmoil—he had been personally assigned by the Hall Master to seize the Puti Huati Yan in the Black Horn Region.

But he had no idea Xiao Yan's goal was also the Puti Huati Yan!

After all, though the Soul Sect Hall Master was the Hall Master, he could not command Xiao Yan—because Xiao Yan belonged to the Alchemists, under Hun Xu Zi's faction.

He himself didn't even know the true relationship between the Hall Master and Hun Xu Zi—what if they were enemies? Then he'd be caught in the middle, a pawn!

"Damn it, why am I always so unlucky?!"

(End of Chapter)