Chapter 391: Leave

Xiao Yan and Ya Fei never expected that such a small Jia Nan Academy would have a Ye Xin Lan—just the solution to Yan Alliance's struggle to establish a foothold in Zhong Zhou.

Now, unifying the Northwest Region is essentially no major issue for Yan Alliance; even Yun Lan Sect's branch sects have been established in other empires, especially the Miter Guild, which has now opened key trade routes and built numerous commercial corridors.

Currently, the Heavenly Flame Elder is constructing a space wormhole in Yan Alliance, starting from Jia Ma Sheng Cheng in Jia Ma Empire, so traveling to Tian She Empire will no longer take so long.

This will make trade far more convenient.

Xiao Yan had originally thought Yan Alliance would need considerable time and an excuse to intervene in Zhong Zhou, but now—perhaps the Four Pavilions on Zhong Zhou's periphery will become five!

Yan Alliance is coming to Zhong Zhou!

Three days later, in the grand courtyard, Xiao Yan no longer intended to remain at Jia Nan Academy and prepared to return to Jia Ma Empire.

Naturally, the Lion King, Young Lion King, Zi Yan, and Xiao Yixian would return together, while Xin Lan would accompany Xiao Yan back to Yan Alliance, eventually returning to Ye Family alongside Xiao Yan.

"Grand Elder, this scroll of the Heavenly Flame Poison Pill method is my creation—I've recorded the solution to the Eternal Calamity Poison body within it. I wish to leave it in the academy, for those destined to find it."

These past few days, Xiao Yan hadn't merely been teaching others pill alchemy; over these ten days, he used his Spirit Realm Soul Power to craft this entirely new Poison Pill method, detailing precisely how to resolve the Eternal Calamity Poison body.

However, Xiao Yan set a condition: only one with the Eternal Calamity Poison body could open this scroll.

Seeing the purple-green scroll Xiao Yan handed over, Su Qian's eyes widened in shock—its value, and the refinement methods recorded within, must be equivalent to an Eighth-Rank Pill Formula!

Even Xiao Yan's Spirit Realm Soul Power had taken over ten days to produce it; its rarity was self-evident.

"This… this is too precious," Grand Elder Su Qian exclaimed, staring at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan shook his head. "To ordinary people, it's nothing but scrap paper. But if one day the academy discovers a student with the Eternal Calamity Poison body, this might save their life. The ingredients are hard to find, but it's still a hope."

"Alright, I'll place it in the Library Pavilion—it's your legacy, boy," Grand Elder chuckled, stroking his beard.

Ya Fei, whose lovely face had worn a gentle smile all along, stepped forward two paces. Seeing Xiao Yan's robe slightly disheveled, she extended her snow-white, jade-like slender hand and gently smoothed it out, murmuring softly: "Little Brother Xiao Yan, this time, Sister can't return to Jia Ma Sheng Cheng with you. Mo Yan City and Black Emperor City are currently in chaos—perfect timing for the Guild's expansion."

Xiao Yan lightly grasped Ya Fei's soft, boneless jade hand—he alone knew Yan Alliance's financial balance relied entirely on Ya Fei's efforts; Yan Alliance's rapid growth demanded enormous capital, and every resource for Ordinary Disciples, every exchange for needed goods, all depended on Ya Fei's management.

"You've worked hard, Sister Ya Fei. Once I finish what's on my hands, I'll come personally to fetch you back to Shen Cheng." Xiao Yan smiled.

"Foolish little brother, why run back and forth? I'll return on my own." With that, Ya Fei smiled lightly, opened her arms, and hugged Xiao Yan tightly—a warm, intoxicating breeze enveloped him.

After Ya Fei reluctantly released the embrace, Xiao Mei—who had been "waiting long enough"—leapt forward and clung desperately to Xiao Yan's arm.

She knew perfectly well what her weapon was!

"Hehe, Big Brother Xiao Yan, don't forget me! Come visit me often," Xiao Mei pouted, cooing.

Xiao Yan was helpless. He deliberately avoided looking at the snow-white flesh pressed against him. "Alright, alright. Behave yourself. Don't be like Liu Fei—causing trouble everywhere."

"What? I'd never be as stupid as Liu Fei!" Xiao Mei stuck out her tongue, making it clear she'd never be one of those dumb, big-chested women.

Beside them, seeing her sister still standing frozen, Xiao Ning gave Xiao Yu a light push on the back. "Sis, what are you waiting for? The Young Clan Leader's leaving."

"Why'd you push me? Let him go—he's not gone forever," Xiao Yu mumbled, fidgeting.

Xiao Ning looked exasperated, exerted a slight force, and blasted her with Dou Qi. Xiao Yu stumbled forward and fell straight into Xiao Yan's arms.

Seeing someone throw herself into his embrace, Xiao Yan smirked mischievously, quickly opening his arms to wrap one around her slender waist and the other around her legs, lifting her up.

"You grew such long legs, yet you can't even walk straight?" Xiao Yan feigned ignorance of Xiao Ning's push.

Xiao Yu's legs twitched weakly, her face flushed with indignation. "That brat Xiao Ning pushed me! Put me down! There are too many people!"

"Oh? So if there were fewer people, it'd be fine?" Xiao Yan laughed heartily.

Hearing this, Xiao Yu's cheeks burned. She spun around and kicked Xiao Yan squarely in the chest, then unfurled her Dou Qi wings and retreated to the side, glaring at him furiously.

Xiao Yan smiled, no longer lingering, and bowed to the crowd of students and members of Xiao Hall. "Mountains may not turn, but waters flow. Farewell, everyone! If fate wills it, we shall meet again!"

His loud laughter faded slowly, then—*whoosh*—a space channel instantly appeared. Xiao Yan and the others stepped into it and vanished from sight. Amid the lingering echoes, many hearts grew melancholy.

Seeing Xiao Yan open a space channel and fly swiftly through it, Xin Lan—seeing it for the first time—was utterly astonished.

"So amazing, Big Brother Xiao Yan! You don't even need a space vessel to traverse the space channel? And this speed is insane!" Xin Lan came from Zhong Zhou—she naturally knew about space wormholes.

But ordinary space wormholes required tools to traverse, and their speed depended entirely on the quality of the space vessel.

Xiao Yan shook his head gently. "I can open space wormholes too, but this one was created by Xiao Yixian—her speed is far faster than mine."

Xiao Yixian was a true Dou Zun—a Four Star Dou Zun—her speed was simply beyond compare.

Xin Lan stared in shock at the white-robed woman standing at the front, swallowing hard. This serene woman was a Dou Zun!

"Hey Xiao Yan, when are you going to Zhong Zhou?" Zi Yan pouted. She was already Seven Rank, but breaking into Eight Rank wasn't just a matter of eating medicinal materials or pills.

Zi Yan had a hunch: to break into Eight Rank, she'd need to return to her clan. The Ancient Dragon Clan's people were said to dwell in Shou Yu—extremely distant. Even a Dou Zun opening a space wormhole would take considerable time to reach there.

"With your strength, you could go to Zhong Zhou anytime. But returning to your clan? With Yan Alliance's current power, it's still insufficient."

Yan Alliance now had only two Dou Zun, while the Ancient Dragon Clan was the foremost Magical Beast Family. What if Zi Yan was an exiled criminal from her clan—or a fugitive? Returning suddenly would be walking into a trap!

Hearing this, Zi Yan grew quiet. She herself didn't even know her true status in the Ancient Dragon Clan—or whether any blood relatives still lived.

"Don't worry. It won't be more than two years. When I win the Pill Gathering Champion, I'll take you back to your clan. I'm sure your clan members will at least give some respect to the Pill Gathering Champion Alchemist—dare they harm you?" Xiao Yan murmured, as if the Pill Gathering Champion title were already his.

"Alright!" Zi Yan's face lit up again.

Neither Zi Yan nor Xiao Yixian doubted Xiao Yan's ability to win the Pill Gathering Champion.

Only Xin Lan, newly joined and aware of how monstrous the Pill Gathering was, stood speechless in astonishment.

This year's Pill Gathering will feature the two strongest prodigies of the Cao and Dan families—both likely Eighth Rank for a long time! How can you just assume it's yours?!

The clear favorite this year is, of course, the Cao family's enchantress—Cao Ying!

But after thinking it over, Xin Lan also felt Xiao Yan truly had the strength to compete.

Before long—even before they'd finished chatting—the group stepped out of the space wormhole. Instantly, a wave of medicinal fragrance washed over them.

"This Small Valley is as beautiful as ever."

Xiao Yan took a deep breath. Returning to the Small Valley, Xiao Yixian's face wore a smile—this was her favorite place; even after resolving the Eternal Calamity Poison body, she would return here to live.

"I plan to stay here for a while and thoroughly study that Poison Pill," Xiao Yixian said to Xiao Yan, then pulled out a Jade Token and handed it to him. "This is my Soul Jade Token. If you're ever in danger, I'll rush to your side immediately."

Xiao Yan froze. Xiao Yixian had his own Soul Jade Token—but now the roles had reversed: it was she protecting him!

Xiao Yan smiled, nodded, and accepted the token without refusal. Seeing him accept it, Xiao Yixian gave a quiet, serene smile. Between them, everything was understood without words.

"Hey, Xiao Yan, you're not planning to ditch me and go off on your own, are you?" Zi Yan sensed Xiao Yan intended to leave alone, leaving her and Xin Lan temporarily with Xiao Yixian.

"I'm just going to a place for a bit, I'll be back soon. When I return, I'll take you all to Zhong Zhou, push all the way to the Dan Domain, join the Pill Gathering, then head home to visit!" Xiao Yan smiled.

"Senior Student Xiao Yan, where are you going?" Xin Lan asked curiously.

"I'm going to Fenyan Valley to retrieve something." Xiao Yan did not hide it.

"Fenyan Valley?" Xin Lan froze, then exclaimed: "Senior Student Xiao Yan, you're not thinking of laying hands on the Nine Dragon Thunderfire, are you? Please don't!"

"Why not?" Xiao Yan asked.

"The Nine Dragon Thunderfire has been passed down by Fenyan Valley for centuries and has long been branded with indelible blood-soul marks by generations of powerful cultivators. Unless you've cultivated Fenyan Valley's foundational cultivation method, 'Qingming Youyan Jue,' even if you obtain the Nine Dragon Thunderfire, you absolutely cannot make it your own." Xin Lan hurriedly stopped him—she didn't want Xiao Yan to clash with Fenyan Valley.

Moreover, Fenyan Valley's strength is immeasurable; rumors say a Sage Emperor still exists there!

(End of Chapter)