Chapter 419: The Young Master Doesn

But soon, Xiao Yan suppressed that fleeting moment of gloom, holding Xun Er's soft, boneless jade hand as he gazed at the breathtaking beauty before him.

Suddenly gripped by Xiao Yan's hand, Cai Lin trembled—clearly, she still wasn't accustomed to such intimate gestures with Xiao Yan.

Though the two had even borne a child together and had known each other for a very long time, much of their bond was dictated by fate and transactional ties; outside that single night and within the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta, they had never experienced the ordinary routines of a couple.

Yet Cai Lin made no move to withdraw her hand, letting Xiao Yan hold it; warmth spread from her palm—his large hand was so scorching.

Cai Lin's expression remained cold as she stared at Xiao Yan, their eyes locking.

Xiao Yan tightened his grip on her hand, gazing into her beautiful, luminous eyes, and said: "Rest assured—whether it's you or the child, I, Xiao Yan, swear I will let not a single scratch touch you. Whoever harms you, I will obliterate them all."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Cai Lin's beautiful eyes unexpectedly flashed a mocking glint; she yanked her hand free, seized his collar, and pulled him close to her.

She said coldly: "Do you think you need to protect me? I'll handle eliminating enemies myself—you just stay home, refine pills, and care for the child."

"Understood?"

Xiao Yan froze—so domineering!

Though Xiao Yan had already guessed as much when he saw the Four Great Elders were all female—he knew the Medusa Clan must be a matriarchal society, where women handle combat and defense.

Suddenly, Cai Lin frowned, glancing at her lower abdomen; Xiao Yan froze, then gasped: "Did it kick you?!"

Cai Lin replied coldly: "It's not weak."

Xiao Yan was stunned—Cai Lin was a Nine-Star Dou Zong, her body forged by Strange Fire; for something to make her feel pain, its strength was certainly not weak!

Xiao Yan stood helplessly, his face a mix of shock and joy; slowly, he knelt down, tilting his head to one side, gently pressing his ear against Cai Lin's abdomen.

Previously, Xiao Yan's spiritual soul connection with Cai Lin had been extremely faint, but as the fetus grew, that soul bond had grown stronger and stronger.

Sensing Xiao Yan's head resting against her, listening intently, Cai Lin's eyes gradually softened; her jade hand rose slowly, hovering in midair for a moment, then gently stroked Xiao Yan's hair.

At this moment, Cai Lin's movements were incredibly tender—she had finally, truly acknowledged that this man had irrevocably entered the deepest recesses of her heart; in Cai Lin's soul, Xiao Yan and the unborn child had surpassed everything else.

"It's really moving!" Xiao Yan exclaimed in delight, yet fearing he'd disturb the fetus, he forced his voice low.

"Obviously," Cai Lin rolled her eyes at him—this man wasn't usually this foolish; aren't you a Spirit Realm Soul Power user? Just sense it yourself.

"Hehehe, have you picked a name yet?" Xiao Yan suddenly remembered and asked.

"Not yet," Cai Lin shook her head slightly—the SnakeTribe's Secret Techniques were extremely complicated; she'd been undergoing their purification rites all this time.

"How about Xiao Yao?"

"Huh???"

"Xiao Le doesn't sound bad either."

"????"

Cai Lin was stunned—your pill alchemy skill is inversely proportional to your naming ability! No, this guy's a naming disaster—he can't be trusted. She outright ignored every name Xiao Yan suggested.

As Xiao Yan and Cai Lin excitedly debated names, in a void-space within Zhong Zhou's Zhong Yu, there existed a world far larger than the North Domain.

This was the Ancient Realm, opened by the Gu Clan's Dou Di.

In the Ancient Realm, boundless clouds constantly swirled high above the sky, like a fairyland; any outsider here would be utterly astonished, for these clouds were none other than Heavenly Energy.

This was Heavenly Energy so dense it had condensed into mist!

Simply cultivating here would yield far better results than many Secret Realms or sacred lands.

The land was filled with countless precipitous peaks; occasionally, streaks of light flashed across the heavens, their faint yet formidable auras revealing that Dou Zongs frequently soared through the skies here.

Dou Zongs were commonplace here!

At the heart of the Ancient Realm stood an extremely perilous peak, shaped like a colossal sword piercing the clouds; looking up, one could see only swirling mist, never its summit.

Upon the mist-wreathed peak sat a slender figure, cross-legged atop a smooth green stone, hands forming a cultivation seal; as she breathed, a golden flame coiled around her like a golden dragon.

Most Shen Mi Zhi Yi of all was the mark on her forehead—a faintly shimmering, vividly beautiful emblem.

She wore a simple green robe, unadorned yet radiating a serene elegance; a pale purple silk sash gently cinched her slender waist, accentuating its graceful curve; her face, revealed above, was tranquil and refined.

As Xiao Yan had said, Feng Qing'er'er's delicate beauty paled beside hers; her beautiful eyes carried a faint ethereal aura—gaze upon them, and even the fiercest rage within one's heart would soften.

The woman resembled a white flower atop a mountain—sacred, peerless; every gesture, every movement, seemed that of a celestial fairy.

Such a woman appeared like a celestial maiden or an untainted lotus of the mortal world, radiating an elusive, otherworldly aura—meant to be admired from afar, never touched; a girl born of Heaven and Earth's Spirit Qi, many men would feel shame in her presence.

Within a hundred li, the dense Heavenly Earth Spirit Qi surged uncontrollably, forming a colossal dragon that rushed into her body like stars circling the moon, obediently drilling into her as her will directed, swiftly purified by the golden flame and some mysterious force within her.

After roughly an hour, the woman ceased her cultivation, her cultivation realm stabilizing firmly at Nine-Star Dou Zong.

"Nine-Star Dou Zong," she murmured, frowning as she sensed her own realm: "I wonder if I'm cultivating too fast—if I surpass Brother Xiao Yan too much, it might push him harder, burden him… what if…"

While others craved their cultivation to rocket upward, she feared her rapid progress would overwhelm the man in her heart.

The woman rose gracefully, her tall figure exuding irresistible allure; with a flick of her sleeve and a faint smile, she said: "Ling Lao, I wish to know how Brother Xiao Yan is faring."

Gu Xun Er, daughter of the Ancient Clan Chief, was the slender shadow in Xiao Yan's heart.

Every time she spoke of Xiao Yan, Xun Er smiled—though only for a fleeting instant, it radiated an unmatched beauty, as if even the surrounding Heaven and Earth brightened slightly.

As her voice faded, a shadow nearby slowly stirred, then coalesced into the form of an aged figure.

Ling Ying sighed inwardly—only one man in the world could make the young mistress so immediately attentive upon emerging from seclusion; even the Clan Leader had never received such attention.

Ling Ying bowed respectfully and smiled: "Your cultivation has already surpassed mine; you're nearing the Dou Zun realm—truly a cause for celebration."

Xun Er paid no mind to this small flattery; idly brushing aside her loose strands of green hair, she said: "No need for such words, Ling Lao. How is Brother Xiao Yan?"

"Hehe, your insight is truly sharp—Young Master Yan is now a rising star in Zhong Zhou," Ling Lao said with admiration, speaking of the youth.

There was no need for Ling Lao to inquire extensively; in Zhong Zhou, ask anyone, and you'd hear of the Yan Alliance, of its founder, Xiao Yan.

Especially with the Pill Gathering approaching, all eyes in Zhong Zhou were fixed upon it.

The Pill Gathering occurs once every thirty years; every champion becomes legendary, many rising to become Elder Giants of the Dan Tower.

And Xiao Yan is now one of the top favorites to win—the number of people discussing him is countless.

Hearing this, the young woman's serene, delicate face lit up with a rare, radiant joy—far greater than her own breakthrough.

Ling Lao summarized: "Six months ago, Young Master Yan's Yan Alliance defeated the Wind and Thunder Pavilion at the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly, claiming first place. And Young Master Yan defeated his opponent with a single strike—unleashing a terrifying Heavenly Rank Dou Technique to overcome Feng Qing'er'er of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, even capturing her and forcing the Wind and Thunder Pavilion's Lei Zunzhe to cede territory and pay reparations."

"Now, the Yan Alliance's power rivals that of the Four Pavilions—it's a renowned major faction on the outer edges of Zhong Zhou."

Hearing this, Xun Er's eyes shimmered with joyful tears; she knew Xiao Yan had come to the Ancient Realm to strive, and she knew Xiao Yan was a man who kept his word!

"Miss, it's not just that," Ling Lao said with a teasing smile.

Xun Er, upon hearing this, sighed impatiently: "Ling Lao, just spit it out."

Ling Lao chuckled, stroking his beard: "Miss, you've been left far behind by Young Master Yan. If you don't hurry up your cultivation, the gap will only grow wider."

"Huh?!" Xun Er's beautiful eyes widened in shock—she possessed Dou Di bloodline enhancement and trained within the Ancient Realm's Inheritance Secret Realm, yet even with that, her progress couldn't match Xiao Yan's? How was that possible!

"Heh, in terms of cultivation realm, Young Master Yan is certainly not as strong as you. Half a year ago, at the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly, he was only at Three Star Dou Zong. But rumors say he has now become an Eight-Grade Alchemist, successfully refining the Fuling Green Pill, and has recruited a Dou Zun to guard him."

Young Master Yan's casual rewards were Seven-Grade Pills; Ling Ying was certain Xiao Yan was now an Eight-Grade Alchemist—this was no rumor.

"An Eight-Grade Alchemist!" Even Xun Er was deeply astonished to learn Xiao Yan had reached Eight-Grade Alchemist status.

Calculating it, Xiao Yan had just passed his twenty-sixth birthday; an Eight-Grade Alchemist at such a young age was considered a genius even within the Yao Clan!

No wonder Ling Lao said she had been left behind—An Eight-Grade Alchemist was naturally more esteemed than a Nine-Star Dou Zong.

Moreover, the Gu Clan's Dou Di bloodline offered no benefit to pill alchemy; the Gu Clan had no inheritance of pill alchemy, so its members seeking pills had to go to the Yao Realm and ask the Yao Clan to refine them.

And with Xiao Yan's current status and position—even though still far below hers—his terrifying potential had already gained enough weight to make even the clan's stubborn elders reconsider him seriously!

Thinking of this, Xun Er's cold, calm heart began to stir, even imagining the day Xiao Yan would come to marry her.

Because this was no longer a dream—it had become a real possibility!

At this moment, Xun Er's heart fluttered like a startled deer, her cheeks faintly flushed as she imagined the day Xiao Yan would arrive in the Ancient Realm!

Imagine: a princess held captive, her beloved man climbing a mountain against all odds—now he's reached the mid-slope, nearly at the summit. What would her heart feel?

Xun Er clenched her fists, turned sharply, her elegant, delicate face now lit with a rare smile; she strode straight down the mountain, steps resolute, without the slightest hesitation.

"I'm leaving the Ancient Realm!"

Of course, Xiao Yan knew nothing of this; at this moment, he was troubled, his eyes cold and sharp.

After leaving Cai Lin's chamber and returning to the Jia Ma Empire, he learned that during his half-year seclusion, the Yan Alliance had been attacked, its development stalled.

"You say the Ice River Valley and the Nine Underworld Spirit Python Clan?"

"Yes," Queen Yao Ye nodded heavily, her voice grave: "About two months after the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly, the Ice River Valley publicly declared that our Yan Alliance was hiding an Eternal Calamity Poison Body, which would bring catastrophic disaster to Zhong Zhou, and demanded we hand it over."

Xiao Yan sneered: "The Ice River Valley? I fear they can't handle the consequences."

Do they truly think Xiao Yixian is still the Nine-Star Dou Zong she was? Half a year ago, she was already at Four Star Peak Dou Zun, had fully mastered the Eternal Calamity Poison Body, and now even possesses a Spirit Fire Poison Pill.

The Ice River Valley's strength equals that of the Burning Flame Valley—both are among the Three Valleys. Their Valley Master, Ice Lord, is a Four Star Peak Dou Zun; in raw power, he may not even defeat Xiao Yixian.

"The Ice River Valley also rallied several factions from Zhong Zhou to attack the Yan Alliance. The Wind and Thunder Pavilion was the most aggressive, seizing some of our cities in the process," Queen Yao Ye said, her expression worried.

After all, the Eternal Calamity Poison Body—a terrifying, bizarre constitution—had once triggered Poison Explosions in Zhong Zhou, and every single case had caused massive disasters.

Naturally, it drew fear and condemnation from many.

Ya Fei, dressed in a red long dress, spoke with grave seriousness: "Based on intelligence gathered by the Miter Guild across Zhong Zhou, I suspect the Ice River Valley's true goal isn't to eliminate the Eternal Calamity Poison Body. Ice Lord's elaborate scheme suggests he wants to obtain it."

"Rumors say Ice Lord, seeking to elevate his Ice Lord Jin Dou Qi from Earth Rank Advanced Grade to Heavenly Rank, used a secret technique to transform his body into an Acquired Misfortune Poison Body, turning his Ice Dou Qi into a terrifying Cold Poison Dou Qi."

"It is precisely this Cold Poison Dou Qi that allows Ice Lord to stand against Tang Zhen's Nine Dragon Thunder Flame."

Hearing Ya Fei's words, Xiao Yan froze, his mind stunned: "An Acquired Misfortune Poison Body?! I recall the Poison Venerable also had an Acquired Misfortune Poison Body. Could Ice Lord have obtained the same Secret Technique?"

Ya Fei continued: "But rumors say Ice Lord's fusion of his Acquired Misfortune Poison Body and Ice Lord Jin Dou Qi is incomplete—his poison body has severe defects. He is on the brink of a Poison Explosion."

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed—he now understood why Ice Lord was so reckless. He wanted Xiao Yixian's Innate Calamity Poison Body to fix his own flaws.

No wonder the Ice River Valley wasn't afraid of retaliation from an Eight-Grade Alchemist—he was barely clinging to life, and Xiao Yixian's Eternal Calamity Poison Body was his last hope. He would go mad for it.

"Hmph. All that talk of righteousness and morality—just to satisfy his own selfish desires." Xiao Yan sneered. Ice Lord was even more repulsive than the Soul Hall Venerable; at least that Soul Hall Venerable was a true villain.

He grabs your Spiritual Soul—he doesn't play games. He relies purely on strength.

"A month ago, the Ice River Valley launched a large-scale offensive, advancing all the way to the border of the Northwest Region. In that battle, Ice River Valley's Grand Elder, Tian Shuangzi, a One Star Dou Zun, fought—and so did Thunder Venerable."

Hearing Queen Yao Ye's report, Xiao Yan's expression grew darker. The Yan Alliance's growth could never be smooth—advancing into Zhong Zhou meant encroaching on others' territories; retaliation was inevitable.

He just hadn't expected that after only half a year of seclusion, so much trouble had erupted.

"Did Ice Lord appear?" Xiao Yan asked.

If it was only Thunder Venerable plus a One Star Dou Zun, Xiao Yan believed Zhao Lao could still hold out—as long as Ice Lord didn't intervene.

"He did appear—but not alone. Tang Zhen of the Burning Flame Valley came too, saying you had once helped him. So the battle ended without resolution." At this, all senior Yan Alliance members looked at Xiao Yan—no wonder he was an Eight-Grade Alchemist; his connections were no lie.

Xiao Yan nodded. He now owed Tang Zhen a favor.

"And what about the Nine Underworld Spirit Python Clan?" Xiao Yan already had some guesses.

"Because of the Qi San Hua Tong," Xiao Ding glanced at Qing Lin, standing beside Xiao Yan, her eyes dimmed, and said: "Half a month ago, the Nine Underworld Spirit Python Clan publicly declared that if we didn't hand over the Qi San Hua Tong, they would crush the Yan Alliance."

CRASH! The teacup on the table beside Xiao Yan shattered violently, tea splashing over him.

At least the Ice River Valley had the decency to find a respectable excuse—this Nine Underworld Spirit Python Clan simply threatened: hand it over or be destroyed!

How utterly tyrannical!

Naturally, this enraged all senior Yan Alliance members in the Hall.

Behind Xiao Yan, Qing Lin's eyes dimmed: "Young Master Yan… perhaps…"

"No 'perhaps'!" Xiao Yan looked at Qing Lin, his voice firm: "Don't ever say that again. I don't want to hear it."

"Young Master Yan…" Qing Lin's eyes welled with tears; her teeth bit her red lips as she nodded heavily. As she nodded, single tear drops spilled from her beautiful eyes.

"Third brother, how do you plan to handle the Nine Underworld Spirit Python Clan? Their strength surpasses even the Two Sects." Xiao Ding looked at Xiao Yan. All eyes turned to him—in this moment of helplessness, they could rely on no one but Xiao Yan.

(End of Chapter)