Chapter 657

The Yao Dian is the most important event within the Yao Clan; its timing is not fixed and may shift due to various circumstances, but overall, it resembles the Dan Tower's Pill Gathering, and in a sense, it is a grand assembly among the continent's true top-tier Alchemists.

Through this gathering, one will know who is the number one Alchemist on the continent today!

Those eligible to attend the Yao Dian, besides Yao Clan members, include a few Alchemist Masters who once or currently possess great fame and supreme Alchemy skills on Zhong Zhou, and who may be invited—but such invitees are exceedingly rare, for Alchemists worthy of the Yao Clan's attention are as scarce as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns on the continent.

Yet regardless, this does not diminish the grandeur of the Yao Dian; nothing else matters but the title of Continent's Number One Alchemist!

Thus, in a sense, there are no entry standards for the Yao Dian—anyone, regardless of age, may participate, and one may attend countless times. Of course, Alchemists below the Nine-Treasure Pill rank should not come to embarrass themselves.

Shou Yu lies extremely far from the Shennong Mountain Range where the Yao Clan resides, yet under Xiao Yan's full-speed Ancient Phoenix Wings, such a distant journey took only one or two hours; thus, around midday, the mist-shrouded Shennong Mountain Range appeared before Xiao Yan's eyes.

"Such dense Heavenly Energy—the Yao Clan truly occupies a prime location."

The moment Xiao Yan laid eyes on the Shennong Mountain Range, even he couldn't help but praise it aloud—the swirling clouds above the mountains were no ordinary mist, but formed from concentrated Heavenly Energy; cultivation here would surely be far faster than elsewhere.

Of course, Xiao Yan did not believe this was naturally formed; according to Ya Fei's intelligence, the entire mountain range was cultivated over centuries by an ancient ancestor of the Yao Clan.

In ancient times, Herbalists were also a highly popular profession.

"Is this where my master once lived?"

Xiao Yan gazed at the unfamiliar mountain range with complex emotions; the Yao Clan was the birthplace of Yao Chen, the Yao Sage. Though Yao Chen's legacy never mentioned his life within the Yao Clan, Xiao Yan had heard some tales from Xuan Kongzi during his time at the Dan Tower.

Yao Chen was originally framed by his own clan and expelled on false charges, and it was said that even as a youth, he swore one day he would shock the Yao Clan by becoming the First Alchemist and inscribe his name upon the clan's ancestral monument.

The Ancestral Monument is the Yao Clan's merit stone—only those who achieve great deeds within the clan may freely carve their names upon it; every Yao Clan member regards this as their lifelong goal, and the ancient Yao Sage was no exception.

After a soft sigh, Xiao Yan shook his head and began to descend slowly, finally landing atop a deep ravine; across the ravine stood a massive stone archway, several hundred zhang tall, silent and ancient, radiating an aura of antiquity.

At the archway's center lay a warped space—this was the spatial gateway to the Yao Clan. At this moment, figures continuously flew forth from the sky or deep forest, landing beyond the stone archway, presenting jade slips to the Yao Clan guards clad in clan robes before being admitted.

The Yao Dian resembles the Gu Clan's Adult Ceremony in some ways; its fundamental purpose is for the Yao Clan to proclaim its strength, so not only Alchemists like Xiao Yan come to participate.

The Yao Dian is the grandest gathering within the Yao Clan; nearby sects and factions allied with the Yao Clan are also permitted to enter and observe, making this period the most bustling time of the year for the Yao Clan.

Xiao Yan's form flashed—like a phantom—and appeared outside the archway. The several figures standing like statues there instantly turned piercing gazes upon him and barked: "This is sacred Yao Clan territory—no unauthorized entry! Who are you?!"

These men had sharp eyes—they instantly recognized Xiao Yan was not from any nearby sect or faction, for even their own Sect Masters arrived here with humble expressions.

Yet Xiao Yan's expression remained calm and composed; thus, seeing his serene face, the two guards immediately sensed something was off.

Not even these guards, but even the Yao Clan Clan Leader himself, would not earn Xiao Yan's reverence—he was now Clan Leader of the Dou Emperor Family, the Xiao Clan!

Around the ravine, the arriving figures gradually halted, their curious eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, who came alone.

"Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance, invited to attend the Yao Dian."

When Xiao Yan received the Yao Clan's invitation, he had not yet declared the Xiao Clan's return; thus, the Yao Clan had invited "Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance."

"Is this Xiao Yan, Master of the Yan Alliance?! I heard he emerged from the Demon Fire Space—so it's true!"

"Where have you been? The Xiao Clan has officially returned, and even the Gu Clan and Soul Sovereign acknowledge the Xiao Clan's status as a Dou Emperor Family—Xiao Yan is the Xiao Clan's Clan Leader, his status equal to the Yao Clan's Clan Leader!"

"Sssss!"

Instantly, a chorus of sharp intakes of breath rose—this was the Clan Leader of a Dou Emperor Family!

There are only six Dou Emperor Families now—meaning Xiao Yan stands among the top six most powerful figures on the continent!

"I didn't expect even Xiao Yan would come."

"They say Xiao Yan once won the Dan Tower Pill Gathering's Champion title—he possesses extraordinary Alchemy skill as well."

"Champion of the Pill Gathering? You don't know—he publicly forged a Nine-Treasure Pill inside the Xiao Dan Ta! He is a true, genuine Grandmaster Alchemist of the Nine-Treasure Pill rank!"

"Nine-Treasure Pill?! No way, is that real?!"

"Heh—heh, otherwise why would the Yao Clan invite Xiao Yan? The highest pinnacle of Alchemy on the Dou Qi Continent is no longer the Dan Tower—it's the Yan Alliance. Master Xiao Yan isn't just the founder of the Yan Alliance Covenant—he's the head of its Alchemy Hall. Even those two geniuses, Cao Ying and Dan Chen, joined the Yan Alliance to pursue higher Alchemy mastery. What do you think?"

"You know why the Yao Clan holds the Yao Dian—it's to proclaim they are the true Alchemy orthodoxy. But Xiao Yan is now universally recognized as the most talented and powerful Alchemist on the continent. If they can't defeat him in Alchemy, how can they claim to be number one?"

Hearing the murmurs around him, the guards' expressions shifted—Xiao Yan's reputation echoed even among ancient clans; the once-declined Xiao Clan producing such an extraordinary genius who revived his clan was already a miracle.

What pained the Yao Clan most was that the entire Dou Qi Continent whispered that Xiao Yan's Alchemy surpassed theirs—the Yao Clan was nothing.

Xiao Yan glanced at them coolly, too indifferent to bother with them; he casually tossed the jade slip over, and they hurried to catch it, checked it, then exhaled in relief, sending a beam of light toward the great gate, causing its surface to ripple and warp.

"Clan Leader Xiao, please enter—someone will personally escort you into the clan."

This time, the guards were far more respectful—on this world, strength always reigns supreme; Xiao Yan's power and status rivaled their own Clan Leader, Yao Dan. To offend Xiao Yan was to invite death—only a fool would blame anyone but himself.

Xiao Yan nodded, then moved—slipping into the warped space.

The instant he entered, his vision blurred slightly—the terrain and mountains before him transformed into a lush, green plain, dotted with colossal bird-beasts, their wings spanning several hundred zhang.

"Clan Leader Xiao, this way."

As Xiao Yan landed, a Yao Clan warrior clad in armor swiftly approached and led him onto the back of a giant bird, where hundreds of figures already stood, the scene lively and bustling.

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's name, everyone on the bird's back turned to look; some bold Clan Leaders even came forward to flatter him, shamelessly trying to make a good impression.

Even bolder ones dragged their clan's beautiful young heirs forward, as if offering brides, hoping Xiao Yan would take notice—even as a concubine would suffice.

This left Xiao Yan speechless. Though many of the women before him were stunningly beautiful and exquisitely proportioned, beauty was the one thing he cared least about now.

After possessing Cai Lin, Xun Er, and Xiao Yixian, Xiao Yan was numb to appearances—no matter how beautiful, could anyone surpass those three?

And he had no intention of taking concubines; the women around him already numbered more than ten fingers could count—expanding his lineage wasn't done this way!

Seeing Xiao Yan's indifference, the Clan Leaders sighed inwardly and withdrew, no longer daring to disturb him.

As the scene quieted, Xiao Yan gazed at the vast plain—similar to his journey to the Ancient Realm, yet his heart felt utterly different.

The giant bird flapped its massive wings, riding the gale upward, swiftly flying toward the deeper reaches of the Yao Clan's space.

This flight lasted about half an hour before Xiao Yan sensed the bird slowing; far ahead, the mist parted, revealing a towering mountain piercing the clouds, its peak dotted with clusters of grand halls and buildings, countless smoke columns rising slowly, thick with rich Pill Fragrance.

The giant bird circled the mountain once before landing on a vast Guang Chang; amid the respectful deference of all present, Xiao Yan stepped down slowly, feeling like a president disembarking from a plane—a sight that made him both amused and exasperated.

"Xiao Yan?!" a familiar, aged voice slowly reached Xiao Yan's ears.

Passersby slowed their steps, watching the old man approaching with furrowed brows and displeased expression, and instinctively stepped back.

Xiao Yan glanced at the man and said coolly: "You're Yao Wan Gui, aren't you?"

Seeing Xiao Yan, Yao Wan Gui's face darkened—he had ordered Yao Chen's expulsion years ago; though Yao Chen was dead, the Alchemy skill of his disciple was now so formidable, it filled him with resentment.

Xiao Yan's very existence was a constant slap to his face, reminding him that his past actions were wrong—a thorn that never stopped pricking him.

The crowd at Guang Chang parted like flowing water, and soon a group of figures clad in Yao Clan robes slowly approached; their eyes, some strange, some tinged with disdain, continually swept over Xiao Yan. At their head stood an old man with a sullen expression and thin lips like a blade—this man was Yao Wan Gui, the Yao Clan Elder who once presided over punishments beyond the Demon Fire Space, and who bore deep grievances with Yao Chen.

"Hmph, won a Pill Gathering Champion title and think you're equal to us Yao Clan? Pills crafted by lower-realm Pill Alchemy are inherently inferior."

"He's Yao Chen's heir? Pfft, wasn't Yao Chen just a useless outcast expelled from our Yao Clan?"

"What Yao Wan Gui did back then was absolutely right."

Xiao Yan had long been familiar with the Yao Clan's arrogance—he didn't know whether this counted as a side effect of their Dou Di Bloodline.

The figures surrounding Yao Wan Gui quickly realized his intense dislike for Xiao Yan, and immediately, a chorus of sycophantic flattery erupted. Within the Yao Clan, Yao Wan Gui held extremely high status; gaining his favor could skyrocket one's standing in the clan. Thus, there was never a shortage of such people clinging to Yao Wan Gui's side.

Yao Wan Gui himself greatly enjoyed this peculiar, star-studded adulation. Wherever he went within the clan, a large entourage of flatterers followed. Though some of them didn't even know who they were mocking, they were masters of reading faces—whenever Yao Wan Gui's expression darkened, they never held back their words. Besides, in the Yao Clan, who would dare truly harm them?

Unfortunately, this time they had slapped the tiger's mouth.

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. Boom—he unleashed a half-Imperial Soul Force from his body. Instantly, two invisible Soul Slashes lashed out, targeting the two disciples who had just insulted Yao Chen.

"Slice their tongues."

Shhh—those two insolent disciples spat out gouts of blood; two tongues flew out with the blood.

"You! Xiao Yan, don't you dare be so arrogant!"

"A bunch of idiots, get lost." Facing the fury of Yao Wan Gui and the disciples, Xiao Yan's face remained expressionless. He merely waved his hand casually; a torrent of six-star Dou Saint aura surged forth like a tidal wave, sweeping Yao Wan Gui and the others flying.

Even though Yao Wan Gui was a four-star Dou Saint and hastily activated a Dou Technique to defend himself, his defense crumbled like paper. Xiao Yan hadn't even used a Dou Technique—just the aura torrent shattered the defense, sending Yao Wan Gui flying backward, spitting blood.

(End of Chapter)