Chapter 166: Xiao Zhan's Observations and Xiao Yan's Return to Yunlan Sect
"Even if Yun Shan goes all out, with Medusa and Yao Chen's spirit aiding Xiao Yan, Yun Shan may not gain the upper hand," Xiao Tianming said confidently.
Tianji Tower, Jia Ma Empire Branch
Hearing Xiao Tianming's assurance, Wang Chao still felt uneasy. He had encountered Yun Shan before and knew his strength as a three star Dou Zong. Combined with Yunlan Sect's protective formation, the Smoky Cloud Covering Sun Array, Yao Chen's spirit and Medusa, though formidable, might struggle to ensure Xiao Yan's safety.
"My lord," Wang Chao said, bowing deeply, "if Yun Shan activates the protective array himself, I fear even a peak Dou Zong like myself would struggle to escape."
Before Wang Chao could continue, Xiao Tianming waved him off. "Don't worry. The clan leader gave Yao Chen a Tianji Token. If a true crisis arises, Yao Chen will use it. Stay vigilant here and oversee the branch."
He paused briefly, then added, **"Xiao He and the two Dou Zun enforcers have already escorted the hundreds of Xiao Clan members from Wu Tan City to Zhongzhou. In their absence, you're responsible for the branch.
"As for Xiao Yan's two older brothers, who were not taken to Zhongzhou, assign men to protect them in secret. Make sure nothing happens to them."**
"Understood, my lord!" Wang Chao bowed once more before retreating.
As Xiao Tianming watched the horizon in the direction of Yunlan Sect, he murmured, "Brother Ce asked me to stay here to guard against the Soul Hall, but those rats haven't shown up in the northwest for years. I don't even have a worthy opponent to spar with."
Aboard the Spatial Ship
In the void, a grand and luxurious spatial ship sailed through the skies. Xiao Zhan looked around in awe, still feeling as if he were dreaming.
He had thought the Xiao Clan would be annihilated by the four Dou Wang experts sent by Yunlan Sect. Yet, to his astonishment, two super powerful figures descended from the sky, immobilizing the attackers with a mere wave of their hands.
Xiao Zhan now knew the truth: the Yunlan Sect's assault was due to Xiao Yan's victory in his three year agreement with Nalan Yanran, an outcome that had infuriated the sect. They sent four Dou Wangs to exact revenge, but three were slain, and one was allowed to escape.
What shocked Xiao Zhan even more was the revelation that the Xiao Clan originated from Zhongzhou's prestigious Xiao Clan, one of the top imperial clans. These powerful figures had arrived to escort them back to their ancestral home.
A Discussion Among Xiao Clan Members
Not far away, the third elder of the Xiao Clan approached Xiao Zhan, noticing his pensive expression.
"Clan leader, you must be as unsettled as I am," the elder began quietly. "I still can't believe our Xiao Clan is part of Zhongzhou's top tier families."
Xiao Zhan sighed, nodding in agreement. **"It does feel surreal. We've faced near destruction so many times, only to miraculously survive. I now realize it must've been because the main family secretly protected us all along.
"But what worries me most now is Xiao Yan. The two enforcers said he's on his way back to Wu Tan City. If he arrives and finds no one there, who knows how anxious he'll become?"**
The elder agreed, though his mind wandered to what awaited them in Zhongzhou. "What do you think will happen when we reach the ancestral land? Will it be a blessing or a curse?"
Xiao Zhan smiled. **"It's a blessing, no doubt. The two enforcers explained that our Xiao Clan's strength and status in Zhongzhou are unmatched. Once we arrive, we'll have access to endless cultivation resources, advanced techniques, and powerful Dou Skills.
"Our branch is the last bloodline of the former clan leader, and there are even two Dou Sheng ancestors watching over us. With their protection, life will be far better for our people.
"Besides, the clan leader has always valued us, as evidenced by the guards secretly protecting us all these years."**
Despite Xiao Zhan's optimism, the elder remained skeptical. "I hope you're right."
Xiao Yan's Determination
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan and Medusa raced back to Jia Ma Imperial City, their auras unrestrained as they flew openly across the skies.
Their presence did not go unnoticed.
In the imperial palace, Jia Xing Tian gazed upward. "Is that Xiao Yan? And Medusa? They're heading toward Yunlan Sect?"
At the Mittel Clan, Hai Bodong was startled by their return. He immediately summoned Mittel Tengshan, issued orders, and set off toward Yunlan Sect.
At Yunlan Sect
After learning of the deaths of Yun Leng and the other Dou Wangs, Yun Shan was deeply unsettled. The surviving Dou Wang's account made it clear that the attackers were likely Dou Zong level experts.
Had he known the Xiao Clan had such a formidable background, Yun Shan would never have allowed Yun Leng to act. Now, with three Dou Wangs dead and a powerful enemy provoked, the situation was precarious.
Suddenly, sensing two powerful auras approaching, Yun Shan shot into the air and landed on Yunlan Sect's central square.
From a distance, he saw two figures rapidly approaching Xiao Yan and Medusa.
"Yun Shan..."
Just as Xiao Yan was about to shout out for the "old dog Yun Shan" to come out, he noticed that Yun Shan was already waiting on the viewing platform. He was accompanied by Yun Yun, the elders, and several stewards of Yunlan Sect. As for the disciples rushing to the scene, they were entirely ignored.
"Xiao Yan, Medusa, what brings you here today? Do you think this seat cannot deal with you?" Yun Shan asked coldly.
Though there was unease in his heart, he couldn't afford to show weakness now. A leader must maintain authority; once morale crumbles, the team becomes impossible to lead.
Xiao Yan didn't waste time on words. He immediately took three corpses out of his storage ring and glanced at Medusa. In response, Medusa sneered and delivered a swift kick to the bodies.
"Boom!"
"Whoosh!"
The corpses flew toward Yun Shan at high speed.
Recognizing the situation, Yun Shan didn't bother pretending anymore. Since Xiao Yan had brought the bodies with him one of which he recognized as Yun Leng there was no point in denial.
With a wave of his hand, Yun Shan dissolved the force propelling the bodies and placed them gently on the ground.
"These are... Elder Yun Leng and the others?"
Yun Yun's heart sank as she identified the three corpses. Just a few days ago, they had been alive and well. Yet now, they were reduced to lifeless bodies.
Xiao Yan's anger erupted.
**"Yun Shan! You accuse me of bullying Yunlan Sect, yet how do you explain the corpses of Yun Leng and the others?
"You know why they went to Wu Tan City! Now, my Xiao Clan hundreds of lives have mysteriously disappeared overnight.
"If I don't come here for answers, how can I call myself a member of the Xiao Clan?"**
Yun Shan hadn't responded yet, but Yun Yun's chest tightened. The entire Xiao Clan... vanished? Could this have something to do with Yun Leng and the others?
If so, there was no resolving this. Yunlan Sect and Xiao Yan would be mortal enemies.
Yun Yun glanced at Xiao Yan's furious and slightly grim face, feeling a pang of sorrow. While she harbored goodwill toward him, it had not yet developed into deep affection.
Under the weight of everyone's gaze, Yun Shan decided to play dumb. He coldly replied, "Xiao Yan, how dare you kill my sect's elders? Today, it's not you questioning me, but I questioning you!"
His audacity to twist the truth was staggering.
The truth was, Yun Shan had approved Yun Leng's mission. The elders had sought to avenge Yunlan Sect and retrieve an object the Soul Hall desired. Though Yun Shan didn't know the specifics of the item, anything valuable to the Soul Hall was worth obtaining.
He had hoped to secure it as a bargaining chip. Yet instead of gaining treasure, he had lost three Dou Wangs. Worse, the sole survivor had been silenced by Yun Shan himself to cover his tracks.
Xiao Yan laughed mockingly.
**"Yun Shan! Your shamelessness has truly opened my eyes.
"I'm not here to trade insults with you. You know very well how these men died, so don't pin their deaths on me.
"I ask you one thing: where are the hundreds of people from my Xiao Clan?"**
His words were sharp and unforgiving, causing Yun Shan's face to darken. Had it not been for concerns about the Xiao Clan's mysterious backer, Yun Shan would have killed Xiao Yan on the spot.
Even Yun Yun stepped forward to question her master.
"Master, is what Xiao Yan says true?"
Yun Shan felt a surge of anger toward his favorite disciple. How could she so easily doubt him?
Though Yun Shan truly didn't know where the Xiao Clan members were, he suspected their disappearance might have nothing to do with Xiao Yan's backer.
What if the mysterious expert who killed Yun Leng and the others had targeted the Xiao Clan for their own reasons?
Yun Shan sneered, deciding to probe further.
**"Xiao Yan, I don't know what nonsense you're spouting. How would I know where your Xiao Clan members are?
"But you brought the corpses of my elders here. Did you or Medusa kill them?"**
Medusa scoffed.
**"If this queen kills someone, I'll admit it. These three corpses were found in the Xiao Clan courtyard. When we arrived, the Xiao Clan had already disappeared.
"Yun Shan, if Xiao Yan doesn't question you, who else should he ask?"**
Her disdainful tone carried weight, for Xiao Yan had analyzed the situation thoroughly on their way here. The only lead he had was these three bodies from Yunlan Sect.
The situation had reached a deadlock.
Both sides lacked key information. Yun Shan didn't know who killed Yun Leng and the others or where the Xiao Clan had gone. Similarly, Xiao Yan had no clue who had attacked his clan or why.
Adding to the tension, the arrival of Hai Bodong, Jia Xing Tian, and Fa Ma only intensified the scrutiny.
Yun Shan's dilemma deepened. Yun Leng and the others had gone to the Xiao Clan to kill and loot. But could Yun Shan admit this publicly? Doing so would destroy Yunlan Sect's reputation.
After much verbal sparring, Yun Shan coldly declared, **"Fine. Let's say you didn't kill them. Yun Leng and the others went to your Xiao Clan seeking revenge, but I knew nothing of it.
"They're dead now, but you, Xiao Yan, have come to my Yunlan Sect uninvited. Last time, I spared you because of the Tianji Tower's face.
"But today, since you're here, you'll stay. Be my guest for five years, and I'll personally escort you out when the time comes."**
Yun Shan's words were thinly veiled. While presenting himself as magnanimous, his true intent was to imprison Xiao Yan under the guise of "hospitality."
(End of Chapter)
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