Chapter 169: Buddha's Fury Lotus, Tianji Token
"Alright, since you've made your decision, show me what you've got!"
Jia Ma Empire, Yunlan Sect.
Within the Smoky Cloud Sun Array, Yaochen was intrigued. It had been a long time since Xiao Yan last used the Buddha's Fury Lotus, and he was curious about how powerful it had become.
As Yaochen retracted his spiritual control, Xiao Yan took full command of his body again. Swiftly, he retrieved a Purple Fire Pill from his storage ring and swallowed it. Both hands flared up with intense flames one vibrant green and the other icy white.
These two Heavenly Flames, Green Lotus Core Flame and Bone Chilling Flame, exuded extreme heat and icy chill, a mesmerizing yet deadly combination.
Outside the array, Hai Bodong, witnessing Xiao Yan's desperation, cursed under his breath:
"That brat is insane!"
Despite being far away, Hai Bodong hurriedly retreated even further. He remembered the sheer destructive power of this move. The last time Xiao Yan used it, it severely injured two Dou Huang experts. Had he been closer, he might have been torn apart.
For other spectators like Pill King Gu He, Xiao Yan's actions were perplexing. The emergence of two Heavenly Flames puzzled them, but everyone could sense that the flames held unimaginable power.
Yun Shan, overseeing the array, initially frowned but soon sneered.
"Hmph, you're like a lamb to the slaughter. Trapped within my Smoky Cloud Sun Array, you've got nowhere to run."
However, he didn't let his guard down. While the flames were undoubtedly dangerous, he was confident they couldn't touch him.
But the next moment, as the two flames began to merge, Yun Shan's expression changed. The energy fluctuations were terrifyingly violent, sending a wave of suffocating pressure through the air.
"Damn it, I can't let him succeed!"
Yun Shan's calm demeanor cracked as he sensed the growing threat. Hastily, he manipulated the array to form a massive arrow, aiming it directly at Xiao Yan.
Inside the array, Xiao Yan smirked. He could feel the merging flames stabilizing. Spitting out a purple flame, he infused it into the forming lotus, amplifying its violent energy.
The surrounding temperature surged dramatically, and the air itself seemed to distort.
"Swoosh!"
Seeing the danger, Yun Shan acted. The arrow shot forward at an alarming speed, targeting Xiao Yan's vital points.
With the arrow about to hit, Xiao Yan's Purple Cloud Wings flared, propelling him like a nimble bird. The arrow missed by a hair's breadth, and in his hands, the two merging flames had fully transformed into a three colored lotus.
"Danger!"
For the first time, Yun Shan's heart sank. His instincts screamed that the three colored lotus posed an existential threat.
"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"
In desperation, Yun Shan launched three more arrows in rapid succession. Yet Xiao Yan, determined to strike, dodged skillfully while steadily closing the gap between them.
Yun Shan's expression twisted with fury.
"Damn it! You'll die today!"
His killing intent was palpable. Initially, Yun Shan wanted the treasures Xiao Yan possessed, but now, all he could think about was eradicating the boy.
As Yun Shan prepared another attack, Xiao Yan seized his chance.
With a swift motion, he hurled the three colored lotus directly at Yun Shan.
The three colored lotus tore through the air, colliding with one of Yun Shan's arrows. The arrow evaporated instantly, unable to withstand the intense energy.
"Now... bloom, Buddha's Fury Lotus!"
With a roar, Xiao Yan triggered the detonation.
"Boom!"
The lotus exploded into a dazzling blaze. The ground shook violently as the radiant flames engulfed everything in their path. The once intimidating array walls cracked audibly under the impact.
"Fall back! Everyone, retreat!"
Yun Yun, realizing the imminent danger, urgently shouted to the Yunlan Sect disciples.
But before anyone could react, a massive mushroom cloud erupted in the sect's central square.
Within the blast zone, Yun Shan bore the brunt of the explosion. His face was frozen in shock, his arrogance shattered.
"Wind Barrier!"
Desperately, he summoned a defensive wind shield. But the Buddha's Fury Lotus proved too powerful. The barrier lasted less than a second before disintegrating, and the searing energy slammed into Yun Shan.
The explosion's shockwaves rippled outward, obliterating countless Yunlan Sect disciples and reducing buildings to rubble.
Xiao Yan wasn't unscathed. Blood spurted from his mouth as he reeled from the aftereffects of the attack. Despite his injuries, a grim smile crept onto his face.
"Teacher, we need to leave!"
Turning to Yaochen, Xiao Yan forced himself to move. With his body battered, he unfurled his Purple Cloud Wings and darted toward the sect's rear mountains.
However, before he could get far, a faint cough stopped him in his tracks.
From the smoke emerged Yun Shan, battered and bloodied, his white robes in tatters. Blood dripped from his lips, and his eyes burned with fury.
"Xiao Yan, if I let you leave today, I might as well bury my face in shame!"
Yun Shan roared, his figure vanishing in an instant.
"Swoosh!"
In the blink of an eye, Yun Shan reappeared directly in Xiao Yan's path, his aura radiating killing intent.
Xiao Yan had anticipated that while his earlier attack was formidable, Yun Shan was no ordinary opponent. The moment his strike ended, he gritted his teeth, forced his injured body to move, and fled as quickly as possible.
When Yun Shan blocked his path, Xiao Yan changed directions without hesitation.
Despite his speed, without the Buddha's Fury Lotus, Xiao Yan was no more than a mouse being chased by a cat in Yun Shan's eyes.
"You're not getting away!"
Yun Shan launched a powerful palm strike aimed directly at Xiao Yan. Despair filled Xiao Yan's eyes; he knew he couldn't dodge.
Crack!
Just as he closed his eyes, ready to accept his fate, the sound of ice shattering rang out. Opening his eyes, he saw Hai Bodong stepping in to block Yun Shan's attack.
"Elder Hai!" Xiao Yan exclaimed in gratitude.
"Xiao Yan, leave now! I'll hold off Yun Shan!" Hai Bodong roared, his voice firm despite the overwhelming power of his opponent.
Though he had managed to intercept Yun Shan's strike, Hai Bodong's strength was far inferior, and it was clear he wouldn't last long.
"Thank you, Elder Hai! Xiao Yan will never forget your kindness today!"
Without hesitation, Xiao Yan shouted his thanks and pushed his Purple Cloud Wings to their limit, fleeing toward the horizon.
Watching Xiao Yan escape, Yun Shan was furious. Turning to Yun Yun, he barked:
"Yun'er, stop him! We can't let him get away!"
Yun Yun found herself caught in a painful dilemma. On one side was Yun Shan, who had been like a father to her, and on the other was Xiao Yan, the man who had saved her life. Her heart was in turmoil, but under the circumstances, she had no choice.
"Winds of Annihilation!"
Yun Yun attacked without hesitation. Her sword trembled violently before a small, finger thin beam of piercing energy shot forth.
The moment the beam appeared, even the space around it seemed to tremble.
"Swoosh!"
The attack was terrifyingly fast. Had Yaochen not forcibly taken control of Xiao Yan's body to narrowly avoid it, the attack would have pierced straight through him.
"Damn it! Yun Yun actually attacked!"
Xiao Yan was frustrated. He had hoped Yun Yun wouldn't intervene, but her actions and the devastating power of her technique left no room for doubt. He watched as her attack obliterated a massive tree, one that would take two grown men to encircle with their arms, leaving a clean hole in its wake.
"Bang!"
Meanwhile, Hai Bodong was struck by Yun Shan's powerful blow. He crashed to the ground, shattering a large boulder upon impact.
Before Xiao Yan or Yaochen could react, Yun Shan had already joined Yun Yun to surround Xiao Yan.
"Surrounded by tigers and wolves," Xiao Yan thought bitterly. He was at his limit.
"Teacher, I've dragged you into this mess," Xiao Yan muttered apologetically, forcing a bitter smile.
A Dou Zong and a Dou Huang were not opponents he could handle. Xiao Yan realized there was no way out.
"Xiao Yan," Yun Shan sneered, his voice brimming with killing intent. "Will you surrender, or should I break your bones one by one and drag you back?"
Hearing Yun Shan's cruel words, a glint of determination appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes. Glancing at Yun Yun, whose expression was filled with pain, he forced a smile before turning to Yaochen.
"Teacher, forgive my recklessness. It seems today we won't make it out alive!"
Just as Xiao Yan prepared to make a desperate last stand, Yaochen sighed.
"Xiao Yan, that's enough. Leave it to me."
Yaochen's spiritual form emerged from the storage ring, drawing the attention of both Yun Shan and Yun Yun. With a flick of his hand, an ancient looking token appeared. The token bore two large characters: Tian Ji (Heavenly Secret).
"A Tianji Token?!" Yun Yun gasped in shock.
Hearing her exclamation, Yun Shan was momentarily stunned. Though he didn't know much about the Tianji Token, he was well aware of Tianji Tower and its fearsome reputation.
Before Yun Shan could respond, Yun Yun urgently explained:
"Teacher, let them go! If they activate the Tianji Token, every Tianji Tower member within thousands of kilometers will rush here. That could spell total annihilation for Yunlan Sect!"
Yun Shan's heart sank. He hadn't personally clashed with Tianji Tower but knew enough about it to be wary. Even the Soul Hall had warned that Tianji Tower was not to be provoked lightly.
"Damn it! How does he have a Tianji Token?" Yun Shan growled, his anger barely contained.
He hesitated, unwilling to risk his sect. A single Tianji Token could summon devastating retaliation.
Sensing Yun Shan's wavering resolve, Yun Yun pleaded again:
"Teacher, let them leave! We can't afford to provoke Tianji Tower!"
Yun Shan glared at the token in Yaochen's hand before coldly asking:
"Why do you have a Tianji Token?"
"It's none of your concern," Yaochen replied flatly. "But know this: if you force my hand, I will activate the token. You've heard what that entails."
The threat was clear. With Tianji Tower's reputation, Yun Shan knew better than to gamble.
After a long, tense silence, Yun Shan finally exhaled deeply, stepping aside.
"Fine. Count yourself lucky today, Xiao Yan. But remember this: Yunlan Sect will not forget."
"Heh. Save your threats," Yaochen retorted coldly. "If you're feeling brave, I can demonstrate what this Tianji Token can do."
Before Yun Shan could react further, Yun Yun urged:
"Xiao Yan, leave quickly!"
Xiao Yan sighed, glancing at Yun Yun before turning to Yaochen.
"Teacher, let's take Elder Hai and go."
With that, Xiao Yan and Yaochen retrieved the injured Hai Bodong and swiftly departed, leaving the shattered ruins of Yunlan Sect behind.
Thus concluded Xiao Yan's second visit to Yunlan Sect a battle marked by destruction and narrow escape.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1