Chapter 130: The Embarrassed Jia Xingtian
"Frozen Dragon Spiral Kill? So you really did learn all of Hai Lao's tricks!"
Jia Xingtian watched the scene before him with an expression of admiration. However, he remained calm. His Dou Qi surged, and earthy yellow light manifested, forming a thick, solid shield in front of him.
It must be said, as a Dou Huang executing a high-level Xuan-rank technique, combined with earth-attribute Dou Qi, this defensive strength was absolutely terrifying—successfully blocking Xiao Yuan's strike.
For an average three-star Da Dou Shi, this blow would have been enough to defeat them outright. But Jia Xingtian was not an ordinary Da Dou Shi. Still, he underestimated Xiao Yuan's Dou Qi reserves!
The moment the earthen shield dissipated, a thunderous dragon's roar erupted. A black Frost Dragon materialized, carrying an intensely cold aura as it charged straight at Jia Xingtian.
"Another high-level Xuan-rank technique?!"
Seeing the lifelike black Frost Dragon, Jia Xingtian was stunned. To simultaneously maintain Dou Qi wings and consecutively cast two high-level Xuan techniques with the reserves of a three-star Da Dou Shi—it was nearly impossible.
Moreover, this technique seemed to subtly stir the ice-elemental energy in the air. It likely approached the realm of Earth-rank techniques, and its Dou Qi consumption would far exceed ordinary Xuan-level skills.
Still, this had to be the boy's limit, right? Sensing Xiao Yuan's noticeably weaker aura, Jia Xingtian finally relaxed a little. Talented or not, defeating a peak Dou Huang with just a single technique wasn't realistic!
Down below, Xiao Yan frowned in doubt. Something didn't add up. From what he knew of his third brother, two Xuan-level techniques shouldn't have drained him this much.
Watching Xiao Yuan execute the Frost Dragon Soar with one hand forming seals and the other holding Ya Fei—robe fluttering, hair dancing—Hai Bodong was struck with déjà vu.
That clear, confident demeanor was exactly how he had once looked in his prime.
It was like seeing another version of himself in Xiao Yuan!
While Hai Bodong reminisced, things took a disastrous turn for Jia Xingtian.
He had assumed the Frost Dragon was Xiao Yuan's final move and let his guard down.
But just as the black Frost Dragon neared Jia Xingtian, it opened its mouth—not to roar, but to unleash a torrent of flame so intense it could have melted the dragon's own jaws.
"Heavenly Flame?!"
Jia Xingtian's voice sharpened in alarm as the terrifying heat wave struck. In the next instant, flames engulfed his entire body.
Boom!
The black Frost Dragon crashed into the Heavenly Flame, merging into the blaze and amplifying its temperature even further. Down below, though the crowd was over a hundred meters away, the searing wave of heat reached them.
"This… is a Da Dou Shi??"
The little princess gasped in disbelief.
Silence fell over the entire area—everyone was stunned by Xiao Yuan's terrifying combat prowess.
Even the always-proud Nalan Yanran trembled at the sight of the firestorm, a chill running down her spine.
At her current level, a hit from that attack would surely mean death. If her corpse remained intact, it would only be thanks to Xiao Yuan's precise control over the flames.
That "useless young master" from Wu Tan City, who had once been so humble when asking to dissolve their engagement—was now reborn like a phoenix from the ashes.
Nalan Yanran bit her lip. Watching Xiao Yuan hold Ya Fei like a celestial couple, her expression turned complicated. At last, she began to realize that her impulsive decision all those years ago might have been a grave mistake.
And this… might be the price of her recklessness.
"Hiding the Heavenly Flame within the Frost Dragon? That's so like third brother—what a wild imagination!"
Below, Xiao Yan slapped his thigh with excitement.
"Hmm, it's certainly a novel approach," Yao Lao added, "But without exceptional control over the Heavenly Flame, pulling off this move would be near impossible. Plus, from the looks of it, the blaze is part of a fire-type technique. Otherwise, with his current soul power and Dou Qi, he wouldn't be able to maintain such an attack for long without exhausting himself."
"Seems I should start studying my own Heavenly Flame more seriously," Xiao Yan said thoughtfully. "It's a waste to ignore such a powerful treasure."
Boom!
Suddenly, a terrifying aura erupted from the sky, forcing the sea of fire to recede violently!
Xiao Yuan and Ya Fei, still suspended in mid-air, were caught in its path!
Clearly, Jia Xingtian had been forced to restore his full Dou Huang power to ensure his own safety.
Not good!
Hai Bodong immediately sensed something was wrong. The firestorm had clearly gone out of Xiao Yuan's control.
Just as he prepared to rescue him, he saw Xiao Yuan and Ya Fei's figures begin to fade away—an afterimage. The real Xiao Yuan had already whisked Ya Fei away like floating snowflakes.
So graceful, dressed in white robes, he looked like a banished immortal. Even the little princess and Nalan Yanran stared in awe.
But then a puzzled look appeared in Nalan Yanran's eyes. That movement technique… why did it look so familiar? It resembled her own Wind Petal Dance, but… more advanced?
How strange.
Could it be that Xiao Yuan had stumbled upon some hidden opportunity?
Swish!
Hai Bodong appeared beside Xiao Yuan, relieved to find him unharmed.
"Well, I've got nothing left to teach you. That technique—hiding Heavenly Flame in a dragon's mouth—I'll have to learn that from you!"
Hai Bodong chuckled.
"You flatter me," Xiao Yuan replied earnestly. "Given your understanding of Frost Dragon Soar, I'm sure you would have figured it out eventually. I merely provided an earlier perspective."
"Haha, you really are a cocky brat—but also surprisingly modest. Well done."
Hai Bodong laughed and patted his shoulder, then glanced smugly at Jia Xingtian.
Jia Xingtian, though not seriously hurt, looked a mess. His robe was charred black, his beard partially scorched, and ash smeared across his face.
"Hehe, old freak, not bad, huh? My disciple did well, didn't he?"
Hai Bodong grinned.
"Hmph, he nearly roasted this old man alive. Quite the disciple you've got!"
Jia Xingtian growled, brushing ash from his face, visibly annoyed.
He'd thought a three-star Da Dou Shi couldn't possibly pose a threat. But now, he believed even a Dou Ling would've been badly burned by such a trick.
This boy's combat style was too unpredictable—truly exhausting to face.
Still, Jia Xingtian was a good sport. He didn't hold a grudge against Xiao Yuan. Dusting off his robes, he flickered down to the little princess, left a parting word, and disappeared with her back to the palace.
"Everyone, the event's over. Time to disperse."
Clearly, he wasn't in the mood to linger.
"Ha!"
Hai Bodong smirked, then exchanged glances with Mittel Tengshan. With a nod, he turned to Xiao Yuan.
"Let's go."
"Sure. Elder Hai, please bring Xiao Yan along."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Alright."
Hai Bodong nodded and went down to pick up Xiao Yan. The four of them then flew toward the Xiao Estate.
Down below, Liu Ling's face darkened. He had assumed Xiao Yan's alchemy talent was luck. But it turned out, Xiao Yan had the backing of a Dou Huang—a true top-tier expert, one even his own master, Gu He, would show respect to.
His sense of superiority crumbled instantly. He struggled to accept it.
As for Nalan Jie and Nalan Su, they were filled with nothing but regret. Nalan Yanran, meanwhile, was lost in a swirl of emotions.
She couldn't figure out whether her past decision to end the engagement had been right or wrong.
If it was right, why did she feel so uncomfortable watching Ya Fei and Xiao Yuan together?
If it was wrong… could it still be undone?
She didn't know anymore.
"Hmph. That old geezer clearly sees your talent as a threat. Otherwise, knowing him, he'd have used this 'sparring' excuse to hammer you like he always did with me."
Back at the Xiao Estate, Hai Bodong snorted coldly.
"Really? I thought Elder Jia seemed quite friendly."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Hmph. He only said that because I was there. If it were just you, he would've given you two choices—marry the princess and join the royal family, or become a royal enforcer. No third option."
Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian were from the same generation, so he knew exactly what the old man was capable of.
"Tch. So basically, either you serve the royals, or you die?"
Xiao Yuan raised a brow, amused.
"You think he's a nice guy or something?"
Hai Bodong rolled his eyes.
Then, noticing Xiao Yan nearby, he chuckled, "Still, if he had tried anything, your brother wouldn't be easy to deal with."
Xiao Yan sighed. "I'd rather not use my power unless absolutely necessary."
But then his tone turned cold, "If Elder Jia had truly threatened my brother, I wouldn't hesitate to ensure the Jia Ma royal family gets a new lineage."
Hearing that, Hai Bodong felt a sudden chill—but also relief. Thankfully, these two brothers were on the Mittel Clan's side. Otherwise, they'd be a serious threat. The Xiao family… they were terrifying to the bone.
"That old man and I used to be equals. Now he's a nine-star Dou Huang… sigh."
Hai Bodong lamented.
"Heh. Elder Hai, you want the Revitalizing Spirit Pill, right? Elder Tengshan already gave me the herbs. I'll pass them to Xiao Yan soon to get it prepared."
Xiao Yuan caught the hint and smiled.
"Haha! I knew I could count on you two. I'll leave it to you brothers then. I'm off to rest!"
Hai Bodong waved and left with a maid to the courtyard arranged for him.
"Brother, actually, I've got something important to discuss."
As soon as Hai Bodong left, Xiao Yan grew serious.
"Hmm?"
Xiao Yuan looked at him in surprise.
"The prize for winning the Alchemist Assembly is a sixth-tier pill formula: the Soul Fusion Pill. It allows soul and body to merge. The effect is niche, but it's miraculous for soul forms—it heals soul injuries and rapidly restores soul power. I want to get it for Teacher."
Xiao Yan's tone was firm.
"Oh? That's great news!"
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"I'm confident I can win the championship. But finding the ingredients… that might be tricky. Brother, could you and Sister Ya Fei help me look? I suspect the ingredients will all be soul-related and rare even here in the capital."
Xiao Yan said seriously.
"Hehe, no problem. Even if we can't find them in the capital, we'll keep searching after we reach the academy. If we can heal Teacher's soul and restore his power, we can even start planning his revival!"
Xiao Yuan was equally excited, smiling brightly.
A Dou Zun-level master… if Yao Lao advanced further, he might even dominate Central Plains one day!
(END CHAPTER)
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