Chapter 346: It's Snowing Again
Within a basin nestled deep inside the Ten-Thousand Medicines Mountain Range, nearly a hundred figures had gathered, with Xiao Yan and Cao Ying among them.
At the basin's edge, the surrounding space twisted unnaturally.
A soul barrier—only an eighth-tier alchemist would be capable of deploying such a method!
"This isn't good..."
Xiao Yan's expression darkened as he saw the soul barrier. From the looks of it, that man intended to make a move against everyone present!
His gaze turned warily to a black-robed man standing ahead with hands clasped behind his back.
"Sir, what's the meaning of this? Do you intend to attack all of us here?"
Nearly a hundred alchemists encircled the black-clad figure at the center, while Song Qing stood glaring with both fear and fury. When they had arrived, this man had suddenly launched a surprise attack—more than ten alchemists perished instantly. If Song Qing hadn't reacted in time, he might have been among them.
Meanwhile, the alluring Cao Ying stood beside Xiao Yan, her expression grim. She now understood why Xiao Yan chose not to associate with this group. Though things had been going smoothly between them, fate had landed them here alongside this crowd—only for the black-clad man to strike without warning. Had Xiao Yan not pulled her out of harm's way, she might already be dead.
Even so, she'd broken into a cold sweat. Her spiritual perception far exceeded the others', and she could tell this man's power was terrifying.
"Two of the Pill Tower's young prodigies, huh? Impressive titles... but for that championship, I'm afraid I'll have to use more... decisive methods."
The black-clad man wore a twisted smile as he spoke softly.
"May I ask who you are, senior? Killing us here—aren't you afraid the Pill Tower will come after you?"
Cao Ying asked coldly, her eyes locked onto the man.
"They won't know. Everyone here will die."
His voice was light, almost mocking, as he looked her up and down like a predator toying with its prey.
The surrounding alchemists roared in fury and brandished their weapons. Even Song Qing shouted:
"You're overconfident! Do you really think we'll let you take us down so easily?"
The man's eerie grin only widened.
"Watch out! There's a sneak attack!"
Before his smile even faded, shrill screams erupted from within the crowd—ten-odd heads flew skyward with fountains of blood.
The sudden carnage startled both Xiao Yan and Cao Ying. Dozens of shadowy figures burst out from within the group, each exuding terrifyingly strong auras.
Ten-plus Dou Zong-level enemies!
Xiao Yan's pupils contracted sharply. This was bad—very bad.
In less than a minute, the verdant ground had been dyed crimson. The once-vibrant alchemists were now corpses with wide, lifeless eyes, slain without even knowing who had struck them.
"Go!"
Xiao Yan yanked Cao Ying back and unleashed a roaring azure fire dragon to block the attackers.
"They were hidden among us all along!"
Cao Ying steadied herself, clutching her chest in alarm.
"Who the hell are these people? They actually dared to target the Pill Tower!"
Even Song Qing was forced back, though he held his own—he was still a Tower Elder, even if the lowest-ranking.
As desperation mounted, one alchemist tried to flee by crushing a spatial stone. But—
"I said no one leaves."
The black-clad man waved his sleeve, and the space around the fleeing figure froze. With a crushing motion, the alchemist was compressed into bloody paste.
"He's... distorting space. He's a Dou Zun!"
Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. Though he had suspected it, witnessing such raw power in action was another matter.
Now, the remaining alchemists were cornered. Most were being slaughtered, and only a handful—Xiao Yan, Cao Ying, Song Qing, and a few others—still stood.
Even so, it was clear: without Xiao Yan drawing much of the enemy's attention, the others would already be dead.
Surrounded, Song Qing looked grim. He could feel death's chill settling over them.
"You really mean to wipe us all out?"
Even Cao Ying's usual smirk was gone. She'd never witnessed such brutality before—if not for Xiao Yan, she'd already be dead.
"Oh, I'm quite interested in your soul. With your potential, you could've been a future Pill Tower leader... what a pity."
The man licked his lips, his gaze devouring her like prey.
Cao Ying's eyes turned frigid. She knew she was marked for death, but she wasn't helpless—she had her own cards to play.
"And you..." he added with a strange smile. "Following Xiao Yan... unlucky. Because I came here for him."
Xiao Yan's expression darkened. This guy had been locked on him from the start.
But he couldn't recall this person at all. Most Dou Zun-level enemies he'd met were long dead.
"You think you can kill me? Just you?"
He sneered. Dou Zun or not—he'd fought them before.
And his third brother was nearby. As long as they broke the soul barrier, this would end.
"Kekeke... Arrogant brat. Once I've captured you, I'll see if your soul is as tough as your mouth!"
The man chuckled darkly.
Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. This guy truly wanted him dead.
"What now?" Cao Ying whispered, glancing at him.
"Don't panic. He forgot someone's outside. The barrier's about to break."
"You mean... that mysterious man who was following us earlier?"
She had sensed someone briefly—now she was sure.
"Yeah. If he loses our trail, he'll notice. He probably can't beat this guy alone, but once the barrier's down... I'll go all in. You watch yourself."
"I'll be fine, as long as it's not him."
"Good."
He nodded—and then came the sound of cracking.
A massive soul force shattered the barrier.
Wang Yuandan appeared beside Xiao Yan, glaring at the black-robed man.
"Are you alright, Master-Uncle?"
"I'm fine... the others aren't."
He shook his head, looking at the bloody corpses.
"Good."
Wang Yuandan's gaze hardened, but seeing Xiao Yan safe, he didn't dwell on the loss.
"Kekeke... a mere one-star Dou Zun? You think you can protect him?"
The black-clad man sneered and stepped forward, releasing a crushing three-star Dou Zun aura. The air itself trembled.
"You won't lay a finger on him while I live."
Wang Yuandan was calm—but firm.
"Oho... two Dou Zun souls in one day. I'm in luck!"
That was all Xiao Yan needed to confirm—
"You're from Soul Hall."
"Heh. Does it matter? No one here's getting out alive."
The man's twisted laughter made Xiao Yan's brow twitch. This guy was seriously unhinged.
"You protect Cao Ying. I'll handle him."
Xiao Yan stepped forward.
"Master-Uncle!"
Wang Yuandan looked anxious—he didn't know the extent of Xiao Yan's power.
"Relax. He's just another Dou Zun."
With a calm smile, Xiao Yan walked toward the enemy.
"Impatient to die?"
The man's voice was icy. He flicked his sleeve, freezing the surrounding space.
But Xiao Yan was already used to this.
Twin flames—green and transparent—burst forth.
Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations, First and Second Forms!
Dou Qi surged. Space shattered.
In a blink, Xiao Yan appeared before the black-robed man.
And then—Third Form!
A surge of blue flame erupted—his aura broke through Dou Zong and entered Dou Zun!
"Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations? From Blazing Flame Valley?"
The man's eyes flickered. He stomped the void and sent a palm strike at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan didn't dodge.
"Eight Extremes Collapse!"
Their collision released a shockwave that hurled Song Qing and others hundreds of meters back. Xiao Yan staggered ten steps in midair before stabilizing.
"Damn..." Wang Yuandan gaped. His little Master-Uncle was a beast!
"Mountain-Splitting Seal!"
"Sea-Turning Seal!"
Xiao Yan struck again with dazzling imprints.
"Enough."
Annoyed, the man roared—his Dou Qi formed a flame beast that tore through the attacks and lunged for Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan was ready to counter with a fire lotus—
But suddenly... he felt a chill on his forehead.
Black snowflakes fell from the sky.
And with them—descended a white figure clad in snow-like robes.
(END CHAPTER)
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