Word Count: 2,564 Words
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"Old Hai, you sensed it too?" Jia Xing Tian's voice came from behind Hai Bodong. He flashed to Hai Bodong's side and they flew together toward the main gate of the Jia Ma Sacred City.
"Yes. A Rank 6 magical beast with an extremely strong aura, likely even stronger than your guardian beast. There's also an elite Dou Emperor," Hai Bodong nodded gravely. Such strength was enough to bring disaster upon the Sacred City.
Jia Xing Tian's face grew solemn as he nodded. Although the two of them could handle a Rank 6 magical beast and a Dou Emperor together, what they truly feared was not the force confronting them openly but rather the power backing that magical beast.
It was like the situation back in Mo City, when two Dou Emperors, Lu Man and Bai Ya, appeared to take away Qing Lin. They were backed by the Sky Serpent Mansion, one of the hegemonic factions in the North-Western Region. Even if they invaded Jia Ma Empire territory openly, no one could hold them accountable.
Moreover, the Great Meeting of Factions of the North-Western Region was about to begin. Empires and factions from everywhere would participate. Previously, the Chu Yun Empire and the Luo Yan Empire had tried to persuade the Jia Ma Empire to join forces with them to prevent being swallowed by the stronger factions at the region's center.
However, Jia Xing Tian and the imperial family ultimately refused. These two empires were longtime rivals of the Jia Ma Empire and both were stronger overall. They knew they couldn't gain any advantage in such an alliance and might even be annexed or divided.
The magical beast's aura drew closer with extraordinary speed, then gradually slowed. A short while later, a purple glow appeared on the horizon. As it expanded, the massive body of the Amethyst Winged Lion King came into view first.
Its body was covered in scales encased in purple crystals that shimmered beautifully under the sunlight. With a gentle flap of its enormous purple wings, it could fly at supersonic speeds, mesmerizing as a meteor streaking across the sky.
"Hmm?"
"Is that..."
As the purple glow drew nearer, Hai Bodong and Jia Xing Tian noticed several figures seated on the back of the Amethyst Winged Lion King. When they recognized the young man in a mysterious black robe at the front, surprise flashed in their eyes.
They stood momentarily stunned before their eyes widened. Their aged bodies trembled with excitement, their voices carrying a quiver.
"By the heavens! That brat actually came back?!" Jia Xing Tian was naturally thrilled. His guardian beast was counting on Xiao Yan to save its life.
"That kid sure knows how to make an entrance. Coming back riding a Rank 6 magical beast, so flamboyant." Hai Bodong's face showed a gratified smile as he stroked his beard.
Xiao Yan decided to stop hiding. He stored the Soul Robe in his storage ring and donned his long-unworn snow-white alchemist robe. Standing on the Amethyst Winged Lion King's back with his robe fluttering in the wind and hands clasped behind his back, he truly looked the part.
As he no longer concealed his presence with the Soul Robe, a powerful aura surpassing all Dou Kings suddenly burst forth. The wave of scorching Dou Qi seemed to raise the temperature of the entire Jia Ma Sacred City by several degrees.
When Xiao Yan released his aura to announce his return, not only did Jia Xing Tian and Hai Bodong notice, but leaders of various factions across the empire also sensed this oppressive, fiery Dou Qi. They stared in the same direction, their faces filled with shock.
The terrifying and vast Dou Qi mixed with scorching heat made their expressions change dramatically. Such strength seemed to exceed even the old monster Jia Xing Tian. When had such a powerful expert appeared in the Jia Ma Empire?
Of course, some people guessed who had arrived.
Those familiar with Xiao Yan, like Nalan Jie of the Nalan Clan and Miteer Tengshan, both Dou Kings, speculated that Xiao Yan had returned.
"This kid—if he's back, he's back. Did he have to make such a fuss as if afraid others wouldn't notice?" Nalan Jie stroked his beard, looked toward Xiao Yan's direction, and smiled.
Despite possessing only a Dou Master's cultivation, Ya Fei seemed to sense something. Although her strength couldn't detect the aura, her heart felt a strange premonition.
"He's back..." Her heart inexplicably fluttered with nervousness. The formidable business queen who controlled the real power of the Miteer Clan was showing such a girlish demeanor that it would likely shock anyone who knew her.
Xiao Yan manifested a pair of Dou Qi wings and glided over to Hai Bodong. A genuine smile of happiness lit his face.
"Yo, Old Hai, long time no see. Your strength has improved, you're glowing with health—practically aging in reverse!"
"You little brat, even daring to tease me now." Despite his scolding words, Hai Bodong was clearly happy to see Xiao Yan's return.
Xiao Yan turned and cupped his fist toward the older man beside Hai Bodong in a relatively polite manner. "Elder Jia, long time no see."
Without further ado, Xiao Yan took out a medicinal bottle from his storage ring. Inside was a Mixed Bone Molding Pill emitting an unusual fragrance, which he presented to Jia Xing Tian.
Jia Xing Tian swallowed hard at the sight of the Mixed Bone Molding Pill. A tier 6 medicinal pill was something only Dou Emperors had the qualifications to use. Within the Jia Ma Empire, apart from the reclusive Gu He, only Fa Ma could produce such pills. Fa Ma had advanced to a 6th-tier alchemist just a year ago after gaining insights from watching Xiao Yan's alchemy.
If Xiao Yan had delayed his return by another year or two, Jia Xing Tian might have been forced to beg Fa Ma for help.
"Good, you remembered—it's good that you remembered." In just two short years, Xiao Yan had advanced from a 5th-tier alchemist to 6th-tier. This speed made Jia Xing Tian's thoughts run wild—perhaps he should follow Hai Bodong's example and secure Xiao Yan by marrying Yao Ye off to him.
However, both Jia Xing Tian and Hai Bodong soon noticed Little Fairy Doctor quietly sitting on the Amethyst Winged Lion King's back, reading a book about herb cultivation, and quickly abandoned the idea.
This kid truly had a knack for attracting women! How had he managed to bring back another girl? And there was even an eleven or twelve-year-old little girl! Surely not Xiao Yan's child?!
Had he started that early?!
Tsk tsk tsk, ptooey, what a scumbag.
"Of course I remembered." Xiao Yan naturally didn't know the myriad thoughts flashing through their minds. He nodded and smiled. "However, this pill's medicinal strength is too domineering for humans. Only magical beasts with their robust physiques can consume it. Moreover, an alchemist must activate it in a special manner to maximize its effects."
Jia Xing Tian was surprised to hear the pill required special activation. He looked at Xiao Yan and said, "In that case, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you again, Xiao Yan."
"It's only right. After all, I refined the pill," Xiao Yan replied with a smile.
…
Xiao Yan didn't immediately return to the Misty Cloud Sect to see his family but chose to stay temporarily at the Miteer Clan's manor in the Jia Ma Sacred City.
Although the Xiao Clan now had properties in the Jia Ma Sacred City, he still chose the Miteer Clan for his stay. The implication was self-evident.
"Sister Ya Fei, long time no see." Xiao Yan's voice softened unconsciously upon seeing Ya Fei.
Ya Fei's beautiful eyes brightened when she saw Xiao Yan descend from the sky. Even with her composed demeanor, she struggled to suppress her feelings as she playfully scolded, "So you still remember to come back."
A nearly imperceptible hint of grievance colored her tone.
Xiao Yan touched his nose in slight embarrassment. "Jia Ma Empire is, after all, where I was born and raised. My Xiao Clan has also resettled on the Misty Cloud Sect's mountain, so naturally I had to return."
Ya Fei gazed at his face, stepping forward when she noticed his slightly disheveled robe. She used her jade-like fingers to smooth it out and said softly, "Your return will likely create quite a stir in the Sacred City. You're not just an alchemy genius anymore—you're also the founder of the Yan Alliance."
Xiao Yan's expression grew awkward at the mention of social affairs. They were not his strong suit.
Ya Fei noticed his discomfort and laughed lightly. "We'll be hosting a banquet for you tonight. Don't even think about skipping it."
Xiao Yan sighed dramatically and rolled his eyes, but he nodded in agreement. When he had taken the position of Little Clan Leader from his father, he'd known such social occasions would be unavoidable.
Little Fairy Doctor, who preferred tranquility, naturally wouldn't accompany him to the banquet. She stayed at the manor with the Amethyst Winged Lion King and the Little Lion King while he went out.
Zi Yan was the complete opposite. Having finally escaped from the 'prison' that was Jia Nan Academy, she naturally wanted to follow Xiao Yan everywhere.
…
News that Xiao Yan had returned and that the Miteer Clan was throwing a banquet threw the entire Jia Ma Sacred City into an uproar. Clans large and small scrambled to pull strings just for a chance to see him in person.
Established factions like the Nalan Clan, the Mu Clan, and the Alchemist Association naturally attended one after another.
When Fa Ma learned that Xiao Yan had successfully refined the Mixed Bone Molding Pill, his eyes gleamed with unusual light.
Although the Mixed Bone Molding Pill was only a low tier 6 medicinal pill, it wasn't easy to refine. Having reached tier 6 only a year ago himself, Fa Ma's success rate in refining it was less than thirty percent.
"Xiao Yan, what tier alchemist are you now?" Fa Ma looked at Xiao Yan with surprise and curiosity. While a low 6th-tier alchemist could refine the Mixed Bone Molding Pill, and Xiao Yan possessed a Heavenly Flame which increased his success rate, he found it hard to believe that Xiao Yan was merely a low 6th-tier alchemist.
Advancing from a 5th-tier to a 6th-tier alchemist in just two years was already astonishing. But the young man before him seemed to routinely accomplish such inconceivable feats. What others found unbelievable was merely daily life for him.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Why don't you take a guess, Chairman Fa Ma?"
Fa Ma gave Xiao Yan a helpless look. "This old man won't bother guessing. If you don't tell me your actual tier, how am I supposed to update your alchemist robe?"
"No need to update it. It's too troublesome to keep changing back and forth," Xiao Yan waved his hand to decline.
"Changing back and forth???"
Before Fa Ma could recover from his shock, Nalan Jie's voice called out, "Xiao Yan."
"Old Master Nalan, long time no see. I hope you've been in good health."
And so began Xiao Yan's 'long time no see' journey.
"Clan Head of the Mu Clan, long time no see."
"Little Princess, you've grown taller! Compete in alchemy? Forget it, I wouldn't want to bully a girl."
"Princess Yao Ye—no, I should address you as Queen Yao Ye now."
"Mu Zhan? You still want to fight? If you're itching for a battle, go find that little girl over there munching on a chicken leg. Yes, her. If you can withstand one punch from her, I'll spar with you."
"What? Your daughter has been poisoned and you want me to take a look? You should seek a physician or the Alchemist Association!"
"Your son is an alchemist and wants to become my disciple? I have no plans to take students at the moment."
"Your daughter has reached marriageable age? What does that have to do with me!"
By the evening's end, Xiao Yan felt his lips would wear out from talking. It turned out that being a public figure surrounded by incessantly chattering people was truly exhausting! The evening proved more challenging than cultivating the Open Mountain Seal!
After the banquet concluded, Xiao Yan brought Zi Yan along and followed Queen Yao Ye to the imperial palace to treat the Serene Sea Scaly Beast.
After about half an hour's journey, their carriage passed smoothly through the heavily guarded imperial city. Upon alighting, Xiao Yan and Zi Yan didn't linger but followed Yao Ye directly to the vast rear mountains within the palace. Finally, they stopped outside a huge lake atop the mountain.
"Oh? There's actually a big snake in this lake, and its strength isn't bad. Probably about the same as the big lion, right?" Zi Yan, standing beside Xiao Yan, suddenly exclaimed as she looked toward the enormous lake.
Both Jia Xing Tian and Yao Ye were startled by Zi Yan's observation. They turned to look at this adorable little girl in surprise. It was already quite difficult to sense the presence hidden in such a deep lake, yet this lovely-looking girl could actually describe what was hidden within. How could they not be astonished?
Xiao Yan, on the other hand, wasn't surprised by Zi Yan's. Her true form was also a magical beast, and her bloodline likely connected to the dragon race. The Serene Sea Scaly Beast was so powerful precisely because it also contained dragon bloodline.
Therefore, it wasn't extraordinary for Zi Yan to sense the magical beast hidden in the lake.
"Elder Jia, please summon the Serene Sea Scaly Beast."
Jia Xing Tian nodded quickly and disappeared in a flash, landing on the lake's surface. His hands plunged into the water, and his powerful Dou Qi surged downward.
The tranquil lake immediately boiled with bubbles before an enormous figure emerged from the depths. The figure was even larger than the Amethyst Winged Lion King by several degrees.
When the Serene Sea Scaly Beast's huge eyes saw Xiao Yan, its majestic expression instantly turned into one of flattery.
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan! Hehehe, you've finally come. I've been waiting for so long." The Serene Sea Scaly Beast's mouth curled into a grin as it slowly lowered its head toward Xiao Yan. It had been waiting for him until the flowers had all withered.
"How can you be so obsequious? You're truly disgracing the face of the Dragon Race," Zi Yan immediately mocked upon seeing the ingratiating manner of the Serene Sea Scaly Beast.
"Little brat, are you seeking death? How dare a mere Dou King laugh at me!" The Serene Sea Scaly Beast might fawn over Xiao Yan, but it remained an inherently fierce magical beast. It naturally had no fear of a little girl like Zi Yan and immediately let out an angry roar.
"Ah?! You want a fight?" Zi Yan's ears rang from the deafening roar. She placed her hands on her hips and shouted angrily. As her scolding voice fell, those gem-like eyes suddenly shimmered with purple light.
The Serene Sea Scaly Beast's spine went weak the moment the purple light appeared. It then collapsed onto the ground with a thud, resembling a bowing posture.