Inside the Dark Cauldron
Within the pitch-black cauldron, a foot-long golden dragon's eyelids twitched, slowly opening. A flash of confusion passed through its pupils before clarity returned. Sensing the scorching crimson flames around it, the dragon leapt up, shouting, "So hot! Damn that master—where in the blazes has he dragged this dragon to?"
Its glossy golden eyes darted around, taking in the confined space. It was indeed inside a cauldron, and the flames seemed oddly familiar.
That heartless fiend… has he finally decided to make a move on this dragon?
"…" Xiao Bai.
Hearing the racket from within the cauldron, the joy on Xiao Bai's face froze, replaced by a cascade of black lines across his forehead. His eyes darkened instantly.
This blasted creature—maybe I should just refine it and be done!
With a flick of his fingers, a streak of five-colored light arced through the air, landing inside the cauldron.
Gulp!
The dragon's incessant muttering ceased. Staring at the five-colored blade slowly forming above its head, the little golden dragon swallowed hard, its throat bobbing nervously.
A memory surged in its mind—of the Canaan Academy's depths, where a forty-meter-long blade had sliced through the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame.
Though this blade was much smaller, a mere half-foot long, it was no less menacing.
"Heh, my lord, long time no see! Have you missed your dragon?" The little golden dragon waved a claw at the five-colored blade, its face breaking into a fawning grin.
"Get out here now that you're awake!" Xiao Bai rolled his eyes, too exasperated to deal with the cheeky, chatterbox dragon. He recalled the five-colored blade.
"On it!"
The little golden dragon shot upward, leaping out of the cauldron. It hovered briefly in the courtyard, stretching its body. Feeling its once-depleted origin now restored, its spirits soared, and it let out a resonant dragon's roar.
___
Yun Lan Sect
"Sect Leader, forgive our offense!" Three Dou Wang elders bowed to Yun Yun, speaking softly.
Watching this, Yun Yun felt a pang of helplessness, torn by indecision.
To act against the sect's elders for this boy's sake was impossible as the Yun Lan Sect's leader. Yet doing so would surely alert her teacher, putting Xiao Yan in even greater peril.
But the boy's calm expression made it clear he wouldn't surrender without a fight. If she apprehended him herself, it would spark a conflict—how would she face that person then?
"Don't harm him!"
Glancing at the boy, whose face remained unruffled despite the three elders' approach, Yun Yun knew a confrontation was inevitable. Both sides needed to clash to reach a resolution. She gave a faint order and led Nalan Yanran away.
"Yes!" The three elders responded in unison, their mouths twitching bitterly. The Great Elder held real power, but the Sect Leader… she was a Dou Huang! Neither could be crossed. What were they to do?
Exchanging a glance, they nodded as if reaching a silent agreement. They spread out, encircling the boy in a triangular formation.
"Teacher…"
Nalan Yanran's face tightened, about to speak, but she faltered, unsure of what to say.
Though Yun Yun was the Sect Leader in name, the Elder Council was now under the Great Elder's control, backed by the Legacy Seal. Since the last sect meeting, her teacher had largely withdrawn from sect affairs. Speaking up now would only put Yun Yun in a difficult position.
With this thought, Nalan Yanran glanced back at the boy surrounded by the three Dou Wang elders. A flicker of worry crossed her eyes as she silently prayed for his safety.
"Young man, I don't know what gives you such confidence, but if things go south, remember—don't resist!" Yun Yun's voice transmitted secretly to Xiao Yan.
A trace of disappointment flashed in her beautiful eyes as she recalled her unanswered question.
If he's truly here, I hope he stays away from the Yun Lan Sect. His strange sealing technique may have tamed the Amethyst Winged Lion King, but against Teacher…
Yun Yun shook her head inwardly.
Hearing her voice in his ear, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered. He nodded silently, grateful. As the Yun Lan Sect's leader, she had already done much for him because of Brother Bai, especially given the sect's current state—she clearly had her own troubles.
"Wind-Fire-Wood Barrier!"
A unified shout snapped Xiao Yan back to attention. He scanned his surroundings.
The three elders stood with palms facing each other from a distance. Three distinct colors of Dou Qi surged forth, intertwining rapidly to form a triangular light membrane that enveloped him in an instant.
His face darkened, eyes fixed on the barrier. With a wave of his hand, a wisp of cyan flame shot out, adhering to the membrane. The searing heat caused it to tremble faintly.
But bolstered by the robust energy of Dou Wang powerhouses, the barrier held firm, the flame's effect minimal.
"Damn it, do I have to call on Teacher now?" Xiao Yan slammed a fist against the barrier, cursing under his breath at its unyielding strength.
Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to reveal Teacher's presence. That mysterious figure clearly unnerved even Yao Lao.
As the barrier began to contract, Xiao Yan closed his eyes, wrestling with hesitation.
Has he given up?
Seeing Xiao Yan close his eyes and cease struggling within the barrier, the three elders' brows lifted, a glimmer of relief in their eyes.
If he didn't resist, they could fulfill the Great Elder's orders while keeping their promise to the Sect Leader.
With a wave of their hands, the shrinking energy barrier accelerated.
At that moment, a chilling sensation swept through the plaza. Snowflakes, like shards of ice, drifted down from the sky, and the temperature plummeted.
"Be careful!!"
One elder's face twisted in alarm as a trace of blue-white frost appeared on the energy barrier, spreading into an ice-flower pattern. He shouted urgently.
The ice flowers multiplied rapidly, covering the entire membrane in moments, nearly reaching the elders' hands. The three Dou Wang elders, horrified, yanked their hands back, halting their Dou Qi infusion.
Inside the barrier, Xiao Yan, having steeled himself to summon Yao Lao, opened his eyes to a world of white. Blinking in confusion, he looked again.
Indeed, the barrier was pure white, tinged with a faint blue.
"Hai Bo Dong!!"
On the high platform, Yun Leng's smug grin froze. Seeing the elderly figure before the barrier, his face turned ashen.
"Hai Lao!"
Hearing Yun Leng's furious roar, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up with joy. He hadn't expected Hai Bo Dong to intervene at this moment.
"Heh, Yun Leng, who'd have thought the young elder who just joined the Yun Lan Sect's council back then would become the Chief Elder, practically ruling the roost? Quite the imposing figure!" Hai Bo Dong glanced at Yun Yun, seated impassively at the main position, his suspicions growing. He smirked faintly.
"Enough chatter. Are you protecting him?" Yun Leng waved a hand, his eyes dark with fury as he glared at Hai Bo Dong.
"No choice—someone entrusted me with this!" Hai Bo Dong spread his hands, feigning helplessness, a playful glint flickering in his eyes.
"This concerns the sect's honor. The Miteer Clan has always remained neutral. Think carefully—if you act, the Yun Lan Sect and the Miteer Clan…" Yun Leng's brows furrowed, his words trailing off, but the threat was clear to everyone present.
"Haha, Yun Leng, are you threatening me, Hai Bo Dong?" Hai Bo Dong laughed heartily, brimming with confidence. He casually slapped the frozen barrier behind him.
Crackle!
The sound of shattering ice rang out, and Xiao Yan's figure reappeared in the plaza.
Yun Leng's aged face darkened instantly. He knew Hai Bo Dong was declaring his stance—today, he was determined to protect Xiao Yan, even at the cost of offending the Yun Lan Sect!
"Thanks, Old Hai!" Xiao Yan stepped beside Hai Bo Dong, clasping his hands in gratitude.
"Sigh, who told this old man to promise that guy?" Hai Bo Dong nodded, glancing at Jia Xing Tian on the platform, his words pointed. "Unlike some people, dragging their feet over repaying a favor!"
"…" Jia Xing Tian.
This ice geezer's got a sharp tongue today. My relationship with Master Bai isn't as close as yours! The man's not even here—how am I supposed to repay anything?
Xiao Yan blinked, puzzled, not grasping the talk of favors.
"Hai Lao, can you get me out of here?"
Brushing it aside, Xiao Yan scanned the surroundings, his face grim. They were now encircled by over a hundred Yun Lan Sect members.
"Getting out myself is no issue, but taking you along is trickier. Even if Yun Yun doesn't act, this is the Yun Lan Sect's stronghold. Once their formation is set, even I'd have to tread carefully!"
As Hai Bo Dong spoke, Yun Leng's voice boomed from the platform: "Yun Lan Sect deacons and disciples, heed my command! Form the Yun Lan Mist Array and seal the plaza! Yun Li, you three, hold Hai Bo Dong!"
At his words, the hundred-plus deacons moved swiftly, spreading to various points around the plaza. With a unified shout, surges of robust Dou Qi erupted from their bodies.
Cloud-like energy, resembling inverted waterfalls, tangled in the air above the plaza, rapidly forming a massive, inverted bowl that sealed the entire area.
"Go!"
Seeing this, Hai Bo Dong grabbed Xiao Yan's shoulder, forcefully shoving aside the three approaching elders. With a wave of his hand, a ten-foot-long bolt of icy energy slammed into the newly formed energy dome.
Boom!
A loud crash echoed, the dome shuddering but holding firm.
"Damn turtle shell!" Hai Bo Dong's eyes sharpened, icy Dou Qi pouring out to form a mirror of ice before him, blocking the combined ferocious energy of the three elders.
"Watch yourself! I'll break this shell!" With a low warning, Hai Bo Dong sent Xiao Yan away with a deft push.
Landing on the plaza, Xiao Yan looked up at Hai Bo Dong, now entangled with the three elders, his fists clenching. A sudden whoosh of air came from behind, and he spun around.
Yun Leng, his face twisted in a sneer, was charging toward him. Xiao Yan's expression shifted, and he stomped the ground, retreating rapidly.
"Trying to run? Too late!" Yun Leng sneered, tapping his foot. Energy wings sprouted behind him, his speed surging. His withered, claw-like hand shot out like lightning, carrying a sharp gust as it aimed for Xiao Yan's neck.
"Teacher!" Nalan Yanran's face paled at the sight, turning urgently to Yun Yun, her voice sharp.
The three elders had been restrained by her teacher's orders, but Yun Leng, acting personally, wouldn't show such deference.
Yun Yun's face darkened, her eyes locked on Yun Leng. If he truly meant to kill, she was ready to intervene.
Acting now would surely alert her teacher, and in that scenario, even she couldn't guarantee Xiao Yan's safety.
Above the plaza, Hai Bo Dong caught the scene, his expression shifting slightly. Glancing at the ring on Xiao Yan's hand, he relaxed momentarily.
On the platform's edge, Jia Xing Tian's mind raced, torn over whether to act.
After a moment's hesitation, he decided he couldn't let the boy come to harm—not in his presence.
Though he hoped to escalate the conflict between the Yun Lan Sect and Master Bai, if Yun Leng killed Xiao Yan and he stood by, he'd likely earn Master Bai's grudge.
Recalling Medusa's unfathomable aura, Jia Xing Tian made his choice. Glancing at the empty seat nearby, he sighed softly, hoping Master Bai would remember this act and show the royal family some leniency in the future.
Boom!
Inside the ring, Yao Lao felt a touch of frustration. Twice he'd been about to act, only to be interrupted. Seeing Jia Xing Tian now before Xiao Yan, he wondered if this, too, was arranged by that kid.
"Jia Lao !"
Yun Leng's face twisted as he saw Jia Xing Tian blocking his path. Shock flashed in his eyes as he looked at Xiao Yan, disbelief etched on his face.
Why does it seem every major Dou Huang faction in the Jia Ma Empire—except the Yun Lan Sect—is protecting him? Even our own Dou Huang Sect Leader is shielding him!
Does this kid have some astonishing background I'm unaware of?
At the main seat, Yun Yun's lips parted slightly. The day's events were dizzying, one twist after another, leaving her struggling to keep up.
No wonder Xiao Yan showed no fear. With these two backing him, the Yun Lan Sect's overt forces are hardly enough!
"Great Elder Yun Leng, striking so ruthlessly—are you trying to kill?" Jia Xing Tian's tone was cryptic, his voice low.
"Old Jia, though there's friction between the Yun Lan Sect and the royal family, are you choosing today to tear off all pretenses?" Yun Leng's face turned cold, ignoring Jia Xing Tian's tone. He hadn't expected things to escalate this far.
This three-year wager felt like a conspiracy against the Yun Lan Sect. Are the Jia Ma Royal Family and the Miteer Clan joining forces to oppose us?
No, that couldn't be. Yun Yun's stance suggested she wouldn't betray the sect.
Yun Leng's mind clouded, unable to parse the day's events. Hai Bo Dong and Jia Xing Tian were acting strangely—both were cunning foxes who wouldn't lightly provoke the Yun Lan Sect without reason.
There must be a cause. What is it?
"Tear off pretenses? Not quite. I'm merely repaying a favor today!" Jia Xing Tian replied.
"Repaying a favor?" Yun Leng's eyes widened as he recalled Hai Bo Dong's "entrustment" and Jia Xing Tian's "favor." That person…
He spun around, staring at the empty seat by the plaza.
"Heh… haha!"
Yun Leng's shoulders shook, his laughter growing from a chuckle to a manic cackle. He finally realized what he'd overlooked—Master Bai!
This Yan Xiao, or rather Xiao Yan, was, according to reports, Master Bai's associate!
In his excitement over finding the Yun Lan Sect's wanted fugitive, and distracted by Yun Yun's actions, he'd nearly forgotten this crucial detail.
"Master Bai truly commands great influence. Without even showing his face, he has two Dou Huang powerhouses at his beck and call. Worthy of a sixth-tier alchemist!"
"But so what if he's sixth-tier? When it comes to the Yun Lan Sect's affairs, a mere sixth-tier alchemist is far from enough!"
"Since you've chosen to stand against us today, none of you… will… leave!"
"Oh? With just you?" Jia Xing Tian stood with hands behind his back, eyeing Yun Leng calmly.
"Heh, me? Of course not!" Yun Leng sneered, retrieving a cloud-white flute from his storage ring and raising it to his lips.
"Yun Leng, stop!!"
"Yun Leng, wait!"
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