Public Execution, Straight to Mo Manor!

A blazing golden fire wave roared forward, crashing toward Mo Linglin with unstoppable momentum!

Where the fire wave passed, the air sizzled and twisted, a pungent, scorching smell spreading thickly.

Mo Linglin's eyes flew wide in terror, all color draining from her face.

Fear locked her jaw, leaving her mouth open but voiceless.

In that split second between life and death, a cyan Dou Qi barrier erupted from the ground!

Light flickered, runes swirled, and the fire wave slammed to a halt outside it.

A figure appeared like a ghost, standing before Mo Linglin.

He wore the robes of the Misty Cloud Sect, his expression taut.

His brows were knit tight, beads of sweat rolling down to soak his collar.

Xiao Yan had intended for her to die in agony, so this strike used only a sliver of his strength.

Yet it still pressed Elder Ge Ye, a peak Da Dou Shi, with immense pressure.

He flipped his sleeve back sharply, the Misty Cloud Sect emblem glinting coldly under the moonlight:

"Hold, sir!"

His voice trembled.

At the same time, he frantically poured his peak Da Dou Shi Dou Qi into the barrier, speaking urgently:

"This girl is the descendant of an old friend of mine."

"Could you, for the sake of the Misty Cloud Sect, spare her life?"

"I am willing to offer compensation."

Cold sweat drenched Elder Ge Ye's back. That move just now—

The masked man before him had clearly not used his full strength.

And he himself couldn't see through even a shred of the man's cultivation!

The man was likely a high-level Dou Ling, or even a Dou King!

At this moment, he could only pin his hopes on the Misty Cloud Sect's name and compensation.

Maybe they could save Mo Linglin.

But the moment Elder Ge Ye's words left his mouth, before Xiao Yan could even respond—

"Grandpa Ge!"

Mo Linglin shrieked abruptly, her voice sharp and piercing.

Elder Ge Ye's heart instantly went cold!

She frantically tugged at Elder Ge Ye's sleeve, her gaze at Xiao Yan venomous and arrogant:

"You're an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, noble and honored!"

"And he's just a commoner with a bit of strength."

"Why waste words on him?"

Mo Linglin had been spoiled since childhood, running wild on the strength of the Mo Family's ties to the Misty Cloud Sect.

Her cultivation talent was decent too, earning her important nurturing.

Now, with Elder Ge Ye backing her, she naturally couldn't stomach such humiliation.

The Jade Hairpin glowed faintly as she looked at Xiao Yan, her tone dripping with haughtiness:

"You lowly thing, daring to act out on my Mo Family's turf."

"My Mo Family stands with the Misty Cloud Sect. If you know what's good for you, you'd better—"

"Noisy."

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.

Just a waste lost in her own little world, blind to reality.

And she dared to yap before him?

He raised a finger and flicked lightly!

A molten golden flame, like a nimble fire serpent, pierced through the barrier in an instant!

A flash of red light, and the flame shot toward Mo Linglin!

"Boom!"

A dull, heavy blast exploded behind him!

Warm liquid splattered across Elder Ge Ye's face, a wet sensation spreading over his skin.

Elder Ge Ye's body stiffened as he slowly turned around:

A thick, coppery stench of blood filled the air, seeping into his nostrils.

Mo Linglin's head exploded, red and white matter splattering onto the Misty Cloud Sect emblem.

Xiao Yan, masked and cold-faced, strode forward with steady steps.

He ignored Elder Ge Ye, who trembled in terror beside him.

And left only a faint remark:

"The mere Misty Cloud Sect dares to ask me for face?"

Yan City center:

"Sizzle!"

The sprawling Mo Manor dominated the city center, its gates festooned with lanterns and bunting:

The Mo Family was hosting the Great Elder's birthday banquet!

"Boom!"

Crimson flames surged like a tidal wave, the Mo Manor's vermilion gates reduced to ash in the Kirin Devouring Heaven Flame!

Choking dust billowed as the fire licked at the doors with a crackling roar!

"An enemy... ah!"

Inside, twelve Dou Masters raised their weapons to resist.

But they couldn't even muster their Dou Qi in time.

And were instantly devoured by the flames!

Screams drifted away, bodies twisting and turning to charcoal in a flash.

The acrid stench of burning spread. Kicking aside two charred lumps before him.

Xiao Yan's expression remained calm. He hadn't used the Strange Fire to burn them to ash.

Just to charred remains—at least leaving them a corpse.

He had already been merciful enough.

The guards behind saw this and stopped dead, scattering in perfect unison.

Pale-faced, they cursed:

"Damn, the Mo Family picked the wrong bastard this time."

A nearby guard's legs went weak as he chimed in:

"Let's bolt. A few silver a month ain't worth dying for."

The other Mo Family disciples fled like startled birds.

Xiao Yan stepped onto Flowing Fire, entering the main hall, the Heavy Black Ruler carving a ten-zhang trench behind him.

"Mo Cheng, you old dog, get the hell out here!"

His voice echoed, rattling eardrums and shaking dust from the walls.

On the main seat, Mo Cheng leaned on his serpent-headed staff.

His face dark, he fixed his sinister gaze on Xiao Yan entering the hall:

To have someone barge in during his birthday banquet and curse him out.

By his temper, he should have lashed out already.

But now, besides rage, a sliver of unease stirred within him.

He couldn't see through this man's cultivation.

The Dou Ling Pressure radiated, making the beams groan.

"You, sir, kill my guards and storm my manor on Mo Family grounds for no reason!"

"What is the meaning of this?!"

Mo Cheng roared furiously, his voice laced with cultivation pressure shaking the surroundings:

"Do you take my Mo Family for clay to be molded?!"

The Mo Family elders rose around him, in their ornate robes and crowns.

They all turned to the doorway, cold killing intent in their eyes fixed on Xiao Yan.

The black-robed elder on the right crossed his arms:

"Daring to run wild in the Mo Family, don't you see your..."

"Boom!!"

His words cut off.

Ten-zhang golden Fire Wings unfurled, light flooding the hall!

The Dou Wang Pressure descended like Mount Tai, like heavy water drowning the world.

A crushing pressure blanketed the entire hall in an instant!

Everyone was frozen in place.

Arrogance and bluster were shattered on the spot.

Scorching heat ignited tables and chairs, turning the main hall into a sea of flames, with thick smoke and firelight roaring skyward.

The overwhelming pressure forced their bodies to sink slowly downward.

All pride evaporated, leaving only fear flooding their hearts:

"A D-Dou King?!"

"Please, sir, hold on—may we ask your purpose here?"

A Mo Family elder, legs trembling, stammered out:

"There must be some misunderstanding!"

"We can certainly settle this peacefully."

Their arrogant demeanor vanished without a trace.

In its place came amiability, even groveling:

This was a Dou King!

If this man wanted them dead, in less than half an hour, everyone in the hall would be headless corpses!

Power crumbled before true strength!

Xiao Yan's face was icy, his gaze sweeping over them like a blade.

He spoke softly:

"You have ten breaths to bring Qing Lin here unharmed."

Mo Cheng's eyes went dull, his expression darkening.

That little girl—he'd gone through immense trouble to capture her.

Her constitution was uniquely powerful, unlike anything he'd ever seen!

If he could transplant her eyes, he might ascend a level and reach the Dou King realm!

This was tied to his future path, even his lifespan—how could he give it up so easily?

He forced a fake smile and replied in a gentle tone:

"Sir, you must be mistaken. We've never seen a Qing Lin."

Xiao Yan's face darkened, but he let out a light laugh, killing intent spreading:

"Then there's no reason for you to exist."

"Wait—I'm an outer sect steward of the Misty Cloud Sect!"

Frost spread along the serpent-headed staff, Mo Cheng's hair and beard bristling:

"Even if you're a Dou King, the Misty Cloud Sect—"

"The Misty Cloud Sect? What's that supposed to be?"

Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with disdain. He flared his wings and tore off the roof.

A cyan lotus phantom bloomed in his palm!

The Wave Splitting Flame Ruler, wrapped in fury, came crashing down!

"Just a dog of the Misty Cloud Sect."

"Xiao Yan's specialty? Beating dogs!"