The army is about to press the border?

He could perhaps hole up within the barrier and never come out, but the people of the Jia Ma Empire... of course, he didn't care much about them, but he couldn't simply sever ties with his group of disciples. The only one who could truly remain indifferent would be Zi Yan.

For a moment, Zhang Nian was overcome with a flood of emotions, his thoughts surging in his heart. Though his face remained expressionless, his worried heart was written clearly in his eyes.

Protector Wu saw this scene and didn't know what to say. Would the Soul Hall avenge him? Forget it; the guy in front of him was a tough nut to crack when he got ruthless, and he didn't want to suffer any more.

"That's right, I came specifically for this Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. The power and color of the flame are correct. I believe the branch hall master has already left this place, so even if you wanted to chase him, you might not be able to catch up. The people of the Soul Hall are most skilled at hiding and fleeing. I believe his next step will be to return to the Central Plains, and you..."

Right... Protector Wu shut his mouth...

It was only because the man before him was looking at him with a terrifying gaze—a look that was infinitely close to death yet playful. He had seen such a look countless times; it had even appeared in his own eyes before. He couldn't help but shudder, and as that hair-raising smile appeared, a cold voice echoed in his ears:

"Oh? Are you threatening me?"

As soon as the words fell, the burning sensation that had seemed to subside surged through his entire body once more. Fear and pain from the depths of his soul enveloped him. At this moment, he didn't even want to scream; it was meaningless. He simply looked at the sky in despair, his silence serving as his stance.

Perhaps he was bored of playing, or perhaps it was the sense of urgency in his heart, but Zhang Nian waved his hand. The Nanming Li Fire erupted with the formidable power it was meant to possess. The white flames were like a beast devouring everything, releasing its most primitive and wild energy.

In the blink of an eye, before Protector Wu could even manage to scream in pain, he completely vanished from before Zhang Nian's eyes, his expression frozen in shock. He turned to dust, and as a breeze blew past, he disappeared from the world.

The ripples caused by the barrier also tugged at the heartstrings of certain interested parties in the Jia Ma Empire. Everyone knew the power of this barrier. On the very day the Qinglian Saint arrived, the Jia Ma Empire had issued a nationwide no-entry order. They believed no one would be blind enough to provoke such a great god, so this unusual fluctuation could only mean one thing: an outsider had broken in, and it might even be an enemy of the Qinglian Saint...

Before long, several figures flew through the sky. A closer look revealed they were all acquaintances. It was a coincidence; had they arrived a step earlier, they would have witnessed the spectacular scene of Zhang Nian waving his hand to incinerate someone.

"Yun Shan, Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, pays respects to the Qinglian Saint!"

"Jia Xingtian of the Jia Ma Empire pays respects to the Qinglian Saint!"

"Hai Bodong of the Mite'er Family pays respects to the Qinglian Saint!"

The three bowed and offered their salutes, their faces etched with their own hidden concerns. Zhang Nian knew exactly what they were thinking, so he waved his hand and said, "It is nothing, merely a few clowns. A mere Dou Ancestor wanted to covet the Heavenly Flame in my hand."

Hearing the first half of Zhang Nian's words, the three breathed a slight sigh of relief. A mere Dou Ancestor didn't require such a grand display. Just as they were about to salute and leave, they heard the second half of Zhang Nian's chilling words.

"However, the faction behind this guy is not easy to deal with. While I do not fear them, as for you lot... it would be a matter of a wave of the hand for them..."

After a moment of thought, Zhang Nian set a test for the three. It is said that distance tests a horse's strength, and time reveals a person's heart. Although they had spent little time together and the few had shown him nothing but flattery, a loyal subject does not serve two masters. Zhang Nian did not want his side to be filled with bloodsuckers and turncoats, so he decided to test them slightly.

Sure enough, all three revealed contemplative expressions. If an existence that even a Dou Sheng found troublesome was, as Zhang Nian said, backed by a faction that also possessed Dou Sheng experts, then... wouldn't the Jia Ma Empire be in great danger?

Jia Xingtian couldn't help but recall a conversation he once had with Yao Qi in a private room, where the other party's words revealed deep sorrow. Now, it had all come true. Only a few days had passed, and trouble had come knocking on their door. Perhaps Zhang Nian could just walk away, but how could the Jia Ma Empire withstand the other party's thunderous rage? His heart was filled with grief... but such things could only be blamed on the unfairness of fate. No one could afford to offend them; it was a very realistic problem.

Yun Shan, on the other hand, was very sharp. Although he couldn't see through Zhang Nian's intentions, in his eyes, a Dou Sheng was a favorite of the heavens. How could someone who fell so easily have reached such a realm? He immediately expressed his stance, bowing and cupping his hands toward Zhang Nian:

"I ask that the Saint take good care of Yun Yun. My Misty Cloud Sect will naturally be at the Saint's beck and call."

Hearing this, the corners of Zhang Nian's mouth curled slightly into a faint smile, and he shook his head. A person like Yun Shan could be a subordinate but could not be trusted with important matters. He then looked at Hai Bodong. Zhang Nian had expectations for this man; his performance in the original story was commendable, and his bond with Xiao Yan and his attitude during times of crisis proved his character.

Hai Bodong merely gave a bitter smile, then, like Yun Shan, cupped his hands and said, "The Mite'er Family is but a small household, but we have backbone. If the Saint does not mind, I can represent the Mite'er Family today and pledge my allegiance to you."

Hai Bodong's decisiveness left the other two present in astonishment. This was a family with a history of over a hundred years; he was just giving it away? And at a time like this?

But Hai Bodong knew clearly that he had no choice. Pledging allegiance today might earn him a shred of protection from Zhang Nian when the armies eventually pressed down. Perhaps the Mite'er Family wouldn't be preserved, but at least a trace of their bloodline would survive, leaving a root.

This was the gap between Hai Bodong and the likes of Yun Shan and Jia Xingtian. Yun Shan couldn't let go of the sect's prestige, and Jia Xingtian couldn't abandon the empire's power, nor could he represent Yao Qi to issue orders, thus missing the opportunity.

Jia Xingtian remained silent, and Zhang Nian didn't deliberately make things difficult for him. He shook his head and waved at the three, "Very well, this matter started because of me, so I will naturally see it through to the end. However, from today on, the Mite'er Family is under my command. I will not interfere with your operations, but remember to send two cooks over and provide me with food regularly."

Hearing this, even the dullest person understood. Compared to Hai Bodong's overjoyed expression, the other two looked somewhat dejected. That was the meaning of being a step behind; opportunities only come once, and once missed, they can never be regained.

Hai Bodong nodded and said, "Yes, I will strictly follow the Saint's instructions. I will return and have someone sent to you immediately."

This was also a little scheme of Zhang Nian's. Aside from giving out techniques and pills, the best way to improve favorability was to sit together and eat like a family. Once familiar, they could talk at the dinner table, and it would also help ease the relationships between his four disciples while making it convenient for him to spur them on in their cultivation at all times.