Xiao Yan Takes Action and Defeats Ge Ye!

Nalan Yanran lay on the ground, a trace of blood still at the corner of her mouth.

Outside the hall, silence reigned.

Everyone stared blankly at the scene, unable to recover for a long while.

Xiao Zhan stood in the doorway, his eyes wide.

His hands trembled slightly—not from fear, but excitement.

Yan'er... had his strength recovered?

He had even defeated Nalan Yanran with a single palm strike.

Xiao Zhan was so overcome with excitement that his eyes reddened.

Three years.

Three whole years.

For three years, people had called his son a good-for-nothing.

Just as Xiao Zhan was about to step forward, the First Elder stopped him.

"Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan injured a disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect. We must give the Misty Cloud Sect an explanation for this," the First Elder said gravely.

"That's right. Nalan Yanran is the Sect Master's personal disciple. How could the Misty Cloud Sect let Xiao Yan get away with injuring her?" the Second Elder added.

"Make Xiao Yan apologize to Nalan Yanran," the Third Elder said.

At that, Xiao Zhan's expression changed.

"Elders, Nalan Yanran was the one who struck first," Xiao Zhan said.

"It doesn't matter who struck first. Xiao Yan injured someone, and that was wrong," the First Elder replied.

"The First Elder is right. We can't afford to offend the Misty Cloud Sect," the Second Elder said.

Xiao Zhan's expression darkened.

He knew the elders were telling the truth.

The Misty Cloud Sect was the largest sect in the Jia Ma Empire. The Xiao Clan couldn't afford to offend them.

But make Xiao Yan apologize?

No!

Ge Ye supported Nalan Yanran, his face ashen.

He looked at Xiao Yan, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Nalan Yanran was the Sect Master's personal disciple, yet someone had injured her in the Xiao Clan today.

As an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, how could he return without demanding an explanation? What would he say to the Sect Master?

"Xiao Yan, you've got some nerve," Ge Ye said coldly.

Xiao Yan looked at him without a word.

"Nalan Yanran is the personal disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect's Sect Master. Daring to lay a hand on her is a provocation against the Misty Cloud Sect," Ge Ye said.

Dou Qi surged through his body, and a powerful aura spread from him.

Xiao Zhan's expression changed.

He was a Da Dou Shi, so he could naturally sense the aura coming from Ge Ye.

"Elder, about this matter..." Xiao Zhan stepped forward, trying to speak.

"Clan Chief Xiao, this has nothing to do with you." Ge Ye cut him off. "Xiao Yan injured a disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect. I must demand an explanation."

"Xiao Yan is my son," Xiao Zhan said in a low voice.

"So what?" Ge Ye replied coldly. "Your son injured a disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect. As his father, you failed to raise him properly, and you can't escape blame either."

"You..." Xiao Zhan flew into a rage.

The First Elder hurriedly grabbed Xiao Zhan.

"Xiao Zhan, don't act rashly," the First Elder said. "Remember, we can't afford to offend the Misty Cloud Sect."

"The First Elder is right. Xiao Yan isn't worth it," the Second Elder added.

Xiao Zhan shook with anger.

These people kept claiming they were doing this for the Xiao Clan.

But had they ever once thought about how Xiao Yan felt?

Ge Ye ignored Xiao Zhan and walked toward Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan, I'll give you two choices," Ge Ye said. "First, kneel and apologize to Nalan Yanran. Then I'll let the matter go."

Xiao Yan looked at him, his expression blank.

"And the second?"

"Second, I'll break both your legs and make you apologize on your knees," Ge Ye said coldly.

Xiao Zhan's expression changed drastically. He was about to charge forward, but several elders held him back.

Just then, a voice rang out.

"Stop."

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a young woman step out of the crowd.

Xiao Xun'er.

She wore a pale green dress. Her features were delicate, and her bearing was cool and distant.

Xiao Xun'er walked in front of Xiao Yan and looked at Ge Ye.

"If you want to lay a hand on Brother Xiao Yan, you'll have to get past me first," Xiao Xun'er said.

Ge Ye frowned.

"Little girl, who are you?"

"Xiao Xun'er," she replied calmly.

Ge Ye looked at Xiao Xun'er, unconvinced.

A little girl thought she could stand in his way?

But just as he was about to speak, he suddenly noticed Xiao Xun'er's eyes.

Golden flames flickered within them.

Ge Ye's expression changed in an instant.

Well-traveled as he was, he recognized what they were.

Heavenly Flames—the most terrifying flames in the world.

How could a girl in her teens possess Heavenly Flames?

What was her background?

All kinds of guesses flashed through his mind.

There were only a handful of forces across the Dou Qi Continent capable of possessing Heavenly Flames.

Looking at Xiao Xun'er standing in front of him, Xiao Yan felt a little moved.

"Xun'er, step aside," Xiao Yan said.

Xiao Xun'er turned to look at him. "Brother Xiao Yan..."

"Don't worry," Xiao Yan said.

Xiao Xun'er studied his calm gaze. After a moment's hesitation, she stepped aside.

Xiao Yan walked forward and faced Ge Ye.

Just then, the system's voice rang out in his mind.

[System Quest: Help Xiao Yan humiliate and subdue Ge Ye, elder of the Misty Cloud Sect.]

Xiao Yan's heart stirred.

A quest had appeared.

[Host has accepted the quest.]

Xiao Yan looked at Ge Ye, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Elder, weren't you going to break my legs?" Xiao Yan said.

Ge Ye came to his senses and looked at Xiao Yan.

He suppressed his wariness toward Xiao Xun'er and focused his attention on Xiao Yan again.

Whatever the little girl's background, he had to teach Xiao Yan a lesson.

Otherwise, where would the Misty Cloud Sect's dignity be?

"Boy, since you're asking for death, I'll grant your wish," Ge Ye said coldly.

He blurred forward, rushing toward Xiao Yan.

He struck with a palm, Dou Qi gathering in it as he aimed for Xiao Yan's chest.

Xiao Zhan's expression changed drastically.

"Yan'er, watch out!"

Xiao Xun'er clenched her fists too.

But the next moment, everyone froze.

Xiao Yan stood where he was without moving an inch.

He merely raised a hand and casually waved it.

"Bang."

A muffled thud rang out.

Ge Ye's body flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground.

A mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth.

Outside the hall, silence fell once more.

Everyone's eyes widened as they stared at the scene in disbelief.

What kind of strength did Ge Ye possess?

Xiao Yan had sent him flying with a casual wave?

How was that possible?

Xiao Zhan stared at his son, his eyes filled with shock.

Just how strong was Xiao Yan?

He could understand Xiao Yan defeating Nalan Yanran with one palm strike.

But Ge Ye was a Da Dou Shi.

An opponent even he wasn't confident he could defeat.

And Xiao Yan had taken him down with a casual wave?

Nalan Yanran sat on the ground, staring at Xiao Yan in shock.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Elder Ge Ye was a powerful Da Dou Shi.

Xiao Yan had defeated him with a single palm strike?

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

Xiao Yan lowered his hand, his expression unchanged.

The system's voice rang out in his mind once more.

[Host completed the quest: Help Xiao Yan humiliate and subdue Ge Ye, elder of the Misty Cloud Sect.]

[Reward granted.]

[Reward: Experience and proficiency as a fourth-grade alchemist.]

A vast flood of information poured into his mind.

Identifying medicinal ingredients, controlling flames, memorizing pill recipes, refining pills.

The experience and techniques of countless alchemists flooded Xiao Yan's mind.

Xiao Yan closed his eyes and absorbed the information.

A moment later, he opened them.

A fourth-grade alchemist.

The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth lifted slightly!