A Dilemma

Hai Bodong's ice wings vibrated, accompanied by a piercing shriek that tore through the air, moving at an extremely high speed.

No matter how fast he increased his speed, he felt that Xiao Yan, who was half a body length ahead of him, was an existence that was unattainable for him.

Seeing the faintly visible gray gale carrying a sharp, murderous aura around Xiao Yan, Hai Bodong was slightly taken aback.

He didn't recognize the origin of this Void Gale — Wind Lightning Power Zi Yan had summoned for Xiao Yan when he cultivated the Three Thousand Lightning Movement, and the wind in it was this Void Gale.

Void Gale and Void Thunder are natural forces that only exist in the Void Realm. Dou Huang expert with decent strength can easily handle one or two gales or lightning.

However, if they were gathered together, their power would be so great that even Dou Zong expert would risk perishing.

Xiao Yan has now condensed the gale-force wind and thunder he has drawn into his body into a wind and Wind Lightning Seed. Since the Three Thousand Lightning Movement can be driven by the so-called Wind Lightning Power, then the many Wind-Attribute Techniques of the Misty Cloud Sect can naturally also be driven by the gale-force wind within the Wind Lightning Seed.

This can be considered one of Xiao Yan's clever little ideas.

Just because something is theoretically feasible doesn't mean it can actually be done.

Fortunately, his talent was indeed formidable, and he actually managed to come up with some ideas.

However, the Wind Lightning Power within the Wind Lightning Seed is limited. It's fine for using movement techniques and Dou Technique, but if used against an enemy, it would likely be exhausted after only a few moves. Ultimately, it's not as convenient as Dou Qi.

However, it's not a big problem. Since the Heavenly Flames can grow larger by absorbing energy, the Wind Lightning Seed can naturally grow stronger by being infused with a large amount of Wind Lightning Power.

However, this matter will probably only be possible when I go to Dragon Island with Zi Yan in the future, so there's no need to rush it. For now, using it to boost my speed is just enough.

What Hai Bodong noticed was the traces of Misty Cloud Sect Movement Dou Skill on Xiao Yan's body.

Although he already knew that Yun Yun was Xiao Yan's teacher, Hai Bodong was still somewhat stunned to see that Xiao Yan, with his foundation in Fire Attribute Dou Qi, had mastered the Dou Technique of the Misty Cloud Sect so skillfully.

He was a veteran in cultivating Dou Qi, so he naturally understood how difficult it would be to cultivate different Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills with different levels of Dou Qi foundation.

Xiao Yan's current performance has truly surprised him.

He had tried practicing Dou Technique of other attributes back then, but he gave up after a short time.

Because once Dou Technique reaches the Mystic Tier, even with his Dou Emperor strength, it will be extremely difficult to cultivate. Either the effect after cultivation will be extremely poor, or it will be impossible to cultivate at all.

In fact, as a large family that has existed for many years, some of these things are recorded in the family's historical records.

With the strength of Dou Huang expert, the highest level of Dou Technique they can usually master is the Earth Tier. They simply cannot use Heaven Tier Rank Dou Technique, because even if Dou Huang expert drains Dou Qi, they still cannot use those techniques.

I can't even touch the threshold!

If Dou Technique is replaced with an attribute that is not compatible with or even contradicts one's own Dou Qi attribute, then the difficulty of cultivation will increase and the power will decrease.

The exact reason is unclear, but something like this happened.

That's why Hai Bodong was so surprised by Xiao Yan's performance.

In his view, Xiao Yan's unique battle technique from the Misty Cloud Sect, which allowed him to communicate with wind-elemental energy and accelerate his flight speed, was no less effective than the Dou Technique used by Yun Shan, whose strength had already reached the Peak Dou Emperor!

How is that possible?

This kid clearly has Fire Attribute Dou Qi!

Speaking of which, this silvery-gray energy is somewhat similar to wind-elemental energy, only much stronger in terms of offensive power...

Just as Hai Bodong was lost in thought, Xiao Yan suddenly stopped.

For beneath their feet stood towering city walls, pavilions, and a magnificent Imperial Palace.

Since they made no attempt to conceal their whereabouts or identities, their Dou Emperor- level auras were clearly revealed.

Therefore, as soon as their figures appeared above the Jia Ma Imperial Family, chaos broke out on the city walls below. However, given the strength of their opponents, they posed no threat to Xiao Yan and his companion.

Sensing the two undisguised auras of Dou Emperor flying towards the Jia Ma Imperial Family —one icy and chilling, the other blazing like fire— Jia Xingtian could no longer sit still. He immediately Dou Qi Transformation Wings and flew to the air not far in front of the two.

Hai Bodong's aura was familiar to Jia Xingtian.

However, the young Dou Emperor, who was slightly ahead of Hai Bodong by half a body length and dressed in a magnificent purple robe, made Jia Xingtian's expression slightly tense.

Although this person's aura was only at the peak of the Two-Star Dou Emperor, the blazing aura carried a terrifying sense of destruction, making Jia Xingtian somewhat wary.

His intuition told him that this young Dou Emperor was not to be trifled with!

And this outfit looks similar to the style of clothing often worn by Queen Medusa of the Snake-Person Tribe, the only difference being that one is a men's style and the other is a women's style.

So, this person is from the Snake-Person Tribe?

But he didn't have the aura of Snake-People; he looked like a pure-blooded human.

But seeing that the two men were up to no good, Jia Xingtian decided to take the initiative.

"Hai Bodong, what is the meaning of this?" Jia Xingtian's voice was deep and filled with vigilance. "Bringing an unfamiliar Dou Emperor directly into the skies above my Jia Ma Imperial Family territory, do you intend to start a war with my Jia Ma Imperial Family?"

Having said that, his gaze lingered on Xiao Yan's magnificent Purple Gold Python-Patterned Robe, his brows furrowing.

"And this friend, his attire... could he be from the Snake-Person Tribe?"

Hai Bodong snorted coldly, about to speak, but was stopped by Xiao Yan raising his hand.

Xiao Yan took a step forward and stood in mid-air. His purple robe fluttered in the wind, and the serpentine totem outlined in gold thread under the sunlight seemed to come alive, radiating a faint luster.

He looked directly at Jia Xingtian and said calmly:

"Elder Jia, I have long admired your name. I am Xiao Yan, Prince Consort of the Snake-Person Tribe, representing Her Majesty the Medusa and the entire Snake-Person Tribe, here to conduct formal negotiations with the Jia Ma Imperial Family."

"The Snake-Person Tribe Prince Consort? Xiao Yan?"

Jia Xingtian's pupils suddenly contracted.

Of course he had heard of this name. Hai Bodong had been exaggerating Xiao Yan's abilities these past few days, practically praising him as a future Dou Emperor powerhouse who would dominate the Dou Qi Continent for eternity.

Therefore, he had investigated Xiao Yan and concluded that Xiao Yan was indeed a young genius with exceptional talent. However, the intelligence indicated that just a few months ago, this young man was only Dou Wang expert. Yet today, having witnessed this extraordinaryly talented young man firsthand, he discovered that he was already Dou Huang expert?

How could that be!?

He broke through to the Dou Huang Realm, but he spent several years honing his skills at the Peak Dou King before finally finding an opportunity and breaking through by chance.

But what about Xiao Yan?

He's said to be only fourteen years old this year!

Even more outrageous is that just four years ago, this young man had only just advanced to the Dou Zhe level!

If all of this is true, then based on reasonable calculations, I'm afraid I won't be able to deal with Xiao Yan for at most a year.

Jia Xingtian thought about this, his expression became somewhat uncertain.

He originally thought that with his Peak Dou Emperor strength, he didn't need to pay attention to that Dou Wang was cultivating at an extremely fast pace.

Who knows, by the time Xiao Yan reaches the Peak Dou Emperor, he might have already broken through to the Dou Zong realm!

After all, he had also been immersed in the Peak Dou Emperor for many years, and when he fought Queen Medusa, he also retreated unscathed, so he naturally had a sense of pride in his strength.

Moreover, with his cultivation progressing so rapidly, who can guarantee that Xiao Yan's foundation won't be compromised?

Perhaps it's because he overdraws his future talent that he has such a rapid rate of improvement.

It wasn't that Jia Xingtian was deceiving himself; in fact, looking at the history of the Jia Ma Empire, the most talented person was none other than Yun Potian Misty Cloud Sect, who founded the Yunlan Sect and was quite famous in the Central Plains.

However, Yun Potian broke through to the Dou Emperor when he was already in his twenties.

What about Xiao Yan?

He was just a junior member of the Xiao Family in Wutan City.

To be honest, his grandfather was merely a member of the Jia Ma Imperial Family, and now the grandson of one of those ministers claims he wants to command the various forces of the Jia Ma Empire, including the Jia Ma Imperial Family...

This was something the Jia Ma Imperial Family found hard to accept.

It would be a loss of face!

Moreover, putting all that aside, even if Xiao Yan were now a White Fang Dou Emperor, it would be unreasonable for him to expect the Jia Ma Imperial Family to serve him with just a few words.

Not to mention that this young man, being human, has transformed himself into Prince Consort of the Snake-Person Tribe and even represented the Snake-Person Tribe in negotiations with the Jia Ma Imperial Family.

Who are the Snake-Person Tribe?

They are all uncouth and have long coveted the territory of the Jia Ma Empire. If they are allowed to enter the empire, what if they rebel one day? How could the Jia Ma Imperial Family possibly maintain their rule?

He's an absolute traitor!

Of course, Jia Xingtian wouldn't dare say this directly.

After all, he could handle Hai Bodong on his own, but if Xiao Yan, whose background was unknown, were added to the mix, the outcome would be hard to predict.

Although he suspected that Xiao Yan's foundation was unstable, even if it was unstable, he was still a Dou Huang Realm expert and Prince Consort of the Snake-Person Tribe, so he might possess the Dou Technique of the Snake-Person Tribe!

It should be noted that the Dou Technique of the Snake-Person Tribe are unique and have their own mysteries. Anyone who has mastered them to a certain extent will have formidable combat power. While they may not be invincible among their peers, they are certainly strong enough to easily suppress a number of other experts of the same level.

With a thousand thoughts Jia Xingtian in his mind, Xiao Yan, it would be very difficult for him to succeed.

Thinking about this, he felt a little heavy-hearted.

If that Deep Sea Flood Dragon were still able to fight, there might still be some chance for things to turn around today.

But this was clearly wishful thinking on his part.

"I am here on behalf of Her Majesty the Medusa to negotiate. At the same time, I, Xiao Yan, am also here on my own behalf to do business with the Jia Ma Imperial Family. The general details of the business should have been explained by Elder Hai Elder Jia in the past few days, so I will not go into details. I will just state my position: I will take the lead in this business. The Jia Ma Imperial Family may choose not to participate, but they cannot obstruct it."

As Prince Consort, I will naturally restrain the Snake-Person Tribe and choose a habitat for the Snake-Person Tribe in the Monster Mountain Range near Wutan City, so as not to affect the normal lives of the citizens of the Jia Ma Empire.

Of course, I will not allow anyone within the Jia Ma Empire to lay a hand on the Snake-Person Tribe, otherwise I will exterminate their entire race."

Xiao Yan didn't bother to care what the old man was thinking and spoke directly. His voice, amplified by his Dou Qi, almost resounded throughout the entire Imperial Capital. The information revealed in his words shocked many people.

Within the Nalan Mansion and Mu families, the heads of the two households quickly deduced some key information after a moment's thought.

The speaker appeared to be Prince Consort of the Snake-Person Tribe. Although they didn't know where the Snake-Person Tribe Prince Consort, they were quite certain that since it was the Medusa's decree, the Snake-Person Tribe were indeed about to make a big move.

Both families have influence in the military, so the unusual activities of the Snake-Person Tribe these days have naturally reached them, but they haven't yet figured out the reason.

Unlike Mu Chen, the head of the Mu Family, who was wondering who Xiao Yan was, Nalan Jie and Nalan Su were completely dumbfounded.

Xiao Yan?

That was originally the future son-in-law of the Nalan Family, and he even saved the old master's life. He was a great benefactor of the Nalan Family!

Although they knew that Xiao Yan planned to expand the power of the Jia Ma Empire with the Nalan Family, they still felt a little dissatisfied with Xiao Yan because Nalan Yanran Xiao Yan the initiative to break off the engagement and Xiao Yan was engaged to Ya Fei, the young Clan Chief of the Mittel Family. However, they also knew that they should definitely stand on Xiao Yan's side in this matter.

After all, judging from Nalan Yanran's appearance, although she said she was breaking off the engagement, it was clearly a strategic retreat, and she seemed determined to marry no one but Xiao Yan in this lifetime.

The future of the Nalan Family rests on Nalan Yanran. Since Nalan Yanran has made up her mind, they, as elders, can only help their child.

The question is, when exactly did Xiao Yan end up with that ferocious Queen Medusa?

He even became Prince Consort of the Snake-Person Tribe?

Moreover, judging from that terrifying aura, it has actually reached the realm of Dou Huang expert!

After just three short years apart, Nalan Jie was completely numb.

His own granddaughter had just entered the Gate of Life and Death, and wasn't even Dou Wang yet, while Xiao Yan had already become Dou Emperor.

With the gap in their abilities widening, the chances of them getting back together are becoming increasingly slim, which is truly a headache!

"Forget it, I'll go and see for myself."

After a moment's hesitation, Nalan Jie decided to go and help out his beloved son-in-law.

The fact that the Xiao Family had recently established a residence in the Imperial Capital was, of course, no secret from the Nalan Family.

But after learning that it was the Mittel Family's doing, they felt a mix of emotions.

It's unclear whether they forgot due to lack of contact or simply didn't remember the Xiao Family at all. In any case, even though Xiao Yan had done Nalan Jie a great favor back then, the Nalan Family still had little interaction with the Xiao Family. Now that the Xiao Family has returned to the Imperial Capital, they were completely unaware of it beforehand...

Therefore, when Nalan Su brought some gifts to celebrate the Xiao Family's housewarming not long ago, the Xiao Family members were extremely distant.

They were well aware that if it weren't for Xiao Yan, the Xiao Family would not have been able to obtain the help of the Mittel Family, and the Nalan Family would not have taken the initiative to send congratulatory gifts.

Xiao Zhan and Nalan Su actually had a fairly good relationship back then.

After all, the two grandfathers had known each other for many years, and the two of them had naturally grown up together.

Unfortunately, after so many years, things have changed and people are no longer the same.

The Nalan Family has already lost the chance to make amends; some things can never be the same again.

Meanwhile, Mu Chen naturally had the same idea. He also remembered why the name Xiao Yan sounded familiar.

Isn't this the young genius, the resourceful and ambitious son-in-law that the Mittel Family was talking about, the one they snatched away from the Nalan Family?

This trip wasn't just to see who Xiao Yan really was, that he could win over all the old foxes in the Mittel Family.

They were also eager to see how the Mittel Family and the Nalan Family would behave when they gathered together because of Xiao Yan.

Hehe, I'm getting excited just thinking about it!