The Ten Strongest Experts of the Jia Ma Empire!

"Young Master Yan, tell me, as long as you can save my father, our Nalan Clan will agree to a hundred conditions. My poor father, he is truly too..."

Nalan Ruo looked at Xiao Yan, his expression one of pleasant surprise.

"Er..." Nalan Ruo looked up and met the disgusted and helpless gazes of Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan. He finally decided to swallow the rest of his words, obediently listening to the conditions Xiao Yan was about to propose.

"First, I want the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva. As you can see, I am an alchemist, and the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva is a secret treasure for nourishing the soul. I need it to nourish my own," Xiao Yan said.

"Fine. Our Nalan Clan has no use for the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva at the moment, and it would be excellent if it could help Young Master Yan," Nalan Ruo agreed without a second thought.

"Secondly, you must keep this trip of mine a secret. I do not wish for others to know that I possess a Heavenly Flame," Xiao Yan continued.

"Agreed."

"And this third one?"

Xiao Yan paused slightly, then spoke under Nalan Ruo's expectant gaze.

"I want to annul the engagement."

"Fine. Er, no, no! Didn't we agree not to bring this up? Why must you still insist on annulling the engagement?"

Nalan Ruo was almost driven to a nervous breakdown by Xiao Yan, looking at him with a pitiful expression.

Xiao Zhan watched Xiao Yan, who was secretly chuckling, and knew that this brat was definitely up to his old tricks again.

"Yan'er, the marriage between you and Miss Nalan was decided by your grandfather and Old Master Nalan themselves while they were still alive. Do not mess around."

"Hmph, you have no sense of humor at all."

After hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Xiao Yan glanced at Nalan Ruo.

Nalan Ruo gave a bitter smile and stepped forward. "Then, when will Young Master Yan accompany me back to the Imperial Capital? My father's condition is very poor."

"Uncle Nalan can return to the Imperial Capital first and bring this good news back to Old Master Nalan. I will set out in three days, first heading to Black Rock City, and then taking a flying magical beast to the Imperial Capital," Xiao Yan thought for a moment and said.

"Very well, I shall await Young Master Yan at the Nalan Clan in the Imperial Capital seven days from now."

Having said this, Nalan Ruo rose to take his leave, hurrying off without a moment's delay. It seemed Nalan Jie's condition was truly dire.

"Father, that Xu Yi is a fourth-tier alchemist, a man of status and face. I didn't expect he would have the nerve to spread his own shameful deeds," Xiao Yan said, speechless.

"Haha, if that coward were a man of status and face, he wouldn't have specifically come from the Imperial Capital to our Wutan City to rob us," Xiao Zhan laughed heartily.

"I originally intended to keep the news of Lord Shan's breakthrough quiet for now, but it is just as well that it has spread. Once the Nalan Clan knows, the other great families in the Imperial Capital will likely know as well. I presume that once they know the Xiao Clan has a Dou King expert guarding it, it will deter some of the petty villains."

"Yan'er, have you truly decided to go to the Imperial Capital?" Xiao Zhan asked.

"Yes, Father. The Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva is very important to me; I must obtain it," Xiao Yan nodded slightly.

"That is fine. Ever since your grandfather Xiao Lin passed away from illness, our Xiao Clan's interactions with the Nalan Clan have become very sparse. It is good to go and pay a visit. Hehe, and while you are at it, go and see Miss Nalan. You two haven't seen each other once since you were born," Xiao Zhan teased.

"Hmph, what is there to see in a five-year-old brat?"

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at Xiao Zhan, automatically filtering out that sentence.

"Take Xiao Zhen with you when you go. With his strength as a seven-star Dou Ling, he will be more than enough to serve as your bodyguard. Remember, do not tarnish the prestige of our Xiao Clan."

"Understood, Father."

"The Imperial Capital, I have looked forward to this for a long time. It is time to go and see it."

Xiao Yan said with anticipation.

"However, for this trip to the Imperial Capital, you need to understand the many experts and factions there. It is the heart of the Empire's power."

"The main factions in the Imperial Capital are the Jia Ma Imperial Family, the Mite'er, Mu, and Nalan clans—the three great families—the Alchemist Guild, and the Misty Cloud Sect. On the surface, the greatest power is the Jia Ma Imperial Family, though in recent years, the Misty Cloud Sect has shown a trend of catching up. The Mite'er, Mu, and Nalan clans are subordinate to the Jia Ma Imperial Family, while the Alchemist Guild has always remained neutral, not participating in any disputes."

As he spoke, Xiao Zhan took a scroll from his Storage Ring and handed it to Xiao Yan.

"Here, this is some intelligence I specifically gathered regarding the ten strongest experts in the Jia Ma Empire. Take a look. Most of the ten experts on the list are concentrated in the Imperial Capital; you must be careful on this trip."

Xiao Yan took the scroll and opened it.

The Ten Strongest Experts of the Jia Ma Empire:

First Place: Yun Shan. Former Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, peak Dou Emperor, wind-attribute Dou Qi. Having been in seclusion for many years, he may have already broken through to the Dou Zong realm!

Second Place: Jia Xingtian. Guardian of the Imperial Family, known as Elder Jia. Nine-star Dou Emperor, earth-attribute Dou Qi.

Third Place: Ice Emperor Hai Bo Dong. Former head of the Mite'er Family, seven-star Dou Emperor, ice-attribute Dou Qi. Mysteriously disappeared two years ago.

Fourth Place: Yun Yun. Current Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, recently appointed, one-star Dou Emperor, wind-attribute Dou Qi.

Fifth Place: Pill King Gu He. Nine-star Dou King, fire-attribute Dou Qi, sixth-tier low-level alchemist.

Sixth Place: Fa Ma. President of the Alchemist Guild, eight-star Dou King, fire-attribute Dou Qi, fifth-tier high-level alchemist.

Seventh Place: Wind Walker Feng Li. Six-star Dou King, wind-attribute Dou Qi.

Eighth Place: Lion King Yan Shi. Five-star Dou King, gold-attribute Dou Qi.

Ninth Place: Lion-Hearted Marshal Nalan Jie. Former head of the Nalan Clan, Marshal of the Jia Ma Empire's military, five-star Dou King, earth-attribute Dou Qi.

Tenth Place: Mittel Tengshan. Current head of the Mite'er Family, three-star Dou King, ice-attribute Dou Qi.

"Hehe, Father, should we find an opportunity to kill one of them? That way, Lord Shan could take their place and become one of the ten strongest experts in the Empire," Xiao Yan looked up and said playfully.

"Hmph, nonsense. What is the point of fighting over such empty titles?"

Xiao Zhan looked at this son of his, who was acting rather unreliable at the moment, and felt a headache coming on.

Xiao Yan chuckled.

"Father, the information on the third-place Ice Emperor Hai Bo Dong on this list might be incorrect. His strength should currently be at the nine-star Dou Emperor level, and he is right here in the Imperial Capital."

Xiao Yan continued with a slightly mysterious smile.

"Incorrect, you say? The Ice Emperor Hai Bo Dong, a nine-star Dou Emperor? Heh, these old monsters are all more troublesome than the last," Xiao Zhan said, the corner of his mouth curling up.

"In that case, in three days, take Xiao Zhen with you to the Imperial Capital. Be extremely careful on this trip."

Xiao Zhan walked over and patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder.

"Yes, Father."

"And you are forbidden from mentioning the annulment of the engagement. Otherwise, I will break your legs when you return," Xiao Zhan suddenly glared at Xiao Yan and said.

"..." Xiao Yan.

Damn it, am I about to be forced into an arranged marriage by a feudal patriarch? Xiao Yan thought, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Tell me, how about I stage a scene where the young master of a wealthy family runs away from his marriage?

Xiao Yan suddenly rubbed his chin as he thought this, and when he reached the most brilliant part of his plan, he actually started laughing to himself.