The Misty Cloud Sect.
The atmosphere was somewhat tense, tinged with a hint of murderous intent.
"Kid, you were the one who killed Mo Cheng of the Mo Clan, an outer sect steward of the Misty Cloud Sect, weren't you?" At Yun Leng's words, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered slightly. So they recognized me after all?
When he had killed Mo Cheng back then, he had revealed far too many of his trump cards.
The Bone Spirit Cold Flame alone...
"Killed an outer sect steward of your Misty Cloud Sect? Elder Yun Leng, aren't you giving me too much credit?" Xiao Yan said with a mocking smile.
Yun Leng saw this.
He pointed at Ge Ye beside him and said, "Ge Ye and Yanran happened to be there at the time. Xiao Yan, are you still going to deny it?"
Ge Ye looked at Xiao Yan and said, "The expert who killed Mo Cheng used a kind of white flame."
Whoosh!
As soon as those words left his mouth,
the expressions of everyone watching the ceremony changed. Xiao Yan had used a white flame during the Alchemist Conference as well...
"Xiao Yan, I can find at least ten people here who can prove you're Yan Xiao, the champion of the Alchemist Conference. And back then, you seemed to have used a white flame too, didn't you?"
Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
He turned and headed outside. "Elder Yun Leng, plenty of people under heaven use white flames. You can't pin this crime on me. Since everything's over, I'll take my leave!"
As soon as Xiao Yan finished speaking, he suddenly burst into motion.
Yun Leng saw this.
"Stop him!"
In an instant, the Misty Cloud Sect's experts rushed into action, blocking Xiao Yan's path.
"Kid, until the facts are clear, I'm afraid you'll have to stay at the Misty Cloud Sect for a while," Yun Leng said coldly as he looked at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
"My legs are my own. If I want to leave, no one can stop me!"
Xiao Yan swung the Heavy Profound Ruler in his hand and attacked the Misty Cloud Sect experts blocking his way.
"Impudent!"
The Misty Cloud Sect's Dou Wang experts moved, trapping Xiao Yan securely. Yun Leng clasped his hands toward the people around them and said, "This young man is undeniably involved in the death of an outer sect steward of our Misty Cloud Sect. We're keeping him here only to investigate the matter."
What Yun Leng was thinking—
who among those present couldn't tell?
Nalan Yanran had lost to Xiao Yan, and Yun Leng felt that Xiao Yan had tarnished the Misty Cloud Sect's prestige. So he had to deal with Xiao Yan.
"Heh heh."
Teng Shan smiled at Nalan Jie. "Is your Nalan Family not planning to step in? After all, he did your family a great favor."
Nalan Jie's expression was rather grim.
He had promised Xiao Yan back then that the Nalan Family would help him if he ever needed it. But given the circumstances, for the sake of his family's prosperity, Nalan Jie ultimately sighed and stayed silent.
"President Fa, Xiao Yan is one of your Alchemist Guild's people. What, aren't you going to step in?"
Conflict showed in Fa Ma's eyes as if he were weighing the pros and cons: was it worth pitting the Alchemist Guild against the Misty Cloud Sect for Xiao Yan?
Shen Shihuang watched the scene from behind.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. Although these people were powerful enough to help Xiao Yan, they wouldn't step in. There was only one reason: the Misty Cloud Sect's prestige was simply too great. Making an enemy of the Misty Cloud Sect for one person like Xiao Yan—
it was a bad bargain, at least in their eyes.
"Shihuang, what should we do now?" Ya Fei asked.
Shen Shihuang took another sip of wine and said calmly, "Let's watch for now. The real show is just getting started. Those Dou Wang experts, Yun Leng among them, are no match for Elder Hai."
Just as Shen Shihuang finished speaking,
Hai Bodong appeared in front of Xiao Yan. "I didn't expect things would still come to this!"
Xiao Yan replied unconcernedly,
"Elder Hai, just hold them off and let me get down the mountain."
Hai Bodong nodded. "Give me a little time!"
Seeing Hai Bodong appear,
Yun Leng looked at his familiar face. "Ice Emperor Hai Bodong?"
Hai Bodong looked back at Yun Leng. "I didn't expect you to have become an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect. This young fellow and I have some history. How about letting him go this time?"
Yun Leng shook his head. "If the Ice Emperor is visiting the Misty Cloud Sect, I'll welcome you with open arms. But if you want to take Xiao Yan away, I'm afraid I can't allow it!"
Hai Bodong seemed to have expected this answer.
The Ice Dou Qi on his body burst forth. "Since that's how it is, then I'll see what the Misty Cloud Sect's experts can do!"
Boom!
The Ice Dou Qi slammed into the barrier in front of Xiao Yan. In an instant, the Misty Cloud Sect experts maintaining it all looked stricken. They were only at the Dou Wang level. They might be able to hold on for a short while, but over a longer stretch, they could never match Ice Emperor Hai Bodong.
Bang!
Boom!
Hai Bodong kept pounding the barrier, and Yun Leng's expression darkened rapidly. "Hai Bodong, is your Mittel Family declaring war on the Misty Cloud Sect?"
Facing Yun Leng's words,
Hai Bodong smiled faintly. "If that's what you think, then so be it. Today, I'm taking Xiao Yan with me!"
"You, Yun Leng, can't stop me!"
Yun Leng rose to his feet.
The aura of a Dou Wang burst from his body in full. "Misty Cloud Sect disciples, heed my command! Form the Cloud Smoke Sun-Covering Array!"
At this,
everyone was shocked.
"Has Yun Leng gone mad?"
"Looks like Yun Leng is determined to keep Xiao Yan here today."
The Cloud Smoke Sun-Covering Array.
It was the Misty Cloud Sect's guardian formation. Forming it now made it obvious they had no intention of letting Xiao Yan go.
"Yes!"
A mighty chorus resounded throughout the Misty Cloud Sect. Its disciples released their Dou Qi, gathering it in the air. An energy like rolling clouds descended, enveloping the entire plaza.
"Elder Hai, can you break through it?"
Xiao Yan unfurled his Purple Cloud Wings, came to Hai Bodong's side, and asked.
Hai Bodong glanced at him.
"It'll take some time. Be careful."
Xiao Yan nodded.
Apart from the Dou Wang experts present, Xiao Yan truly feared no one with his Purple Cloud Wings.
"Looking for death!"
Seeing that the other Dou Ling experts couldn't catch up with Xiao Yan, Yun Leng himself spread his Dou Qi wings and charged at him.
"Kid, you'd better stay at the Misty Cloud Sect for a while!"
A Dou Wang expert was not to be underestimated.
Xiao Yan could only dodge on the defensive. Yun Leng attacked relentlessly in the air, yet he still couldn't land a single blow on Xiao Yan.
Meanwhile, Elder Hai was focused on breaking the Cloud Smoke Sun-Covering Array.
"The other Dou Wang experts, go stop Hai Bodong!"
"Hai Bodong, since you insist on making an enemy of the Misty Cloud Sect, I won't bother showing you respect as the Ice Emperor!"
Facing the Misty Cloud Sect's Dou Wang experts, Hai Bodong had no choice but to temporarily abandon his attempt to break the formation and turn to fight them.
Xiao Yan saw this.
His eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Yun Leng. "You old dog!"
The Heavy Profound Ruler in Xiao Yan's hand glowed crimson, its light flowing over it like molten lava.
"Flame Splitting Wave-Devouring Ruler!"
Xiao Yan roared as all the Dou Qi in his body poured into the Heavy Profound Ruler. He brought it crashing down through the air toward Yun Leng.
Boom!
A wall of earth appeared in front of Yun Leng, but the instant it touched the Heavy Profound Ruler, it shattered. The Heavy Profound Ruler slammed into Yun Leng with tremendous force.