Complex Situation

Shi Han looked at Xiao Yan, who had stepped forward, and a flicker of puzzlement crossed his eyes. "Who are you?"

"Xiao Yan!"

Xiao Yan answered neither humbly nor arrogantly. Though Shi Han was a renowned young expert of the Northwest Region, Xiao Yan showed not the slightest fear.

Shi Han sighed in surprise. "Oh, Xiao Yan, the one currently ranked third? A two-star Battle Emperor actually squeezed into third place. So you're Heavenly Snake Mansion's hidden trump card!"

Though Shi Han was surprised, his expression did not change much. Xiao Yan was only a two-star Battle Emperor, not yet worthy of his attention.

He then looked at Yang Lingyan, who was lying nearby. "You intend to stand up for him?"

There was no fear in Xiao Yan's dark eyes. "I fight for Heavenly Snake Mansion, so naturally I must ensure the safety of my fellow disciples."

Behind Xiao Yan, Yang Lingyan's eyes were filled with complicated emotions. As Yang Yue's son, he had always believed himself to be among the finest of the younger generation. Thus, when Yang Yue had sought out Xiao Yan and the others, he had thought it unnecessary. After his spar with Zi Yan that day, Yang Yue told him that the reason he had not stopped it was mainly to show him just how far short his strength still fell.

Although Yang Lingyan had agreed verbally, he had remained unconvinced. Yet now, being protected by Xiao Yan left him both relieved to have survived the ordeal and faintly conflicted.

Shi Han's gaze swept over Xiao Yan as he said coldly and without emotion, "Since you insist on sticking your neck out, I don't mind snuffing out Heavenly Snake Mansion's hope."

Yang Lingyan struggled to his feet and hurriedly said, "Shi Han, how about we leave at once and stop interfering with you?"

The battle qi within Shi Han had just begun to gather. Clearly not expecting Yang Lingyan to say this, he froze for a moment.

Xiao Yan turned back and reassured Yang Lingyan, "Brother Yang, there's no need for this. It's still too early to say who will win and who will lose."

Yang Lingyan looked at Shi Han with deep apprehension. "But..."

Xiao Yan stopped him from continuing, handed him two healing pills, and said, "Brother Yang, go rest to the side. Leave this to me."

Yang Lingyan looked deeply at Xiao Yan. In the end, he nodded solemnly and said in a low voice, "If things truly cannot be done, there's nothing wrong with leaving."

After so many days in the Ten Thousand Beasts Space, Yang Lingyan naturally knew of Xiao Yan's formidable record. Heavenly Snake Mansion's future could be said to rest on Xiao Yan's shoulders, so he naturally did not want anything to happen to him, even if it meant missing the inheritance of a Venerable before them.

Shi Han silently watched everything Xiao Yan had done and said, "I didn't expect your luck to be so good, letting you occupy the top ten of the points rankings all this time. Unfortunately, your brains are even worse than Yang Lingyan's."

"Words are useless. Let our hands decide the matter." Blood-colored flames swirled around Xiao Yan. Shi Han was certainly not an opponent he could afford to underestimate.

Just as the two were about to fight, a carefree voice rang out. "Gentlemen, I wonder if I might get a share as well?"

Xiao Yan and Shi Han, who had been confronting one another, both turned toward the newcomer. He wore magnificent robes and held a folding fan over a foot long. His features were refined and handsome; if not for the distinct trait at his throat, Xiao Yan might have thought him a woman. His exquisite face, clothing, and folding fan complemented one another perfectly, making for a pleasing sight.

Naturally, matching that beautiful appearance was the aura radiating from the newcomer—six-star Battle Emperor!

Moreover, Xiao Yan could tell that he was no ordinary Battle Emperor. The faint aura he emitted was steady, clearly revealing a solid foundation.

"Chu Qun, you want to stick your nose in too?" Shi Han rumbled.

Upon hearing the name Chu Qun, Xiao Yan found it vaguely familiar. Though he could not recall exactly where he had heard it, he guessed Chu Qun was one of the figures who had appeared on the rankings recently.

The onlookers cried out in shock. "Chu Qun, Splendid Flower Tower's number one expert among the younger generation!"

"Though Splendid Flower Tower didn't make it into the six major factions, it's still an established power that has been rooted in the Northwest Region for many years."

"I heard it failed to enter the six major factions mainly because the Splendid Flower Tower Master places too much importance on his disciples' appearances. Unless one possesses a stunningly beautiful face, one cannot learn the tower's profound cultivation arts and battle skills!"

"Hehe, I just heard someone say that opportunities belong to the capable. I wonder whether someone with my trifling skills can count as one of the capable?" Chu Qun deliberately emphasized the word "capable," clearly targeting Shi Han.

Impatience and a trace of killing intent appeared in Shi Han's eyes. "Then I'll have a match with you, you effeminate bastard!"

"Young Sect Master Shi jests. I would not dare receive the might of the Blood Lion Pagoda Art head-on. However, I am willing to join hands with Brother Xiao Yan and ask for your instruction. What do you say?"

Having said that, Chu Qun smiled brightly at Xiao Yan. Those beautiful eyes, seemingly brimming with water, sent a chill through Xiao Yan's heart.

The moment Chu Qun finished speaking, Xiao Yan's wariness toward him deepened. With only a few words, Chu Qun had pulled them into the same camp. Yet with the injured Yang Lingyan beside him, Xiao Yan had no choice but to join forces with him. Chu Qun was definitely no simple character.

Still, Xiao Yan returned a friendly look before fixing his gaze on Shi Han, making his intention to join forces unmistakable.

Shi Han sized up Xiao Yan and Chu Qun, then looked at the onlookers, who were nearly beyond control. He withdrew his aura and snorted coldly. "So what if you join forces? You're still a rabble."

He then waved to the people he had brought and gathered them all, preparing to dive into the bottom of the pool.

Shi Han had given up on monopolizing the opportunity. Chu Qun also breathed a sigh of relief, clasped his hands toward Xiao Yan with a smile, then went to study the pool. Several people followed behind him.

Xiao Yan turned to Yang Lingyan and asked, "How are you? Are you alright?"

"I won't die. Thanks for the pills," Yang Lingyan replied.

"How did you end up at odds with Shi Han?"

At Xiao Yan's question, Yang Lingyan said resentfully, "I discovered this place early on and was the first to bring people in. Before I could investigate it properly, Shi Han came with his men too. He told me to leave. I refused to accept that and fought him, only for his subordinates to ambush me. The people I brought have all died as well. Fortunately, they weren't from Heavenly Snake Mansion."

Xiao Yan noticed that in just that short time, Yang Lingyan's wounds had already begun to heal. Heavenly Snake Mansion's cultivation art might have been somewhat weaker in combat, but its restorative ability was extremely strong. Even when Zi Yan had sent Yang Lingyan flying with a single punch that day, she had not inflicted much damage on him.

"Now that things have turned out this way, they're probably all preparing to go underwater. If there's any inheritance ruin here, it can only be beneath the water. So, are you coming down with me, or waiting up here?"

"Let's go down. Even injured, I can still protect myself." As if recalling something, Yang Lingyan explained, "I was mainly too impulsive earlier. If I had focused on leaving, Shi Han couldn't have kept me."

Looking at Yang Lingyan, Xiao Yan could somewhat understand Yang Yue's anxiety. While other sects were cultivating such outstanding talents, Heavenly Snake Mansion's hope, Yang Lingyan, was noticeably inferior. For one thing, his strength was even below that of talents like Chu Qun, who did not come from the six major factions. For another, his temperament truly did not seem suited to shouldering great responsibility. Had Xiao Yan not come today, Yang Lingyan would very likely have perished here.

However, Xiao Yan did not dwell on it. That was not something he needed to worry about. Instead, he looked at the pool with some curiosity.

"What could be inside such a perilous place?"