In the Jia Ma Empire, Your Uncle Has Some Clout

"Look at me. I said we wouldn't bring this up, yet I keep mentioning it. Sigh!"

Yang Chen let out a heavy sigh. He looked as though he had never truly been able to let it go, and Xiao Ding and Xiao Li naturally gave it no further thought.

"Let's talk about something else. You came all the way to Rock Desert City. Has anyone bullied you? If so, tell your uncle. I'll deal with them!"

The last four words carried an overwhelming, heaven-shaking force when they left Yang Chen's mouth, startling both Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. Xiao Li instinctively wanted to speak, but Xiao Ding promptly stopped him.

"Uncle, I'd like to ask you about something."

"Hm? What is it? Ask away. Your uncle knows quite a bit about matters within the Jia Ma Empire."

Xiao Ding's little gesture naturally did not escape Yang Chen's notice. However, he pretended not to see it and simply followed Xiao Ding's lead.

"Uncle, have you heard of a family called the Mo Family?"

"The Mo Family? Do you mean the Mo Family of Salt City?"

At the mention of the Mo Family, Yang Chen's brows furrowed slightly. Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's expressions immediately turned more serious. If even their uncle, a Dou King, frowned unconsciously at the name, then the Mo Family's influence was clearly beyond what they had imagined.

"The Mo Family has close ties to the Yunlan Sect. They belong to the faction of Yun Leng, the Yunlan Sect's Grand Elder. Hmph, they're just as arrogant and overbearing."

Yang Chen did not mention anything further, such as the broken engagement or the obstruction caused by Mo Family members. It was not appropriate for him to talk about such matters. It would be best if Xiao Yan told them himself.

Given Yang Chen's relationship with the Yunlan Sect, giving Nalan Yanran a chance to face Xiao Yan fairly was already the utmost he could do. As for the rest, Xiao Yan could decide for himself.

Whether Xiao Yan cared or not, Yang Chen did not mind. If Xiao Yan wanted to marry her, then Yang Chen would gain another niece-in-law and simply prepare an additional wedding gift. If Xiao Yan did not want to marry her, Yang Chen would not take back the cultivation technique he had already passed down.

The Yunlan Sect!

Those three words made the pressure on Xiao Ding and Xiao Li surge instantly. Their hearts pounded uneasily. If it were only the Mo Family, the two brothers would still dare to take a gamble. It was merely a Dou Spirit family; at worst, they could flee if they failed.

But if the Yunlan Sect was involved, things would not be so simple. If the matter spiraled out of control, it could drag in both the Xiao Family and their uncle.

Seeing the change in their eyes, Yang Chen knew he had to give them some confidence. Otherwise, with Xiao Ding's cautious nature, he would not dare make a move against the Mo Family within three years.

That would not do. The Mo Family was a trial Yang Chen had specifically prepared for the three brothers—Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Xiao Yan. Only by passing it would they complete the first stage of their assessment and proceed to the next.

"However, I got to know Yun Yun, the Yunlan Sect's leader, through a fight. We have some friendship between us. If the Mo Family offends you, I can step in and make their patriarch apologize to you."

"Uncle knows the Yunlan Sect's leader too?"

Xiao Li cried out in surprise. The sudden joy of seeing a path open where there had seemed to be none made his heart swell with excitement. In that case, they would not need to worry so much later. At worst, the brothers could shoulder the matter themselves. At least, for their uncle's sake, Sect Leader Yun Yun would not pursue the Xiao Family.

Yang Chen smiled and nodded, without showing any particular pride. His expression remained calm when Yun Yun was mentioned, but in the face of Xiao Li's astonished gaze, he said rather smugly, "Of course. Within the Jia Ma Empire, your uncle has some clout. Mainly because I have a good relationship with the Alchemist Association. Everyone is willing to give me some face."

"The Alchemist Association?"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were both utterly bewildered by the name. It was a world they normally had no contact with. Most of the time, they could not even meet an alchemist, yet they had an uncle who was a high-ranking alchemist.

"Oh, haha, it's just an organization where alchemist friends gather to exchange knowledge. I'm on good terms with both the president and vice president of the association. If you need medicinal pills in the future, go directly to nearby Mo City and take this token to the branch there. Of course, you still have to pay!"

Yang Chen even made a joke at the end. Xiao Ding happily accepted the token at once. Wasn't paying for medicinal pills only natural? Could someone really buy pills without paying, just by showing their face?

They could. They really could. In fact, if Yang Chen had not specifically visited the Mo City branch of the Alchemist Association yesterday, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li would indeed have been given pills directly when they went there.

"However, be careful when you head to Mo City. This entire region is Snake-People Tribe territory."

"Don't worry, Uncle. We'll be careful. We definitely won't cause you any trouble!"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li immediately nodded solemnly. The Snake-People Tribe was not on good terms with Yang Chen. If they were kidnapped by the Snake-People Tribe, their uncle would likely have to come pay the ransom.

Yang Chen smiled and patted their shoulders. He raised his head to look at the sky, then shook his head and said softly, "Your uncle isn't afraid of trouble. I'm just afraid something might happen to you. That area isn't very safe. If you truly run into serious trouble, just invoke the name of the True Lord Hall—your uncle's name will do. Medusa Queen still has to give me some face!"

Of course it was not safe. Yang Chen had specifically assigned the Snake-People Tribe a task: they were to arrange for Snake-People patrols in that area at all times, with Dou Masters making daily rounds, Dou Grandmasters stationed there, and irregular patrols as well. It was all specifically meant to put pressure on Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

Young people could not grow without a little pressure.

"Alright, it's getting late. Your uncle will come see you again next time."

"Huh? Uncle, aren't you staying here for a few days?"

Xiao Li's face immediately fell. Though they had not met many times, in Xiao Li's heart, his uncle had truly filled the place left by his mother. Even Xiao Ding wore a reluctant expression.

Yang Chen smiled and rose to his feet, pressing Xiao Ding and Xiao Li back into their chairs. Smiling, he said, "You're men. No need to be so clingy. There's still a long road ahead. The two of you must cultivate diligently and not miss such an opportunity. Understand?"

As he spoke, Yang Chen spread his hands. Two flashes of light appeared, and then a three-foot sword and a seven-foot spear appeared in his hands.

"I left in too much of a hurry last time and didn't get the chance to give you brothers a meeting gift. These are from your uncle. I hope neither of you will slack off. Cultivation is like rowing against the current—if you do not advance, you fall behind. Understand?"

"Don't worry, Uncle. We definitely won't disappoint you!"

"Alright, I'll come see you again next time. Your uncle will be leaving now!"

Yang Chen waved lightly, then transformed into a streak of light and shot straight into the heavens.