With Mu Han dealt with, the crisis in Qingyang can be considered completely over. Although the losses were huge, fortunately, the worst outcome that Xiao Yan had in mind did not occur, which can be considered a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.
With Mu Han dead, the Ninefold Lightning Formation that had enveloped the heavens and earth dissipated, freeing Zhong Li, who had been trapped by the array high in the sky. When he arrived in front of Xiao Yan and saw that the latter was dressed as usual, he couldn't help but be surprised.
Over the years, even they had grown quite a few gray hairs, but Xiao Yan in front of them looked exactly the same, which reminded him of the scene in the Ancient Wilderness City, and everything seemed as if it were yesterday.
"Hehe, I didn't expect even Brother Zhong Li to come."
Upon seeing Zhong Li freed, Xiao Yan realized that Zhong Li had been there all along, which was unexpected.
"Not only me, but also Qin Zhong, and even Lu Du, who was defeated by you back then, is here."
Upon hearing Lu Du's name, Xiao Yan couldn't help but ponder for a moment. After all, it had been many years since then, and there were some things he couldn't quite remember. However, after searching through his memories, he roughly recalled that Lu Du had indeed fought against him in the Ancient Wilderness City for the Void Lightning Pool Invitation, but unfortunately, he had been defeated by him. He never expected that Lu Du would appear here as well.
Soon, Qin Zhong and Lu Du, dragging their heavily injured bodies, came to Xiao Yan's side, supporting each other. The two had already noticed Xiao Yan's arrival, but unfortunately, they were unable to move, otherwise they probably would have rushed over long ago. After resting for a while, they were only able to walk with their bodies in pain. Even so, when they came to Xiao Yan, they could not hide the excitement in their hearts.
"Brother Xiao Yan, I have failed you. The Liu Clan actually..."
"Hehe, Brother Qin Zhong, don't worry about it. These opponents were originally beyond your capabilities. I'm already extremely grateful that Xiao Yan 've managed to hold on until now. Now, you should focus on recovering from your injuries. Leave everything else to me."
Xiao Yan helped the ashamed Qin Zhong up, gave him a comforting smile, and then handed Qin Zhong a fifth-grade pill before turning his gaze to Lu Du, who was standing to the side.
If Qin Zhong helped him protect the Liu Clan because of the agreement between the two, then Lu Du's appearance was rather strange. He was Xiao Yan's defeated opponent, and the two should have been rivals, but unexpectedly, he turned around and helped Xiao Yan protect the Liu Clan.
However, since things had already come to this point, Xiao Yan naturally couldn't delve into the reasons behind it any further. He smiled and said a word of gratitude, then unceremoniously handed the latter a fifth-grade pill.
After receiving the pills, everyone couldn't help but show deep shock in their eyes. Even the most foolish among them could tell that these were fifth-grade pills.
Immediately, Qin Zhong and the others couldn't help but show expressions of shock. Although they knew that Xiao Yan was indeed an alchemist, after witnessing his Xiao Yan strength, they couldn't believe that his alchemy skills could be so powerful.
No one could cultivate both cultivation and alchemy to such a level simultaneously; at least, they wouldn't dare to imagine it.
"Brother Xiao Yan, this pill..."
"Hehe, brother, eat with peace of mind. This is something I made while I was in seclusion. I have plenty more here."
A casual remark nearly made these already severely injured men cough up blood.
Xiao Yan's words undoubtedly acknowledged his identity as Fifth-Tier Alchemist, which shocked them even more.
They spent most of their lives cultivating to their current level, yet Xiao Yan has cultivated both cultivation and alchemy to such a powerful degree. Whether in cultivation or alchemy, Xiao Yan is truly powerful.
If Xiao Yan in the past could only impress them, then the current Xiao Yan already possesses the strength to be looked up to.
Being able to single-handedly kill two experts at the Origin Transformation Realm level, including a Fifth-Tier Formation Master, Xiao Yan's strength is so formidable that he is undoubtedly one of the best among all Origin Transformation Realm experts. In fact, within the Origin Transformation Realm, Xiao Yan is practically invincible!
Following closely behind, Liu Huabai and Liu Xincheng also met Xiao Yan. When everyone saw Xiao Yan again, their faces were filled with smiles as if they had survived a disaster. Even though they had just escaped with their lives, the gloom in their hearts was instantly swept away upon seeing Xiao Yan, and their originally heavy hearts immediately became relaxed.
Xiao Yan's appearance was like the sun bursting out from the dark clouds, sweeping away all the gloom, as if as long as he was there, all crises would be easily resolved.
Afterwards, led by Zhong Li, the group temporarily entered a relatively well-preserved villa in the city. Apart from Zhong Li and Bai Hua, the others went to the side to begin refining the pills in their bodies. Murong Qianqian was resting in a room in the courtyard. After the shock just now, the girl had completely fainted and would probably not wake up for a while.
"Mr. Xiao Yan, it's truly unbelievable that after so many years, you've become so powerful. It's quite an understatement."
In the courtyard, Xiao Yan and the other two sat facing each other. The closer they were, the more clearly Zhong Li could feel the faint aura of power emanating from Xiao Yan. It spread out without any attempt to release or contain it, yet it was all the more astonishing.
"It's just good luck, nothing to be ashamed of."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled faintly, offered a few words of comfort, and then turned his gaze to Bai Hua, asking about the Liu Clan's situation over the years. Bai Hua recounted everything to Xiao Yan in detail, including how the relationship between the Sea Cloud Palace and Qingyang City had deteriorated to the point it was now.
Meanwhile, as Bai Hua was still recounting the Liu Clan's development over the years to Xiao Yan, somewhere on the southwestern border, in a magnificent hall, three broken jade tablets lay gracefully in the palm of a middle-aged man with black hair, and the man's face was unusually gloomy.
" Chen Yan, Wu Xinglong, and... Mu Han, they're all... dead!"