With a single strike, he killed the elder of the Heavenly Puppet Sect. The puppet on the other side also stopped moving instantly. Looking around at the messy courtyard, Xiao Yan couldn't help but shake his head. After decisively taking the old man's Storage Ring and the puppet, he prepared to leave.
"Mr. Xiao... Mr. Xiao Yan?"
Just then, Fang Zhicong, who had been blasted away, struggled to his feet and stared at the young man in front of him in disbelief. He never expected that after three years, he would be saved by Xiao Yan again, and that Xiao Yan's strength was now so terrifying.
"Is something the matter?"
Xiao Yan didn't dislike Fang Zhicong, but saving them was just a momentary impulse. Now that the matter was resolved, there was no need to stay any longer.
"Is Mr. Xiao Yan heading to Burning Flame Valley?"
" Burning Flame Valley is about to go to war with the two sects, so naturally I must rush back to lend a hand."
Xiao Yan nodded, but he felt a little suspicious of Fang Zhicong's question. If he already knew, why did he have to ask?
"But the battle between the two sects isn't taking place in Burning Flame Valley."
"What did you say?!"
Upon hearing Fang Zhicong's words, Xiao Yan's expression immediately changed. If he wasn't in Burning Flame Valley, what use would it be if he rushed back now?
Are you sure?
"I'm certain that the battlefield agreed upon by Burning Flame Valley and the two major sects is not within Burning Flame Valley, but rather in Southern Barbarian City, south of Burning Flame Valley. It's a fortress of Burning Flame Valley. The two sides already had a fierce battle the other day, but neither sect used their full strength; instead, it seemed like they were testing Burning Flame Valley."
Fang Zhicong didn't hide anything and told Xiao Yan all the information he knew. Perhaps he wanted to use this to buy his Fang Clan a chance to win back the Burning Flame Valley. After all, the Fang Clan couldn't withstand any more damage now.
How do you know all this?
Xiao Yan frowned. If the Fang Clan hadn't joined Burning Flame Valley, how could he know so much about the battle between Burning Flame Valley and the two sects?
"Because... our Fang Clan has sent out spies to keep a close eye on the situation between Burning Flame Valley and the two sects. This is the message that came back from our Fang Clan's spies yesterday, and it is precisely because of this that we have attracted the attention of the Heavenly Puppet Sect's experts."
As he finished speaking, a bitter expression appeared on Fang Zhicong's face. There were many things he didn't want to do or understand, but his father was, after all, the head of the clan, and many things were beyond his control. If Fang Chi hadn't hesitated and refused to clarify his position, instead trying to curry favor with the three sects, perhaps his Fang Clan wouldn't be in this situation today.
In the end, it was Xiao Yan who saved them.
Upon hearing Fang Zhicong's words, Xiao Yan nodded, then lightly touched the ground with his toes and leaped into the sky. He called out to Li Bingrui, and the two of them immediately transformed into two streaks of light, rapidly flying towards the southeast.
Southern Barbarian City is located in the southeast of Burning Flame Valley, bordering the territory of the Heavenly Puppet Sect. On both sides, there are continuous mountain ranges stretching for thousands of miles. In front is a vast forest, and behind is a vast plain. The two completely different terrains exist on opposite sides of the mountains, which makes Southern Barbarian City appear even more distinct.
The city was built in a narrow crevice in the mountains, where there was originally a river. However, the city took advantage of the terrain on both sides and was built above the river. From a distance, the rushing river water surged out from below the city gate, which gave it a magnificent and imposing appearance, like a vast army.
However, at this moment, on the city tower, all the high-ranking members of Burning Flame Valley stood there, their solemn gazes fixed on the figures of the powerful figures in the distance outside the city, their hearts filled with tension.
This time, both sects have deployed their elite forces, with over thirty experts at the Origin King or above. Add to that the puppets that the Heavenly Puppet Sect relies on for survival, and the Burning Flame Valley will face considerable trouble in this battle.
"Valley Master, three elders in the valley were seriously injured in yesterday's battle and may be unable to participate in today's fighting. This leaves us short of powerful warriors..."
"They're planning to wear us down with this tactic. First, they'll use those damned puppets to spearhead the attack, causing our elders to expend a lot of energy. Then they'll pick us off one by one. If this continues, these elders won't be able to hold on for more than a few days. Hmph, a 'nibbling away' strategy, what a brilliant method!"
The Ancestor Fen Tian clenched his fists beneath his sleeves, his heart filled with rage, yet utterly helpless. If he were to face either of these two major sects head-on, his Burning Flame Valley would be utterly unafraid. Even with the aid of puppets, the Heavenly Puppet Sect had always been far inferior to them in terms of the number and strength of its experts. However, in just three short years, the number of experts within the Heavenly Puppet Sect had suddenly surged, almost doubling in number. Coupled with the assistance of those puppets and the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect, Burning Flame Valley was simply no match for them.
"Well..."
Upon thinking of this, the other elders of Burning Flame Valley around the city gate couldn't help but sigh. It seemed that after this battle, Burning Flame Valley would have to be wiped out of this Far Southern Land!
On one side of the city gate, Xiao Yi Xian and Bai Hua were standing there. Behind them, a graceful young woman was frowning as she looked at the two of them. This woman was none other than Lian'er, who had already woken up from her coma.
Three years have passed, Bai Hua has now entered the Origin King realm. In this battle, he can be considered a considerable force. His powerful cultivation and strange fighting techniques have made many experts from both sects wary of him. Although Xiao Yi Xian has not yet entered the Origin King realm, she has already become a Origin Return Realm expert. In addition, with her identity as the Woeful Poison Body, the poison techniques she uses are not to be underestimated even by some ordinary Origin King experts. However, even so, in such a great battle, their help is still a drop in the ocean.
At this moment, Xiao Yi Xian and her companion were gazing at the southern horizon. Given the current dire situation, they only hoped that Xiao Yan would learn of it and return in time. Compared to the so-called powerful figures present, they had more faith in Xiao Yan's strength, as always.
"You're still waiting for him to come back?"
Beside him, the Ancestor Fen Tian stepped forward with a kind smile. Although he knew the battle was tense, he still tried his best to make things easier for the people in front of him.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian smiled politely, but her furrowed brows betrayed her inner turmoil.
"Hehe, don't worry. Since that person is going with him, Xiao Yan will definitely be safe. I can't be sure about others, but in this Far Southern Land, I'm afraid we won't find anyone stronger than that person."
The Ancestor Fen Tian was referring to was Xiao Mingyuan. If the latter hadn't gone to Burning Flame Valley, he wouldn't have known where Xiao Yan was.
However, even so, since he hadn't returned for three years, it was clearly impossible to put Xiao Yi Xian at ease with just a few words.
"After this battle, I will have the Grand Elder personally escort you to a safe place. When you see Xiao Yan again in the future, don't say that I mistreated you, haha."
At the end of his speech, the Ancestor Fen Tian laughed heartily. His seemingly teasing laughter carried a hint of desolation. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian and Bai Hua hurriedly spoke, but the Ancestor Fen Tian waved his hand to stop them.
"Needless to say, this conflict originally belonged to our three major sects. You shouldn't have gotten involved, but because of Xiao Yan, you were able to lend a helping hand to my Burning Flame Valley in its time of crisis. I am very grateful for this, but precisely because of this, I cannot let you take this risk."
Having said this, the old man said no more. As he turned around, he saw a group of people sitting cross-legged by the river outside the city. They had somehow gotten up, and their cold gazes pierced the air like sharp arrows, making people's hearts tremble.
"Are these guys... going to start again?"
With a silent murmur, Ancestor Fen Tian immediately turned to look at the elders of Burning Flame Valley and said in a deep voice:
"Everyone, prepare for battle!"
As soon as the shout fell, all the elders of Burning Flame Valley responded in unison. Their angry eyes turned to the group of people outside the city. At the same time, their bodies trembled, and the surging Origin Qi within them burst forth, transforming into beams of light that shot into the sky, standing like rainbows above the city walls, awe-inspiring and terrifying.