Inside the Liu Clan mansion in Liu Cang City, everyone stared blankly at Xiao Yan, who had sent Fu Yulong flying with a single palm strike. Their eyes were filled with shock and disbelief. It was unbelievable that Fu Yulong, now Origin King who was virtually unmatched in the entire southwestern border region, could be sent flying by this young man with a single palm strike.
Of course, while others might not know, Fu Yulong and Liu Ya were perfectly aware that the black-robed youth before them was now a renowned figure in the Southern Region. Rumor had it that he had single-handedly killed the sect leader of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect during the recent battle between the two sects, and even severely injured a Yuan Zong expert. Such a figure was far beyond the reach of Fu Yulong, who had just entered the Origin King. The fact that he had survived Xiao Yan's palm strike was already considered extremely fortunate.
"How was it? Did you kill him?"
Beside Fu Yulong, Bai Hua gave Xiao Yan a slight smirk and said indifferently.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was about to nod when Fu Yulong, filled with shock, hurriedly scrambled to his feet and bowed deeply to Xiao Yan, apologizing in a rushed voice:
"Mr. Xiao Yan, everything that happened in the past was indeed Fu Yulong's fault. I shouldn't have been your enemy. I shouldn't have clashed with the Liu Clan family, and I certainly shouldn't have allied myself with the Heavenly Puppet Sect. But I have now reformed. What happened just now... was all a misunderstanding. I didn't expect that the person Liu Ya mentioned was actually you. I beg you, Lord Xiao, to be magnanimous and not hold it against me. As long as you are willing to let me go, from now on, Fu Yulong will follow your lead. I beg you, Lord Xiao, to..."
"Alright, that's enough. I can let this go, and I can spare your life."
Listening to this guy's endless pleas for redemption, Xiao Yan was truly annoyed. He hadn't originally planned to kill him, but if this guy kept going on and on, things might really get complicated.
Sure enough, as soon as Xiao Yan finished speaking, the guy immediately shut his mouth. Bai Hua, who was standing to the side, also glanced at the latter with disdain. He was supposed to be a Origin King, yet he was so spineless. He would say anything to save his life.
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Fu Yulong's fear finally eased considerably. As long as Xiao Yan didn't kill him, everything else would be fine. For him, life was more important than anything else. If face were really that important, Fu Yulong wouldn't have listened to the threats from the Heavenly Puppet Sect so easily.
"I can spare your life, but you have to do one thing for me..."
Just as Fu Yulong was secretly rejoicing, Xiao Yan's words came again, making him startled. He quickly bowed and agreed. Xiao Yan didn't pay much attention to him and continued speaking:
"From this day forward, Sea Cloud Palace will be under my command, responsible for protecting the Liu Clan of Qingyang City. If anything happens to the Liu Clan..."
"If anything happens to the Liu Clan, I am willing to give my life for it!"
This time, before Xiao Yan could finish speaking, Fu Yulong quickly chimed in to agree. Now was not the time for him to make a choice; his life was in Xiao Yan's hands, and whatever he did was naturally up to Xiao Yan.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was taken aback at first, then smiled with satisfaction. This guy was quite decisive, immediately acknowledging their identities. In this way, from now on, he might not have to worry about the Liu Clan anymore. At worst, he could talk to the Ancestor Fen Tian when he returned, and there would be no more mishaps. The Southern Region was safe and sound.
"Remember your words: if anything happens to the Liu Clan, watch your life!"
As soon as Xiao Yan uttered those slightly sinister words, Fu Yulong's expression changed again, and he hurriedly nodded respectfully. However, he then changed his tone and smiled:
"Of course, if you behave well, I will remember it and refine a few pills for you in the future. Although I dare not say much, it should not be a problem for you to advance to the Origin Emperor realm."
Upon hearing the words "Origin Emperor," Fu Yulong's heart skipped a beat, and a hint of joy flashed in his eyes. At his age, breaking through to the Origin King was already his greatest aspiration. This power was hard-won, and he had no desire to pursue a higher realm. However, upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, his heart was filled with anticipation once again. He dared not hesitate any longer and quickly and respectfully replied to Xiao Yan.
"Alright, let's leave it at that for today. I have other things to take care of. As for this place, I don't think I need to say anything more, do I?"
Xiao Yan glanced at Fu Yulong and said slowly.
"Understood!"
Upon hearing this, Fu Yulong immediately responded respectfully.
Nodding, Xiao Yan then looked at Liu Ya beside him, smiled slightly, and said:
"In that case, sir, we'll meet again next time."
Smiling, Liu Ya cupped his hands in greeting. Seeing this, Liu Ya quickly bowed and clasped his fists in return. Xiao Yan had now grown to a level that they could look up to. How could he have imagined that the young man whose cultivation was not much different from his own three years ago would grow to such a level three years later, even able to influence the entire Southern Region?
Afterwards, Xiao Yan gave Fu Yulong a few more instructions, which the latter carefully noted down. Then, Xiao Yan leaped into the air, transforming into a black shadow, and soared into the sky once more. Xiao Yi Xian and the others followed suit, and in the blink of an eye, the group disappeared from their sight again.
Liu Ya and Fu Yulong stared blankly at Xiao Yan's departing figure, finally sighing and exchanging a blank glance. Then, Fu Yulong led his men and quickly left the place.
As Xiao Yan and his companions embarked on their journey back to the Western Region, in the distant northern void, outside a cave, a figure stood solemnly.
Suddenly, the void behind him distorted, and then an old man dressed in a golden robe appeared behind him.
As soon as the old man appeared, the figure in front of him immediately noticed him, turned around, and bowed respectfully to the old man.
"Chief."
"Hmm, Long Lin, how long has that little guy been in the Dragon Cave?"
Upon hearing this, the old man nodded slightly, then turned his deep gaze to the cave in front of him. He could clearly sense that deep inside the cave, a young figure was sitting cross-legged, and that was the greatest hope of his lineage.
"Chief, he has been inside for two years."
"Oh? Two years? Well then, the little guy has made quite a bit of progress in the Dragon Cave."
Upon hearing what the person in front of him said, a look of surprise flashed across the old man's deep eyes. In just two years, he had leaped two levels, which far exceeded his initial expectations!