After the auction ended, Xiao Yan and Qin Yan walked out of the auction hall one after the other. Looking at Bai Zijing flying rapidly overhead and the numerous powerful figures watching him closely from all directions in the sky behind him, Xiao Yan couldn't help but sneer. This Bai Zijing was indeed arrogant, managing to snatch the map of Stone Rock Valley from in front of a group of powerful figures, but I'm afraid the road ahead won't be so easy!
"Huh?"
As Xiao Yan and Qin Yan walked along the street, Xiao Yan's brows suddenly furrowed slightly. He exchanged a glance with Qin Yan beside him, and out of the corner of his eye, he glanced back. It seemed that several rather subtle gazes were watching them from the shadows of the auction house. With his extraordinary soul perception, Xiao Yan clearly discovered that on the other side of the buildings around them, several powerful auras were also secretly following them.
"This Lava Fort is truly ruthless!"
Qin Yan seemed to sense something as well, murmured something, and then glanced around behind him.
"It seems they don't intend to be pure businessmen."
Xiao Yan gave a faint, cold laugh. The moment he raised his eyes, a chilling killing intent condensed in them. He took a step forward and slammed down hard, and a fierce aura immediately swept out from his body. In an instant, the expressions of the Lava Fort experts hidden in the shadows all changed.
"If there are any who are not afraid of death, then follow me."
Xiao Yan glanced at a shadowy spot in the building beside him, his gaze filled with cold killing intent, which sent a chill down the spine of the person hiding in the shadows. Immediately afterward, the auras hidden in the shadows around them quickly dissipated.
Lava Fort has dominated the Flowing Fire Plain for many years, so it naturally knows who to avoid. Although judging from the aura just now, this unknown kid only has the cultivation of Four-Star Yuan Zong, the killing intent he exudes is definitely not something an ordinary person possesses. It is something he has gained through countless bloody battles, trading his life for it. This kind of person is the most dangerous to provoke!
Leaving these troubles behind, the two traveled out of Lava Fort. The Fire Banyan Ruins were still deep in the plains, and Lava Fort was only close to them. If they were to reach the entrance of the Fire Banyan Ruins, it would probably be another month or so.
After leaving Lava Fort, Xiao Yan and Qin Yan stood in the air above a mountain forest.
"I'm afraid we'll have to go our separate ways for now, Brother Qin. Farewell, and if there's an opportunity, let's meet again at the Fire Banyan Ruins."
Xiao Yan gave Qin Yan a light fist salute and smiled slowly.
Upon hearing this, the latter was slightly taken aback and asked in confusion:
"What, Brother Xiao, are you going alone?"
"I still have some matters to attend to, and it's inconvenient for me to travel with you any further until then."
Xiao Yan's dark eyes remained calm and still. Although Qin Yan was somewhat surprised, he hesitated for a moment before nodding emphatically. Their journey to the Flowing Fire Plain was not originally a joint one, and Xiao Yan had saved him halfway through. If he were to delay any longer, it would seem as if he were deliberately trying to pester him. So he said no more, and the two clasped their fists in thanks. After thanking him, Qin Yan left first.
After watching Qin Yan disappear from sight for a long time, Xiao Yan's expression changed. He glanced at the mountains and forests behind him with a cold look in his eyes. Then, he moved and sped off in another direction. Not long after, several whooshing sounds rang out from the mountains and forests below.
Three figures stood in the sky, gazing in the direction Xiao Yan had left. They murmured to each other and then gave chase.
The Xiao Clan.
Xiao City.
High in the sky, three figures stood there.
Beside Xiao Xuan, a tall and robust middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back, his bright eyes fixed on the imposing Ouyang Yu opposite him.
"Junior Xiao Xuan greets Second Elder!"
Xiao Xuan bowed slightly to the person beside him, who was none other than Xiao Yitian, the second elder of the Xiao Clan, who had been in seclusion in the Black Tower of Shuyang City for many years!
The latter ignored Xiao Xuan's actions, his sharp eyes fixed on Ouyang Yu. Then, Xiao Xuan clasped his hands in a fist salute to Ouyang Yu, who smiled gently, his gaze returning to the middle-aged man opposite him, and teased:
"Having not left the pass for so many years, how come you've even forgotten how to speak?"
"Snort..."
Xiao Yitian gave a cold snort, then turned his gaze to Xiao Xuan and said indifferently:
"You now hold sole command of the cabinet; there's no need for this."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan pondered for a moment, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two, before suddenly asking:
"Seniors, do you still have any Heaven Inquiry Pill in your possession?"
" The Heaven Inquiry Pill?"
Ouyang Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, as if remembering something, then shook his head and sighed:
"I did obtain one in my younger years, but I consumed it long ago. Otherwise, I wouldn't have achieved my current cultivation level. In fact, I consumed it at the same time as this guy, but in the end, I was the one who advanced to the Yuan Zun first."
"Well..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan's mind went blank for a moment. So, these two had already used the Heaven Inquiry Pill they possessed. Just as he was lost in thought, Ouyang Yu suddenly waved his hand, and a shadow flashed before his eyes. Immediately afterward, a three-foot-long sword appeared in front of Xiao Xuan. Even Xiao Yitian, who stood tall and imposing to the side, couldn't help but be moved by this scene. Recalling the past, if it weren't for this sword, perhaps he wouldn't have been defeated by Ouyang Yu.
"Furthermore, this sword is a gift to you."
"This is..."
"This sword is named Orchid..."
Before Ouyang Yu could finish speaking, Xiao Xuan's brows twitched violently. The Orchid Sword, the sword of the Ouyang Clan's Orchid Sword Saint, had once used this sword to repel three Yuan Zun experts without being defeated. Now, it appeared before him.
" The Orchid Sword once made me famous Central Region, but now, I am no longer suited to it..."
Ouyang Yu sighed softly, his tone tinged with melancholy. His gaze then fell upon Xiao Yitian, his voice hardening as he said in a low, serious voice:
Now that I'm here, it's time to settle things between us!
"I was defeated by you back then, and secluded myself for decades. Now, I wonder what the outcome of this decisive battle will be?"
After a heated exchange, the two men invited each other to leave. Suddenly, Xiao Yitian turned to Xiao Xuan and said softly:
" Xiao Xuan, if you have the chance, go to the northern border of the Central Region. There is a sword tomb in the far north, which may be of some help to you."
These words drew repeated nods from even Ouyang Yu. Back then, it was there that the two of them broke through to the Yuan Zun, and their subsequent battle made them famous throughout the Central Region...
After the two left, Xiao Xuan reluctantly accepted the Orchid Sword. Feeling the unparalleled sharpness of the sword, Xiao Xuan was secretly surprised. This Orchid Sword, which had made a name for itself in the Central Region, was indeed extraordinary.
As the two figures completely vanished from this world, the tranquil space beside Xiao Xuan slowly distorted, and the figure of the Grand Elder materialized.
With a respectful greeting, the Grand Elder nodded slightly, his cloudy old eyes gazing at the distant horizon. He shook his head and slowly said:
"Alas... this day has finally come. This journey will surely result in some loss."
Xiao Xuan nodded silently. No one could make such a decision; even they could only watch from afar.
"By the way, what Xiao Yitian said earlier wasn't wrong. You should visit the Northern Territory Sword Tomb if you have the chance. I believe it will help you in terms of both your strength and consolidating your position in the clan. It will also be of great benefit to that little guy Xiao Yan."
Coming to his senses, the Grand Elder reminded Xiao Xuan again.
The latter took a deep breath, remembering that Xiao Yan was somewhat concerned about him, and then nodded emphatically.