Looking at the man opposite him, whose physique was noticeably more robust than when they last met, Xiao Yan grinned and said:
" Xiao Yang, with your arrogant personality, how could you possibly be walking with Xiao Chuhang?"
Seeing these two walking together, and considering the former's submissive demeanor, Xiao Yan was momentarily taken aback. When had Xiao Chuhang, with his arrogant personality, learned to stand behind others?
"Hehe, this is obviously his brother's handiwork."
Xiao Xuan smiled and said:
"After the clan meeting, Xiao Yang became quite famous in the clan, but because of his bloodline power, he was never taken seriously by the clan's higher-ups. It was Xiao Feng who personally handed Xiao Chuhang over to him, ostensibly to let Xiao Yang discipline him, but in reality, he was using his connections in the clan to ensure that Xiao Yang received the resources that were rightfully his."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow slightly and chuckled with a hint of teasing:
"I never would have guessed that guy was actually so kind-hearted."
"Having fought my way up from the bottom of the family myself, I can naturally understand that feeling of being seen but ignored."
Xiao Xuan sighed softly, his gaze falling on Xiao Chuhang, a hint of admiration appearing in his eyes, and he said in a low voice:
"However, that little guy is quite aware of things. Although he does show a lot of dislike for Xiao Yang, he still admires the latter's efforts. He has grown quite a bit in the past two years of following Xiao Yang around."
Xiao Yan nodded in agreement. Putting everything else aside, the fact that Xiao Chuhang could obediently follow behind Xiao Yang already proved what Xiao Xuan had said.
Xiao Yan ignored Xiao Yang's teasing words and instead looked at Xiao Xuan, bowing slightly in a rare display of respect.
I won't get involved in your affairs.
Sensing the meaning in Xiao Yang's eyes, Xiao Xuan smiled faintly, then led Huo Xin behind him to retreat to the side.
Seeing this, Xiao Yang's gaze returned to Xiao Yan, her words still carrying the same arrogant attitude as before.
"Hmph, I thought you were too scared to come back."
A low shout immediately drew the attention of many passersby. Since the clan gathering, Xiao Yang's reputation in Xiao City had become quite prominent in the past two years. Therefore, when people saw Xiao Yang adopting such a posture towards a young man, many of them looked at Xiao Yan with a hint of pity.
Ignoring the gazes of those around him, Xiao Yan merely smiled at the former's words and slowly said:
"You've already gone to such lengths to stay, so what reason do I have not to come back?"
"Hmph, enough nonsense, make your move! Today I will definitely defeat you and avenge my humiliation!"
With a cold snort, Xiao Yang took a heavy step forward. Instantly, a domineering aura surged towards Xiao Yan like a storm. Sensing the aura, the latter nodded slightly and smiled:
"Not bad, in just two years you've already progressed to the Late Five-Star Yuan Zong."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan also slowly took a step forward. When the oppressive aura from the other side reached him, an even more powerful and vast pressure suddenly swept outward from Xiao Yan's body, instantly shattering the oncoming pressure with unstoppable force. At the same time, the onlookers on both sides of the street all changed their expressions drastically at this astonishing pressure.
" Seven-Star Yuan Zong!"
The instant Xiao Yang felt the overwhelming pressure emanating from Xiao Yan's body, she clearly sensed Xiao Yan's true strength. As she exclaimed in surprise, a look of utter horror appeared on her face.
Two years have passed, and even with his tireless cultivation day and night, coupled with the abundant resources of the Xiao Clan, his cultivation level has only increased by one star. Even so, it is already considered quite good among his peers. However, when they met again after two years apart, Xiao Yan's cultivation level had jumped from Three-Star Yuan Zong to Seven-Star Yuan Zong Master. This speed was several times faster than his!
"How... how did this guy do that?"
At this moment, even with Xiao Yang's arrogance, the shock in his heart could not help but surface. The guy in the black robe in front of him was simply a freak!
"Should we continue the war?"
Xiao Yan asked with a smile.
"Enough with the nonsense! I've been training like crazy for the past two years, all to defeat you. No matter how much you improve, I will never back down!"
With a roar, Xiao Yang stomped his foot heavily on the ground. The blue stone beneath his feet shattered, and his figure shot forward abruptly. His right fist, imbued with Origin Qi, slammed directly at Xiao Yan!
"Bang!"
However, despite such a powerful force, Xiao Yan blocked it with one hand, and then only took half a step back, easily neutralizing the force that was attacking his arm.
With a gentle twist of his hand that gripped Xiao Yang's fist, he unleashed a torrent of Origin Qi from his palm, sending Xiao Yang flying back. Then, he slowly raised his eyes and nodded in approval:
"Your explosive power has improved again. It seems your efforts over the past two years have extended beyond just your cultivation level."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yang remained unmoved. He turned his gaze and exchanged a glance with Xiao Chuhang beside him. The two nodded in unison, and when they looked back at each other, they raised their hands at the same time, forming a surprisingly consistent hand seal.
"Is this... Fusion Dou Technique? You've even learned to find your own allies."
Seeing this, even with Xiao Yan's understanding of the two, a look of surprise appeared on his face. With a thought, the Origin Qi in his body immediately began to circulate rapidly. Faced with such methods, even he could not underestimate them.
" Wind Convergence!"
" Rock Whale Roar!"
As Xiao Yan's internal Origin Qi rapidly circulated, a whale formed from rock rapidly materialized in the void in front of Xiao Yang and Xiao Yan. As its massive jaws opened and closed, a terrifying suction force surged forth from the whale's body. Then, under the combined control of the two, it charged fiercely towards Xiao Yan!
" Xiao Yan, consider this move our gift to you today!"
" Whale Devours a Hundred Rivers!"
Feeling the terrifying suction force coming towards him, Xiao Yan's body was momentarily out of control. Despite this, his expression grew even more intense, and he laughed loudly, shouting:
"In that case, I accept!"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Xiao Yan suddenly clenched his right fist, and the moment his five fingers tightened, scarlet flames burst forth, coiling around his entire right arm like a suit of lava armor. Then, he unleashed a powerful blast, heading straight for the gaping maw of the whale before him!
"Buzz!"
With a series of swallowing sounds, the whale swallowed half of Xiao Yan's arm. However, the crimson flames burning on it became even more ferocious with the help of the surrounding fierce wind, and were continuously sucked into the Rock Whale's body. After more than a dozen breaths, the fire became even more ferocious, and a crimson color gradually spread from the Rock Whale's belly. At the same time, the expressions on the faces of Xiao Yang and Xiao Chuhang opposite them also began to become solemn.
"Drink!"
With a low shout, Xiao Yan's half-arm, which had been swallowed by the Rock Whale, shuddered violently, causing the fierce strange Heavenly Flames to surge several times over. Then, to the astonishment of the surrounding crowd, crimson cracks rapidly spread from the surface of the Rock Whale, and the Heavenly Flames surging from them actually melted the Rock Whale's body into magma. The terrifyingly high temperature that permeated the air caused the temperature of the surrounding area to rise rapidly, and even the air became much drier.
Under this unexpected turn of events, the fierce suction force quickly dissipated as the Rock Whale's body melted. In just a few minutes, the massive Rock Whale, which was over ten feet in size, was completely melted into a pool of lava, which then drifted away into the void under Xiao Yan's control.
As the flames subsided and the atmosphere gradually calmed down, many people's gazes, which had been fixed on Xiao Yan, finally began to stir with a slight ripple...