With the departure of the Grand Hall Master, this world returned to its original appearance, and the oppressive atmosphere that had enveloped the world also dissipated. However, even so, Xiao Yan, who was standing in the sky, still could not show any relaxed expression on his face.
Looking at Xiao Jin, who had transformed back into a small snake and coiled around him, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a pang of pity in his eyes, while a surge of rage rose within him.
Despite shrinking in size, Xiao Jin's injuries were not lessened at all. His body, which was originally covered in golden Long Lin, was now replaced by crimson blood, with wounds all over his body, making him look extremely miserable.
Along the way, Xiao Jin had suffered countless injuries for Xiao Yan, and each time he was on the verge of losing his life. For Xiao Yan, Xiao Jin was willing to risk his life, while he could only helplessly watch those who had injured Xiao Jin leave unharmed. This made Xiao Yan furious and hate his own weakness.
He thought that having reached his current level, he would be able to protect the people he wanted to protect. But he never expected that he would be covered in wounds along the way. He couldn't even protect Xiao Jin, the only family member by his side. Only now did he truly realize his own weakness.
As long as he doesn't reach his peak, he can never be called a strongman, let alone protect his loved ones.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yan's hand, hidden under his sleeve, trembled and clenched tightly. In his mind, the faces of Jian Ming and the others appeared one by one, and finally, the Great Hall Master.
The faces of these people were deeply etched into his mind. From now on, as long as these people live, they will become a nightmare that haunts Xiao Yan for the rest of his life.
However, just as Xiao Yan's anger was rising, an old man dressed in a golden robe, with white hair and beard and a kind face, appeared without warning in the void a few feet in front of Xiao Yan.
"Well..."
The moment the old man appeared, Xiao Yan quickly snapped back to reality, his gaze rising sharply. A solemn expression gradually appeared on his pale face. A moment later, Xiao Yan hurriedly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the old man, speaking respectfully:
"Junior Xiao Yan thanks Senior for saving me just now!"
The moment Xiao Yan's gaze swept across the old man's face, a strange feeling flashed through his mind.
The old man in the golden robe smiled faintly, his cloudy old eyes, filled with the marks of time, giving Xiao Yan a deep look before sweeping over the Xiao Jin on Xiao Yan's shoulder. He frowned slightly before his gaze returned to Xiao Yan, and then slowly spoke:
"You don't need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank this little guy. If he hadn't risked his life to save you, I really wouldn't have intervened."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression faltered slightly. He then gently stroked Xiao Jin's head with his blood-stained hand, a touch of emotion stirring within him. He smiled and whispered to Xiao Jin:
"Hehe, little guy, we're really grateful to have you."
"Roar..."
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the badly injured Xiao Jin nudged Xiao Yan's palm with its little head and growled softly.
Looking at the Xiao Jin on his shoulder, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle. Then, remembering the old man before him, he quickly turned around, looked at the old man in the brocade robe, and bowed again, saying:
"Regardless, I am truly grateful for your help today, senior, that I was able to escape with my life. I am deeply thankful for your great kindness!"
"Hehe, no need for gratitude, but there is one thing I must take with me."
The old man stroked his beard lightly, looked at Xiao Yan with a smile, glanced at Xiao Jin again, and chuckled.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan immediately frowned. With a thought, the Northern King flew over from a distance and stood beside Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan is a grateful person, but if the other party has ill intentions, he will not be polite to them either.
When the Northern King came to his side, Xiao Yan felt somewhat more confident. From the old man's gaze, he could clearly see that the old man's intention was the Xiao Jin on his shoulder.
With a sliver of hope in his heart, Xiao Yan Xiao Yan this was merely wishful thinking. After a few breaths, he narrowed his eyes, fixed his gaze on the golden-robed elder, and spoke again, his voice low and solemn:
"I wonder what you mean by 'something' in your words, senior...?"
"The one I'm talking about is the one right now on your left shoulder!"
Before Xiao Yan could finish speaking, the old man in the golden robe pointed a finger directly at Xiao Jin.
"Senior, I don't quite understand what you mean."
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. He hadn't expected that this old man in golden robes would actually have designs on Xiao Jin. This made Xiao Yan's anger surge. Now, Xiao Jin was the only family member by his side. He would never allow anyone to take him away from him, even if the other party was a super strong person who had surpassed the Yuan Zong.
As Xiao Yan's thoughts settled, the Northern King in front of him moved his feet, shielding Xiao Yan and Xiao Jin behind him. Xiao Yan quickly swallowed several Emperor Grade Pill, hurriedly recovering from his injuries and the Dou Qi he had lost in the previous battle.
At the same time, Xiao Yan also fully mobilized the remaining Dou Qi within his body. Tiny flames flickered and rose from Xiao Yan's body, a sight that caused a look of surprise to flash across the eyes of the golden-robed elder.
"Hey kid, you've got some nerve. With that little strength, you dare to mention Dou Qi in front of me? You're truly the first person on this entire continent!"
With a slight raise of his eyebrows, the old man in the golden robe couldn't help but chuckle at Xiao Yan. His words were calm and unwavering, yet they were enough to reveal his astonishment at Xiao Yan.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's facial muscles twitched violently. Excessively squeezing out his internal Dou Qi was a considerable burden for him!
Even so, Xiao Yan still managed to clench his fist out of thin air and take the Heavy Xuan Ruler out of his Storage Ring, holding it firmly in his palm.
However, unlike usual, the Xiao Yan Heavy Xuan Ruler, which Xiao Yan had always handled with ease and was completely accustomed to, suddenly caused his arm to sink slightly the moment he touched it, and his face became even paler.
"This is..."
Upon seeing the giant ruler in Xiao Yan's hand, the old man in the golden robe couldn't help but slightly concentrate, muttering a low murmur. His cloudy old eyes stared at Xiao Yan once more, and a look of horror welled up in them.
After a long while, the somewhat heavy atmosphere in the world was broken once again by the old man's kind laughter.
"Hehe, alright, alright, put it away. You're already overburdened. Rather than wasting your own life force without knowing the truth, it's better to listen to what I have to say first. I believe you'll agree to let me take him away."
Xiao Yan frowned, slightly raising the giant ruler in his hand and pointing it at the old man, his mind racing with thoughts.
Facing a powerhouse of this level, he dared not be careless. However, if this golden-robed elder truly harbored ill intentions towards Xiao Jin, he would have already taken action instead of wasting time with him here. Since the latter believed he could persuade him, he would listen to him for the time being, which would buy him some time to recover his Dou Qi.
With this in mind, Xiao Yan, amidst the golden-robed elder's kind smile, withdrew the Heavenly Flames and Dou Qi surging from his body, while the Heavy Xuan Ruler remained firmly held in Xiao Yan's palm.