Above the void, seeing the fierce flames rising from Xiao Yan's hand, Lu Cheng's shock was beyond words. At the same time, a sense of dread welled up in his heart.
If Xiao Yan didn't possess such powerful Spiritual Strength, he might have been able to defeat him, but the shock the latter brought him was unprecedented.
With the Spiritual Strength of Third-Tier Alchemist, Xiao Yan's combat strength will be greatly enhanced. Since he cannot gain a complete advantage in terms of Dou Qi, physical strength, and Spiritual Strength, Lu Cheng does not believe that he has the ability to kill him.
Furthermore, setting aside their terrifying appeal, just in terms of Spiritual Strength alone, alchemists' keen insight in this area is universally acknowledged throughout the continent. Currently, the only ones who can rival alchemists in the realm of Spiritual Strength are the equally formidable array masters. Unfortunately, Lu Cheng is not an array master.
After silently comparing the situation in his mind, Lu Cheng's heart sank. In the current situation, not only was Xiao Yan difficult for him to deal with, but more importantly, there was also Jin Yao by his side. If the two of them joined forces and really wanted to deal with him, it would be a question whether he could leave Yan City today.
"Damn it! Am I really going to have to slink away like this?!"
Thinking about the current situation, Lu Cheng a sense of resentment. However, upon further reflection, fighting two against one was not a wise choice, especially since neither of them were ordinary people. If he hesitated any longer, things might turn out badly.
"Damn it! You brat! Jin Yao, I'll remember this for today. I'll make you pay tenfold in the future!"
He cursed inwardly, and at that moment, Xiao Yan, who was in the void above him, suddenly let out a cold snort. Instantly, Lu Cheng felt the world tremble slightly, and even the temperature of the world seemed to rise slightly, as if a great battle was about to begin.
"Hmph! Kid, you win. That's enough for today. But remember this: I'll settle this score with you myself sooner or later!"
With his eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, Lu Cheng rebuked him angrily, showing no sign of admitting defeat.
"Alright, if you dare to come knocking, I'm ready to oblige!"
Under the golden light, Xiao Yan's pale face remained cold, and his tone was unyielding. This angered Lu Cheng, whose face twisted in frustration. In the end, after letting out a hateful snort, he turned and flew swiftly away from Yan City. Behind him, a series of mocking gazes followed until they reached the end of the line of sight.
Conversely, when these people looked at the serene Xiao Yan, their expressions became respectful, and even their faces quickly formed humble smiles when Xiao Yan looked at them.
In response to the crowd's reaction, Xiao Yan couldn't help but let out a cold laugh on his pale face. Although he didn't want to pay attention to these people, he couldn't help but sneer in his heart.
When he defeated Lu Cheng, everyone looked at him with pity and mockery. But now that the battle has turned around, the eyes of these onlookers have shifted, but this so-called shift is shameful.
"His posture was servile at first, then obsequious; it's laughable to even think about it."
He murmured something in a low, indifferent tone, and then, with a thought, Xiao Yan dispelled his Vajra Glazed Body. At the same time, Jin Yao moved swiftly and, with a grateful smile on her face, quickly came to Xiao Yan's side.
However, just as Jin Yao was about to praise Xiao Yan Xiao Yan a smile, she noticed his pale face. Immediately, the expression on her pretty face changed, and she was about to step forward to help Xiao Yan up, but he gently shook his head and stopped her.
"No need. It's just some minor injuries, nothing serious. A little rest will do. But we can't be careless now. That guy hasn't really left yet. If he notices, we'll be in real trouble."
Xiao Yan spoke with a slightly strained voice, while his gaze slowly turned to a certain direction Yan City.
With his extraordinary Spiritual Strength, Xiao Yan was able to easily locate Lu Cheng. Just as Xiao Yan had said, Lu Cheng hadn't actually left, but wanted to observe the situation from the shadows. Unfortunately, Xiao Yan's deliberate glance made him realize he had been discovered, and now he had no choice but to leave.
A moment later, when Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength sensed that Lu Cheng truly left, Xiao Yan in the void let out a long breath, then shook his head slightly. With a movement, under Jin Yao's careful protection, he left the void. The onlookers also gradually dispersed as Xiao Yan and the others left.
Inside the courtyard, Fang Qian and Dong Chuan gradually recovered from their shock. The two old men looked at each other for a long time before Dong Chuan finally spoke first:
"Perhaps we should go and see him."
Upon hearing this, Fang Qian nodded in agreement. They couldn't bear to miss out on such a young cultivation genius.
Meanwhile, in another courtyard in the city, Xiao Yan and Jin Yao also landed.
This is Jin Yao's residence in Yan City, which is a rather large villa. The courtyard where the two of them are now is just a corner of this entire villa.
Are you alright?
Jin Yao looked at Xiao Yan with a worried expression, a hint of self-reproach appearing on her pretty face.
The reason Xiao Yan was injured was entirely because of her. Now that Xiao Yan was injured for her sake, while she herself was completely unharmed, how could she remain calm?
"Hehe, don't worry, I just recently started practicing a new Dou Technique, and I haven't fully mastered it yet, which is why I was exhausted just now. That guy's punch didn't do me any harm... cough cough cough..."
The comforting words he was offering with a smile had barely left his lips when a cough escaped Xiao Yan's lips. Immediately, an embarrassed look appeared on Xiao Yan's pale face, which made Jin Yao burst out laughing. From Xiao Yan's perspective at this moment, Jin Yao's current posture seemed much more comfortable and natural than her usual feigned gentleness.
With a smile to his heart, Xiao Yan stopped thinking nonsense and, in the blink of an eye, Xiao Yan actually fell asleep while sitting in the armchair.
Listening carefully to the orderly breathing sounds coming from Xiao Yan's nose, Jin Yao twisted her delicate body, her alluring waist bending like a water snake as she sat down on a chair opposite Xiao Yan. Her beautiful, soft body languidly rested on the stone table, her beautiful eyes looking at Xiao Yan, who had fallen asleep in the blink of an eye. Her red lips were slightly pursed, and she smiled Yanran.
In the courtyard covered with lush grass, several pine trees stood tall. Sunlight fell, casting a huge shadow on the ground, with sparse, palm-sized halos of light filtering through the gaps in the leaves and falling into that shadow.
There is a small pond near the north wall of the courtyard. The water in the pond is clear and the bottom of the pond is visible. The bottom of the pond is covered with pebbles, laid flat, and water plants are condensed. They are deliberately arranged to form a "gold" character. It is obviously deliberately arranged by someone.
There were other fish swimming in the pond, darting among the water plants, leisurely and carefree. Although exposed to the sunlight, they were clearly not afraid of humans; otherwise, they would have scattered and hidden themselves long ago.
In the middle, beside a low plum tree, there was a stone table and two stone chairs, placed opposite each other. At this moment, a beautiful woman with a charming figure was sitting in one of the chairs, her body languidly lying on the stone table, fast asleep.
"Hmm..."
Suddenly, the woman let out a soft moan from her delicate nose, and then she slowly woke up. The moment she opened her eyes, she saw that the stone chair opposite her was empty; the person who had been there was nowhere to be seen.
Jin Yao was startled. Her mind, which had not yet fully awakened, was suddenly stimulated as if something had happened. She immediately sat up from the stone chair, her beautiful eyes darting around anxiously. Surely that guy wouldn't have left without saying a word!
However, when Jin Yao's gaze fell upon the pond, the breath she had been holding in suddenly dissipated, and her delicate body went limp like a deflated balloon.
At that moment, on a blue stone by the pond in the courtyard, Xiao Yan, dressed in a black robe, sat cross-legged with his back to her, his eyes closed and his hands forming cultivation hand seals. With each breath he took, faint streams of heaven and earth energy gathered towards Xiao Yan.
The moment Jin Yao awoke, Xiao Yan seemed to sense it as well. He slowly opened his tightly closed eyes, a golden light flashing deep within them. Then, a smile appeared on his lips as he rose from the bluestone and turned to look at Jin Yao.
"Are you awake?"
Xiao Yan chuckled and asked, while simultaneously taking a light step and arriving before the stone table.
"I thought you'd left without saying goodbye; you really gave me a fright."
Seeing Xiao Yan walk over and sit down, Jin Yao nodded slightly and then smiled softly.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle, then looked up at Jin Yao opposite him and said:
"I came to Yan City this time because I have something to ask of you, so how could I leave without saying goodbye?"
As Xiao Yan finished speaking, Jin Yao suddenly realized something, and then teased him again:
"It seems that Xiao Yan doesn't really miss his sister, but rather his collection here, right?"
Xiao Yan grinned and gave an awkward smile.
Tell me, what do you need? Maybe I actually have it here.
Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Jin Yao stopped teasing him, her smile fading, and she got back to the point, asking seriously.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan didn't mince words and stated his purpose directly.
After hearing Xiao Yan's words, Jin Yao couldn't help but frown deeply, her pretty face showing a thoughtful expression that made people hesitant to disturb her.
More than ten minutes later, Jin Yao sighed softly, a helpless expression on her face. She frowned, looked at Xiao Yan, and whispered:
"I'm sorry, Fire Plume Flower. Not only does my Thousand Medicine Pavilion not have it, but I've never even heard of it. So, I'm afraid I can't help you this time."
Upon hearing this, a look of disappointment appeared on Xiao Yan's face, which was filled with sighs and cries, but he quickly forced a smile and comforted Jin Yao;
"It's alright. Fire Plume Flower is an extremely precious medicinal herb, not something I could find so easily. I only came to Yan City to try my luck. Since I didn't find it, it's no big deal."
Although he said these words, Xiao Yan still felt a pang of sadness in his heart. The Fire Plume Flower was directly related to his strength, and now that he had failed to obtain it, it would be a lie to say that he didn't care. However, given the current situation, he was extremely helpless.
"Or... you could go check out the auction house. Maybe they have something to auction, some valuable items. Even I don't know the details, but you're different. You're Third-Tier Alchemist. Those guys are eager to get on your good side. Maybe with their help you can find the Fire Plume Flower."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's dark eyes, which had just dimmed, suddenly seemed to have thought of something. Jin Yao's words gave Xiao Yan hope. Perhaps he could really use their power to help him find the Fire Plume Flower, but not through an auction.
"Hehe, Sister Jin Yao, thank you. Perhaps I have a way to find the Fire Plume Flower!"
With this thought in mind, Xiao Yan immediately showed a warm smile and gave Jin Yao a grateful smile. Then, with a swift movement, he stood up quickly, lightly touched the air with his toes, and in the blink of an eye, Xiao Yan's figure had already appeared in the sky.
But then, just as Xiao Yan was about to make a move, the pupils in his dark eyes suddenly contracted, and the expression on his face also froze. His body, which had just been floating in the air, was now frozen in mid-air.
Afterwards, Jin Yao also rushed into the air, wanting to ask Xiao Yan what was going on. However, just as she appeared beside Xiao Yan, she also noticed the two old men standing in front of them.
These two men were none other than Fang Qian and Dong Chuan, the manager and Dong Chuan of Heavenly Cloud Auction House.
Above the void, the four people stared at each other without saying a word, and the atmosphere instantly became strange. However, to Jin Yao's surprise, it seemed that the two people in front of her had never looked at her once from the beginning. Their entire attention was focused on Xiao Yan, who was standing next to them.