In Shahepu, amidst the swirling sand and dust in the sky, several figures stood out starkly.
" President Han, what do you mean by this? You should know that Xiao Yan is someone that our Four Great Sects have specifically named to capture. As the vice president of the Alchemist Alliance, do you also intend to interfere in this matter?"
Chen Zhen's face was gloomy. The four of them had heard Han Dong's words clearly. The latter's nonchalant attitude showed that he didn't take the Four Great Sects seriously at all!
How could they possibly tolerate such a contemptuous attitude?
As Chen Zhen finished speaking, the other three people beside him also turned their gazes to Han Dong, their expressions equally grim.
They had waited so long for this day, and finally, they were about to capture Xiao Yan. With the Heavenly Severing Steps in hand, the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb could be opened. Then, the Four Great Sects would each plunder the rare treasures within the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
However, Han Dong's sudden intervention pushed Xiao Yan, who was already a sure thing, away from them, thus widening the distance between them and the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb. This time, they were finally satisfied.
"Four sect leaders, you captured young friend Xiao Yan simply to obtain the Heavenly Severing Steps from him, thereby opening the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb. Why must you relentlessly pursue him and insist on killing him?"
Han Dong smiled and shook his head, stroking his beard lightly with one hand, and said with a faint smile.
"Hmph, he killed hundreds of people from my sect, do you think I'll just let this go?!"
Jian Ming stared at Xiao Yan with murderous intent in his eyes, his face full of anger. The extremely powerful aura within him surged continuously, causing the invisible void to fluctuate violently.
" Jian Ming Master Jianming's words are utterly ridiculous. Your Heavenly Sword Sect Sect's Four Great Clans have repeatedly tried to kill me. I only killed them to protect myself. Their deaths were entirely their own fault. If we must get to the bottom of this, it seems to be because of the bounties issued by your Four Great Sects!"
Upon hearing Jian Ming's words, Xiao Yan crossed his arms and said with a mocking expression.
"You!"
Jian Ming gritted his teeth, his Elder Zhang flushed red with anger, and the muscles at the corners of his eyes twitched violently. Although he wanted to say something, he found himself unable to utter a word.
"Vice President Han, this matter has nothing to do with the Alchemist Alliance. I hope you can give us this favor and not let a Third-Tier Alchemist affect our relationship."
Chen Zhen stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Han Dong, and spoke in a very respectful tone.
Although the latter might be slightly inferior to them in terms of cultivation, Han Dong was a true Fifth-Tier Alchemist alchemy. Even more powerful experts in the Origin Return Realm would treat such a person with respect, so they naturally could not be careless.
"Our Alchemist Alliance shouldn't be interfering in today's events. However, Mr. Xiao Yan's achievements in the field of alchemy are unparalleled in all my years of experience. He has already become Third-Tier Alchemist at such a young age. Therefore, I hope to invite Mr. Xiao Yan to join our Alchemist Alliance."
After speaking, Han Dong turned around again, looking at Xiao Yan behind him with a peaceful smile. His eyes seemed to be telling him that as long as he joined the Alchemist Alliance, he would be willing to protect Xiao Yan from these four people.
Realizing the old man's intentions, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Could the old man's actions be considered a form of coercion and enticement?
Of course, even if Han Dong didn't do such a thing, Xiao Yan would still accept the invitation from the Alchemist Alliance. After all, the Alchemist Alliance was directly related to the existence of the Pill Tower, a place that all alchemists across the continent longed for.
All the truly powerful alchemists in the entire Origin Martial Continent would gather there. As an alchemist, being able to compete with them would undoubtedly be a great fortune in life. Therefore, in Xiao Yan's heart, he also hoped that one day he could receive an invitation from the Alchemist Alliance.
To his surprise, the person who came to invite him was actually the vice president of the Alchemist Alliance.
On the other side, when the four sect leaders heard the words uttered by Han Dong, their expressions suddenly sharpened. Although they had already guessed why Han Dong had taken action for Xiao Yan, they were still incredibly shocked to hear him say it himself.
Xiao Yan's talent was so impressive that it moved the Alchemist Alliance. Han Dong, as the vice president of the Alchemist Alliance and a Fifth-Tier Alchemist, personally stepped forward for Xiao Yan. This alone shows how much Han Dong values Xiao Yan.
Indeed, such a young Third-Tier Alchemist is extremely rare even in the Central Region, let alone in the barren Western Region of this entire continent.
The fact that a Third-Tier Alchemist could emerge from here already proves that his abilities are far beyond those of ordinary Third-Tier Alchemist.
Once Xiao Yan joins the Alchemist Alliance, his status and position will change. At that time, Xiao Yan will represent the Alchemist Alliance, not just himself.
With Han Dong leading the way, if Xiao Yan were to actually agree to join the Alchemist Alliance, wouldn't that mean that Xiao Yan would immediately have a behemoth protecting him, and that this behemoth's foundation would be no weaker than that of the Four Great Sects?
Moreover, in some respects, the Alchemist Alliance is far more powerful than the Four Great Sects. Once the two sides become enemies, they don't even need to think about the final outcome.
"Hehe, what I said just now might not have been formal enough. Now, I, Han Dong, in my capacity as the vice president of the Alchemist Alliance, formally invite Mr. Xiao Yan to join our Alchemist Alliance."
Han Dong stared at Xiao Yan with narrowed eyes. He flicked his withered hand, and a metal badge, unlike any other Alchemist Badge, appeared in Han Dong palm.
"This is..."
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. This was a special badge issued by the Alchemist Alliance. Anyone who held this badge would be protected by the Alchemist Alliance, and even ordinary alchemists would have to bow respectfully to it.
This is a symbol of status and a display of position.
"Mr. Xiao Yan, as long as you join our Alchemist Alliance, from this moment on, this badge belongs to you. At the same time, the Alchemist Alliance has the obligation to protect your safety."
As soon as Han Dong finished speaking, his gaze shifted, and his expression immediately turned sharp. His eyes swept over Chen Zhen and the other three, as if he were deliberately warning them.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's heart stirred slightly. After a moment's hesitation, he chuckled and nodded under the resentful gazes of Chen Zhen and the other three, saying:
" The Alchemist Alliance is a place every alchemist aspires to. I feel incredibly honored to be personally invited by the Vice President. I would be more than happy to join the Alchemist Alliance!"